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My heart aches

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RifleDude View Drop Down
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    Posted: February/25/2016 at 05:08
Had to put down my 14 year old Brittany Spaniel, Ava, last night. Her health declined rapidly during the past week. The past 2 days, she couldn't walk, wouldn't eat, became severely dehydrated, lost a lot of weight, could barely drink water and when she did, would throw up, and had developed a heart murmur. My wife and I had to make the very difficult but necessary decision to take her to the vet and have her put to sleep last night.

Ava was a loyal, trusted friend, a gentle soul. I keep telling myself I did the right thing, but it doesn't ease the pain much. I feel like I just got stabbed in the chest. Her final moments were very peaceful, and she spent them looking at me.

Gotta stop now; having difficulty seeing the screen.

Damn this hurts!
Ted


Money can't buy happiness... but it's much more comfortable to cry in a Porsche than on a bicycle.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Peddler Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/25/2016 at 05:11
I'm with you brother, we've had to do that for two over the last 8 years. I feel your pain.
When you are dead, you don't know you are dead.It is difficult only for others.

It is the same when you are stupid.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 03mossy Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/25/2016 at 05:34
Sorry for your loss, I can sympathize what your going through. Putting down my 14 year old lab 4 years ago was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do. Never new it was possible to cry that much. Non dog people will just never understand the bond that is developed between a good dog and there human. Hang in there time will make it better.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Dogger Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/25/2016 at 06:42
So sorry Ted, I feel for you.  I think a lot of us here feel your loss.

They ask so little but give so much.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Steelbenz Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/25/2016 at 06:51

Originally posted by Dogger Dogger wrote:

So sorry Ted, I feel for you.  I think a lot of us here feel your loss.

They ask so little but give so much.

Ain't this the truth! Some start as stray mutts, turn into family!

"Don't argue with a fool! From a distance you can't really tell who's who!"
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote BeltFed Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/25/2016 at 07:04
Ted, I know what you are feeling right now. I've had to make that decision more than once and it's never easy, even when it's the only thing to do. I've thought, maybe if they just had a few more days or weeks, maybe they could just go peacefully in their sleep, but you know they have no quality of life and are just existing for us. That is what is so hard about it; to know they gave their last bit of devotion for us.
I remember each one of my friends, and have often wished I could have them back, but that will never happen in this life time. So remember the good times you had with your friend, and know that you can make the life of another friend better.



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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Son of Ed Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/25/2016 at 09:15
I always lived way out in the country.  We never went to the Vet.  Vets came to the farm to castrate bulls or whatever when we were at school and left the bill under the sugar bowl in the kitchen.  

Small animals like dogs and cats just sort of died or disappeared naturally....

I was the Official Dispenser of Life and Death Decision Making.  Cats that had distemper got taken away and shot, so they wouldn't infect the whole population.  Poor dogs that got run over or bad hurt somehow had to be shot to put them out of their suffering.

Dogs were buried with pomp and circumstance....not always cats.....



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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote cheaptrick Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/25/2016 at 11:43
Ted, I'm horribly sorry to hear this. Ava was a very sweet girl. You gave her a wonderful life for 14 years.  
If at first you don't secede...try..try again.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote bugsNbows Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/25/2016 at 12:17
Sad indeed Ted. Sorry for your loss. I can tell you this... Vets hate to put animals down, but know that it is sometimes necessary.
If we're not suppose to eat animals...how come they're made of meat?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote supertool73 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/25/2016 at 12:33
Sorry to hear Ted.  It definitely hurts when out pets die. 

Our 14 year old cat (Scooter) died 3 weeks back.  He and our Lab (Remmie) were best buddies, they even both slept together in the dog house.  Went out to feed them one morning and he was dead in the dog house.  Poor Remmie misses him like crazy, she still looks for him all the time.  
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote RifleDude Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/26/2016 at 09:49
My precious Ava LOVED to ride on my ATV! It was her favorite thing in the world! When she was younger and more mobile, I would often take her out to my hunting lease for to keep me company during the fall.

As soon as I would crank up my ATV, she always came running and jumped in the seat in front of me. She loved having the breeze blowing in her face, her ears flapping in the wind. I could hardly get her off the ATV when it was within her view! The only time I ever saw her with a more joyous look on her face was when she saw me after I returned from a long business trip or vacation. It was a pure, innocent joy, in simple pleasures. That joy defined her life. I wish I could take so much joy in the simple things as she did.

Here she is when she was about 7 years old, about to take an ATV ride. Just look at that face! Her excitement is undeniable. She is practically smiling here! Those times out at hunting camp are my most cherished memories of my buddy.



This photo simultaneously makes me smile and tears my heart out.

I'm a total wreck right now. I have to keep wandering of to hiding places at work so folks can't see me like this.
Ted


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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote cheaptrick Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/26/2016 at 10:00
Thanks for sharing, Brother. 
If at first you don't secede...try..try again.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote supertool73 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/26/2016 at 10:23
She definitely is smiling.  Great photo. 
Lifetime warranty and excellent customer service don't mean a thing when your gun fails during a zombie attack.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote RifleDude Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/26/2016 at 10:28
Although I knew this day was coming soon and was preparing for it, I couldn't foresee just how much this was gonna hurt.
Ted


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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Son of Ed Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/26/2016 at 10:42
My dog had to be put down in 1965.  He had been my constant companion since I was eight years old.  We buried him out back in the woods at the edge of the trees not far from the old stonewall fence.  When we put him into his grave finally, that was the first time I ever saw my Dad cry, right there by the grave.   


I never had another dog that meant so much to me.  And my life style never again seemed to have room for another dog.  I was gone too much, and we moved around too much. 


Some people say there are no animals in Heaven.  But, Elijah was picked up by a chariot of fire pulled by horses in front of lots of witnesses.  So, I think that Old Friends will be in Eternity with us.    
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote mike650 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/26/2016 at 10:43
Ted, I'm truly sorry for your loss, it's horrible that they bring so much love and joy into our lives but are here for only a very short time.

We had to put down our Akita this past December, we had him for close to eleven years, won't go into the details but it still hurts.








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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote BeltFed Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/26/2016 at 10:50
Let it out brother. I know how you feel. We know how you feel. I can't keep my eyes dry because I know what your going through. Dogs are special, and there are special dogs. Ava was your special dog.


Maybe after a little time has passed you can tell us more about her in Dog Tales over in the Ed Show.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote cheaptrick Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/26/2016 at 11:11
Losing a beloved pet, is another kind of hurt. It's like losing a best friend and a dear family member in one.   
If at first you don't secede...try..try again.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote RifleDude Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/26/2016 at 11:49
Thanks so very much for your comments, guys. I know you all can relate. I don't consider myself a very emotional person, but as Mark said so well, this is on another level; it's "another kind of hurt." I don't think it's healthy to keep this much hurt inside, so it's therapeutic to share with you.

I really hope there's a place in Heaven for dogs. There has to be a reward for Ava's innocent, unconditionally loving, gentle soul! A good dog is such a selfless creature that expects so little of you in return for the enormous gift of love they give you. I often feel undeserving of the unconditional love my dogs give me.

I wish I'd thought to give my precious Ava one final ATV ride around the neighborhood while she could still sit upright. It would have filled her heart with so much joy!
Ted


Money can't buy happiness... but it's much more comfortable to cry in a Porsche than on a bicycle.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 03mossy Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/26/2016 at 12:08
Friend of mine sent this to me when I lost Indy...

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.
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