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Caturday

Mikestony said:
oh man :( I know the feeling my friend.. Had to put down a few doggies of my own. It's so sad as they don't know what is going on :(
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Oh gosh...it's so hard. I hold and pet and comfort my pets when that happens, so they depart for Rainbow Bridge with my love for them the last thing they're aware of.

I knew for months that the time to make "that decision" was looming for Freddie. We'd been treating him with Adequan injections and other meds for severe arthritis. I'd even been taking him to physical therapy, including hydrotherapy, in the hope of buying a little more time. (He'd been increasingly unable to get up prior to starting PT; we saw tremendous improvement, so I was hopeful.) At what turned out to be our last PT session, as he was walking in the hydrotherapy tank, with me positioned at his head, I told him how beautiful he looked that day and what a good boy he was. We had (still have) a whole collection of bandanas, and he always wore one when we went out. That day, after he'd been dried, I put his collar and bandana back on and we went home. I fed him dinner at his usual time, and I was surprised that he left a little in his bowl. Since he could no longer climb up on my bed, I'd made a cushioned area for him on the floor in my room. For some reason, we didn't take off his bandana as was normal; he wanted to keep it on.

We went to bed... I woke up WAY early in the morning, and it's hard to explain, but--before I sat up or saw him--there was this weird silence in the room...and I knew he was dead. I jumped out of bed and said, "Freddie?! Freddie?!" but nothing. I got down on the floor and stroked him--his ears were still warm, so he must have died JUST before I woke up. He spared me having to make that awful decision... He was still wearing his bandana.
I get choked up even at those commercials I see about neglected pets...the ASPCA ones.
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Me too--so much so that I've been a monthly supporter of the ASPCA for many years.
 
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MoodyBlues said:
Oh gosh...it's so hard. I hold and pet and comfort my pets when that happens, so they depart for Rainbow Bridge with my love for them the last thing they're aware of.

I knew for months that the time to make "that decision" was looming for Freddie. We'd been treating him with Adequan injections and other meds for severe arthritis. I'd even been taking him to physical therapy, including hydrotherapy, in the hope of buying a little more time. (He'd been increasingly unable to get up prior to starting PT; we saw tremendous improvement, so I was hopeful.) At what turned out to be our last PT session, as he was walking in the hydrotherapy tank, with me positioned at his head, I told him how beautiful he looked that day and what a good boy he was. We had (still have) a whole collection of bandanas, and he always wore one when we went out. That day, after he'd been dried, I put his collar and bandana back on and we went home. I fed him dinner at his usual time, and I was surprised that he left a little in his bowl. Since he could no longer climb up on my bed, I'd made a cushioned area for him on the floor in my room. We went to bed... I woke up WAY early in the morning, and it's hard to explain, but--before I sat up or saw him--there was this weird silence in the room...and I knew he was dead. I jumped out of bed and said, "Freddie?! Freddie?!" but nothing. I got down on the floor and stroked him--his ears were still warm, so he must have died JUST before I woke up. He spared me having to make that awful decision...

Me too--so much so that I've been a monthly supporter of the ASPCA for many years.
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awww, I'm sorry, I really am. Sad story, getting choked up just reading that :(

I didn't read through all the posts here, but did you get another doggie?
 
Mikestony said:
awww, I'm sorry, I really am. Sad story, getting choked up just reading that :(
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Thanks. :( I just edited the post, adding what I forgot to say about his bandana.
I didn't read through all the posts here, but did you get another doggie?
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I had been ill for a long time, but couldn't get a diagnosis; shortly after my beautiful Freddie died, I finally did: a brain tumor. Its surgery left me debilitated for over a year. I would have been unable to care for a dog. It's almost like the Fredster knew...somehow...what was coming. Sorry, it's hard to put the feeling into words.

Since then I was struck down by another illness, sepsis, which had me hospitalized for six months, and I'm still mostly bed-bound.

So, no, I don't--and won't--have any more dogs, which is heartbreaking for me. I've adopted/rescued cats and dogs for 40+ years. I'm content with my four cats, especially my favorite, Joy Noelle. :D

I do, however, have a dog in the house! But she's my live-in helper's. She's a rescue, some mashup of breeds, about 40 pounds, sweet as can be. Long story how she ended up here, but at 12 years old this will be her last move. :)
 
Just wondering, would it be distasteful to post a pic of my Freddie...as I found him that awful morning? There's nothing gory or anything, he just looks asleep.
 
dontpanicbobby said:
Please don't.
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How's this? No one need look if they'd rather not.
As mentioned earlier, Freddie still had his bandana on from the day before. He died peacefully in his sleep, with Teddy Bear, his favorite toy, nearby.

Freddie_RIP_101608_010.jpg


Freddie_RIP_101608_005.jpg

Here he is in much happier times, following me around the yard with Teddy Bear in his mouth:

FreddieAndTeddyBear_051108_017.jpg


Teddy Bear now lives on the top shelf of my closet. I left him in my room for awhile, but it was just too sad seeing him every day. :(
 
dontpanicbobby said:
Yeah I didn't look. Thanks @MoodyBlues.
I'd have to take pictures of pictures to post some Tiger times.
I'll ckeck my notes... Mom's photo albums. :cool:
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You're welcome. :)

I promise you, though, there's nothing disturbing there. Freddie just looks like he's asleep. But knowing that he's actually dead could certainly be sad/painful for some, hence the spoiler.
 
rootabaga said:
@MoodyBlues, I was sorry to hear about your Freddie. It’s so hard to say goodbye to our dear, faithful furriends. Sending you hugs and warm thoughts.
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Thank you. :)

Although he's been gone for years now, I still PROFOUNDLY miss him. His death left a huge void in my heart, my life, and my house. I'm glad I have tons of photos! Like this from one of our drives up into the mountains, with Freddie wearing his Marine Corps bandana, a gift from my friend, a USMC veteran:

Freddie_creek1.jpg
 
This is Big Brian, whose real name came while I was talking to my best friend on the phone, and said, "WHAT am I going to name this stray cat?!", to which she replied, "Brian Setzer!" So that's his official name, but everyone calls him Big Brian (you'll see why in a moment).

Here he's checking out my vet's office for the first time:

BigBrian_110212_6.jpg


Here he's squeezed himself into a box; for a size comparison, look below for Joy Noelle in the same box:

BigBrian_072013_7.jpg


Joy Noelle--a much better fit!

JoyNoelle_071713_02.jpg


Big Brian has the most beautiful, sky blue eyes!
 
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