my dog :(

**fischb22** · 03-21-2008, 09:26 PM

i love my 9 year old rotty, i've had him since he was 12 weeks old, i think of him more as a child then a dog(yes i know silly isn't it)

i'm writing this in tears, i think my dog has hip dysplasia and next friday i will be taking him to the vet to confirm this, if this is the case, i will have to put him down as i am unable to afford the treatment(full hip replacement)

he is showing all the signs of hip dysplasia

read more about it here: http://www.workingdogs.com/vchipdysplasia.htm

**nolimitssaila** · 03-21-2008, 10:18 PM

hey man, really sorry to see that. we had a dog who developed cancer and was in a similar situation, had her for about six or seven years since she was a puppy. it's a shame that man's best friend only lasts for so long....

i'll be praying that he doesn't have it though

**fischb22** · 03-21-2008, 10:20 PM

thank you

i'm going to be all @#$@ up until the vet appointment

**fischb22** · 03-21-2008, 10:21 PM

on a side note, if the worst happens, at least i have a theme for my truck

**nolimitssaila** · 03-21-2008, 10:24 PM

yeah it's terrible with pets because you're torn between wanting to spend more time with them but not putting them through more pain. tough call man, let us know how it goes though.

**fischb22** · 03-21-2008, 10:26 PM

i will

if i find out the worst on friday, i'll make sure he has the best weekend of his life, and have the deed done monday, where he will be creamated, and i will leave bits of him ever where he loved to play, and keep some of him with me.

**Susana** · 03-24-2008, 07:42 AM

So sorry to hear that.

**che420** · 03-24-2008, 08:16 AM

I know how this feels. my boxer Maya (9yr old) has stage 4 lymphoma, she's on chemo now but there is nothing they can do. the best i can hope for is another 6 months. i really feel for you, making the decision to put down a dog is huge. i still haven't come to terms I'll have to do the same.

**fischb22** · 09-09-2008, 08:31 PM

just thought i would post an update

my dog has not been well for some time, a few weeks ago i started heart worm treatment, and that seemed to be going well.

Last night when i came home, he did not come and greet me, like he normal does. His little nub wagged, but he did not get up off the floor. I prepared his medicine in some soft food like normal, and he seemed to perk up quite a bit.

He ate his food/medicine, and i put him outside to potty, when we came back in, he did not follow me up stairs(very unusual).

Today, he did not eat much, and kept to himself, i came outside a few times, and he was not in any of his 'normal' places, once i found him between the AC units near the house, other times he was in the back of the back yard.

I tried calling the vet several times, leaving messages on the machine. at 2:15 i was able to talk to someone about brining my dog in tommorow to be put to sleep, the vet would call me back i was told.

about 35 minutes later my dad called, and told me Squirt was having trouble breathing, i asked him to do what he could to get my puppy to the vet, and i called the vet and let them know he was enroute.

my dad had to get the neighbors help to get Squirt in his truck.

Squirt died shortly after getting to the vets.

Squirt was a very special dog, very friendly and love able, i feel guilty that i could not do more for him, and for the way that i left him behind at Amanda's house, i also feel a bit guilty about not giving him as much attention as I should have. But i know his last few months were spent in a loving environment, and while it does not make up for the past, i did everything i could to make him feel loved, and in the best health that i could.

I was planning on taking him swimming tomorrow, since he has not been able to exercise because of the heartworm treatment before taking him to the vets, i think he would have enjoyed that very much.

I've asked to have his remains cremated, and i will sprinkle most of them in the river. I will find a nice container to keep the remains in my bedroom, along with his collar.

A true friend to the end, he made the decision for me, so i would not have to carry the guilt of putting him to sleep. Thank you squirt, you will be missed.