OT-- sad goodbye

Today we had to put our Miniature American Eskimo, Casey, to sleep. It's
just a sad sad sad day.

In 1991 our shelty, Swayzie, ran out in the street and got run over right in
front of our elementary school daughter. That was her sweet dog and she
cried steady for weeks and couldn't even talk about Swayzie for about a
year. In October, 1993, two years later, I finally got my daughter to visit
our local kennel. By then she had recovered pretty well from that traumatic
event and she was ready to consider getting another pet. We fell in love
with Casey; a love affair that never ended. We waited anxiously for a week
and when nobody claimed him, this flea-infested beautiful dog was ours. We
quickly got him healthy and a bond was born. Casey became an integral part
of our family. It was estimated that Casey was almost 2 years old when we
got him. So, we had him for 14 years. With Casey's help our daughter's
happiness was restored and she learned to love again. Our daughter left
years ago to pursue a professional career, but she has returned home often
and she and Casey greeted each other with mutual joy.

About a year ago, our dog's personality changed. He no longer wanted to be
petted and paced and paced. He would get lost in the back yard and even in
the house. He barked rarely. He had trouble walking and would cry in pain
when we petted him. He was diagnosed with canine cognitive dysfunction, a
form of Alzheimer's Disease in dogs. There is some pretty good medication
that works 75% of the time. Sadly, Casey was in the other 25%. It got to
where we had to watch him all the time as he had trouble distinguishing
between our carpet and the back yard, if you know what I mean. He also
became almost totally deaf and blind.

Over the last few months, my wife and I have looked carefully at the life
this once vibrant, intelligent, loving dog was leading. Today, we finally
got the courage to say goodbye to an old friend. I knew it would be tough. I
just didn't realize how tough. But...it was time.

He was a wonderful companion. I now have to call our daughter.

Mel

MZB wrote:
> Today we had to put our Miniature American Eskimo, Casey, to sleep. It's
> just a sad sad sad day.
>
> In 1991 our shelty, Swayzie, ran out in the street and got run over right in
> front of our elementary school daughter. That was her sweet dog and she
> cried steady for weeks and couldn't even talk about Swayzie for about a
> year. In October, 1993, two years later, I finally got my daughter to visit
> our local kennel. By then she had recovered pretty well from that traumatic
> event and she was ready to consider getting another pet. We fell in love
> with Casey; a love affair that never ended. We waited anxiously for a week
> and when nobody claimed him, this flea-infested beautiful dog was ours. We
> quickly got him healthy and a bond was born. Casey became an integral part
> of our family. It was estimated that Casey was almost 2 years old when we
> got him. So, we had him for 14 years. With Casey's help our daughter's
> happiness was restored and she learned to love again. Our daughter left
> years ago to pursue a professional career, but she has returned home often
> and she and Casey greeted each other with mutual joy.
>
> About a year ago, our dog's personality changed. He no longer wanted to be
> petted and paced and paced. He would get lost in the back yard and even in
> the house. He barked rarely. He had trouble walking and would cry in pain
> when we petted him. He was diagnosed with canine cognitive dysfunction, a
> form of Alzheimer's Disease in dogs. There is some pretty good medication
> that works 75% of the time. Sadly, Casey was in the other 25%. It got to
> where we had to watch him all the time as he had trouble distinguishing
> between our carpet and the back yard, if you know what I mean. He also
> became almost totally deaf and blind.
>
> Over the last few months, my wife and I have looked carefully at the life
> this once vibrant, intelligent, loving dog was leading. Today, we finally
> got the courage to say goodbye to an old friend. I knew it would be tough. I
> just didn't realize how tough. But...it was time.
>
> He was a wonderful companion. I now have to call our daughter.
>
> Mel
>
>
Mel,
I am so very sorry for your loss. I have had to part with numerous pet
members of my famiily over the years and each one was unique and
irreplaceable. Although a day like today is immeasurably difficult, I
would not trade the unconditional love they share with me for anything.
Take comfort in the fact that you gave him a wonderful life.
Belle

"MZB" <moo@noway.prudigy.net> wrote in
news:CD8Zi.233$Z%4.100@newsfe05.lga:

> Today we had to put our Miniature American Eskimo, Casey, to sleep.
> It's just a sad sad sad day.
>
> In 1991 our shelty, Swayzie, ran out in the street and got run over
> right in front of our elementary school daughter. That was her sweet
> dog and she cried steady for weeks and couldn't even talk about
> Swayzie for about a year. In October, 1993, two years later, I finally
> got my daughter to visit our local kennel. By then she had recovered
> pretty well from that traumatic event and she was ready to consider
> getting another pet. We fell in love with Casey; a love affair that
> never ended. We waited anxiously for a week and when nobody claimed
> him, this flea-infested beautiful dog was ours. We quickly got him
> healthy and a bond was born. Casey became an integral part of our
> family. It was estimated that Casey was almost 2 years old when we got
> him. So, we had him for 14 years. With Casey's help our daughter's
> happiness was restored and she learned to love again. Our daughter
> left years ago to pursue a professional career, but she has returned
> home often and she and Casey greeted each other with mutual joy.
>
> About a year ago, our dog's personality changed. He no longer wanted
> to be petted and paced and paced. He would get lost in the back yard
> and even in the house. He barked rarely. He had trouble walking and
> would cry in pain when we petted him. He was diagnosed with canine
> cognitive dysfunction, a form of Alzheimer's Disease in dogs. There is
> some pretty good medication that works 75% of the time. Sadly, Casey
> was in the other 25%. It got to where we had to watch him all the time
> as he had trouble distinguishing between our carpet and the back yard,
> if you know what I mean. He also became almost totally deaf and blind.
>
> Over the last few months, my wife and I have looked carefully at the
> life this once vibrant, intelligent, loving dog was leading. Today, we
> finally got the courage to say goodbye to an old friend. I knew it
> would be tough. I just didn't realize how tough. But...it was time.
>
> He was a wonderful companion. I now have to call our daughter.
>
> Mel
>
I am so sorry for what you are going through. It's no easier with a
beloved pet than with a family member. I have been through this several
times & it's difficult each time. It's obvious from what you wrote that
you made a loving, unselfish decision for Casey. I hope you find peace &
perhaps eventually open your heart & home to another pet.

Fig

"MZB" <moo@noway.prudigy.net> wrote in message
news:CD8Zi.233$Z%4.100@newsfe05.lga...
> Today we had to put our Miniature American Eskimo, Casey, to sleep. It's
> just a sad sad sad day.
>
> In 1991 our shelty, Swayzie, ran out in the street and got run over right
> in front of our elementary school daughter. That was her sweet dog and she
> cried steady for weeks and couldn't even talk about Swayzie for about a
> year. In October, 1993, two years later, I finally got my daughter to
> visit our local kennel. By then she had recovered pretty well from that
> traumatic event and she was ready to consider getting another pet. We fell
> in love with Casey; a love affair that never ended. We waited anxiously
> for a week and when nobody claimed him, this flea-infested beautiful dog
> was ours. We quickly got him healthy and a bond was born. Casey became an
> integral part of our family. It was estimated that Casey was almost 2
> years old when we got him. So, we had him for 14 years. With Casey's help
> our daughter's happiness was restored and she learned to love again. Our
> daughter left years ago to pursue a professional career, but she has
> returned home often and she and Casey greeted each other with mutual joy.
>
> About a year ago, our dog's personality changed. He no longer wanted to be
> petted and paced and paced. He would get lost in the back yard and even in
> the house. He barked rarely. He had trouble walking and would cry in pain
> when we petted him. He was diagnosed with canine cognitive dysfunction, a
> form of Alzheimer's Disease in dogs. There is some pretty good medication
> that works 75% of the time. Sadly, Casey was in the other 25%. It got to
> where we had to watch him all the time as he had trouble distinguishing
> between our carpet and the back yard, if you know what I mean. He also
> became almost totally deaf and blind.
>
> Over the last few months, my wife and I have looked carefully at the life
> this once vibrant, intelligent, loving dog was leading. Today, we finally
> got the courage to say goodbye to an old friend. I knew it would be tough.
> I just didn't realize how tough. But...it was time.
>
> He was a wonderful companion. I now have to call our daughter.
>
> Mel
>
Very nard to say good bye to a pet. Sorry for your loss< alex

On Nov 9, 9:24 pm, "MZB" <m...@noway.prudigy.net> . "I knew it would
be tough. I
> just didn't realize how tough. But...it was time."

Oh, this is so true. On September 13th I had to say goodbye to my
LingLing who had been my faithful friend and confident for 16 1/2
years. She didn't know she was 16! Then one day she just stopped
doing anything but sleep. Not eat, not drink. My big water drinker
not drinking. Trip to vet, family friend, and then to specialist.
XRays and Ultrasound. She was full of tumors. No doubt that it was
CA. After so many years, I could not let her get to the pain and
suffering stage, and so three days later made that so awfully hard
decision. I know exactly how you feel. You have my sympathy and
hopes for brighter days. Blessings.

Thank you all for your nice, supportive comments.

I realize this is nothing like losing a human or facing a cancer dx.

But I am truly amazed at how grief-stricken we both are. I knew for the last
6 weeks or so that unless the medicine worked, this would be the result. As
I said, I knew it would be somewhat difficult but I had no idea how hard
this would really hit us.

My wife and I are getting older. Watching Casey deteriorate gives us a
first-hand view of the human condition, too. A dog ages much faster than a
human, so in the past year we have seen him go from a youthful acting dog to
an "old guy."

It's been 24 hours and although tough we are already, I think, in recovery
mode. Still lots of tears, however.
"turtletrot1" <turtletrot1@bellsouth.net> wrote in message
news:1194703644.256023.176450@v3g2000hsg.googlegro ups.com...
> On Nov 9, 9:24 pm, "MZB" <m...@noway.prudigy.net> . "I knew it would
> be tough. I
>> just didn't realize how tough. But...it was time."
>
> Oh, this is so true. On September 13th I had to say goodbye to my
> LingLing who had been my faithful friend and confident for 16 1/2
> years. She didn't know she was 16! Then one day she just stopped
> doing anything but sleep. Not eat, not drink. My big water drinker
> not drinking. Trip to vet, family friend, and then to specialist.
> XRays and Ultrasound. She was full of tumors. No doubt that it was
> CA. After so many years, I could not let her get to the pain and
> suffering stage, and so three days later made that so awfully hard
> decision. I know exactly how you feel. You have my sympathy and
> hopes for brighter days. Blessings.
>

"MZB" <moo@noway.prudigy.net> wrote in news:drsZi.82$1z4.6@newsfe06.lga:

> Thank you all for your nice, supportive comments.
>
> I realize this is nothing like losing a human or facing a cancer dx.


Loss is loss. I don't think the heart knows the difference.
Fig