Mike1107....some pics of my boy!

[VulgarDisplay]

I was ready to take him to the vet Friday to have him put down but couldn't do it!! For those of you who don't know he herniated a disc in his neck and has lost 50% of his muscle control. He is 180lbs and has been my best freind for 10 years. Currently he is in no pain and still wags his little nub-tail every time I get close. He can still get up and outside and hasn't had any accidents in the house lately. This is why it is sooooo hard to make that final decision. How and when do I make the decision....when is it time?

This is truley becoming one of the hardest decisions of my life. Some might say it's only a Dog! Not to me, am I different, he is like a best freind to me. My wife says I'll know when it"s time....I just hope I'm right.

Sorry for the rant but when you told all of us about your Rottie and his sickness you got some great support for the PM family. I guess I'm just looking for a little of that too

V

 

[VulgarDisplay]

One more.....

One more............

 

[pumpputnam]

Great looking Rottie, I had one during my teens. Very loving, devoted dogs. Matter of fact, she was the first dog I ever witnessed get put down. It was horrible. This is such a tough place to be. I would make it a point to send as much time with him now. You'll know when he is in too much pain and his life is nothing more than a chore. But if he still has life in him and love to give don't take that away. They are your best friends indeed. God bless.

 

[adrenaline]

Wow thats a sad story. Awesome looking dog bro, i've always wanted a rottie myself.

 

[JETHRO TULL]

VULGAR..SORRY TO HEAR ABOUT YOUR DOG.

I WISH IT DIDN'T HAVE TO HAPPEN. I HOPE YOU FIND SOME PEACE WITH YOUR DECISION. THAT IS A GOOD LOOKING DOG, BUDDY.

SORRY YOU ARE GOING THROUGH THIS.....PET HIM SOME FOR ME.

 

[Iabadman]

What a beautiful dog ..........makes me tear up just missing my rott that i lost this last july ............Hang in there for him .............As long as he is happy keep him around .......deal with the accidents ....dont make him feel bad ....just love him until the very end .....I promise it is worth it ......through the death of my dogs ,I went through diapers and even a had wheel chair that i had made in Egland ......And you know what bro ? It was worth all the trouble and extra expense [ sometimes it was a pain in the ass and difficult ].............my dogs were the world to me and they deserved the best until they were just too sick to be happy ............Hang in there dont do it out of convinence.........do when he wants to go .............All I can say is that you have one beautiful animal there that loves you with all of his heart ......love him until the end give ,extra time and attention ..........he was there always for you , now do the same for him ............You seem like a great guy and this hard thing to go through and deal with .......but I am confident you will be there for your dog and do what is right .........I am sorry but this your time to give back to him ........remember .." Dogs leave paw prints on all of all lives ." I am sorry for your pain ........hang in there ....................My best to you in a hard situation ...........stay strong

 

[thebrick]

That is one handsome dog. I think your wife is right, in your heart you will know when it is time. It will be hard to let go, but deep inside, you will know when you are doing the right thing.

 

[VulgarDisplay]

Thanks everyone.....

I appreciate the support! He has helped me through some tough times including a divorce and there is no way I'm going to put him down because it's easier for me. He is still so lovable and craves attention....it kills me everytime I even think about that last journey! I don't want him to be in any pain and I'll do whatever it takes to make sure his last days are as good as the first ones 10 years ago when he was just a little ball of fur chewing at my ankles!

Thanks again for the support! Anyone going to the Emerald Cup be sure and come back stage and say hello!

 

[Doggtales]

Nice looking Rottie!

I know it's a hard descision wheather or not to put him down. I had to put one of my Rotties down years ago. It rips your heart out having to make that choice, but it takes your companion out of their pain and suffering. I worked at an animal control center a few years ago and had the duty of Euthenizing animals. They don't feel any pain, they don't go into convulsions or anything like that. They just gently slip into a peaceful sleep. I hope you can make the best descision for your pet.

 

[mike1107]

my friend you've my support
we're into a similar situation you know
it's hard but you know he has always been there for you and you must be there for him
that means that as soon as he'll let you know he suffers and doesn't want to live you MUST help him

he deserves this respect .. I'll have to make the same decision and I know how you feel now

he is also a superb rottie !!!

once again thanks to everybody for the help and support, thanks for the private messages, it touched my heart so deeply

THANKS !!!

 

[Iron Gator]

I have had 2 German Shepherds and 1 Rotty. I loved them all very, very much. I echo Iabadman's sentiments. My Rotty was the last to go. She died Dec 23 2001 of stomach cancer. We knew about 3 months before that she had it and that it was going to be fatal. I did not have her put down and I don't regret it. I did everything in my power to make her comfortable and mobile. I fed her london broil and filet mignon almost every day. Anyway it hurts to go too much into it but I'll just say that I don't think you should put him down.

Also on a similar note. If I had x-rays of my rotty done once a year (they are more prone to cancer and non-malignant tumors) I would have caught that tumor while it was in the earlier stages. As it was she was 12 1/2 yrs old when she died and she had a wonderful life. I still miss her very much.

 

[Big Lee]

Man, I really feel for you. I have an 8 year old Rottie and every day I dread the day I have to make the decision.. When he is in pain, you just gotta do it. I cannot imagine how I would feel. Im chokin up thinkin about it. IWhy do we do it to ourselves. Rotties are just the best things but shit............. Real nice dog man. All the best.

 

[Magnum]

Sorry to hear about this. It is totally your decision but personally I would find out my other options. Is surgery an option? My dog also had a herniated disc and has been fine for the last 3 years. Go to another vet if you have too. You might also try adequan. It rebuilds cartiledge and kept my friends dog alive an extra 2 years. PM if you feel. Good luck.

 

[VulgarDisplay]

Sorry to hear about this. It is totally your decision but personally I would find out my other options. Is surgery an option? My dog also had a herniated disc and has been fine for the last 3 years. Go to another vet if you have too. You might also try adequan. It rebuilds cartiledge and kept my friends dog alive an extra 2 years. PM if you feel. Good luck.

I have 2 opinions from neurologists and both agree. The surgery is $8000.00 and there is an 80% chance he bleeds to death on the table. This is due to the size of the herniation and the fact that they have to enter his anterior neck to reach the spine very close to 2 very large veins and arteries. Believe me if there was another option I would gladly do what was necessary. Thank you for your suggestions and support.

Iabadman : thanks for your post! I have been around here for a while now and have read alot of your posts, you are a very genuine and caring individual! Thank you for the kind words and your compliments regarding Ceasar. I will try and do him and all of you proud when the inevitable day comes.

Jethro : thanks for being a good freind! Look forward to the Cup

Mike1107: keep in touch and let me know how your Rottie is doing. PM me if you ever need to talk about it.

Everyone else : that I may not know so well yet....thank you again...it means so much that that I have people to talk to cut from the same cloth as me.

 

[SZona]

Wow bro. Tough spot your in. Our Golden, is nearing the point and developing some problems that tells me the time will soon be near. Sucks! I have never had to put a pet down. My wife on the other hand is a farm girl....so to her its no big deal. I am the wuss.....I cant even imagine. I would hold on as long as I could. All my best bro!

SZ

 

[SDMan]

Sorry to hear about Ceasar. He sure is a great looking Rottie. Dogs are amazing creatures (I think there's a reason dog is God spelled backwards) and incredibly resilient. My last dog was 18 when I took him to the vet the last time, had been deaf for six years, and blind for the last two, yet he was never the worse for wear. His happy personality always shone through. I think that he will let you know when he is ready and that as long as he is not in a lot of pain, still able to eat, get around a bit, and give and receive love, you can probably keep him around a while longer. Humans are pretty resilient too, and whenever you reach that point, you'll know you're doing the right thing. There is comfort there, believe me.

 

[mike1107]

I have 2 opinions from neurologists and both agree. The surgery is $8000.00 and there is an 80% chance he bleeds to death on the table. This is due to the size of the herniation and the fact that they have to enter his anterior neck to reach the spine very close to 2 very large veins and arteries. Believe me if there was another option I would gladly do what was necessary. Thank you for your suggestions and support.

Iabadman : thanks for your post! I have been around here for a while now and have read alot of your posts, you are a very genuine and caring individual! Thank you for the kind words and your compliments regarding Ceasar. I will try and do him and all of you proud when the inevitable day comes.

Jethro : thanks for being a good freind! Look forward to the Cup

Mike1107: keep in touch and let me know how your Rottie is doing. PM me if you ever need to talk about it.

Everyone else : that I may not know so well yet....thank you again...it means so much that that I have people to talk to cut from the same cloth as me.

same for you my friend, we are in the same boat and we have to do our best for them ..

 

[Northwatch619]

Vulgar, Mike1107

I know where your both at as well. I've had to leg go of two dogs myself and it's one of the most heart breaking moments. Just love them enough to know to seperate your love of them/having them with you and their pain. I do know some people who put on the show of love and no doubt they do but they just can't let them go because they themselves will be alone and they don't see the pain and suffering the dog is going through.

I trust both of you truly love your buddies and time will let you know what and when to do it. My thoughts are with you both.

NW