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Lad, our dog: 1996-2009

Discussion in 'Other Discussions' started by FlyForFun, Aug 22, 2009.

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  1. FlyForFun

    FlyForFun New Member

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    Lad, our Yellow Labrador retriever, died today at 4:30 in the vet's office. We were there when he died.

    He started acting sick yesterday. He wouldn't eat, and today couldn't even keep down water. Our regular vet doesn't keep Saturday hours, so we took Lad at 1030 to another nearby vet we've used for our cats.

    He wouldn't even walk, so we made a stretcher with an old sheet. He didn't even struggle or complain. He was really sick.

    We put him in the bed of the truck, and slowly drove the 5 miles to the office. We waited outside -- he was comfortable outside in the bed, and I parked under a shady tree.

    At 1230 the vet tech came out and took all Lad's info. By then his breathing was shallow and he was panting.

    We rigged another stretcher from a blanket. They asked if it would be ok to put a muzzel on him. He didn't mind, but it really wasn't needed.

    We took him inside and after a short wait the Dr. came in and checked him out. He said he had a heart arythmia, and his short breaths and overall demeanor didn't look good. We asked what he thought we should do. He said his job was to make the animals better, and it was up to us.

    I asked him to do some tests to help determine what was wrong. He agreed and said they'd call in a couple of hours.

    He called us at 4 and said Lad had near total kidney failure, which was causing all the secondary problems. He said he could euthanize Lad.. we would have to let him know.

    I said we'd come in. We left the house at 4:10, and arrived at the office at 4:20.

    When we walked in Lad was on the floor on a blanket. The Dr said he was going fast, and he didn't need to euthanize him.

    We walked over and knelt down next to our faithful, ever friendly, always patient Lad. He was fading fast. His breathing was labored and he didn't seem to recognize us -- the first time in over 12 years.

    The Dr and vet techs knelt down and pet Lad as well. Soon, his breaths came less frequently. At about 4:30, he breathed his last.

    Lad lived a very good life, was still walking a 3 mile hilly loop 3-4 times a week until last Spring, and still look forward to every single meal until Thursday, and always greeted every person that came to the house.

    He knew when to bark when a stranger came up the driveway, but would remain quiet when one of us came home late.

    He was easy to train, loved to be outside, probably had ten thousand mile son his paws, and was a great companion on backpacking and camping trips.

    One time we were backpacking and in the middle of the night I woke up -- Lad was standing, hair on the back of his neck straight up, silently staring at the tent flap. I moved it aside to see a huge black bear about 20 feet away. I shone a light and it took off. Lad never barked or even moved -- he just let me know the bear was there (we get bears over 500 lbs regularly around here).

    Lad would break through ice to swim, followed me on countless runs on trails, and even followed me as I rode a Mountain bike through county park.

    His energy was boundless and his love for people never failed.

    In the last year his energy slowly wound down and he became less vigorous. Yet he still loved to o for walks -- even if it took a while to get up the steeper hills.

    We will miss our Lad.
     
    #1 FlyForFun, Aug 22, 2009
  2. donnA

    donnA Active Member

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    aww, poor puppy
     
    #2 donnA, Aug 22, 2009
  3. TennisNE1

    TennisNE1 Member

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    I will ask God to heal your broken heart.

    Cindy
     
    #3 TennisNE1, Aug 22, 2009
  4. DrRandyGrace

    DrRandyGrace New Member

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    I don't know why God doesn't let pets live longer than they do. I am glad you were with Lad when he passed. He needed to feel love and needed to know that his family was there. God bless you.
     
    #4 DrRandyGrace, Aug 24, 2009
  5. Johnv

    Johnv New Member

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    Being an avid dog lover, and owner of two labs myself, I extend my sympathies.

    I've had to have several animals put down in the past, and it never gets easier.
     
    #5 Johnv, Aug 24, 2009
  6. webdog

    webdog Active Member
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    I'm sorry for your loss. Animals are truly great companions, and love unconditionally. I dread the day I have to put my 4 legged daughter down (she's 7). Be thankful you had so many years with your pet...that's pretty old for a Lab. Praying that God comforts you and your family...
     
    #6 webdog, Aug 24, 2009
  7. Magnetic Poles

    Magnetic Poles New Member

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    I love dogs and am so sorry for your loss. It never gets easier. They become part of the family. I cannot imagine a world without dogs. They are very special creatures.
     
    #7 Magnetic Poles, Aug 24, 2009
  8. FlyForFun

    FlyForFun New Member

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    Thanks for the kind words.

    We just buried Lad on the crest of the hill in front of the house. He can look down on the deer and the rabbits and continue to look forward to dinner. He has his dinner bowl and his favorite bed to lay on.

    Proverbs 12: 10 A righteous man cares for the needs of his animal, but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel.
     
    #8 FlyForFun, Aug 24, 2009
  9. following-Him

    following-Him Active Member

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    I am so sorry you have lost such a dear member of your family. That is such sad news and I pray that you will know the Lord's comfort at this sad time.

    Blessings

    following-Him
     
    #9 following-Him, Aug 24, 2009
  10. webdog

    webdog Active Member
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    Also, I recall something from Randy Alcorn's book Heaven that brings a tear to my eye. He imagined...what if when we die, we see Christ standing with our loved ones, friends, etc. that went on before us. In complete joy we run to our heavenly welcome committee and start hugging and laughing with everyone (most importantly, our Savior). We then feel something jumping and licking us...and it's our pets that we had here on Earth. If it brings God glory, I don't discount what He will, and can do. :)
     
    #10 webdog, Aug 24, 2009
  11. Amy.G

    Amy.G New Member

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    Pets are truly a gift from God. I'm very sorry for your loss. May God replace your tears with laughter and good memories. :praying:
     
    #11 Amy.G, Aug 24, 2009
  12. FlyForFun

    FlyForFun New Member

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    I agree completely.
     
    #12 FlyForFun, Aug 24, 2009
  13. blackbird

    blackbird Active Member

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    Someone in the area "dumped out" three female puppies in our remote tractor shed not far off the main road----they look like Rotwiller type mixed---we're gonna keep one---probably name her somethin' like "Jane Deere" after the tractor shed, of course

    This isn't changing the subject or anything---I feel bad when anyone looses one of Man's Best Friends

    Man is a dog's best friend!!!!!!
     
    #13 blackbird, Aug 25, 2009
  14. Scarlett O.

    Scarlett O. Moderator
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    [​IMG] [​IMG] [​IMG]​

    FlyforFun, you made me cry.

    Just know that there are countless readers who hurt with you - whether we are dog people, cat people, iguana people, or spider monkey people - it doesn't matter.

    We all grieve profusely when we lose our pets (who are really our family! [​IMG])

    Take solice in Lad's memories. Get on the computer and write down as many as you can remember. Gather some pictures and keep in a small photo album.
     
    #14 Scarlett O., Aug 25, 2009
  15. FlyForFun

    FlyForFun New Member

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    My daughter had an excellent idea -- we're going to collect various items (his collar, tag, a label from his favorite food, some pictures) and put them in a shadowbox.
     
    #15 FlyForFun, Aug 25, 2009
  16. webdog

    webdog Active Member
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    Your daughter is a very smart person :thumbs:
     
    #16 webdog, Aug 25, 2009
  17. PJ

    PJ Active Member
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    FlyForFun, I'm terribly sorry you lost Lad. I weep along with you and feel your pain. :(

    I'm wholly grateful that Lad resided with you and had such a wonderful life. You are very blessed.
     
    #17 PJ, Aug 28, 2009
  18. abcgrad94

    abcgrad94 Active Member

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    I'm so sorry about the loss of your pet. We experienced this with our laborador mix a couple of years ago right before Christmas. I cried for a solid two weeks afterwards.

    I don't know how old your children are, but ours had to work through grief, as we had this dog for many years, and they never knew NOT having him. The shadow box sounds like a great idea to help them heal.
     
    #18 abcgrad94, Aug 28, 2009
  19. BigBossman

    BigBossman Active Member

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    I know what its like to lose a pet. I had a blue-eyed, long haired, calico I called Fluffy. I couldn't think of any other fitting names. I had her ever since she was a new born kitten. She went just about everywhere I went for about 8 years. One day I was in the kitchen fixing some lunch. She started meowing which was normal. I went into the bedroom to eat & she came running in & went to jump close to where my computer was & fell, but never got up. When she fell she didn't even land on her feet. She started kicking around on the floor for a few seconds & then gasped. When I saw her doing that I could tell she had a scared look in her eyes. It disturbed me for several days.

    I don't know what caused her to die like that. That cat was one I had for the longest out of any others. Plus, there has never been any others like her. If I had the money, I would have had her taken to the vet's office to see if they could determine what caused her death. I would have figured she would been around for at least another 5 years.

    I completely understand what you are going through.
     
    #19 BigBossman, Aug 29, 2009
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