Our Yellow Lab is Fading

Susan in California · ‎06-02-2014

Our yellow Lab will be fifteen in May. He made it through the holidays!

He has Cushings with diabetes, diagnosed in June 2014. Very difficult

for my husband and I. We get up several times a night to let him outside,

and he is very shaky. We are hoping he will gently pass at home, but

we are afraid it will not happen and we will have to make that diecision.

He is really white in color, a beautiful boy. He used to jump in the air for a

frizbee and run like the wind. We have beautiful memories.

He has visited both of our sons while away at college. He joined an ultimate

frizbee game, as an uninvited participant, at our younger son's university,

twelve years ago. He has traveled a lot, run on many beaches here on the

west coast down Baja and up to Canada.

I am writing to all the dog lovers who have had to deal with the aging of their

dear family members. It just feels like yesterday that we had a very active,

erasable puppy.

colliegirls · ‎05-13-2012

15!! Wow, you obviously have given him a good life. The later years are always hard but dogs are so worth it for all the love they give.

NickNack · ‎03-10-2010

I'm so sorry your lab is failing. It sounds like he's had a wonderful life with you. It's always so hard to make that final tough decision. I had to let my almost 14 year old Japanese Chin go last March. I always feel like it's the final kindness you can do for them. It's just so hard on the people who love them.

The Bluebird Carries The Sky On His Back"
-Henry David Thoreau

JandMmichels · ‎03-19-2010

Our thoughts and prayers will be with you and your family and your pet. Hoping your sweet lab will be stay home with his family until it's time for him to go.

kjae · ‎07-24-2012

He is lucky to have such a loving family. Just keep doing all that you can. God Bless.

denisemb · ‎12-07-2012

Awwwww...hugs to you and your pup. Sounds as if he's had a wonderful life (thanks to you and your family).

Denise

m0rgan · ‎09-30-2012

I am sorry to hear about your lab. 15 years is a very good life on it's own for a lab and you have done all you can to get him to this age. I had a westie with addisons (the opposite of cushings) and he lived to be 2 weeks less than 15. We took him to the vet and our regular vet wasn't there so we made an appointment to bring him back the next day and he died that night as I slept with him on the floor. It was his final gift to us. I will say a prayer for you and your lab.

RinaRina · ‎03-13-2010

Hi SUsan,

My Lab died @ age 16 in July and I was grief stricken. I was so terribly inconsolable when I had to let her go, I thought I was gonna lose my mind. So many animal lovers on these boards helped me get thru the days. Honestly, my dog's death was the worst experience of my life..

I'm so sorry you have to watch your Lab suffer. It is just heart-breaking to watch the deterioration.

"The less you respond to negative people, the more peaceful your life will become."

January121 · ‎03-21-2010

@susan in California wrote:
Our yellow Lab will be fifteen in May. He made it through the holidays!
He has Cushings with diabetes, diagnosed in June 2014. Very difficult
for my husband and I. We get up several times a night to let him outside,
and he is very shaky. We are hoping he will gently pass at home, but
we are afraid it will not happen and we will have to make that diecision.

He is really white in color, a beautiful boy. He used to jump in the air for a
frizbee and run like the wind. We have beautiful memories.
He has visited both of our sons while away at college. He joined an ultimate
frizbee game, as an uninvited participant, at our younger son's university,
twelve years ago. He has traveled a lot, run on many beaches here on the
west coast down Baja and up to Canada.

I am writing to all the dog lovers who have had to deal with the aging of their
dear family members. It just feels like yesterday that we had a very active,
erasable puppy.

I know exactly what you are going through.... my last dog was 17 years old & was the best dog that I ever had .. she was my " soul mate" .... I did everything I could to keep her with me as long as possible but, on her last day I knew I was being selfish and was causing her to be in pain so, with great sorrow, I brought her to the vet and relieved her of her pain ... this was 3 years ago & I still miss her so much .... I did get another dog who I love with all my heart but, she can never replace my " soul mate".

You will know when it's time to let go .... hopefully he will pass quietly in his sleep ... in the meantime show him how much you love him. .... it's hard but, you will get through it. I am sending you a great big hug!!!!

Rose429 · ‎08-26-2012

I am sorry for what u r going through and for the next step. I have 2 old boxers that have night accidents but I love them and hope I know when the time has come. For now they still have very wiggly stubs and seem happy. We care out here and hope when the time comes it will be peaceful.