Our 12 year old Springer had been ill for a few weeks, all the tests the vet undertook were "unremarkable" but he declined very suddenly on Monday morning and the grim decision was taken and he was put to sleep.
It's been really strange last couple of days. First time in over 25 years without a dog around the place. We realised how much he'd become embeded in our lives from his daily walks to just being around. On his last morning he came to sleep in the bedroom which was very unusual. From being woken up by him licking my elbow to letting him out late at night, almost everything we did was guided by his needs. There has been some quivering of lower lips since he went. I can bear the thought of getting another dog, but not for a while yet (foreign holidays in May etc).
I cleaned out the back of the car yesterday and it's pristine again now...but looks very "off" if you know what I mean.
We''ve wandered around quite randomly yesterday and today.
All his food has gone to the local Foodbank and as I type there is a very empty space around where his bed was.
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There have pretty much always been dogs and indeed occasional cats in my homes right from childhood.
It’s always sad when their time comes of course, but it’s also important to remind ourselves that their lifespan is so much shorter than ours and they will come and go. Your dog will have had a great life with you and that’s something to be proud of.
My wee pal is 13 now, best dog I’ve ever had, goes everywhere with me and is no trouble, but I can tell he’s slowing down a bit these days. Up until recently he’d run for hours over the hills and through forests with me when I’m on my mountain bike, but he gets a bit knackered now after a while.
(Actually so do I now if I’m being honest!)
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You have my sympathy.
Daughter and husband had to have their Show Cocker put down a year and a bit ago after he bit their neighbour badly enough to need stitches. Don't know what went wrong with him. He got growly and bad tempered at age 2+.
Son's Spaniel OTOH is all over people but not good with other dogs. We think it's a consequence of her, he got her as a rescue, being a Covid pup and not socialised with other dogs.
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Alf my Working Cocker, was odd, he snapped quite a few people (Including a senior Police Officer). The Springer on the other hand was as cool as anything including my BiL, whose he loved, even last week got out of his sick bed to greet him. My wife has gone to choir and I'm alone in the house, don't know how many times I've listened out for him here...it'll be like that for a while now. I have a longish walk (5 miles over hilly terrain) tomorrow that'll exorcise some of the ghosts I'm sure.
Zero (as usual) talks sense, at least 6 months before a new punster arrives.
Humph I remember your dog being discussed !
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>> There has been some quivering of lower lips since he went.
6 months is a good period for getting a pupster in the house...........
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Sorry to hear that news R.P.
I buried my last two dogs in their beds, with several of their favourite toys.
Fortunately my current lifestyle precludes me from owning a dog, just as well because I struggled with the aftermath.
I now dog walk at rescue centres.
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I'm very sorry to read that RP, we were in the same position almost exactly this time last year. We're now 8 weeks into life with a 'mixed terrier' puppy that came to us at 9 weeks. We've always had rescue dogs before, so our first time with a puppy - hopefully someone will reasure me that they do calm down in time... But, very thankful to have a dog in the house again and I'm sure you will be in time.
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Once you house train it and manage to stop it chewing everything in sight, you can get down to trining it properly. I was in favour of the Barbara Woodhouse approach.
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>> Once you house train it and manage to stop it chewing everything in sight, you
>> can get down to trining it properly. I was in favour of the Barbara Woodhouse
>> approach.
Now almost universally rejected by most trainers and behaviourists in favour of positive reinforcement and operant conditioning. Clicker training basically.
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>> first time with a puppy - hopefully someone will reasure me that they do calm
>> down in time... But, very thankful to have a dog in the house again and
>> I'm sure you will be in time.
They do, my last pup was house trained in two months (the crate method), stopped chewing stuff by 6 months (by use of plenty of chewy toys) got its first placing in KC obedience show at 18 months and was in the Southeast obedience team at crufts at 2, KC good citizens gold award at 2 as well. Its a goldie bitch, so can and does sometimes go zoomie crazy but thats goldies for you. Love her to bits, lively, friendly, cuddly, funny, manipulative, but the drive and focus when working is impressive.
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Thank you, that gives me hope!
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RP, if you fancy a working goldie (not the white fat show types) the breeder of mine is up your way - Aberystwyth -. You'll just need to show you will provide the dog with an active life. And pay for it of course!
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We lost our Beagle two days before Christmas 2022. Twelve years old, she had an inoperable stomach tumour and had to be put down. Holding her paw while the vet administered the injection was heartbreaking, she was a lovely dog, playful, friendly and absolutely no trouble at all. Having had dogs all our lives this is the first time we have never had one running about the place, but both of us now being in our seventies we decided not to replace her as we did not want a dog that would be quite likely to outlive us or still be round if we became infirm and unable to care for it properly.
We are not completely dog free however as the lady next door has a Bichon Frise which spends a fair amount of time with us as she goes away quite frequently for a few days at a time. Not the breed I would own myself, but he is a nice little thing about the place and has got used to having two homes, as it were.
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>> both of us now being in our seventies we decided not to replace her as we did not want a dog that would be >>quite likely to outlive us or still be round if we became infirm and unable to care for it properly.
My thoughts exactly, well that and vets bills.
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We've always had dogs since our marriage 55 years ago until our last two border terriers had to leave us over ten years ago.
About 5 years ago, Millie came bursting into our lives. A rescue mutt, probably less than a year old, she had been removed by a friend of my daughter in Stockport as the owner was a serial dog neglecter. No cruelty but indifference after the puppy stage with no walkies or affection.
She's a mongrel, a bit border terrier with sticky up ears and little short legs. She arrived within an hour of seizure for our appraisal, we weren't after another dog in our seventies but she sure worked her way into our hearts and she's now a real member of the family at about 6 years old. She's very intelligent and picks things up quickly. She came at no charge with a full complement of luggage, bed, blankets, bowls and leads. She got the cage training at first. Can't fault her now apart from wanting to bring the post in from the front door and an occasional wee upstairs.
She loves the car and we are lucky to have a 10 year old neighbour who is besotted with her and walks her to school and back every day with her dad. She gets on well with most other dogs on the school walk. Apart from food and treats, her main enjoyment is a morning wrestle on the bed with me and a game of carpet shinty in the lounge with a tennis ball and my walking stick. She will always bring the ball back to me and let me grab it resulting in a growly tug of war until one of us get it free.
Ted
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I’m a firm believer in reward based training as opposed to rebuke, but I’ve absolutely never allowed any dog to be on the furniture or on human beds. They’re dogs, not children. Current one is just fab. Doesn’t need a lead (although I’ll put him on one as a precaution if there’s a lot of traffic about) and will walk/run to heel unless I say otherwise. Got him at 15 weeks old 13 years ago. House training took days, not weeks. He’s only a tatty mongrel (Lucas/Sealyham cross) but he’s quite bright for a terrier.
He’s good with people and other animals but he mostly just follows me around most of the time. He has a bed in the kitchen, but most mornings he’s lying outside our bedroom door on the landing waiting for us to get up. I shall miss the scruffy little beggar more than most I’ve had when his time comes.
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Late to this thread as I have been away for a few days.
I just wanted to add my sincere condolences R.P.
Pets are part of the family and I am sure you will have loads of fond memories.
Z
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Thanks for all the comments. I've stopped thinking about the routine things by now. I do miss how he used to wake me by licking my elbow !
We went for a walk without him yesterday (with a pocket full of treats for other dogs that we encounter) it felt strange but ok.
He was such a handsome dog to the end....I need another, I will wait for the six-month thing that Zero suggested. Our garden isn't dog proof so sadly a rescue is out of the question, so another pubster it will be.
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There is a tendency when a new dog arrives, to compare old to new. Completely unfair to the newbie which of course will be unique, and of course you need time to mourn and refresh and do stuff you couldn't do because of the dog. Hence the break.
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This happened last time - my much loved Cocker died. Very short gap later got the mad Working Cocker and I really resented him...we grew to love each other very much, the overlap dog was loved from day one....but I get the point.
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Condolences to you both R.P. Always a difficult time.
We foster Hearing Dogs for the Deaf. If and when you consider another Pupster I can recommend that is a route you may wish to take. We have them as and when it suits us. If we maybe have a short notice engagement someone else will cover. All expenses such as food and vets bills are covered. The dogs are trained. We could get to travelling to and from collections and drop offs but don't bother as that's a little contribution from us.
When we had our property surveyed by the charity for suitability we were asked what dogs we preferred. "Proper dogs like Labs" says we. We've had Labs, Spaniels and Cocker Poos. Even a Miniture Poodle (taken out after dark). Seriously, they've ALL been fabulous dogs and a reason to get some miles in. Taken them on walking holidays.
Yes you get attached and have to hand them back at some point but they are alll going to good homes and fulfill a worthwhile job for someone who is going to benefit.
Other than fostering there is also training rolls which requires more commitment.
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Well, its been over a month. I still miss him, still (occasionally) wake up and the first thought is to let him out.....came home to an empty house on Sunday, well you know. Never thought I'd be affected like this. We're off on our hols next week which is a lot easier now, plus a couple of breaks planned.
Took the idea of fostering (thanks Fullchat), just had a call for a home visit on Friday from Spaniel Rescue. We may go down that road.
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Good to hear RP.
On a down note we had a call from Hearing Dogs for the Deaf yesterday regarding a Spaniel we fostered last year - Tilly. She was our first 'non lab' and made a big impression. Although 10 she had plenty of energy. We took her on holiday to the Lakes and Wensleydale and thoroughly enjoyed her company. Proper character and not boisterous.
Unfortunately she succumbed to cancer and had to be put to sleep. RIP Tilly
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>> Took the idea of fostering (thanks Fullchat), just had a call for a home visit
>> on Friday from Spaniel Rescue. We may go down that road.
Hmmm, As Sir Humphrey would say "Thats very Brave Minister"
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Been a tough week - Runfer D'Hills
