Our first born...

[Target]

Rilke

http://www.furball.warbirdsiii.com/media/jpg/rilke.jpg

We've had her since the day she was born, nearly 14 years ago. She's been with us through all of it, one tough dog.

But she lost a lot of weight and started behaving differently lately so we took her in and they've told us she has an inopperable tumor the size of a fist. They give her anywhere from 2 weeks to 2 months but have told us not to expect to have a dog for long either way.

Ugh.... Not even sure why I'm posting. Just wanted to commiserate. It's not a child, I know this rationally. But damn this hurts.

Anyway, we brought her home from the vet today and have been liberally treating her and just basically undoing all the training we ever did with her. :) Trying to make her last days as comfortable and fun as we can manage.

[phenix]

I feel your pain. At least you get to spend some time with her. In my history they were gone before I knew they were leaving.

[Neusch]

Ugh.... Not even sure why I'm posting.
She's part of the family. Thats why it hurts.

Sorry to hear the bad news, T.

<S>
~Neusch~

[scooby]

tough news Target :( my girlfriend is going through the same pains and I have gone through them too. its amazing how attached we get to our lovely furry 4-legged kids

[-auhh-]

Feel your pain. Had two cats. (yes two cats) :o They drank anti-freeze. Guess you know the conclusion. Don't know if someone poised them or just a freak thing. One of them was called Star. Everyone called her Star Dog. She would follow me down to the local fishing pond and watch me fish. :D

auhh

[=york=]

Rilke

http://www.furball.warbirdsiii.com/media/jpg/rilke.jpg

Ugh.... Not even sure why I'm posting. Just wanted to commiserate. It's not a child, I know this rationally. But damn this hurts.

there is no way you can tell me she is not a child...

i have disliked german shepherds since i was a kid and got attacked by 2 of them.. one day , after i was married, a full grown german shepherd came into our yard and was as skinny as skinny can be....we took up and fed him a few days and when his owner had come into the yard, he went for me and the dog went for him... found out later the owner used to beat him.. the 5 years sambo was with us he was just like my kids.. and forever in my heart always will be..

so yes Target,, i feel your pain.. and yes.. she is your first born.. <S>

[Target]

VV, york, we've had our fair shair of "rescues" through the years just like that. Rilke was the only one we actually had her whole life. Makes her special somehow. Anyway, I think she is content to live out the remaining days as she has the last couple years. Under my feet at the computer, waiting for me to get tired and take her outside to breath a bit, once in a while. :)

[Keller]

She is a child. Any time any one (and that includes the non-human ones) is in your family that long, they become part of your comfort zone. Losing them is no different from losing any other family member.

I haven't had a furry four footed buddy for over 10 years, mainly because I live alone in apartment, spending too much time away for it to be psychological healthy for one. My parents still keep a small zoo at their place though, so I at least get to hear about their antics by proxy. Back on christmas day, Mom had to put down an old border collie she'd had for some 15 years. Bandit had a huge brain tumor that was destroying brain function and was in tremendous pain. It was painful for my Mom, but she took some comfort that Bandit wasn't hurting anymore.

I can only hope that Rilke's last days are comfortable, and she feels loved and fulfilled.

[Target]

Well, this morning she followed Lauren around for a while, getting petting. Laid down on the cool tile, and died.

Have her at a place that does cremation pretty cheap, nice folks. Will spread the ashes over the hilltop I think. She loved it out here.

Allready miss her.

[=york=]

very sorry to hear that target and bomshl, will think of you all in prayers .. she was family to you all, this is known.. <S>

[scooby]

thats damn tough Target... its never easy losing a family member, even a 4 legged furry one. :(