NGC - saying goodbye to a friend

[GeorgiaGuzzi]

We are putting down our GSD today. She is over 13 and half years old. I rescued her as a puppy that had been abandoned at a gas station. Roxy has been the best companion anyone could ask for. Her hips have finally gotten so bad that she cannot squat to use the restroom. We give her a pain pill every morning as prescribed by the vet, but she still moans at the thought of getting up to get her water. And the stubborn girl will not eat things like green lipped muscles that are supposed to help joints, she will eat around wheatever you “add” to her food. Thru all of this though, her disposition is sweet and loving. I’m really torn up about this. Just a reality of pet ownership I guess but it’s still difficult.

Anyways, just needed to put down feelings into words, thanks for putting up with me.

[Zoom Zoom]

I'm very sorry to hear about Roxy. Sounds like she has led a good life. Anybody who has lost a 4 legged friend they were attached to can relate.

John Henry

[oldbike54]

 Was I a good girl ?

 Yes Roxy , we have on good authority that you were the best girl .



 Our rescue tri-terrior of doom is in a fight for his life , at the vet today on an IV drip. He sends his best to Roxy .

 Dusty

[bigbikerrick]

Robert, I am very sorry about Roxy. You gave her an awesome life full of love and attention, the fact that you rescued her when a baby, makes her even more special.
  My thoughts are with you,and Roxy today.
Rick.

https://www.rainbowsbridge.com/poem.htm 

[Daleroso]

I feel your pain & am sorry that this experience hurts so much. We put 3 rescues to rest within 1 year who aged & experienced health issues beyond our ability to watch the suffering.
My wife suggested that after 36 years of having kids &/or dogs why don't we try just us two for awhile.
Lasted 4 days before adopting BayLee, a Labradoodle puppy.
But WOW......... did we forget what having a puppy is like.
LOL & worth it.

[fotoguzzi]

I can relate. Sorry to hear that but think good thoughts of good times.. it's the right thing to do.

[cliffrod]

Sorry to hear about Roxy.   Take care.

[Markcarovilli]

hard to do but part of being a responsible pet provider.

all the best,

Mark

[Ncdan]

Bob, I’m so sorry to hear about your Fur Baby. Our Daisy is also 13 and we already dread the day. I think we are assigned our pets from the highest authority and I know you fulfilled your goal of caring for her.

[Bulldog9]

I hear you and feel your pain brother, our 13 YO Black GSD is in the same situation. I've promised her when she stops eating and wagging her tail I will let her go on ahead of me. Dreading the day.

[JJ]

Sorry to hear about Roxy....my condolences...Pets are part of the family, and it's always very sad when they pass on...but in the end, you did the right thing for her....

[jcctx]

My sincere condolences; earlier this year we lost our 18 year old cat, Puddy. In 2002 she showed up under our deck; scared, hurt and really hungry. She quickly became a member of the family!!

[Huzo]

Terribly sad news.
You will need your mates in the coming days, they care for you.
Peter..

[Gliderjohn]

Been more than once and it is very tough but it appears that you have made the best choice. Mt heart goes out for all involved. Cherish the memories.
GliderJohn

[davedel44]

I'm so sorry. I know that this is terribly hard for ya'll.  She can play with my Rocksey when she passes over.
God Bless.
Dave

[GeorgiaGuzzi]

Thank you everyone. Everyone’s comments and thoughts are very appreciated.

[Wild1_OR]

I don't have a pet, but it reminds me of when my close friend's parents each passed. He wasn't outwardly emotional either time, but when he had to put his cat down, he was inconsolable. I didn't understand it at the time, but then I realized that as an adult, his relationship with his parents, who lived halfway across the country, consisted of occasional telephone conversations. The relation with his cat though, was a daily personal interaction, especially with the responsibilities of feeding, cat litter, etc.

On a side note, what's NGC?

[Guzzistajohn]

So sorry for your loss. If she could, I know she would thank you for a great home.

Maimie is 16 now, but she still uses the doggie door and plays with our pup Max. She was a pistol in her day!

[gfritzmeier]

So sorry to hear about Roxy.  Eyes got a little misty reading this as I've got an Irish Setter named Reba that's going on 14 and she's loosing muscle in her hind legs. Just tonight I had her out and she fell with rear legs spread eagle. Had to pick her and her day is coming.  Nothing can give us the love that  I know what you feel and if I could say or do anything that would lessen the hurt I would.  I wish you well and hopefully you'll remember the fun you had with Roxy.
Fritz

[GeorgiaGuzzi]

I don't have a pet, but it reminds me of when my close friend's parents each passed. He wasn't outwardly emotional either time, but when he had to put his cat down, he was inconsolable. I didn't understand it at the time, but then I realized that as an adult, his relationship with his parents, who lived halfway across the country, consisted of occasional telephone conversations. The relation with his cat though, was a daily personal interaction, especially with the responsibilities of feeding, cat litter, etc.

On a side note, what's NGC?

I prefer animals to people in most cases. My grandparents who passed away wasted away due to complications from old age. My father passed away very suddenly three years ago, it was a shock, but I had spoken with him the day before and our family is good about expressing feelings, so I didn’t have anything I wished I’d said but didn’t .
But having to end the life of a companion who I rescued as a mangy (literally) little puppy was/is hard on another level.

I appreciate the thoughts from you and others very much.

NGC = Non Guzzi Content

[John A]

It’s a final act of kindness. A dog will stay around long past it’s time to go just to be with you. Please accept my condolences.  John

[Kremmen]

Sorry to hear it, man. It's never not a painful time. Your good girl can play with my goofhound Chiyo when she gets there. Lord I miss that dog.

[guzzi4me]

We have been at this crossroads many times....it is NEVER easy.

Laurie and I have been blessed with many cats and dogs that have adopted us. The Love that they have to share is amazing.

The last act of Love is the hardest. But they would expect nothing less from their best friends.

The mortal body doesn't live forever but memories do.
Remember them...and if circumstances arise maybe you can give that Love to another...not the same but Love never the less.

Jeff & Laurie

[Moparnut72]

The guy who does the tv show wrote a book My Cat From Hell struggled with this very issue. It is a good read and will put your heart to rest by having to do this.  The book is Cat Daddy.
We just recently put down our standard poodle Charlie.  It is not easy but his life has deteriorated to the point that he had to be helped to stand as well as other issues. It hurt but we didn't want to see him suffer anymore. Charlie will show Roxy around. Charlie loved all dogs, helped my animal control wife rescue lots.
kk

[lucky phil]

I feel your pain & am sorry that this experience hurts so much. We put 3 rescues to rest within 1 year who aged & experienced health issues beyond our ability to watch the suffering.
My wife suggested that after 36 years of having kids &/or dogs why don't we try just us two for awhile.
Lasted 4 days before adopting BayLee, a Labradoodle puppy.
But WOW......... did we forget what having a puppy is like.
LOL & worth it.

After not having a dog for 25 years we got ourselves a standard Schnauzer puppy. OMG I had forgotten how much work is involved in a puppy and add to that a "determined" breed and life's not quite the same

Ciao

[bikeridertim]

My condolences.

[SIR REAL ED]

We are putting down our GSD today. She is over 13 and half years old. I rescued her as a puppy that had been abandoned at a gas station. Roxy has been the best companion anyone could ask for. Her hips have finally gotten so bad that she cannot squat to use the restroom. We give her a pain pill every morning as prescribed by the vet, but she still moans at the thought of getting up to get her water. And the stubborn girl will not eat things like green lipped muscles that are supposed to help joints, she will eat around wheatever you “add” to her food. Thru all of this though, her disposition is sweet and loving. I’m really torn up about this. Just a reality of pet ownership I guess but it’s still difficult.

Anyways, just needed to put down feelings into words, thanks for putting up with me.

Kudos to you for being a good friend and caretaker.  We adopted a GSD that had been abused and abandoned.  He never developed a friendly personality with anyone but me, my wife, and his dog and cat siblings.  GSD's are great animals, but very different from most dogs.  Everyone should do lots of research before adopting a GSD.  As someone once said, "Once you get a GSD, you'll never have to go to the bathroom alone!"

We got our GSD stem cell therapy for his hips, twice.  Worked fantastic for about two years the first time.  He went from acting like a broken down 8 year old to a rambunctious 3 year old.  The second time was less effective, simply due to his age.

13 is a great old age for a GSD.  You obviously cared for him very well.  Take solace in that.

[rjamesohio]

Bob -

Very sorry, thinking of you today.

I too have a 13 year old rescue that I first posted about here in what seems like yesterday.

This is a day that we all have to 'get through' as best we can. You have our support and understanding. Wishing the best.

Ron James

[kingoffleece]

There's no good way to do it-even though they suffer and you know it's right.............. ......