I said goodbye to my 12 year old doberman Drago this morning. He was fine last night, this morning he was lethargic and wouldn’t eat breakfast. A trip to the emergency vet showed a ruptured splenic tumor bleeding internally. No good prognosis, even if they could get him stabilized for surgery, which they doubted.
Drago slept in my bed every night for 10 years. He always had to get in before any other dog, so he’d get his spot, laying stretched out touching me the whole length of his body. He was always happiest by my side. I was holding him as he died.
It’s always seems that the fates send me a doberman when I’m about to lose my current dog. Scout came to me 2 months ago. Drago came to me a month before I lost doberman Jake to osteosarcoma. Grace was dumped near my farm a week before Simon died in his sleep. Simon just before I lost Kate.
Farewell, good boy. You were such an easy dog to love.
And all this after having lost my miniature horse Peanut (in his 30’s) suddenly on Thursday.
Ah jeez. I also have Dobes, and once had mini horses. Just reading your post makes me remember those losses so clearly. You sound calm, but I have no doubt you feel that your heart’s torn out. I’m so sorry.
Man, it hurts to read this. Accept my sympathies, having said farewell to too many good dogs in my life. Last year, just after losing my Mom, my faithful companion of 15 years became extremely ill, and was gone before I could even grasp what was happening. Worse, the entire family was out of town and I was alone that weekend. Rough doesn’t begin to describe it.
I wish you well, and many happy, new companions. Now I need to sign off and do something about all the dust in this damned room.
I’m so sorry for your loss of a great friend. I had to say goodbye to my pup back in January. Enjoy the ones you have now, and fondly remember all the good times you had with Drago.
Our old girl (Catahoula mix, rescue from the Navajo Res, 15 1/2 years old, 55#!) is declining. Still happy, still eats, not too much pain, but she’s got kidney issues, has started peeing in the house (concrete floors, NBD). We’re anticipating the end. Much love to you and your Dobies. They always fill and break our hearts.
I’m so sorry about Drago and Peanut, StGermain. They give so much and take so little. Until they’re gone and you realize how much of your heart they take with them.
Grieve well, it’s the the last thing you’ll do for Drago. Take your time. Put a picture of him on the fridge til you feel kinda ok about it.
You’ll never forget but he can walk along beside you. In your heart.
Thank you, everyone, for the condolences. It was hard to sleep last night without him pressed up against me giving off 50K BTUs. His presence will be sorely missed.
It is very sad when our furry friends run out of life, but they do leave us with wonderful memories of the times shared. Sounds like you have given a good number of animal companions the best they can get out of life - loving care and attention. Good on you!
I am not really a dog person I’ve had 2 and my first one was buck he was 6 or 7 when I inherited him when a neighbor of my aunts had a dog they were trying to find a home for e went over for a family event around Xmas and heard pitiful howling out back and when stepdad asked about it we were told he’s an inside dog that needs a home so stepdad took him home
But the dog had other ideas and for some reason decided I was his boy and would not listen to anyone else it was almost like lassie
mom said he’d wait by the door and cry until I came home … now I had a single teen bed but he loved to sleep with me for a while
I say for a while because I’ve always had to sleep on my side well he’d slid between me and the wall and eventually start stretching his legs out and at some point, id get rolled off the bed … and depending on my mood i’d make him move or id sleep on the floor or couch
Now when that didn’t work he’d use his always effective weapon… the old dog fart … which was highly effective and would clear my room of all organic life but him …and sometimes even him…
