Losing my friend

[64Strat]

A Pet's Ten Commandments

1. My life is likely to last 10 to 15 years. Any separation from you is likely to be painful.

2. Give me time to understand what you want of me.

3. Place your trust in me. It is crucial for my well-being.

4. Don't be angry with me for long and don't lock me up as punishment. You have your work, your friends, your entertainment, but I only have you.

5. Talk to me. Even if I don't understand your words, I do understand your voice when speaking to me.

6. Be aware that however you treat me, I will never forget it.

7. Before you hit me, remember that I could hurt you, and yet I choose not to bite you.

8. Before you scold me for being lazy or uncooperative, ask yourself if something might be bothering me. Perhaps I'm not getting the right food, I have been in the sun too long, or my heart might be getting old or weak.

9. Please take care of me when I grow old. You too, will grow old.

10. On the ultimate difficult journey, go with me please. Never say you can't bear to watch. Don't make me face this alone. Everything is easier for me if you are there, because I love you so.

[R. Stratenstein]

So sorry about Col. Wally. He obviously has had a wonderful life with you. Only thing wrong with dogs is that their lives are so darn short. 17 years is a good run for a dog. Unfortunately, I'm partial to Labs, who all seem to get around 11 years. I think it is good advice to stay with him at the end, and if your vet recommends euthanaisia, it is the kindest thing you can do for him. Does not make it hurt any less, I know.

[jumpnblues]

God Bless and be with you and your very loved friend. Very, very, difficult time, I know. But you've given him a wonderful life. That's something that, unfortunately, many dogs don't receive. My thoughts and prayers are with you.


Tom

[KevinB]

My thoughts are with you and Wally - I've been ther too and it is truly heartbreaking.

[Boubou]

Letting go of a pet is one of the hardest thing to do. They give you everything they have. Just be with him

Sent from my iPad using TDPRI

[czook]

I am so sorry that I opened this thread, but I knew I had to. We lost our Jack Russel Terrier about a year and a half ago. She was only 13. She died after a short illness at my feet in bed with me. I totally lost it for weeks. I still tear up thinking about what a wonderful and loyal pet she was. I am embarrassed but I never felt such overwhelming grief for any human as I did her.

There is nothing any of us can say to make this better, but many of us have been where you are now and it just sucks.

[dented]

Rooster and I are thinking about you both. Hang in there. It is just awful to watch your pet suffer. Be strong and we will put in a good word for you both.

[Cassady]

I am truly sorry to hear about Colonel Wally. I wish the best for him and for you, too. I can tell from the way that you write about him that you will do the right thing for your buddy.

[Hardneck]

My dog saved my life in 1999. I had gone walking one Sunday morning when I slipped on some shale and slipped 350 feet. Sparky was trailing behind investigating as he did and when he decided to catch up saw I was in trouble. My leg was broken and I had severe lacerations from the slide.

My buddy went nuts and made a huge racket, running along the trail until he met some other walkers. They told me later they were complelled to follow Sparky and eventually they came upon me and I was eventually taken out by mountain rescue.

I had him for 8 more months until he developed a tumor and had to be put down. It was the worst day I can remember in a long time. I've a memorial tattoo of him on my arm now but won't get another dog because parting is so difficult.

Keep your chin up and hang in there.

[stxrus]

positive thoughts and mojo to the both of you

[64Strat]

Originally Posted by Hardneck

My dog saved my life in 1999. I had gone walking one Sunday morning when I slipped on some shale and slipped 350 feet. Sparky was trailing behind investigating as he did and when he decided to catch up saw I was in trouble. My leg was broken and I had severe lacerations from the slide.

My buddy went nuts and made a huge racket, running along the trail until he met some other walkers. They told me later they were complelled to follow Sparky and eventually they came upon me and I was eventually taken out by mountain rescue.

I had him for 8 more months until he developed a tumor and had to be put down. It was the worst day I can remember in a long time. I've a memorial tattoo of him on my arm now but won't get another dog because parting is so difficult.

Keep your chin up and hang in there.

What a great story for us & a great memory for you for what he did!! that made my day, thank you! and very sorry you lost him so soon after but there is no doubt he loved you.

[chabby]

I hear ya about the parting part - I'm a Labrador lover and they live somewhere between 8-14 years, with the average being around 10 9depending on size and life style.

The oldest I've had so far was 12 and he might have lived longer but my roomate at the time fell asleep while I was away on business and he got run over. Of course I posted signs everywhere, then a nearby vet called me about 2 weeks into my search saying someone brought in a dog they hit on the four lane road. He got hit the day my roomate fell asleep. When I arrived home froma long day of driving 6 miles for work, I was despondent he could have allowed my dog to escape. I never got over it and that guy was never my friend again, I just couldn't forgive him. I had my house set up as dog friendly fortress, so I could easily leave for work knowing my dog was secure. I let him move in because he was going througn a divorce and he also had an idiot Dalmation he let run all over the city. Well. my dog wasnt ever allowed to do that, and he followed the roomates dog right into a car. The difference being, my dog knew nothing about cars.

At the end of the day it was my fault for letting that idiot move in, but he knew the rules and followed them until that day, which is all it took. I hated that guy and still do. I moved out shortly thereafter and that guy was such an Ahole he continued running the utilitiies under my name - that is until he skipped town. One day I was just running credit on myself and discovered what was up and that I owed the power company 500 bucks.

From 5 years ago!!!! If I ever run into that guy, he better be ready for some throw down.
My Lab now is 9+ years old and in amazingly good fitness level, but she's pretty big and my guess is I'll be lucky to get another 2-3 years from her. One thing certain, if she starts hurting I don't believe in letting them suffer just to keep me emotionally fit, I'll take them in for help, as much as I hate it, to make their next journey as painless as possible. Thats what takes courage and knowing your dog well enough to know when that time comes. Labs are amazing at hiding pain, moreso than any other breed according to the vets I've dealt with over the years.

Like I said i dread the day, but know it's looming in my near future. This time I'll probably go with a Lab for just long enough to make sure we go at close to the same time, if that's possible. That would be ideal for me to go about 3-6 months after ward.

That's one thing cool about the smaller breeds, they live so much longer. I was raised with a poodle growing up that lived for 23 years - she was a great dog. But I'm more of a bigger breed type person now, because I like to hunt with my dogs.

[macdog]

One of the toughest things we have to face. Your anguish tells us all what a fine person you are. Our thoughts are with you and your little mate.

[Henry]

TDPRI gives the Colonel a 21 gun salute.

[TeleTown]

So sorry for Wally and you. A part of life that it so hard to deal with. I to shall be in your shoes. I have a 14 yr ol lab ( Brown dog) that is getting close to her time. God bless the both of you!!

[sonserve]

Sorry, Hannigan. I waited too long with my last dog, Sapphire. I had my hand on her when she went. I have a knew best friend these days.
There ain't much to say but sorry, man.
Keep us posted.

[Slowpoke]

I feel for you Hannigan and your buddy Wally, I know what its like to lose a good friend after being together for so long. I had to have my dog Gunnar put down after advise from a good friend who's a Vet. Gunnar was in a lot of pain thru' hip displacia, he was a Bully Dingo cross and even now 11 years later I still think about him and miss him. We have a little Cavoodle now thats 3 years old and will very likely outlive me. She's our little Princess and we (wife and myself) love her dearly. Her name is Amber.... Slowpoke

[dan1952]

So sorry to hear about your loss.

[tele salivas]

Hannigan, man, sorry to hear Colonel Wally had to go. Our wire hair fox terrier went everywhere with me too, slept in the crook of my knee for the last 13 years. We had to put our little pal to sleep as he was suffering kidney failure. He was really special, they all are! Fox terriers are aces in my book, my old friend Charlie around the time we got him...

[IMG][/IMG]

[DrumBob]

I am very sorry for your loss. I have been there with our cats. It's an awful experience.