Trust the Dog!

[68W]

Militant,

Interesting you mention this in this thread. My dog I've discussed above is in the same boat. We will be needing to make the hard decision in the next month or so. He is only 6 and is a fine specimen in every other way (OFA rated his hips as "Excellent"/no evidence of displasia) and has been highly sought after as a breeding stud because he comes from meticulously bred working lines. Sadly, though, he has developed a freak cancer called a hemangiosarcoma growing out of his rump. We don't have the means to give him the optimal chemotherapy treatments the Vet recommended so we've gone with the affordable 2nd option. We've enjoyed 7-8 months of "honeymoon" period in which the tumor shrank, he was pain free and enjoying life with our family. I've been running a lot with him and he still had the zest this whole time.

Unfortunately, in the last 2 weeks a switch has been thrown. The tumor has blown up in size and in the last few days has even erupted through the skin. He's not as quick or as spry but still wants to retrieve the ball and patrol his territory. The drives that make him such a wonderful GSD will not go away but his body is fighting him. He actually just now got up slowly and came and put his head in my lap briefly. Anyway, I'm having to man up very very soon and have him euthanized. I don't think he's miserable yet and still seems very happy to spend time with us. I think the courage and loyalty to his "job" is just so strong that he won't display if it is going on too long. This is not a good feeling. He is not one of my children, he is still a dog but he is my dog, my friend, and my big helper in securing my wife and children when I'm away, because of this its getting emotional for me to call it. We plan to donate his body to a Veterinarian school after we finally have the job done. I'm a 4th year medical student and am very grateful and indebted to those folks that have donated their bodies for my educational benefit and feel we should pay this small favor forward. Doesn't make it any easier though.

Sorry for the personal turn in the thread. Couldn't help it. Carry on.

[replacement]

Gauge is a pretty good watch dog.

[militant_monkey]

Militant,

Interesting you mention this in this thread. My dog I've discussed above is in the same boat. We will be needing to make the hard decision in the next month or so. He is only 6 and is a fine specimen in every other way (OFA rated his hips as "Excellent"/no evidence of displasia) and has been highly sought after as a breeding stud because he comes from meticulously bred working lines. Sadly, though, he has developed a freak cancer called a hemangiosarcoma growing out of his rump. We don't have the means to give him the optimal chemotherapy treatments the Vet recommended so we've gone with the affordable 2nd option. We've enjoyed 7-8 months of "honeymoon" period in which the tumor shrank, he was pain free and enjoying life with our family. I've been running a lot with him and he still had the zest this whole time.

Unfortunately, in the last 2 weeks a switch has been thrown. The tumor has blown up in size and in the last few days has even erupted through the skin. He's not as quick or as spry but still wants to retrieve the ball and patrol his territory. The drives that make him such a wonderful GSD will not go away but his body is fighting him. He actually just now got up slowly and came and put his head in my lap briefly. Anyway, I'm having to man up very very soon and have him euthanized. I don't think he's miserable yet and still seems very happy to spend time with us. I think the courage and loyalty to his "job" is just so strong that he won't display if it is going on too long. This is not a good feeling. He is not one of my children, he is still a dog but he is my dog, my friend, and my big helper in securing my wife and children when I'm away, because of this its getting emotional for me to call it. We plan to donate his body to a Veterinarian school after we finally have the job done. I'm a 4th year medical student and am very grateful and indebted to those folks that have donated their bodies for my educational benefit and feel we should pay this small favor forward. Doesn't make it any easier though.

Sorry for the personal turn in the thread. Couldn't help it. Carry on.

It is a terrible thing for a human to determine something for a nonverbal family member and that is what Chewy is. (Star Wars reference!). We all have lost human family and friends but I never have had the responsibility or authority to end a life. I know it will come. I dread it. Thanks for your and all the posters kind words!

[replacement]

Chewy looks like a great dog. Dogs make me happy and I don't know if I will ever be able to not have a dog in my life. I can tell you that at the end of a dogs journey it is among the hardest things we face in normal peaceful life. It does get better quickly and at some point a new puppy helps turn the page. I keep the collars and the memories.

[Moose-Knuckle]

Great thread guys, someone must be cutting up some onions near by cause my eyes are watering.


SteyrAUG put it like this in a General Discussion thread; "My dogs are better humans than most people I've met". That pretty much sums it up.

[Vic303]

Militant, so sorry to learn your RR has cancer. One of our RRs has a large malignancy, that will probably end his life this year. He is our youngest daughter's best friend, and it will break her heart when the end comes.

[militant_monkey]

Militant, so sorry to learn your RR has cancer. One of our RRs has a large malignancy, that will probably end his life this year. He is our youngest daughter's best friend, and it will break her heart when the end comes.

It is funny how acute they are. I am lying in bed sleepless and he is trying to comfort me. He has head kinda propped on my leg. He knows I am upset. I just wish I could tell him why. I pray he makes it to the end of the year. I am sorry to hear about your ridgeback.

[BuzzinSATX]

great story...thanks.

[jhurt]

When my wife and I went on vacation a couple years ago my wife's Grandmother watched our dogs (boxer and a doberman) at her house, she always demanded to be asked first and loved them both. This was during a couple weeks of bad weather late in the summer. The second night they are there BOTH dogs are pacing and whining at about 2 am and wake up grandma, she doesn't know whats going on because they never bother her after everyone goes to bed, they just sleep next to her bed on the floor all night. About 3 minutes after she wakes up she hears it start...the tornado siren. She takes the dogs and they all go into the basement to wait it out. 2 nights later they wake her up at about midnight doing the same thing. She remembers what happened the previous night and takes everyone into the basement. As soon as they get downstairs and close the door the tornado sirens fire up again. Damn dogs can sense something happening at a level humans just don't comprehend.

The heroes:
TJ the boxer



And Snoopy the Doberman

[williejc]

My tom cat of many years past always knew when it would rain before we had a clue. He would ask to come inside, and that would be the signal. My dog who stays outside retreats to a favorite covered porch before bad weather or rain starts. About dogs but in a different vein, the couple across the street have a boxer and Boston bull terrier. Suddenly, the boxer refused to leave her side and even demanded to enter the bathroom with her. Soon, she discovered that she was pregnant, and the boxer continued to remain at her side for nine months. After the baby was born and came home with Mama, the boxer insisted on sleeping under the baby's crib. Both dogs seemed to know that there was a baby coming, and both were immediately thrilled with little Copeland.
I am, too and have some fine knives, a nifty hatchet, and a real clean Stevens single barrel .410 set aside for him when I depart this world.