Had to say goodbye to my buddie.

[M_ray]

After 14 years I had to say good bye to my buddie yesterday, not only was he getting very surly an unpredictable in his old age but he had some health issues so I needed to make the difficult decision to put him down. Although I didn't hunt him he still got up more than one covey of quail on our walks near the house over the years. I know this group of guy's will know more than any how I am feeling today. They are allways there for you ... when you get home from work, no matter how long you have been gone the feeling is the same! It could be 5 minutes or 5 hours they allways treat you the same!!! No matter how mad you get at them for what they have done they still come back with a desire for approval and love you like no other. I'll miss him very much ... RIP Jake I love you!

[rasbo]

sorry to hear that m ray,

[Wayne1]

Damn...  So sorry to hear for your loss...  Been there. I'm sure he left you with ton's of fond memories. Now there's only one thing left to say..  "Puppy Breath"

[WCTaxidermy]

Mray, I sure feel for your loss.  I looked at your wonderful picture of your dog and shed a tear.  That dog is identical to our 10 year old lab and we feel the same way about him as you do yours.  Don't forget, you will always enjoy the memories of your dog for the rest of your life.  You take care.  John

[bucklucky]

That sucks Mark.

[scoyoc5]

mray sorry to hear about the difficult decision you had to make I had to make the same decision 20yrs ago with a boxer that I had since I was a kid I still miss that dog!!!!

[Al Bundy]

Sorry to hear that man. It always sucks to loose a pet.

[buckhorn2]

You can tell by the look on his face that he had a special place in your family you must have given him many good years in a dogs life.  Sorry

[Ridgerunner]

Probably one of the top 5 worst things to ever have to do.  I feel your pain, that sucks.  Time will make it better.  There is a reason why they are called "Mans best friends", its becuase they are.  I'm dreading the day my girls time here is up. 

[ICEMAN]

Mray, the love in your heart will always be there. Tough decision. Been there. Always better to do this when the animal has some dignity, sounds like what you chose to do. Hang tough.

We started a diary on our computer when we laid our dog down. Each day myself, wife or the kids would add a thought to it....how we missed "lucky", or how we felt that moment. A great way to express yourself, and share with others. A great thing to read later.

Take care.

[Thenewguy]

Very tough man, been through it. it sucks

[Idabooner]

Sorry man, that's always tough M Ray, but it's just part of having a buddy dog.  I'm sure he appreciates not hurting anymore. Make it easier on yourself and get another puppy, you can't replace Jake but you soon will love the new one.

[gasman]

I feel you loss and pain, for i am going through the pain right now......

[M_ray]

Thank you guy's for all the kind thoughts  There obviously was allot more to the story but that was the short version and the point is it needed to be done the question allways is "Am I doing the right thing?"  Its tough for sure cause you feel helpless not knowing if it's the right time or that you may be cutting a quality of life short, but he has had no cartilage left in his knees for about 5 or more years now and his lungs were very full of fluid and would prevent him from taking too big of a breath without choking. He also was having difficulty keeping food down or in his system long enough to get anything from it. The pic I posted was of him about 6 years ago and he was very healthy still but near the end he was getting pretty skinny.

He was also getting very grumpy with the kids and their friends which was not like him at all, when he was younger he loved all kids so much he used to go greet them all as they came off the school bus! I allways said it was just and excuse to lick the peanutbutter off their faces!!!  Unfortunately it is the harsh reality of having a pet    Thanks again guys.

[Jerbear]

We are sorry about your loss.  They seem to have a special place in our homes and in our heart.  We hope the hurt heals soon.  The memories will stay forever.

Jerry & Cathie Wilson

[washingtonmuley]

Ray,
Sorry about your buddy. That is probably the hardest thing I have ever had to do.
Take care

[Sportfury]

M_ray,

Sorry to hear for your loss. How are the kids doing? I know it is probably as hard on them as it is on you. Let me know if you need anything. Family first.

Chris

[Birdguy]

Good bye is not easy but neither is watching your best friend become something he has never been. You know deep down you did the right thing. Hold onto the great memories he made with you and your family, knowing he is thankful for all you did for and with him. I am looking at two dogs that will be 14 this year and know I am not far from that same decision. The Wife and I got them just after we got married, our kids have not had a day without them. It will be tough and I am not looking forward to that day. We take lots of pictures and the Wife has started a scrap book for them. Hang in there.

[257 Wby Mag]

What a horrible day Mark. Last sunday I had to put my boys weiner dog down, we've had him since my boy was 2, 12 years. Hardest thing I've had to do thus far. I feel your pain brother......

[Skinner]

I feel for ya Mark.

[RPM]

I feel for ya Mark.

me too

[bigdave]

Mray,

Sorry for your loss. Lost my lab this last January. Still not ready for another yet. Prayers are with you. Remember the good times.

Dave

[Wenatcheejay]

I can say is that I know how amazingly difficult what you are going though is.

[Red Dawg]

I had to do the same thing M ray. My old golden meant the world to me but he just got to old, so I also had to have him put down. I feel for ya partner.

[M_ray]

M_ray,

Sorry to hear for your loss. How are the kids doing? I know it is probably as hard on them as it is on you. Let me know if you need anything. Family first.

Chris

Thanks for that Chris but I think only time will help at this point. The girls miss him and have cried alot and Koko is looking for him and misses him too ... I guess Koko is getting spoiled now! 

[Happy Gilmore]

Sorry to hear the news. I'm sure his 14 years were great ones!

[jackelope]

sorry Mark. i am getting close to facing that with my dog. he had a cancerous tumor removed from his leg this year and has the same knee issue(i assume). he'll be 10 years old this year. we decided to have the tumor removed 1 time. they said it may come back, and if it does, we won't have the surgery again. too much pain for him.

[rosscrazyelk]

Sorry for your loss, make no mistake you did the right thing. Just like the animals we hunt  we owe it to our pets to not let them live in pain. I am not looking forward to the day I have to do it. Our pets are our family and it is hard to loose a loved one.

[tlbradford]

I hope you heal quickly and that the good memories will be at the forefront of your mind, rather than his last days.

[tmike]

Mark that sucks, I knew this day was coming but didn't realize it had happened. That's one of the hardest thing to have to do. I'll give you a call later. When I think of Jake I'll always remember the fun he always had in the backyard with his blanket  Don't know if that helps, but remember the good times.

[M_ray]

Mark that sucks, I knew this day was coming but didn't realize it had happened. That's one of the hardest thing to have to do. I'll give you a call later. When I think of Jake I'll always remember the fun he always had in the backyard with his blanket  Don't know if that helps, but remember the good times.

Thanks Tom I know you had to do it with Babe a couple of years ago but i never knew how hard it would be. Yeah even though he was fixed you couldn't tell him that ... he took it out on that blanket for years! 

[Wenatcheejay]

IF HE WAKES IN YOUR ARMS

I can hardly see through my tears... today I sent my best friend of years and years
somewhere he had to go, where pain and sickness he won't have to know.
He's been with me ever since he was a pup... today I've had to give him up.
He was sick, we both knew it and I wouldn't put him through it.

Thinking back to the day my wife brought him, I told her then that I didn't want him...
"Noise and mess and bills to pay!" - I can't believe I felt that way.
Didn't know that in the end, he would be my dearest friend.
Didn't know that he would be the greatest gift that came to me.

How did one like me deserve a friend who wanted just to serve?
What was there that made him love me, with nobody else above me?
When I looked into his eyes, never did he criticize,
never did he hold a grudge, never did he try to judge.

Recently, an anxious day. "How come you don't want to play?"
Took him to the vet to see what might be wrong with my "puppy".
Worse by far than I expected, fatal illness was detected.
Nothing much that we could do but keep him comfy til he's through.

Back at home I tried to tell him of the bad luck that befell him
All I could see in his eyes was wondering why his master cries.
I don't think he understood - his eyes just asked "Wasn't I good?"
"How come now I make you sad? Let me kiss and hug you, dad!"

Two last weeks I had to try to find a way to say goodbye.
In that time I told him more than I ever had before
just how much I loved my pup, how it hurt to give him up.
How though gone, he'd always be inside my heart, a part of me.

Then today was no mistaking, I made the decision, my heart was breaking.
I called and asked the vet to come by - I didn't have to tell him why.
He arrived in a while and asked "Are you ready?" I sighed, I nodded, I felt so unsteady.
Got down on the floor by my boy who was dying, and I just didn't care if the vet saw me crying.

As my pup slipped away, the last things he felt were the kisses and hugs of his master who knelt
On that "blankie" beside him to bid him goodbye, who had just one more minute to tell him, to try
to say thanks to his boy for a lifetime of love...."Dear God, let me see him in heaven above!
But for now Lord, please hold him, watch over his rest...
if he wakes in Your arms tell him I love him best."
__________________
Jeff Telander
Durham, NC

[M_ray]

Very touching and true... thanks for that Jay! 

[cohoho]

Hey, Mark sorry for your loss, a good dog is hard to come by and they are part of the family for sure..  Didn't see this post till tonight, hope your girls are doing alright.  It is really tough for the little ones to lose something so special..