topic Re: Our Yellow Lab is Fading in Pet Lovers

Our Yellow Lab is Fading

Susan in California — Sun, 03 Jan 2016 00:32:06 GMT

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.

Re: Our Yellow Lab is Fading

colliegirls — Sun, 03 Jan 2016 00:37:06 GMT

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.

Re: Our Yellow Lab is Fading

NickNack — Sun, 03 Jan 2016 00:45:56 GMT

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.

Re: Our Yellow Lab is Fading

JandMmichels — Sun, 03 Jan 2016 00:50:32 GMT

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.

Re: Our Yellow Lab is Fading

kjae — Sun, 03 Jan 2016 00:52:48 GMT

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

Re: Our Yellow Lab is Fading

denisemb — Sun, 03 Jan 2016 00:53:40 GMT

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

Re: Our Yellow Lab is Fading

m0rgan — Sun, 03 Jan 2016 00:53:50 GMT

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.

Re: Our Yellow Lab is Fading

RinaRina — Sun, 03 Jan 2016 01:02:52 GMT

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.

Re: Our Yellow Lab is Fading

January121 — Sun, 03 Jan 2016 01:34:29 GMT

@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!!!!

Re: Our Yellow Lab is Fading

Rose429 — Sun, 03 Jan 2016 01:43:26 GMT

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.

Re: Our Yellow Lab is Fading

fortune — Sun, 03 Jan 2016 01:51:09 GMT

@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.

What a wonderful life your fur baby has had! You have given him exciting memories and lovely places to dream about. It sounds like you let him be all that he could be and then some. What a gift of love you gave him! And, as your faithful companion, he gave all that love right back to you! He will forever remain in your heart.

Re: Our Yellow Lab is Fading

nunya — Sun, 03 Jan 2016 03:02:27 GMT

So sorry you are going through this. It seems their lives are so short with us. I just went through this with my sidekick Jack Russell. He declined rapidly, and I knew it was time. It was the kindest but yet the most heartwrenching thing I could do. I too was up multiple times a night taking him out. I have dreams I hear him prancing by the door. I believe he is...sounds goofy, but it helps me to think in some way he is still here.

Your pup sounds likes he has had a long wonderful life , and he knows that too. You will know when it is his time. (((hugs))) it's never easy.

Re: Our Yellow Lab is Fading

ANewHue — Sun, 03 Jan 2016 03:21:59 GMT

So sad to read your post, tears have come to my eyes. Making that the decision was the hardest thing I ever did in my life but the love for my dog gave me strength to know it was the right one. She was a German Shepard and she began with her back legs giving out. I couldn't stand the look in her eyes when she would collapse. She was so sad and was crying out for help. Her eyes said it all. having owned other gs's I knew it would get worse quick and I couldn't bear it

that was almost four years ago and not a day has gone by that I haven't thought of her.

you have beautiful memories to hold onto. Remember don't be sad that's it's over, be happy you had the time with her. Your friend has lived a long and happy life. I will keep you in my prayers that you will have strength to make the right decision.

Re: Our Yellow Lab is Fading

Sammycat1 — Sun, 03 Jan 2016 03:57:02 GMT

We went through this with our collie, Fergus. In his case, it was severe arthritis in his back hips and spine. At first the medicine worked, but over time, it got harder for him to pull himself up or to lay down. Over time, I had to bring his food and water bowls to him; he was a big boy, 140 lbs (not fat, just a big collie!).

As I watched the shakiness of this proud, proud dog, I'd think back in my mind's eye to watching his fur whip in the breeze as he bounced and ran in our backyard, his eyes lit up with the sheer joy of chasing his favorite ball or romping in the snow with DH. He was majestic and playful -- our family's protector, our gentle giant -- but most of all he was dignified.

One day, his legs gave out for the final time, and I have to tell you my heart snapped in half as my dear DH picked up our stricken pup and carried him to the car. Our vet tried valiantly to save him, but our beloved Fergus could no longer stand at all -- and was fading. His eyes said, "Mom and Dad, I'm tired. I've been a good boy, but I'm tired," and we knew what we had to do. He was 12, his eyes clouded over, his muzzle grayed -- wasn't he chasing that ball in the backyard just yesterday? The time had flown, far too fast. He'd lived far longer than most dogs his size and stature by that age -- and that's why I identify with your sorrow.

All this to say: I know your heart is breaking, absolutely shattered. It's a raw feeling that you can't shake. It hurts, badly. (It still hurts us now, 5 years later). But your heart surely also celebrates all the great times you've had with this most special member of your family. Your pup has lived to this grand old age because you have cherished him and cared for him in every way possible. And he knows it.

Our family prays for you now, knowing that those who have loved a dear dog so will always have the strength of heart to do whatever you believe is in his best interest.

God bless you for loving your special lab and for giving him a wonderful life; there are too few people like you in this world.

Re: Our Yellow Lab is Fading

Jk9 — Sun, 03 Jan 2016 04:10:06 GMT

Susan, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your lab as you go through this passage. I smiled and cried as I read his accomplishments and experiences and I know you will be right there to navigate this path with him. I lost three of my closest canine companions this last year (absolutely the worst emotional year of my life) one of whom was my beloved constant companion.....all to the illnesses faced in aging. Hold those wonderful memories close as you face his illness. Our companions really do let us know what they find acceptable and when they are ready to pass from us. All you really can do is provide your best care for him, love him just as much as always, do what you feel you need to do to minimize regrets (like when making decisions and chosing options) and be his faithful companion.

Re: Our Yellow Lab is Fading

Susan in California — Sun, 03 Jan 2016 04:43:50 GMT

I want to thank everyone who has responded to my post. It means a lot. Our vet has told us that our dog will give us a sign when he is ready to go. I trust this wonderful vet. He has been with us his whole life. I know there are so many wonderful people out there who love animals, and know how dogs are such special creatures.

Thank you all so very much.

Re: Our Yellow Lab is Fading

denisemb — Sun, 03 Jan 2016 05:41:51 GMT

Susan, you're correct in our pets "giving us a sign". Our Millie cat had kidney failure, and my husband brought her home to pass on. She immediately climbed into a little box on the floor, rather than going to one of her familiar sleeping places. That was our sign.

We took her to the vet the next day (and cried all the way home).

My best wishes for dealing with such a difficult reality.

Re: Our Yellow Lab is Fading

Drythe — Sun, 03 Jan 2016 06:31:39 GMT

Susan,

You and your family, and your doggie are in my prayers. As a confirmed Lab lover I say that they are so full of love, willingness, joy and humility that they really do light up our lives.

I have stood where you are, and will no doubt do so again many times, but it is always such a breathtaking pain.

As you hold your boy know that he loves you and counts on you to give that final hard gift to him. His love will always be with you, and surely we will meet at the bridge.

Re: Our Yellow Lab is Fading

RinaRina — Sun, 03 Jan 2016 12:56:17 GMT

@January121 wrote:

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!!!!

==================

Exactly!

Sorry to admit it, but it's so true.

Re: Our Yellow Lab is Fading

pommom — Sun, 03 Jan 2016 13:47:18 GMT

Susan - I'm so sorry that you are watching your boy fade. It is one of the hardest and most heartbreaking experiences a pet owner can have. Most of us have gone through this and understand your sadness.

{{{Sending hugs to your household and holding your precious lab in tender thought.}}}