Ziggy
Cancer
Slum Lord
  
Oceanside, Ca./Lake Havasu, Az.
Posts: 7,441
APPD 0.96
Post Rank: 10
2016 Nordic 26 Deck
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Posted: April 02 2008,9:18 pm |
Post # 25 |
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| Quote (Fragile Magic @ April 02 2008,8:31 pm) | | Quote (freddog @ April 02 2008,7:21 pm) | | Quote (Ziggy @ April 02 2008,8:35 am) | Welcome back home Wyattdog  
So sorry to hear about Fred, Memorial Weekend is my old pal Jakes anniversary as well........I cried so much when I had to put him down, the last look he gave me before closing his eyes killed me.  Â
Fred and Jake are frolicking in heavan together  |
Wyattdog...Now that's funny Zig!!! Â Doesn't have the same ring though so I think I'll keep the tribute to Fred. Â I know the feeling about that look. Â Here's the full story:
Fred had hip dysplasia all her life, the vet told me when she was a puppy she would have trouble later in life. Â She was truly the toughest dog in the world, she never showed any signs of pain, no matter what happened to her. Â At one point she had a bad abrasion on her leg that I had to scrub out twice a day with some really strong, stingy stuff but she would just lay there and let me do it. Â Anyway, she went about 14 years without showing any signs of the hip problems. Â The last year she was slow getting up off the floor, I lifted her into bed (yes, my 95 pound dog slept in bed with me), and I had to hold onto her collar when she went down the stairs because she fell one time. Â One night, I went to take her to bed, helped her get up off the floor, and she couldn't stand up. Â I could see, for the first time, she was in pain. Â I slept on the floor with her because she seemed more comfortable on the floor that night hoping that she would be fine in the morning. Â She was not, she still couldn't stand. Â I knew then that it was her time, I couldn't let her suffer. Â It was my day off so I lifted her into bed and we layed there most of the day watching Animal Planet, she loved watching the other animals on TV. Â In the afternoon, I wrapped her up in a blanket, carried her to my car, and drove to the vet's office. Â They rolled her in the back and got things ready, put an IV tube in, then brought her to an exam room where I could be with her. Â I said my goodbyes, kissed her on the nose, she gave me the look that told me in her own way that I was doing the right thing and she knew it was time. Â They gave her a shot, I held her head in my arms, and she went to sleep peacefully. Â
I had already paid in advance and made arrangements for them to cremate her knowing I would need to make a hasty exit. Â I tried to walk out with dignity but didn't make it to the door. Â I cried the rest of the day while I put away everything of her's execpt her toybox full of stuffed animals.
My Dad died when I was 13 and I haven't cried in 33 years since then...til that day.
Fred loved stuffed animals and she had a favorite Teddy Bear that she carried to bed every night and held close to her while she slept. Â About two weeks after she died, I gave the Teddy Bear to my 15 year old daughter. Â She knew how much that bear meant to me and Fred, now she sleeps every night holding it close to her. Â I think she would protect that bear with her life.
After that day I wasn't really sad anymore. Â Fred gave me 15 great years of love and devotion and I spoiled her appropriately the whole time. Â I still miss her, but Wyatt is enjoying her toys, that's what Fred would want.
Sorry for the long outpouring, but that's just how much I cared for that big 'ol dog.
RIP Fred |
Sail on Fred......
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That story just brings a tear to my eye. Not only are they our best friend but touch our lives like no other being.
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Jake was close to 14 yr old too, he was a rescue dog we adopted from the pound and age was not precise. Much like Fred, he was the kind that just wanted to hang and be with you, protected us on walks and gave more love than anyone could ever give back. Disposition of the Lab and protectiveness of the Chow.....never a mean dog.
I came home from a golf round one Saturday with my wife in tears. Jake had been struggling for some time with strength and being able to get up and move. He'd had a tumor growing inside him for several years, so he had meds for various ailments. At different time my wife and I discussed putting him down when we saw he had a bad day but I vowed to never to put him down til pain was clearly evident in his eyes........ afterall he had the spirit of a pup but the body of an oldtimer.
After giving his meds that morning half his face, neck and body began to swell terribly. It was clear the pain he was in and his time had come. Remarkably, he managed to walk about half way to the car. Once I got him in the car he stood for the whole ride....I began to question my decision 
But as it turned out he basically was in shock. The Vet checked him, his heart was having trouble and it appeared his systems were simply just shutting down.
They prepped him like Fred and we sat together for 10 minutes before I said "ok". As the shot was administered he gave me that look of "thanks for the memories dad".
We had him cremated, and inturned in a very nice Cedar box we keep here with his collar and picture.
Jake was half Lab, half Chow...purple tongue and all.
Jake in background.
Roxy is displaying her smile, yup she's a grinner 
Edited by Ziggy on April 02 2008,9:19 pm
Ain't life Grand? Treat it that way. The Love of my Life, Jan.  |
11-24-2024 Three Word Post.....The Next Generation.... (Rep.#19,435) from: BigDog
Good to have ya back... 
Welcome back! 
