Dog Love: The End Of A Long Road

[Lord Undies]

My poodle, Luke, the love of my life, turned 14 in January (B. Jan 20, 1995).  He is not well.  Luke is going down fast.

I am contemplating the end...being my decision instead of nature's.  It's killing me.  I am usually a strong levelheaded man.  This one is tearing me apart.

I have prayed to The Lord to give me one more year with my best friend, but my prayers don't seem to be with The Lord's Will. 

It is hard to explain how hard this is.  Luke has been my shadow.  He use to get upset when I went to the bathroom and closed the door.  He'd stick two paws under the door to let me know he was there. 

I had to find a groomer who would let me stay for the grooming.  The others kicked him out.  He was just too distraught being separated from me.  I know it sounds strange, but that's my Luke.  He had to be by my side.

Now this.  I don't know what to do.  I don't know how to handle it.  I know the right thing to do, but I don't know if I have the guts (for once). 

Maybe it will become easier the farther down the little guy gets.  Whatever happens, I know I'm going to be a big'o bald girl about it. 

[Eupher]

The great tragedy about pet ownership is dealing with their eventual passing. (Some species outlive humans, but that's another tale/tail - no pun intended.)

It's heartbreaking and the pain is visceral and real. God, it hurts.

You will know when it's time because Luke will tell you it's time. Doesn't make it any easier, but doing what's best for Luke is why God gave him to you to begin with.

Cherish the memories and the knowledge that he'll be at the proverbial Rainbow Bridge waiting on you.

Godspeed, Luke. And best to you, LU.

[rich_t]

I am sorry to hear about your dog undies.  They really do become a family member.

[Lord Undies]

The great tragedy about pet ownership is dealing with their eventual passing. (Some species outlive humans, but that's another tale/tail - no pun intended.)

It's heartbreaking and the pain is visceral and real. God, it hurts.

You will know when it's time because Luke will tell you it's time. Doesn't make it any easier, but doing what's best for Luke is why God gave him to you to begin with.

Cherish the memories and the knowledge that he'll be at the proverbial Rainbow Bridge waiting on you.

Godspeed, Luke. And best to you, LU.

You are right, and I appreciate that.

When my cocker spaniel, Mickey (the smartest dog whoever lived), died of cancer at age 12 on Mother's day 1994, I swore I would NEVER have another dog.  Never.  

Then a friend of ours who had a solid white toy poodle allowed her to breed.  Luke was a gift.  He was also the only solid black toy poodle of the litter.  Luke was a pain in the butt from day one.

Luke chewed up everything in his sight.  He destroyed the window ledges on the bay window.  He chewed into little bitty pieces the $100.00+ doggy bed my daughter-in-law bought him.  He yapped all night and slept all day (while I was at work).  He was a pain in the ASS.

After Mickey died, and after I swore to never have another dog, I softened my stance to "I'll never have another high maintenance dog".  Funny how that works.  I went from an Oldsmobile to a Farrarri.

There was also the fact that Luke was a "roamer" when his was young.  He dug out under the backyard fence and went walking on the wildside up on the highway.  He was ran over.  A lady stopped and got him, read his tags, call our vet, and they contacted me.  His hips were crushed.  

$4000.00 later....he could walk again.  

Then he dug out again.  This time he went to our little City Hall and turned himself in.  He wasn't wearing his tags.  He ended up in our dog pound for three days.  It was a holiday weekend.  All I could do was go to the building and look through the window.  Luke was in the biggest cage the had.  He was sitting at the bars, dead-center, with his chest puffed out.  He took up about 1/100th of the space.  I'll never forget it.



Luke, last year.

[franksolich]

That's the best advice:

You will know when it's time because Luke will tell you it's time.

[Rebel]

Damn man, that's a tough decision. You have my sympathy. 

[Lord Undies]

That's the best advice:

True, but I don't know if I'm listening with my heart or with my mind.  This is going to take some time.

[Flame]

I'll keep you and Luke in my prayers, Undies.  That is totally sucky part about having animal companions.

Please, share your stories about Luke with us if it helps you.

[Chris_]

My poodle, Luke, the love of my life, turned 14 in January (B. Jan 20, 1995).  He is not well.  Luke is going down fast.

I am contemplating the end...being my decision instead of nature's.  It's killing me.  I am usually a strong levelheaded man.  This one is tearing me apart.

I have prayed to The Lord to give me one more year with my best friend, but my prayers don't seem to be with The Lord's Will. 

It is hard to explain how hard this is.  Luke has been my shadow.  He use to get upset when I went to the bathroom and closed the door.  He'd stick two paws under the door to let me know he was there. 

I had to find a groomer who would let me stay for the grooming.  The others kicked him out.  He was just too distraught being separated from me.  I know it sounds strange, but that's my Luke.  He had to be by my side.

Now this.  I don't know what to do.  I don't know how to handle it.  I know the right thing to do, but I don't know if I have the guts (for once). 

Maybe it will become easier the farther down the little guy gets.  Whatever happens, I know I'm going to be a big'o bald girl about it. 

Man, I feel for you.  I think all of you know I had to help my kittie go a little over a year ago after having her for 25 years.

You'll know when the time is nigh.  I asked myself the question: "when would I want to be released?"  My Musica became incontinent and it was clear every step was painful for her.  She kept dehydrating and we would have to run her to the vet for IVs -- which she hated.  When she peed in our pillows which she had never done before, I knew she was ready to be at peace.

I know if I was peeing my bed and hurt and had to have a damn IV shoved up my arm every few days I would just want to be let go.

I tell you all this to maybe make a hard decision a bit easier.

You and Luke will be in my prayers, amigo.

[Zeus]

[youtube=425,350]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jxz2wQX3EvA[/youtube]

...

[Lord Undies]

[youtube=425,350]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jxz2wQX3EvA[/youtube]

...

Oh, damn you!  You got my eyes reacting to their dryness. 

Why-oh-why did God make turtles and parrots to live a hundred years and dogs only a few?

I've decided that when the time does come, I'm going to have Luke cremated.  He shall rest in the most dynified little urn I can find, and he will rest here on my desk, as close to me as possible just like he would want to be.

[Lord Undies]

Thank you everyone for your kind words and logic.  It is hard.  So terrible hard.

[rich_t]

Thank you everyone for your kind words and logic.  It is hard.  So terrible hard.

Indeed it is.  My heart goes out to you.

[asdf2231]

Ah hell.

Been there, done that, etc, etc... And far too recently.

Sorry as hell for what you are facing DU.

[Chris_]

[youtube=425,350]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jxz2wQX3EvA[/youtube]

...

"FD," I says to myself, "do NOT press that play button." 

As usual, I am the last to take my advice.  Now I am all over the floor...

[thundley4]

Ten Commandments for Pet Owners

My life is likely to last 10 to 15 years. Any separation from you will be very painful.
 
Give me time to understand what you want from me. Do not break my spirit with your temper, though I will always forgive you. Your patience and understanding will teach me more quickly those things you want me to learn.
 
Treat me kindly, my beloved friend, for no heart in all the world is more grateful for your kindness than mine. Don't be angry with me for long, and don't lock me up as punishment. After all, you have your job, your friends, your entertainment. I have only you.
 
Speak to me often. Even if I don't understand all your words, I understand your voice when it's speaking to me. Your voice is the sweetest sound I ever hear, as you must know by my enthusiastic excitement when your footsteps fall upon my waiting ear.
 
Please take me inside when it's cold and wet. I'm a domestic animal and no longer am accustomed to the bitter elements. I ask for little more than your gentle hands petting me.
 
Keep my bowl filled with clean water; I cannot tell you when I'm thirsty. Feed me good food so that I may stay well, to romp and play and do your bidding, to be by your side, and stand ready, willing and able to share with you my life, for that is what I live for. However you treat me, I'll never forget it.
 
Don't hit me. Remember, I have teeth that could easily crush the bones in your hand, but I choose not to bite you.
 
Before you scold me for being lazy or uncooperative, ask yourself if something might be bothering me. Perhaps I am not getting the right food, I've been out in the sun too long, or my heart is getting old and weak.
 
Take care of me when I get old. You will grow old, too.
 
When I am very old, when I no longer enjoy good health, please do not make heroic efforts to keep me going. I am not having fun. Just see to it that my trusting life is taken gently. And be with me on that difficult journey when it is time to say "goodbye". Never say, "I can't bear to watch." Everything is easier for me when you are there. I will leave this earth knowing with my last breath that my fate was always safest in your hands. Remember - I love you.

The last one is the hardest one of all. 

[Lord Undies]

Ten Commandments for Pet Owners

My life is likely to last 10 to 15 years. Any separation from you will be very painful.
 
Give me time to understand what you want from me. Do not break my spirit with your temper, though I will always forgive you. Your patience and understanding will teach me more quickly those things you want me to learn.
 
Treat me kindly, my beloved friend, for no heart in all the world is more grateful for your kindness than mine. Don't be angry with me for long, and don't lock me up as punishment. After all, you have your job, your friends, your entertainment. I have only you.
 
Speak to me often. Even if I don't understand all your words, I understand your voice when it's speaking to me. Your voice is the sweetest sound I ever hear, as you must know by my enthusiastic excitement when your footsteps fall upon my waiting ear.
 
Please take me inside when it's cold and wet. I'm a domestic animal and no longer am accustomed to the bitter elements. I ask for little more than your gentle hands petting me.
 
Keep my bowl filled with clean water; I cannot tell you when I'm thirsty. Feed me good food so that I may stay well, to romp and play and do your bidding, to be by your side, and stand ready, willing and able to share with you my life, for that is what I live for. However you treat me, I'll never forget it.
 
Don't hit me. Remember, I have teeth that could easily crush the bones in your hand, but I choose not to bite you.
 
Before you scold me for being lazy or uncooperative, ask yourself if something might be bothering me. Perhaps I am not getting the right food, I've been out in the sun too long, or my heart is getting old and weak.
 
Take care of me when I get old. You will grow old, too.
 
When I am very old, when I no longer enjoy good health, please do not make heroic efforts to keep me going. I am not having fun. Just see to it that my trusting life is taken gently. And be with me on that difficult journey when it is time to say "goodbye". Never say, "I can't bear to watch." Everything is easier for me when you are there. I will leave this earth knowing with my last breath that my fate was always safest in your hands. Remember - I love you.

The last one is the hardest one of all. 

Oh Oh Oh....

I just got down on the floor (it was a coin toss if I could get up), and Luke went away from me.  I can't take this.

[rich_t]

Ten Commandments for Pet Owners

My life is likely to last 10 to 15 years. Any separation from you will be very painful.
 
Give me time to understand what you want from me. Do not break my spirit with your temper, though I will always forgive you. Your patience and understanding will teach me more quickly those things you want me to learn.
 
Treat me kindly, my beloved friend, for no heart in all the world is more grateful for your kindness than mine. Don't be angry with me for long, and don't lock me up as punishment. After all, you have your job, your friends, your entertainment. I have only you.
 
Speak to me often. Even if I don't understand all your words, I understand your voice when it's speaking to me. Your voice is the sweetest sound I ever hear, as you must know by my enthusiastic excitement when your footsteps fall upon my waiting ear.
 
Please take me inside when it's cold and wet. I'm a domestic animal and no longer am accustomed to the bitter elements. I ask for little more than your gentle hands petting me.
 
Keep my bowl filled with clean water; I cannot tell you when I'm thirsty. Feed me good food so that I may stay well, to romp and play and do your bidding, to be by your side, and stand ready, willing and able to share with you my life, for that is what I live for. However you treat me, I'll never forget it.
 
Don't hit me. Remember, I have teeth that could easily crush the bones in your hand, but I choose not to bite you.
 
Before you scold me for being lazy or uncooperative, ask yourself if something might be bothering me. Perhaps I am not getting the right food, I've been out in the sun too long, or my heart is getting old and weak.
 
Take care of me when I get old. You will grow old, too.
 
When I am very old, when I no longer enjoy good health, please do not make heroic efforts to keep me going. I am not having fun. Just see to it that my trusting life is taken gently. And be with me on that difficult journey when it is time to say "goodbye". Never say, "I can't bear to watch." Everything is easier for me when you are there. I will leave this earth knowing with my last breath that my fate was always safest in your hands. Remember - I love you.

The last one is the hardest one of all. 

Damn dude...  You made me tear up.

[SaintLouieWoman]

Undies, I'm so sorry to hear about Luke. People always say, "You'll know when". My vet has told me that, my friends, everyone. But it really is true. Isn't it strange how the biggest rascals are the ones that worm into your heart the most? He sounds like one spirited dog. Be glad he came into your life. He's a lucky dog to have been your friend for so long. That idea of keeping him close to you forever in the dignified urn is a good one. You both will be in my prayers.

[Scoobie]

You'll know when it's time, in your head and in your heart.

I'm so sorry you're going through this.