O/T Long Weekend

[TF_caster robParticipant]

Took dog to vets today, third time in 3 weeks.

First for innoculation booster & check-up. Told he was in A1 condition.

Week after, he’s trembling, lethargic, bit smelly and no appetite.
Vet diagnoses gastric bug and it will clear up.

No improvement, less energy, sickness, off his legs and losing weight (within 2 weeks of being A1).

Back today, vet diagnoses CRF (kidney failure) has blood test and is now having 48hr kidney flush (diuresis) and another blood test on Sunday.

Dependent on results I have to decide whether to have him put to sleep or not.

Bo&&*(ks.

Never felt worse in my life.

[TF_The Ginger magician]

Feel for you mate like losing a member of the family thats why i will never have another dog to much heartache when they go
on a positive note lets hope it clears up and he/she is ok

[TF_Billy no FishParticipant]

That’s bad Rob, know how you feel. I hope he pulls through. I echo Jym’s sentiments, one of the worst feelings in the world.

[TF_geepsterParticipant]

Really sorry to hear that Rob. Not sure what to say other than ‘chin up’ really.

[TF_caster robParticipant]

Thanks chaps.

I can’t figure how it could have all happened so quickly.

I’ve discovered that some dogs are able to survive for a while and have to have a special low-protein diet. Depends on the levels in the blood-tests before and after the kidneys are flushed.

The waiting and feeling of helplessness is ripping me up.

I just hope I can have him home again, even if it’s only long enough to say goodbye.

I thought he’d just have an injection or some tablets this morning – totally unprepared for this.

[TF_dendra]

Sorry to hear that Rob,hope he pulls through mate.

[TF_MICK THE BOOKIE]

Rob…..I have had 7 Boxers in my time,and after losing the first who died in my arms i vowed i would never have another dog.But of course i did and i loved and cherished all of them.Two of them died very young through breeding problems,but i never ever regretted having them.My children loved the ones that were in their times and they were a great part of the family.Yes of course you will miss your soul mate and pal,but you will never forget him and know that you gave him a great life,just as he gave you so much…..I hope he pulls through mate,but if he doesnt you have always got your memories…Take care fella.

[TF_piperpilot]

Rob I sincerely hope that he pulls through and makes a full recovery but don’t ever forget that you have plenty of mates on here who understand what your going through and share your burden,

[TF_Katarino]

Been there Rob, it’s bloody awful but try to console yourself with this, they make you smile every day you have them except when the time comes when you have to do what is right by them.

Then give yourself a little time and get another, he/she will be a completely different personality and you’ll love them just the same without forgetting the old ones.

[TF_Hillbilly]

Really feel for you Rob. I had the same decision to make some years back and hopefully got it right by having my dog put to sleep to save her any more pain and suffering.

[basilbrushParticipant]

its a bloody hard call to make mate i know been there several times,but before i make that final decision i always get a 2nd opinion from another vet mate that way i know i have done right by my dog and gave him every chance but thats just me. best of luck mate and hope he pulls through it.

[TF_daveroberts]

Sorry to hear that Rob……it’s a horrible thing to go through. Makes you wish they could talk.

Fingers crossed for you.

[TF_caster robParticipant]

Thanks everyone for your kind wishes.

Phoned this morning and was told he was responding well to treatment but the news tonight is not so good and he has begun to deteriorate.

Dreading tomorrow, going to be a difficult day.

[TF_caster robParticipant]

Just had the call I was fearing.

No chance of recovery and to even bring him home for a short while would be too distressing so this afternoon I’m going to see him and do what’s best for him and agony for me.

[TF_Snooty Fox]

Sorry to hear that CR.

TBH my kids have always wanted a dog but I’ve said no for the exact reasons above.

[TF_Chum MixerParticipant]

Caster-rob I know what you are going through, we lost our 5 year old male rotty two months ago to an enlarged heart, nothing ever prepared my wife and me for what happened. He had been i’ll with diabetes which we figured we could get throug but this was a result of his heart pushing all the other organs back causing the problems.

We now have rotty number 4 and life is becoming easier again. My thoughts go out to you Rob as it is the worst feeling in the world mate especially when you are never prepared for it, they are family, life can be very cruel sometimes.

[TF_Decaff]

Anyone who hasn’t been there wouldn’t understand,the hardest thing i’ve ever had to do i think,gutted for you Rob,really sorry to hear this news.

[TF_caster robParticipant]

Thanks again for your kindness and sympathy.

I went to the hospital with my wife and two girls at lunchtime and we were able to spend a final couple of hours with him in the grounds.

He seemed quite bright when we first got there but that was only due to the benefit of 48hours diuresis flushing the toxins out of his body.
Although he displayed his usual affection he quickly became tired, and while patting him I became aware of how frail and wasted he was becoming.

When the time came I had a word with the vet who told me that his kidneys had virtually collapsed and his BUN (urea) level was even higher after diuresis than when he was admitted on Friday so there was no hope of recovery and he would deteriorate very rapidly.

I felt uneasy signing the consent but it would have been selfish to prolong his suffering so I had to do what was best for him. I held his head as he slipped away, and he was peaceful, which was the main thing.

I’ve had him since he was six weeks old and he was 11 last month so his loss is devastating, I still keep expecting him to come loping into the room and sitting down by my feet.

At least I’ve got loads of fantastic memories of great times we’ve had together and I’ll always have those.

Goodbye Milo, RIP.

[TF_moto46]

So sorry to hear this, life can be so cruel but you can be assured you gave him a great life with lots of love and attention.

[TF_MICK THE BOOKIE]

Rob…….My thoughts are with you and yours mate…..You take care fella,and keep all your wonderful memories in your heart.They will never die…..Mick.

[TF_Billy no FishParticipant]

Rob, it’s a crap time but this may make you smile.

I lost my dog to cancer in 1996. I was in bits in the vets and the wife was not far behind. It was a horrible day. Anyway we went to pick my youngest up from school with his best mate. In the morning i had explained to him that Tugger would not be there when he came home (Marcus was 6 at the time). We got home and i opened the front door and Marcus ran in calling Tugger’s name. I was caught on the back foot and couldn’t say anything when he stopped. turned to his mate Ash and said:

” Told you he was dead, now do you believe me?”

Needless to say i was in bits but after a few minutes i recovered a bit and realised life goes on. Ash had refused to believe Tugger was ill and hadn’t believed Marcus until it was proven as Tugger would come legging it through the house when we came home. Chin up mate.

[TF_caster robParticipant]

Nice one Col.

If kids can’t raise a smile, nothing can.

Once again I’d like to say how moved I’ve been with the good wishes of you all.

I’m satisfied that I’ve done the right thing by him but the house seems big and empty without him in it.

I can take solace also that throughout his life he had the best of everything I could give him and I honestly don’t think anyone could have done any more.

I know some people are keen to acquire a new dog at times like these, and that is their prerogative, but I’m going to think long and hard before taking that step.
My wife’s not in favour of this course of action at the moment and I worry that another dog would always be compared to Milo (who was a remarkable character) and that wouldn’t be fair.

At least outpouring the sorry tale on here has provided a method of release for my own grief, so a big thanks for that.

I’m raising a glass of Glenlivet now in honour of his memory, because he always deserved the best.

Cheers.

[TF_davenfish]

Rob
fair play to you mate, tough but right decision.
my wife is a veterinary nurse of 20+ years and has seen what youre going through.
my family (wife and daughter) has been begging me for years to get a dog, she brought a dog home before christmas that was rescued from a canal along side his dead brother.
jack russell named bob. cut a long story short he was going to be fostered for a while and has been here ever since.
he ran 7 mile with me the other day and i cant imagine him not being here in the morning.
gutted for you.
take care.

[TF_steve r]

Like countless others have said before me, heartfelt sympathies for your loss Rob.

I’ve grown up with anything up to 4 at a time in the house and the joy they bring is beyond comparison in my mind [never had kids so can’t comment on that!]. 5 years ago our last one died and I said never again but 18 months ago we were asked to look after a 14 year old Japanese Spitz belonging to my other-halfs’ sister while she recovered from a serious operation [sister not the dog!] and, to cut a long story short, we’ve ended up keeping him due to complications with the operation which means she can’t take him back. Looking after a 15 year old [as he now is] is not something to be taken lightly as the effects of age are starting to show and we know his time is limited but the week before Easter we went to Devon for a week for what we expected to be his last holiday with us and, lo and behold, he’s running around on the beach like a puppy, diving in rockpools [when he hates water!] and generally defying the ageing process.
We know only too well that pretty soon the time will come when he deteriorates and the only decision you can make is what’s best for him and I will cry my eyes out as I’ve done with every one I’ve lost over the years but the point I’m trying to make is that having said never again, the last 18 months have been so full of happiness, love and fun that I know we’ll be off to the local rescue centre to give another dog a good home as soon as we feel ready, although that will only happen when it feels right!
So chin up Rob, there’s nothing wrong with grieving, after all 11 years is a big chunk of your life and although you’ll never forget him and can’t replace him a new addition to the family will make you smile and laugh again and, in many ways, help you remember the good times you’ve enjoyed in the past!

[TF_carpmagicParticipant]

Really sorry to read this, i have always had animals since i was a kid and although they bring so much happiness when they go its the worst feeling, especially when its very sudden. Each time i have lost one i always say thats it no more but after a while that feeling goes. I think some people find it hard to understand how an animal can mean so much but after a time they become one of the family and as such you would do anything for them.

[TF_Fordy]

Ditto to all the above really CR. dunno what I’m going to do when mine goes. He’s only 3 (springer spaniel) so a lot of years left yet.

Sincere commiserations

[TF_wightangler]

sorry to hear Rob, only time passed can turn the sad memories into happier ones when remembering and not easy,
all the best,

[basilbrushParticipant]

rob you did right by your dog you gave him every chance mate and thats more than alot of dogs get, no more suffering.if its any consolation theres a website called rainbowbridge were you or your kidscanvisit and leave a photo of there pets and a few words as a perminent memorial.hope this helps a bit mate as i know how you are feeling.

[TF_caster robParticipant]

Big thanks to all for your kind words and commiserations.

I’ve managed to come to terms with having him put to sleep and I’m now clear in my mind that it was the right thing to do.
Thinking back there were a few signs over the last couple of weeks that his time was drawing near, unfortunately it is only with hindsight that I’ve been able to recognise them. If I’d picked up on them sooner I may have been able to make the most of what time he had left and paid him a bit more attention but it’s easy to be wise afterwards.

I don’t think we’ll be having another dog, I’ve had what I considered the best and I’ve got the memories to keep. It was damned hard this morning coming downstairs and him not being there, and coming home to an empty house.

To those of you who are dog owners I’d urge you to make every day count that they’re with you because we never know what’s around the corner.

So again, my sincerest thanks, you’ve all been a tremendous help through a very difficult time.

[Author]

Posts