Don't want to rain on your parade, but...

[fifty5]

A few years ago, I opened the door to a parcel delivery man and a dog ran into the house.

It took all day to find out who she belonged to and take her back to her owner.

A few months later, the girl who owned the dog turned up on the doorstep. She and her boyfriend had been slung out of their house (they really ought to have paid the rent!) and had to move to a 'no pets' flat. Would we take care of George?

So we acquired a Dobermann Pinscher bitch (named after Georgina in the Famous Five). Nervous as hell, but ever so sweet... and we never managed to house-train her properly, but...

Well, a few months ago, she started staggering. It turned out that it was a condition not rare in Dobermanns - a problem in the spinal column in the neck that impairs nerve communication.

Coming down stairs, she couldn't always quite control those back legs, so (despite medication) one of us had to walk down in front of her ready to catch if she slipped.

It got worse. Despite stronger medication, as she crouched to start down, she lost control of more than her legs at the back, so is was back with the shovel after we'd got down.

We still loved her.

And she was still so pleased (don't get hit by that tail when it wags! Oh, you won't...) when she got down OK.

This morning she vomited all last night's meal in the computer room up in the attic.

I got her downstairs to go in the garden, but she just stood on the step, swaying, so back into the house.

A couple of hours later she still hadn't come up to the computer room, so I went down to find her.

And found her lying stiffly on the kitchen floor with her tongue hanging out.

Picked her up and rushed her to the vet.

"She's in shock. We could put her on intensive care, with a drip, etc, but..."

So we came back without George - and all three of us got drunk before lunch time.

-----------------------------------------------

As I say, 'sorry to rain on your parade', but I just had to let it out.

One more brandy, then bed.

f5

 

[McKenna]

.

 

[fifty5]

Oh FF, I am so sorry. You have my deepest condolences.

Pets are members of the family; losing one of them is losing a dear and loved one.

Sending hugs your way...

-McK

Thanks, McK

PS Apologies to all for the double post. I cancelled, to look for a piccy of George, but couldn't find one already on the PC - and the damned scanner wouldn't work, so I clicked 'post' again.

I'n't it shit how the mundane insists on intruding?  And some folk still think there's a god... (No personal attack on anyone intended, but I really, really _don't_ think so!)

f5

 

[lucky-E-leven]

f5

I'm so sorry to hear about your sweet George. Hugs from all of the lucky family and we're here as you take it one day at a time.



~lucky

 

[Machiavellian]

Sorry for your loss --- I have to think when it's our turn they will be there waiting for us - and will yell at you for all those times you wanted to get laid instead of taking them for a walk -- let alone the pets we got fixed!

 

[fifty5]

f5

I'm so sorry to hear about your sweet George. Hugs from all of the lucky family and we're here as you take it one day at a time.



~lucky

Thanks, Luckies all.

I'm gonna have to find a pic to show you...

f5

 

[KenJames]

I'm so sorry about George. Pets are like children and losing one hurts like hell.

Once, I made the mistake of stretching things out. That taught me that it's better to let a pet go quickly. I hope someone does that for me when the time finally comes.

 

[lucky-E-leven]

Thanks, Luckies all.

I'm gonna have to find a pic to show you...

f5

Please do, I adore pictures and would love to see the pooch you loved so much.

~lucky

 

[tiger_smurf]

I just lost my Squeakers in December *sniff* We buried him under an apple tree where he used to love to eat the fallen apples in the shade. I'm really sorry for you. I love dogs. *hugs for you and every good doggy* Oops, I'm almost crying now. Anyone reading this who has a dog needs to give that dog a hug, ok?

-ck

 

[Rumple Foreskin]

fifty5,

Get your butt in gear and find the address of the local animal shelter. If you've become attached to Doberman's, find a rescue service for them. Then get over there and find another friend to love. Trust me, it's even better than booze at helping you get over losing a buddy.

Rumple Foreskin

 

[Guest]

F5,

First of all... *hugs* I know, they don't do much to help and I also know that nothing anyone can say will make you feel any better.

I feel for you, honey, and I so wish there was something I could say to help make the hurt of losing George go away. I love dogs, and I am a firm believer in the saying that they really are "Man's best friend", in my case: woman's. I love my Billy and I already dread the day that he won't be with me any more (he's not even three yet). They give such wonderful companionship, and are very loyal, devoted friends. I hate the fact they don't live anywhere near as long as us.

I think Rumple made a very good suggestion. Getting another dog wouldn't be a replacement for George; nothing could ever replace that special friend in your life, but he/she would help fill that void, and give you another little friend to help focus your attention on.

George was a very lucky dog, and I am certain she had a wonderful life with you. It will get easier, I promise you.

You know how to get in contact with me, if you need me.

Much love, to you and your family,

Katie

 

[fifty5]

Please do, I adore pictures and would love to see the pooch you loved so much.

~lucky

Here you go, Lucky.

Ken - my life seems better now (George aside), but after the last one (Coniston, named after the lake) I was so jealous about how peacefully he went (with his head in my hands), that I wished the vet had injected me with the lethal dose too...

-ck (tiger) - you have my empathy too.  I left George at the vet's (though I was there for her until the end) since my own beliefs are that when it's over, it's over - totally.  But despite that, I'm still glad you found a place for Squeakers under your apple tree.

Rumple - you're dead right.  Thanks for your words of wisdom.  Actually, Buddy will fill the gap - though I may well kill him with kindness.  He'll be going back to his real mistress next Feb - and Jan will be the time to find a new pup.  The last two (George and Buddy) were grown before we got them.  The next one is going to be a pup so that we can train each other from the start.  But there definitely will be another.  It won't be George (or Buddy, or Con), but it will be a friend for life...

Katie - thanks so much for the hug.  There's so much more to say, but I can't find the words.



f5

 

[lucky-E-leven]

Thank you so much f5. She was a beautiful dog. And very lucky to have found you. Coincidence that she ran straight through your front door? I think not.



~lucky

 

[fifty5]

Thank you so much f5. She was a beautiful dog. And very lucky to have found you. Coincidence that she ran straight through your front door? I think not.



~lucky

Coincidence?  Who knows?  We still loved her, and I know she was happy loving us.

Thanks for the positive vibes, Lucky.

f5

 

[lucky-E-leven]

Coincidence?  Who knows?  We still loved her, and I know she was happy loving us.

Thanks for the positive vibes, Lucky.

f5

Well you were all very fortunate. We got our cat in much the same way and while I never anticipated owning a cat (dog people) we love him and are happy he wandered into our lives.

*hugs*

~lucky

 

[shereads]

Dogs know love when they receive it. She trusted you to do the right thing, and you did.

A few years ago, I opened the door to a parcel delivery man and a dog ran into the house.

It took all day to find out who she belonged to and take her back to her owner.

A few months later, the girl who owned the dog turned up on the doorstep. She and her boyfriend had been slung out of their house (they really ought to have paid the rent!) and had to move to a 'no pets' flat. Would we take care of George?

So we acquired a Dobermann Pinscher bitch (named after Georgina in the Famous Five). Nervous as hell, but ever so sweet... and we never managed to house-train her properly, but...

Well, a few months ago, she started staggering. It turned out that it was a condition not rare in Dobermanns - a problem in the spinal column in the neck that impairs nerve communication.

Coming down stairs, she couldn't always quite control those back legs, so (despite medication) one of us had to walk down in front of her ready to catch if she slipped.

It got worse. Despite stronger medication, as she crouched to start down, she lost control of more than her legs at the back, so is was back with the shovel after we'd got down.

We still loved her.

And she was still so pleased (don't get hit by that tail when it wags! Oh, you won't...) when she got down OK.

This morning she vomited all last night's meal in the computer room up in the attic.

I got her downstairs to go in the garden, but she just stood on the step, swaying, so back into the house.

A couple of hours later she still hadn't come up to the computer room, so I went down to find her.

And found her lying stiffly on the kitchen floor with her tongue hanging out.

Picked her up and rushed her to the vet.

"She's in shock. We could put her on intensive care, with a drip, etc, but..."

So we came back without George - and all three of us got drunk before lunch time.

-----------------------------------------------

As I say, 'sorry to rain on your parade', but I just had to let it out.

One more brandy, then bed.

f5

 

[KenJames]

Well you were all very fortunate. We got our cat in much the same way and while I never anticipated owning a cat (dog people) we love him and are happy he wandered into our lives.

The longer I live, the more I realize everything is connected. I've never looked for a pet, they've always found me.

One morning, we found an abandoned kitten on the patio, filthy and near death. I named him Kit, after a cat doll I had as a child, and fed him with a bottle.

Shortly after Kit had started eating solid food, Pixel, our older cat, started acting sick. It was lymphoma and the vet said he had a few days left. We spent a last weekend with him, giving him as much attention as he wanted, then put him to sleep.

Wayde and I were sad, but Kit was totally desolated. I usually wait for a while before adopting a new pet, but Kit needed a companion. We went to the Humane Society, but they just wanted to play games; put your name on a list and not get a cat.

At PetSmart, we found a big black half-Siamese kitten whose mom had been rescued. It was love at first sight. She and Kit were both thrilled to have a playmate.

Right now, Wayde is asleep in the bedroom with Kit curled up against him. Snowball is in the chair beside me, pretending to be asleep while watching me type.

 

[fifty5]

One morning, we found an abandoned kitten on the patio, filthy and near death. I named him Kit, after a cat doll I had as a child, and fed him with a bottle.

...

Hey, the sun's coming out on this parade! <weak smile>

So much goodwill - both to other people (especially me - thanks all) and to pets - makes me want to cry tears of joy.

This is a lovely place to be.

f5

 

[Guest]

Hey, the sun's coming out on this parade! <weak smile>

So much goodwill - both to other people (especially me - thanks all) and to pets - makes me want to cry tears of joy.

This is a lovely place to be.

f5

Amen to that, honey.

I don't think I've given you any hugs today. So...

*HUGS and KISSES*

Lou

 

[Rumple Foreskin]

Hey, the sun's coming out on this parade! <weak smile>

So much goodwill - both to other people (especially me - thanks all) and to pets - makes me want to cry tears of joy.

This is a lovely place to be.

f5

F5,

You should have been here the time I admitted to saving a drowning mouse, then letting it recover and escape. But, don't go spreading the word. We old farts and military has-beens have our image to consider. Besides, the place might start swarming with new agers seeking harmony and inner-peace.

Rumple Foreskin

 

[Guest]

F5,

You should have been here the time I admitted to saving a drowning mouse, then letting it recover and escape. But, don't go spreading the word. We old farts and military has-beens have our image to consider. Besides, the place might start swarming with new agers seeking harmony and inner-peace.

Rumple Foreskin

Did you find that pot, then?

Lou

 

[ABSTRUSE]

I'm baby sitting the second garter snake of the season, my house is like Steve Irwin's and we have 4 turtles and a dog.

 

[Rumple Foreskin]

Did you find that pot, then?

Lou

Lou,

It must be lost in the ozone. But I shall press on.

RF

 

[fifty5]

Originally posted by Rumple Foreskin ... the place might start swarming with new agers seeking harmony and inner-peace.

And there ain't room 'cos of all us old agers seeking harmony and inner-peace...



f5

 

[ABSTRUSE]

Hey f5, you're looking handsomely VanGoghish in your AV.