Sad stuff

[altivo]

Now that I can talk about it without tearing up.

About three weeks ago we said a permanent goodbye to our dog, Laddie. We could only estimate his age, since we got him from a shelter. They guessed he was five then, which would make him eleven or twelve now. Picked up as a stray in Ohio, along a country road, no tag or chip. Click image to enlarge...




He was a great dog and we both became very attached to him, as did he to us. When the day came that he no longer wanted to eat, though, we knew things had gone bad. Our vet found on ultrasound that he had tumors in his spleen and liver. He was already losing control of his hind legs at times, and we had seen that before and knew it wouldn't be better. It was decided to spare him the discomfort and embarrassment that would have followed for a while until he starved or suffered an internal rupture.

It was too soon. I had hoped he would be with us longer, but that wasn't to be. We moped around gloomily for nearly two weeks before admitting that we just had to adopt another dog. That story is for the next entry.

If there really is a Rainbow Bridge, as I told the vet, Gary and I will be smothered in dogs when we get there. The two of us together have had nine of them over the last 40 years. I had three of my own before that. I can still feel Laddie's soft fur when I think of him.

Comments

[theradicalchild]

I'm sorry for your loss. My family has lost many pets over the year, and one of them was a Russian Blue that grew very close to me when she was alive.

[altivo]

I've known a couple of Russian Blue kitties. Very smart and kind of standoffish until they decide to accept you. They are really handsome, though. My friend Leon had one who eventually allowed me to pet her but it took a lot of coaxing. I think she was the world champion at hissing.

Our two remaining barn cats are much more friendly and will jump in almost anyone's lap the moment they sit down. All purrs, but they are afraid of dogs so they never come in the house. They are also afraid of chickens. I wish they'd chase the neighbors' escaped birds away but they never do.

[ranunculus]

I'm SO sorry to hear about Laddie. As you know, in July I lost Tazlina, a very loved dog. So I totally understand not being able to think, write or even function very well after the loss of a long time companion. I'm really sure that Laddie had a wonderful home with you, and that he appreciated it.

[altivo]

I know you're right about Laddie. And I think I may have missed the message about Tazlina, which is saddening as well.

As I have said before in this situation, there are more dogs in need of our help, even though we can't take all of them on at once. Each one is deserving and I will help the ones I can.

[moonhare]

It took me almost a year to adopt another pup after our last one died (splenic tumor burst). And yeah, I still tear up over that. "Too soon" was what I kept saying when it happened...

[altivo]

Nothing can "replace" a loved one lost, whether human or non-human. But helping a new one in need can at least distract us from our losses and honor the ones lost at the same time.

[deffox]

Sorry for your loss.

[altivo]

Thanks. We are devoting our attention to a new pup in need now, which helps both him and us.