Goodbye old friend

[mjs1973]

Today I made the toughest choice I have ever had to make. I decided to have my dog put to sleep. Ranger is the first dog I ever got as a puppy. He was born on my bed over 15 years ago, and today he took his last breath as I stood by his side and caressed him ever so softly. I miss him dearly.


My nephews saying goodbye.



Ranger in my truck as I'm getting ready to take him for his last ride. I left the window down part way for him so he could smell the cool spring air.



Taken back in 2004.

[racingpinarello]

Michael,

I am very sorry for your loss. Having a trusted friend is a cherished thing and I know that it's painful to lose him.

Thanks for sharing and I send my best.

Loren

[another view]

Very hard thing to go thru. My sympathies.

[Tyson L. Sparks]

My hats off to you, 15 years thats a long time.

[Greg McCary]

I am truly sorry for your lose. I bet the kids were crushed. 15 years is a long time for a dog.

[swmdrayfan]

Each time you lose a pet it gets worse. I was the one who had to take our Springer Spaniel to be put down about 8 years ago, and it tore me up. We have two now that we know we'll have to say goodbye to within the next few years, so it never gets any easier. Condolences to you Mike.

[JSPhoto]

Sorry to hear that Micheal, I know the feeling, the past two years I had to put my favorite cat to sleep and my longtime dog died, I was going to have the dog put to sleep the day he died, it's not easy but sometimes it's best for them.

JS

[DaveLC2]

I am sorry to hear about your loss. That must have been so tough to make that decision :frown5: God bless.

Dave

[Janie]

Awww, we had to put Abby down this winter as well - her kidneys were failing terribly and she was quite blind and deaf. She basically just slept most of the time and didn't have much of a life at all anymore. It's sooo hard to do, but in ending their pain, it's better for them.

[readingr]

My heart goes out to you - We had to put our first dog down and we got the Vet to come to the house to do it.

It's the hardest thing I have ever had to do.

Roger

[mjs1973]

Thanks all. Your kind thoughts are much appriciated.

[drg]

I just missed this it looks like before I was gone for a couple of days.

How sad.

You have my deepest sympathies, I know how hard this can be on everybody.

If it is of any condolence, the pain is now gone and Ranger is romping freely somewhere better.

[schrackman]

Sorry to hear about your dog. I've had plenty of experience since being a kid in dealing with losing pets, so I can understand how you feel. At least you have some good memories with him, and a few good photos. A new pup just might help to ease the loss. :-)

[Alison]

I'm so sorry Michael {{{hugs}}}
My thoughts are with you.

[mjs1973]

Thanks everyone for your kind thoughts. It's been a rough week, but it's getting better. I know that Ranger is much better off now, and my family has been very supportive.

Ranger is the first dog I ever got as a puppy. I was still in high school at the time. I found a stray cocker spanial and brought her home. I named her Britney. It wasn't long before a golden retriever from down the street got loose, and made a visit to our house. About 8 weeks later, I had a litter of puppies on my bed. A few years later I went to college, and Ranger & Britney had to stay home with my parents. When I finished school, I moved back home with both both Ranger and Britney. A little later, I moved into a small one bedroom apartment, and again, Ranger and Britney had to stay at mom and dads.

My goal was to get my own place so I could take my dogs with me. Britney died before that ever happened. About 3 1/2 years ago, I finally bought a house. The house just happened to be right next door to my mom and dads. My girlfriend (now my wife) moved in with me along with her black lab, Holley. We planned on having Ranger move in with us as well.

We brought Ranger over and let him check out the place. He was fine there, and got along with Holley. The only proplem was that he would cry and want to go home to mom and dads, as soon as I left for work. I guess after spending his whole life there, he wasn't comfortable relocating. So we let him go back to his home with mom and dad. He always came over to check out our hard, and are dogs whenever mom or dad let him outside. By this time, he's getting pretty old, and would never wonder very far. We believe he was deaf, and blind in at least one eye. His hips were getting bad as well. He would walk a little sideways, and would often loose his balance and fall down.

A couple months ago, he couldn't get up. I had to carry him outside, or else he would lay on the floor, and urinate where he was laying. I thought for sure that his time had come. The next day, he was up and walking around just fine. Well, as fine as he was before. It was like nothing was wrong. Then last week, it started again. Someone would have to carry him outside. Once he was on his feet, he was able to walk around, and even made it over to our house a few times. But he stopped eating, and as the days wore on, he moved less and less. He couldn't go to the bathroom without making a mess all over himself, and would spend most of the day laying in the same spot. I went for 4 or 5 days without eating anything. I think we were all hoping he would snap out of it like he did before, but at the same time, we knew it wasn't going to happen. He never cried, or seem to be in any pain, but we could see him slowly going down hill. We all knew he wasn't going to get any better this time, and so I made the toughest choice of my life...

His memory will live on in the hearts of myself and my family, and he is sadly missed.

Thanks for letting me ramble.

[mjs1973]

A new pup just might help to ease the loss. :-)

No thanks!! A couple years ago we got a golden retriever pup from one of our neighbors. So we have 2 dogs now. Amy would love to go to the humane society and bring home another one, or two, but we just don't have the room for more. Perhaps when we get our dream house out in the country.

Here are some pics of Holley and Jinjer from this winter.

[readingr]

Michael,

I'm in tears reading this and reminds me so much of when Brandy went down hill, it was just the same.

My daughter wrote a poem shortly afterwards to help, she was only 10. If you don't mind I'd like to post it.

Roger

[mjs1973]

Michael,

I'm in tears reading this and reminds me so much of when Brandy went down hill, it was just the same.

My daughter wrote a poem shortly afterwards to help, she was only 10. If you don't mind I'd like to post it.

Roger

By all means! I would love to read it.

[readingr]

By all means! I would love to read it.

This was for our Dog (border Collie Cross) Brandy. which was written by Beccy when she was 10.

Brandy
Brandy dog your pain is gone
So now you can rome all day long
Chasing cats
Receiving treats
And getting under peoples feet
But dont forget your owners love
And watch over us from above.

By Rebecca Reading

[mjs1973]

Thanks Roger!

[etrig]

Micheal,
I've been there and feel your pain.So sorry for your loss...

Eric

[mjs1973]

I found this poem on a picture frame, and thought I would share it.