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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

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Original poster

I think we may lose one of our darling dogs sooner than we thought....

44 replies

EasyToEatTiger · 13/12/2013 15:35

He has recently recovered from having his ear bitten off. He has had an odd gait forever, but now his legs are not co-ordinating and his movement seems to get worse every day. He is very cheerful and does not seem in the mood to die quite yet. It is very sad to see my old man staggering about like a drunk and the realisation that he is probably not long for this world. The vet thinks he may be with us possibly for another month.

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Original poster

EasyToEatTiger · 16/12/2013 19:24

Our youngest has been looking up replacements already. I think they do. They are 9 & 7. I hope I haven't damaged them for life! He was between me and dh when he was injected and the children were holding him. I know he felt safe and relaxed. I don't think I betrayed him.

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Gileswithachainsaw · 16/12/2013 19:42

No you haven't damaged them. I was 13 when we lost a family cat and a few years younger when we lost the first one. And I begged my parents to let me go with them and was so upset that they refused. I know that's a bit older but i don't remember a time where I wasn't aware of animals being put to sleep and reasons why and knew that often it was for the best. It upset me more as a kid not being allowed to be a part of it. I'm sure your kids are really upset but it's not such a bad thing for them to see. I don't think your ever to young really to learn that as a loving owner you do have to make that final choice and that it's the kind thing to do. It's incredibly sad but it's part of life. And they were so lucky to be able to be there and cuddle him and see him slip away so peacefully. Hopefully now they won't be so afraid of what happens, if the time should ever sadly come again that they know it's a peaceful end.

I guess all you can do now is answer any questions and remind them that he may be gone but they have memories of every stupid funny thing he did and all the sneaking into bed they let him do. Xx

Original poster

EasyToEatTiger · 16/12/2013 19:47

I was the one who let him sneak into bed. He was there last night. He was there this afternoon. I've just been out to see him as our youngest dog has been agitating. He's still warm.

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Original poster

EasyToEatTiger · 16/12/2013 19:47

Sorry. Too much information

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Gileswithachainsaw · 16/12/2013 19:51

Have you got a nice spot picked out for him?

Original poster

EasyToEatTiger · 16/12/2013 19:53

Not yet. The garden's a bit of a mess, but I do have an apple tree to plant.... It is going to look mighty odd digging a huge hole in our front garden....

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Gileswithachainsaw · 16/12/2013 19:55

Maybe the children can pick a toy to bury him with. Or put a photo in or something. X

SnakeyMcBadass · 16/12/2013 20:06

Not TMI at all. My thoughts are with you. It's never easy to lose someone/dog that we love. A little piece of you seems to go with them. When the shock has abated a little, try and celebrate the wonderful, happy and blessed life he had with your family x

Original poster

EasyToEatTiger · 17/12/2013 10:07

Thank you all for your kind words. Dh and I have buried him in the garden. I hope his grave is deep enough that we don't dig bits of him up in the future. Darling, darling dog

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Rowgtfc72 · 18/12/2013 21:42

Sorry for your loss. We had our 16 yr old jack Russell put down three weeks ago,he too was staggery and I didn't want him falling and breaking anything. Dd who is six went with me. She went in afterwards when he was still warm to say goodbye and leave him a note, she knows death isn't scary just very sad and he was a part of her life too. You haven't damaged your children.

Rowgtfc72 · 18/12/2013 21:42

ohfuschia · 19/12/2013 10:25

Feel for you, it's so clear how much he meant to you and the picture shows a brilliant character. It's a time I dread - though I know it's the price we pay for having them and would do it a hundred times over for those many, many moments of mutual delight. A lucky dog to have been so cherished.

Original poster

EasyToEatTiger · 19/12/2013 18:03

I just wish I would stop crying. I think the other dogs are glad to have each other. We are thinking about preparing ddog for sainthood!!! Though I'm not sure what he has done to merit it. And I'm not sure we want a shrine selling bagged up bits of the contents of our hoover... I feel heartbroken.

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Gileswithachainsaw · 19/12/2013 18:09

:( xxx

ohfuschia · 19/12/2013 20:44

Am thinking of you, sorry I have nothing more useful to say as I suspect I would feel exactly as you do x

Original poster

EasyToEatTiger · 22/12/2013 13:43

I think he'll be the patron saint of carrots, tennis balls and applecores. Last night I smoked a few cigarettes. DD suggested taking ddog to the taxidermist. I told her he wouldn't do it and it wouldn't be our dog. He used to have a smile like Terry Thomas.

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ohfuschia · 24/12/2013 10:02

Hope you're doing ok, I love the thought of the Terry Thomas smile!

Original poster

EasyToEatTiger · 24/12/2013 18:37

You are kind. Thank you. I'm so glad we have the other 2 dogs. The younger brought the older back home yesterday. It was very touching. He took her lead and brought her home, looking proud as punch. He has also started ragging with her. She's nearly 15 or 16 or 17, and he's 4. Ddog was my muse and although I drew him when he was ill about a year ago, I didn't draw him as he was dying. I didn't draw him when he was dead either. I think he was gone.

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ohfuschia · 24/12/2013 21:31

I didn't realise it was you that did the painting, sorry - what a talent you have! I have tried drawing mine a few times but they end up looking like overgrown gerbils - my art teacher did say I was too ambitious. Maybe another painting of him will come in time then. Lovely about your others - I have 3 also and think that would be something of a help despite the yawning gap any of them will leave (though I grip on to the thought that these three are freaks that are going to have lifespans way beyond the norm). I hope you have a good time tomorrow though I know your boy's absence will have some effect.

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