My Big Boy

[krazymom]

I have not ever posted before, but I need to talk to people who get it.  Our boy Goliath is almost 6 years old.  We rescued him at 9 months,  We found out at 2 he had hip dysplasia.  Then about 3 months ago we found out his knees are bad also.  His pain is managed mostly.  He is alot taller than most rotts so they think that added to the joint issues.  Ok..,.....he has been acting funny for about 3 weeks now the other night he woke me up making strange noises ( I thought someone was at my door,,,,4am).  He really does not want to eat he is still drinking.  We know the time is coming to let him go I just feel bad as my hubby is deplloyed and he is very attached.  He completely understands ( we just put our lab down in Jan).  So with me knowing I have to make the appt ( took him to vet, vet says he is going just trying to hang on cause my hubby is gone and it is only me and my 2 girls), I am having trouble deciding whether to let my girls choose to come or not.  They are 13 and almost 12, he is very close to them.  I am trying to make the best decision for all of us since I am going this alone this time. Thanks for reading my ramblinh thoughts I have been up all night.   

[moonstruk]

I am so sorry to hear this sad news. I have had 4 Rotties in my life time. They are indeed the best of God's dogs..  Altogether I have had 9 dogs in my life{ giving my age up now-LOL} I am on 8-& 9 now- two mixed breeds-I love them- I lost my beautiful boy Montana Nov 1 2007, my little girl Mejara Aug 30 2005- they were my last 2 rotties.lossing them was loosing a part of myself- but how I cherish I was there for them, to comfort  & soothe and to hold them one last time... and let them go into the eternal hands of God their Creator. I didn't get to be with Lady, Sugar or Hogan { Lady was my 1st dog- I was 7-8 when I got her, she lived to be 13 she was dieing of cancer- I had to stay with the baby so  my husband was with her- how it haunts me I wasn't there for her- I was 24-25 then.so- Sugar lived to be 13 or 14- she went off and died in a neighbors yard- my husband found her and buried her next to Lady- it makes me so sad I wasn't there for her either} Hogan was outside with my husband and he wasn't watching him like he was suppose to and got hit by a car- he is buried here also. death is a part of this life- one day it won't be that way anymore... but for now it is...I work in a veterinary hospital- many people bring their children- even 3,4,5,6, years old- how it can break your heart as the little ones pet & kiss their beloved pet good bye- but they seem to accept it  with grace...if your children want to be there - then by all means let them be with him. It will be  a kindness to their family member- I hope  you can bury him - I buried mine and made beautiful flowering graves for them-what a comfort to sit there and remember the good times...may God send you comfort, strength and peace.

[krazymom]

Thank you so much for your heart felt words.  We did end up putting him down shortly after I posted the orginal.  He was our second Rottie and how I miss them both.  Unfortuneatley we are military and could not bury him or our other.  We keep all the collars with a picture of the animal in a special spot in the house so we can honor them.  Someday we will have another rott but I am to heart broken right now to even think of it.  Thanks Again!!