Dogs

[cb1111]

Yeah

True that. I’m 31, unmarried, and this IS my first born child. Look at her, the little tike. How could I not love her like “my own” ?

My heart hurts to hear of your dog’s issues. Best of luck

, it is amazing how they become part of the family. I bought the last three cars to account for the dog. We're just hoping that we can keep her happy and out of any discomfort.

 

[swcrow]

#peanutbutter

 

[Frag]

Ours doesn't really like being in cars. She's pretty anxious and has gotten sick in mine before.

 

[dtfd]

He's settling in nicely to the new house.

 

[trekker]

He's settling in nicely to the new house.

View attachment 308193

Adorable pose!

 

[sterkrazzy]

 

[cb1111]

I need somebody to talk me out of (or into) this:

Our current GSD just finished five courses of chemo following her splenectomy and tumor removal. We'll find out next week at the three week follow-up how she is doing - she seems perfectly normal - but at 11years old and even if the cancer is gone (unlikely as it is blood-borne), her time (like all of ours) is finite.

We're now considering adding another GSD. Popular consensus is that a second pup will extend the life of the older dog and the older dog will teach the new dog the "house rules."

We've been offered a quite nice looking year and a half old GSD, but he has an iffy history. He was found roaming with another shepherd for what they believe was several months - and he had been shot. The bullet was removed and the wound has healed nicely, but he is very shy and who knows what his personality is really like.

We introduced the two and our dog, who generally doesn't like other dogs at all, was fine (i.e. no bloodshed - or even growling). She sniffed the other dog, basically shrugged her shoulders and said "OK, so another dog, so what?" The other dog seemed a bit more interested, but both really just ignored each other - which I call a win.

Is this dog too screwed up?

 

[jay745]

I'd say go for it. Also what kind of monster shoots a dog!?

 

[cb1111]

I'd say go for it. Also what kind of monster shoots a dog!?

Yeah, I don't get that. He's in southern Virginia - what can I say. Lot's of trailer parks and meth labs.

I think we'll put in the adoption papers...

 

[jay745]

The irony of the shirt I was wearing last night

 

[king1138]

We had to put one of my dogs down yesterday. Our 11 year old yellow lab had his spleen fail. In retrospect, there were a few symptoms over the last few months that we just figured were signs of him getting old. I am absolutely devastated to lose him.

 

[cb1111]

We had to put one of my dogs down yesterday. Our 11 year old yellow lab had his spleen fail. In retrospect, there were a few symptoms over the last few months that we just figured were signs of him getting old. I am absolutely devastated to lose him.

Just remember that there isn't anything you could have/should have done differently. Think of all the good times he had - and wouldn't have had if it weren't for you.

Focus on your family - they need your support now and that'll help you too.

 

[king1138]

Thank you, I really appreciate the kind words

 

[Strange Mud]

King,

Having to say goodbye always is tough but it's the right call.

Charles,

I think this is one that fell into your lap. You won't know for a while if it's the right choice no matter what the decision is but my vote is go for it.

Jim

 

[cb1111]

King,

Having to say goodbye always is tough but it's the right call.

Charles,

I think this is one that fell into your lap. You won't know for a while if it's the right choice no matter what the decision is but my vote is go for it.

Jim

Strange - you're absolutely right. We got incredibly lucky on multiple fronts - first, we found the Hemangiosarcoma by sheer luck. Had we waited another week or two, rather than doing the surgery that day, then the outcome would have been different. We got lucky because she bounced back after chemo with only what seemed like a day or so of "leave me alone, I'm not hungry" two days following each chemo round, but then seemed completely normal. She's due for her first "post chemo" checkup next week and we'll see what they say. Finally, we were lucky that we had the financial means to afford surgery and chemo - who needs a new car anyway.

Thank you, I really appreciate the kind words

King - After talking to the surgeon, she said that in her experience, any outward signs of this disease means that it is too late for any meaningful long term results. Ours was discovered by accident when she went in for her annual teeth cleaning - she had zero symptoms that we could see. The doc said "something isn't quite right here" and suggested that we do an ultrasound - which we almost blew off because they are always trying to sell something. That night she had surgery at the emergency vet.

There is that difficult decision of doing the right thing for your dog and wanting to hang on to him as long as possible - but dogs are great at hiding pain, so when they show signs, then they are really uncomfortable. You made the right choice. I hope we can follow your example when ours is ready to leave us.