Jack. Rest In Peace

[Bush Tucker Man]

We took the sad, but kind, decision to have one of our Dogs put to sleep this morning.

We've had Jack since September 1995, after bringing him home as a 9week old Puppy.
Oh, how we laughed as he ducked, whilst passing under the bridges on the M62.
Soon that timid little pup became the centre of our lives, we even changed cars to accomodate him.
(Gypsy was introduced (as a rescue from the NCDL in Leeds) to keep him company.)

Jack was big for a Collie, fitting somewhere between Labrador & Alsation sized, but always a daft lad.


Recently he'd been suffering from diarreah & losing condition,  so blood-tests were under taken, lowered blood counts & Albumen was diagnosed.
An Ultrasound revealed a tumour on his Spleen & the thickening of his Bowel wall,which in a Collie is either Irritable Bowel Syndrome, or Cancer

We couldn't request a Biopsy to prove this as he was too poorly (by this stage) to have survived the procedure; well, he wouldn't have healed properly.
I was told about the results on about the 20th of December & broke down on the shoulder of the Night-Sister at work & was sent home early to go & get him.
He came out of the vets surgery like nothing had happened

He was highly dosed with steroids & anti-biotics for a couple of weeks in the hope that it was simply IBS

I went down to him this morning & found him laying cold & wet in his own urine, not having the strength to move..
I managed to get him upstairs into the kitchen & he passed water again not even knowing he was doing it, then laid down on the spot.

A brief discussion followed & the Vet was spoken to.

We took him to the Surgery & went in............................

He passed away peacefully in my arms licking my face.

I'm glad Joanne drove as she was a bit more 'together' than me, as I'm not ashamed to say I cried all the way home.
In fact I am as I write this.


I'm sorry for perhaps causing a few moist eyes out there, but it's helping me by write a eulogy for him

Dogs

My last proper photo of him

Jack. 16th July 1995 to 4th January 2006
Gone, but not, forgotten.
My friend for over 10years

[gecko]

im sorry to here what has happent

[PUX]

BTM i know how u feel i lost one of mine 2 months ago and that was a very hard thing for me as i raised him from pup to dog my thoughts are with u

[hobbit]

Sorry to hear that Richard, we all know how special pets can be in a family or just company for people, having to part with them is very hard, having gone down that road myself a few times over the years

But the time was right and he had had a long and happy life, and its a lot worse to see them suffer if we know that there is nothing more that can be done

[TimM]

Richard,

I don't quite know what to say, it sounds like you haven't just lost 'a dog' you've lost a family member.

In the picture he looks so loving, he will be sadly missed.

My thoughts go to you and your family.

[Hightower]

it sounds like you haven't just lost 'a dog' you've lost a family member.

Believe me, that's exactly how it feels.  We lost ours to cancer last year.  Still brings tears to my eyes when I think of her.

Thoughts are with you BTM

[p4203]

sorry to hear about your mate btm
lost both my dogs a couple of years ago and still not ready to replace them
 mark

[Tyke]

Very sad news Richard.

Losing a long time canine freind is always heart breaking.

[muddy4x4]

I am so sorry! Had tears running down my cheeks after reading your eulogy.I`m sure you will never forget him

[Jas278]

Jack the lad   R.I.P...........................

[yer auld aunt nelly]

Sorry for yourself and family.But you know you made the right choise
 ive seen what happens when someone who calls themselves "a dog lover"
 carrys on a pets distress for the sake of thier own comfort.And i know its small comfort now but you done the right thing bud.And as i found out when i lost my mother at what was a very young age for her and myself it does get better with time

[Slimer]

You know how to make a grown man cry Richard!

Sorry for your loss, I've had to do the same myself too many times over the years and I know how much it hurts. You'll never forget all the good times you had with him though :)

All the best
Simon

[Rich_P]

Sorry to hear about the loss... But it was for the best, as many have said already.   (I hate sounding like I'm repeating what others say  :lol: )

Not sure what else to say other than what has been said already.  :(

[Bush Tucker Man]

Thankyou everyone. It's nice to know that you all care

 'rangiewoman', 'Hightower' & 'Slimer'
I was crying too, as I read the responses, & your own admissions to tears.

'Steel'
Sorry, but when you were on AOL 'IM' this afternoon asking about insurance, this is what I was writing at the time.

[Rich_P]

'Steel'
Sorry, but when you were on AOL 'IM' this afternoon asking about insurance, this is what I was writing at the time.

That's fine.  Don't worry about it, because this is much greater importance anyways.  

[Deb]

I just wanted to add my condolensces, I know I don't know you well as I am new to the forum but my thoughts are with you.  I am still mopping the tears and just wanted to say, hold on to those good and funny memories and he'll always be with you.
Take care Debbie x

[Damonski]

Sorry to hear that BTM.  I can relate to that exactly as a similar thing happened to one of my mums dogs some years ago.

 :(

[Ja1983]

:(  really sorry to hear that BTM
mates dog had to be put down earlier this week. i know i`d be gutted if anything happened to milo (our german shepard)

[Skywalker]

Sorry to hear the news Richard, it is a case of loosing a member of the family and very hard.  

We went through a very similar experience about 3 years ago with our Rough Collie who had been with us for over 14 years...............  yes I wept as well.









I swore we would never get another











but last September ........................  look what happened  :D








Dave

[spy]

Another one reduced to tears here.  I know exactly how you feel.  I have to say losing my last dog was worse than losing some family members.  I swore I could never replace him untill nearly 2 years ago swmbo found alfie tied up in a field at 7am in febuary.  

It does get easier.  Sounds like you did the right thing.  

Rest in peace

[landroverkeith]

Very sorry to hear of your loss we also recently lost our very loving labrador our best wishes to u all

[Lee_D]

I went through the same two years ago this comming May. Zak was our german Shephard. He also had declining health similar to your Jacks.

The day I took him down to the vets the receptioninst didn't put 2 and 2 together so left us waiting for about an hour in the reception area. It was so hard seeing him walk in as though nowt was wrong , then sit there shaking hands every thirty seconds to get another fuss whilst I choked the tears back.

Eventually we were called through to the Vets room. He went to stand and coulnd't lift his back legs and dragged himself in, If he hadn't of I'd still be questioning my santity today. It's as though that hour was intended to help me come to terms with the fact I was doing the right thing. The vet was so appologetic for keeping us waiting.

I still miss him to bits and will always remember the daft things he did...like the day I left him with the garage door open from our utility room to give him some extra space. I came home to look in the garage and couldn't see him, just greyness... daft sod had only gone and shredded a bag of cement and had a right old fight with it. When I eventually saw his outline move in the greyness all that really could be made out was two black eyes and his drying slobber. Took flippin ages to get the cement out of his nose and the set bits around his mush.

I think we can take satisfaction knowing they have had full lives, and will be laughing their tails off at all the stuff they have been up to when comparing notes in that big open kennel in the sky!

We still have one dog and I'm just coming around to the idea of another. We will never replace them, just be lucky enough to care for more of them over time.

Richard you've done the kindest thing a dog owner can do for their dog, putting the dog first before yourself. I'm sure Jack in good company...just hope theres no cement laying around if Zaks knocking about.

Lee

[datalas]

:'(  condolences, not sure what else I can say

[Dirty Gertie]

I'm sniffling here too Richard; I've also had to make that awful decision, and it's heartbreaking! My deep condolences to you and your family  :(bigcry):

[dave_2A_2.25Turbo]

My sympathies - we went through the same thing twice within 6 weeks last year - two 16 year old whippets that hadn't been apart from birth.  At least you're able to gve pets some dignity at the end - unlike both my father and grandmother, who both spent weeks in hospital last year before passing away.

Good year 2005 - I for one was glad to see it over

[gtomo2]

sorry to hear about your dog and friend. Its never easy to let them go but at least you know he is no longer in pain and is ducking everytime he gos under a cloud.

[Jim-Willy]

Bad news BTM, Rufus my Dog had to be killed before Christmas, not nice at all.

[beast5680]

Kindest regards BTM we,ve not had to make that sort of decision as our last went in his sleep, i dont envy you i know though how much of a hole in your life losing a much loved pet can leave

[the loon]

sorry to hear about your loss BTM
I know what its like as had to have our dog (mongrel cross rescue dog from local shelter)put to sleep the year before last.
Worst part was telling out 3 young kids what had happened 3 weeks before christmas.

[Stormin]

Feel for you Richard.  Had to have my Alsation, Kelly, put to sleep 2 years ago.  She was 13 and definitely my dog.  Even though we now have the 2 Border Collies I still miss her.