My Dog DUKE

[recce43]

My dog Duke the beagle named after John wayne is 13. Well he is have some issues now .he has a growth that the vet says they cannot remove . and he is having a hard time getting up stairs now .
So iam having one of hardest day ever . I have come to realize i have to let him go. so next week iam taking him to the vet.
Who would thought that a ex army guy would be brought to tears . God I wisheed Duke could be around for ever he is my buddy and he is family. Now i have tell my kids my son who is 8 is going to be crushed . they are a duo always together .
duke is always happy even this morning i had to carry him up the stairs his tail was wagging and he gave me a big kiss.
sorry about my rambling ons

[tirebob]

That sucks man... The little guys become part of the family no matter how tough we pretend to talk about it. My heart goes out to you all...

[Taco]

Tough one, always is and it never gets any easier.

[JohninAB]

Sorry to hear this recce. Been thru it twice and it is never easy.

[Talking moose]

Always crappy. Sounds like he had a good life. If he were a talking beagle I'm sure he would thank you and your family. I have a soft spot for beagles and bassets.

[GunnerySgtJackson]

I'm with you man! I have the exact scenario with my 12 year old Lab. Currently my fellow is not in any pain and he has had a long and fun filled hunting career and life. As long as he is with out pain we will continue life but I know time is short. My thoughts go out to you and Duke.

[SBE2]

Is he in pain or just can't do the stairs? I would say you owe it to him to makes things last a bit longer if he is not suffering, but I do not know the details. That sucks, hope the kid handles it as well as possible.

[Thinlizzy]

Very sad fella.
All I can say is think of all the joy he has brought to your life.
Feel sorry for your little fella. Unfortunatly we can't protect our little ones from death is a harsh fact of life.

[RagingPenguin]

http://www.lgd.org/library/whydogsdo...ngaspeople.htm


Its never easy. I can't even think of the day I have to let the wingmen go.

Sounds like you've done good by duke.

[edmhunter]

My first dog was a beagle, his name was Bucky. I know how you feel.

[silverdoctor]

Yep, dogs become part of our families, never easy letting go. Best of luck to you and your family.

[waterninja]

Sorry to hear about duke. Hardest part about owning a pet is having to make such a painfull desicion after all the years of love and joy he has brought you and your family. People who say pets don't become part of the family have never owned one.

[silverdoctor]

...

[Sooner]

Tough week ahead, we have all been there. I was a young kid when our first lap dog had to be put down, I remember my big tough dad crying when he came back from the vet, we were all too. Then the next mutt we got for mom was supposed to be a under 20 lb dog and turned into a 50 lb dog and I went with dad to put her down. My last of 3 Gsp's, the whole family went and we all held her until she was gone. Super sad, but glad they all came with me.

Condolences to you and your family, enjoy the time left and make your dog a steak and potato last supper. Made this for mine and she even got a cup cake on her last night for desert.

One thing you can do is go to a craft store like Michael's and buy the ready made craft clay. Pick a color, flatten it and stick the dogs paw print in, when your happy with the result, in the oven to set. Each family member can do one, easy to scribe in the name and date before it goes in the oven. Life long reminder. Take care.

[recce43]

Originally Posted by Sooner

Tough week ahead, we have all been there. I was a young kid when our first lap dog had to be put down, I remember my big tough dad crying when he came back from the vet, we were all too. Then the next mutt we got for mom was supposed to be a under 20 lb dog and turned into a 50 lb dog and I went with dad to put her down. My last of 3 Gsp's, the whole family went and we all held her until she was gone. Super sad, but glad they all came with me.

Condolences to you and your family, enjoy the time left and make your dog a steak and potato last supper. Made this for mine and she even got a cup cake on her last night for desert.

One thing you can do is go to a craft store like Michael's and buy the ready made craft clay. Pick a color, flatten it and stick the dogs paw print in, when your happy with the result, in the oven to set. Each family member can do one, easy to scribe in the name and date before it goes in the oven. Life long reminder. Take care.

thanks sooner good idea about the clay . And i am buying Duke the biggest ribeye i can find with bone in for him cooked medium rare with gravy on it .

[score]

Sad situation that can bring you and the kids, your family, close together going through this.


like Sooner said

[omega50]

Duke has to go on to the next chapter.
Does not mean he has to go quietly.

I would like to show him some respect by making him a treat in my smoker before he has to leave.

Does he have a favorite snack?

I once woke up with a beagle named Roadie sleeping on my head- guess I was intruding on his couch-this brought back memories

[Raptor]

Always hard.

[recce43]

Originally Posted by omega50

Duke has to go on to the next chapter.
Does not mean he has to go quietly.

I would like to show him some respect by making him a treat in my smoker before he has to leave.

Does he have a favorite snack?

omega50 you just brought tears to my eyes duke loves anything meat, jerky, sausage
You are a good person
Thank you
Shawn

[Redfrog]

Like Taco says, It isn't easy and it doesn't easier. They never live long enough. I hunted with beagles for years and can't see one today without a smile crossing my face.

My nephew called last night, to ask me about getting a redbone to hunt with. Within a minute he was asking me about a beagle I used to hunt bears with.
We had lots of laughs remembering that tough little bugger.

I always get the job, cause my family thinks I'm tougher than the rest. Turns out I'm not, and it breaks my heart to have to put one down.

[omega50]

Originally Posted by recce43

omega50 you just brought tears to my eyes duke loves anything meat, jerky, sausage
You are a good person
Thank you
Shawn

No worries.
I will send out this weekend with my stepson-he lives in Reunion. he can drop off.

Just occurred to me that I can smoke it with a bit of "Dogwood"

[goose]

Hi Recce43, there are no words that can ever describe the relationship of your dog with you and you family except unconditional love. I had to put down my third lab last year and I still well up from time to time when I think of him. I keep a picture of him beside my bed to remind me of all the beer and sausage we had together.

Thoughts and prayers are with you and your clan.

Goose/ken

[32-40win]

The hard part is screwing yourself up to do the deed, once it is done, you never forget them, and many things will remind you of them. I have one that still comes up in my mind a lot, she had more character in one toe than most of the others I've had put together. I've had to do 5 of my own and one for the neighbor, it isn't fun, but, if the need is there and it has to be done, just do it, you owe that to them, and to yourself, watching them go downhill is the tough part for me, can't stand to see them not able to do, what a dog loves to do.
Getting another one helps a lot, too.

[KGB]

Sorry to hear it brother! Been there once and not looking forward to repeat this experience.... Just make sure he is not suffering, not in pain. I had my spaniel carried up and down the stairs for a month, at the end she couldn't even go down the deck to pee. She wasn't suffering and I was prolonging the decision but the moment I noticed that she was in pain..... I had to pull the plug. My eyes are still in tears even now after all these years....

[roper1]

Sorry to hear, we do get very attached to them

[ex811]

Condolenses to you and your family. Duke will be missed and remembered.
Who says ex-soldiers can't cry...cry like a baby, the tears are for Duke, no one else. He won't mind.

[alacringa]

So sad. You are a member of Duke's pack, and he's a member of yours. It's absolutely gutting to lose a dog.

[C.Noble]

I'm sorry to hear that. Been through it and waiting out one of my dogs now and some health issues arise. My dog and my bot were best friends too. Made it harder for me I think. Was just visiting my brother and talking about that dog for a while with him. Still sad about it every once in a while, but it does get easier. Kids still cry about him and it's hard not to break down with them. Just enjoy the last little bit of time and give him a big hug before he goes.

[purgatory.sv]

Everyone thinks they have the best dog.....and they are right.

Remember

[threeforthree]

If it should be that I grow weak,
And pain should keep me from my sleep
Then you must do what must be done,
For this last battle cannot be won.

You will be sad, I understand;
Don't let your grief then stay your hand,
For this day more than all the rest,
Your love for me must stand the test.

We've had so many happy years,
What is to come can hold no fears,
You'd not want me to suffer so,
The time has come, please let me go.

Take me where my need they'll tend,
And please stay with me until the end,
Hold me firm and speak to me,
Until my eyes no longer see.

I know in time that you will see,
The kindness that you did for me,
Although my tail its last has waved,
From pain and suffering I've been saved.

Please do not grieve, it must be you,
Who had this painful thing to do,
We've been so close, we two, these years,
Don't let you heart hold back its tears.