Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire The old dog died

Despite my age, I've only had one dog from puppy to passing. She was only 9 when she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. We paid extra to have the Vet do the deed at home and I held her and talked to her the whole process. She literally died in my arms while I told her what a good girl she was with tears on my face.

We got a new dog a few months later, another female, and I still, almost 6 years later, can't call her my good girl because in my heart that title is reserved for my first companion. Instead, I call her my good puppy.

All this to say that I understand and am sorry for your loss. Dogs enhance our lives like no other animal can.

Bummer dude,

He's gone around the bend and will be there waiting for you when you round the curve. You just can't see him there now.

Condolences.

It’s very hard. I shed tears at the vet as our last little house dog was put down at thirteen years about a year ago. This little dog shivered in fear with any change in routine, even riding in a car it bounced around, tongue hanging out, and shaking so hard you couldn’t imagine what that little body was experiencing.

It was strangely catlike, kind of aloof, not doglike in its affection — if I sat next to it, it would get up and move to another chair; ‘course my wife does that too. And yet, When I would stroke its head, it would look up, close its eyes, and relax completely.

It was a quiet, non-vocal dog except when the kids and grandkids came over at which time it would break out in a spasm of barking and tail wagging, while racing around the furniture until exhausted.

We could tell it was in pain, missing on jumps up to her sitting place, falling over, and generally looking poorly. I asked the vet for a heavy sedative and told her I was going to give her three or five times the dose per weight. If it slept her to death, ok. If it didn’t, she would be sleeping and not extremely fearful as I brought her in.

As it turned out she slept on my wife’s lap for the last three hours of her life which was a gift to my wife, as I had mentioned, it wasn’t in her nature. Still, I had to bring her in as she unknowingly clung to life.

She’s in the back yard with four others, all with their own story. I buried her in a little box shedding tears again. I sometimes think God gave us these unique, soulful animals with our deep caring for them, to appeal to the thought how much He cares for us.

The new pup likes to lay in my lap.

My son lost his red healer last Monday. Hi wife came home from running the kids around and he was in his kennel laying down like he was waiting for them to come home. It appears we know how you feel Old Hat. His 9 year old daughter was pretty broken up about it. He was buried on her grandpa's farm so she can visit with him when she is there.

kwg

I just went through the same thing. And yes, theres a new puppy in the house...

My granddaughter had a little yorkie we gave her, said yorkie in turn having been given to us by a relative who couldn’t keep him. Ralphie, as yorkie s often do, lost most of his teeth and every time you picked him up his belly would be damp with pee

She loved that dog, called him her little brother, tho Ralphie was older than she was. I believe that kid will have a lifetime love of dogs.

Sorry for your loss.

They wiggle into our lives and hearts and before you know it they are loved like family. Losing a loved pet is losing a family member in my view. It hurts but we must hold their memories special and carry own.

I'm sorry for your buddy's passing. Mine went that way and it was damn tough to watch, I spent the night with him on the floor...

Sorry for your loss. Just had to put my best buddy of 13 years down 2 weeks ago and I'm still crushed about it. They are special.

i have had as many as 5 goldies at a time, mostly older rescue dogs nobody wanted, suffering from a variety of things.
it has never been easy to lose one, as i did a few months ago. Max was 13 when he passed, i am still not sure why given he was under vet care, he first came into my life at age 1 from oklahoma. one of my current goldies was operated on yesterday for what was thought to be a cyst on her back. nope, it was sent out to the lab and i am dreading the report. she has about a six inch scar top of her back. she is a talker and was moaning and groaning with movement. she crawled into my office this morning, eat some dog food, apples, and part of my toast, so she is feeling better. I love dogs better than people. I can only trust in the afterlife they will all be waiting for me.

i have had as many as 5 goldies at a time, mostly older rescue dogs nobody wanted, suffering from a variety of things.
it has never been easy to lose one, as i did a few months ago. Max was 13 when he passed, i am still not sure why given he was under vet care, he first came into my life at age 1 from oklahoma. one of my current goldies was operated on yesterday for what was thought to be a cyst on her back. nope, it was sent out to the lab and i am dreading the report. she has about a six inch scar top of her back. she is a talker and was moaning and groaning with movement. she crawled into my office this morning, eat some dog food, apples, and part of my toast, so she is feeling better. I love dogs better than people. I can only trust in the afterlife they will all be waiting for me. i have a xterra that we call the dog car. we pack them all up when we go for a ride. and as members of our pack, they grieve too. they grieve for humans too. when various close members of my family have died, they have sat and howled at the moon.

To Death!!

Sorry about your buddy.

Sorry for your loss.....
Got an old boy myself that is on the down slope.....big old lab with bad knees, feet, hips too I rekon.....fatty cysts all over....he fighting it as best he can but when he can no longer get up and stay up theres going to be a decision to be made.

I knew better than to open this. They just don’t seem to live long enough. Sorry for your loss. Dog owners all know the same pain is waiting for them. Hasbeen

Last one I had to take in couldnt control going indoors. Sleot most if the time. Sniffed everything at the vet and acted happy. Damn dog just couldnt go to sleep a last time

Came home to a bawling wife wanting me to go back and get her. I may never get over that. Then my son came by the bext day and was nearly as bad.

We are doglesss first time in 70 years. Havent seen anything except reject pitbull types up for adoption.

I feel your pain, it's so very hard to lose your best friend. I've lost several and every time I look at this file and it makes me feel a little better.

Just this side of heaven is place called the rainbow bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.
All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.
You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

You're all correct about losing a friend. And about the solution. The glorious part of a dog's life - a puppy! Be Well, RZ.

I feel your pain. He’s still in your heart forever.