And they say into each life a little rain must fall......

schmittie said:
....We found a breed that we felt would WANT to make us happy, no matter what. A breed that although intimidating, would be very loving and gentle. A breed that would be protective and obedient....

....Here he topped out at 160. This dog scared the crap out of almost EVERYONE. But he was a gentle giant. He would do ANYTHING if it made you happy. Your approval was at the top of his list....

...Everyone, like me, believes they have the perfect dog. We love our companions and would do anything for them, as they would for us. Whatever dog we have in our family, we will probably have 5-15 unforgettable years, then an ending you wish was never written. It's tough, but worth every minute.
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Rotties are really THE BEST family dogs!

I'll have to add in a pic later. My boy was Max, a Newfoundland-flat coat retriever mix. The Frau and I got him as a one-month anniversary present to ourselves. He went everywhere with us, did everything with us... I am quite certain he saved our lives at least 2-3 times, quite literally. He did the "Lassie" thing one time when my wife fell into a deep ditch and injured herself (he regularly ran up to 13 miles at a time wig her). He ran off some hooligans who were sneaking up on our car (with a tire iron!) while we slept in it at a rest park. I could go on and on.

Saturday before Halloween, 2012, he was obviously in pain. We got him to the vet, who thought he had an infection. The antibiotics seemed to perk him up and he had a great day that Monday. Went out for a romp off leash at one of his favorite places. Then, the night before Halloween, he tanked again. Back to the vet that morning, tests run, etc. he has cancer of the spleen, which has caused massive internal hemorrhaging. Apparently, the cancer had been there and growing for years, but he showed no symptoms. Such is the nature of that particular cancer, we learned. We did what we felt we had to do, but there was no real chance of his being around any longer. He was 12. I had to take my kindergartner out of school at lunch so she could say goodbye. It was a hard road for a long time for her, and for all of us.


Michael





 
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RRaconteur said:
Rotties are really THE BEST family dogs!

I'll have to add in a pic later. My boy was Max, a Newfoundland-flat coat retriever mix. The Frau and I got him as a one-month anniversary present to ourselves. He went everywhere with us, did everything with us... I am quite certain he saved our lives at least 2-3 times, quite literally. He did the "Lassie" thing one time when my wife fell into a deep ditch and injured herself (he regularly ran up to 13 miles at a time wig her). He ran off some hooligans who were sneaking up on our car (with a tire iron!) while we slept in it at a rest park. I could go on and on.

Saturday before Halloween, 2012, he was obviously in pain. We got him to the vet, who thought he had an infection. The antibiotics seemed to perk him up and he had a great day that Monday. Went out for a romp off leash at one of his favorite places. Then, the night before Halloween, he tanked again. Back to the vet that morning, tests run, etc. he has cancer of the spleen, which has caused massive internal hemorrhaging. Apparently, the cancer had been there and growing for years, but he showed no symptoms. Such is the nature of that particular cancer, we learned. We did what we felt we had to do, but there was no real chance of his being around any longer. He was 12. I had to take my kindergartner out of school at lunch so she could say goodbye. It was a hard road for a long time for her, and for all of us.


Michael





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Michael

A fine looking dog! Lovely head and beautiful coat!
 
OLE MAXIMUS he scares most folkd because of his build and non dog people think he is a pitbull for some reason

but he was the most gentle boxer when we had our 4 month old niece stay the weekend
anywhere emree went he followed
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044-2.jpg




i would not recomend getting on his mommas bad side though
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VANCE said:
OLE MAXIMUS he scares most folkd because of his build and non dog people think he is a pitbull for some reason
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I hear ya, Vance. I have been utterly amazed by the poor knowledge of dog species exhibited by non-dog people. The best (or worst) was the Great Dane we had. She was a "merle-quin" (harlequin patterned, but her spots were merle). More often than not, the non-dog folk we encountered thought she was a Dalmatian. I mean, REALLY!!! She's 135 pounds!!!

Gorgeous boxer, man. Always loved the breed, just too small for us. 😄


Michael
 
Nice brindle Vance, I've got a white boxer myself; we get asked all the time if he is either a white pit or an American bulldog.. But the second you get to know him he's unmistakably a boxer!

Michael,
We actually also have a Dal as well; although she's not 135lb, my first (male) was 95lb and quasi frightening looking.. Still a sweet dog but one has to love harlequin Danes! Cool dogs!!
 
It is never easy, but the sharp pain of loss is something we accept whenever we open up our home and our hearts to a new family member. I have held five of my four legged friends in my arms as they were assisted in passing on. The first one was the hardest, I had the overwhelming feeling that I had betrayed a trust. As we get older I think we gain more of an acceptance of death. However, no matter how stoic I try to be the tears always come. Their is a poem that a friend gave me after my first dog died that helped and I hope it helps you. It is called "The Last Battle."

If it should be that I grow frail and weak
And pain should keep me from my sleep,
Then will you do what must be done,
For this -- the last battle -- can't be won.
You will be sad I understand,
But don't let grief then stay your hand,
For on this day, more than the rest,
Your love and friendship must stand the test.
We have had so many happy years,
You wouldn't want me to suffer so.
When the time comes, please, let me go.
Take me to where to my needs they'll tend,
Only, stay with me till the end
And hold me firm and speak to me
Until my eyes no longer see.
I know in time you will agree
It is a kindness you do to me.
Although my tail its last has waved,
From pain and suffering I have been saved.
Don't grieve that it must be you
Who has to decide this thing to do;
We've been so close -- we two -- these years,
Don't let your heart shed many tears.

-- Unknown
 
Always hard to put pets down, but given their live expectancy it isn't avoidable and is a price we pay for getting attached to our animals.

Current dog (English setter aged 2.5):


We had to put our previous Vorster down when the cancer spread too far and fast (she was 14). Bad day for all of us, but there was no sense in delaying it since she would have been in pain with no hope of recovery.
 
Chapel said:
It is never easy, but the sharp pain of loss is something we accept whenever we open up our home and our hearts to a new family member. I have held five of my four legged friends in my arms as they were assisted in passing on. The first one was the hardest, I had the overwhelming feeling that I had betrayed a trust. As we get older I think we gain more of an acceptance of death. However, no matter how stoic I try to be the tears always come. Their is a poem that a friend gave me after my first dog died that helped and I hope it helps you. It is called "The Last Battle."

If it should be that I grow frail and weak
And pain should keep me from my sleep,
Then will you do what must be done,
For this -- the last battle -- can't be won.
You will be sad I understand,
But don't let grief then stay your hand,
For on this day, more than the rest,
Your love and friendship must stand the test.
We have had so many happy years,
You wouldn't want me to suffer so.
When the time comes, please, let me go.
Take me to where to my needs they'll tend,
Only, stay with me till the end
And hold me firm and speak to me
Until my eyes no longer see.
I know in time you will agree
It is a kindness you do to me.
Although my tail its last has waved,
From pain and suffering I have been saved.
Don't grieve that it must be you
Who has to decide this thing to do;
We've been so close -- we two -- these years,
Don't let your heart shed many tears.

-- Unknown
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Thank you. Incredible words. Thank you again
 
NoFair said:
Always hard to put pets down, but given their live expectancy it isn't avoidable and is a price we pay for getting attached to our animals.

Current dog (English setter aged 2.5):


We had to put our previous Vorster down when the cancer spread too far and fast (she was 14). Bad day for all of us, but there was no sense in delaying it since she would have been in pain with no hope of recovery.
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Last 48 have been seriously hard. Had to walk in the woods for much of the day. Very quiet and peaceful. Just what was needed. Thank you for your words.
 
The wife, kids and I don't currently have any pets as they're all pretty allergic to them. Growing up though my family always had a dog or cat. Never had any pure breeds, just cute mutts. I'll never forget going home over winter break from college and our dog of 17 years passing away in the night. We had all gone out for a walk which she loved but it was the final straw for her failing heart. We were all there and were pretty tore up about it, but she had such a long, happy life.

About 10 years back my sister asked me to put down her dog that was riddled with cancer, as she couldn't bring herself to do it. My daughter, who is now 15, still has a picture of Molly on her dresser and mentions every so often that she misses her, 10 years later.

My folks have a mutt again. One that was passed around through 4 different homes before they rescued it. It's a great comfort to my dad as he's been going through treatment for Stage IV melanoma. Here's a picture of her waiting for my Dad to walk through the door. Have to put her on a leash as she gets so excited to see him. She's constantly by his side, or on his lap and can totally sense how things are going.

IMG_4783_zpscc6b7f7b.jpg


I say all this just to let you know Rob I know how tough it can be.
 
thurin said:
The wife, kids and I don't currently have any pets as they're all pretty allergic to them. Growing up though my family always had a dog or cat. Never had any pure breeds, just cute mutts. I'll never forget going home over winter break from college and our dog of 17 years passing away in the night. We had all gone out for a walk which she loved but it was the final straw for her failing heart. We were all there and were pretty tore up about it, but she had such a long, happy life.

About 10 years back my sister asked me to put down her dog that was riddled with cancer, as she couldn't bring herself to do it. My daughter, who is now 15, still has a picture of Molly on her dresser and mentions every so often that she misses her, 10 years later.

My folks have a mutt again. One that was passed around through 4 different homes before they rescued it. It's a great comfort to my dad as he's been going through treatment for Stage IV melanoma. Here's a picture of her waiting for my Dad to walk through the door. Have to put her on a leash as she gets so excited to see him. She's constantly by his side, or on his lap and can totally sense how things are going.

IMG_4783_zpscc6b7f7b.jpg


I say all this just to let you know Rob I know how tough it can be.
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Thanks for the words man. It means a lot to me.
 
Englishrob said:
You, your family and faithful friend Lucy, is in my family thoughts and prayers. I really do hope that all is well. Please be in touch. You are so right in saying that the void exists in every room in the house. Her presence was everywhere. Thank you again
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I thought that I would report back Rob. We are at the vet office pretty much all day yesterday as our beloved Mastiff underwent a CT scan. Apparently she has a mass in her right lung where initially the prognoses is not very good. We do not have the results from the radiologist yet, but the initial reading indicates an inoperable cancer. Our hearts are breaking, and yesterday was one of the worst days in our lives. For me the biggest challenge will be to manage my wife who will have a very difficult time making a decision to put her to sleep.
 
McVeyMac said:
I thought that I would report back Rob. We are at the vet office pretty much all day yesterday as our beloved Mastiff underwent a CT scan. Apparently she has a mass in her right lung where initially the prognoses is not very good. We do not have the results from the radiologist yet, but the initial reading indicates an inoperable cancer. Our hearts are breaking, and yesterday was one of the worst days in our lives. For me the biggest challenge will be to manage my wife who will have a very difficult time making a decision to put her to sleep.
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I am devastated for you all. You have been in my mind and thoughts all weekend and yesterday. I may not be able to offer physical support, but I certainly can offer offer emotional support that you will need in the forthcoming hours and days. I have read and re-read the poem that Chapel wrote above. It blew me away, the words are so strong and powerful. You need to be strong for your wife, your family and your beloved Mastiff, even though your hearts are breaking. I cannot lie to you, it is no easy decision that you potentially have to make, but you know this. And I am writing this to you with tears in my eyes. I am only an email away should you need anything.
 
We need a dog photo thread... maybe there already is one.

Rob, sorry for your loss. I was always try and focus on the time spent together, what a beautiful gift it is to have that, both people and animals.
 
McVeyMac said:
I thought that I would report back Rob. We are at the vet office pretty much all day yesterday as our beloved Mastiff underwent a CT scan. Apparently she has a mass in her right lung where initially the prognoses is not very good. We do not have the results from the radiologist yet, but the initial reading indicates an inoperable cancer. Our hearts are breaking, and yesterday was one of the worst days in our lives. For me the biggest challenge will be to manage my wife who will have a very difficult time making a decision to put her to sleep.
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I've been thinking of you too. Your last statement here really hits home with me. My wife has placed both herself and I in danger trying to ensure the safety of a stray she had never seen before. A few years back, we had a cat that needed put down. As funny as it sounds, he developed some sort of mental illness that resulted in some pretty serious injuries to my girls (repeatedly, over 18 months while we tried EVERYTHING to make it work or find him a home where he could live out his days with whatever peace he could find. My wife couldn't handle it. I had to take him to the vet. I insisted on staying with him and holding him to the end. I felt I owed it to him because I couldn't save him. I'm still tore up about it, to be honest. The Frau was glad I did, but couldn't look at me for weeks because of the association. She feels things deeply. That's one thing that drew me to her. But it's a hard thing, too.


Michael
 
Bamboo said:
We need a dog photo thread... maybe there already is one.

Rob, sorry for your loss. I was always try and focus on the time spent together, what a beautiful gift it is to have that, both people and animals.
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Thanks man. Is appreciated. Great suggest for new thread is now up and running.
 
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