OT: I love my pet

[R.J. MacReady]

Just a horse? ...no such thing.

For those of us who truly love our pets, we must be honest with ourselves when we ask the most important and difficult question a pet owner can, Is he or she suffering?

And when they are we must start our own pain to end theirs.

God Bless Gooch, The day will come when you think of Sheba and instead of tears, your smile.

Stay strong brother.

 

[tducey]

Losing a pet is not easy, they are more than pets, they're family for sure. Thoughts are with you right now.

 

[DevilishWon]

Much appreciated guys! It's been a rough couple days but I am glad I am on this side of things. Had been worrying for awhile knowing that her time was coming due to her age. Life goes on I guess.

You gave her a good life, take solace in that

 

[Gooch1034]

Just a horse? ...no such thing.

For those of us who truly love our pets, we must be honest with ourselves when we ask the most important and difficult question a pet owner can, Is he or she suffering?

And when they are we must start our own pain to end theirs.

God Bless Gooch, The day will come when you think of Sheba and instead of tears, your smile.

Stay strong brother.

You said it perfectly. When the vet mentioned I need to think about putter Sheba down, that is when it felt like everything inside my whole body just dropped. It was the first time I had to make a decision like that but I know it was the right decision. One of the hardest parts at this point is trying to get passed the nightmare of seeing the whole process of putting her to sleep. Its the last thing in the world I want to see happening but there is no way in hell I wasn't going to be there for her.

I am one of those types that doesn't want people around when I am upset and I am also the type that isn't very good at taking compliments/sympathy. The little I have posted here about it all is the most I have talked to anyone about all of this and I do it out of pride that I have for Sheba. The compliments and sympathy you all posted honestly touched my heart and I thank every one of you.

 

[KennyBanyeah]

You said it perfectly. When the vet mentioned I need to think about putter Sheba down, that is when it felt like everything inside my whole body just dropped. It was the first time I had to make a decision like that but I know it was the right decision. One of the hardest parts at this point is trying to get passed the nightmare of seeing the whole process of putting her to sleep. Its the last thing in the world I want to see happening but there is no way in hell I wasn't going to be there for her.

I am one of those types that doesn't want people around when I am upset and I am also the type that isn't very good at taking compliments/sympathy. The little I have posted here about it all is the most I have talked to anyone about all of this and I do it out of pride that I have for Sheba. The compliments and sympathy you all posted honestly touched my heart and I thank every one of you.

Animals just don't live long enough. I've had to put down two dogs and it is just about the most helpless feeling.

Positives? You get to start the whole journey again at some point and give another critter a good home.

 

[IndyAndy]

 

[dash]

I think the following qualifies:

Talk about a lucky dog.

Bella Mia, a three-year-old Maltese terrier, will inherit a Florida house worth about £1 million – that's $1.8 million CDN – when her owner, Rose Ann Bolasny, dies, leaving her two sons, aged 32 and 38, out in the cold.

https://ca.news.yahoo.com/blogs/dai...zed-pup--sons-will-get-nothing-163940165.html

 

[Gooch1034]

I think the following qualifies:

Talk about a lucky dog.

Bella Mia, a three-year-old Maltese terrier, will inherit a Florida house worth about £1 million – that's $1.8 million CDN – when her owner, Rose Ann Bolasny, dies, leaving her two sons, aged 32 and 38, out in the cold.

https://ca.news.yahoo.com/blogs/dai...zed-pup--sons-will-get-nothing-163940165.html

Amazing pet owner. Horrible parent. Unless her sons deserved to be left out. lol

 

[IndyAndy]

Meet Katie. She's a nine month old Rat Terrier mix that I just picked up from the local Humane Society.

 

[sabresfaninthesouth]

Meet Katie. She's a nine month old Rat Terrier mix that I just picked up from the local Humane Society.

Nice work!

I love it when people go to the Humane Society (or any other shelter for that matter) rather than dropping thousands on pure breds.

 

[IndyAndy]

I could use some advice. It's been quite some time (15+ years) since I last had to house-break a dog. Katie understands that when she goes outside she will be rewarded with a treat, but that doesn't stop her from also going indoors.

I crate her at night (she won't go in there), but give her the run of the kitchen while I'm at work (at least it's easy to clean tile!). Should I stop being a 'softie' and crate her then as well?

Any other 'tricks'/tips that you would suggest?

 

[Comeds]

I could use some advice. It's been quite some time (15+ years) since I last had to house-break a dog. Katie understands that when she goes outside she will be rewarded with a treat, but that doesn't stop her from also going indoors.

I crate her at night (she won't go in there), but give her the run of the kitchen while I'm at work (at least it's easy to clean tile!). Should I stop being a 'softie' and crate her then as well?

Any other 'tricks'/tips that you would suggest?

I would. Crating her at night and not the day could also be confusing her. When I got my dog I really didn't like the idea of crating him. My wife worked at numerous animal hospitals as a receptionist and as a tech talked me into it. It worked great for my dog. I can only remember one accident ever in the house. Took him out before crating him, then when we let him out. Worked great. He wasn't always happy about it but he didn't mind the crate itself. After about 6 months it was just used for overnight. After about a year we got rid of it. Besides the housebreaking help, he never really got into stuff when we weren't home.
He did like to move a pillow from one room to another when we were out. We finally trusted his decorating skills and moved it permanently.

 

[KennyBanyeah]

I agree with what Comeds posted.

However, if your dog is like mine he will freak out in a crate. In my dog's case he actually escaped several times, including ACTUALLY BENDING THE METAL ENOUGH TO SOMEHOW ESCAPE!!! UN-FUCKING-REAL!!

An alternative is to create an "OK to pee area" made out of newspaper. gradually shrink it until there is no more. Then he is trained.

Every dog I've had though just seems to hate pissing in his own house so I guess I've been lucky.

 

[Bmurph]

Comeds pretty much nailed it, which is how I've always done it as well. Outside immediately before going into the crate for extended periods, and also immediately when you let her out after being kenneled for long periods. She should get the idea like was said in 6 mos. and then after a few more months you likely won't need the crate much at all.

 

[IndyAndy]

Thanks for the replies. I'll try crating while at work & see how that goes.

 

[Comeds]

WARNING! This has images that are hard to look at but it ends well.


I am amazed the dog lived and that he was not lashing out in what had to be horrible pain.

 

[Winged_Wheel88]

The two newest additions to the family. They popped up mewing their little heads off on our front porch about 2-3 weeks back. Not named yet!

 

[beantownmaniac]

Adorable. M? F? Get them spayed and neutered at about 5 months old.

 

[beantownmaniac]

Oh and may I recommend Blue Buffalo dry food and B.F.F. canned food? I researched what they put in lower cost cat foods and believe it's gross.

 

[puckhead]

name one Joyce, and the other one Jim.
or Henrik and Pavel. (for Sedin and Bure, of course)