BajaNomad

Shelby 'the wonder dog'

Bob H - 6-20-2008 at 09:06 PM

Well, I need some advice. Shelby turned 15 years old on June 1st. She is starting to fall down and sometimes cannot get up. She has lost about 20% of her normal weight. When do you make the big decision to put your loving dog down? I'm at a loss here - and Audrey is out of town. I don't know what to do. Here is a photo of Shelby about a year and a half ago. My tears are flowing....
Bob H

ELINVESTIG8R - 6-20-2008 at 09:13 PM

Bob H I recently had to lay my Kitty Clawson to rest as she was suffering from kidney failure. Was the hardest thing I have done. I had her 13 years and I know she was suffering. Bob when she is suffering it is time. I know my brother it will be tough. Just do as I did and stay with her the entire time and just tell her you love her as I did with Clawson. I sobbed openly when it happened. She will go to sleep and feel no more pain. Clawson is now with me in a redwood box and I have her pictures to remember her by. I am sorry Bob.

David

DianaT - 6-20-2008 at 09:21 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bob H
Well, I need some advice. Shelby turned 15 years old on June 1st. She is starting to fall down and sometimes cannot get up. She has lost about 20% of her normal weight. When do you make the big decision to put your loving dog down? I'm at a loss here - and Audrey is out of town. I don't know what to do. Here is a photo of Shelby about a year and a half ago. My tears are flowing....
Bob H



Seven years later and our tears still flow and since we have her ashes, we still talk to her.

We waited, and waited, Lucy, our beloved springer spaniel was 16. Her kidney's were failing after a long bout of heart disease. You will know when the time cannot be avoided.

She did not get up anymore, she was very ill. We awoke one day, looked at each other and asked the question, what would we adivse other to do? We knew the answer. We had hoped she would go on her own, but that was selfish on our part. We just did not want to make that decision.

One of the most difficult days in our lives. Our thoughts and tears are with you. You will know when the time is right.

John and Diane

On edit---do not underestimate your grief---she is not just a dog. Gees, we wish we could make this easier, but that is not possible.

[Edited on 6-21-2008 by jdtrotter]

David K - 6-20-2008 at 10:03 PM

Sorry for what sadness and loss you guys will have... Shelby the wonder dog is real cool!

Here is Audrey and Shelby on Shell Island in 2004...

debindesert - 6-20-2008 at 10:24 PM

Oh Bob, I feel for you here. It seems everyone on the board loves and cares for their animals.

God made this special species to be an ultimate companion in life, if even for a few years. I think it is our duty to face such human sorrow in order to prepare us for the bigger heartaches in life.

Man has been entrusted as the caretaker of these lesser beings. With that comes the responsibility to see they do not suffer. Since you acquired Shelby, you have felt and anticipated her every need, all without words. You and only you can make this call. Don’t fail her now.

Good luck,
Deb


akc RUGBY RUTHERFERD LaMORE
aka "Sh!t for Brains"
1987-2001

DianaT - 6-20-2008 at 10:34 PM

The poem I read after we made the decision---it helped at little.

If it should be that I grow weak
And pain should keep me from my sleep,
Then you must do what must be done,
For this last battle cannot be won.

You will be sad, I understand.
Don’t let your grief then stay your hand.
For this day, more than all the rest,
Your love for me must stand the test.

We’ve had so many happy years.
What is to come can hold no fears.
You’d not want me to suffer so;
The time has come — please let me go.

Take me where my need they’ll tend,
And please stay with me till the end.
Hold me firm and speak to me,
Until my eyes no longer see.

I know in time that you will see
The kindness that you did for me.
Although my tail its last has waved,
From pain and suffering I’ve been saved.

Please do not grieve — it must be you
Who had this painful thing to do.
We’ve been so close, we two, these years;
Don’t let your heart hold back its tears.

I just hope you don't have to make this decision alone.

Bob, This is a Tough Time

Gypsy Jan - 6-20-2008 at 10:53 PM

On an episode of the National Geographic program, "The Dog Whisperer", Cesar Milan was asked the same question.

His answer was that you should do what you feel you should do, medications, etc. But, in the end, the dog will let you know when it is time to go.

Then you grieve and go on.

Prayers for you, your family and your beloved companion.

GJ

[Edited on 6-21-2008 by Gypsy Jan]

Bajagypsy - 6-21-2008 at 07:47 AM

I'm so very sorry for you, I had to put down my cleo dog 3 years ago, she was 17 (very old for her size), I held her as the vet administered the medication, and she looked at me gave me a lick, and went to sleep. Hardest darn thing I have ever had to do. You will know in your heart when it is time to make the decision. My thoughts will be with you.

wsdunc - 6-21-2008 at 08:09 AM

I've put several dogs down, and each one takes a piece of your heart that never regrows. But there have been differences, my dobie Girlie that was put down on the operating table after being opened up and found to be full of cancer was as painful as any, but later I found I was able to take solace in the fact she had pretty good quality of life up to her death. On the other hand Boy, my dobie/lab mix had a rough last few months, hard to move, and incontinent sometimes. Putting him down hurt a ton too. But after the fact I've had some regrets, thinking maybe I held on to him too long.
Both crushed me, I don't know any way to make the initial impact any better. Do whatever you do with love.

Bob H - 6-21-2008 at 08:40 AM

I really appreciate all your responses. Many of us have gone through this before and it's not an easy task.

Diane, that poem was just perfect and helped me figure out what I need to do when the time comes, and it's soon.

Gracias amigos!
Bob H

shari - 6-21-2008 at 08:46 AM

We feel your pain amigo....remember our old gal Vanilla...well she lasted a couple weeks after her kidneys failed...we don't have the facility here to mercifully help puppies pass over so we coddled her through till her peaceful departure...shelby the wonder dog will soon enjoy doggie heaven with all our beloved old pets...ask her to say hi to Martillo for us and tell him we miss him very much.
By the way, Lucy says she would be honoured if you would consider adopting one of her puppies to be in another few months

Sharksbaja - 6-21-2008 at 02:18 PM

Sorry to hear about your dog Bob. We can measure our lives on this planet by the time we spent our lives with our dogs. They provide a companionship that gives us comfort, unconditional love and just plain innocent fun.
A good dog will be among good company in the otherworld. I know you feel blessed you had such a great friend and family member. I feel your pain.

We always swear the pain will keep us from getting another dog. What you do with that void is so important. We just can't stand to not have a buddy like that Shelby of yours and here we are now 5 years after losing our Klondike with our wonderdog Buzz. I don't know how or why but he is so family, like he's always been here. He fills that unneceassary void and completes our clan.

Cherish the moments of joy shared as we are so fortunate to have enjoyed their special company.

You will know what to do Bob.

toneart - 6-21-2008 at 04:36 PM

Bob,

My heart goes out to you and Audrey. When will she return? Will she want to be there too when it is time?

I almost didn't post here because I wanted to avoid the subject. My dog Paco is still young and I have not allowed myself to prepare for that time. I just didn't want to think about it. But now I have given it some thought in my quiet time:

So, I understand and feel your fear and sorrow. Dogs know when you show are showing compassion, that you love them, and they are with you in the present. This is her time and your time, together. Spend the next few hours/days talking softly to her and petting her...part of a quality ritual of passing.

dean miller - 6-21-2008 at 09:01 PM

I read this thread with tears clouding my vision as I some how suspect that all who have read the thread through tear clouded eyes.

I had a Dalmatian named "Domino" a lovely friendly dog with a zillionie black spots that accompanied me every where. He set so regally in the back of the pick up as if he was indeed the King of the world. When we traveled to Baja I devised a kennel he could rest inside or strand out side with out danger of falling out. He was one happy dog! He was with me and he was traveling.

Soon it was difficult for him to jump into the pickup, so I lifted him, then difficult to jump down, so I lifted him down. Finally it was almost impossible for him to walk. That horrible day, a Friday evening we took him to the vet who had treated him since he was a puppy and had him put him down. Afterwards we all, my wife the Vet and I had a good group cry.

Five years ago my wife brought me a small Shih Tzu puppy which I named Max. Now he has taken Dom's place in my heart, traveling every where with me, but inside the cab air conditioned comfort on a special seat so he will not miss the world. When we travel to Baja he travels in the comfort of an air conditioned Toyota regally setting on the back tonneau cover as if he is the King of the world. And he is in our world

Yep it is true "a Dog is mans best friend"