I had a very frustating 'phone call just now. A little background first to give perpective:
My family have always had Golden Retrievers since I was 3 or 4 years old and all b r the current have been obedience trained by my mother (and to a very high standard). Her health has not been great in the last decade and so Father (kind of) trained her and she has been the light of his life (in his eyes, his dog). I have always had an close bond with all of our dogs and they know it and are always by my side whenever I visit.
Last night Shelley was off her food and starting to show her age (11 years on July 4th), getting to her feet was a chore and she made whimpering noises through the night. Today she has only had Glaucosimine tablets to eat is drinking like crazy. Prior to my arriving this lunchtime (after text from Mum) she hadn’t gotten to her feet for visitors and was having visible spasms in her stomach area which is hot to the touch. I walked in a she belaboured got to her feet and walked ovr to me with tail wagging. My mother said that was the first action she made today. I felt it was a goodbye welcome.
I rang my Father at work (he is semi retired and does some hours for my brother a mile from home) as she was now shaking and not moving of her own accord. To ask him to come home now and take her to the vets as she is obviously in considerable distress. The response I got was that he had seen her this morning and knew what she was like. I said you need to come back now, “I am trying to impress on you the magnitude of their condition”. I was aghast when the response came back “I finish in 50 minutes, I’ll be back then”.
I can’t believe that he wants to leave her in pain for that period of time. After all the unconditinal love she has given, I find it’s incomprehensible not to return it. I can’t understand my reaction either. I didn’t even cry at my Grandparents or Uncle’s deaths or funerals but I left their houe with tears streaming down my cheeks.
Bringing my our dog of 16 years to the vet at 11 am to put her to sleep while kids our at school. She to is in pain and I have been putting off the inevitable for months. It’s not easy. Think this must be what your father is doing. You know its going to happen no need to rush it. Unless the dog is howling and or constantly whimpering it is dealing with the pain. Maybe she does not want to go yet? If I am mortally hurt and am dealing with pain dont give up on me. until its to late and nothing else can be done. Just savor the last moments. Thats my line of thought.
I’m a little confused about Shelley’s condition. Your post suggests that she is slowing down at 10 years old, but the signs of an acute condition began only very recently (stopped eating last night). Please tell me that the dog has been seen by a vet.
Thoughts and prayers for you, Shelley and her family.
Sorry for the confusion it was all done through blurred eyes. She has been stiff to move for the last couple of weeks but now it’s a real effort that almost beats her. This morning she was having spasms through the stomach and involuntary shakes through her head and shoulders.
She saw the vet last night and I just received a text that said they were reassured but no more. Today the fact she was not eating and drinking excessively would suggest kidney failure. Hopefully she has been at the vets again this afternoon and I awiat news.
Hey Bm, I am there for you, it’s one of the hardest things to do and an incredible wrench. They can’t tell us for sure when the pain is too great to bear or when they lost control. That’s when we must think of them and accord them the respect and dignity we would wish for. Our best friends that gave everything deserve our best in return.
Thanks!
It was not easy. Luckily my wife was there with me. She was a good dog . Found in the woods 16 years ago as a 2- 3week old pup abanded with the rest of her litter on St patricks day during one of the biggest snowstorms to hit Jersey in 50 years.She shivered and shook and never really played until she was about 2. Think she was abused along with the rest of the litter from whatever scumbag dropped them off that day or week.Another hour or so they all would have been goners. I guess she was lucky to make it this long. We will miss her. Very fond memories of her. Never once tried to bite any of the kids and let me tell you they tried to put things where if it were me I would bite them and not let go. Now to go run a mind numbing 10 miles or so.
WTF is wrong with people. This happens far too often.
I am so glad there are people like you in the world to help out those who can’t ask for help. Thanks and I am very sorry for your loss.
Mark
I’m having a very emotional day because I dreampt my Golden Retriever and I were running and playing outside together. This makes me sad because he has cancer and we really don’t know how much longer he will be with us. It could be next week or next month. He isn’t in pain and is still happy to see us etc. I’ll share with you what I wrote about him because I think you will understand.
He does remind me to live each day to the fullest. He is so sweet and
wonderful despite his discomfort. He isn’t in pain but he isn’t 100%. He
still greets us at the door, asks for his nightly treat and follows us
around the house. We can’t all be 100% and we also don’t know how long we
will be here so do what my Fitzie does:
Nap
Run
Play
Eat
Wag
Kiss spontaneously
Greet the ones you love with joy
Be with your family wherever they are
Give everyone a kiss goodnight
Sniff the flowers
Roll in the grass
Lay in the sun
Fitzie is a great teacher. I think of him whenever I run and wish he could be with me.
Thanks Spot. Unbelievably whne they took her to the vet yesterday they were closed until 1800 today! I am going over there before work this morning to see how she is after the night. Hopefully, not any more distressed than yesterday.
I received a text from my mum telling me that Shelley’s rear hips have completely gone now. Even to the extent that she couldn’t support herself to take a crap, my Dad had to clean her off. Poor thing. She hasn’t got any better throughout the day, so it’s not a short term blip. Yesterday, she really struggled to get up and greet me, taking three or four attempts to get up.
I just had to pop over to say my goodbyes when I heard, as they will have to take her to the vet tomorrow. I drove back with tears streaming down my face but had to go and say goodbye to a good and loyal friend.
Tomorrow will be a hard day but we owe her the respect and dignity that we would afford any other family member.
I’m very sorry to hear this, Julian. Those furry little critters really can worm their way into your heart, and its very hard when its time to say good-bye. Be strong…
I feel for you, my friend. Non-dog people do not understand what we go through when we lose our friend – our grief is pure and intense, and reflects the uncomplicated and clear relationship/bond we have with our dogs. The pain they cause in leaving is small price for the joy they brought us all those years.
I lost my friend in January. Similar age, similar circumstances, a black lab named “Mason”.
The hardest thing I ever had to do was to put our 14 year old German Shepard down. My brother and I took him to the Vet and we could not even look at each other. Vet asked if we would like to come and hold him, but at the time it was too much for me. Something I regret to this day (21 years later). His hips went as well and he could not get up to use the bathroom. At this point it is in the dogs best interest to let them go as hard as might seem. On the bright side, the GS we have now has had hip diplasiea breed out of him, so we won’t have to go through that again. My prayers are with you and your family.
I totally agree with you, on both counts. Hip dysplasea is the big fear of all large dog owners and is the major thing that should be checked when buying for a breeder. WE have always had our Goldies from the same breeder and therefore know that she works hard to avoid this. 14 was a grand age for your Shepherd but it’s never easy is it.