My Dog, DiggerDog

[mtnkitty]

Whoops!

Glad to hear that DiggerDog is doing well! That is a beautiful dog.

[Laggdawg]

Hey there,
I have been in the business since 88 and spent the last 10 working in specialty facilities throughout Southern California, primarily ER with lots of end of life situations. There are a lot of opinions on whether you should press forward with treatment or manage a comfortable release. My opinion is the latter with the caveat that picking the time is the hardest duty that we have as pet owners, but nonetheless it is our duty. I let the animals comfort be my guide...will the efforts I choose for my friend make him/her more comfortable or postpone my discomfort.





But, what I really wanted to offer was advice on the euthanasia process as i think you will face that event sooner or later and it is something i feel strongly about. When done correctly the process can occur with no fear or realization for the pet. Here is what I suggest:

• Make the appointment for early AM and take the day off
• Have a friend with you who knows DiggerDog as well and let them drive
• Allow the veterinary staff to place a catheter first without you present (nervous owners make nervous pets and nervous staff)
• Ask for a premedication that disorients DiggerDog; usually a heavy sedative. rationale for me is that I want my friends to experience no fear or cognition, but rather to slip through quiet and easy
• Make all your aftercare arrangements the day before (Is cremation an option for you? Do you want the ashes back to scatter along a special ride?)
• Make all your payment arrangements before the appointment so you can walk out when it is over
• When the time comes, give him a big kiss on the head and hold him...he'll know you are there so be strong for him
• Have a place to go after...maybe a hike or a friends house. Do something special like write a poem or make a list of all your favorite times together or a scrap book.
• Don't hold back the tears

When you are ready, let us know how it all went. I'm gonna need some closure from this too...I'm getting choked up just remembering all the friends i have lost over the years.
And when you are really ready, lets do a tribute ride in his honor.
Take care of yourself,
Craig

[dirtmistress]

Originally Posted by Laggdawg

Hey there,
I have been in the business since 88 and spent the last 10 working in specialty facilities throughout Southern California, primarily ER with lots of end of life situations. There are a lot of opinions on whether you should press forward with treatment or manage a comfortable release. My opinion is the latter with the caveat that picking the time is the hardest duty that we have as pet owners, but nonetheless it is our duty. I let the animals comfort be my guide...will the efforts I choose for my friend make him/her more comfortable or postpone my discomfort.






But, what I really wanted to offer was advice on the euthanasia process as i think you will face that event sooner or later and it is something i feel strongly about. When done correctly the process can occur with no fear or realization for the pet. Here is what I suggest:

• Make the appointment for early AM and take the day off
• Have a friend with you who knows DiggerDog as well and let them drive
• Allow the veterinary staff to place a catheter first without you present (nervous owners make nervous pets and nervous staff)
• Ask for a premedication that disorients DiggerDog; usually a heavy sedative. rationale for me is that I want my friends to experience no fear or cognition, but rather to slip through quiet and easy
• Make all your aftercare arrangements the day before (Is cremation an option for you? Do you want the ashes back to scatter along a special ride?)
• Make all your payment arrangements before the appointment so you can walk out when it is over
• When the time comes, give him a big kiss on the head and hold him...he'll know you are there so be strong for him
• Have a place to go after...maybe a hike or a friends house. Do something special like write a poem or make a list of all your favorite times together or a scrap book.
• Don't hold back the tears

When you are ready, let us know how it all went. I'm gonna need some closure from this too...I'm getting choked up just remembering all the friends i have lost over the years.
And when you are really ready, lets do a tribute ride in his honor.
Take care of yourself,
Craig

.
I too still feel the pain of lost love. I still feel the joy they gave me also.
True stuff here..everytime I've had to let a beloved kitty move on, I have felt them on the bed that same night.
One time I waved my hand to pet what I thought was one of my other cats and there was nothing there.
I felt comfort knowing they will always be there.

[thistrailisntlegal?]

I lost my best friend today, he's in a better place now.

[Chewyeti]

Very sorry for your loss.

Remember the good times!
Digger i'm sure is in a happier place and will always be with you

[jayman_29]

Sorry to hear that bro. I don't even want to think about the day when my old boy goes. You're right, he is in a better place now. Just remember the good times you had together.

[dirtvert]

very sorry to hear the news. at least you had a few extra months with him. don't let too much time pass before you get another one. there are lots of great dogs that could use a good home...

[Diamondback]

bahhhhhhhh! sniff.... I cried like a baby when I read your post. Much sympathy to you and your family on this somber day.

[OMR]

They leave a big hole in your life when they go... you never stop missing them ... but it does get more manageable. Just think of all the fun you both had together while he was here ...

[jcka]

I am truly sorry for your loss. I have a chocolate lab that I am very attached to and could not imagine not having her around. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

[Draheim18]

I'm sorry to hear about your loss. I hope that you will look into getting another one because Golden's are great dogs. Also it won't fill the hole in your heart of the dog that you lost, but it will help with it plus you will have a new pal to love and take of.

[jayman_29]

I know it might be too soon, but when I was at the Animal Shelter in Corona renewing one of my dogs' licenses, I saw a young female Golden Retriever in one of the cages with a Pug. From the paperwork in front, they're both available on the 16th. To me, animal shelter dogs are the best, they seem to know that they got a second chance after you get them home. If I could, I'd take all of those dogs home. Both my boys were from the same shelter, 8 years apart.

[Draheim18]

Yea shelters is a great place to get a dog from. Plus you give them a new life from sitting in a cage all day long. And I was reading some articles a couple months back about rescuing dogs and it said that almost 75% of the dogs are pure breeds but they just don't have the papers to prove it. But if your not going to show your dog or breed, it doesn't really matter if it is a pure breed or not.

[thistrailisntlegal?]

Thanks, everybody! Digger was a special dog to me, he meant a lot to me for many reasons.

He was a rescue dog, i don't think i'd ever get another pet that wasn't. like was already mentioned, rescue pets seem to know they have a second chance on life, diggerdog seemed to live that motto everyday. I'm sure i'll get another pet soon but i'm going to need some time before that happens.

[1FG rider]

So sorry to hear about DiggerDog.

[Chaos]

Very sorry for your loss.
We lost our 8yr old Rotty/Akita mix back in Feb and it was a tough time for us.
DiggerDog definitely looked like an awesome friend.

[Abstrakt77]

Sorry about your loss B.

[CPATCRASH]

I wish dogs lived as long as people. I have been through 6 and miss them all. Sorry for your loss.

[ride hard]

Sorry for your loss... I can't imagine how hard it is on you