My dog died | FerrariChat

My dog died

Discussion in 'Other Off Topic Forum' started by SRT Mike, Apr 30, 2005.

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  1. SRT Mike

    SRT Mike Two Time F1 World Champ

    Oct 31, 2003
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    i just wanted to post and get this off my chest. Just got back from the vet. We had to put our dalmatian to sleep. He was 13 years old (almost 14). He was diagnosed with diabetes about 2 years ago, and his health was declining the past 6 months. About 2 weeks ago he started to have trouble walking and the last couple of days he had problems breathing because he had tumors in his neck that were impacting his windpipe.

    He was a good dog. I loved him very much. I got him when he was a few weeks old as a gift for my family. I am not so old, so this dog was there during my last year in high school, through college, through various girlfriends and moves around the country. He's driven from Oklahoma to Boston, been to the top of Mt. Washington, played in the rivers in New Hampshire and had a good life.

    Like every dog, he didn't hold a grudge and even when I got home from work and didnt have the mood to play, he didn't hold it against me. I knew something was wrong when he didn't seem so interested in food. This is a dog for which food was always job #1. The sad thing is in the past year he had to eat special food because he's diabetic, a feeling I know all too well. But I can admit now that I snuck him little bits of steak and cookies and we both agreed that it would be our little secret. He has a very full box of toys, because I knew it wasn't good to buy him lots of edible treats, being diabetic. But I couldn't help myself in treating my friend, so instead of basted pigs ears and cow hooves, it became tennis balls and stuffed animals, even if he just gave them a passing nibble before losing interest. It's OK, he was getting old and I took great pleasure in even seeing him take a subtle bite at a new toy then to forget about it.

    I will sincerely miss coming home and having him come to the door looking for his welcome-home biscuit (never quite figured out why he gets the biscuit when I'm the one who came home), but it was OK, we kind of agreed that he wanted the biscuit more than I did, and I knew the real pleasure for me was in the excitement and anticipation he displayed that it was coming. He was a real gentle dog, never bit anyone ever, and only ever saw him growl when other family dogs would bug him a little too much :).

    There never lived a more pampered dog. He had two beds, one in the living room and one in the bedroom, but that's OK, he preferred to sleep on the humans bed anyway, and never got any argument about that, even when somehow during the night he'd stretch out and manage to take up 90% of the bed real estate, while only being 1/3 of the total occupants.

    I know its hard to relate, but the dog lovers know what I'm talking about. I will always have fond memories of my friend Monty. He enrichened my life more than he will ever know, and I have a big hole in my life with his passing. Sometimes its fun to argue in P&R or think about which cars we want to buy, but in the years I've lived, I have realized that living a happy life, having a loving family and friends, and spending time with them is really what matters. In that regard, I am glad I was able to know my (not so) little four legged friend for the past 13 years.

    Bye Monty, I'll miss you buddy.
     
  2. jptyke

    jptyke Formula 3

    Sep 28, 2004
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    Master P.
    Sorry to hear Bro, they are family.
     
  3. UroTrash

    UroTrash Four Time F1 World Champ
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    Jan 20, 2004
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    Clifford Gunboat
    Better and nicer than people. Sorry for your loss. :(
     
  4. LetsJet

    LetsJet F1 Veteran
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    May 24, 2004
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    Sorry man......... sounds like a great friend.
     
  5. LAfun2

    LAfun2 Three Time F1 World Champ

    Oct 31, 2003
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    Ryan
    Sorry to hear. :(

    Weren't you getting the dog from Andy that was ruining his apt?
     
  6. justhrowit

    justhrowit Formula 3

    Feb 12, 2004
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    Sorry for your loss! Pets sure do become family don't they!

    Jay
     
  7. jimangle

    jimangle F1 Rookie

    Nov 5, 2003
    2,506
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    I feel your pain.
    I had a really amazing cat that our family had to put asleep. I fortunately wasn't there when it happened. My father was a babbling mess during it, and even talking about it with my parents will break them down. The cat was a female calico that was tiny, and she RULED the nieghborhood, she was mainly an outdoor cat, except in the winter, and when she wanted to eat. She was like a dog, where she would follow you around outside, and greet anyone who would walk onto our property. She was 13 years old when she developed renal failure. To see an animal that was extremely territorial, and loyal to it's family start to fail in health was hard. She then started to have siezures which we didn't know of until the doctor pointed it out, and told us that the cat was in a lot of pain and should be put down. All in all, when the cat was put to sleep, my father told me she sat up real tall and proud when the doctor administered the serum (or what ever it is that they inject). When I heard that, it really got to me. After she was put down, there was a real emptyness inside our house. That little calico cat's presence was HUGE.
     
  8. AJS328

    AJS328 F1 Veteran
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    Apr 23, 2003
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    You got me choked up there. I'm very sorry to hear about your loss. We have a 11 1/2 year old Dalmatian right now and he's starting to slow down a bit. I know how tough it is to lose one as well. Our last dog (a Lhasa Apso) died a few years back at 15 1/2 years old. We had that one since I was a kid and it was tough to see her go. Again, sorry to hear about Monty. :(
     
  9. Fan512bbi

    Fan512bbi Two Time F1 World Champ
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    Mar 25, 2004
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    Sorry to hear that mate, i have a dog named Clyde he is a good friend always listens and best of all keeps secrets, if i lost him i dont know how i would cope, he is around me 24/7, i feel for you, but the saying is true - time is a great healer.

    Take care.

    Steve.
     
  10. thecarreaper

    thecarreaper F1 World Champ
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    Sep 30, 2003
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    Savannah
    pets ARE part of the family. the love and emotion is real. i know how you feel. sorry for your loss. time will heal you, and allow you to make room for another.
     
  11. Oengus

    Oengus F1 World Champ
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    Sorry to hear of your loss, I have a black lab named Juel that I take to the office with me every day..............she loves riding around in the Rangerover.
    Im not sure what I'll do with myself when the day comes.

    I hope your doing ok!!

    chas
     
  12. SRT Mike

    SRT Mike Two Time F1 World Champ

    Oct 31, 2003
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    Thanks for the kind words. It is hard to see them go, especially when they are such a part of the family. Right now its still sinking in. Montys bed is still there, and his toys, and I can't help noticing things that I thought I had forgotten about. Things like the nibbled corner of the table leg, that he already was shouted at for when he was a pup, and was previously long since forgotten. The last time I recalled the table leg, I was probably angry. This time, I wish I could go back and laugh in seeing him groveling and sulking after knowing he did wrong. We've been reminiscing about Monty-isms all day. This was a smart dog, when it came to food. He figured out how to turn his body sideways and push his shoulder against the countertop to gain an extra few inches of reach, which allowed for more stealing of food. Just when we thought we had pushed the cakes or cookies back far enough, he adapted and overcame. Hell, I even got blamed for snatching some fresh baked cookies once in a while - nobody believing the dog could reach so far, while he lay in his bed sleeping and probably praying that the finger of blame would not turn his way, and it didnt :). More than once I came home to find the trash barrel knocked over, and garbage all over the house. Even then I couldn't get too angry at him, because I know the later in the day it got, he knew I was coming home and like a kid anticipating the return of an angry father, he punished himself more than I ever could. I remember cracking up laughing a few times while I cleaned it up and he nervously watched just poking his head around the doorway.

    The only consolation I have, besides the good times I had with him, is that he did not suffer. He didnt spend years in pain, he only really was bad for the last couple of days. The best word I can think of to explain how he was is "tired". He was just tired. He had a long and happy life, and we have great memories of him. He had developed lymphoma which was affecting his ability to walk and was causing him to have trouble breathing. It happened quite quickly, and as much as I know he'd do anything for me, one thing I would never ask of him is to suffer to appease my fear of being without him.

    At the moment, everyone is saying we'll never have another dog. They said that last time too. Monty is irreplaceable, but right now I am trying to temper my absolute sadness with memories of the fun we had together. I am glad we could give Monty a happy life and one without want and without sadness or fear. He was relaxed, happy, and content every day. As much as it hurts right now, I would not trade those last 13 years for anything.

    Some time there will be another special guy who will come into my life and be a new friend. Not a replacement story, just a subsequent chapter. And the new guy will not be the last, I am sure. Lafun, the little Jack Russel terror (intentional misspelling) is going to another guy. I would have taken him in a heartbeat, but the other gentleman lives close and its probably less stressful for the dog not to have to travel by plane.

    Dogs are amazing creatures, infinitely loving, gentle and truly better in many ways that most humans! I can't imagine not having the priviledge of having a great dog be my friend. It will take a long time to heal from this, but Monty will always be my friend. Not the last, but certainly one of the best.

    Thanks again folks. Tough day, but the well wishes really do make me feel better.
     
  13. Texas Forever

    Texas Forever Eight Time F1 World Champ
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    Apr 28, 2003
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    My condolences. I wish that there were some majic words that I could say to make it better. The best anyone can do is to keep our memories alive.

    Dale
     
  14. axemansean

    axemansean Formula Junior

    Jul 11, 2004
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  15. Ferrari0324

    Ferrari0324 F1 Rookie

    Mar 20, 2004
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    I'm very sorry to hear that, being a huge dog lover myself. But atleast he had a great life as you described it and he was able to pass with you at his side. They really are family, and I would do anything in my power to help out my dog.
     
  16. Gilles27

    Gilles27 F1 World Champ

    Mar 16, 2002
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    It always hurts to hear of someone losing their buddy. That was one of the hardest things I've ever done in my life, and I sympathize for you. Take care, and remember all the good times, and how happy you made each other.
     
  17. WILLIAM H

    WILLIAM H Three Time F1 World Champ

    Nov 1, 2003
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    My 12 yr old shepard died of a heart attack w his head in my lap. he was a great beautiful kind dog too. I know how bad it hurts but he still loves you.

    I bet you will see him in your dreams soon, coming back to visit :)

    You have become quite wise
     
  18. Texas Forever

    Texas Forever Eight Time F1 World Champ
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    Apr 28, 2003
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    When my dog died last summer, I buried her in the pouring rain. I kept hearing SRV playing "The Sky is Crying."

    All the Best, Dale
     
  19. whart

    whart F1 Veteran
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    Dec 5, 2001
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    The first time i cried in years was when i took our 18 yr. old cat, Henry, to the vet, to be euthanized; he was suffering from repeated bouts of cancer, and after several years of drastic surgery, each time he would struggle back, until it became plain that the medical heroics were far more cruel then letting him pass. But, at the same time, just like you the house felt empty, his stuff was scattered about the house-toys, bowls, etc. and it was truly painful. My wife, who is a much more spiritual person than me, used to burst into tears when she came in the front door, realizing that our guy was not there to greet us.
    We are blessed by this bond- it is powerful partly because it is so simple.
    Although Liz had said we could not get a new creature into our lives soon, I took the prerogative and found us a pair of Eyptian Maus, brother and sister, who have now shared our house for the last four years. They did not, in any way, replace Henry, but his loss was much easier to bear, since we both wanted to give love to another animal and that was part of what we were missing.
    I can now think of Henry with the great affection he gave to us, and remember him as he was in his prime, including his amazing sense of humor- that these animals actually tolerate us is amazing in itself. Hang in there...
     
  20. darth550

    darth550 Six Time F1 World Champ
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    I'm really sorry to hear this. It's tough!
     
  21. Admiral Thrawn

    Admiral Thrawn F1 Rookie

    Jul 2, 2003
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    My one and only dog, a Bernese Mountain dog, died the day before my birthday in 1997, at only 5 1/2 years old. When we got the call from the vet, my brother and I were absolutely devestated, and it's the only time we've had to face a death in the family.

    Then only a year later after a long trip to Europe, our two Persian cats were so distressed by what I think was our absence (despite having relatives mind them...) that we had to give them away to new owners! I never found out what their fate was or even whether they're still alive, and never fully understood their bizarre reaction.

    So we went from 3 loving pets to 0 in the space of 2 years, and I've never had another once since.
     
  22. Mule

    Mule F1 Rookie
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    #22 Mule, Apr 30, 2005
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    I am very sorry to hear that news. Made me look up my picture of Casey, The Wonder Dog, who died last year.

    "Wonder" Dog, because we always wondered what that crazy dog was thinking and doing. But he did love the F-car.
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
  23. Prova85

    Prova85 Formula 3

    Nov 13, 2003
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    I feel your pain Mike. Yes, they are truely amazing creatures. Couldn't agree more. Here's a link to my girl I lost 2 mos ago http://www.amrone.org/our_dogs/memorials/delta.html The worst part about dogs is that they just don't live long enough. And you can't put into words what they give you while they're here :)


    Kenny K
     
  24. Ducman491

    Ducman491 Formula 3

    Apr 9, 2004
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    Jason
    I am truly sorry to hear about the loss of your Dal. I have one myself that we saved from the pound. He was scheduled to be put down on Christmas eve a few years ago. We got there the day before that. His name is Cinder because they found him walking down the street on the shoulder. He is crazy as a jaybird but I wouldn't have it any other way. I also noticed that Diesel, our Rottie is starting to look very gray around the muzzle. I get emotional just thinking about the day that they pass away. It will be one of the worst days of my life. Please get another dog and share the love that you have to give with them, it is worth it.
     
  25. PeterS

    PeterS Five Time F1 World Champ
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    #25 PeterS, Apr 30, 2005
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    You came to the right place for your post. I'm with everyone else. My best friend's Lab was in the same situation a couple of years ago. Three months later, I showed up with a little black pure bred lab of ten weeks that my buddy named Buckster. Buckster will never replace Bucky in many ways, but Buckster brought back the joy of having a man's best friend. I hope you will have the same luck my best friend had.

    Here's Buckster.
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