The DOG thread

[oldE]

Yesterday was another "Goodbye".
Five and a half years ago, the SPCA and RCMP closed down a puppy mill in the next province. They seized 149 dogs. One of them was a Sheltie in the silver /grey coloring. She was pregnant when seized, had the pups and weaned them before she was permitted to go to a foster home. Because of our work with shelter dogs in this area, we were allowed to adopt her .
When we got her home we were saddened by her condition. She had spent the first three years of her life in a cage, constantly pregnant or lactating.
Our short haired border collie wasn't sure what to make of her at first, but set about teaching her to be a dog.
At first she could walk only about 15 yards before resting, but with 6 acres of field in front of the house, she had lots of room to practice and was soon taking walks by herself around the perimeter. In the first few weeks with us, she stole one of my wife's mittens and kept it in her bed. She didn't have any of her puppies, but she had a life. She never grasped the idea of play. Balls were nothing to her save to be avoided.
She was the most non-reactive dog I have ever met. When she felt threatened, she would 'go inside herself'. She never did go upstairs. One floor was enough for her.
Last month, she started seeking attention, coming over to us to ask to be petted. It was great to see her reaching out.
Last week she started vomiting. The eventual diagnosis was blockage due to numerous cancerous masses. Now she lies beneath a pine tree I can see from our bedroom window. Maybe in time her spirit will be reunited with those pups taken from her.
Goodbye Gaia.

I hate this part.
Les

[recycled sixtie]

Originally Posted by oldE

Yesterday was another "Goodbye".
Five and a half years ago, the SPCA and RCMP closed down a puppy mill in the next province. They seized 149 dogs. One of them was a Sheltie in the silver /grey coloring. She was pregnant when seized, had the pups and weaned them before she was permitted to go to a foster home. Because of our work with shelter dogs in this area, we were allowed to adopt her .
When we got her home we were saddened by her condition. She had spent the first three years of her life in a cage, constantly pregnant or lactating.
Our short haired border collie wasn't sure what to make of her at first, but set about teaching her to be a dog.
At first she could walk only about 15 yards before resting, but with 6 acres of field in front of the house, she had lots of room to practice and was soon taking walks by herself around the perimeter. In the first few weeks with us, she stole one of my wife's mittens and kept it in her bed. She didn't have any of her puppies, but she had a life. She never grasped the idea of play. Balls were nothing to her save to be avoided.
She was the most non-reactive dog I have ever met. When she felt threatened, she would 'go inside herself'. She never did go upstairs. One floor was enough for her.
Last month, she started seeking attention, coming over to us to ask to be petted. It was great to see her reaching out.
Last week she started vomiting. The eventual diagnosis was blockage due to numerous cancerous masses. Now she lies beneath a pine tree I can see from our bedroom window. Maybe in time her spirit will be reunited with those pups taken from her.
Goodbye Gaia.

I hate this part.
Les

That is some sad story Les. But we just gotta keep on going...

[SiberianDVM]

Originally Posted by oldE

Yesterday was another "Goodbye".
Five and a half years ago, the SPCA and RCMP closed down a puppy mill in the next province. They seized 149 dogs. One of them was a Sheltie in the silver /grey coloring. She was pregnant when seized, had the pups and weaned them before she was permitted to go to a foster home. Because of our work with shelter dogs in this area, we were allowed to adopt her .
When we got her home we were saddened by her condition. She had spent the first three years of her life in a cage, constantly pregnant or lactating.
Our short haired border collie wasn't sure what to make of her at first, but set about teaching her to be a dog.
At first she could walk only about 15 yards before resting, but with 6 acres of field in front of the house, she had lots of room to practice and was soon taking walks by herself around the perimeter. In the first few weeks with us, she stole one of my wife's mittens and kept it in her bed. She didn't have any of her puppies, but she had a life. She never grasped the idea of play. Balls were nothing to her save to be avoided.
She was the most non-reactive dog I have ever met. When she felt threatened, she would 'go inside herself'. She never did go upstairs. One floor was enough for her.
Last month, she started seeking attention, coming over to us to ask to be petted. It was great to see her reaching out.
Last week she started vomiting. The eventual diagnosis was blockage due to numerous cancerous masses. Now she lies beneath a pine tree I can see from our bedroom window. Maybe in time her spirit will be reunited with those pups taken from her.
Goodbye Gaia.

I hate this part.
Les

So, sorry, Les. I also had a rescue Sheltie breeding female, a Sable, who was actually dropped off at my clinic by the breeder. He asked if I wanted her as he was done with her. She had no hair on her back at all, from flea allergy and was VERY shy with any person, but bonded to my other dogs quickly. Her name was Lady, but I changed that to Lydia, but it didn't matter because she never came when called anyway. She was about 5 years old when I got her, and lived another 7 before succumbing to heart failure. Never barked, never once acted glad to see me, but was very beautiful once her hair grew back and was show quality in looks if not personality. She's buried in my pet cemetery with the rest of the pack. God bless'em one and all.

[Joe Bob]

I did a long hair Dachshund rescue, same PTSD symptoms above. She lived another 14 years.

[Baz]

Originally Posted by oldE

Now she lies beneath a pine tree I can see from our bedroom window. Maybe in time her spirit will be reunited with those pups taken from her.
Goodbye Gaia.

Very sorry for your loss, Les.

Sounds like she hit the lottery when she was rescued by you and yours.

Thanks for such a wonderful eulogy and for doing so much for these deserving shelter companions.

When we rescued Billabong back in '06...she had obviously had a rough start to her life, judging by her reserved and cautious personality.

I remember after several years of living in a secure and loving environment - finally - she began to act like a dog. I remember her actually sitting down on the floor for the first time....something she hadn't ever allowed herself to do in quite a few years after her arrival. In time she even learned how to play with toys and now, while still a bit cautious (something she will never grow out of) she seems to be a lot more secure and relaxed.

We all have stories of the journey we take with our furry companions and we also know too well at some point the journey comes to an end. I don't know why we can't just let them go and be satisfied that they had a good life and knew they were loved. The sadness and grief that comes with pet ownership is almost over whelming at times. But I guess if that weren't the case...we wouldn't realize how much they meant to us. And that indeed is a good thing.

Run free Gaia....run free.....

[Joe Bob]

Suspected impacted bowel, nada....$150 and a bottle of laxative.....she slept outside last night.....big splats, this am, fun cleanup, glad it's raining.

[Baz]

[varmint]

Whenever I see a photo of a family with half a dozen dogs of one specific breed and the a seventh dog who's just a random thing I always wonder what is that last guy's story.

[bugstrider]

Originally Posted by Baz

The Sesame Street song........

"One of these things is not like the other..."

Varmit beat me to the punch

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[bugstrider]

Originally Posted by Joe Bob

Suspected impacted bowel, nada....$150 and a bottle of laxative.....she slept outside last night.....big splats, this am, fun cleanup, glad it's raining.

JB-

Which one of the clan is this? Will he/she make a full recovery?




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Joe Bob]

The 3 year old red female.....non breeder.

[Joe Bob]

10 bucks 4 150 checks....

[fingpilot]

We had a low temp of 11F last Sunday morning.

Here is where my fearless Alabama CoonHound spent Sunday morning...


Yes, that's him eyeballing me between his two fleece-lined day beds...

I'm in Huntsville, Alabama.

[sammyg2]

At the local pound:
A German Shepard/Chihuahua mix. Never seen that one before. I bet he has an attitude
I hope he's still there tomorrow. No wait... you know what i mean.

[Bill Douglas]

I didn't have my camera with me... But my fearless Border Terrier mutt waded up to his shoulders in a river helping me trout fishing yesterday. All day he helped

[R K T]

[WIL84911]

Really? Sooo what! You ain't kiddin!






Sent from my Tapatalk.

[Joe Bob]

Rain, manana....

[syncroid]

Originally Posted by Joe Bob

Rain, manana....

Awesome pic!

[bugstrider]

Originally Posted by Joe Bob

Rain, manana....

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk