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  #1  
Old 02-26-2024, 03:57 PM
Sleddawg Sleddawg is offline
 
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Default Worst day as a dad

The old hound is on his final hours. 3 kids are crushed. Worst feeling ever. My father never told me when he was putting ours down and I remember thinking how bad that it crushed me. So I let the kids know yesterday and I’m wondering if my father’s way was better. At least they gave him extra love and cuddles today.
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Old 02-26-2024, 04:03 PM
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bezzola bezzola is offline
 
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I can honestly say i don’t think i could put mine down myself.
Unless is was drastic measures.
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Old 02-26-2024, 04:06 PM
amosfella amosfella is offline
 
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Condolences. The kids will learn to cope. Get a new pup, and they'll be alright.

I have shot the last 4 dogs that had to get put down myself.
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Old 02-26-2024, 04:11 PM
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Tough day for sure. Get the kids to make a cool tombstone. They need these sad lessons too. I'm sorry for your loss.

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Old 02-26-2024, 04:17 PM
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Sad to hear, remember the good times and talk about them through the tears.


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Old 02-26-2024, 04:19 PM
Canery Canery is offline
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It is indeed not a good day for you and your family. Sorry for the lost
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Old 02-26-2024, 04:24 PM
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I am very sorry for your loss. A heart-wrenching time for sure.
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Old 02-26-2024, 04:24 PM
jstubbs jstubbs is online now
 
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Better you told them. Being able to properly say goodbye is IMO sometimes a key part of a healthy grieving process.

All the best.
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Old 02-26-2024, 04:52 PM
2 Tollers 2 Tollers is online now
 
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Tough time. Good on you for letting the kids know. Keep the good hound memories close and all will be good in time.

As others have said finding a new pup at the right time is a good transition.

All the best
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Old 02-26-2024, 04:56 PM
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Originally Posted by jstubbs View Post
Better you told them. Being able to properly say goodbye is IMO sometimes a key part of a healthy grieving process.

All the best.
This. Well said

Your kids have you to lean on during this hardship, and they will hopefully learn how to handle it in a healthy manner.
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Old 02-26-2024, 04:58 PM
1hogfarmer 1hogfarmer is offline
 
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All dogs go to heaven. I’m not religious, but I believe in that much.
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Old 02-26-2024, 05:29 PM
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Phil McCracken Phil McCracken is offline
 
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Sorry to hear...

Been there and know how everyone feels...

You will all meet back eventually...
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Old 02-26-2024, 05:50 PM
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Sorry to hear! A buddy once asked me, what's the toughest part of having a dog?? Saying good bye! All the best to your family!
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Old 02-26-2024, 05:54 PM
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Always a tough one. Kids are resilient and will recover, but in the moment it is hard.
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  #15  
Old 02-26-2024, 06:18 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sleddawg View Post
The old hound is on his final hours. 3 kids are crushed. Worst feeling ever. My father never told me when he was putting ours down and I remember thinking how bad that it crushed me. So I let the kids know yesterday and I’m wondering if my father’s way was better. At least they gave him extra love and cuddles today.
I was too young to go with dad and the first dog we had. Been there for the next(teenager) and all mine. You did the right thing. They would be crushed either way but they got the extra time with the pooch and will always remember that. My kids have been with us for 2 last vet visits now as they wanted to come(teenagers for the 1st and 1 as adults). Its hard and crushing but they are glad they could be there.

You can do this before or after at the vets. Buy some molding clay at a craft store and make paw prints. Put them in the oven when your happy with the result and good for a long time of remembering. We did this with one of our shorthairs. The vet surprised us with one another time and how we got the idea.


Been there done that too many times but its worth it for what those mutts give us back. Google the rainbow bridge. Take care.
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  #16  
Old 02-26-2024, 06:57 PM
stob stob is offline
 
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We had the kids at the vet 1x and then had the vet come to the home the 2x...both times it was a ceremony orchestrated by my wife and it was brilliant...but you still have to play God in the end of the circle of life...best
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  #17  
Old 02-26-2024, 07:56 PM
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KGB KGB is offline
 
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Oh man that sucks big time! So sorry for your loss of a real friends and a family member… Kids will be ok, they will most likely recover faster than you… At least they had a chance to say the last good bye….
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  #18  
Old 02-26-2024, 08:17 PM
Sleddawg Sleddawg is offline
 
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Old fella is gone. Kids shared some good stories before I left for the vet. Vet was amazing and professional. He gave me one last laugh before he passed and I shared with the kids which they thought was a classic move by the pup. They shaved his leg for the IV and he started eating the hair. Doofus. Def wasn’t himself, I weighed him when I got in and he was down 10% in the last two months. Gave me a peace of mind that something wasn’t right. Couldn’t ask for a better dog while raising kids. If anyone asks I will always recommend a Boxer for a young family but they need to be trained properly. Stubborn buggers but love the kids like nothing else and take the roughhousing of young kids well.

Anyways, thanks all for the well wishes. Tough tough day.
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  #19  
Old 02-26-2024, 08:27 PM
Howard Hutchinson Howard Hutchinson is offline
 
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Tough spot all the way around. I feel it would mean the world to the children to be able to say see you later, once the heartbreak subsides a bit for them and you. This is our 3rd pup over 40 years or so and the bond is already (3 years) something else. The older a person gets the deeper the bond can get, I think.
So sorry to hear you and your family are going through this. As has been mentioned, kids are more resilient and heal quicker and yes, its a son of a B having to play God. It's the absolute worst part of having a best furry friend.
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Old 02-27-2024, 01:08 AM
fishn_palmer fishn_palmer is offline
 
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The worst day of my life, was losing my best friend. Sorry for your loss. Miss my pup everyday.
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  #21  
Old 02-27-2024, 06:20 AM
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Condolences to you and your family. Very sorry...
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  #22  
Old 02-27-2024, 06:35 AM
elkhunter11 elkhunter11 is online now
 
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I am really sorry to hear this, my dogs are 8 and 12, and I dread the day that I lose them.
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  #23  
Old 02-27-2024, 11:35 AM
walker1 walker1 is online now
 
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Very sorry for your loss. Think you did the right thing prepping the kids.
I have 2 cats and I know they are not dogs but almost lost the big fella twice and was crushed . I mellowed in my age. Remember losing my black lab as a kid and can recall every detail as if it were yesterday.
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  #24  
Old 02-27-2024, 12:08 PM
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Albertadiver Albertadiver is online now
 
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I've gone onto this thread a half dozen times. Typed something out and then deleted it.

I lost my best friend over a year ago now, and we do have a new 1yr old puppy who is completely different than Duke was. It's not the same, but he is growing on us in his own way.

Sincere condolences to you and family. Dogs are so selfless and they leave way too darn soon. Take care, and hope your kids are doing alright.
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  #25  
Old 02-27-2024, 12:16 PM
densa44 densa44 is offline
 
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Default Saying Good-bye ...

It is the hardest part of dog ownership. My Sienna is nearly 13 years old and there is not that much time left. I have a new dog Chloe and she is 2 years old so I'll still have a dog but Sienna the great,will never be replaced.

It comes with dog ownership, but it doesn't mean that we have to like it or that it gets easyier.

Sorry for your loss.
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  #26  
Old 02-27-2024, 12:43 PM
MR.K MR.K is offline
 
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Ditto Albertadiver
Words can not remove the pain but great memories will eventually
Remember you did what was best for Him Sleddawg
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  #27  
Old 02-28-2024, 08:12 AM
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Been there done that, multiple times. Agreed to worst day. I wish they could live as long as we do.

For 19 years this one graced my life. This was the last day.

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  #28  
Old 03-01-2024, 05:09 PM
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Sorry about the hound.
If that is your worst day as a dad you are one lucky person.
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