Tonight marks the first night in 49 years that my parents have not had a dog going to sleep under a roof of theirs.It’s the first day in my 44+ years that there has not been a dog in my family. I’m obviously saddened by the loss of another beloved pet, but I don’t really know how to feel at something this unprecedented.
Over that time there’s essentially been 3 clusters of silky terriers. The most recent included two of theirs and two of mine which were all of similar age. When I separated I moved in with them and they took over the day to day welfare of my dogs. My dad had recently retired so they became his life. Starting about 24 months ago this most recent group began to move on. First their oldest went with to cancer. 6 months later (New Years Day 2018) my youngest went in similar fashion. Mothers day this year my oldest girl, a wedding present (ultimately deaf and blind) succumbed to cancer. All three were fortunately put down at home by my cousin (ex vet).
Their remaining girl (who was acquired the same day of my first) was suddenly all alone. She’d had two knee reconstructions but otherwise was managing fine. She had the least character of all of them and was more of a follower so I found her harder to connect with but she was incredibly sweet natured. You could see how lonely she had become, just sleeping all day and not having a friend to follow. Between 1-2 weeks ago her appetite went way off. Her already light frame became very boney and it was like she was giving up.
This morning I dropped in to see her as dad had said they might have to put her down. She was sleeping in mum’s arm in their bed. She looked fine, quite comfortable actually. I didn’t believe dad as he’d always been pessimistic about the previous ones, writing them off months before they ultimately left. Today though he was right. He called me at 8am to tell me she died at home whilst being stroked by mum. She just seemed to go to sleep and never woke. Though the vet suspected something may have been brewing there was no real sign of discomfort as the others had. Everyone was grateful she didn’t need to be put down nor have to visit the vet.
When I entered their home tonight, there were no dog baskets on the living room floor for the first time ever. The formal lounge room had always had temporary ‘child-proof’ fence and gate across the entry to stop the dogs going in and wetting on the good carpet. The fence was gone. First time I can remember. The ramp they had placed up an internal flight of 3 steps (for the latest’s dog’s bad leg) was gone. It was really surreal. The house feels sterile. I recall times my parents went on holidays and I would watch the dogs. I’d go to sleep with four silky terriers and a labrador/border collie-cross all squashed in a bed with me. The most horrible sleeps I’d ever have, but on the flip side never feeling so loved!
I worry for my dad now. He didn’t have much to occupy him other than those dogs.
I hate the thought of a house with no dogs. I just wanted to write about them. Thanks for reading.
Last month I dropped my dog Shadow off at the groomers. When I returned home, I called out his name since he didn’t greet me at the door. Shadow works for me as Assistant to the General Manager and I needed some advice.
I went through the house frantically looking for him until my daughter reminded me I just took him to the groomers.
I cannot imagine a home with no dogs. A couple years ago, wifie took a trip to NY to see family. I had a huge 2-week trial during that time, so, she took the 3 dogs so I would have no distractions. While it was nice to only have to worry about the trial, it SUCKED being home for 10 days with no dogs in the house. I don’t want to do that again.
I don’t allow any animals to live in my home. None. Zero. I don’t get people who do. Animals scratch the beautiful wood floors, pee wherever they think no one will notice, poop on the floor at times, scratch the doors. I tolerate none of that.
I don’t allow any animals to live in my home. None. Zero. I don’t get people who do. Animals scratch the beautiful wood floors, pee wherever they think no one will notice, poop on the floor at times, scratch the doors. I tolerate none of that.
When I look back on my life, I will put more value on the great times I have spent with my dog than on the stupid wood floor in the house.
I have always had cats, but the feelings are the same. During tax season I come home late at night and having the cat run and greet me at the door is one of the greatest simple pleasures. When we put our cat down 4 summers ago it didn’t hit me until the first night I came home at midnight and wasn’t greeted at the door. My wife was upstairs sleeping but the house felt empty like never before. We are back to having a cat and it is great that he comes running to greet me at the door every night.
You have had quite the dysfunctional pet experience. I pity the sadness that is your existence.
To the OP:
The Wife married into my dog. He survived 4 years into the marriage until he passed. I wanted a new dog right away but she was too heartbroken to want to go through the experience again. We were dogless for about a year. One day, I stepped on a chip that had been dropped 2 days ago, got pissed, and announced that we were getting a dog. They have a responsibility as well as a place in our home. She conceded.
Now, we’re a 2 dog family, his and her dogs. If I travel, I get to take my dog and hers stays behind. And vice versa. This alleviates the JSA problem. We have also taken to pre-replace our pets. As one of our doggies nears the end of his tenure, we start puppy shopping, in hopes that the new doggie will pick up a few tricks of the Banter-household trade from the older doggie.
You have had quite the dysfunctional pet experience. I pity the sadness that is your existence.
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Wow, no kidding. I’ve not often heard anyone so anti-pet.
The OP tugged at my heart a bit. I’m currently without a dog due to my work schedule. I’m just not home enough. As soon as I’m able, I’m getting a dog.
You have had quite the dysfunctional pet experience. I pity the sadness that is your existence.
No. I’ve had many pets throughout my life. But as an adult, I have chosen not to allow them or any other animals to live inside my home. Nothing dysfunctional about that. Some people choose to allow dogs, cats, squirrels, rats, birds, reptiles, even pigs to live in their homes. I choose otherwise.
My wife works out of our house and has kids coming in and out all day long (tutoring/ACT/SAT prep). When our first dogs had passed, it was about a week or two later when a solicitor came to the door and rang the doorbell. My wife notice the kid next her looking at her like she was supposed to go answer the door. Turned out she was waiting for the dogs to bark and scare them off the porch.
Two weeks later we brought home the new dogs to scare salesmen off the porch.
I don’t allow any animals to live in my home. None. Zero. I don’t get people who do. Animals scratch the beautiful wood floors, pee wherever they think no one will notice, poop on the floor at times, scratch the doors. I tolerate none of that.
Thanks for your amazingly awesome contribution to this thread. Way to go!
You have had quite the dysfunctional pet experience. I pity the sadness that is your existence.
No. I’ve had many pets throughout my life. But as an adult, I have chosen not to allow them or any other animals to live inside my home. Nothing dysfunctional about that. Some people choose to allow dogs, cats, squirrels, rats, birds, reptiles, even pigs to live in their homes. I choose otherwise.
Yes, but not many of them have chosen to show up in a thread talking about the heartache when a beloved family pet passes. Thanks for coming.
Our dog recently passed away after 14 years with the family. My wife and I rescued her right after we got engaged back in the day. She’s been with us for 2 kids, 2 houses, a half-dozen jobs, untold miles running together and lots of trips to the dog park. I still look for her when I get home from work each day. My kids don’t know life without her. Someday we’ll get a new dog, we’re just not ready yet.
You can spend a little time to train a dog not to pee indoors. They really don’t want to pee indoors, but due to usually bad owners they have no choice. I’ve owned dogs that will hold it until their eyeballs are floating to avoid peeing in the house.
I don’t allow any animals to live in my home. None. Zero. I don’t get people who do. Animals scratch the beautiful wood floors, pee wherever they think no one will notice, poop on the floor at times, scratch the doors. I tolerate none of that.
In 2016 my wife and I vowed when our current dogs die, no more dogs.
The 16 year old died then 2 weeks later the 6 year old died.
Within a week we had another dog. Six months later we were back to 2 dogs.
Ahh. I feel you OP. My cat died a few weeks ago at 16 years old. My house was so quiet and it was really depressing to come home without him running to the door to see me.
I was at the shelter 3 days later to adopt a cat. Couldn’t stand it. There’s always going to be room in my heart for another animal.
It is REALLY easy to see why people love pets. The companionship, the unconditional love, the “humour” of the pets, the special bond between an owner and pet, pets are fun, etc.
it is also really easy to see people who think the cons outweigh the pros. the peeing, scratching, the cleaning up after, the expenses, the mess, the modified travel plans, the pets keeping you up at night, the pets waking you up early.
I don’t allow any animals to live in my home. None. Zero. I don’t get people who do. Animals scratch the beautiful wood floors, pee wherever they think no one will notice, poop on the floor at times, scratch the doors. I tolerate none of that.
When I look back on my life, I will put more value on the great times I have spent with my dog than on the stupid wood floor in the house.
Amen.
