It's just a dog.

[-Devin-]

Thanks fellas. I'm just so wrecked over her. I've lost dogs before, really good ones, boyhood dogs, and none have left such a dark emptiness in their absence as this sweet little girl.

Such a bummer. I have always been a medium size dog person and we have a great medium sized rescue. We also have a small rescue we inherited from my dad. The little dog is amazing. Can't imagine a better dog and we will be a mess when she goes.

[stevesmith7]

Bmills, I know she can never be replaced but hope someday you can fill the hole left in your life. We've had a new puppy for six months and I still miss my boy Duke.

New puppy stoke:

[ticketchecker]

We give em all we can and they give us all they are, it's a good trade sadness and all. I'm two years into the pup that's following 'the one'

[GiBo]

Sorry bmills. It is amazing how much you can love and miss a dog. I'm still feeling it.

My bro in-law had the same experience with his KC. When my sister got it he laughed it off as a chick dog. Now it's 'his' dog. Man he loves that thing. Great little dog.

[Plainview]

Old dog is off to the vet tomorrow to have another bloody lump on his throat checked out...

[TNKen]

Sorry to hear. Vibes to you all. Molly is plugging along and doing extremely well at the moment. Chemo every 3 weeks.

[Moeghoul]

Sorry to hear about Dixie, Bmills. That breed is pretty entertaining, friends of ours had 2 of them. Jewels is still with us, bonus day 25.

[BmillsSkier]

Geez, that's awful Bobby, sorry to hear.

I really like the quote someone put here that "we give dogs all we can, they give us all they are".

Our Border Collie hasn't been eating as much since Dixie passed, keeping a real close eye on him and doubling down on the love. Dogs are amazing in how they know what's going on and express emotion.

Good to hear that Jewels is holding strong Moeghoul.

[iceman]

One of my dogs (the little one, some sort of miniature keeshond or something, not sure what he is), has gotten progressively more afraid of loud noise over the past couple of years. He's six, we never noticed a problem until last year or maybe a little the year before.

Now it's full-blown terror at thunder, fireworks, gunshots etc. We have one of those thundershirt things for him and it seems to calm him down slightly but not enough. Somebody at my wife's work recommended this stuff: http://www.homeopet.com/videos/storm-stress/ and we got some but I think it basically doesn't do shit like all homeopathic stuff.

The biggest problem is he's gotten destructive when he's scared lately. Also he comes into our bedroom and whines and pants and we can't sleep. The dogs usually sleep in the mudroom, when he's scared he gets right over the half-door that keeps the other dogs in (they're clearly as baffled as we are about how he gets over the thing, it's 4x as tall as him).

So, any tips? We're considering crating him (he was crated as a pup), but he gets so frantic I think he might hurt himself in a crate. Or maybe he'd calm down in there, who knows. Any thoughts appreciated.

[steff]

[BigDaddy]

Labs....



Love tanks with tail guns.

[Plainview]

,,,
So, any tips? We're considering crating him (he was crated as a pup), but he gets so frantic I think he might hurt himself in a crate. Or maybe he'd calm down in there, who knows. Any thoughts appreciated.

I would say crate and observe. I had a dog that was terrified of loud noises once but he'd chill out (he'd quiver and drool but not be frantic) if he could hide somewhere where he felt safe. For him that was under the dining room table (I didn't have a crate for him). If your dog is comfortable in the crate it's worth a try. A lot of dogs see that as a den or safe place.

[Supermoon]

So, any tips? We're considering crating him (he was crated as a pup), but he gets so frantic I think he might hurt himself in a crate. Or maybe he'd calm down in there, who knows. Any thoughts appreciated.

[Had this whole thunder shirt recommendation written out, then I re-read ]

Lots of obsessive behavior in dogs can be attributed to lack of stimulation. Has his activity been scaled back over the last few years?

[iceman]

Nah, there's 3 other dogs and they can go in and out through the dog door, plenty of land, woods, etc. etc.

He probably needs a job. Smart little fucker.

[BmillsSkier]

Maybe an odd question to those who have done it before but I'm honestly at a loss:

Got Dixie's ashes back today and we're not quite sure what to do with them yet. If I were to honestly spread them where she was happiest they'd be all over our laps and on the third step of the front stairs where she laid in wait for us to return every time we left the house.

Both don't seen right or feasible. Since they'd both end up in the Dyson, ironically where all of her fuzz did anyway.

Thinking about her favorite trail in N Georgia or our neighborhood park where she chased many a squirrel, but (maybe it's selfish of me) neither are near us 24/7, which is where she always was.

Haven't ever had a dog creamated before, buried everyone before, so I'm really at a loss here on what would be right.

[Supermoon]

First thing I thought of when you mentioned the Dyson




I think burying them in the yard, or depositing them into the world where they will be absorbed back into nature are the ways to go.

[BmillsSkier]

First thing I thought of when you mentioned the Dyson




I think burying them in the yard, or depositing them into the world where they will be absorbed back into nature are the ways to go.

Ha! Thanks, I needed that.

[Plainview]

My first dog loved hiking. One of the last hikes he went on with me was to the top of a 9K peak in the East Cascades but I screwed up the route and we ran out of time and didn't make it. So I took his ashes to the top not long after he died and spread them there 'cause he'd have loved to have made it.

[DBdude]

Maybe an odd question to those who have done it before but I'm honestly at a loss:

Got Dixie's ashes back today and we're not quite sure what to do with them yet. If I were to honestly spread them where she was happiest they'd be all over our laps and on the third step of the front stairs where she laid in wait for us to return every time we left the house.

Both don't seen right or feasible. Since they'd both end up in the Dyson, ironically where all of her fuzz did anyway.

Thinking about her favorite trail in N Georgia or our neighborhood park where she chased many a squirrel, but (maybe it's selfish of me) neither are near us 24/7, which is where she always was.

Haven't ever had a dog creamated before, buried everyone before, so I'm really at a loss here on what would be right.

I keep my favorite pooch's ashes in my dresser. Where ever I go, she will go.

[liv2ski]

I keep my favorite pooch's ashes in my dresser. Where ever I go, she will go.

Yep, I have all the pooches ashes. My daughter knows where I want us all left once I check out. And thanks for the above PB, that fuckin cracked me up.

[Bromontana]

Spread my last pup's ashes above his favorite place.



He was just getting strong when I lost him, miss ya Gage

[Supermoon]

^^ Dogs carrying disproportionately sized sticks is one of my favorite things

Sorry you lost him early

[Moeghoul]

Final update:

It's been a hard journey and today is Bonus day #41 for Jewels. It's also her last one. She's getting her wings tonight at 7PM. I scheduled it yesterday, cancelled it this morning, then rescheduled it. She enjoyed a strip steak and soft serve vanilla ice cream last night. She needs assistance to get up, shat the bedding for the past 8 days and I'm basically care taking around the clock. I do 4-6 loads of sheets, towels and rags a day and I'm pretty much tapped out mentally. I don't need to be in solitary confinement to find myself mumbling and talking to myself, raging debates in my mind, grasping at every good moment a sick dog exhibits, convincing myself that its a turning point for the better. I've asked myself why I press on with her. Is it for my own selfish reasons? Have I given her every chance to rebound without subjecting her to tests, pills, side effects, etc? Is there an "empty nest" issue for my wife and I, because we know the dogs have strengthened our bond? Ultimately, the toughest question is, is it too soon? When I'm in this self imposed bubble of care, distress, and daily ups and downs, it's hard to throw in the towel when she licks my face after I wiped her ass. So, I'm trying to make peace with myself that its the right decision for her even though the debate continues in my mind and the tears well up. I think I'll feel some relief once she's put to sleep, but the heart is still heavy with much grief.

[TNKen]

Sorry to hear Moug. Sounds like its time. Don't be surprised if she rallies a bit by the time you get there. All of ours have done so.

Well, Molly's chemo has run its course. She started having mini seizures and losing her balance. She is now on prednisone for palliative care.

Looks like we've got about 3 weeks with her. So far, she seems to be her normal happy butt wiggling self. Maybe a little quicker to tire than normal, and having bowel issues which is related to the lymphoma in her digestive system. Still on the boat when we go out.

[BmillsSkier]

Well put Moeghoul. Really sorry for your loss. Sounds like you got some great moments out of Jewels' bonus days.