Our dog Boomer died last night

Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
1

Our dog Boomer died last night. He was the best dog ever.

We adopted Boomer 12 years ago. He was a stray who showed up at a friend’s house. She already had two dogs or she would have kept him. He was trained and housebroken, so she placed ads and called vets to try and find his owner, but without any luck. Except for us. We got him during football season, hence the name.

Funny thing. We were at the company Christmas party when my friend asked us if anyone wanted this dog. My husband loves dogs (more than me) and it wasn’t hard to talk him into it. Then I started thinking about how much our lives would change with a dog, even a trained housebroken dog. I said “Maybe we should think about this some more. Maybe someone else could take him.” Hubby pops up: “You can’t give away my dog!” :smiley:

When she brought him to the house, the first thing he did was pee on the stereo speakers. When we took him outside he ran off and we chased him for two blocks. Not a good start, but that’s the only trouble he ever gave us.

Boomer was a Lab mix – not a small dog, but he loved sitting on my husband’s lap, laying his head on his shoulder and licking his ears. He also loved licking hubby’s feet, even between his toes. (Ew! I know!)

Boomer was on medication for heart failure. He was doing okay on the meds, but then things went south over the weekend. Hubby had taken him for a car ride Saturday, and maybe the excitement was too much. Boomer coughed a lot over the weekend and was breathing heavily, and not eating except for the treats he got with his pills. The weather yesterday kept us from taking him back to the vet – freezing rain and then heavy snow and wind. I don’t know if the vet could have done anything.

When I was getting ready for bed last night, Boomer was standing at the bottom of the stairs. I called him to come up but he wouldn’t come. Or couldn’t. Or maybe he was just waiting for both of us to go to bed so he could relax. I went to bed and read for about 15 minutes and then went back downstairs to check
on him. He’d collapsed on the living room floor and was gone.

We petted him for awhile, then wrapped him in his favorite blanket and put him in a big plastic storage bin with his Iowa Hawkeyes collar and tags.

I can’t stop crying. He really was a part of the family – the part that never caused any trouble and just wanted to love us.

2

I’m sorry for your loss. :frowning:

3

So sorry for your loss.

Boomer will always be with you…

4

I’m so sorry. What a nice life you gave him. Those silly doggies, they sure do get in our hearts, don’t they?

5

Loved and well cared for until his last breath—would that all stray dogs could have such a wonderful life. It sure does hurt when they leave us, though. I’m sorry you’re hurting, Auntie Pam.

6

You were lucky to find each other. I know what it’s like to lose a beloved furry part of the family.

My thoughts are with you and your husband.

7

{{{{AuntiePam}}}}

I know how tragically sad it is to lose a pet family member. Just know that he died a happy dog who knew he was very loved and well taken care of. You done good.

RIP Boomer.

8

Awwww. :frowning: The only thing about doggies I can’t stand is that they don’t last forever. :frowning:

9

I am sorry to hear of your loss.

Sending supporting thoughts your way.

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Thanks, everyone. Condolences do help. :slight_smile:

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‘Good boy, Boomer, I scrithch thee gently behind the ears’

Maddie bounds over to show him where she hid all of the big bones.

12

Oh, Auntie Pam. I’m so sorry. My boys will greet him today and show him around.

13

Sleep well, fella. :frowning:

14

I am so sorry for your loss.

15

Thank you.

The vet asked us if we wanted his ashes back but we said no. Ron said he didn’t think he could do another goodbye. I guess it’s okay that his ashes will be mixed with others. He always liked other dogs, and cats too.

I can still feel him. He had an incredibly soft patch of hair below his neck – white with some black spots. We always wondered if there was some Dalmation in him, or maybe one of those spotted spaniels.

16

That’s what I love about male dogs. Each is a Napoleon unto himself. Every one looks at the world and says “it’s mine—all mine!”

Sounds like Boomer had a good life. Every dog should be so lucky. :slight_smile:

17

I’m so sorry for your loss. It sounds like you guys had a good run together, though.

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Every person should know the joy of being loved by a Good Dog. No person should have to mourn their loss.

I’ve said before and will say again, dogs ask of us only what we can spare and in return give us all they have. It’s the best bargain humanity ever made.

Lots of warm thoughts to you and your family, and thank you for giving your Good Dog a good life.

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{{{AuntiePam}}}

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Thank you so much, everyone.

I’m going to print this thread and show it to my husband, but I’ll probably wait a few months. He just now picked up a half-chewed Milkbone off the floor. We both sat looking at it all day.