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SCseagoat
Trad climber
Santa Cruz
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Jun 17, 2013 - 01:54pm PT
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If I put her down today, I'll always remember & question that.
It doesn't need to be done today. I remember my vet saying "she will tell you and you will know when it is time". I was truly skeptical but she was right. There seemed to be an awakening of when I was just facing futile heroics to simply prolong an expensive "life" that was not living. The look in my girl's eyes told me everything I needed to know when it was time. There truly wasn't joy there anymore; there was no joy in basking in the sun.
Warm thoughts headed out to you and Maddie....
Susan
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Anastasia
climber
Home
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Jun 17, 2013 - 03:39pm PT
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(This is being passed around the internet for a very good reason.)
A Dog's Purpose? (from a 6-year-old).
Being a veterinarian, I had been called to examine a ten-year-old Irish Wolfhound named Belker. The dog's owners, Ron, his wife Lisa, and their little boy Shane, were all very attached to Belker, and they were hoping for a miracle.I examined Belker and found he was dying of cancer.
I told the family we couldn't do anything for Belker, and offered to perform the euthanasia procedure for the old dog in their homeAs we made arrangements, Ron and Lisa told me they thought it would be good for six-year-old Shane to observe the procedure. They felt as though Shane might learn something from the experience.The next day, I felt the familiar catch in my throat as Belker’s family surrounded him. Shane seemed so calm, petting the old dog for the last time, that I wondered if he understood what was going on. Within a few minutes, Belker slipped peacefully away.
The little boy seemed to accept Belker's transition without any difficulty or confusion. We sat together for a while after Belker's Death, wondering aloud about the sad fact that animal lives are shorter than human lives.
Shane, who had been listening quietly, piped up, "I know why."
Startled, we all turned to him. What came out of his mouth next stunned me. I'd never heard a more comforting explanation. It has changed the way I try and live.
He said; "People are born so that they can learn how to live a good life -- like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right?" The Six-year-old continued;"Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they don't have to stay as long."
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apogee
climber
Technically expert, safe belayer, can lead if easy
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Jun 17, 2013 - 05:08pm PT
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I've made the decision to have Maddie put down today.
The vet examined her, and his feeling was that the tumor has likely extended well into the hard & soft palate of her mouth- it is again extending across her tongue, making eating difficult. Debulking surgery could be done, but his feeling is that the recovery time would be far more traumatic than last time, due to the fact that the palate would likely be involved in the removal process. Given that, at best, this might give her another month or so, and that much of this time would be spent just painfully recovering from the surgery....well, this just doesn't make sense any longer.
I've been preparing to make this decision today, either via mid-surgery, or straight out, depending on the perspective of the vet. She is scheduled for 4:20 today, so I brought her back home for the afternoon so I can spend one last walk with her in the park, and bring her to see a couple of family members.
I just had lunch with my brother- I saved her a piece of bacon from my BLT. My brother agreed it is time, which is comforting. I really thought that this decision would be clearer when the time came, but it just hasn't worked out that way. Still, I think it's the best call for her.
I'm going to go walk my dog.
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plund
Social climber
OD, MN
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Jun 17, 2013 - 05:16pm PT
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God speed, Apogee.....& Maddie....
May she awaken in the Meadow of Infinite Rabbits & Permanent Dew.....
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SCseagoat
Trad climber
Santa Cruz
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Jun 17, 2013 - 05:41pm PT
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What every one has said....
Maddie has some incredible buds to meet up with...
Susan
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Brandon-
climber
The Granite State.
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Jun 17, 2013 - 07:09pm PT
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So sorry, man.
My dogs have made me a better person and I'm sure yours have for you also.
Condolences.
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Bad Climber
climber
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Jun 17, 2013 - 08:45pm PT
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Damn, Apogee, we feel for you. I'll toast to a fine friend. They leave us too soon.
BAd
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The Larry
climber
Moab, UT
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Jun 17, 2013 - 08:45pm PT
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9 years old and still sending summits.
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pocoloco1
Social climber
The Chihuahua Desert
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Jun 17, 2013 - 10:28pm PT
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sorry apogee
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McCfly
climber
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Jun 17, 2013 - 10:51pm PT
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Not that it will make you feel any better but I have a allergy dog that cost $200 a month in medication and another $500 in food. That does not include vet appointments or anything else. He has to be bathed twice a week and his dogs beds and blankets cleaned the same. The house must be vacuumed at least twice a week and could be done every day. All his food is hand made and take one full day twice a month.
He goes through cycles of seeming like his quality of life kinda sucks to periods when he seems just fine if you are wealthy and have all the time in the world to care for a dog. All in all he has a great disposition that makes it very hard to determine if he would rather be with us or not.
We have been doing this for three years straight. he can not ever be left alone as he will lick his paws raw requiring more meds and more restrictions and more hand holding.
I know what you are going through it can be hellish, confusing and painful. I cant help you with the when you will know the time has come. I have decided that like another poster said you will just know. Hats off to you for taking such good care of the little guy..
I had to stop at the vet today to get more meds. It has a shelter connected to the vet. One look at a shelter dog once a month is all i need to motivate me to stand steadfast by my buddies side.
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bluering
Trad climber
Santa Clara, CA
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Jun 18, 2013 - 07:30pm PT
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Hey Apogee, me and you have little in common. Except maybe climbing and a love for pups.
Sorry about Maddie. I know your pain.
Just got back from fishing/camping with the family (and dog). I like Ana's story about how kids view dogs.
Sorry about your friend, Apogee. God Bless!
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apogee
climber
Technically expert, safe belayer, can lead if easy
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Jun 28, 2013 - 07:05pm PT
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What a difference a week can make in many lives.
Introducing Maximillan Stubbs...('Max' for short)
Max was found by his fostermom at a shelter in Georgia- no-one had claimed him, and he was scheduled to be put down within a few days. She scooped him out of there, and as a fostermom with the 'New Rattitude' rescue group, listed him as an available dog. I saw him very shortly thereafter, and after a good discussion with her, adopted him and had him flown out to me less than 3 weeks after he left the shelter.
He flew into the airport via Delta freight:
He was a little bit overwhelmed by all the noise & chaos:
But after 'springing' him, he quickly settled down, and we took the long drive back to our mountain home- he handled it like a champ, without a single puke. This morning, we went for a first walk, following the usual path:
Thusfar, he's proven himself to be everything his fostermom described: really mellow, funny, just wants to hang out with you and watch the world go by. I'm looking forward to many years of having this little guy in my home & life.
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goatboy smellz
climber
Nederland-GulfBreeze
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Jun 28, 2013 - 07:13pm PT
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Well done Apogee, All Hail Maximus!
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HighTraverse
Trad climber
Bay Area
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Jun 28, 2013 - 07:40pm PT
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you GO apogee!!
What a Lucky Lucky dog. He's going to have a wonderful life.
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SCseagoat
Trad climber
Santa Cruz
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Jun 28, 2013 - 07:48pm PT
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Max being treated like freight
NOT ANY MOOOOORRRRE!
So happy for you....he's beautiful...
Susan
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Park Rat
Social climber
CA, UT,CT,FL
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Jun 28, 2013 - 08:34pm PT
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I am so happy for you.
Welcome home Max!
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bluering
Trad climber
Santa Clara, CA
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Jun 28, 2013 - 08:39pm PT
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Best recipe for losing a good (doggie) friend, Apogee, is to share the love and life with another.
Good for you, and double-good for Max! Two happy campers. Cheers, bro!
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philo
Trad climber
Is that light the end of the tunnel or a train?
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Jun 29, 2013 - 06:52am PT
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This is special.
http://www.dogheirs.com/elleng/posts/892-dog-gets-around-with-four-bionic-paws
Naki'o is the world's first dog to be fitted with a complete set of prosthetic paws. They work naturally to allow him to run, jump and play like any other dog. Naki'o lost his paws to frostbite as a puppy after he was abandoned in the Nebraska winter by his owners. He was adopted by vet technician Christie Tomlinson. As he grew, Naki'o had difficulty getting around on his stubs, resorting to crawling on his stomach. So last year Tomlinson decided to get him prosthetics. Denver's Orthopets created two for the dog, and after seeing how well he did with them, made another two for free. It's really amazing to see how he jumps and moves around with his new feet!
Read more at http://www.dogheirs.com/elleng/posts/892-dog-gets-around-with-four-bionic-paws#vptzM2jgXFKutIrg.99
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Jan
Mountain climber
Okinawa, Japan
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Jun 29, 2013 - 08:32am PT
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Great video Philo and I'm so glad for Apogee.
There's nothing like saving a life!
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