goat - thanks. Almost ANYTHING added to his diet give him gas. Check that, you don't have to give him anything to make him have gas. He emits gas involuntarily at almost ANY exertion! It would be funny if it wasn't sad...and horrendous.

I love this dog and I am trying hard to walk the line between keeping him alive because I care about him and want him to enjoy a full life but not keeping him alive selfishly to avoid the loss and sadness I will feel.
I am also aware that a lot of people would be tempted to look out for their own convenience and finances and put him down saying he doesn't have adequate quality of life anymore and besides, he smells and is a PITA.

He IS a PITA, but he is also my long and loyal friend. He's always lived up to his end of the bargain, never failed me. I will walk the line for him and when I think he is hurting more than he is happy I will make the hard decision. Could be today, could be a few months but he deserves every moment of enjoyable life.

Glucosamine - every older person I know is taking it for osteoarthritis (including my Mum).

I say run it by the vet and then go for it if she says OK!

Dudley deserves it and more...and I don't think you're being selfish Dan; you'll know when the time has come for Dudley and until then keep lavishing him with love - it's payback after all :) .

Dan. I am laughing and sad at over your last post, You are doing the right thing, I have been there it is tough.

Da Boyz in the snow.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1173227788.jpg

Big Henry sez HI!

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1173227847.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1173227870.jpg

My Buddy and I chillin!http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1173232312.jpg

Chance on the beach, chillin' with the ladies:
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1173277456.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1173277474.jpg

Daisy hiding from the cops:
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1173277649.jpg

First, thanks for the kind, understanding words from everyone, especially Lisa and goat. Dudley was waiting outside the bathroom door this morning when I came out from my shower like he has every morning for almost 14 years. I gave him an extra scratch behind the ears today.

Now all you other people...you're ill....just like me! That picture of Jake's wife? girlfriend? with the giant dog on her lap at the beach? That's me...completely stupid about my dogs.

If I can get it from my sister, I will post one of me riding my 3 person Jetski with my then nearly 90lb(!) Lab "puppy" Sooner sitting in front of me. He LOVES the Jetski and insists on going for rides. When I tie it up on the beach he swims around it trying to get up on it. If he manages to, he sits up there waiting for me to take him for a ride. AND if he gets a ride and sees a fish in the shallows? He Kamakazi's right in after it! "Dogs love trucks"...and Jetski's too! Keep these great dog pictures coming.

This is a really old pic. My first Vizsla, at a hunt test, got teased cause I really spoiled him, That day he got the highest score, trophied for the the best Nor. Cal Amature hunting title too.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1173292054.jpg

That's Chance, the reprobate $chit eater, getting cozy with my wife. The only thing he wants in the world is to lay down beside you, an maybe if you'd just PET HIS HEAD.

He was the oldest of a bunch of neglected hunting beagles. When we got him at the airport, I thought he'd be dead in a couple months.

The vet was not very positive. Skin problems from frostbite, really bad allergies... bad shape from neglect and abuse plus he was already 7-8 yrs old and acted like he was 20. In the end, a regiment of allergy shots administered daily, then weekly, then monthly made a huge difference. That and California Natural dogfood. He eats better than me, other than the $schit thing. His health is good enough that the vet recommended dental work he had been on the fence about. He just had 8 teeth pulled last week. We're calling him GUMS.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1173294486.jpg

So anyway, over the past few years, there have been periods where I thought we were losing him. I tear up just thinking about it... this is a very special dude (ya, they all are). When I hear about you guys and how you feel about your dogs, I know I'm in a good crowd. I remember when CoolChick lost her dog, one of her "OT" opponents took her off "ignore", because he figured that anyone who loved their dog that much must be OK.

Dan, you will know best when it is time. You know him, and you know his routines. I know how hard it is when you know they are starting to suffer… it's especially hard when they are STILL so happy to see you. They are such loyal, stupid buggers that they would wag their tail nomatter how much they are suffering.

FWIW, Chance is VERY sensitive to food. If he gets anything other than his special food, he throws up. Usually at 3am, in bed, without warning. He sleeps beside us.

Targa911s… so glad to see Henry is doing great.

hey Jake. Yes Big Henry is doing great, and says " Howdy".

Tim, I am interested in the Viszla. I'm gonna search "the internets":D for info, maybe Wikipedia but....the sources are never really forthcoming abou the negative or challenging traits of a particular breed. I've owned several Norwegian Elkhounds and they get skin growths. My Dudley is a half Lab and half Dalmation and I can tell you for certain based on him and other Dalmations I have known they are unbeliveably hyper. One Dlamation I know is great with people but psycho with other dogs. Lab's are neurotic...but in a good way! if you like to have your dog stuck to your leg every minute...which I do. What is the downside if there is one on the Viszla? How are they with other dogs?

notfarnow, thanks for the words. You're right, I think I WILL know when its time and frankly I know its not long now. With summer coming on he is going to be even more uncomfortable than he is now. But you're right, he will give me a wag and a lick up to the final moment of his life, I am sure of it and I am lumping up just thinking of it. Poor old Duds, I'd give up a couple of years of my own just to have him be the dog he once was again for awhile.

Dan.
I am a little biased towards the Vizsla but I will tone it down :)
They really love to be in company with the owners. If you giive them any chance they will be on your lap, they love to be touched. With other dogs I have had no problem my male is not fixed but is not confrontational at all. They are very easy to train but very sensative to harsh voice commands and physical treament, I have mine on voice command and have done all my own training. Not an out door dog, by that I mean leaving them outside alone all day. They have no undercoat so they do get cold if they are not active. My female can clear a 6 foot fence!! During the day they stay indoors when I am gone. But I am sure others don't do this.
Biggest Problem is excersise... Gotta give them plenty or they will get destructive digging holes, chewing up anything in the house!!
The short hair is great but they still shead, but no oils, so no musky smells or greasy hands after petting. As they gett old they too can get cancer tumors.
Too bad you are so far away otherwise I would have you meet them in person.

Hey all you pet lovers, There is a major pet food recall and it affects dozens of different brands. It seems it mostly pertains to the canned or foil pouch gravy and chunky meat type. We lost our dog last month to sudden illness and he ate IAMS in a pouch.

Please keep your pets safe...

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070317/ap_on_bi_ge/pet_food_recall_10

A friend of mine in FL just called to tell me about this. As a result of Nutro Max she has 1 dog dead, 1 dog sick, and another totally unaffected. Sad that the corporations of America put profit before anything. Sad

I typically don't look off topic, but this thread grabbed at my heart. My dog Pete became very ill Thursday night. He was projectile vomiting. I brought him to the vet at 7:00 a.m. Friday. They wathced him, gave him meds, and got his stomach calmed down. My wife picked Pete up at about 4:00 Friday evening. Well, he would not eat and he went RAPIDLY downhill over night. I brought him in this morning again and they are doing exploratory surgery in a couple hours from now.

The reason this is so upsetting is that I had to put our beloved eight year old dog Emma down just over a year ago when she was suferring from very similar symptoms. Emma was never healthy having struggled with a serious bout with Parvo before we adopted her from a pet rescue.

Pete, however, has never been ill. He is young, strong, active, and healthy.

Please say a prayer for our dog Pete.


http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1174152127.jpg
Pete after finding a hose left running.

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Pete "living the good life" on the deck

Mike

Mike, Hoping for the best. Pete looks like a great pup.

Henry, Buddy and I will be pulling for Pete. Keep us posted. He is SO cute. Little Rascals cute!

Pete, you got it, we're all pulling for you.

Thank you all for the kind thoughts.

I will post after I hear something.

It is obvious that I am not the only Pelicanite that has a special bond with his dog. Every dog I have owned since my childhood has shown uncommon loyalty and unconditional love. Dogs truly are one of God's gifts.

Mike

You get what you give, Mike.

Hang in there.