Not ready for this yet

[NattyBumppo]

The last couple of days have seen our dog, Jake, deteriorate rather rapidly. Jake is our 12 1/2 yo black lab who has been the most amazing dog I've ever known. He's had his share of minor ailments these last couple of years but nothing out of the ordinary for a geriatric canine of his size and stature. Sadly, lately he just cannot get his hind quarters to cooperate with his still very youthful mind so we have to help him up and down the stairs to get into the yard. He still wants to play and participate as he always has but he's tumbled down the stairs a few times already. Funny thing, even though he can't make the stairs without help, he waited for help up the steps so he could assume his usual nightly spot at the foot of my daughter's bed when she was going to sleep. Sometime during the night, he'll get up and switch to the foot of my son's bed.....he has always divided his guard duty between them.

We're waiting to get some test results back from the vet so if anyone else here believes in the power of prayer, please say one for our pal and family member. I know that at nearly 13 years old and as big as he is, he's probably already made it longer than most would think but I'm just not ready to see him go yet. A better friend, hunting companion, and family guardian I doubt I'll ever know.

[CAFeathers]

Major Prayers and Mojo being sent your way.

[photoweborama]

I feel for you. I know I'm going to be really sad when my Misty dies..
My kids think I should pay the 30,000.00 and have her cloned.. I love her, but I just can't get around the clone thing... and I don't have 30,000.00.

[NattyBumppo]

cafeathers said:

Major Prayers and Mojo being sent your way.

Thx!

Photoweb....I'm with you. The $$$ aside, it just doesn't seem right (cloning) and in my view cheapens the special experience of that once in a lifetime dog. They say every dog lover gets that once in lifetime animal....I'm sure Jake is it.

[Steelpriest]

I feel for you, too... I still remember my dog I had one I was younger, and I still miss this nice poodle... by the way, she had a long life... about 18 years!

[NattyBumppo]

First round of test results are in and the most common and obvious possibilities have been ruled out. Kidneys and liver are OK, Lyme is negative but the white cell count is through the roof and he is anemic. He's lost 10 pounds in the last month so I'm not surprised at all the he's become anemic. Next comes testing for cancer .

[goldtopsnopp]

I feel your pain. I know that this isn't the best comfort, but you could always be happy that he don't have problems with the hips. They usually get bad at higher age.

[ZacAttack]

My heart goes out to ya. One of the hardest things I ever had to do was watch my old black Chow, Shepperd mix, name of Reaper die. I still get choked up thinking about him. He was about 14 when he had to give up the fight. Mans best friend to be sure. I wish you all the best luck with Jake. And hang in there. I know it sounds cold, but when the inevitable does come, aside from the overwhelming loss, there is a since of relief that helps ease the pain a bit, because you know Jake has found peace.


Z

[flyv]

i recently lost my black lab,cujo,at the old age of 15.had to have him put to sleep as he could no longer walk and was in pain.i thought id never get another puppy...this lasted 2 weeks.went to the local spca and brought home a lab mix puppy,he is a real live wire.before you think i forgot about cujo his ashes came back today(i cried like a baby,still not feeling too good) at least the new puppy is keeping me occupied.

[ZacAttack]

flyv said:

i recently lost my black lab,cujo,at the old age of 15.had to have him put to sleep as he could no longer walk and was in pain.i thought id never get another puppy...this lasted 2 weeks.went to the local spca and brought home a lab mix puppy,he is a real live wire.before you think i forgot about cujo his ashes came back today(i cried like a baby,still not feeling too good) at least the new puppy is keeping me occupied.

It's never easy bro. Just know that Cujo has found peace and is no longer in pain. After Reaper died I didn't want any other pet. A month earlier we had lost a little Rotty mix furball name of Bear. He had one hell of an attitude for a puppy. When he needed corection I would swat him on the nose with a rolled up paper of some sort or shake a can of pennies at him or squirt him with a water bottle. That just served to piss him off or make him think it was time to play rough or fight, I never determined which. I caerd for him but we never had the chance to get close. Ya see, he died a month before Reaper from parvo. It was hard, but nothing like loosing Reaper a month later. I told Laura "no more dogs damnit!". Six months later she brings home a two year old Sheppard mix, my son and I named Barkley. I really liked Barkley. He was wild but had great potential. In about a month I had tought him some of the standard tricks, and he loved to catch the frizzbe. Well he ended up running off not to be seen for over a year. We put up flyers and looked at all the shelters and the pound and everything, but no Barkley. "Ok" I told her "this time I mean it, no more dogs!" She started right in on me about my four year old son Micah needing a puppy. I said no, but she brought home our current dog, a Golden Retreaver mix name of Abby. As soon as she was bigger than a puppy my son had no interest in her and it was up to me to raise the dog. Then one day while out walking Abby, I see Barkley being walked by a nice looking middle aged couple. I went up and asked where and when they had found him. And they told me they had found him behind a gas station about three miles up the road and took him in. I told them that I had lost him but that they should keep him. They could tell I was not making this up by the way Barkley(now named Buster) was so happy to see me. I asked if he still liked to chase the frizzbe and they told me they never knew he did. About a week later I saw them at a park near my house playing catch the frizzbe with him and I still see them there doing just that from time to time. I don't really know where I am going with all this, other than to say, they were all good dogs, but none of them ever held a candal to my old dog Reaper. Ya just don't get many dogs as great as he was. Once again, I am sorry for your loss bro.


Zac

[Jimboe]

flyv, man, I`m saddened to hear of your loss. I agree with zac. Cujo is better off not having to suffer any longer, and you won`t have to watch him suffer.
Good luck with the new little buddy.

Jim