All the reasons we love our dogs.....

813wilson

Rookie
Put the family dog down last evening. 13 year old yellow lab was the best thing to happen for our daughter.....

Amazing how each "first" is so bad. Not there to greet me/us, not barking at something outside, not looking to go outside, that look of "hey I'll come...."

"Santa" brought her to my daughter when she was five.

I was worried how we'd do with this. As any dog lover knows, the grief is huge, but, as I've told my daughter, each day will get better quickly.

Our sadness = all the days that dog showed us her love.

When we got her, my daughter asked "how old will I be when she dies?" I told her(5 at the time), "sweetheart, you don't need to worry about her until after high school.

Sadly, our daughter leaves for college in two weeks.....
 
To the OP

Sounds like you made a good home for a dog. Maybe you'd want to provide a good home again for another one? Could be a win situation for each of you.
 
To the OP

Sounds like you made a good home for a dog. Maybe you'd want to provide a good home again for another one? Could be a win situation for each of you.

Not ready to decide on getting a new one - again. Too soon. and....

Already have a second dog - family next to us sold the house, split up, and were not dog people.

Lots of issues with getting this one to trust us. Not having our dog here is now making twice as challenging.....

We've had the other for a month.
 
My deepest condolences as I know the pain of losing a dog. Came home for lunch one day about 8yrs ago to find my beloved dalmatian dead by the side of my bed. The first few weeks afterwards were the absolute roughest and I didnt even think about getting another for 6 months. Ran across the big guy in my avatar pic and knew the time was right.
 
I've had Cockers all my life...the two I have now must be about my seventh go-around...some died, others we gave up because of the heavy moving I went through growing up as an Army brat. It's no fun coming home to an empty doorway and no tailwagging. I guess that's why I always get back on the horse and get another baby to raise. Good luck with your adjustment and with the second dog you adopted! Have you tried dogpark socializing? That might help get the trust factor improved.
 
Why can't I hold all these feels?

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Can't explain all these feels that you're making me feeeeel.
 
Put the family dog down last evening. 13 year old yellow lab was the best thing to happen for our daughter.....

Amazing how each "first" is so bad. Not there to greet me/us, not barking at something outside, not looking to go outside, that look of "hey I'll come...."

"Santa" brought her to my daughter when she was five.

I was worried how we'd do with this. As any dog lover knows, the grief is huge, but, as I've told my daughter, each day will get better quickly.

Our sadness = all the days that dog showed us her love.

When we got her, my daughter asked "how old will I be when she dies?" I told her(5 at the time), "sweetheart, you don't need to worry about her until after high school.

Sadly, our daughter leaves for college in two weeks.....

Hey man truly sorry for your loss. I have a male 3 year old, pure bread yellow lab myself. It's really hard for me not to love him with all my heart. The situation is really becoming such that he is almost like another brother rather than a pet. You probably can relate in a way. Do you think I should sort of remind myself it's just a dog in order to spare myself from the pain in the future?
 
Hey man truly sorry for your loss. I have a male 3 year old, pure bread yellow lab myself. It's really hard for me not to love him with all my heart. The situation is really becoming such that he is almost like another brother rather than a pet. You probably can relate in a way. Do you think I should sort of remind myself it's just a dog in order to spare myself from the pain in the future?

You can't cheat yourself and your pal of all the fun you'll have before your eventual separation. Besides, how do you know who survives whom? Every day when I lock up to go to work, I pray I get home to greet my boys again! So far, so good but you never know. I often wonder how orphaned pets adjust to the loss of their owners.
 
Dogs have way shorter life spans than ours. You need to think about how much joy you got from the dog, and how much love you gave him/her, and not the fact that she died or is no longer with you.

Whatever time you had with her was a gift this universe gave you. And her. There will be more opportunities for you to show your love to fellow beings and creatures.
 
Sorry for your loss.

Ever since my daughter was 5, she begged us for a dog. We told her sorry, it will never happen.....

2 years ago, we got a 4 mos. old multipoo. It was the cutiest thing. . . . but more so, he was so gentle. Never barked, nor acted aggressive. My girl was 10 at the time.

After two years, (being a new dog owner) my daughter never kept up her end of the deal, where she was supposed to play with him, feed him, bathe him, clean up after him.... no it was mostly me. I developed a special bond, . . it goes way deeper than just mere being cute.

Now, when I see people walking their dogs, or driving their dogs in their cars, I understand that there must be such a bond for them as well. I actually like to watch other people's dogs too. Go figure.

The Bible does not mention dogs having a spirit, just merely that animals possess the flesh and a soul (The part that contains their personalities and software) Heaven is reserved for spirits, more specifically the spirits of mankind, being that God Himself is Spirit. Well, even so, I do want to believe that there is a heaven for these dogs. A place where they go after a hard life here on earth, where God will commend them for doing a "Good Job" taking care of their of their "assigned" masters, . . . like "special agents" sent to us to help us bear the painful times during our life, and to add an accent to our otherwise mundane lives. To help our children to feel needed, and to make fathers learn patience. And by the time we start to figure this out, their time expires and it becomes time for them to go.

I,... we are still learning and weaving through our first experience with our wonderful dog, and i have not yet thought about how things will come to an end. I figure my girls will also be in college by then. I know it will rip my heart and scar my soul when that time comes. I know I will wish that i had spent more time with him.

As I write this, he is lying on top of my bed (not my daughter's) dozing himself to sleep. In a few minutes when I am ready to sleep, I will pick him up as I had picked up my daughters when they where toddlers, to put him to his bed. He will open one eye, as he always does, fully aware what is happening, and too sleepy and powerless to resist. . . and tomorrow morning when he is recharged, he will run to my bed (not my daughters) to lick my sleeping face as to say, "It's me you fool, now give me breakfast". And at that time, I will be the helpless and powerless one, tending to the needs of that spirited creature. . . for it truly gives me pleasure to see it display its one of two known emotions of either happy or happier, as I measure it by the intensity of its wagging tail.

Only if he could swing a racket ......
 
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Nothing, and I mean nothing, is better than a dog.

Here's my 12 year-old Golden girl, Penny:

DSC_0477.jpg


We adopted her a couple of years ago. At the age of 10, she wasn't attractive to most families looking for younger pups, but she's been the best dog we've ever had.
 
Dogs have generally been better friends to man than man has been to them. For a fascinating read, do a search on "Can the Bulldog be Saved" from the New York Times Magazine last November. Describes how distorted breeding goals have turned the bulldog into a health catastrophe, and how some are trying now to reverse that and breed them back to their original specs.
 
Put the family dog down last evening. 13 year old yellow lab was the best thing to happen for our daughter.....

Amazing how each "first" is so bad. Not there to greet me/us, not barking at something outside, not looking to go outside, that look of "hey I'll come...."

"Santa" brought her to my daughter when she was five.

I was worried how we'd do with this. As any dog lover knows, the grief is huge, but, as I've told my daughter, each day will get better quickly.

Our sadness = all the days that dog showed us her love.

When we got her, my daughter asked "how old will I be when she dies?" I told her(5 at the time), "sweetheart, you don't need to worry about her until after high school.

Sadly, our daughter leaves for college in two weeks.....

My family had a yellow lab for 12 years (she's been gone since 2006). We all still cry for her. Labs are the best!!!!! very sorry for your loss.
 
Put the family dog down last evening. 13 year old yellow lab was the best thing to happen for our daughter.....

Amazing how each "first" is so bad. Not there to greet me/us, not barking at something outside, not looking to go outside, that look of "hey I'll come...."

"Santa" brought her to my daughter when she was five.

I was worried how we'd do with this. As any dog lover knows, the grief is huge, but, as I've told my daughter, each day will get better quickly.

Our sadness = all the days that dog showed us her love.

When we got her, my daughter asked "how old will I be when she dies?" I told her(5 at the time), "sweetheart, you don't need to worry about her until after high school.

Sadly, our daughter leaves for college in two weeks.....

I'm so sorry for your loss. I know how you feel. My whole family was devastated when our dog passed away a few years ago. They really feel like family. I love yellow labs and I'm sure she was an amazing dog. Hang in there!


Sorry for your loss.

Ever since my daughter was 5, she begged us for a dog. We told her sorry, it will never happen.....

2 years ago, we got a 4 mos. old multipoo. It was the cutiest thing. . . . but more so, he was so gentle. Never barked, nor acted aggressive. My girl was 10 at the time.

After two years, (being a new dog owner) my daughter never kept up her end of the deal, where she was supposed to play with him, feed him, bathe him, clean up after him.... no it was mostly me. I developed a special bond, . . it goes way deeper than just mere being cute.

Now, when I see people walking their dogs, or driving their dogs in their cars, I understand that there must be such a bond for them as well. I actually like to watch other people's dogs too. Go figure.

The Bible does not mention dogs having a spirit, just merely that animals possess the flesh and a soul (The part that contains their personalities and software) Heaven is reserved for spirits, more specifically the spirits of mankind, being that God Himself is Spirit. Well, even so, I do want to believe that there is a heaven for these dogs. A place where they go after a hard life here on earth, where God will commend them for doing a "Good Job" taking care of their of their "assigned" masters, . . . like "special agents" sent to us to help us bear the painful times during our life, and to add an accent to our otherwise mundane lives. To help our children to feel needed, and to make fathers learn patience. And by the time we start to figure this out, their time expires and it becomes time for them to go.

I,... we are still learning and weaving through our first experience with our wonderful dog, and i have not yet thought about how things will come to an end. I figure my girls will also be in college by then. I know it will rip my heart and scar my soul when that time comes. I know I will wish that i had spent more time with him.

As I write this, he is lying on top of my bed (not my daughter's) dozing himself to sleep. In a few minutes when I am ready to sleep, I will pick him up as I had picked up my daughters when they where toddlers, to put him to his bed. He will open one eye, as he always does, fully aware what is happening, and too sleepy and powerless to resist. . . and tomorrow morning when he is recharged, he will run to my bed (not my daughters) to lick my sleeping face as to say, "It's me you fool, now give me breakfast". And at that time, I will be the helpless and powerless one, tending to the needs of that spirited creature. . . for it truly gives me pleasure to see it display its one of two known emotions of either happy or happier, as I measure it by the intensity of its wagging tail.

Only if he could swing a racket ......

It was beautiful reading how God placed your dog in your life. When it comes time to meet Jesus face to face, you could always try asking Him for your dog back. With God being a loving Father who has mansions prepared for us, I don't think He'd mind too much if we asked.
 
Put the family dog down last evening. 13 year old yellow lab was the best thing to happen for our daughter.....

Amazing how each "first" is so bad. Not there to greet me/us, not barking at something outside, not looking to go outside, that look of "hey I'll come...."

"Santa" brought her to my daughter when she was five.

I was worried how we'd do with this. As any dog lover knows, the grief is huge, but, as I've told my daughter, each day will get better quickly.

Our sadness = all the days that dog showed us her love.

When we got her, my daughter asked "how old will I be when she dies?" I told her(5 at the time), "sweetheart, you don't need to worry about her until after high school.

Sadly, our daughter leaves for college in two weeks.....


Probably better than coming home from college for the holidays and finding out your parents put your dog down and didn't want to tell you.

Look at it this way, the dog had a better life than most people do. Celebrate the dog and if you love having a dog, get another as a pal to the other one you adopted.

Labs are great dogs by the way. One of the best breeds. They do become like a member of the family.
 
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I read this post yesterday and was going to offer my condolences.

Then

I got home yesterday I noticed Lucky wasnt in the house. Dad said he was sick and Mom had taken him to the vet. Got back from hitting and he was back but you could tell he was ill. But when I went to bed it appeared he was feeling better.

Got up this morning and Mom had him outside. When I came out of the bathrrom he was laying by the door breathing really hard. Mom said he had collapsed outside and she he had to help him back in. While I was making breakfast he let out a couple real hard breaths and stopped breathing right in the floor in front of me. He was an 11 year old mixed Shepard of some sort.

I know the dog will not live forever, but when I get home today it wont just feel right with him not meeting me at door and headbutting me in the leg for 5 minutes straight and not letting me untie my shoes.
 
Let's face it, people love their dogs in large part because these pack animals will swear allegiance to the alpha being, i.e. you, as it is their genetically determined instinct to do so (though my father in law's dog for some reason would bite him on the hand almost every day when he came home.) Loving a dog is the least evolved form of love, as dogs demand virtually nothing in return. Loving a more complicated being such as a cat (I have three) or a wife (I have one, presently) is a much greater test of one's capacity to love.
 
Today is my younger pal's fourth birthday! I witnessed (and aided in) his whelping. He was the fifth and last puppy out of his mom's womb and she was tired from her efforts. Georgia (the mom) was barely more than a puppy herself but had five wonderful, healthy pups. We were very blessed that day, witnessing the beauty of the creation of five new companions. As I post, I'm getting the birthday present...an ankle licking to remind me how much the little one loves his "Daddy". Later, I'll let him out for a little "lizard-chasing"...his favorite activity out in the yard. Not much of a birthday present, but that's what makes him happy!
 
Let's face it, people love their dogs in large part because these pack animals will swear allegiance to the alpha being, i.e. you, as it is their genetically determined instinct to do so (though my father in law's dog for some reason would bite him on the hand almost every day when he came home.) Loving a dog is the least evolved form of love, as dogs demand virtually nothing in return. Loving a more complicated being such as a cat (I have three) or a wife (I have one, presently) is a much greater test of one's capacity to love.

I am shocked to read this from you, Ollinger. Maybe you are taking only well-behaved dogs into account. Or you have not cared for dogs who were sick for long periods, dogs with problems.

I work with stray dogs, and the demands and pressures are heavy. There is no end to worry and stress and tension since people are out to have them removed, and they often get run over.

On the contrary, loving dogs has taught me how to love humans more unconditionally, to take care of people who were sick and old and still enjoy it and feel love at all times, to put myself aside when taking care of others.

I might have said that loving a wife is the least evolved except that I am single, so i can't. You get your sexual satisfaction or whatever, and then it seems (from the divorce rates and domestic issues) that when you folks are through, you part ways. That's hardly even love.

Maybe you have never really loved a dog. Or maybe you are speaking from some psychology theory that is someone's conjecture -- no matter how respected it may be, it's still just someone's speculation.
 
Today is my younger pal's fourth birthday! I witnessed (and aided in) his whelping. He was the fifth and last puppy out of his mom's womb and she was tired from her efforts. Georgia (the mom) was barely more than a puppy herself but had five wonderful, healthy pups. We were very blessed that day, witnessing the beauty of the creation of five new companions. As I post, I'm getting the birthday present...an ankle licking to remind me how much the little one loves his "Daddy". Later, I'll let him out for a little "lizard-chasing"...his favorite activity out in the yard. Not much of a birthday present, but that's what makes him happy!


So do you keep all of 'em with you ? !!!

edit: previous post. Or Ollinger, maybe I am just a not very evolved human !
 
So do you keep all of 'em with you? !!!

edit: previous post. Or Ollinger, maybe I am just a not very evolved human !

No, I have the one birthday boy and his sire. Four of the pups found great homes quickly but the fifth, SexiSaxi, stuck around. It was surprising because he's a gorgeous, healthy bundle of energy so perfect for a family pet. Anyhow, after trying to get him situated for a couple of months, I got too attached to say goodbye.

Sadly, last year I had to move to a much smaller apartment that would only accomodate two pets. Georgia, the mother, had an admirer from the local dogpark who gladly helped me out by adopting her.
 
I read this post yesterday and was going to offer my condolences.

Then

I got home yesterday I noticed Lucky wasnt in the house. Dad said he was sick and Mom had taken him to the vet. Got back from hitting and he was back but you could tell he was ill. But when I went to bed it appeared he was feeling better.

Got up this morning and Mom had him outside. When I came out of the bathrrom he was laying by the door breathing really hard. Mom said he had collapsed outside and she he had to help him back in. While I was making breakfast he let out a couple real hard breaths and stopped breathing right in the floor in front of me. He was an 11 year old mixed Shepard of some sort.

I know the dog will not live forever, but when I get home today it wont just feel right with him not meeting me at door and headbutting me in the leg for 5 minutes straight and not letting me untie my shoes.

very tough situation for you Hollywood. I'm sorry for your loss....
 
Let's face it, people love their dogs in large part because these pack animals will swear allegiance to the alpha being, i.e. you, as it is their genetically determined instinct to do so (though my father in law's dog for some reason would bite him on the hand almost every day when he came home.) Loving a dog is the least evolved form of love, as dogs demand virtually nothing in return. Loving a more complicated being such as a cat (I have three) or a wife (I have one, presently) is a much greater test of one's capacity to love.

Thanks for being a D'bag in this thread Ollie. By the way, I have a wife and two cats, as well. Does this make my love for dogs any more evolved? Or do I pass some other test because of the others in my life?

I'll be sure and tell that to my daughter - "you've lost a pet that has been with you and loved you for 3/4ths of your life. Don't be sad though, this kind of sadness comes out of the least evolved love you'll ever have." Yep - that'll help.....
 
very tough situation for you Hollywood. I'm sorry for your loss....

Thanks man. Old Luck was a wierd dog. I dont think he had nerve endings on his head. He would just head but anything. And when he would sneeze his face would thump the floor super hard. But he never lifted his head up when he sneezed he just bashed the floor.


I remeber a fewe years backreading Bill Simmons article on ESPN when he lost his dog. He says to this day that the article most poeple talk to him about when he meets them. Its pretty good and shows the power a dog can have on poeple.

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=simmons/090122
 
Thanks man. Old Luck was a wierd dog. I dont think he had nerve endings on his head. He would just head but anything. And when he would sneeze his face would thump the floor super hard. But he never lifted his head up when he sneezed he just bashed the floor.


I remeber a fewe years backreading Bill Simmons article on ESPN when he lost his dog. He says to this day that the article most poeple talk to him about when he meets them. Its pretty good and shows the power a dog can have on poeple.

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=simmons/090122

Great read. Jimmy Stewart wrote one titled "A Dog Named Beau" that can really move you.

I just noticed your location: The dog we just lost came from a small farm on the north side of the Susquehanna - just above the Conowingo....
 
Let\\\'s face it, people love their dogs in large part because these pack animals will swear allegiance to the alpha being, i.e. you, as it is their genetically determined instinct to do so.

Some people are control freaks and enjoy bossing animals or humans around. I thought you were intelligent enough to realize that people interact with animals and humans in different ways.

Loving a dog is the least evolved form of love, as dogs demand virtually nothing in return.

So just because a creature doesn\\\'t expect something in return that makes it the least evolved form of love. That doesn\'t make any sense at all.

Loving a more complicated being such as a cat (I have three) or a wife (I have one, presently) is a much greater test of one\\\'s capacity to love.

Yeah if someone dies in your house your complicated cat will be eating their flesh. A dog would be barking for help or trying to wake them up.
 
I read this post yesterday and was going to offer my condolences.

Then

I got home yesterday I noticed Lucky wasnt in the house. Dad said he was sick and Mom had taken him to the vet. Got back from hitting and he was back but you could tell he was ill. But when I went to bed it appeared he was feeling better.

Got up this morning and Mom had him outside. When I came out of the bathrrom he was laying by the door breathing really hard. Mom said he had collapsed outside and she he had to help him back in. While I was making breakfast he let out a couple real hard breaths and stopped breathing right in the floor in front of me. He was an 11 year old mixed Shepard of some sort.

I know the dog will not live forever, but when I get home today it wont just feel right with him not meeting me at door and headbutting me in the leg for 5 minutes straight and not letting me untie my shoes.


Sorry to hear about your dog Hollywood
 
Thanks man. Old Luck was a wierd dog. I dont think he had nerve endings on his head. He would just head but anything. And when he would sneeze his face would thump the floor super hard. But he never lifted his head up when he sneezed he just bashed the floor.


I remeber a fewe years backreading Bill Simmons article on ESPN when he lost his dog. He says to this day that the article most poeple talk to him about when he meets them. Its pretty good and shows the power a dog can have on poeple.

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=simmons/090122

Sorry about your loss...I know about both the sudden and prolonged demises of pets. They both hurt but the unexpected ones make you cherish each moment you had even more.

Almost 20 years ago, I helped my mother by bathing her Cocker sweetheart in the tub. I had just finished and settled down on the couch to help her dry off with a rub-a-dub and a towel or three (Cocker coats really hold the water). Everything was fine and then she let out a ear-piercing scream and keeled over. I thought she might have gotten a toenail snagged in a mat while scratching but this was a massive coronary...she had been on predisone (sp?)
for skin rashes so it may have affected her cardio system and the shock of the bathwater temp changes might have been too much. Who knows? But I still
beat myself up over it. She was only five.

BTW, thanks for the Simmons link! I have a ball-obsessed boy now who can't eat without incorporating "Catch" into the dining ritual. It always has to be thrown, retrieved, dropped next to the foodbowl and repeated after every mouthful of kibble. A healthy dieting approach many of us could learn from, eh?
 
I read this post yesterday and was going to offer my condolences.

Then

I got home yesterday I noticed Lucky wasnt in the house. Dad said he was sick and Mom had taken him to the vet. Got back from hitting and he was back but you could tell he was ill. But when I went to bed it appeared he was feeling better.

Got up this morning and Mom had him outside. When I came out of the bathrrom he was laying by the door breathing really hard. Mom said he had collapsed outside and she he had to help him back in. While I was making breakfast he let out a couple real hard breaths and stopped breathing right in the floor in front of me. He was an 11 year old mixed Shepard of some sort.

I know the dog will not live forever, but when I get home today it wont just feel right with him not meeting me at door and headbutting me in the leg for 5 minutes straight and not letting me untie my shoes.

I'm very sorry to hear about your dog as well. It was a similar situation with my dog. I'm sure you miss him and I give my condolences.
 
My dad was weed eating today and stung by some bees. Im thinking maybe when Luck Dog went outside he got his nose in the bees and got lit up by them. Do dogs have allergic reactions to bee stings? Would it take more than 24 hours for somethign to happen?

Our Pit Bull now is laboring really hard around the house. but she is 15 years old now. Those are kinda hard to, becuase you sort of feel when a larger dog hits 15 they are sorta on borrowed time. I peep my head into the room from time to time wehre she sleeps 20 hours aday to make sure she is still breathing.
 
Let's face it, people love their dogs in large part because these pack animals will swear allegiance to the alpha being, i.e. you, as it is their genetically determined instinct to do so (though my father in law's dog for some reason would bite him on the hand almost every day when he came home.) Loving a dog is the least evolved form of love, as dogs demand virtually nothing in return. Loving a more complicated being such as a cat (I have three) or a wife (I have one, presently) is a much greater test of one's capacity to love.

Let me get this straight...Loving a cat is more evolved than loving a cat....... because you need to beg for its attention??? So, if you love something or someone who easily expresses affection to you (or quickly admit that it is loyal to you), then the love is not being tested? I might have simplified a tad bit, but can we project your theory to your own life?

Everyone has something that is dear in his or her life - whether it is significant other, cat, dog, bike, or whatever. When it is gone, it is a very humane thing to be sad.

There are different categories of love based on the relationship, but it doesn't mean one is more noble or evolved than the other.
 
And in a bad case of "misery loves company", my sister and her family made the decision to put their 14 yr old lab down last week.

Between the two of us, we had my Mom tearing up for a week....

And update: "rescued" dog from my neighbors is really doing well - like they say: there aren't a lot of bad dogs out there; just bad owners.....
 
Every once in a while, we hear of a child being abducted from her bed in the middle of the night. With a dog in the house, that wouldn't happen.
 
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