Clyde... going for a ride.

Clydetz · Jan 1, 2007

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I talked Clyde into taking a walk & ride Saturday... first one in awhile. He's still weak but... "he's a fighter & a midnight rider!"

"OK... he was here just a second ago..."

"Maybe he went this way..."

"Look both ways before crossing the street..."

"I'm ready... let's ride!"

"Are we there, yet?"

"Whoa! Let me think about this!"

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OldPhysics · Jan 1, 2007

Clyde looks a little nervous, but basically alright. Glad to see that.

Come to think of it, I often look that way when I walk out of practically any office building here in Washington DC. And possibly for the same reasons...

kamkazmoto · Jan 1, 2007

I'm glad to hear that Clyde is well enough to go for a ride. Wish him a very happy New Year from me.

T.K.C. · Jan 1, 2007

I am glad to see Clyde up and about!! He is such a handsome dog!! Please give him some scratches from me!!

Totally Judy · Jan 1, 2007

Clyde is definitely hanging in there. Is he on any pain meds? I know you would not allow him to suffer and you are doing everything in his best interests. Clyde is lucky to own such a good man. It's nice, except for the circumstances, that you can feed Clyde all the yummy and tempting and nutrituous foods that you said you are giving him. I'm certain Clyde appreciates every last lick of the bowl.

What about a nice chicken or turkey neck? Raw, of course. Give him a sense of the kill.

What color is Clyde's favorite blanket that you lay over him to keep him warm? We already know that he gets the best spot on the sofa. Does he get to pick the TV shows to watch, also?

It's gonna be tough when it's time to let go of Clyde. I'm glad that you are taking pictures.

Judy

Clydetz · Jan 2, 2007

Totally Judy said:
Is he on any pain meds?

What about a nice chicken or turkey neck? Raw, of course. Give him a sense of the kill.

What color is Clyde's favorite blanket that you lay over him to keep him warm? We already know that he gets the best spot on the sofa. Does he get to pick the TV shows to watch, also?

It's gonna be tough when it's time to let go of Clyde.
Judy

Clyde gets a daily dose of lasix to keep from retaining liquids in his leg, Enalapril for his heart and Previcox for any arthritis pain he may have. Seems to work.

He gets a portion of grilled chicken breast cut up in his dish... grilling up some more right now. Heck... I even bought him a couple of rotissered chickens and picked all the meat off of the bones with my fingers but never gave him raw necks of any creature. Oh wait a minute... there was this one dog's shoulder he gnawed on once.

Clyde has a few blankets (I get to wash 'em and rotate their use) a red one, a dark blue one and a blue/black/white checked one plus he has my old comforter. :thumbup: I only covered him up with a blanket once in his life... he prefers to scratch them up and basically lay his head on them! I put Animal Planet on the TV for him while I'm on the computer. He also enjoys America's Funniest Home Videos.

It will definitely be hard to let go of Clyde but I will be with him 'til the very end holding him in my arms and crying like a baby.

OldPhysics · Jan 2, 2007

May Clyde enjoy many more happy days in your company.

Seems to me he's 'living the life of Riley' as we used to say. I definitely understand the attachment, on both sides. Haven't been without a canine friend for more than a day since I was just a little shaver.

Each and every relationship was special and lasted a very long time, indeed.

Every day is a blessing. For man and beast. Carpe diem!

T.K.C. · Jan 2, 2007

I wish Clyde a long & happy, and comfy life.

Totally Judy · Jan 2, 2007

Clydetz said:
He gets a portion of grilled chicken breast cut up in his dish... grilling up some more right now. Heck... I even bought him a couple of rotissered chickens and picked all the meat off of the bones with my fingers but never gave him raw necks of any creature. Oh wait a minute... there was this one dog's shoulder he gnawed on once.

Clyde has a few blankets (I get to wash 'em and rotate their use) a red one, a dark blue one and a blue/black/white checked one plus he has my old comforter. :thumbup: I only covered him up with a blanket once in his life... he prefers to scratch them up and basically lay his head on them! I put Animal Planet on the TV for him while I'm on the computer. He also enjoys America's Funniest Home Videos.

It will definitely be hard to let go of Clyde but I will be with him 'til the very end holding him in my arms and crying like a baby.

Me thinks Clyde is one spoiled pup! Rotissered chicken? Geez Louise. My munchkins would be in Lhasa Apso heaven if they ever got real human food. They really do seem to enjoy the return to their wolf ancestors while crunching down and ripping apart a chicken or turkey neck. Only raw ones because cooked bones can splinter and ya don't want that. You might treat Clyde to a neck. Some dogs take right to the raw meat, and others are a little tentative about it.

Yeah, it's gonna be tough when it's time to send Clyde to Rainbow Bridge. I've had to do it 3 times and crying like a baby is exactly what you do. My last 2 were done at the same time, and for each one I was looking right into their eyes and talking to them as they left. It's neat if you have a cool Vet and Vet Techs, because they are right there and certainly understand what you are going through. Mine were so supportive and helped me get my two into my vehicle. They had known them since they were little ones.

It sounds like you are celebrating Clyde's life every single day. There's not much more you can do than that. Have no regrets on that final day that you did everything you could to continue your close bond with Clyde and that he knew how much he was loved by you. I believe there will be no regrets.

The only thing I could hope is that you know when the time is right for Clyde to go to the Bridge so he doesn't suffer needlessly. Too many owners are selfish and prolong their pet's suffering because they can't let go. It's not fair to the pet.

Clyde may not be able to tell you. But you know Clyde well enough to make the right decision.

Please keep us posted on Clyde's progress and his gourmet dining experiences!

My thoughts will be with you. Give Clyde a hug and a kiss for me.

Judy and Munchkins
Willy, DJ, and Mardi Gras

Clydetz · Jan 2, 2007

Thank you all from the heart.

T. Erdelyi · Jan 2, 2007

Your are bummin' me out, don't get me wrong, I'm happy for Clyde you. We've just been havin' a rough week with our 10 year old German Shepard, Shauna, her hips are goin', her eye site gettin' worse....

This morning she woke me up at 4:00 am to go out, (which I really appreciate, I'd much rather stumble down stairs and let her out to pee than step in a cold puddle in the morning) .

So I let her out with our our 2 1/2 year old Terri-Poo, went back in for about 20 seconds to grab the flash light and by the time I got back to the door the Terri-Poo was back on the deck, so I let him in and I went back out, maybe a total of a minute had passed, no Shauna, I'm lookin' all over with my light and I can see out a couple hundred feet to the creek in the back yard and the woods at the back side of the property but no dog.

Now this dog never wanders, she knows the property line without any fence, underground electric wire or otherwise, so when I couldn't see her or get any response I got concerned.

So I head down to the creek in my bathrobe and slippers,

eek: what a site) and there she was stuck in the creek, she had walked past the circle of light off the back deck lights and in the creek, in the dark, she couldn't see which way to go, every weed or small rock or stick she'd bump into turned her around, I walked her back up into the house and gave her some Baby Aspirin but as I headed back upstairs to bed it just made me feel sad that she's gettin that old.

I'm sorry for the long winded post and I'm not tryin' to Hi-Jack the thread, I've been follwin' Clyde's progress like everyone else and wish you all the best, for me it's just having to come to terms with the inevitable and this thread triggered the reality of Shauna's future.

Our last two dogs my wife and I had for 16 and 13 years and in the end we did what had to be done and stayed with each of them in their time till the end, and now I don't look forward to goin' through that again but I owe her that and will be there for her too.

Long life and the best of health to all and their pets too.

Totally Judy · Jan 2, 2007

T. Erdelyi said:
I'm sorry for the long winded post and I'm not tryin' to Hi-Jack the thread, I've been follwin' Clyde's progress like everyone else and wish you all the best, for me it's just having to come to terms with the inevitable and this thread triggered the reality of Shauna's future.

Our last two dogs my wife and I had for 16 and 13 years and in the end we did what had to be done and stayed with each of them in their time till the end, and now I don't look forward to goin' through that again but I owe her that and will be there for her too.

Long life and the best of health to all and their pets too.

I know first hand how very tough it is to make that final decision. A little over 2 years ago I decided it was time for my two 15-1/2 y/o Lhasa Apsos to go to the Bridge. Arthritis, cataracts, canine dementia - life was starting to get very tough for them and winters were awful on the arthritis. And one day I knew it was time. October. They would suffer too much through another winter. So I made the appointment for the following Saturday. Spent the entire week celebrating their lives (brother and sister) and giving them special treats and attention. The day before the appointment, I took them to work with me (which they had always enjoyed) and we had a wonderful picnic in the park. Many of my co-workers and even my boss showed up. They got Jack-in-the-Box kid meals.

They had a blast and they were so happy. Pain medication will do that to ya.... I am attaching a photo taken at their picnic. You can see how happy they are. You can't tell that they are in pain and have difficulty walking and the male on the right can hardly see and he has absolutely no clue where he is. He's just happy to be there.

The next day we went to see the Vet. They loved going to the Vet. It was not an anxious experience for them. They get the first tranquilizing shot and become very mellow. No pain. Then..... well.... you know the rest.

I have two favorite pictures of them from their picnic. They help me know that I chose the right time to send them on. I didn't wait until they were in so much pain that it was cruel. I dug their hole and buried them together, the brother's arms around his little sister, just as they as come into the world. Side by side. It was just me and them. Shadow and Elizabeth. I performed my own ceremony. I sent them on their journey with water, food, their favorite blanket, Elizabeth's hair bows, Shadow's stuffed rabbit. I talked to them for a long time, and then I gently covered them up so they would never be cold and in pain again.

I didn't cry during this part. I was at peace that I had done what was best for them and that I eliminated any further pain and suffering for them.

Shadow was my soul mate and I still miss him greatly. We had a special bond that I will probably never have with another dog. Elizabeth was very special in her own way and could always make me laugh with her silly faces and her little pink tongue that always peeked out from between her lips.

I didn't mean to take away from Clyde's post, either.... but I guess when we start talking about our aging pets and what ails them and what we have a responsibility to do as their owners, well..... I just have to share my experience with sending two of my beloved pets on their journey in the only way I knew out to do it.

RIP Shadow and Elizabeth. Although I know that they are romping around on the other side of Rainbow Bridge.

Judy