It's just a dog.

[benk]

A roller coaster of a week. Last weeks adventure helped us reframe his outlook. Yogi got beef, salmon, chicken, for every meal since he’s been home. Yesterday, he had a tough time making it out to pee. His health really deteriorated in the last couple weeks and traveling miles on his own didn’t help but am glad he got a good adventure in although it almost broke us thinking we’d never seen him again without saying goodbye.

A vet helped him passed peacefully yesterday in his bed. We went on a short walk in the sun after his pain meds kicked in and got to say our goodbyes. As sad as it is, he’s not suffering and no longer stressed about finding a comfortable spot to lay and will always cherish our adventures together.

[JimmyCarter]

So sorry Benk. Yogi really squeezed every last drop out of his life and glad you guys got that time together at the end. RIP Yogi

[BmillsSkier]

So sorry Berk. Yogi really squeezed every last drop out of his life and glad you guys got that time together at the end. RIP Yogi

Well said JC.

To a well lived life Yogi, until you guys see each other again, Benk.

RIP.

[Danno]

Sorry, benk. You gave Yogi his best life. RIP, adventure dog.

[liv2ski]

I am just so happy you got him back so that you could say goodbye to him. still tough, but rest in peace little Yogi.

[Supermoon]

RIP Yogi. So sorry for your loss Benk, but I’m glad you got to properly say goodbye

[skiJ]

my Condolences, benk -

yours is Good closure.

... peace, Yogi...
With love

tj

if my dogs are not part of my afterlife,
my faith will have been false.

' you tell 'em, Blue - '

[skiJ]

From time to time, people tell me, "lighten up, it's just a dog," or "That's a lot of money for just a dog."

They don't understand the distance traveled, the time spent, or the costs involved for "just a dog." Some of my proudest moments have come about with "just a dog."

Many hours have passed when my only company was "just a dog", but I did not once feel slighted.

Some of my saddest moments have been brought about by "just a dog," and in those days of darkness, the gentle touch of "just a dog" gave me comfort and reason to overcome the day.

If you, too, think it's "just a dog", then you will probably understand phases like "just a friend", "just a sunrise", or "just a promise".

"Just a dog" brings into my life the very essence of friendship, trust, and pure unbridled joy. "Just a dog" brings out the compassion and patience that make me a better person.

Because of "just a dog" I will rise early, take long walks and look longingly to the future. So for me and folks like me, it's not "just a dog" but an embodiment of all the hopes and dreams of the future, the fond memories of the past, and the pure joy of the moment.

"Just a dog" brings out what's good in me and diverts my thoughts away from myself and the worries of the day. I hope that someday they can understand >that it's not "just a dog" but the thing that gives me humanity and keeps me from being "just a man."

So the next time you hear the phrase "just a dog," just smile, because they "just don't understand."

Just to ^bump^ one of my all-time favorite essays...

skiJ

[liv2ski]

As we all know, it is the goodbye that hurts most...

[stuckathuntermtn]

Sorry, dude. Sounds like a good end. Better than any human seems to get.

[Brownski]

Just to ^bump^ one of my all-time favorite essays...

skiJ

Thanks for bumping. I always understood the title so never went back to the start of the thread. That is a beautiful sentiment
edit: google says it was written by Richard A. Biby- so good job Biby

[garyfromterrace]

So sorry for you and your families loss Benk. Glad you got a proper goodbye, and Yogi a proper send off.
Hope little Yogi meets up with Shag and Tomba, they'll get along great.

[benk]

It’s been a while but I wanted to say thanks for all the well wishes from everyone. Having support and seeing stories of others having to go through similar hardships on this weird corner of the internet makes these things just a little bit easier

[xyz]

I’m sorry for all those who lost their dogs. I get it, now at least.

I was never a dog person, the opposite really, i had a dog phobia for the most part. I got chased on my bike by dogs as kid and that stuck with me. As an adult I mostly saw dogs as a pain in the butt I wouldn’t want. But my girlfriend loved her brothers golden retriever and eventually he stayed with us so much that he became ours fulltime.

I grew fonder and fonder of him over time. And ended up quite attached to this beautiful animal. His personality was so thoughtful and was nothing but a joy to us.

Out of no where last June he laid down, and didn’t get up. So we took him to the vet. He had cancer around his heart and we had to put him down that same night. He was so full of beans that day and now we were putting him down. It’s was fuckin terrible, watching the light leave his eyes and his face droop to lifeless. Ugh it was brutal. We miss him everyday.


Sent from my iPhone using TGR Forums

[BmillsSkier]

I’m so sorry xyz, I’m glad you got to know the true love of a dog though as much as it hurts.

[easyrdr]

XYZ, so glad you got a dog. They sure do have a lot to teach us, how lucky you are to have had that experience. I hope you consider at some point getting another.

Took our old girl to the vet, she has cancer, vet wants to do surgery to remove a tumor with no guarantees one way or the other. I said thanks but no. She is too old to be knocked out for the surgery, no way I'm putting her through that. She is moving slow but happy, still eating well, etc. Been through this phase so many times before. Just sucks. When she decides she's done she will let us know. In the meantime, lots of belly scratches and treats for this one.

[Supermoon]

So sorry Easy. That’s tough.

FWIW my 12 year old pup had a fairly major cancerous tumor removed this year and she bounced back just fine. I’m sure the cancer was causing her pain and draining energy. The recovery was a tough couple of weeks but bought her some years I think, and her energy levels increased rapidly after her recovery.

These are the hardest decisions when it comes to our dogs. When to stop fighting and just love them.

[xyz]

So sorry Easy. That’s tough.

FWIW my 12 year old pup had a fairly major cancerous tumor removed this year and she bounced back just fine. I’m sure the cancer was causing her pain and draining energy. The recovery was a tough couple of weeks but bought her some years I think, and her energy levels increased rapidly after her recovery.

These are the hardest decisions when it comes to our dogs. When to stop fighting and just love them.

Thanks y’all^^

Great outcome for your dog. Ours was also 12. My first reaction was the same, let’s do whatever we can to save him. But in the end, he wasn’t really our dog. The decision was with bro in law and the vet. And that’s the decision they made. I admit that it kinda of hurts to hear we could have saved him like yours. But all situations are different.




Sent from my iPhone using TGR Forums

[Mustonen]

It’s a tough analysis. Had a mini form of it recently with my 11yo Australian Shepherd mix. She hurt her rear leg and the limp didn’t seem to heal. Took her in and the vet suspected an ACL. She’s still running, goes up and down stairs, and will put some weight on it, no apparent pain, just a little slower now. We could spend $5k+ and maybe she’d still have a limp.

This dog always has to be first and fastest…. I never saw a dog who wasn’t really built to be fast try so hard to be in front. Now she isn’t and isn’t pushing quite as hard and I’ve about rationalized that this might actually extend her mobility if it’ll make her slow down a little bit. That’s at least partially all to make me feel less like an asshole for not throwing money at surgeries for her.

Dreading when we’re faced with the life and death version of the above, but with two older dogs and a third with a pretty serious heart condition I know it’s just a matter of time.

[easyrdr]

Thanks Supermoon, I'm with you, I always hate these decisions but have learned I would rather deal with them than not having a dog at all.
XYZ, all situations are different. Keep the faith you did the right thing........thats the only thing that keeps me sane. This is our 6th dog, the first one I put down I questioned if I did the right thing for the better part of 10 years. I am now at peace that I did. I love all my dogs and my goal is always to do right by them, treat them how I would want to be treated. Dogs have a way of communicating if you are in a place to hear them.

The tumor on Bella is growing on her lower jaw, vet is pretty sure it has already spread, removing it may buy her a little time but won't cure anything and putting her through it (she has always been terrified going to the vet) just doesn't make sense for her. She is a happy girl, her tail wags whenever a human approaches, she lays at my feet wherever I sit and lays at my wife's feet whenever she is cooking in the kitchen. When she is ready she will tell us.

[JimmyCarter]

Best wishes for Bella and everyone going through it in here.

[Supermoon]

Thanks Supermoon, I'm with you, I always hate these decisions but have learned I would rather deal with them than not having a dog at all.
XYZ, all situations are different. Keep the faith you did the right thing........thats the only thing that keeps me sane. This is our 6th dog, the first one I put down I questioned if I did the right thing for the better part of 10 years. I am now at peace that I did. I love all my dogs and my goal is always to do right by them, treat them how I would want to be treated. Dogs have a way of communicating if you are in a place to hear them.

The tumor on Bella is growing on her lower jaw, vet is pretty sure it has already spread, removing it may buy her a little time but won't cure anything and putting her through it (she has always been terrified going to the vet) just doesn't make sense for her. She is a happy girl, her tail wags whenever a human approaches, she lays at my feet wherever I sit and lays at my wife's feet whenever she is cooking in the kitchen. When she is ready she will tell us.

Oh man. The hating the vet thing is a real consideration for sure. All we can do is try to keep their best interest in mind which both of you two clearly are. Sending good vibes to both of you and your pups.

[powdrhound]

My Bella lived half her 16 years without either CCL.
She adjusted. Stopping climbing vertical snow walls.
The surgery is not mandatory.

[mcski]

Maybe this should go in the other dog thread but hi many have done pet insurance? Surgeries are so pricey these days

[xyz]

Maybe this should go in the other dog thread but hi many have done pet insurance? Surgeries are so pricey these days

It’s not cheap! A buddies dog ate a stick, 7k surgery. Then it ate another stick..


Sent from my iPhone using TGR Forums