Kirby

[Airdave817]

I've been away from the forum for a while. One of my three Bassets (My Three Sons), Kirby, developed pretty aggressive large grade high cell lymphoma. In his colon. He had surgery a couple of days before Thanksgiving. They removed a mass the size of a fist. He was very alert, energetic and enthusiastic. We had an oncology appointment last Wednesday, and while the prognosis was originally positive, they were talking about either aggressive chemo therapy or middle of the road chemo therapy. By last Wednesday, he already had five polyps that were growing pretty fast in the same place. We were still trying to decide what we could do, considering we are still trying to complete an adoption through Viet Nam, when he just got to a point where he was straining, and pushing the new growths out and he couldn't relax enough for them to retract. Sorry if that is too descriptive, but it has been a messy few weeks.

Anyway, we'd been struggling with what to do with him, and we just decided that it was in his best interest to end the misery and suffering. We'd spent the last few days taking asmany pictures as we could. We took him to the vet for the end of life procedure. We decided to have him cremated, and the vet will give us a paw print.

We adopted him from the Humane Society last April. We only had him with us nine months. We still had a way to go with one of our other Bassets, Milo accepting him. Milo is the oldest of the other two. Max took to him like they were part of the same litter. He was just over six years old.

[mitchedwards]

Sorry to hear. Its hard to let them go.

My sympathy to you
Mitch

[txteach]

Soo much tragedy lately. I'm sorry about your loss and I'm sure your dog is in a better place.

[Airdave817]

Thank you. 'preciate it.

[Hector]

My heart goes out to you and your family, loosing a pet can be just as tough as losing a human family member.

I also struggled trying to prolong my doggie's life, but as you did, I decided the best thing was to end it peacefully.

I too had him cremated, and now his ashes rest in this really nice wooden/plated box sitting by my desktop...I tap on it everyday...it's kinda cool.

[garagesale]

Sorry to hear about Kirby. You did the right thing. My sympathies. I have a 15 y/o mutt named Tasha who got a really bad case of tripp worms and lost 1/3rd of her body weight in 4 days. I got her on IV fluid and medication. She pulled through it, and is doing fine, but it was kind of touch-n-go for the old gal for a minute. She's been with me longer than my wife and kids, so it's the longest relationship I've ever had with any living creature! Animals can be important members of the family.

JamesD

[csstuba]

You did the right thing.......May he rest in peace. Sorry for your loss.

[bonkers head]

Sorry for your loss. I have 2 Yorkshire terriers and have never lost a pet . But Last Christmas when one (rocky) got ill ,(he had an enlarged prostate gland that had made him strain and then given him a hernia) ,we had to leave him at the vets for examination ,(evacuation), treatment ,etc over night. And we were devestated as since 6 weeks old he'd never been away from me or my wife . So we sat outside in my van all night and when the vet rang to say pick him up i was at the door before he put the phone down ! Any way one year on he s still here and doing ok .There like family it s hard to let go .

[DocDrako]

My sympathies to you. I myself lost 2 dogs in the last year. I know how it feels. Sorry for your loss.

[LJNfan]

So sorry for your loss

I know first hand how tough of a decision that is to make. A few months I had to put my Lab to sleep, he had diabetes for almost three years and required constant glucose monitoring and daily insulin injections. His health steadily failed and starting to loose his sight in both eyes, so I knew what had to be done but it was one of the hardest decisions I have ever had to make. He was almost 15 years old and I had him since he was a pup, he was a stray and was the best dog I ever had. Our Vet came to the house and put him to sleep in our living room, that way our other two dogs could be with him to the end. We also had him cremated and we have his ashes in an urn on our fireplace mantle. People that are not dog lover can not understand how attached we get to our pets, but just think of the joy that gave you while they were with us. Give me a good dog any day over a person.

[Chris DVM]

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...

[Bo8a_Fett]

Sorry to hear that ...but you done best for Kirby.....although you feel the loss of an important family member, he suffers no more.