The ex dog owners thread.
Jun 27th 2013, 3:10 am
#46
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 329
Re: The ex dog owners thread.
So sorry .I do know how hard it is.
Jun 27th 2013, 3:42 am
#47
talking Ter Sami
Joined: Apr 2003
Location: hybrid territory
Posts: 1,107
Re: The ex dog owners thread.
My sincere sympathy.
We adopted our current mutt (my 3rd, OH's 1st) as a "senior" dog - 9 years old going on 10 months old - and I hope she has many years of life ahead of her but we've dealt with a couple of medical issues that started to bring home the difficulty of that final responsibility. I hope we have the strength you had when the time is right.
We adopted our current mutt (my 3rd, OH's 1st) as a "senior" dog - 9 years old going on 10 months old - and I hope she has many years of life ahead of her but we've dealt with a couple of medical issues that started to bring home the difficulty of that final responsibility. I hope we have the strength you had when the time is right.
Jun 27th 2013, 2:10 pm
#48
Forum Regular
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 44
Re: The ex dog owners thread.
So sorry for your loss. I know how hard it is to make the decision and leave the vet, lead in hand, and no dog at your side. Love hurts.
Last edited by voyce100; Jun 27th 2013 at 2:14 pm.
Jun 27th 2013, 8:51 pm
#49
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 11,272
Re: The ex dog owners thread.
I'm sure many of you have been through this before, perhaps several times.
This is the first time for me, but just today, just this evening, we've had to say goodbye to our friend of the last 14 years.
RIP Geordie the Border Collie, the best friend any of us have ever had.
It had to be done but we all feel a bit conflicted about it somehow.
Maybe though I'd like to go that way when necessary.
This is the first time for me, but just today, just this evening, we've had to say goodbye to our friend of the last 14 years.
RIP Geordie the Border Collie, the best friend any of us have ever had.
It had to be done but we all feel a bit conflicted about it somehow.
Maybe though I'd like to go that way when necessary.
sorry for your loss.
Jun 27th 2013, 9:20 pm
#50
half a century
Joined: Mar 2008
Location: Sarf Lundun to East Van :)
Posts: 10,222
Re: The ex dog owners thread.
My big lad is 10 ... Still runs like a mad thing ... Teen son is a youth counsellor at the kids camps at the BC SPCA this summer ! I have told home he is not To come home with any family additions!!
Will update at end of summer !
Will update at end of summer !
Jun 28th 2013, 3:49 pm
#51
I said what ?!
Joined: Aug 2010
Location: Peterborough, Ontario.
Posts: 1,079
Re: The ex dog owners thread.
Jul 1st 2013, 1:53 am
#52
Born again atheist
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2005
Location: Europe (to be specified).
Posts: 30,259
Re: The ex dog owners thread.
I've just been outside for a smoke and as usual on this weekend, people are prematurely ejaculating fireworks.
There have been only two weekends per year (Canada Day and Labour Day) when, for the last many years, I didn't take Geordie for a walk at about this time of night.
He wasn't ever on a leash for the last decade. Too smart to need one.
Ah well; We're off to France again on Tuesday (Geordie never came with us) so that will help us get over it I think.
The other thing I heard when outside for a smoke was two adult Russian women screaming at each other in the nearby park. In Russian.
Dogs, Neighbourhood. Going to.
There have been only two weekends per year (Canada Day and Labour Day) when, for the last many years, I didn't take Geordie for a walk at about this time of night.
He wasn't ever on a leash for the last decade. Too smart to need one.
Ah well; We're off to France again on Tuesday (Geordie never came with us) so that will help us get over it I think.
The other thing I heard when outside for a smoke was two adult Russian women screaming at each other in the nearby park. In Russian.
Dogs, Neighbourhood. Going to.
Jul 1st 2013, 1:58 am
#53
Professional Cat herder
Joined: Apr 2007
Location: TORONTO- yay!!!
Posts: 5,707
Re: The ex dog owners thread.
The leash thing must be a border collie issue
Ours hated being on one but if you just let her roam off she'd be fine
Would come back the instant you called her and stick like glue to your leg
Occasionally she'd try to herd random strangers back into the pack
Enjoy France
Drink some wine for me !
Ours hated being on one but if you just let her roam off she'd be fine
Would come back the instant you called her and stick like glue to your leg
Occasionally she'd try to herd random strangers back into the pack
Enjoy France
Drink some wine for me !
Jul 1st 2013, 2:07 am
#54
Born again atheist
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2005
Location: Europe (to be specified).
Posts: 30,259
Re: The ex dog owners thread.
The leash thing must be a border collie issue
Ours hated being on one but if you just let her roam off she'd be fine
Would come back the instant you called her and stick like glue to your leg
Occasionally she'd try to herd random strangers back into the pack
Enjoy France
Drink some wine for me !
Ours hated being on one but if you just let her roam off she'd be fine
Would come back the instant you called her and stick like glue to your leg
Occasionally she'd try to herd random strangers back into the pack
Enjoy France
Drink some wine for me !
Jul 2nd 2013, 10:03 am
#55
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 300
Re: The ex dog owners thread.
Apologies in advance for getting the following off my chest, but like many others I'm sure who have posted here, I have found this thread quite cathartic, and it was indeed a coincidence when Novo started the thread, that I read it having just gone through a similar experience.
Well (tissues at the ready), in the interests of closure for me, yesterday, the deed was done. It was the longest day of my life, and the hardest thing I have experienced in a long time. When you have set the date that has allowed everyone to say goodbye, and everything you do up to that date is a final landmark, ie, this is his last dinner, this is his last car journey, I don't mind admitting I bawled like a baby so many times yesterday (wet eyes again now!). On the one hand, prolonging it was difficult, but at least we all spent some quality time with him recently.
I brought him there in the car and the vet came out and attended him. He was still 'smiling' and wagging his tail, but I held his head in my hands and stared into his eyes to distract him from the vet's efforts to find a vein in his leg, and then he drifted off. I couldn't speak, at all. I just drove home with him.
But it was very peaceful, and he was only going to become more uncomfortable, so a quiet passing in the end for him. He is now sleeping in my back garden, but before we buried him, the two cats we have that regarded him as their "minder", came and sniffed his face, then curled up against his chest, as he had always allowed them to do.
I know everyone feels their dog is special, ....they all are, but this guy was extra special. So many people in the past commented that they wished their dog was like this guy, or if they ever got a dog, they hoped he was as good as him. There was never a shortage of volunteers willing to adopt him while we went away on holidays, etc.
I could go on, but I won't. I'm done now. I feel better for telling folks about him. Thanks for "listening".
Enjoy your break in France Novo, and thanks for putting this thread up!
Well (tissues at the ready), in the interests of closure for me, yesterday, the deed was done. It was the longest day of my life, and the hardest thing I have experienced in a long time. When you have set the date that has allowed everyone to say goodbye, and everything you do up to that date is a final landmark, ie, this is his last dinner, this is his last car journey, I don't mind admitting I bawled like a baby so many times yesterday (wet eyes again now!). On the one hand, prolonging it was difficult, but at least we all spent some quality time with him recently.
I brought him there in the car and the vet came out and attended him. He was still 'smiling' and wagging his tail, but I held his head in my hands and stared into his eyes to distract him from the vet's efforts to find a vein in his leg, and then he drifted off. I couldn't speak, at all. I just drove home with him.
But it was very peaceful, and he was only going to become more uncomfortable, so a quiet passing in the end for him. He is now sleeping in my back garden, but before we buried him, the two cats we have that regarded him as their "minder", came and sniffed his face, then curled up against his chest, as he had always allowed them to do.
I know everyone feels their dog is special, ....they all are, but this guy was extra special. So many people in the past commented that they wished their dog was like this guy, or if they ever got a dog, they hoped he was as good as him. There was never a shortage of volunteers willing to adopt him while we went away on holidays, etc.
I could go on, but I won't. I'm done now. I feel better for telling folks about him. Thanks for "listening".
Enjoy your break in France Novo, and thanks for putting this thread up!
Jul 2nd 2013, 11:43 am
#56
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 172
Re: The ex dog owners thread.
Sorry to hear about these sad losses.
Like many on here I know how it feels.
I've almost lost count of the number of collies I've had, and lost, and I usually lose a dog every other year......I would have thought it would get easier but of course it never does.
I am of course biased towards collies, after all I couldn't make a living if it were not for them......IMO the most intelligent dogs I have worked with and I count them among my greatest friends.
Hope you don't mind if I quote Walt Whitman..
I think I could turn and live with the animals, they are so placid and self contained;
I stand and look at them long and long.
They do not sweat and whine about their condition;
They do not lie awake in the dark and weep for their sins;
They do not make me sick discussing their duty to God;
Not one is dissatisfied-not one is demented with the mania of owning things;
Not one kneels to another, nor his kind that lived thousands of years ago;
Not one is responsible or industrious over the whole earth
All the best
Like many on here I know how it feels.
I've almost lost count of the number of collies I've had, and lost, and I usually lose a dog every other year......I would have thought it would get easier but of course it never does.
I am of course biased towards collies, after all I couldn't make a living if it were not for them......IMO the most intelligent dogs I have worked with and I count them among my greatest friends.
Hope you don't mind if I quote Walt Whitman..
I think I could turn and live with the animals, they are so placid and self contained;
I stand and look at them long and long.
They do not sweat and whine about their condition;
They do not lie awake in the dark and weep for their sins;
They do not make me sick discussing their duty to God;
Not one is dissatisfied-not one is demented with the mania of owning things;
Not one kneels to another, nor his kind that lived thousands of years ago;
Not one is responsible or industrious over the whole earth
All the best
Jul 2nd 2013, 3:00 pm
#57
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2013
Location: Wales
Posts: 510
Re: The ex dog owners thread.
Reading this thread has bought back a lot of memories for me. I had to make that decision for my 13 year old Lab that pet owners dread having to make in August 2011. It was absoloutly gutting for me as she'd pretty much been my best friend and I'd grown up with her. To tell the truth, I still think about her loads, but I think having her daughter (who turned 13 in April this year, but still acts like a 13 week old pup) helps. Not sure if I could ever have another dog however, knowing that I'd likely have to make 'that' decision again at some point in the future, but who knows?
Much respect to (ex-) Border Collie owners btw, not sure if I could ever have a dog with more between its ears than myself.
Much respect to (ex-) Border Collie owners btw, not sure if I could ever have a dog with more between its ears than myself.
Jul 2nd 2013, 4:14 pm
#58
Born again atheist
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2005
Location: Europe (to be specified).
Posts: 30,259
Re: The ex dog owners thread.
Apologies in advance for getting the following off my chest, but like many others I'm sure who have posted here, I have found this thread quite cathartic, and it was indeed a coincidence when Novo started the thread, that I read it having just gone through a similar experience.
Well (tissues at the ready), in the interests of closure for me, yesterday, the deed was done. It was the longest day of my life, and the hardest thing I have experienced in a long time. When you have set the date that has allowed everyone to say goodbye, and everything you do up to that date is a final landmark, ie, this is his last dinner, this is his last car journey, I don't mind admitting I bawled like a baby so many times yesterday (wet eyes again now!). On the one hand, prolonging it was difficult, but at least we all spent some quality time with him recently.
I brought him there in the car and the vet came out and attended him. He was still 'smiling' and wagging his tail, but I held his head in my hands and stared into his eyes to distract him from the vet's efforts to find a vein in his leg, and then he drifted off. I couldn't speak, at all. I just drove home with him.
But it was very peaceful, and he was only going to become more uncomfortable, so a quiet passing in the end for him. He is now sleeping in my back garden, but before we buried him, the two cats we have that regarded him as their "minder", came and sniffed his face, then curled up against his chest, as he had always allowed them to do.
I know everyone feels their dog is special, ....they all are, but this guy was extra special. So many people in the past commented that they wished their dog was like this guy, or if they ever got a dog, they hoped he was as good as him. There was never a shortage of volunteers willing to adopt him while we went away on holidays, etc.
I could go on, but I won't. I'm done now. I feel better for telling folks about him. Thanks for "listening".
Enjoy your break in France Novo, and thanks for putting this thread up!
Well (tissues at the ready), in the interests of closure for me, yesterday, the deed was done. It was the longest day of my life, and the hardest thing I have experienced in a long time. When you have set the date that has allowed everyone to say goodbye, and everything you do up to that date is a final landmark, ie, this is his last dinner, this is his last car journey, I don't mind admitting I bawled like a baby so many times yesterday (wet eyes again now!). On the one hand, prolonging it was difficult, but at least we all spent some quality time with him recently.
I brought him there in the car and the vet came out and attended him. He was still 'smiling' and wagging his tail, but I held his head in my hands and stared into his eyes to distract him from the vet's efforts to find a vein in his leg, and then he drifted off. I couldn't speak, at all. I just drove home with him.
But it was very peaceful, and he was only going to become more uncomfortable, so a quiet passing in the end for him. He is now sleeping in my back garden, but before we buried him, the two cats we have that regarded him as their "minder", came and sniffed his face, then curled up against his chest, as he had always allowed them to do.
I know everyone feels their dog is special, ....they all are, but this guy was extra special. So many people in the past commented that they wished their dog was like this guy, or if they ever got a dog, they hoped he was as good as him. There was never a shortage of volunteers willing to adopt him while we went away on holidays, etc.
I could go on, but I won't. I'm done now. I feel better for telling folks about him. Thanks for "listening".
Enjoy your break in France Novo, and thanks for putting this thread up!
I think knowing the date well in advance must be even worse. We signed the papers on the Monday morning meaning to set a date for the Wednesday or Thursday, but it had to be after work so the live-at-home son could be there. The only opportunity was the same day which meant we had little time for anticipation.
Last edited by Novocastrian; Jul 2nd 2013 at 4:17 pm.
Jul 2nd 2013, 4:48 pm
#59
Banned
Joined: Apr 2009
Location: SW Ontario
Posts: 19,879
Re: The ex dog owners thread.
Apologies in advance for getting the following off my chest, but like many others I'm sure who have posted here, I have found this thread quite cathartic, and it was indeed a coincidence when Novo started the thread, that I read it having just gone through a similar experience.
Well (tissues at the ready), in the interests of closure for me, yesterday, the deed was done. It was the longest day of my life, and the hardest thing I have experienced in a long time. When you have set the date that has allowed everyone to say goodbye, and everything you do up to that date is a final landmark, ie, this is his last dinner, this is his last car journey, I don't mind admitting I bawled like a baby so many times yesterday (wet eyes again now!). On the one hand, prolonging it was difficult, but at least we all spent some quality time with him recently.
I brought him there in the car and the vet came out and attended him. He was still 'smiling' and wagging his tail, but I held his head in my hands and stared into his eyes to distract him from the vet's efforts to find a vein in his leg, and then he drifted off. I couldn't speak, at all. I just drove home with him.
But it was very peaceful, and he was only going to become more uncomfortable, so a quiet passing in the end for him. He is now sleeping in my back garden, but before we buried him, the two cats we have that regarded him as their "minder", came and sniffed his face, then curled up against his chest, as he had always allowed them to do.
I know everyone feels their dog is special, ....they all are, but this guy was extra special. So many people in the past commented that they wished their dog was like this guy, or if they ever got a dog, they hoped he was as good as him. There was never a shortage of volunteers willing to adopt him while we went away on holidays, etc.
I could go on, but I won't. I'm done now. I feel better for telling folks about him. Thanks for "listening".
Enjoy your break in France Novo, and thanks for putting this thread up!
Well (tissues at the ready), in the interests of closure for me, yesterday, the deed was done. It was the longest day of my life, and the hardest thing I have experienced in a long time. When you have set the date that has allowed everyone to say goodbye, and everything you do up to that date is a final landmark, ie, this is his last dinner, this is his last car journey, I don't mind admitting I bawled like a baby so many times yesterday (wet eyes again now!). On the one hand, prolonging it was difficult, but at least we all spent some quality time with him recently.
I brought him there in the car and the vet came out and attended him. He was still 'smiling' and wagging his tail, but I held his head in my hands and stared into his eyes to distract him from the vet's efforts to find a vein in his leg, and then he drifted off. I couldn't speak, at all. I just drove home with him.
But it was very peaceful, and he was only going to become more uncomfortable, so a quiet passing in the end for him. He is now sleeping in my back garden, but before we buried him, the two cats we have that regarded him as their "minder", came and sniffed his face, then curled up against his chest, as he had always allowed them to do.
I know everyone feels their dog is special, ....they all are, but this guy was extra special. So many people in the past commented that they wished their dog was like this guy, or if they ever got a dog, they hoped he was as good as him. There was never a shortage of volunteers willing to adopt him while we went away on holidays, etc.
I could go on, but I won't. I'm done now. I feel better for telling folks about him. Thanks for "listening".
Enjoy your break in France Novo, and thanks for putting this thread up!
Jul 2nd 2013, 4:58 pm
#60
Joined: Feb 2006
Location: Red Deer, Alberta
Posts: 10,612
Re: The ex dog owners thread.
Oopsbuddy, i am so sorry for your loss too