This sucks, my dog is dying.

[bubba jr]

This really sucks, poor dog was born with bad kidneys, and I've known this for a couple of years. They told me I would be lucky if she lived to be 3, well, here we are 3 years and 1 week old and I really don't think she will see tomorrow morning.

They wouldn't fix her because they were scared of what the anesthesia(sp?) would do to her kidney's, no problem. Installed a 9000V electric fence to keep other dogs out. Whenever she went into heat she would lose 10 lbs or so really quick, well, this last time a few months ago, she didn't gain it back. She always had plenty of good high quality dog food, which did nothing but make her sister fat(fixed), I would much rather have 1 fat dog and one live dog than one skinny dog. Looks like I'm going to only have one fat dog now.

When she didn't gain back weight a few months ago, I started with the cooking good dog food for her. Trying to remember renal diets from my nursing home days. Good stuff, I was eating it too, of course I spiced mine up a bit and maybe added some green chile. She was eating good until about wednesday, and at least maintaining weight, a little slower than she used to be, but still happy and bouncing.

She now hasn't eaten in almost 48 hours and for a dog that weighed 80 when she was skinny (boxer lab mix), her stomach/waist is smaller than my 7lbs cat stomach. It happened fast, like 5 days, she's lost I'd guess 20lbs.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3003/2788237997_bf5e1f81c6.jpg?v=0
The one with the red collar.

So today I get home around noon, the poor little girl won't even come out of her doghouse, and a damn fine doghouse it is. I get her out of the doghouse and she slowly comes inside and I go to take a leak, she's trying to get up in her recliner(it really is hers, I haven't sat in it in 2 years) and shes standing there, her head against the back of the chair and convulsing, I've never seen a seizure, but I'm guessing that is what it was. I picked her up, put her on the couch, laid her down and she just kept bouncing, it sucked, she finally stopped, I got her to drink some water.

I stayed with her for a while, then wandered over to the computer, she seemed OK, or at least alive. I look over a bit later and she is convulsing badly, especially her head, what drew my attention was my cat hauling ass toward the couch(Lucy is the cat). She jumped up there and curled up with the dog(the sick dog is Cleo BTW), and started licking and nuzzling her. Very strange, Lucy usually pretty much ignores the dogs, but I know cats are smart and can be very attentive when somebody is sick or dying.

I figured that was it, I was wrong, I stayed with Cleo, talked to her, pet her. Lucy nuzzled her and licked her for at least a half hour until she stopped convulsing. Cleo's sister Daisy, the fat dog, she's all confused as to whats going on, but she came up and curled up around Cleo too, very calm and gentle like, and Daisy is neither calm or gentle, she is THE bull in the china shop.

Right now, both dogs are on the couch, butt to butt, asleep, and Lucy is rolling around on the floor in a patch of late day sunlight, staring at me like I'm doing something wrong by not rubbing her belly.

Well, the vet opens at 8am tomorrow, if she's still kicking, I'm putting her down. If I had a gun and some balls I would do it right now. I really wish she would just get better or die(I wish I could make it all better). Sounds selfish of me, but this really sucks, I guess this is the official definition of limbo. I can't even imagine having to go through this with a parent.

I hate putting an animal down, I'm far too big of a pussy to take it like a man.

Now what do I do with Daisy? These two were best buds before they were even born. She's been going wacky here the past couple of days, she's knows something is really wrong. She's only been alone a few times in the yard at my house, and everytime she was, she shit on my sidewalk. I'm self employed and have 1 acre fenced in at the shop, do I take her to work everyday? I took both of them up there once in a while, so its familiar territory. Do I get a new pup so Daisy has a new bud? I don't know what to do.

Sorry for the ramble. Its easier to type than to pick up the phone, I don't think my voice is working so good right now. Did I mention this sucks.

I'm not looking for sympathy, I just want to know I'm not crazy, and what do I do with my fat dog?

[Leaffan]

Well, you might be crazy after all for posting a long-assed message about a dying dog. Don't get me wrong here: I cried when we had to put down our last dog, but a dog is a dog! You know they have a lifespan of what, 8 to 14 years? Putting a dog down is sad, for sure, but in the overall scheme of things it's a speed bump in life.

[Ferret Herder]

Well, you might be crazy after all for posting a long-assed message about a dying dog.
Who peed in your Cheerios?

bubba jr, I'm sorry you're dealing with this. It sucks to have to deal with that. I've had to have 4 of our ferrets put to sleep over the years, and it's tough to do, but (I'll pull out the phrase one of the vets used) sometimes it's the last caring act of an owner towards a pet.

Take it one day at a time on Daisy, see how she reacts. She might adapt better than you think, it's tough to say.

[bubba jr]

Well, you might be crazy after all for posting a long-assed message about a dying dog. Don't get me wrong here: I cried when we had to put down our last dog, but a dog is a dog! You know they have a lifespan of what, 8 to 14 years? Putting a dog down is sad, for sure, but in the overall scheme of things it's a speed bump in life.

You're right, I've lost dogs before, 3 previously, old age, old age and parvo. This just sucks, right now, if I wasn't here right now, I'd be fine, if she was gone by now, I'd be fine. Thats why I put this in MUNDANE POINTLESS stuff, I just needed to vent for a few. Still sucks.

[AngelSoft]

I'm sorry about what's happening. It's never easy to lose a pet, especially when it happens so early. As far as how to help Daisy cope with the loss, sometimes it helps to bring the other dog along so they can at least smell and see the deceased dog after they've been put down. It gives them a sort of closure outside of "my sister just disappeared one day and I don't know why". Most vets will accommodate this for you.

[RickJay]

Well, you might be crazy after all for posting a long-assed message about a dying dog. Don't get me wrong here: I cried when we had to put down our last dog, but a dog is a dog! You know they have a lifespan of what, 8 to 14 years? Putting a dog down is sad, for sure, but in the overall scheme of things it's a speed bump in life.
Well, what a mean, shitty thing to say. Long-assed message? That OP probably took five minutes to type. The guy's dog is dying, he feels bad, and it helps him to type a short message saying "This really sucks and I feel bad." I did the same thing when my dog died. You're an asshole.

...

bubba jr, it does suck. No getting around it. If I were you I'd tell the doctor to try to save the dog even if the anasthesia was risky. A chance is better than none. But it's your call and though it's a hard call you obviously care for your dogs, so I'm sure you'll make the right one.

[AngelSoft]

bubba jr, it does suck. No getting around it. If I were you I'd tell the doctor to try to save the dog even if the anasthesia was risky. A chance is better than none. But it's your call and though it's a hard call you obviously care for your dogs, so I'm sure you'll make the right one.

I believe he meant 'fix', as in to spay her.

[TVeblen]

Nice threadshitting, Leaffan. Get your rocks off on that one? The OP placed the thread correctly and there have been plenty of others like it. Feel all good about yourself now, having made a cheap attack, entirely unprovoked and undeserved?

Sorry to hear about Cleo, bubba jr. It sounds like you gave the girl a happy life and a good family. It always hurts to lose them. Daisy will miss her for sure. The pack is changing so give yourself, and her, a little time to adjust before introducing a new pup.

[MoodIndigo1]

I'm sorry to hear about your Cleo, bubba jr, she's a beautiful, beautiful dog.

Just pay extra attention to Daisy and Lucy. They can feel you're distraught, and they're upset about all this, hence their atypical behaviour.

We're lucky to have such companions as our pets, and I know what a calvary it is to watch one go. Take good care.

[bubba jr]

If I were you I'd tell the doctor to try to save the dog even if the anasthesia was risky. A chance is better than none. But it's your call and though it's a hard call you obviously care for your dogs, so I'm sure you'll make the right one.

There really is no saving her, when she was about 8 months old and I tried to get her fixed I sprung for the extra blood work, and it showed her kidneys were shot. They wanted to do a bunch of extra tests to find out why, and I wanted to know if it would make a difference, and they said no, then they did and paid for all the tests on their own dime, my vet is absolutely kick ass, turns out she was born with really crappy, really small kidneys, they just couldn't do their job.

The options were kidney transplant $$$$$$ or dialysis, which I may have done despite costs, but I know how much the pup hates IV's, I've given her plenty(she went through a bush eating phase, juniper to be specific), plus the drive time, 3 hours on the road twice a week, she would have hated that.

People that knew of her problems would tell me "she isn't sick" and for 2 and 3/4 years she was pretty damn bouncy, friendly, social, active, dumber than a stump, but in a good way. I'll be better off for having had her, I think she had a good life, I tried to give her a good life, especially knowing she wasn't going to last.

I almost took her in Friday, but Friday morning she bounced back, hauling ass around the yard barking at who knows what. Poor girl just finished up her 4th seizure of the day, and I'd take her now but the 24/7 clinic is one long drive(I'm in the middle of nowhere) and I've heard some awful things about them.

This just sucks sitting here and seeing her suffer, I'll give kudo's to the cat, dogs flopping around, and that damn cat is sticking with it, getting smacked all around.

I'm not looking forward to tomorrow morning, but in the grand scheme, It'll be better, for me and for her.

Thanx to you all, for the advice and kind words. I love the anonymous internet thing, though I did call the one person that could make me feel better(and not pick on me for being a pussy), mom.

[SkipMagic]

Well, you might be crazy after all for posting a long-assed message about a dying dog. Don't get me wrong here: I cried when we had to put down our last dog, but a dog is a dog! You know they have a lifespan of what, 8 to 14 years? Putting a dog down is sad, for sure, but in the overall scheme of things it's a speed bump in life.
This is classic example of being a jerk. Knock it off.

[Quasimodem]

Hey Bubba

Just wanted to say how sorry I am to hear about cleo. Many of us here have had to experience the loss of a pet, and you're in our thoughts.

Quasi

[Dolores Reborn]

{{{bubba jr and cleo}}}

You're not a pussy. It hurts.

[Karyn]

I'm so sorry. My dog is dying too and I'm miserable even though I've gone through this many times before. I hope that tomorrow isn't too bad for you.

I'm worried about all of my cats when he dies, but this (http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g132/KGpictures/Midnightsnugglingwithquincy.jpg) one particularly. He loves him so much.

[Hockey Monkey]

Well, you might be crazy after all for posting a long-assed message about a dying dog. Don't get me wrong here: I cried when we had to put down our last dog, but a dog is a dog! You know they have a lifespan of what, 8 to 14 years? Putting a dog down is sad, for sure, but in the overall scheme of things it's a speed bump in life.

:mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad:





bubba, I wish there was a way to have pets without the heartbreak of outliving them. I've been through it many times, and I will go through it again. Take her to the vet in the morning and hold her and love her while they administer the injection. It's the very least you can do for her.

As for your other dog, give her a few days to see how she does. When one of my dogs died 2 years ago, his littermate was heartbroken and confused. I had kept his kennel and bed in my car after taking him in for the last time. I brought it in a couple of days later and let her sniff it and she was fine after that.

Sorry for what you are going through.

[bubba jr]

I'm so sorry. My dog is dying too and I'm miserable even though I've gone through this many times before. I hope that tomorrow isn't too bad for you.

Karyn, you stole my cat
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3053/2788237989_d8142c24b9.jpg?v=0

I'll be OK, there are no more tears left, f'n' critters. They can really get you by the sack, 10,000 years ago they would have been food, not a member of the family.

Karyn, I'd give you advice on how to handle it, but, I don't know, this is the worst animal death I've dealt with, and the poor girl isn't even dead yet, which makes it even worse. Putting her down will pretty much be a relief.

I told myself I would give this little girl as good a life for as long as I could, I think I held up my end of the bargain. Its hard as hell putting an animal down, having the balls to be there while its done is even tougher.

I think part of my end of the bargain is to be there, and I will, and it will suck, I don't want to be, but she's my pup, and thats my responsibility, I can't let her die with strangers. It was my decision to have her to begin with, I fed her, I trained her(she may have trained me), I watered her, I gave her shelter, its my decision to terminate her life(for her own good), I need to be there. This is going to suck, if she makes it until the morning. This just sucks.

[Leaffan]

I come here with my tail between my legs and apologize to bubba jr for my insensitive remarks. I offer no excuses.

In retrospect, I was insensitive. I'm wrong. Please accept my apology.

[Leaffan]

Well, what a mean, shitty thing to say. Long-assed message? That OP probably took five minutes to type. The guy's dog is dying, he feels bad, and it helps him to type a short message saying "This really sucks and I feel bad." I did the same thing when my dog died. You're an asshole.

...

bubba jr, it does suck. No getting around it. If I were you I'd tell the doctor to try to save the dog even if the anasthesia was risky. A chance is better than none. But it's your call and though it's a hard call you obviously care for your dogs, so I'm sure you'll make the right one.

I've never been called an asshole before in my entire life. I provided an apology and am truly sorry for my insensitive remarks.

Doug

[Quasimodem]

I've never been called an asshole before in my entire life. I provided an apology and am truly sorry for my insensitive remarks.

Doug

That's good enough for me, Doug. And this is from another guy who's been known to screw up majorly more than a few times.:)

Q

[ASAKMOTSD]

bubba jr - You have my condolences for what you are going through. I had to do this a few months ago. It was the right thing and many (MANY) people here helped me through that pain. Ignore the jerks. They do not deserve your attention.

[Karyn]

Karyn, you stole my cat
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3053/2788237989_d8142c24b9.jpg?v=0



Wow - they're almost identical down to the look on their faces. All of the cats are very attached to the dog, especially my older one, but that little one seemed to bond to him almost from birth. I hope that you're hanging in there today. Mine seems a bit better today and he's been eating enough people food for the past few days that he's putting on a little weight again. Maybe he has longer than we think.

This may be in horrible taste but I have this gruesomely funny story about a time that I had to have a dog put down, although of course it wasn't funny at the time. He was a very large rottweiler and technically vets aren't supposed to let you take the body away. No one pays attention to that in rural areas so the vet put the body in the trunk of my car so that I could take him home and bury him. As I'm driving home, my car breaks down in the 90 degree heat and there I am by the side of the road with a big dead dog in the trunk waiting for a tow truck. I was in a panic trying to decide what to tell the guys at the garage if they noticed the smell, or what was going to happen if I needed to leave the car there. I could just see the headlines the next day - "Crazy woman leaves dog in trunk to suffocate". In the end I told them the truth and had them tow me home instead of to a garage and they were so nice that they helped me carry the body to where I wanted to bury him and dug the hole for me. Then they towed my car back to the garage.

[bubba jr]

She's gone, she wanted to go out at about 1am, she was really bouncing off the walls, went ouside, peed, wandered around a bit and then camped out in one of her sleeping holes. When I went out to check on her, she was gone. I'm just glad its over.

The fat dog seems OK. I'll take her to the shop with me today, I have a feeling she's going to be stuck to me more than usual.

This still sort of sucks, just no where near as much as yesterday sucked.

Thanx.

[Hockey Monkey]

I come here with my tail between my legs and apologize to bubba jr for my insensitive remarks. I offer no excuses.

In retrospect, I was insensitive. I'm wrong. Please accept my apology.

That was really classy, Leaffan.





bubba, my condolences for your loss.

[Lavender Falcon]

This still sort of sucks, just no where near as much as yesterday sucked.

I'm glad she's at peace now. I'm sorry she had such a short life. It's hard to lose them anytime, but all the harder, I think, when you didn't get to enjoy them for as long as you normally would. Sounds to me like she had three good years spent with someone who loved her a lot, though.

[mmouse9799]

((((Bubba Jr.))))

[rocking chair]

aw, i'm sorry the both of you had such a tough night. it sounds like she passed on in one of her favourite safe spots.

remember the good years you had together.

[Quasimodem]

:( Don't know if you believe in The Rainbow Bridge, but many of us who love our pets do, and we like to believe we'll see them again.

(((((bubba jr.)))))

Bill

[PunditLisa]

I'm so sorry, bubba.

[ralph124c]

Sorry to hear. I lost my best friend a year ago. Dogs get to be so close..it is terrible to lose them.

[deb2world]

Bubba, I am so sorry you lost your friend. My dog Sasserfred died on Christmas (I got her on Christmas eve 10 yrs ago) and I cried for days. I still expect her to be there and then it hits me that she is gone. The other dog Jacque and Sasser were best buds, and he is just now getting over it. So expect your other dog to take awhile.

It sounds like you were a great companion for Cleo though the way you handled her problems.

[bubba jr]

Well, got her buried, and I'm feeling a hell of a lot better. I buried her at the shop, for my own reasons it seemed more fitting. Mainly I rent and I planned on moving in the next couple of months, I didn't want to leave her behind, besides all the tools are at the shop. I had to make a pick axe to get through the first 12 inches or so.

Every animal I've ever buried always got a crappy pile of rocks, I'm going to get a big ass rock. I've got the toys to move up to 15k lbs so, definitely a big ass rock. Then because I have the toys, a nice plaque, probably 316 stainless, maybe some bronze inlays, maybe convert a picture of her and do a nice 3D contour of her, I'll have some fun with it.

The fat dog, she's pretty confused, she won't even chase a tennis ball, and she won't eat. She did chase a cat and a squirrel today, so that's good. I don't think she has been more than two feet from me all day, I always kicked them out when I took a shower, not this morning, she wasn't moving, she laid on the bath mat.

She's always a good traveler, but today she got car(truck) sick. She puked all over my seat at the Border Patrol checkpoint. I usually want to puke going through there too, but she really did it, her aim was off, but it wasn't too bad, she's known things haven't been right these past couple of days, so her stomach was very empty.


:( Don't know if you believe in The Rainbow Bridge, but many of us who love our pets do, and we like to believe we'll see them again.


I have no idea what you are talking about, I will look it up though, when my first dog died, I was 14, she was 16. A while later we got another pup, and his birthday was the same day the first dog died. I thought that was pretty cool.

[cochrane]

Bubba, I'm sorry for the loss of your pet. I've gone through the loss of a dog a couple of times similar to how you lost yours. Knowing the dog is ill and you can't do anything is a terrible feeling.

Give Daisy as much affection and attention as you can right now. She knows her companion is gone, but dogs seem to bounce back from loss quicker than humans, fortunately. Don't hurry to get another dog right away just so she'll have a companion. Wait until the time feels right for you. If you miss the companionship of having two dogs, get another because you really want it, not because you think it's the right thing for Daisy. If she's attached to your cat, that may make it easier on her. The last time one of my dogs passed away and I was left with one dog remaining, I thought I'd just keep that dog for the rest of her life and not add another dog until she was gone. That idea lasted three weeks. I adopted a second dog and couldn't be happier with my decision. He's a really nice dog and the two are friends. But the point is, I adopted a second dog for my sake, not for the sake of my remaining dog.

I don't know if you're a spiritual person, but the Rainbow Bridge is said to be a place where our departed pets' spirits wait for us to join them. Sort of like the belief that when you go to heaven, every dog you've ever had comes running to greet you. If you find comfort in that concept, that's good. Whatever gets you through this time emotionally.

[Quasimodem]

:) the Rainbow Bridge is said to be a place where our departed pets' spirits wait for us to join them. Sort of like the belief that when you go to heaven, every dog you've ever had comes running to greet you. If you find comfort in that concept, that's good. Whatever gets you through this time emotionally.

Thank you. I, as well as many others, will sit there waiting for them, and since I have been a little boy, there have been too many tears and too many of those sweet, loyal ones lost.

So much love passed between us, I believe that it created that bridge, and before anyone says it, yes: I know we need that kind of love among us bi-peds, but I do not believe we have the capacity to understand unconditional love the way they do, sadly.

Auf Wiedersehen, Cleo :)

Q

[bubba jr]

One last whiny post, just to get my thoughts out.

Cleo died early Monday morning, piled her into my truck, took Daisy, went to the shop. Dug a big ass hole, buried Cleo, Daisy stood there watching, did a couple of sniffs even though Cleo was wrapped up in a blanket. Stayed at the shop Monday night, went home Tuesday early since I just wasn't getting anything done, and it was so....

Quiet.

There was no bouncing off the walls, nobody licking somebody else's ears with this creepy annoying noise of pure annoying slobber. No 45 minute wrestling matches over who gets the best laying down spot. No shuffling and wrustling and sighing for the next 2 hours from the one that didn't get the best laying down spot. No push and shove over who can closer to my computer chair, no MWROW, scratch, scratch, hiss over who can lick the cats butt first. It was depressingly...

Quiet.

Back to the shop on Wednesday, took Daisy, she's in the dumps. Stayed at the shop Wednesday night, she's stuck to me like glue, but jumpy, scared jumpy, since she was fixed she had never been a people person, that was Cleo's job, but she has just turned into a real super chicken shit. She is all of a sudden scared of everything, right down to the toilet flushing, and even though she won't leave my side to the point of crying at the bathroom door while I'm in there for 12 seconds, she's been really not affectionate.

She'll come for affection, wants it, but won't in the slightest return it, I haven't gotten a lick or a nuzzle all week. I've also never seen her so submissive, I've never seen her put her ears that flat back, straight back and plastered to her head. I can even give her a kiss on the nose with out having to brush my teeth, blow my nose and wash my forehead and part of my hair. That poor girl is in the dumps.

I've been taking her everywhere, work, beer store, grocery store, gas store, hardware store. When we get home she first goes to the sleeping hole that Cleo died in, then sniffs in the dog-majal(I think I mentioned their house is better than my house), then goes inside and lays down on Cleo's end of the couch. Cleo took up that end as she got sicker since it was the least desirable, no pillows and it wasn't the recliner, and no wrestling with a big fat dog for a comfy spot.

Poor Daisy, even the cat, who never really got along with Daisy is staying close to her, that cat ALWAYS knows when I'm in the dumps, and if she's staying close to Daisy, she is definitely way further off than I am. Damn fat dog won't even eat, I got her to eat some Burger and brown rice Tuesday and Thursday, but she really hasn't eaten in almost 2 weeks. She is almost resembling a dog shape, not a beer keg shape, so I guess its not all bad, she's fat and healthy, just depressed and confused, she'll pop back.

I lost a beautiful little chocolate lab about 4 years back to parvo. That sucked, but it was easy, because when she was gone, I just had to deal with me. Now I have to deal with me, which is still easy, but I have the extra burden of another critter that I am responsible for, that I don't know what the hell to do with. I almost wish she could talk. I think she'll be a bit better in a few weeks, I'll keep giving her the tennis ball test. I keep giving her a butt load of attention, she comes for it, but its not like she enjoys it, rub her belly and its like she don't care, she used to get her legs up in the air and squirm around and make funny noises, now she is just laying there. (that sounds sick).

If anybody is wondering, Me, I'm fine, I'm a bit bummed, I'm fricken tired, I didn't sleep for damn near a week, at least with a human you have 911. With a dog you have 22 38 and 45, none of which I have. I'm just glad the horrible part is over, I just hope I'm not going to hell for letting Cleo suffer longer than she needed to.

I'm going to give it about 3 weeks, see how Daisy is doing first, and probably get another pup. I can't deal with the quiet, Daisy was always the down to earth one, the guard dog, I need another fruitloopy nut to bounce off the walls, make things interesting, 99% probably a lab.

Purely mundane and pointless, just needed to get some thought out.

[criminey.jicket]

January has not been kind to Dopers. :(

Bubba, it's hard to let them go and I'm so sorry for your loss. Your plans for Cleo's grave are really touching. Huggems.

[TVeblen]

Poor Daisy. (And poor you.)

Here's an idea: take her along to the shelter or wherever you get your pups. Let her do some meet and greets with you. She's grieving hard and that has its place but going off her feed that much and for so long...well, you're sad, she's sad and unsettled. Why not go ahead and get a puppy? You already know you want one and Daisy badly needs the company so might as well go for it. There's a pup out there waiting to come home to you and Daisy.

[Karyn]

My dog had the same kind of seizure that you describe in the OP today, only not as severe. For an hour or so afterward his eyes were open but he was completely unresponsive and we were sure it was time to call the vet, but I sat there and held him and he slowly started to come around and now he's up and ate some food and is shuffling around the house and porch with the cats. I don't think he can survive another one of those. This just sucks : (

[Slainte]

bubba jr,

My condolences to you & Daisy. May Cleo be at peace.

I have two lab mixes (Max & Lola) and I can understand the relationship Cleo & Daisy had.

My heart goes out you & Daisy. Best wishes with your new pup.

[PunditLisa]

bubba, I just wanted to check in to see how Daisy was doing. Hope she's starting to eat again.

[bubba jr]

bubba, I just wanted to check in to see how Daisy was doing. Hope she's starting to eat again.

I wish I could say she is doing good, but she is one seriously depressed and confused dog. She's a dog, she has a hard time remembering how to sit, when she drinks water she gets slobber from her neck up over her head and into her eyes, then again, I get chocolate milk on my glasses, its just weird. She's really not that smart.

She was always an outdoor dog, they both were, their choice, she doesn't want anything to do with it, she won't leave my side, and I think she is stronger than my front door. I let her out, she does two laps of the yard(her little patrol thing, which used to last hours), then she tries coming literally through the door, I try leaving her out and the other day she actually went and slept in the dog house for a while, usually she'll just curl up on the front stoop, which is a crappy piece of expanded metal and cry.

I took last Monday off, and kicked her out for a while and she crawled up under the trailer,(yes, I live in a trailer, a 1968 double wide with 2 license plates above the front door), and I could hear her down there for over an hour, crying/whimpering. I've never seen a dog do that.

I've been taking her with me everywhere I go, which is basically work, a few errands and back home. She's really really skittish, really really jumpy, scared of everything. There are times she's scared of me, people she knows and likes, who feed her, she won't let them touch her.

Her tail is always straight down to a bit between her legs (unless shes on patrol[which now only lasts 2 laps instead of 100's] or trying to get that damn squirrel, and even that is a half assed 30 second effort). Ears which used to be perky, are just flopped around her head. Eyes are always drooping probably because she isn't sleeping much, just staring off into space. She is always holding her head low.

She's eating, just not a lot, but enough, I've been cooking her the good stuff every 2 or 3 days, pork apples and potatoes or chicken rice and green beans, she wolfs that down pretty good, but doesn't spend an hour sniffing around hoping to find the grain of rice that got away. No more new dents in my frig from her wagging her tail in anticipation.

Might sound like shes sick too, but shes not physically feeling anything, when I'm at the shop, she'll stick by my side moving all day for 16 hours. Looking depressed as hell, but she's right there.

I had no idea a dog could get like this, but, those two were stuck together like glue. They didn't just sleep together they took turns being the mattress.

Dogs are supposed to make you happy, not depressed.

I'll give her a few more weeks, let her do her grieving thing, then start looking for another pup. I need more noise around here. Hopefully I can find another nut like Cleo was.

[PunditLisa]

So sorry to hear that Daisy isn't doing so good. Maybe you should get that new puppy sooner rather than later.

We went on vacation last week and my parents came over to watch the kids and the grandbeagle. My dad has a way with animals. Well, Buddy has been mourning his absence ever since we came home Friday night. He wouldn't even come upstairs when we went up to bed. (He normally sleeps with us.)

Today I had to call him several times to come down and greet me when I got home from work, the little traitor.

I might have to call Dad to come over and spend some time with him before too long.

Sigh.