It's just a dog.

[dan_pdx]

My sister's dog has always been lean and was never a big eater. He is one of those dogs that would leave some kibble in the bowl, and in the last several months, he's gotten extremely picky and only variety gets him to eat. It wouldn't hurt to get a vet checkup, but maybe your guy is just at the age where he's like "fuck if I'm going to eat dog food every day for the rest of my life."

My sister has had success with her dog just by feeding him different meals all the time. Chicken+rice, ground beef+rice, table scraps, etc. If you do this, might be good to check in with a vet about any needed supplements.

[DLD in UT]

My sister's dog has always been lean and was never a big eater. He is one of those dogs that would leave some kibble in the bowl, and in the last several months, he's gotten extremely picky and only variety gets him to eat. It wouldn't hurt to get a vet checkup, but maybe your guy is just at the age where he's like "fuck if I'm going to eat dog food every day for the rest of my life."

My sister has had success with her dog just by feeding him different meals all the time. Chicken+rice, ground beef+rice, table scraps, etc. If you do this, might be good to check in with a vet about any needed supplements.

My dog's has been same about eating, i.e. always leaving a bit, skipping a meal here and there.
Last night he scarfed some white rice and boiled chicken. So hopefully we can keep him going with the variety as you said. So surprising that he'd starve himself instead of eating the kibble he's eaten fine for 10+ years.
Did a vet checkup when he was down all the weight a few weeks ago. Had an infection (did the antibiotics) and some other stuff was off a bit, but most likely just due to the weight being down and not eating.
We didn't want to do more tests and scans for cancer, etc. as though we love him to the moon we're not going to spend thousands on dog chemo or the like.

Thanks for the input above dan and stealurface, appreciate it.

[muted]

Checking into this thread about 5 years too early IMO. Anyone have a link to the hutash vet thread 'ask me anything?"

My dog is in late stage kidney failure. I think it was caused by a treat I gave her that may have done it. Anyone else go through this? Doc says 2-4 weeks to live. She eats a bit but is now just a couch dog who probably is feeling like shit.

DLD in UT, sounds like it could be kidney failure in your dog too, but I'm sure that was tested for if you went to a vet, right? It's key to catch it early. I fucking failed my dog in that way.

[riser4]

When my guy needs poached chicken and rice, I then use the leftover poaching liquid to cook the rice. It's a big hit.

[Dhelihiker]

Im so sorry for your loss, I tear up on every one of these. We got a Bordie Collie pup 4 months ago and after losing our pup of 12 years. I love the new pup and I miss my girl every day.

[Dhelihiker]

Checking into this thread about 5 years too early IMO. Anyone have a link to the hutash vet thread 'ask me anything?"

My dog is in late stage kidney failure. I think it was caused by a treat I gave her that may have done it. Anyone else go through this? Doc says 2-4 weeks to live. She eats a bit but is now just a couch dog who probably is feeling like shit.

DLD in UT, sounds like it could be kidney failure in your dog too, but I'm sure that was tested for if you went to a vet, right? It's key to catch it early. I fucking failed my dog in that way.

Super sorry to read that, what was the treat?

[ExPowderSnob]

I don't mean this to be cold-hearted, but it can be very cruel to go to great lengths to keep our 4 legged furbuckets alive when they are past their time. It can be way too easy to put our own needs and feelings in front of our dog's, and in the end, that can be more cruel then anything else.

While we may be content with an old crippled dog laying at our feet, the dog may not be. They can hide pain and suffering much better than we will ever realize. The first priority MUST be the dog's quality of life, not our own resistance to death being a part of the circle of life. No one would ever argue how much pain we can feel with loss, especially with a pack member who shared our lives over the last decade, but it can pale in comparison to what an old dog can live through when their time on earth has come to an end.

We shouldn't look at euthanasia as a means to an end, but rather a gift to give to an old friend. A gift that frees them from paralyzing arthritis, day in and day out aching and pain, and ultimately a life that our indoor wolves shouldn't have to experience.

Dogs, despite our best efforts to domesticate and train them as companions, are still wild beasts at heart. Wild beasts that need to run, and play, and chase, and swim and howl at the moon. When they lose the ability to do that, when they can't walk, much less run, when they are sore and aching just from napping in the living room, when it takes all the energy they have to just make it into the kitchen for breakfast, it is not fair to them to go to long lengths to prolong their lives. It's actually quite selfish. When we do that, we procrastinate the psychological pain we will feel with their loss and exchange it for physical pain they feel everyday. We shouldn't burden them with our own weaknesses when they are already sick and old. I can't think of much that would be be more cruel than that.

As I read through the last few pages of this thread, I feel like this is worth repeating...

[DLD in UT]

As I read through the last few pages of this thread, I feel like this is worth repeating...

I get that. I don't feel like with my dog, at least, that we're just trying to squeeze out a month or so. He is still chipper on his walks. Wants to be around my 8 and 4 y.o. when they go out to play in the snow, etc. He just isn't eating, despite seeming food motivated. He hasn't stopped sniffing around under the dinner table and gobbling up anything and everything that gets dropped.
Appointment at the vet this afternoon for us. He ate a boatload of the chicken 2 nights ago. Gobble baby food 2 days ago, but last night not interested.
I am not going to keep him around just to make us feel better; but if it is something we can make better and get him to recover from (outside of chemo or other huge money drops) we're going to look into it.

[axebiker]

Another visit to this thread. Sorry for all of you going through the pain of loss and illness in your pups.

One thing to point out - it's almost high tide in the shelters at this time of year when they get flooded with "throw-aways". Don't forget that. These poor guys did nothing to deserve that fate, so if you're lonely & missing that companionship, make sure to check out all your locals shelter and rescues.

[DLD in UT]

Despite not knowing any of you, I appreciate having this space to share those emotions that pets can evoke within us.

Out story is over. Yesterday morning, I let Fenway out. He didn't come back to the porch like he always did. I walked around the yard calling for him and no response. I grabbed the headlamp and searched. Found him curled up tightly in a group of evergreen shrubs. It was clear at that point that he wanted to go someplace better.
Blood tests at the vet showed white blood cell counts about 6x normal. Nothing immediately evident on an ultrasound. Knew it was time.

Having some closure is good for me; still hard, but know it was the right thing to do. Our 8 y.o. boy is taking it rough. Fenway was his security blanket that he'd bring around the house when was afraid of the dark.

Again, thank you all for this space, and as if you needed any reminding, take advantage of every day you have with your dogs, they deserve that from us for all they give.

[muted]

Super sorry to read that, what was the treat?

I don't remember, it had some sort of meat wrapped in rawhide. not a name-brand in a box, almost generic that comes in a clear bag with a top lable stapled to the bag. I fed both my dogs a few before I realized it was giving them diarrhea, and my (now sick) dog flat out refused to take one, as if to say, 'fuck that shit'. Everything started after that, but this is a guess on my part. Apparently kidney failure form treats is somewhat common but I thought it was only from China treats, not ones from the US, I was wrong after googling it.

it was similar to this: https://www.chewy.com/bones-chews-ch...oaAg4dEALw_wcB

Having some closure is good for me; still hard, but know it was the right thing to do. Our 8 y.o. boy is taking it rough. Fenway was his security blanket that he'd bring around the house when was afraid of the dark.

Again, thank you all for this space, and as if you needed any reminding, take advantage of every day you have with your dogs, they deserve that from us for all they give.

So sorry man. I have to do this any day now to my Meg, and it's killing me seeing her sick and knowing what's coming. My 6 year old knows what's happening and it's gonna be rough for everyone.

[MiddleOfNight]

take advantage of every day you have with your dogs, they deserve that from us for all they give.

word.

I read back a few pages here, idk why.
got something in my eye, and went out and gave the dingo a hug.

vibes to everyone here who's lost a friend.

[dan_pdx]

DLD in UT, really sorry to hear about Fenway. You did right by him, and I know he had a great life with your family.

[muted]

I hate this thread. Why even click on it? There is nothing but bad news. But I knew I’d eventually check in to it. My wife’s dog, an 11 year old Great Pyrennes who is past his prime, was the dog I thought was going to kick the bucket in 2020. He has trouble with stairs and even the dog door. The dog is a total asshole btw, lovable yes but a pain in my ass.

Well, my godamn dog, Meg just died. I thought she was going to have another 5 good years but she had kidney failure. She was my shadow, she would follow me room to room and always was looking to please me. I could walk her on busy streets without a leash and she was never close to getting run over, with basically no training. She was one of a few dogs that actually smiled, which made people burst out laughing, but she also was pretty quirky. Very loyal but it was hard to tell if she was growling at you or talking happily. She didn’t really bark like a dog that much. My wife miscalculated her 'talking' once and got her nose broken with a muzzle punch. And whatever you do, don’t touch Meg after 9pm, she is over the day at that point and doesn’t even want movement near her, never mind a kindly pet.

The morning after Meg died I opened the bedroom door for my wife’s dog to go outside and I took a shower. When I got out, the dog had never left, he was sitting waiting for me. Goddamn it all. I’m stuck with this asshole I guess, and maybe he ain’t so bad after all.



A pic from last week.




Not looking for sympathy here, it’s just part of the process of letting go.

[zion zig zag]

Sorry for your loss, muted.

[Supermoon]

Damn, sorry muted

[axebiker]

Rest In Peace, Meg. Hang around the other side of the Bridge for muted - joy will be had!

[old goat]

I came across this today

A Dog Has Died
BY PABLO NERUDA
TRANSLATED BY ALFRED YANKAUER
My dog has died.
I buried him in the garden
next to a rusted old machine.

Some day I'll join him right there,
but now he's gone with his shaggy coat,
his bad manners and his cold nose,
and I, the materialist, who never believed
in any promised heaven in the sky
for any human being,
I believe in a heaven I'll never enter.
Yes, I believe in a heaven for all dogdom
where my dog waits for my arrival
waving his fan-like tail in friendship.

Ai, I'll not speak of sadness here on earth,
of having lost a companion
who was never servile.
His friendship for me, like that of a porcupine
withholding its authority,
was the friendship of a star, aloof,
with no more intimacy than was called for,
with no exaggerations:
he never climbed all over my clothes
filling me full of his hair or his mange,
he never rubbed up against my knee
like other dogs obsessed with sex.

No, my dog used to gaze at me,
paying me the attention I need,
the attention required
to make a vain person like me understand
that, being a dog, he was wasting time,
but, with those eyes so much purer than mine,
he'd keep on gazing at me
with a look that reserved for me alone
all his sweet and shaggy life,
always near me, never troubling me,
and asking nothing.

Ai, how many times have I envied his tail
as we walked together on the shores of the sea
in the lonely winter of Isla Negra
where the wintering birds filled the sky
and my hairy dog was jumping about
full of the voltage of the sea's movement:
my wandering dog, sniffing away
with his golden tail held high,
face to face with the ocean's spray.

Joyful, joyful, joyful,
as only dogs know how to be happy
with only the autonomy
of their shameless spirit.

There are no good-byes for my dog who has died,
and we don't now and never did lie to each other.

So now he's gone and I buried him,
and that's all there is to it.

[Jax]

Letting go is really, really hard. It's our last gift to them, and I find solace in that.

[easyrdr]

Sorry Muted. My old dog was similar to yours, he was my shadow. He's been gone 10 years now, I still miss him. It's funny also like you my wife had a dog that wasn't my flavor. We tolerated each other but never really bonded, in the last year or so something happened and now that same dog is laying on my feet as I type this, follows me everywhere, never thought about it before, kinda cool how it happened though. Hang in there man.

[muted]

Thanks everyone for their kind words. Meg was the best, but it's clear she was one of million 'best' dogs out there and we all have to go through this and it sucks for everyone, I don't want to think I'm special here.

So Meg showed up today on my doorstep. A very odd thing. She was cremated and we were told to look for her in 4-6 weeks. I hope they don't mail my parents to me when they pass, what a strange process.

Sorry Muted. My old dog was similar to yours, he was my shadow. He's been gone 10 years now, I still miss him. It's funny also like you my wife had a dog that wasn't my flavor. We tolerated each other but never really bonded, in the last year or so something happened and now that same dog is laying on my feet as I type this, follows me everywhere, never thought about it before, kinda cool how it happened though. Hang in there man.

Ha, that's awesome. Thanks.

[axebiker]

So Meg showed up today on my doorstep. A very odd thing. She was cremated and we were told to look for her in 4-6 weeks. I hope they don't mail my parents to me when they pass, what a strange process.

We put our cat down a few months ago, and his remains came to the vet's office, so we picked it up, and he's now with his best buddy, our old Lab Salomon. That said, about 2 weeks later, we got a card from the vet. We kinda expected that, but what was inside that card was NOT expected...they had another card that had our cat's paw prints as well as nose prints... Needless to say, the tears started flowing as soon as we saw that.

[riser4]

This one rattled me a bit so it has taken a while to write about it. It happened last week. This is corny, here goes.

Ode to a stranger's dog.

Your life was cut short. Your coat was shiny and your body spry. You were obviously young. You deserved many more trips around the sun. You deserved more walks, more pets, more treats, more frolics, more of everything.

We did not know you in life. We have no idea which humans belonged to you. A car hit you and we don't know who's car it was. I hope that you ran across the rainbow bridge and did not look back. Please do not dwell on what could have been. Please frolic in the everlasting sunshine. And do not wait for your humans. They will find you when the time is right.

We received an early morning call from the police that your were ours and that they were dropping your now lifeless body off. I did not believe this to be true. How could it be? I tore through the house to confirm it. I was like keca madman. It had to be a sick joke or a mistaken identity.

I was selfish. I found Milo sound asleep with my daughter in her bed. I grabbed him and hugged him and he got a month's worth of love in an instant. I carried him around. And I hugged him some more. I didn't answer when my daughter wanted to know why I woke her up. I forgot about you. In my state of shock I rejoiced that Milo was ok.

You were laying cold on our lawn and I was happy that Milo was ok. I was happy that an older version of you would still be able to love and be loved by his humans. I was so selfish. I did not stop to realize that you will never grow to be an old man like Milo. That you will never develop gray hair on your muzzle or walk with a limp. I did not think about you and I am sorry.

Please know that we called the police back. They came and got your body. They apologized for the early morning mistaken identity. I guess all little furry black toy poodles look alike. They finally read your tag and found your human. Please know that I think about you from time to time. I hope that you are at peace. I hope that your human finds peace too.

[muted]

We put our cat down a few months ago, and his remains came to the vet's office, so we picked it up, and he's now with his best buddy, our old Lab Salomon. That said, about 2 weeks later, we got a card from the vet. We kinda expected that, but what was inside that card was NOT expected...they had another card that had our cat's paw prints as well as nose prints... Needless to say, the tears started flowing as soon as we saw that.

Speaking of expectations, I put Meg on the countertop and left for work, the wife was NOT happy I didn't give her a heads up Meg had arrived at 8am this morning.

This one rattled me a bit so it has taken a while to write about it. It happened last week. This is corny, here goes.

Ode to a stranger's dog.

Your life was cut short. Your coat was shiny and your body spry. You were obviously young. You deserved many more trips around the sun. You deserved more walks, more pets, more treats, more frolics, more of everything.

We did not know you in life. We have no idea which humans belonged to you. A car hit you and we don't know who's car it was. I hope that you ran across the rainbow bridge and did not look back. Please do not dwell on what could have been. Please frolic in the everlasting sunshine. And do not wait for your humans. They will find you when the time is right.

We received an early morning call from the police that your were ours and that they were dropping your now lifeless body off. I did not believe this to be true. How could it be? I tore through the house to confirm it. I was like keca madman. It had to be a sick joke or a mistaken identity.

I was selfish. I found Milo sound asleep with my daughter in her bed. I grabbed him and hugged him and he got a month's worth of love in an instant. I carried him around. And I hugged him some more. I didn't answer when my daughter wanted to know why I woke her up. I forgot about you. In my state of shock I rejoiced that Milo was ok.

You were laying cold on our lawn and I was happy that Milo was ok. I was happy that an older version of you would still be able to love and be loved by his humans. I was so selfish. I did not stop to realize that you will never grow to be an old man like Milo. That you will never develop gray hair on your muzzle or walk with a limp. I did not think about you and I am sorry.

Please know that we called the police back. They came and got your body. They apologized for the early morning mistaken identity. I guess all little furry black toy poodles look alike. They finally read your tag and found your human. Please know that I think about you from time to time. I hope that you are at peace. I hope that your human finds peace too.

What a fucking roller coaster, shit.

[Shredhead]

Mr. Bones flew west last night.




RIP