Reason for my surliness:

[speeder]

Happy New Year, everyone. I hope that everyone has a great '08, especially those who had a rough '07.

I feel like I need to apologize to the board for being ill-tempered lately, as much time as I sometimes spend here I do not like to air my personal stuff much. I mentioned in Ryan's thread about lil' bear that my dog is not doing well, he has a condition known as Degenerative Myolapathy that attacks the central nervous system and causes total paralysis. It started early last summer, (really spring), w/ a weird limp and walking funny when I was on the east coast w/ him. He got progressively worse over the summer, first dragging one rear paw when he walked and now he is basically in the permanent sitting position dragging his ass around when not laying down.

I've been more-or-less carrying him outside twice a day to go to BR, then back inside. The only reason he's stayed around this long is that he is not in pain, (more like when your foot falls asleep from sitting on it), and he is otherwise healthy, as strange as that may sound. (Normal appetite/elimination, no other symptoms). I was thinking I could get him a child's wagon and pull him around since he still enjoys going places, but he's deteriorating really quickly. He's doing his German Shepard *talking bark* at another distant dog as I type this.

I've gone through having to put my ex's two collies down, and both times we waited too long in retrospective. They were a lot older, (12 or 13 versus my dog turned 8 today), and they got crippled about the same way. I can tell that my dog is not very happy w/ his situation and the end is near. If there was any cure or (realistic) treatment for him, I'd spend whatever was necessary to get it done, but I've had him to the best vets on earth at the U of Minnesota + some Hail Mary schit w/ a quack accupuncturist and there is nothing that can be done. It's breaking my heart.

Like Ryan, and many others, my life is not perfect but I'm grateful for what I have. I've got a wonderful family and many friends both in the gravity world and here on Pelican. My PPOT pals I value every bit as much as my other friends and acquaintences, and of course I've met and know many of you in the "real world". The connections to people here through laughter and tears has really kept me going at times and that's why I decided to share this here. I know that many of you are animal-lovers and know what I'm feeling and many have recently put down beloved animals, but still it's hard for me to even talk about this here. I just can't deal w/ it emotionally right now, I live alone and yet I'm never alone because this giant rabbit-dog is always 3 feet away. I can almost deal w/ the actual putting him down a lot easier than talking about it, know what I mean?

Anyhow..., that's the deal and I'm sorry if it's detracting from my normal lovable persona around here.

Here's to happier times!

[M.D. Holloway]

Dennis - all is cool. Sad to hear bout your lil guy. Happy New Your Brotha.

[Racerbvd]

Yes Dennis, it seems that many of us had a bad 2007. Sorry for your losses.

Byron

[lendaddy]

Sorry to hear this Dennis, your pup likely got more love and happiness in his eight years than most would get in ten lifetimes. If the bugger could talk he'd tell you "no regrets old man.".

Hang in there

[DonDavis]

Denis,
I'm very sorry to hear about your pal. No words.
I split from my wife last summer and we always had dogs. She got the 2 mini Schnauzers. We had just lost our 11 yr old Schnauzer Rudy last March and had he still been around, I may have fought for him. I was out of town when he went down very sudden. I miss that little **it. I digress.

I am living alone now and have my son 50/50. Been pondering getting a dog but I don't think I'm ready for that. I will always think of that pic you posted on the dog thread of you and your pooch on your lap. I remember thinking that was a helluva "lap" dog!

Hang in there.

[Dan in Pasadena]

Dennis, Very, very sorry to hear this. I posted a thread in the summer when my 14 year old Lab/Best Friend, Dudley had to be put down. I was in tears when I typed it. I know exactly what you mean about talking about it.

Here on PPOT we may sometimes seem to be a bunch of nuts about, well... nearly EVERY friggin thing, but it seems the one thing we all agree on (and that politics doesn't get pulled in on) is when one of us has "little buddy" problems or post pictures of our kids. That tells me we're all fundamentally decent guys here with a lot of humanity. Take care. We'll be thinking of you, Dan

[Evans, Marv]

Denis,
Seems like I recall a bunch of people here who lost pets this past year - myself included. My 20+year old cat gave it up in June. Don't make the mistake of waiting too long to send him off. My cat suffered about 3 days too long because of a weekend. It was hard to endure.
Best to you.

[dtw]

2007 was just not a good year for the pelican pets. Sorry to hear about this Denis.

[lm6y]

Denis, my Father's beagle, Sadie had this. Some good days, and some bad days. The bad ended up being more frequent, and it was time.

I know it's tough, but it sounds like it's time. What does a dog have if they can't run around. It's like being in a cage to him I'm sure.

Tough Love brother, Tough Love. I know it sounds cold, but it's for the best.

As far as this family fued we have going on here, I can't think of a real family that doesn't argue amongst themselves. But I wouldn't want to be the outsider to come in raising hell with them though. If there is a family that doesn't blow off steam, or a person that doesn't stand up for what they believe in, I don't want to know them.

You could argue to hell and back with someone on this forum, but I guarantee you that when the chips are down, there isn't anyone on this board that you couldn't depend on.

I hope 2008 is better, 'cause it sucked for me too. Not as bad as some here have had it, and for that I'm thankful.

[450knotOffice]

Denis, as someone who poured my broken heart out on this forum back in July over the loss of my beloved, almost 15 year old Lucy dog, I feel for you and know how you feel. My Lucy slowly went downhill for the last few months and the thought of losing her just killed me so I tried to enjoy each and every day with her. When the day obviously came I had to face the hardest decision I've ever made in my life, but it was time.

Watch your boy every day but don't make a hasty decision. When the time comes, you'll know. When it does, invite your vet into your home. It really should be the only way.

(sigh)

[speeder]

This is what I'm dealing with, (pic taken in better times):

[tabs]

I moved to LV in May of 03..away from everything and everyone I ever knew. The Tuddster pasted away in Dec 0f 03. George the Big Rescue Airdale droipped dead in the July of 06 and finally Misty girl went last July in a flash. One minute she was fine the next in total pain and bleeding out internally. ALL GONE and the house is quiet with out them.

That first day without any of them was a day that scared me. How would I handle being in a home without any of them.

What was nice is that my neighbors went outa town for Christmas and left their big ole Shepard with me to take care of. We got along real fine, and it was nice having some company.

[tabs]

I'm thinking this Spring maybe I'll get myself another Airmutt or maybe a Poodle.

[speeder]

I thought of you, Tabs, and your Airdales before I posted this.

[tabs]

Nothing easy about it my friend. Giving the order to put them down is tough..from puppy to dog to dust...nothing left but memories. Life is a blizard of pain. We love them so.

[tabs]

With Tuddy the cat I waited too long...she went from 13 lbs to 2 1/2 lbs...I just didn't want to cut her life too short..I wanted her to have all she could. I didn't want to play God and decide she had enough.

Ole George was pooping twice a day as he walked toward the door to go outside..He was gettin close to 12 years....I left them out on a hot day an when I came home ole George had dropped dead on the walk way. I told ole George I was sorry and to forgive me, cause I shoulda known better than to leave them out on a hot day.

With Misty I just couldn't stand to see her in so much pain. So I took her in to the vet at 12 AM. They said a tumor that was bleeding inside. The prognosis no matter how you cut it was bleak. So I gave the order. That dog got lost for 9 days in July of 02. I was relentless in trying to get her back. Even my friends thought she was gone for good. But the hand of fate intervened and I had her for 5 more years.

She was a real obstinate dog, with a definate mind of her own. U had to be a real dog whisperer to get along with her. She used to bark at me when I lit up a cigar in the house.

I brought home a piece of art once, when Misty saw it she started to bark at it. I told her everybody is an art critic. She stopped barking went over to the painting, sniffed it and went on her way.

Thats what I have now memories...she filled my life with memories.

[Sonic dB]

Im sorry to hear about your dog Speeder.
My cat of 15 years was diagnosed this past week with
hyperthyriodism and he is basically all hyped up and
we have him on medication but the end is coming and
i know that i have to give him everything i can for him to be
comfortable in his last year or years... and i know that you are doing
the same for your pet.
take comfort in your efforts and spend quality time with him when you can.

[tabs]

You can rest assured that you gave as much love and care as you received in return. You know the end is coming soon and don't want to pull the trigger. I know it is unthinkable to do it, but your going to have to face it sooner or later. I have no answer as to when you and your beloved friend will have to part. That ultimately is something that they put their trust in, your good judgement.

[livi]

Good post, Denis.

Carries a lot of that particular benevolence that is unique among the member family of this forum.

Sorry to hear about your dog, but here is wishing you a happy 2008!

[Seahawk]

Denis,

I'm happy to have met Romeo last year...great dog.
Let me know if there is anything you need.