Bye, Captain

Raggit · Fri 30/03/2007 17:01:02

Last night I had to have my collie, Captain, put to sleep. He was 13 years old and he had gotten cancer. He wasn't eating very much, and was getting to the point that he couldn't get up or down very well. So it was best for him, so he wouldn't suffer.

It's very sad for me, because he's been my best doggy friend since I was five years old. :'(

Still, I've got two of his puppies and his mate, so I'm not alone dog wise.

I can tell they're upset too, because they keep looking around for him.

I know this isn't a big deal in the grand scheme of things, but up close it still hurts.

Nikolas · Fri 30/03/2007 17:06:40

:'(

Tuomas · Fri 30/03/2007 17:23:23

My aunt had to put her collie to sleep because it was too old. It actually refused to. It knew that it was too old, and left. It came back after a few months in hideous condition and they tried to make it feel better, but the next day it was gone again. It wanted to die alone, but mised the family too much, so it came to say goodbye again. I was too small back then I can remember the dog, but not much of how it died...

Our German shepher/collie one had to be put to sleep a few years past also because it was too old. It was saddening, it was so happy always, until the last days. Though wouldn't ever eat anything, it couldn't taste a thing, so it just left stuff untouched and only ate the sausages and stuff. I remember once when this huge mean dog came from far away over the icy lake to barf at people. Our dog kicked its' ass even though it was tied up

we buried it in our garden. There's no dog now, they're too lazy to get attached to one, and I moved away long time ago...

Darth Mandarb · Fri 30/03/2007 17:33:46

I've been down that long and sad road before ... it hurts like mad.

I know it's of little help, but I always try to remember the good times and focus on how good a life I gave the pet. 13 years is a LONG time for a pet to be around. It makes it harder as we're so used to them being around, but also is a source of happiness because unhappy pets don't live that long

You have my sympathy and I'll pour some on the curb for Captain collie.

Mr Flibble · Fri 30/03/2007 18:00:45

As Spock said, a death should be mourned but only if the life was wasted. Which Captain's wasn't. Don't feel too sad, focus on the good parts like Darth said.

My condolences though.. hmm, it's hard to express sorrow in a meaningful way over The Internets, but I feel for you.

BOYD1981 · Fri 30/03/2007 19:08:45

my boxer is 13 this year but luckily he has no major health problems, although quite a few years back he was diagnosed with spondulosis of the spine or something, the second worst case the vet had seen, or so he says atleast, he reckoned that within a few years it would be too painful for him to walk, but i reckon he fed us a pack of lies because it was about 6 or 7 years ago and he's just fine although he is getting on a bit now although he is still pretty active, but recently he keeps collapsing on his back legs, usually when playing when he tries to move backwards or turn quickly and sometimes when he walks up the stairs, i really hope he gets to live out his days on his own terms and we never have to make the decision to put him down.
my aunt has his older brother who is in a bit of a bad shape and on lots of medication, he lost a lot of weight and couldn't walk for a while and lost pretty much all his fur due to thyroid problems, but he's on the mend and is really quite a lucky dog as about 10 years ago he was hit by a car and suffered brain damage.
my nan also has a dog from the same bloodline who is just a few years old and a really great dog, although he's scared of pretty much everything

once my dog does go we're all pretty adamant that we won't get another one, firstly because the one we have now doesn't get taken for walks anymore (although that's more to do with him than us), and secondly because it just wouldn't be the same as he's such a great character.
i always find it really sad when i hear about other peoples' pets dying or having to be put down, especially dogs because it makes me think about how lucky i am to still have mine.

Raggit · Fri 30/03/2007 19:34:45

Thanks for all the nice responses

BOYD, I'm glad your dog is in such good shape, and the vet's predictions didn't turn out to be true. Yes, it's always best when they go on their on terms.

There are two things that make my case easier to deal with, and that is a) Cappy isn't in any pain now, and b) I've been prepared for this for a while now. That alone makes it easier, instead of something happening when they're still young.

LimpingFish · Fri 30/03/2007 20:10:00

I had my hamster, Hamuel, put to sleep after two and a half years of Extreme Hamster Ball and trips in a paper hot air balloon.

He had cancer, diabetes, kidney failure, and fluid on his lungs. And still he refused to die. But you only had to take a look at him to see he was uncomfortable with his lot. So I did the decent thing and had him put to sleep. Then he was cremated, and his ashes scattered to the four winds.

We haven't forgotten you Hammy, you little weirdo.

OÃche mhaith, agus codladh sÃ¡mh, Captain. May you rest in peace.

Domino · Sat 31/03/2007 01:36:45

Sorry to hear about that Raggit.

I have had my 14 year old cat since i got him when he was a kitten. Back in December the vet found a lump on his tongue that seemed to worry him. He gave me an estimate for removing this lump on his tongue, but i haven't had that kind of money to have the surgery on my little buddy. That has been 4 months since then and i think my cat is getting worse. He is still eating and acting somewhat normal, but he now seems to be bothered by the lump on his tongue. After he eats, he seems to have this weird twitch in his head like something is stuck in his throat.

I have come to realize that my little buddy may not be with me much longer. I really think this is harder to deal with then the death of my grandma. Even though now, he is still acting like a normal cat, i have to come to the realization that my time with him may be up. I love my cat to death, and trying to imagine a life without him makes my so upset, that i can't put it into words.

If i can save enough money to get the surgery done, i will. But now i think it may be a little to late. If he dies, it will be my fault. :'(

I consider my cat my child, and i cannot think of a life without him.

I can afford the surgery, but i keep getting raped by bills and rent. I really have to learn to save money.

Nine Toes · Sat 31/03/2007 03:06:05

Raggit: Sorry to hear about your loss. Putting a pet (and a friend) down to sleep must be extremely difficult.

I refused to get anymore pets after all of the ones I had when I was younger died on me. (Only because I wasn't taking care of them properly

)

However, the cat and dog that my mom still has are both getting very old. I can remember having both of them as far back as when I was six.

Frankie (the cat) is getting a lot of gray hairs, and his meow is a very raspy "mya".

Maggie (the dog) has really surprised me. I'm 24 now... if my mom got her when I was 6... that would make her 18 years old. I didn't know dogs could even live that long. Anyway, it's obvious that she should be put to sleep; she gets seizures, has some sort of abscess under her eye that is always leaking pus, and flinches at every loud noise you make. But my mom is being quite foolish. She seems to think that with a little TLC the dog will get better.

Raggit · Sat 31/03/2007 03:41:27

Domino, your post just about made me cry. :'(

I'm so sorry that your buddy is sick. But maybe there is hope that it isn't cancer, maybe it's just a little cyst or something.

Either way, I hope that everything turns out okay, but when the time comes, we'll all be here for you.

Domino · Sat 31/03/2007 05:01:35

Without my cat, i am nothing.

Tears are rolling from my eyes just posting this pic... :'(

edit: removed pic

Tuomas · Sat 31/03/2007 11:52:58

Quote from: BOYD1981 on Fri 30/03/2007 19:08:45
my aunt has his older brother who is in a bit of a bad shape and on lots of medication, he lost a lot of weight and couldn't walk for a while and lost pretty much all his fur due to thyroid problems, but he's on the mend and is really quite a lucky dog as about 10 years ago he was hit by a car and suffered brain damage.

I'm sorry, but that sounds really scary. THought you were talking about your father until I realised there's this one HIS in the beginning, must be because here we call everything it.

Nikolas · Sat 31/03/2007 22:15:34

I have a dear friend who is 32 years old now (in Greece). He studied for 9 years in Germany.

When he was born his mother got him a great (brilliant) dog, by the name of "Yiupy" or something...

This dog grew older and older and my friend at the age of 17 (the dog being 16!) left Greece to study in Germany. So the dog actually waited a year and a half reaching 17 and something, until next year Christmas would appear. Then my friend got back to Greece after a year and a half. The next day the dog, being old like shit thus far, but with no problems (could barely walk though...) died in his arms. Yiupy remembered me and when passing through his house he would walk to me to pat him, until he grew too old to even bark a hello. He would just lift his head and then go back to crawling...

I hardly thing he suffered, just that he wanted to die with my friend on his side...

:'(

Fleshstalker · Sat 31/03/2007 23:04:14

I've had many cats that have died. Even kittens. Its sucks, but theres nothing you can do but get used to it. I know I have. I now only have one pure gray half tailed (lost in an unknown accident) female cat who's pregnant and is ready to burst. Sadly, shes been pregnant about 4 times and she don't take care of them. She likes to hide them and by the time I find them they are afraid of any humans, so I can't give them any food. Thus they die every time. She just won't breast feed them. Oh well.