This might sound stupid to alot of you but it's not stupid to me!I
remember that one of the members;knows alot about animals.
My dog(11 1/2 yr old;mostly Black Lab,part Rotty)hadn't been eating.He would reach over;his food dish;and just drink from his
water dish.It sounds like alot but he is down to 104lbs.He is a BIG
dog;not fat;and usually runs about 112-120lbs.I give him 30% less fat food.I took him to the Vet;Friday.The Vet said he had a
large cancerous tumor in his stomach.He said that it possibly could
have already infected his liver&spleen.He said that the only way to check it was by ultra-sound(minimum $300)or to cut him open;
with the agreement;that if it was too bad;they wouldn't wake him
back up.He said that even if the money was spent;and the results;not bad;that big dogs don't live long anyway and he was
on"borrowed"time now.I brought him home and am just feeding him anything that appeals to him.So far he eats bologna and also
likes a hamburg&rice concoction that I cooked up.He drinks alot&
throws up alot of Yellowish bile!Any suggestions would be appreciated.He has always been my buddy;loves to ride;and is my
constant companion.I tell people;that I have 2 white daughters&
one black son!I know that he is going to die;I'm just trying to make him enjoy in the mean time!Thanks! Irish

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Irish---Better to be dead & cool,then alive & uncool!
(Harley Davidson & the Marlboro Man)

Irish - I am by no means an expert on anything let alone animals... but I just wanted to say that it sounds like you are doing whats right for your best friend... just love him and make him happy as long as you can ...

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Would you cater to every fantasy I've got? Would you hose me down with holy water if I get to hot? Can you take me places I've never known?

Sucks, Fucks & Kisses

Hugs Irish..

Again.. it isn't about quantity in this life.. in my opinion.. quality is what counts.. and you are giving your best friend the quality.. I am sure that this is gut wrenching for you.. I am sorry..

I CAN share the feelings. My 16 year old girl died over 4 years ago and I still miss her.
Only thing I can add is to be careful of mixing your emotions with his.
I was going to just let her go as long as she wasn’t in any pain. The last week she only drink water and couldn’t move at all. I’d carry her and her blanket out side and hose her off after she’d mess herself and wash more blankets. It was when my daughter came over and pointed out that she deserved as much dignity as I’ve told my kids I wanted.
We put her down that day.

Attached Images

ourdailywalke.jpg (43.6 KB, 352 views)

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(((((((((((((Irish)))))))))))))))))

My heart goes out to you my friend! I know the feelings you are having now. As my contribution to you I say........you are doing everything you can do in this place in time for your friend!!!

As long as he isn't in pain.....and you will know if he is when he is......I think the only course of action is what you are doing right now. The hamburger/rice dish is probably the best meal for him if it is mashed up and not left really chunky. The more you mash it, the easier it is to digest and so therefore he might keep it down better. The hamburger should be the leanest you can get too as the fattier the hamburger the harder it will be to digest. Use more rice than hamburger if you can. Smaller meals fed more often would be best too. A cup of this or that fed in intervals of every two to 4 hours would sit better than a huge meal fed once or twice a day.

Your dog is a lucky pup to have such a caring and loving caretaker! Your love is felt by him.....never forget that! And as far as his life span, yes indeed he has had a long life for the size animal he is. His death and dying can only be made comfortable.......it is you who will do the most suffering and for that I send you my best wishes and loving thoughts to help ease some of your saddness! I'll keep you and your friend in my thoughts!

*hugs*

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Minds are like parachutes. They only work when they are open.

~Thomas Dewar~

Irish~ so sorry hun...I know you love that dog! I hope that this time helps bring some closure and I am sure he can feel the love you give him daily. Whatever you do will be the right for him because you will be doing it out of love. I know this is a hard time and if ya need to talk please feel free to PM or email! ((hugs)) Lil

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The practice of putting women on pedestals began to die out when it was discovered that they could give orders better from there.~ Betty Grable

If I wanted your opinion, I'd remove the duct tape and ask you for it.~ Me
<~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~>
One man's dream is another man's nightmare~~~~> §¤ Lilith ¤§
~>My Scribbles<~
==>Gone Shopping<== ~Just a Quickie~ *~A Celebration Vacation~* ~Surprises~ Sleeping With the Window Open
What Did You Do Today? Self Defense Class ~Short Sweet Snippets~ § Summer Spin § Story Challenge Submission Pajamas

Tough call, Irish.

I like pantyfanatic's thought.

Know when to be tough is the kindest.

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Calm, quiet, smooth, devastating

{{{{{{{{Irish}}}}}}}}} I'm so sorry. My big ol' Lab has had his share of health troubles and it practically stops my heart.

My last dog was put to sleep when I realized he wasn't comfortable anymore.

My heart and prayers are with you.

Thanks everyone.I'll probably call the vet to have him put away
tomorrow.My last dog;I let go to long;his back end gave out&I
couldn't even get him in the car to take him to the Vet.I had to put him away myself.Believe me that's not easy.I tried everything
but thats what it came down to.I'm just afraid of that happening
again.The dog that I have now is just perfect when it comes to
protection.The woman next door;was talking to my wife;by the clothesline;one night.Her dog is nameded"Goliath"My dog;on his
run;was playing with Goliath.All was fine until Goliath;playfully;
jumped on me.My dog was on him like"stink on shit"Just what I
want-Protective but not over-aggressive!It's hard to find a happy medium.I don't want to see him suffer;but I don't want to have to do it myself either!This isn't Viet Nam.As you get older;emotions
are harder to turn off! Irish

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Irish---Better to be dead & cool,then alive & uncool!
(Harley Davidson & the Marlboro Man)

Irish..

I believe.. that animals are rewarded.. once they have lived a life of giving unconditional love... they go on to a much better place.. I know that this isn't easy for you.. and you will miss him... and he will leave an empty spot in your life.. but he has done his job.. and obviously well.. he has loved you and now deserves his ultimate happiness...

Not to get "religious" on anyone.. but I believe that just as you are reunited with those you love when you reach heaven.. you will also find your loyal friend...

((((((((((Irish)))))))))))

Just to let everyone know!I called the Vet.;early this morning;and
I am taking my dog down;to be put down;at 3:45 this afternoon.
My Grandkids are coming for Thanksgiving and I want them to remember him as he was;not as he is now.I ;probably;won't be here;for the rest of the day.Something tells me;that big,bad,
motorcycle racing,ex-enforcer,street fighting Irish is going to get
emotional.Thanks everyone! Irish

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Irish---Better to be dead & cool,then alive & uncool!
(Harley Davidson & the Marlboro Man)

Irish,

I'm reading yu post and my eyes are filling up with tears.

I have a wonderful canine son as well, he's two yr. old , his name
is bear. I couldn't bear the thought of losing him at 2 never mind
11 1/2. My heart and prayers go out to you.

And if it makes you feel any better..............They do take the love
with them.

I wish I had the words to comfort you, but just know that you are in my thoughts and prayers.

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What is essential is invisible to the eye
Only with the heart can one see rightly.

It does not at all sound stupid.

I also have a 8 1/2 year old male collie (Whiskey) who has always been agressive to children and I did seek for advise when we had our baby.

I understand your situation perfectly as when Whiskey came to me at 7 months, he had severe rachitism and the vet told me that it was very hard to cure him. But with our efforts and him being very young then, he eventually did. At 2 years of age, he had something at his tail and we had a biopsy which resulted as a lymph tumour but we once again got over it. He is now 8 1/2 years old and remains as my best companion.

My sincere suggestion is, your pal has lived his life and at his old years. Anything could be expected just like you could expect from a 90 year old human. But he loves you, and would like to have you by his side. And I understand that you are taking care of him very well. Try to feed him, with anything that he would take.

However, loving you, if it is not very severe, he will not express his pain to you. You will have to observe him. If he is in deep pain, and there is no cure, I would suggest (as an approver of eutonasia) you to releive him from pain - do not like to express the phrase.

Hope all will be well.

Joys

Irish, I wish you the best over the upcoming holiday. I know it's really hard to lose a companion you love and care for, especially during what's supposed to be a festive season. I think you're making the right decision given the circumstance. Hang in there, and give yourself some private time to give your tearducts a workout. We're here if you need us...

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Put me on wheels and I'll turn tricks.

Clever? Nah, I ran out of that years ago. But if you find this, let me know, k?
"The road goes ever on..." ~ Tolkien

In memory of my friend skip...
Go then, there are other worlds than these

It's done.That shot works very quick!Now;I just have to do;like I
did when my father died.Namely;DON'T think about it or dwell on it
Easier said then done.I did everything with him&everything around here reminds me of him.First time that I've seen my wife cry since her mother died.It felt strange leaving him there! Irish
P.S.Even my wife's cat is looking for his brother.

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Irish---Better to be dead & cool,then alive & uncool!
(Harley Davidson & the Marlboro Man)