Goodbye old friends - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Carleton Hughes · #16 05-24-2012, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aklim

Besides losing my wife, I am not sure what will.

Sorry to TheDon but having dogs that died suddenly, I think it is easier on me to put them down than to have them die without the ability to say goodbye and apologize for any misdeeds.

That's solely on account of you're the one in charge of their lives which is nothing bad, simply the reality of making choices based upon what is peceived to be best for the critters in question. Like I said, I did it many times and I'm the most sappy, emotional fool out there.

mgburg · #17 05-25-2012, 11:38 AM

Whether you do it yourself or you have it done professionally, either way is tough...one requires a bit more "brass" to perform than the other, but in the end it still hurts just the same...

Having been the "provider" for them adds to that pain because, in the mix of it all, you'll always have that little thought in the back of your mind as to "Did I do the right thing? or Did I do enough at the right time?"

TheDon, just go forward knowing that the two of you have had the best of times and as far as your poodle is concerned, it has always been the best of times...and will always be...'til the last wiggle of his tail.

Happy Tails...

alabbasi · #18 05-25-2012, 12:09 PM

I lost my first dog in 2007, it was probably the most painful thing that I've ever experienced. I have four dogs now and i'm not looking forward to the next time. If only they could live as long as we do.

SwampYankee · #19 06-16-2012, 10:55 AM

Joe-I had to do the same thing yesterday. The dog and I had a love-hate relationship for the first 7-8 years but the old guy really grew on me the second 7-8. About a week ago he really had a hard time getting around but for the last 3-4 days he couldn't walk at all. I carried him out to do his thing every morning, afternoon and evening while we convinced our kids that it was the right thing to do. While I think we waited a little to long while they came to grips with it, he didn't appear to be in any pain (which the vet confirmed). My two oldest and I brought him for his last vet visit at 3:30 yesterday. We all stayed with him while they gave him the sedative, then the kids left since they didn't want to see the last moment. I layed with him on the floor (we brought along his pillow bed) until the very end and stayed there for another 5-10 minutes for one last hug. It was awful but I'm glad he's not suffering or laboring anymore. I'm not a religious man, but I like to think he's off running around with my mother and MIL like he used to.

Goodbye old friend.

With my DD, about 8 years ago. Some people couldn't believe he wasn't an Irish Setter. In their defense, he was about as hyper as one in addition to being red.

With my youngest a few weeks ago. Hard to believe how white he got.

elchivito · #20 06-16-2012, 12:08 PM

A life without animals is a life only partially lived. They are one of the ways god speaks to us. Your tribute is beautiful and your treasured old friend is at peace, I bet he'd thank you if he could.

SwampYankee · #21 06-16-2012, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elchivito

A life without animals is a life only partially lived. They are one of the ways god speaks to us. Your tribute is beautiful and your treasured old friend is at peace, I bet he'd thank you if he could.

Thank you.

The Clk Man · #22 06-16-2012, 04:54 PM

Sorry to hear that Bill, after reading your post, I thank The Lord that "The Nugness" is still going strong at 13 years old. He looks just like he did when he was 5 years old.

barry123400 · #23 06-18-2012, 12:30 AM

To me it is always a tough call. All too soon with our thirteen year old
terrior mix as well. I hope he gets the whole summer in but fear it may be his last if he does.

His enlarged heart is presently bearable with medication but the dosage had to be raised reciently. The medication just buys him time that he otherwise would not have.

I spent this afternoon letting the new dog pull a cart three times around a half mile loop at the cottage. It was hot so I rested him after every trip around. . He took to it even the first time as though he had always done it. Just used a body harness on him. Plus hooked up the leash to his regular collar.

After the first time around I thought he might want more weight in the cart so I threw a fifty pound sized empty propane tank on the empty cart. He did not show any signs of noticing the increased loading. I did not want to increase the loading further though.

It was quite suprising to me as I thought I would have to work with him to introduce him to the concept. Instead I just hooked him up to the leader and he was ready to pull the cart. He is a predominate burmese mountain dog mix.

A few articles I read stated this breed likes to work and so it does. He is a powerful dog. He also seems very intelligent so I will have to see what else he likes to do of an unusual nature.

A local lady showed up at the cottage a week ago and started to work with him as well. He took to her like a duck to water. I watched him do everything she told him to do. It was almost spontainious.

She had just showed up and knocked on the door. Explained that she had seen me out walking him past their cottage. Besides him being a beautiful dog she though he looked like he might have great potential. Did we mind if she worked with him once a week? There would be no charge other than her having just the satisfaction of teaching him.

I really did not know how competant she was. Although my wife mentioned that she knew the lady a little and she had spend a lot of her life training dogs before she retired. It was obvious after only a few minutes with him though that she was far better than just good. The two of them started out by playing together with him responding totally to her wishes.

The lady was estatic when she returned the dog later as well. Stating that she had never seen a dog learn as fast as this one did. Then let the dog show us what he had learnt by her commands.

It was almost unbelievable to watch. It was obvious that a total communication bond of some sort had been formed with the lady in that short of a time. I almost thought that if she had told him to stand on his head he would have.

From what I witnessed he should really be her dog. The dog obviously wants to work with her as well. It was one of those things you would have to see to believe. The wife and myself were and still are simply amazed.

All this in a one to two hour time frame of the dog being with her. We knew he was a smart dog before but never would have imagined he was that smart. Or had that much potential.

What she may achieve totally with this dog as she wants to work with him until the late fall we have to wait and see.

I did notice a few things that happened fairly quickly when we aquired him.

When we go to bed at night he stratigically positions himself to defend the household. Sleeping equidistant from all the bedroom doors out in the hallway.

We were out in one of our cars at night that has heavy tint on the windows. The police stopped us at a checkpoint to check insurance,drivers licence, currant validity of the safety sticker and plates.

All was going well until the officer put his hand on the window sill. Just behind my head from the back seat came this very deep single bark. Deeper than I had ever heard him bark before. The officer could not see the dog because of the heavy tint and it being night. The bark and it was a warning bark sounded like it was coming from a gigantic dog.

The officer went backwards rapidly stopped and said he did not have to see the papers after all so go along. I really think he wanted nothing to do with an animal he could not really see and had a bark like that.

Also he was probably trying to pull himself together at the same time. The bark did not scare me but the intensity deepness and volume of it would scare any stranger. That it was indeed a very serious warning bark was not subjective.

This dog after about the second week with us decided one of it's functions was to protect the owners I think. Yet he is the easiest going friendly good natured dog in general. He has to be as you should not own a dog with a set of teeth and jaws like this fellow has otherwise. If he does not understand a situation he just backs up.

I have done endless tests to verify he has no unpredictable agressive tendancies. I have never heard him growl either. Most large dogs are not as quick moving as this fellow is.

The downside of a great dog like this. The expected total average lifespan is only 8.5 years on average. They are also very cancer prone.

t walgamuth · #24 06-18-2012, 07:05 AM

Dogs are simply the noblest creatures on earth.

aklim · #25 06-18-2012, 08:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

Dogs are simply the noblest creatures on earth.

Without doubt. If I had to risk my life for a human being or a dog, I'd go with the dog. Assuming that the human wasn't my wife, that is.

SwampYankee · #26 06-18-2012, 10:06 AM

Sorry to hear that, Barry.

Quote:

Originally Posted by barry123400

We bring a new dog into our enviroment and family as the last one is nearing the end of it's lifespan. It does not lessen the emotions of seeing the older dog expire unfortunatly though I believe. It might be easier if our dogs had not always worked out to be really good dogs. The wife is really exceptional at dealing with kids and dogs.

Obviously, it's sad to see my kids missing TJ. But seeing my wife's little poodle moping around the house is almost worse.

His favorite spot to spend the night and to lay down for a bit while the kids were gone during the day was on his pillow under the kitchen table. She's been holding vigil there since he left the house, except to go out.

While I like a number of large dogs, the shorter lifespan is definitely in the back of my mind. Maybe after all the kids are out of the house. In the meantime, I'm thinking maybe a 15" beagle.

elchivito · #27 06-18-2012, 10:44 AM

We have our working dogs, but no pets. The wife wants a house dog, I keep saying no. It's just too hard to lose them and I don't want to do it any more.
When the Anatolians had puppies I had to make sure they were all pre-sold before she got her hooks into one of them. They make lousy pets anyhow.

aklim · #28 06-18-2012, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elchivito

We have our working dogs, but no pets. The wife wants a house dog, I keep saying no. It's just too hard to lose them and I don't want to do it any more.
When the Anatolians had puppies I had to make sure they were all pre-sold before she got her hooks into one of them. They make lousy pets anyhow.

Why does that breed make a lousy pet?

SwampYankee · #29 06-18-2012, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elchivito

We have our working dogs, but no pets. The wife wants a house dog, I keep saying no. It's just too hard to lose them and I don't want to do it any more.
When the Anatolians had puppies I had to make sure they were all pre-sold before she got her hooks into one of them. They make lousy pets anyhow.

I can appreciate that. We have 'barn' cats here at work that we adopt to keep the mice under control in our warehouse, better than any pest control company we ever contracted with. Every two years or so, one will disappear for whatever reason (they're fed and watered indoors every morning and evening but they can go in and out all day on their own if they want) and we just go down to the Humane Society and get the next ill-tempered house cat to fill the vacancy. But once they're house pets (I've also got 4 cats at home), it's a whole 'nother story.

elchivito · #30 06-18-2012, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aklim

Why does that breed make a lousy pet?

Anatolians are working dogs, bred in the mountains of Turkey for thousands of years to independently protect flocks of sheep and goats. They aren't herding dogs; dogs that can be trained to push flocks in a particular direction. Rather, their job is to protect flocks from large predators. They act instinctively and make decisions independently, not doing as they're told by some human. They live full time with their herds. They are "trained" by living as puppies with their mothers who are living with herds. This brings out their natural instincts. I have had dogs curl up around wet newborn lambs and kids and keep them warm all night when mothers abandon them. One of my dogs takes particular interest in watching over the poultry. I've seen him catch errant hens just before they slip through the fence to peck outside the pasture where coyotes can get them. It is possible to socialize an Anatolian, but it kills their bred in spirit and they will still instinctively protect whatever living things within their established perimeter THEY decide is their "flock". This might sound like a good thing, until your little boy is wrestling on the ground with one of his friends and the dog decides his boy is being attacked. Once on attack, they don't respond to human commands and don't quit until THEY have decided that the threat is neutralized. Watching two Anatolians and a Maremma take apart a bobcat or coyote is absolutely awe inspiring.