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by Diane on 15 January 2012 - 15:01
The hardest part is that they cannot understand. One day he made a mess on the sofa as he lost control of his bowels. He looked stricken. It didn't matter and I told him so. But it mattered to him and I couldn't change that. One day his eyes told me everything I needed to know
Abby Normal, your words here made me so sad. The word "Dignity" keeps coming to mind when I read this and what others have so eloquently written. These dogs all make it clear they cherish their dignity and understanding that fact is the only way to comfort ourselves when it's time to say goodbye. I made 3 appointments for the final trip to the vet with Daro and turned around before getting halfway there each time. I just wasn't ready to let him go, but it was purely selfish on my part. Whenever he had an accident I told him it was ok and then took him to the deck to bathe and comfort him. The night before I finally completed that final trip to the vet he had an accident late at night. It was Sept and it was chilly outside, so when I took him out to clean him off he shivered and looked at me with "those eyes". I was so angry with myself that holding on to him just a little longer meant he had to shiver and feel a loss of dignity like that. The 3 previous times I tried taking him to the vet, I had to lift his back half into my van. That last Sept morning, though, he grumbled at me when I tried to lift him, then he held his head high and he managed by some miracle to get in the van on his own. He wanted his dignity intact when he left and he got it his way that day...I didn't turn back and made it to the vet's. For those with dogs that currently have DM, like Abby Normal said, their eyes will tell you what you need to know. So sorry Abby Normal that you didn't have support when you went through this! You did it all right in spite of that.
by shepherdhope on 15 January 2012 - 17:01
by starrchar on 15 January 2012 - 22:01
This is a very special thread and I too have found comfort and solace here. I went back and looked at the pictures of every dog on this thread. All such beautiful dogs! Thank you so much for sharing. Here is to honoring each and every person on this thread for the love and devotion you gave to your beloved dogs. You gave them your best and they knew it. Many dogs live their entire lives never feeling the love our dogs have felt. Those are the things I try to hang on to....
by Mindhunt on 15 January 2012 - 23:01
by Blitzen on 15 January 2012 - 23:01
by Abby Normal on 15 January 2012 - 23:01
Shepherdhope - 24 yrs after the event and this thread has been comforting and healing for me. I hope you get your next shepherd soon. I have never been able to live without (at least) one, despite the health problems. At least now so many of these health issues CAN be avoided.
And lets not forget those who are in the midst of dealing with DM right now, who are giving their hearts and souls to help their beloved dogs cope with this disease.
by hexe on 16 January 2012 - 00:01
My coming-3 year old WGSL bitch will be tested for DM when she's spayed and has her hips done this spring--she's not going to be bred, but I want to know her status, and contribute to the database of info; I'm going to have my 8 year old rescue tested as well, even though I have no idea as to his breeding...if he's clear, that's one less thing I'll probably have to watch for as he continues in his senior years (he's got discoid lupus, so he doesn't need more issues). And if I ever buy a pup again, it will be from parents that have been tested; no matter how I acquire future dogs, I'll be testing them, if for no other reason than to help validate the test further. It's cheap enough, it's non-invasive, and it's the least we can do for a breed we love...and we owe it to the dogs we've all loved who were afflicted with this disease.
This is Wynthea's Imp, my Jessie...she was the breath in my lungs and the blood in my veins, and without her in my life when she was, I never would have made it through those years.
and this is my favorite picture of her....
by starrchar on 16 January 2012 - 01:01
"And lets not forget those who are in the midst of dealing with DM right now, who are giving their hearts and souls to help their beloved dogs cope with this disease. " Thank you, Abby.
Yes, thank you for starting this thread BeeTree. I hope there is away to save this thread, so in some of my darkest moments as we are in the last stages and after Shelby has gone to the Bridge, I can go back and read these posts. I just can't bear to think about it...
Hexe, Thank you for sharing your photos of Jessie. What a gift it was to have her until she was fourteen, but it is never long enough. She was a beauty! I think we all understand why you felt the way you did when Jessie developed a hemangiosarcoma. I keep wondering if Shelby will develop something that will make my decision for me, but so far she is extremely healthy otherwise...
by shepherdhope on 16 January 2012 - 12:01
Abby Normal I think because Kee was my first shepherd and had nearly all the health problems a shepherd can have a some point it was hard to look beyond that. I totally get what you mean about not being able to live without one. I can not wait till I've got a shepherd looking at me the only way they can.
To anyone who's dog is suffering form DM keep strong and I think all our though are with you.
by beetree on 16 January 2012 - 14:01
I hope more stories find there way here, as they are stories of love.
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