What to look for/preparing for your dog’s death

[tedfordtony]

I'm gonna be honest I got my dog a year after I got back from Iraq he helped with my ptsd amazing dog, it was the hardest thing I ever dealt with never thought I would say that my my advice remember your pups cry do it all man it's rough but will slowly get better, sorry for your loss

 

[Pipe Line]

Two questions:

1. How long did anyone wait to get another dog? Full context, we got my dog Fall of 2012. He's my dog. I lived with my dad at the time, Sophomore in college, But, expectation was he was my dog. And now almost 12 years later. My wife and I were only dating at the time, she found him in the news paper out in Valley. We got him that day. Me and that dog have just been together through every major step in my life up to this point. College, baseball, figuring my shit out in my early 20s, getting engaged, now married since 2016. I can say he's been the one constant. He's been one of the major pieces in just helping me grow up. Now, we do have a 5 year old golden doodle. Obviously, all she really knows is being with him everyday for the last half decade. To be blunt, I just can't quite picture myself being able to get emotionally attached to another dog, atleast anytime in the near future. Now, that golden doodle has essentially become my dog, but it's not remotely close to the same connection. I don't want her to really be on her own for too long, but, again, I know I won't be able to emotionally connect with another dog like that for quite a while. Is that wrong? Is that worth it? What are experiences there?


2. Strongly considering a memorial tattoo of sorts for my dog, before his time is absolutely clear, thinking before the end of the year. My wife suggested a paw print, but I'm thinking something much more detailed than that, like a saved photo from my phone. I don't have any tattoos, is something like that expensive?

 

[DrumMonkeyRobot]

Two questions:

1. How long did anyone wait to get another dog? Full context, we got my dog Fall of 2012. He's my dog. I lived with my dad at the time, Sophomore in college, But, expectation was he was my dog. And now almost 12 years later. My wife and I were only dating at the time, she found him in the news paper out in Valley. We got him that day. Me and that dog have just been together through every major step in my life up to this point. College, baseball, figuring my shit out in my early 20s, getting engaged, now married since 2016. I can say he's been the one constant. He's been one of the major pieces in just helping me grow up. Now, we do have a 5 year old golden doodle. Obviously, all she really knows is being with him everyday for the last half decade. To be blunt, I just can't quite picture myself being able to get emotionally attached to another dog, atleast anytime in the near future. Now, that golden doodle has essentially become my dog, but it's not remotely close to the same connection. I don't want her to really be on her own for too long, but, again, I know I won't be able to emotionally connect with another dog like that for quite a while. Is that wrong? Is that worth it? What are experiences there?


2. Strongly considering a memorial tattoo of sorts for my dog, before his time is absolutely clear, thinking before the end of the year. My wife suggested a paw print, but I'm thinking something much more detailed than that, like a saved photo from my phone. I don't have any tattoos, is something like that expensive?

1. It's really a personal preference. Some people like having a new dog or puppy to help heal the hurt from losing their original dog, while others prefer to take some time to mourn before they're ready. It's really up to you and your family.

2. If you want a good tattoo, it's always expensive. Especially any kind of portrait work. If it isn't, then you're using the wrong artist. Make sure you do your homework and find a good artist you trust.

 

[Ironwardog]

Two questions:

1. How long did anyone wait to get another dog? Full context, we got my dog Fall of 2012. He's my dog. I lived with my dad at the time, Sophomore in college, But, expectation was he was my dog. And now almost 12 years later. My wife and I were only dating at the time, she found him in the news paper out in Valley. We got him that day. Me and that dog have just been together through every major step in my life up to this point. College, baseball, figuring my shit out in my early 20s, getting engaged, now married since 2016. I can say he's been the one constant. He's been one of the major pieces in just helping me grow up. Now, we do have a 5 year old golden doodle. Obviously, all she really knows is being with him everyday for the last half decade. To be blunt, I just can't quite picture myself being able to get emotionally attached to another dog, atleast anytime in the near future. Now, that golden doodle has essentially become my dog, but it's not remotely close to the same connection. I don't want her to really be on her own for too long, but, again, I know I won't be able to emotionally connect with another dog like that for quite a while. Is that wrong? Is that worth it? What are experiences there?


2. Strongly considering a memorial tattoo of sorts for my dog, before his time is absolutely clear, thinking before the end of the year. My wife suggested a paw print, but I'm thinking something much more detailed than that, like a saved photo from my phone. I don't have any tattoos, is something like that expensive?

Drummokey is right you have to make the decision when it feels like you’re ready for another dog. It’s was about a year and a half before we got another lab. We lost our chocolate lab about 3 years ago, and we probably should have put her to sleep about a year before she passed naturally but it was so hard to tell at the time because it seemed like she had good days where she got around just fine then there were days where we thought she was close. Finally on one of the hottest days she acted really weird and we tried to get her to go lay down in the shop to cool off. Went to feed her the next morning and she was gone.
I’m sorry you have to watch your buddy get old it really sucks to watch when you feel like you just picked them up!!! I’ve cried over both a cat and a couple of dogs as I did at my grandparents funerals.
We now have a yellow lab that’s just over a year old and at times I wonder if he’s going to make it because we live on a farm and have such big equipment anymore that he’s not afraid of tires lol but I’m really happy we have him.

 

[Pipe Line]

Drummokey is right you have to make the decision when it feels like you’re ready for another dog. It’s was about a year and a half before we got another lab. We lost our chocolate lab about 3 years ago, and we probably should have put her to sleep about a year before she passed naturally but it was so hard to tell at the time because it seemed like she had good days where she got around just fine then there were days where we thought she was close. Finally on one of the hottest days she acted really weird and we tried to get her to go lay down in the shop to cool off. Went to feed her the next morning and she was gone.
I’m sorry you have to watch your buddy get old it really sucks to watch when you feel like you just picked them up!!! I’ve cried over both a cat and a couple of dogs as I did at my grandparents funerals.
We now have a yellow lab that’s just over a year old and at times I wonder if he’s going to make it because we live on a farm and have such big equipment anymore that he’s not afraid of tires lol but I’m really happy we have him.

Yeah. Ya know I'd say if anything, I don't want to wait too long, as I don't want him in horrific pain due to the fact that I just don't know. This is my first real experience in this process. Vet seemed very confident in this steroid pill and maybe I just manifested the positivity in my mind. Most times he looks good, just old of course, then he has these moments where it's hard to watch, and it looks painful as shit. Like his legs just completely stop working on him. I don't know. The mind is there to keep goin, the body is just failing him

 

[Dr.DrakeRamoray]

Two questions:

1. How long did anyone wait to get another dog? Full context, we got my dog Fall of 2012. He's my dog. I lived with my dad at the time, Sophomore in college, But, expectation was he was my dog. And now almost 12 years later. My wife and I were only dating at the time, she found him in the news paper out in Valley. We got him that day. Me and that dog have just been together through every major step in my life up to this point. College, baseball, figuring my shit out in my early 20s, getting engaged, now married since 2016. I can say he's been the one constant. He's been one of the major pieces in just helping me grow up. Now, we do have a 5 year old golden doodle. Obviously, all she really knows is being with him everyday for the last half decade. To be blunt, I just can't quite picture myself being able to get emotionally attached to another dog, atleast anytime in the near future. Now, that golden doodle has essentially become my dog, but it's not remotely close to the same connection. I don't want her to really be on her own for too long, but, again, I know I won't be able to emotionally connect with another dog like that for quite a while. Is that wrong? Is that worth it? What are experiences there?


2. Strongly considering a memorial tattoo of sorts for my dog, before his time is absolutely clear, thinking before the end of the year. My wife suggested a paw print, but I'm thinking something much more detailed than that, like a saved photo from my phone. I don't have any tattoos, is something like that expensive?

Where are you located? If in Omaha I can give you some good suggestion. NEVER skimp out when getting a tattoo, pay for the best and wait for them to be available

Edit to add, it will depend on what style your looking for, color/black and grey, etc

 

[Dr.DrakeRamoray]

Where are you located? If in Omaha I can give you some good suggestion. NEVER skimp out when getting a tattoo, pay for the best and wait for them to be available

Edit to add, it will depend on what style your looking for, color/black and grey, etc

Another thing to add is don’t rush into it, keep the thought in your head for a month and if you still want it then get it. Tattoos that are a spur of the moment can be special but more often than not people come to regret them. I have plenty I love and plenty I regret

 

[Pipe Line]

Where are you located? If in Omaha I can give you some good suggestion. NEVER skimp out when getting a tattoo, pay for the best and wait for them to be available

Edit to add, it will depend on what style your looking for, color/black and grey, etc

Right, I'm in Papillion. My wife has a trusted tattoo person for the one she got, but I'm open to options obviously. It's a photo of him I took when he was walking around my back yard. He just looked at me and just a feeling I had, kind of a "that's it" for something like that. Black/white/grey, back ground can be somewhat blurred if needed, just the picture of his body and face I'd obviously want detailed.

 

[Pipe Line]

Another thing to add is don’t rush into it, keep the thought in your head for a month and if you still want it then get it. Tattoos that are a spur of the moment can be special but more often than not people come to regret them. I have plenty I love and plenty I regret

It's been well over a month, maybe two. I've looked at other photos for the same thought, and some are nice, but that's the only one I get with a gut feeling that's a yes. I usually don't make big decisions unless I get a gut feeling about it. I'd like to do a tattoo for my daughter as well while I'm at it, but haven't gotten that gut feeling on that one yet.

 

[Dr.DrakeRamoray]

Right, I'm in Papillion. My wife has a trusted tattoo person for the one she got, but I'm open to options obviously. It's a photo of him I took when he was walking around my back yard. He just looked at me and just a feeling I had, kind of a "that's it" for something like that. Black/white/grey, back ground can be somewhat blurred if needed, just the picture of his body and face I'd obviously want detailed.

You’ll want someone who specializes in portraits/realism/photo realism.

Tobias at 10th sanctum is really good:

Tobias Caballero (@tobias10thtattoos) • Instagram photos and videos

3,409 Followers, 3,465 Following, 740 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Tobias Caballero (@tobias10thtattoos)

www.instagram.com

Mel at black squirrel actually specializes in dogs:

Mel Judkins – nebraska.blacksquirreltattoo.com

nebraska.blacksquirreltattoo.com

Jake Hotz may be the best overall artist in omaha but is next to impossible to get into

Jake Hotz (@jakehotz) • Instagram photos and videos

3,463 Followers, 1,044 Following, 296 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Jake Hotz (@jakehotz)

www.instagram.com

 

[Pipe Line]

You’ll want someone who specializes in portraits/realism/photo realism.

Tobias at 10th sanctum is really good:

Tobias Caballero (@tobias10thtattoos) • Instagram photos and videos

3,409 Followers, 3,465 Following, 740 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Tobias Caballero (@tobias10thtattoos)

www.instagram.com

Mel at black squirrel actually specializes in dogs:

Mel Judkins – nebraska.blacksquirreltattoo.com

nebraska.blacksquirreltattoo.com

Jake Hotz may be the best overall artist in omaha but is next to impossible to get into

Jake Hotz (@jakehotz) • Instagram photos and videos

3,463 Followers, 1,044 Following, 296 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Jake Hotz (@jakehotz)

www.instagram.com

Thank you very much

 

[dom91932]

I’m not totally sure how to ask the question, but I guess I’m just looking for opinions/experiences from others.

My lab turns 12 in 2 weeks. He’s getting old and certainly showing the signs. At his physical a month ago, they recommended a steroid and to basically enjoy the summer as later this year things could get difficult. He does have arthritis in the hind legs. He’s has some other minor issues that are age related.

A little while ago on our walk, granted it is warm out today, he pooped but struggled to squat down and ended up essentially sitting in his own shit in the splits position. His back legs have been showing signs of being wobbly quite a bit the last few weeks, but that was the first big red flag, that I’ve really noticed. His steps never really got any better and when we got home, he had quite a bit of trouble walking up the stairs to get water.

We’ve been home for a while now, and his steps are still everywhere and it’s just very obvious them legs aren’t solid anymore. He does have arthritis in his back legs.

What kind of experiences have others had in these situations and in what ways did your dog let you know it was time. My vet said that labs just basically go until they can’t anymore. Which begs the question, to me atleast, will my lab really let me know? Or will he just be done all of a sudden?

So sorry to hear. Hang in there-we had to put down our nearly 16 year old Aussie yesterday. Even though it was time and expected, it was a complete gut punch.

 

[Pipe Line]

So sorry to hear. Hang in there-we had to put down our nearly 16 year old Aussie yesterday. Even though it was time and expected, it was a complete gut punch.

God damn man sorry for the fresh reminder of a thread. I dread the day, but I plan on being there with my pup every second of the process.

 

[Pipe Line]

Morning Update:

Morning walk went pretty normal. He's having some trouble controlling his bathroom timing though. I did forget to mention in my other posts that he has been shitting on driveways and sidewalks the last couple weeks. I genuinely don't know if it's because he can't hold it anymore, or he can't see well enough anymore, or if like the concrete is easier for him to squat down on instead of grass, not sure on that one. But his poop is coming out fast and furious anymore and instead of just pooping in one spot, it's like he'll try to squat down and keep going with each few steps, almost like he simply can't handle squatting down for long enough maybe?

Unfortunately it's almost a guarantee at this point that he'll pee right next to the front window at some point in the afternoon before I get home. Every week day for the last two weeks. I'm sure it's a mix of the steroid, plus not being able to hold it anymore, plus excitement. He's had to pee every night in the middle of the night for the last two weeks now.


My wife sent me a couple texts a little bit ago before she left for work, simply saying that he wanted to get up off the floor but simply couldn't. She had to pick him up. Said we need to get him into the vet and talk to them.


I'm just sitting here at work trying to hold my shit together

 

[DrumMonkeyRobot]

Morning Update:

Morning walk went pretty normal. He's having some trouble controlling his bathroom timing though. I did forget to mention in my other posts that he has been shitting on driveways and sidewalks the last couple weeks. I genuinely don't know if it's because he can't hold it anymore, or he can't see well enough anymore, or if like the concrete is easier for him to squat down on instead of grass, not sure on that one. But his poop is coming out fast and furious anymore and instead of just pooping in one spot, it's like he'll try to squat down and keep going with each few steps, almost like he simply can't handle squatting down for long enough maybe?

Unfortunately it's almost a guarantee at this point that he'll pee right next to the front window at some point in the afternoon before I get home. Every week day for the last two weeks. I'm sure it's a mix of the steroid, plus not being able to hold it anymore, plus excitement. He's had to pee every night in the middle of the night for the last two weeks now.


My wife sent me a couple texts a little bit ago before she left for work, simply saying that he wanted to get up off the floor but simply couldn't. She had to pick him up. Said we need to get him into the vet and talk to them.


I'm just sitting here at work trying to hold my shit together

Obviously, this is your decision, but it sounds like if he's consistently having trouble simply getting off the ground, it may be time. And yes, the walking while pooping is because he doesn't have the muscle control to hold a squat anymore.

We had to say goodbye to our 13-year-old pitty mix (fuck off, pit bulls = Santa's killers) a month ago. I've said goodbye to several great dogs in my lifetime and a piece of advice my mom gave me the first time I had to go through it always stuck with me: You don't do it to them, you do it for them. I hope that helps a little.

Here's my good boy, Sully, who crossed the rainbow bridge:




Post a pic of your pup when you get a chance!

 

[Pipe Line]

Obviously, this is your decision, but it sounds like if he's consistently having trouble simply getting off the ground, it may be time. And yes, the walking while pooping is because he doesn't have the muscle control to hold a squat anymore.

We had to say goodbye to our 13-year-old pitty mix (fuck off, pit bulls = Santa's killers) a month ago. I've said goodbye to several great dogs in my lifetime and a piece of advice my mom gave me the first time I had to go through it always stuck with me: You don't do it to them, you do it for them. I hope that helps a little.

Here's my good boy, Sully, who crossed the rainbow bridge:


View attachment 37391

Post a pic of your pup when you get a chance!

Beautiful pup! Fuck man, dammit. Yeah ya know idk that I’d say he consistently has trouble, maybe I’m just trying to make myself feel better about it, but when he has trouble it’s tough to watch and looks painful as shit. He has good days, but obviously letting him go through any sort of pain like that is already too much.


Attached some photos of my handsome old man. Charlie is the other dog. Sometimes my daughter likes to hold onto my big dogs leash, when she’s in the mood, because he walks much slower lol


The one where he’s standing up in the back yard is the one I’d like for a tattoo somehow

 

[DrumMonkeyRobot]

Beautiful pup! Fuck man, dammit. Yeah ya know idk that I’d say he consistently has trouble, maybe I’m just trying to make myself feel better about it, but when he has trouble it’s tough to watch and looks painful as shit. He has good days, but obviously letting him go through any sort of pain like that is already too much.


Attached some photos of my handsome old man. Charlie is the other dog. Sometimes my daughter likes to hold onto my big dogs leash, when she’s in the mood, because he walks much slower lol


The one where he’s standing up in the back yard is the one I’d like for a tattoo somehow

What a handsome old man. I'm sorry, brother. The only bad part about having a dog is that they don't last as long as you do, and it never gets easier to say goodbye.

 

[lee_carvallo_12]

Had to put down our 9 year old Australian Cattle Dog mix a couple of months ago. She seems healthy up until about 6 month before when she was taking a long time to pee. I took her to the vet and they were hoping it was a bladder infection, but turned out to be cancer. Not many very good options at that point, so we tried an oral cancer medication, that ultimately didn't work.

At the end she just totally stopped eating, even her favorites like bacon, steak, salmon. Then she started to vomit yellow bile when she got really bad the last day and that's when I took her in to the vet to put her down. It was fucking brutal. I haven't cried like that since I was a little kid.

No good way or formula on how and when to do it, but don't make your dogs suffer a day longer than they need to.

 

[DrumMonkeyRobot]

Had to put down our 9 year old Australian Cattle Dog mix a couple of months ago. She seems healthy up until about 6 month before when she was taking a long time to pee. I took her to the vet and they were hoping it was a bladder infection, but turned out to be cancer. Not many very good options at that point, so we tried an oral cancer medication, that ultimately didn't work.

At the end she just totally stopped eating, even her favorites like bacon, steak, salmon. Then she started to vomit yellow bile when she got really bad the last day and that's when I took her in to the vet to put her down. It was fucking brutal. I haven't cried like that since I was a little kid.

No good way or formula on how and when to do it, but don't make your dogs suffer a day longer than they need to.

Bladder cancer is what got our old man as well. It got to where he would pee every 30 minutes, and it would just be a dribble.

 

[lee_carvallo_12]

Bladder cancer is what got our old man as well. It got to where he would pee every 30 minutes, and it would just be a dribble.

ya, terrible deal. our poor dog would just stand there squatted down forever and only drops would come out. had to be miserable for her.