:cryMy friends I am really not sure how to describe this post. Those of you who know Kris and I know that our lives evolved around our chocolate lab, Bosque (Bo). 13 years ago we went to the SPCA after our chocolate lab, Cocoa passed on and found this out of control barking beast of a lab with enough energy to power the entire city of Va. Beach for ever! He was out of control and begging to be an agility dog, which he became and received numerous honors for his service as agility champ and comforted those in retirement homes and hospitals as a trained therapy dog.

Recently he has had trouble peeing and deficating. The problems got really severe recently and after misdiagnosing him with a urinary infection, they found that there was definately a blockage last Friday in his urinary tubes. They drained nearly 2 liters of urine from his bladder which was just huge on the X Ray. They then put in a catheter to help drain the urine, so we were up all weekend every hour taking him out to drain the poor guy, with not much luck I might add. Sunday we went to the emergency vet hospital and they put a longer catheter in him and we were able to take him home and drain him ourselves. Monday things got worse, and after the specialists took an ultrasound they found his prostate was so enlarged, it was blocking the colon and the urinary tube. There is a monstrous beast of a growth in his prostate and we will know by Friday if it is an absess or most likely, Prostate Cancer. We have been visiting him each day this week and he is surprisingly perky, albeit ticked off that we had to leave him with all his toys at the hospital each visit. After 13 years, this being the 3rd lab I have owned and rescued, I know the outcome pretty well. He has been an amazing agility dog with tons of medals and shows behind him. I can only hope that I have given this great friend of mine the quality of life he more than deserved. All he ever wanted was to be in my presence and to please me and he has more than done that than any other dog on the planet. He has also served as a therapy dog at local hospitals and retirement homes where he has brought joy to so many others. I just thank God that he let us borrow him these 13 years before he took him back from us. We may get lucky and have him a few weeks or months longer, but that does not appear to be the case right now. We plan on being with him until the end and shortly down the road, we will rescue and train another dog, perhaps to be a service dog. It will definately be a lab. We love these dogs so much as they work their ways into our souls. Take care and God bless.

Ed, Kris, and Bosque

 

I have tears in my eyes reading your story, my best to you all. I have a 5 year old yellow lab, she is my life- a special part of our family. Prayers to you all.

on a brighter side, About 10 minutes ago I made a phone call to adopt a 4 month old black lab also. Waiting for a call back.

 

I am so sorry to hear about what you are going through right now. It is that unconditional love shared between the two of you that brought so much joy to the relationship that of course makes this harder at the moment. Do not doubt that you gave him a truly wonderful life or that you could have done more. Remember all the good times and when he is ready, listen to him.

In the last three years my two old dogs have passed on and throughout their lives taught me so much. They are still with me in so many ways. I have since rescued two other dogs whom I treasure and have inspired me to become a trainer. It's amazing how much dogs can impact our lives and Bo had the pleasure of doing that for you it sounds.

Best wishes to you all and you will always keep a part of Bo with you.

 

I couldn't help the tears welling in my eyes after reading your story. It's amazing how much a part of our lives dogs become, almost to the point where they are more human than we are.

I know it's going to be a sad sad day when my 8 year old Golden Retriever, Tucker, passes on. He's already had cancerous lumps removed multiple times, and being a pure-bread big dog, his expectancy isn't long. But I try not to think about it too much, and just remember to enjoy the time we have with our animals.

I'm very sorry for your loss, Ed.

This reminds me of when my dog Ruby passed away about 8 years ago. She was having some problems controlling her bladder, and was gradually losing energy day-to-day. She wasn't eating, and just all-together wasn't healthy. Being a 15 year old dog, we knew it was time. We called the vet and put her in the car and drove there. When we got there, she leaped out of the car, and was acting 100% normal! Full of energy and life! So, we didn't put her to sleep that day, it obviously wasn't her time. We took her home and she lasted about another full year before she began to decline again, at which point there was nothing anyone could do. My family and I are still, to this day, saddened by the thought of losing Ruby, but in the end, when we spend hours and hours recalling funny stories and times we all spent with her, having her in our lives makes it all okay.

 

I read the thread title and I knew what I was getting myself into. I'm now trying to type and wipe the tears from my eyes. I am so sorry to hear this. Dogs are so important to me (mine woolie beast is getting up there in years and I dread the day....) Bosque sounds and is a beautiful pup....

 

Im so sorry to hear about your dogs!1 Im know what it is like to lose a canine companion, and you lose a family member when one of them passes.

I give you my condolences and admire you for rescuing your dogs!!

Sorry again, that is terribly sad

 

ok now I am in a full fledge cry over here...

I love animals so much and am glad to hear others love their dogs just as much. I know everyone here has given a dog/ animal a great life and that is the best we can do to repay them for the unconditional love they give us.

 

+1 on all that's been said. I'm pretty sure from your description that you've given him almost as much as he's given you. I'd like to sound wise and say, "everything happens for a reason" -- I just wish we could know WHAT is that reason when we go through things like this. I try my best to keep my own friend Tessa (9yrs old human-years) and my cats Suda and Mak (both 9yrs) as well as possible to keep them as long as possible, but I know how hard it is. Unfortunately, my husband never had pets growing up, so he's probably going to be a basket-case when it comes time for them or his dog Dorcha to pass.

On a brighter note, maybe your "reason" for this happening is to "train" you for the next SPCA friend you find....or that finds you. Keep your chin up; you were/are good fur-parents.

 

Ed,
That was hard to read because it was so heartfelt. Karen and I have faced similar loses. I always found myself asking, "what would I want him or her to do for me" if the roles were reversed. And the answer helped. And when Karen and I began again, that patient friend was "there" with me, helping me train the "new" dog.
Here's a wish for serenity in the day's and weeks to come.

Dan

 

The absolute worst part of loving a dear pet is that we can't have them for our entire lives, and it so sad to lose them. My heart goes out to you and your 4-legged baby. His pictures are wonderful. It made me smile just to see his dear face.

 

Thank you all for your support. We just got the call and the results from the labs say it is definately prostrate cancer. It has gotten into so many parts of his body, they recommend we euthanize him today. Even though he seems perky, he can't urinate without the catheter and we would have to drain him every few hours. We are going in at 4pm to say our goodbyes and stay with him until the last second that he passes away. I just don't know what to say or do at this point. My entire life has been wrapped around this gorgeous animal. If we had to go somewhere and Bo was not welcome, we just did not go. This house is so dreadfully quiet right now....

 

I am so sorry to hear about the update. Your world must be absolutely swimming now and that probably helps get us through the immense difficulty of such times.

When we euthanized our lil' Cooper (Maltese), our vet told us that he always thought of their going to a place where they could chase all the squirrels they wanted. I wish this for Bo and I wish peace and comfort to you and your family and to know that you are not alone.

 

Our thoughts are with ya'll....so sorry to hear about this.

 

I am so sorry about your precious lab. I own two labs and know the joy they bring into my life everyday. I also know the pain of losing an animal this way. It just doesn't seam fair. I always have to remember that we give them the best life possible, they are our family, and we are so lucky to have them in our lives even if it's not as long as we'd like.

 

I can't help but cry for you and Bosque because my 12 year old lab is at my feet and he has been my best friend for ten of those years. I adopted him from the shelter too, and I applaud you for having the strength to let your friend go on without you. It takes a lot of courage to let them go because our hearts try to hang onto them so hard, but it's not fair to them and I'm proud of you for realizing that and for choosing to be with him as he moves on to what ever is next. When it's your turn, I'm sure he'll be there waiting for you, like the faithful companion that he is.

 

Your story is touching and a reminder that nothing lasts forever. I hope you know that you are absolutely doing the right thing today in easing your best friend's pain. May you say your goodbyes peacefully with Bosque and know that he surely had an amazing time with you.

I know you will find a way to rescue another lab, where Bo's spirit will live on.

God bless.

 

I share your sorrow. The fact that you gave Bosque such a great home for all these years and in turn provided him the opportunity to give so much is a credit to all of you.

We're big believers in giving rescue dogs a home. Our dog of 12 years now has Cushing's Disease and after having dogs in our lives for more than 20 years, I made the statement to a friend that we were 'all done' with dogs--that we just couldn't take the heartache with another dog. He looked at me very matter-of-factly and said "It's not about you. It's what you do for them that counts."

I know there is no way to ease your pain, but it sounds like you both undestood what my friend was talking about.

I'm truly sorry for your loss.

 

Hi family members. Just thought we would give you a final update on our beloved Bosque. We got the results from the lab today and they were positive for Prostate Cancer. His bladder is also a mess and has been stretched beyond use at this point so he was still on a catheter. We took him out for a walk and spent a couple hours with him and he still seemed so perky for such a sick dog. You know labs, so stoic in these moments before their time to leave us! His cancer had metastasized to all other parts of his body so keeping him alive at this point would have been painful for him and selfish for us so we opted to put him down. What a terrible term that is! The folks at the emergency vet hospital were so beautiful in how they handled the situation. They catered to every whim and need, bringing Bo some of the most delicious and fatty food they could find and we had a good couple of hours with him in the end. My friend Terri Wollfe was also there and she was a great support as well. I have trained with her for over 10 years now every single sunday doing agility and obedience. When the time came, I was so surprised at how beautiful Bosque looked and how happy he seemed as I laid down by him on the floor when they injected him with the series of solutions that would put him at peace. I put my face on the floor right next to his for his very last breath and that seemed to comfort us both so much at this time. Even after he passed, he had this amazingly thankful and peaceful content look on his face with his gorgeous big brown eyes looking out at me. He seemed so alive right then and so thankful that his pain has ended so that he can continue on to "Rainbow Bridge", where all dogs wait for their human companions to join them. I told him before he left us that our last lab Cocoa had sent Bosque to us and that he better send a suitable replacement down the road when we are ready! For the first time, I truly miss that crazy loud obnoxious barking that never seemed to end and the counter surfing he would do behind my back while I prepared dinner for Kris and I. I remember one time I had just put a grilled steak on the island in the kitchen for less than five seconds, turned my back and whoosh! It was gone! He will live forever in our hearts and has been the very best dog I have ever had the pleasure to help train in this lifetime. Thank you God for loaning him to us for these last 10-12 years. I may have lost my best friend, but I have gained a greater appreciation for this breed of dog they call, Labrador Retriever! He was intelligent, diligent, trustworthy and loyal, just like a good boy scout. We love you and miss you Bo!

Take care and God Bless!

Ed, Kris and Bosque

 

I'm so sorry for the loss of your Bosque. He sounded like a wonderful boy and he will live on in your memories. One day you will see him again ... just know that he's running free now. Last year, we lost our 16-year old Smooth Collie named Casey. It's still hard, but we adopted another beautiful Smooth named Blue. She's 10-years old and was unfortunately abused. We are giving her a great life and she is repaying us with so much love and affection. Thanks for sharing a small part of Bosque's life!

 

*big, virtual hugs.*

 

I am so sorry for your loss. I had to make the decision to put my 20 year old kitty to rest in Dec. and it is a hard decision to make, but it sounds like you did what was right for Bosque in the end. Many hugs to you.

 

There is a reason that DOG is GOD spelled backwards.
I have lost 13 of my best friends, all too young. Seven of them were Dobermans who I lost from ages 1-1/2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 9. I would have married the first Doberman Rommel if he had been a person. Never have I had such a close bond with a friend who knew the exact minute I would leave work, who knew his colors, his newest toy, and was a protector at all times sensing who was not to be trusted. I lost him to cancer of the lungs that went through his system so many years ago.
He is still with me and has proven that he listens to me over at the Bridge. I asked him one night to send me two shooting stars. Within a minute of time two large shooting stars appeared one over the other along the same path in the sky. They appeared and went out simultaneously.
Another cold winter night with wispy clouds I asked that maybe sometime he could make it snow for me. Within a few minutes there was a flurry over where I was standing. Only wispy non snow clouds were out that night. I know he sent those flakes as a message and I will see him again.

When I used to walk in a cemetery that was next to our house and land in Connecticut, there were several times that I know I saw my first little Chihuahua mix Spooky who had passed, run behind a headstone. You think your mind is playing tricks on you, but trust me it was real. Spooky loved to walk there with me each night.

My heart and prayers are with you and all of you who have lost their best friends. Losing so many of mine to cancer made me decide to leave my estate to Morris Animal Foundation where the money will be used solely for research of canine cancer. I have Greyhounds and my last Doberman now and I know that of all the horrible diseases out there it will probably be cancer that steals them from me.

Please let us know when you bring the new little soul into your home. I know that part of Bosque will be in there waiting for you.

 

I had a dog from my birth until I was 18, we put him to sleep, I have not had another for 30 years, istill feel the warm spots near my feet..........hugs!

 

deepest condolences on your loss.

it is the most difficult and most humane decision when we have to part with our animal companions.

there are no greater words, than you have given to honor your Bosque. May Puppy heaven await Bosque and you find peace in this difficult time.

All the best...

 

The tears are so bad that i am having so much trouble reading i will have to come back to this another time.

Sorry for your loss, we got our black lab twelve years go and i can remember that she did not know how to ride in a car, she stood up the whole ride home and fell over about 2 dozen times in the short 4 mile trip. With as much traveling as we do she was gong to have to learn and learn fast she did.

We picked Christie up 3 days before Christmas and as we did not know anything about her except that she was about 6 months old we decided to name her Christie after Agatha Christie and Christmas.

Our best wishes and God Bless