My trusty pal Sandy who is now about 12 years old is showing classic signs of kidney degeneration and weakness in her hind quarters that caused her to fall down a flight of stairs this morning. I think she attempted to climb the stairs to tell me she needed more water. She can't get up on her personal couch anymore either. I'm really sad but I know we all get old and die including of course our pets. I am self employed and she has been my company and sole companion during the day for years.

I'm going to make an appointment with the vet this morning to confirm this and possibly degenerative myelapathy. Hopefully there is a treatment that will let her hang in their a little longer and reduce the discomfort. I've already backed off on the protein and coincidentally this seems to coincide with the dog treats I recently got that are made in China. (The package deceptively won't say made in China just who distributes them). Most likely due to their high protein content that aggravates kidney disfunction but one never knows. I went into the trash.

For those of you that have pets I think you can relate.

Good looking dog.

I can relate. It's amazing how they become part of the family. My Golden Retriever has skin alergies that are pretty bad. Before we got him I could never imagine paying what we pay for his medicine. From now on I am getting pet insurence.

Sorry to hear that Cecil.

Nothing easy about it.

She really is very pretty, Cecil.

Bummer Cecil, My dog got to where he couldn't get up last Christmas and we had to have him put to sleep. Hope Pup gets better.

Cecil, sorry to hear about her problems. One of my favorite picture ever on this site is the one of your dog lying on the snow next to a fishing hole in the ice. Can you post that one again?

...the end is not near, cuz it wouldn't be the end. It's just the next phase for both of you. If and when you are mourning Sandy's worldly departure, she's gonna be looking down and pitying you.
My faith assures me that you guys would be reunited. I always cling to this thought...and laugh a little thinking that I'm suddenly in no real hurry.

Cecil,

I can certainly relate. Pets are special friends that you develop a relationship that defies description. The only way I can weakly describe that relationship is to say it's a "pure" friendship. You and your pet form a bond that is completely free from the restrictions that people put on their human friendships.

I lost my big 12 year old tom cat 5 months ago, and I'm still not over it. Thinking of all the funny things he did in those 12 years certainly eases the burden.

Best to you and Sandy. I hope with good treatment she can be your friend for a long time.

Yeah I remember that Heybud. You were really broken it up about it and I sure can relate. About that same time she came down with what appeared to be kidney degeneration but the tests came out negative. At that time she was drinking a lot at night and really had to go in the morning. I think it turned out to be the dryness in our house in the winter and she was drinking a lot. But this seems different.

I remember you sharing that with us bobad!

Thanks all! Here's the picture rmedgar wanted me to post again. Fishing was kind of slow and she fell asleep at the job.



I like this one too:



Sandy was rescued at the dog pound (long story). Before we got her the wife said she wanted a big dog. I said I wanted one with personality. We definitely got both! Sandy really has personality and she can rest her head on the dinner table!

best wishes from el dorado cecil.

like bobad, we lost our fearless big orange tom (JOE) last november. admittedly, even though i dont care for cats, that one hurt bad.

I'm sorry to hear about this Cecil. Losing a pet is a horrible event. We lost our cat Conan a little over a year ago. Like you I'm self employed and he was our daily companion for 10 years. You really miss then when they are gone. To this day every now and then I'll hear a noise in the house and think it's Conan messing with something.

Hang in there my friend. Try to focus on the fact that Sandy has been a good companion for a long time and that you provided her a loving fun filled home.

Our first Lab is one of the 3 people I want to see most after I go.

She seems to be getting around O.K. this morning and has even gotten up on her personal couch. The vet wants me to bring urine sample in. Only problem at when I took her out at lunch time I must have had the shallow plastic lid too far back and didn't get a drop. I know where the tinkler is on a human female but I guess I need to brush up on dogs.

I've got her trained to pee on command but when I tried it again and told her too she looked at me like "You had your chance I'm not doing it again!"

Or maybe she's got an infection and none came out?

Hang in there Cecil. I had a Akita for only 3 years that I was really close to. Lost that dog 12 years ago and I still think of him. She is a pretty dog and I hope you guys have a few more years together.

Cecil, hopefully you'll have more years with your best friend, our pets help make life more bearable, and they don't ask to borrow money. We would be alot poorer without them.
Our Maine coon cat (bobcat) was recently diagnosed with diabetes. we have to give him a shot every day, but he's doing ok now.
Best wishes to you'all.

My thoughts are with you, Cecil. Like Theo, I've always thought of my labs as people. She seems like a sweet dog and a great companion. The memories and the stories will live forever even though the rest of us can't. It sounds like you have plenty of those.

Sorry to hear your pup is hurting Cecil. I hope she gets better.

Call if you need anything, buddy.

Thank you all. I feel like we're one big family. If anyone ever needs someone to talk to you can call me too. I'm actually a good listener.

Keep us posted Cecil. I have been there before and have 2 moving that direction now. It hurts but you have the knowledge that you provided her as good a life as any friend could ask for.

Cecil, I don't know if this will help at all, but I'm going to try anyway. I waited too long for my golden retriever, Mandy. I still have tough feelings about making her suffer longer than she should have. On my next challenge, I have promised myself to do better.

After several of my visits to Cecil's I can testify that Sandy is a great dog - intelligent and friendly - a great people person dog - the best kind of companion.

Cecil is a great person who would go out of his way to help another person.

His dog must be a lot like him.

Cecil is the man! Keeps the PDF in check.

Leband lang, und prosper

Whoops, that should have been PBF.
Monday is cocktail time!

...too many PBR's

Good point Dave. If she appears to be suffering and there is nothing that can be done I will do the right thing. But as of now she doesn't appear to be suffering, and she's such a tough dog the fall down the carpeted stairs didn't even phase her. I took in a urine sample this morning for an "ERD" whatever that is. I do know the kidney deterioration can be managed with a low protein high quality protein diet and a few other things if it hasn't progressed to far, so if she's not suffering maybe we can enjoy our time together a little longer.

At this point I don't have enough info and it could be an infection or something. We shall see.

She's scared me a couple of other times and she pulled through like a champ. One other time the vet suspected kidney deterioration and the tests came out negative. And she stopped waking us up at 3 A.M. to go pee once the humidity levels got back up to normal in the house. My guess is she was drinking a lot of water at night because it was so dry. We have a cathedral ceiling and even with one humidifier it's not enough.

Then there was the time I thought she had a stroke as she was walking sideways, stumbling, and with her head tilted weird. Turned out to be hardened ear wax up against her eardrum that was messing with her equilibrium.

Cecil.. for what it's worth, my practice is 100% equine, but have dogs, cats, horses, chickens, birds..you name it. The only way one never loses a pet is to never have one..I hope Sandy's condition improves..don't hesitate to get a second opinion..good veterinarians don't mind, they want the same thing as you..a successful outcome...du

Sounds like you are right on target, Cecil. Best wishes.

Well today is the day I lose my best buddy. Right now at 5:38 A.M. she's laying on the floor lungs filling with fluid and bloated beyond recognition. At some point her kidneys failed as although she had drank water repeatedly during the night since 7 P.M. when she got deathly ill, there has been no urination even though I took her out several times.

What makes me mad is she's suffered terribly now for 10 hours and there wasn't a damn think I could do. Can't call a vet in the middle of the night but if she's still breathing at 8 A.M. I will try and get the vet out to put her out and stop this terrible suffering. Man life isn't fair is it? I just wish she didn't have to suffer so much.

I thought of putting a bullet between her eyes to end this terrible suffering but she knows what a gun is and is scared to death of them. And if she didn't die right away and looked at me I'd remember that look forever.

Got to get back to her and lay down next to her and put my arm around here.

God bless

Thanks Brettski. She passed away about 5 minutes after I made the above post. I laid next to her on the floor and stroked her head and talked to her. I'm actually relieved she isn't suffering anymore. She was really suffering bad.

I'll miss you ol' girl. You were my best buddy in the shop, fishing, around the ponds -- she had to be there no matter what I was doing.

If there is a heaven and God's creatures go there too, I'll be happy to see you again!

My parents who were very attached to her will be devistated. My dad who was a Green Beret believe it or not is real softee when it comes to dogs. He stopped hunting several years ago and refuses to kill anything anymore.

Cecil, I've been following this and have been there. This is why we have decided to not have another dog.

I'm feeling for you, Cecil. Remember to feel blessed that you had an opportunity to spend so much time with a great friend, though.

My dog died in my arms last Sept. 6, '07. I'm getting tears now just thinking about it, and your loss also.

At the very least, you were there for her until the end, and you provided the good life for her.

Some tough days ahead for sure...

I'm so sorry Cecil. My heart goes out to you! She will always be with you!

It sure is sad to lose such a good friend. It's great that you got to have such a great companion.

I am sorry for your loss, Cecil, but glad you got to spend so many years with such a good friend.

This always helps me feel better after my eyes dry up:

RAINBOW BRIDGE

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....
- - - - - -Author Unknown - - - - - -

So sorry Cecil. Pets make a special place in your heart that lasts forever. She is gone, but will never be forgotten.

i needed to clean off my keyboard anyways, salt water works doesnt it?

sorry cecil, its never easy, but is a special part of pet ownership we all must come to grips with. somehow it makes us stronger. as bobad said, she is gone but will never be forgotten.

Heartfelt condolences, Cecil.

It is always a difficult loss to lose such a close companion.

Thanks everybody. Her body is in the ground and she is no longer suffering. For that I am greatful. But I miss her terribly already. Got some good memories though.

One thing I'll never forget: She loved to chase off the Great Blue Herons and bark at them as they flew off and they look back at me!

So sorry for your loss, Cecil. Just think of all the good times y'all had.

Wow, having a pet die in your arms. Ricki and I can completely relate to that Cecil. You have my heartfelt condolences Cecil. Take comfort in the fact that in her last moments you were there for her.

Cecil,

I'm so sorry for your loss. The pain will pass but the great memories never will. My condolences and my best wishes that you remember how much she enriched your life. I'm sure the love was returned.

Cecil, I know its tough now, but try to remember all the good times. Best Wishes.

I'm sorry for your loss, Cecil. You did everything you could, and I'm confident she passed away knowing you were right there with her.

Remember all of the times she made you laugh, cry, and yes, get mad. Those feelings are what having a pet is all about.

Sorry to hear Cecil. At least now you can grin even bigger when you pop the herons that think it's now safe!

Cecil, I don't post often, but I have to on this one. It took me several weeks to get over the loss of my 14 year old Jack Russell. Just happened last month. You will find yourself crying the first few weeks and slowly begin to smile when thinking about him. Sorry to hear about your loss.

Sincerely, Cody Smith

Thanks Cody. That's good to hear. I didn't sleep a wink last night and I'm tired but can't sleep today either. I'm dragging my butt today.

Here's another nice pic of my fishing buddy I found. Makes me tear up to look at it. When I first got her she thought the flies on the flyline that swished back and forth were for catching with her mouth. LOL

Now I can use IED's without worrying about the dog!

Hope you took heron barking and chasing lessons. It's up to you now to carry on. She has tried to train you.

You may have a point there Dave. Sometimes I thought I think she thought I was the pet and she was the owner! She certainly thought my 3 acres was hers along with the neighbor's properties!

Cecil - My thoughts go out to you with your loss. I lost my best buddy Sam the Newfie in June. I welled up just reading this post. They are all waiting for us at the bridge.

I sure hope so Chuck I sure hope so. But when I see the agony she went through for 10 1/2 hours and all the pain in the world I start to wonder...

Cecil, Man! I know this is tough. The pain of losing you buddy will eventually lessen but the good thoughts of pup will never go away. I am sorry for your loss.

Cecil, so sorry to read about your loss. It seems like we've all been there with the death of a beloved pet, and it really is a shame. I read your first post yesterday morning and then have been on the road and was hoping to see how the vet visit went. This wasn't what I was hoping to see. Our thoughts are with you.

Again I can't thank all of you enough for caring.

Cecil no thanks are needed. Your being here is more than enough.