What Did You Do Today?

[Sean]

About to set sail for the Caribbean in 4 hours...first stop: San Juan.

Back in a week...

Hey, do us all a favor and post some pics when you get back.  We could all use a 'living vicariously' vacation until the weather gets better in these parts.

[Gasport]

Today my wife and i had the painful experience of having to put down our much loved 14 year old dog, Cosmo. I wanted to post a pic of him, but can't bring myself to look at any at the moment. He has been in failing health for over 6 months now, suffering multiple strokes, blindness, deafness and as of this morning began passing blood. He was also rapidly loosing the use of his hind legs. The worst part was how he perked up when he realized he was at the vets [as all dogs do] and did NOT want to go in. On top of that we had to wait over an hour for the vet. Torture in its purest form. The staff was very caring and gentle and we stayed with him the whole time. Afterward we brought him home to be buried. Sorry for going on...but venting is cathartic. What a awful, awful day.

[Unknown Primate]

Gasport, I'm very, very sorry to hear about Cosmo.  What kind of dog was he?

[Unknown Primate]

About to set sail for the Caribbean in 4 hours...first stop: San Juan.

Back in a week...

Dang, dude!  Didn't you go to France last year?

Well, I went to Indianapolis today...  so there!

[Sean]

Today my wife and i had the painful experience of having to put down our much loved 14 year old dog, Cosmo. I wanted to post a pic of him, but can't bring myself to look at any at the moment. He has been in failing health for over 6 months now, suffering multiple strokes, blindness, deafness and as of this morning began passing blood. He was also rapidly loosing the use of his hind legs. The worst part was how he perked up when he realized he was at the vets [as all dogs do] and did NOT want to go in. On top of that we had to wait over an hour for the vet. Torture in its purest form. The staff was very caring and gentle and we stayed with him the whole time. Afterward we brought him home to be buried. Sorry for going on...but venting is cathartic. What a awful, awful day.

Very sorry to hear of your loss.  I lost my bulldog over a year and a half ago (can't believe it's been that long) and I have been seeing him in my dreams lately.  Cosmo sounds like he lived a long life and it sounds like he had given life all he could.  He's not in any pain anymore and I believe you'll be with him again somewhere.  My advice would be to keep talking about Cosmo and all the joy he brought you.  Best wishes.

[packy120353]

Mike - I'm sorry to hear of your loss, and I share your sadness. I held my Catahoula Boris's head as he slipped away last summer. He had also lost use of his rear legs and was only 3. Maybe Boris and Cosmo are talking about chasing monsters and eating leftover pizza crusts up in doggie heaven!

[Scatter]

Today my wife and i had the painful experience of having to put down our much loved 14 year old dog, Cosmo. I wanted to post a pic of him, but can't bring myself to look at any at the moment. He has been in failing health for over 6 months now, suffering multiple strokes, blindness, deafness and as of this morning began passing blood. He was also rapidly loosing the use of his hind legs. The worst part was how he perked up when he realized he was at the vets [as all dogs do] and did NOT want to go in. On top of that we had to wait over an hour for the vet. Torture in its purest form. The staff was very caring and gentle and we stayed with him the whole time. Afterward we brought him home to be buried. Sorry for going on...but venting is cathartic. What a awful, awful day.

Man, I am SO sorry to hear that my friend. I've had many dogs that have pulled on my heart that way (present dog excepted), and it's heartbreaking to lose them.

[Monster Bob]

Replaced ballasts in lighting fixtures in my shop. Fun fun.

[Gasport]

Thanks everyone for your condolences and well wishes regarding Cosmo. I guess the vast majority of us has been down this same road at one time or another with the pets that we love and  it certainly never gets any easier from experience. There was no other solution for this, the poor guy was simply fading away more every day. Thanks again everyone for caring.

[Wicked Lester]

Thanks everyone for your condolences and well wishes regarding Cosmo. I guess the vast majority of us has been down this same road at one time or another with the pets that we love and  it certainly never gets any easier from experience. There was no other solution for this, the poor guy was simply fading away more every day. Thanks again everyone for caring.

Dude I am just about tearing up here. I truly feel your pain and loss. We went thru the same thing back in late August with our 12 Y.O Chow Little Bear. The back legs were very arthritic and at times she could not get up on her let alone make it up the stairs. So she was getting mean and snapping when you tried to help.
Just like you experienced she seemed fine when we took her for that last visit to the vets which left us rethinking it but really it was the inevitable. I paid before hand and set things up so there would not be a wait ,went back home and got her. Without a doubt one of the hardest decisions one can make. Ya gotta be there all the way thru with their last moments hearing their family saying how much they love them. You had alot of good years together and eventually you'll be able to take out pictures and reminisce. It took me a couple months. Our Pup was cremated and part of her will be put under the "squirrel tree" after the spring rains. We also have 2 of our cats buried in our yard with little monuments.
Take care and again very sorry for your loss.

WL

[DollFace]

Dear Gasport,

I am truly sorry to  read about the loss of your best friend/family member. I too have have a wound in my heart that has never fully healed and will never close entirely. My brother and my sister both died last year and the pain and heartache was unbearable. It does lighten though, you begin to think fondly of your loved one instead of crying and mourning. Tears will still happen when you miss them so much but for the most part you will look forward to meeting them again someday. After all, it's not goodbye. Not really. Just a "I'll see you later."

[Gasport]

My God, Dollface, HOW HORRIBLE! I'm SO sorry for your loss. Losing a family pet that has lived a long happy life is one thing, but the loss you suffered is in a whole other category. Certainly the kind of deep emotional wound that never heals, but rather you hopefully learn to live with. Again, my most sincere condolences and thank you for your words of support.

[DollFace]

Thank you, Gasport.

We decided that the silence in our house was too much to bear (after all, my brother was with us for 18 years so I was about 4 when we got him and was not used to being without a canine sibling). So we waited for a little while but then went to a rescue center and found another sister, a beagle named Georgia who was abandoned in the wild. She was due for euthanasia any day so she was very grateful to come home finally.

That having been said, she's asleep on my bed right now while I'm watching a movie.   Poor thing, she taxes herself so much.

Plans for today - slept till noon, watching my birthday gifts, rehearsal at 7PM - going out to celebrate my birthday with a good drink.  

[hhwolfman]

Thank you, Gasport.

We decided that the silence in our house was too much to bear (after all, my brother was with us for 18 years so I was about 4 when we got him  

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[Sean]

Thanks everyone for your condolences and well wishes regarding Cosmo. I guess the vast majority of us has been down this same road at one time or another with the pets that we love and  it certainly never gets any easier from experience. There was no other solution for this, the poor guy was simply fading away more every day. Thanks again everyone for caring.

You did the humane, selfless thing.  We all want 'one more day' with those we love---but you did for him what someone who really loves something does... you let him go.  God bless.