Wish Me Luck - Just had to take our Doggie into the Emergency Vet

officerripley said:
Those are good ideas; every dog we've owned, we adopted from the different animal societies. And people have mentioned to me: "Get a dog old enough that you're sure you'll outlive it." But then I'd have to go through this--saying goodbye to a beloved pet--at least one more time and I just don't feel up to it anymore. The only way I could stand doing it before was because I knew we would adopt another dog.

So I just need to figure out a way to live without a dog.
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I am so sorry to hear about your dog. Mine is nearly 14 years old, and I don't know what I'll do when he dies. I know what you mean about not knowing how to live without a dog. I'm going to be in the same situation as you pretty soon (my dog's breed has a lifespan of 11-14 years and he has slowed way down).

When my previous dog died, I felt like I'd lost my right arm. I got my current dog a month later, a breed that was the exact opposite of a Rough Collie. IOW, the collie was so mature and took on so many duties of his own volition, that his passing left a really big hole in my life. My current dog, however, is more like having a toddler, except that I can read his much mind better than at the beginning.

The options I'm considering are fostering dogs from a reputable rescue (younger dogs who don't need maximum exercise) and fostering or adopting a senior dog from a rescue. Taking care of a senior dog for a few years hopefully won't be as heartbreaking as having a dog throughout his life, with him being my best friend.

As far as a dog outliving me, part of being a reputable rescue is that they will take the dog back if s/he outlives me. As you likely know, a rescue doesn't have to be an animal shelter. There are plenty of private, nonprofit rescues who have been around for a decade or more, and you can vet them carefully before choosing a few you'd like to deal with. In return, they should vet you very carefully and thoroughly, too. I worked for a rescue for several years, and learned a lot about how they operate.

Take care, my friend. I wish I could ease your heartache.
 

WheatenLover said:
As far as a dog outliving me, part of being a reputable rescue is that they will take the dog back if s/he outlives me. As you likely know, a rescue doesn't have to be an animal shelter. There are plenty of private, nonprofit rescues who have been around for a decade or more, and you can vet them carefully before choosing a few you'd like to deal with. In return, they should vet you very carefully and thoroughly, too. I worked for a rescue for several years, and learned a lot about how they operate.
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Unfortunately, there's only one place like that near here--it's the place where I got the doggie that just died and the only reason I got her since they said they'd take her back if I could no longer have her--but I've been hearing bad things about the place, so I don't think I can rely on them.

Thanks anyway, though; it's a great idea if I didn't live so far away from everything.
 

Oh no @officerripley I am so very, very sorry. Do know you made the right decision with no further testing. It's what I would have done. You advocated and did what was right for your pet that you love.

I'm very concerned about you not having a dog. Can you come up with a solution for getting an older dog? One most would not want anyway. I can't imagine living without my cats. I don't know if I could.
 
officerripley said:
Thank, everybody. but it was a sad outcome; we just got back from having her put to sleep, the vet said in light of the fact that she wasn't getting any better, still couldn't stand or walk, he really thought it was a neurological problem probably caused by a brain tunor. (The nearest place that does canine brain MRIs that could've tested that for sure is 2 hours from here--have I said before how much I hate it here?--would've cost about $8,000 and there still might not have been any treatment that would've save her life.

So I'm really low tonight. Wish we could get another dog; I really hate the thought of living without one. Dogs, unlike people, never seemed to find me weird, boring, yucky because of my health problem, scandalous (since I don't have kids and I'm atheist/agnostic); dogs made really good companions for me. But I knew those days had to end soon. I shouldn't complain: I'm still better off than a lot of people. (I know I am going to be even sadder and grumpier than ever the rest of my life, though.)
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Oh, I'm so sorry! šŸ’
 
And God asked the canine spirit
Are you ready to come home?
I believe so, replied the precious soul
My toys and bones can remain
As a reminder of love and dedication
Can you come then? asked God
Soon, replied the tail-wagging angel
But I must come slowly
For my human companions are troubled
For you see, I am their best friend
But donā€™t they understand? asked God
That youā€™ll never leave them?
That your souls are intertwined. For all eternity?
That nothing is created or destroyed?
It just isā€¦forever and ever and ever
Eventually they will understand,
Replied the glorious dog
For I will whisper gently into their hearts
That I am always with them
I just amā€¦forever and ever and ever
 
officerripley said:
Unfortunately, there's only one place like that near here--it's the place where I got the doggie that just died and the only reason I got her since they said they'd take her back if I could no longer have her--but I've been hearing bad things about the place, so I don't think I can rely on them.

Thanks anyway, though; it's a great idea if I didn't live so far away from everything.
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There are some rescues that will transport a dog to you. The volunteers each take a leg of the trip, and take care of the dog during their portion of the trip.
 
Marie5656 said:
And God asked the canine spirit
Are you ready to come home?
I believe so, replied the precious soul
My toys and bones can remain
As a reminder of love and dedication
Can you come then? asked God
Soon, replied the tail-wagging angel
But I must come slowly
For my human companions are troubled
For you see, I am their best friend
But donā€™t they understand? asked God
That youā€™ll never leave them?
That your souls are intertwined. For all eternity?
That nothing is created or destroyed?
It just isā€¦forever and ever and ever
Eventually they will understand,
Replied the glorious dog
For I will whisper gently into their hearts
That I am always with them
I just amā€¦forever and ever and ever
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Marie this is precious! SO always says that they will not leave until they hand over the leash to our new care taker.
 
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