Photographing Pets

[cerberus]

I am so sorry for your loss. We too have recently lost our great dane and two of our cats, so I understand what you are going through

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Last week was a tough one for our family of three. Both our cats have long term health problems: Moxie, our Maine Coon has a very serious heart murmur that will end her life with a stroke/paralysis at any time and Snickers, Miss Personality+, with a thyroid problem that she took pills for 2x a day quite willingly.

Well, last week in the middle of the night our son (23) woke us scared because Snickers was having trouble breathing. By the time I got to her I found her back legs paralyzed and she was having a seizure. Her mouth appeared to be frozen open and she meowed constantly. We were all in tears as we drove her to the 24 hour vet. This was not the cat we expected go this way. She was only 15 years old; an indoors cat and totally devoted to our son! A dear sweet 8 pounder who worked her way into our hearts with her voice and gentle insistence. She even echoed "Ahhh" when our son told her to say "Ahhh" at pill time. I stayed with her until the very end, stroking her and talking. I'm glad I did. My eyes still well up with tears as I write this.

Here is a picture and a tribute I wrote for my son who is still hurting.

To Snickers

I’m glad you suffered only a short time. You were such a big part of Tim’s life; following him everywhere; crying when he closed a door on you. Attached to him, attached to us, attached to your chair, any smooth surface, your blankie, your stuffed animals, your water dish. We’ll miss your talks, your “Ahhhh” when you took your pills and your devoted loyalty to us, your family. You were so smart; you learned new things but you lived life on your own terms. Moxie’s smell and look after a haircut, even a visit from Nathan sent a reflex action deep down from your core. Thunder scared you and the doorbell. The vacuum could make you hiss and run. But you gave us love and loved to be rubbed back legs spread for a full belly rub. I’m glad I got to spend a few weeks at home with you and most of all, I’m glad I said goodbye for us.

Goodbye Snickers, you were loved.
7/30/09

I'm sorry. What a beautiful tribute.

She was gorgeous and fortunate to have had such a great life with you and your family.

 

[nancycg56]

Zippy and Zoey:

This is one of my favorite photos:

 

[shawn68]

Here is my Big Boy.

 

[klmall]

I am so sorry for your loss. We too have recently lost our great dane and two of our cats, so I understand what you are going through

I'm sorry. What a beautiful tribute.

She was gorgeous and fortunate to have had such a great life with you and your family.

Thank you both. It means alot! And cerebus, a hug to you too!

 

[cerberus]

DH and I watched "Marley & Me" tonigh; BIG mistake!! I cried my eyes out watching that.

Me too!!! I wished someone had warned me that it was such a sad movie!

Since I have not posted in awhile, I thought I would introduce the newest addition to our family, Calypso! We usually adopt dogs age 2-3 years old, but this one broke out heart when we saw he at the shelter. Little did we know she would develop a life threatening disease 2 weeks after we adopted her. But she is holding her own and we hope to get her through it.

 

[klmall]

Me too!!! I wished someone had warned me that it was such a sad movie!

Since I have not posted in awhile, I thought I would introduce the newest addition to our family, Calypso! We usually adopt dogs age 2-3 years old, but this one broke out heart when we saw he at the shelter. Little did we know she would develop a life threatening disease 2 weeks after we adopted her. But she is holding her own and we hope to get her through it.

Who could resist a smile like that? I'm not even a dog person and I could fall for her!

I'll say a little prayer for her!
Kathy

 

[dcg0317]

I'm so sorry for your loss, they are so much a big part of our family's and it's hard when they are gone.

Last week was a tough one for our family of three. Both our cats have long term health problems: Moxie, our Maine Coon has a very serious heart murmur that will end her life with a stroke/paralysis at any time and Snickers, Miss Personality+, with a thyroid problem that she took pills for 2x a day quite willingly.

Well, last week in the middle of the night our son (23) woke us scared because Snickers was having trouble breathing. By the time I got to her I found her back legs paralyzed and she was having a seizure. Her mouth appeared to be frozen open and she meowed constantly. We were all in tears as we drove her to the 24 hour vet. This was not the cat we expected go this way. She was only 15 years old; an indoors cat and totally devoted to our son! A dear sweet 8 pounder who worked her way into our hearts with her voice and gentle insistence. She even echoed "Ahhh" when our son told her to say "Ahhh" at pill time. I stayed with her until the very end, stroking her and talking. I'm glad I did. My eyes still well up with tears as I write this.

Here is a picture and a tribute I wrote for my son who is still hurting.

To Snickers

I’m glad you suffered only a short time. You were such a big part of Tim’s life; following him everywhere; crying when he closed a door on you. Attached to him, attached to us, attached to your chair, any smooth surface, your blankie, your stuffed animals, your water dish. We’ll miss your talks, your “Ahhhh” when you took your pills and your devoted loyalty to us, your family. You were so smart; you learned new things but you lived life on your own terms. Moxie’s smell and look after a haircut, even a visit from Nathan sent a reflex action deep down from your core. Thunder scared you and the doorbell. The vacuum could make you hiss and run. But you gave us love and loved to be rubbed back legs spread for a full belly rub. I’m glad I got to spend a few weeks at home with you and most of all, I’m glad I said goodbye for us.

Goodbye Snickers, you were loved.
7/30/09

 

[mylittleprincess]

Last week was a tough one for our family of three. Both our cats have long term health problems: Moxie, our Maine Coon has a very serious heart murmur that will end her life with a stroke/paralysis at any time and Snickers, Miss Personality+, with a thyroid problem that she took pills for 2x a day quite willingly.

Well, last week in the middle of the night our son (23) woke us scared because Snickers was having trouble breathing. By the time I got to her I found her back legs paralyzed and she was having a seizure. Her mouth appeared to be frozen open and she meowed constantly. We were all in tears as we drove her to the 24 hour vet. This was not the cat we expected go this way. She was only 15 years old; an indoors cat and totally devoted to our son! A dear sweet 8 pounder who worked her way into our hearts with her voice and gentle insistence. She even echoed "Ahhh" when our son told her to say "Ahhh" at pill time. I stayed with her until the very end, stroking her and talking. I'm glad I did. My eyes still well up with tears as I write this.

Here is a picture and a tribute I wrote for my son who is still hurting.

To Snickers

I’m glad you suffered only a short time. You were such a big part of Tim’s life; following him everywhere; crying when he closed a door on you. Attached to him, attached to us, attached to your chair, any smooth surface, your blankie, your stuffed animals, your water dish. We’ll miss your talks, your “Ahhhh” when you took your pills and your devoted loyalty to us, your family. You were so smart; you learned new things but you lived life on your own terms. Moxie’s smell and look after a haircut, even a visit from Nathan sent a reflex action deep down from your core. Thunder scared you and the doorbell. The vacuum could make you hiss and run. But you gave us love and loved to be rubbed back legs spread for a full belly rub. I’m glad I got to spend a few weeks at home with you and most of all, I’m glad I said goodbye for us.

Goodbye Snickers, you were loved.
7/30/09

I have goosebumps reading this!! I am so sorry for your loss. So sad! My heart is with your family during this sad time.

 

[PhotobearSam]

I have goosebumps reading this!! I am so sorry for your loss. So sad! My heart is with your family during this sad time.

You took the words right out of my mouth. I have tears down both sides of my face. My 17 yr old male cat Bébé pee-d on the floor for the first time today (he has kidney problems) and his 17 yr old sister pucked up a lot today as well.....Being that they are both 17, I worry about them all day everyday. My heart goes out to your son and your entire family.

 

[klmall]

I'm so sorry for your loss, they are so much a big part of our family's and it's hard when they are gone.

I have goosebumps reading this!! I am so sorry for your loss. So sad! My heart is with your family during this sad time.

Thank you PhotobearSam and mylittleprincess. It helped to write out and share my feelings. It's getting a bit easier each day.

And PhotobearSam, when my beloved 23 year old PC cat who was really my baby cat and never ever had a health problem until her last three days on earth, just stopped eating I was a total mess. I would be entering text at work and just find tears running down my cheeks. We knew she was going to leave us soon but those last three days were just so hard. Finally when she stopped drinking water we took her to the vet for the last time. Six months later, after having no pets at all we adopted Snickers and Moxie from acquaintances. They were 7 years old but adjusted well and you know the rest of the story. DH and I have agreed to do without pets once Moxie is gone, at least until we build our house in Pennsylvania which depends upon the question mark economy!

 

[harks]

I love these pictures!

Here is Dave the cat, asleep as usual.

 

[Disney-Bride2010]

My mom's sheltie, Missy.

 

[Todd_H]

I hadn't posted in this thread in a while, so I decided to shoot a few of the dogs last night.

Here are Sadie (Lab) and Nali (Husky) playing a relatively tame game of tug-of-war with a toy that has been well-loved-on:

The winner:

The loser (don't feel bad for her, she really didn't care and I think she let Nali win):

Oh, and please excuse the dog hair... I haven't found a way to photoshop dog hair out of a rug yet . I guess a vacuum is a better option, huh? Actually, both dogs are shedding right now, so our rugs do get vacuumed every day or every other day.

 

[RBennett]

That makes me feel a lot better Todd! I've noticed our dog Koda lately is shedding a little more than usual too. I guess with the heat/summer, he's trying to get rid of his coat a little more?


- Robby

 

[Todd_H]

That makes me feel a lot better Todd! I've noticed our dog Koda lately is shedding a little more than usual too. I guess with the heat/summer, he's trying to get rid of his coat a little more?


- Robby

A vet told me a long time ago that shedding is actually not triggered by heat, but rather by daylight. During the summer and the longer daylight hours, the dogs shed more (which I guess can be considered to be indirectly related to heat). Don't know if that's true, because our Lab seems to shed in patches almost year round. We started giving her supplements about 4 months ago and have seen an improvement in the shedding, but she still sheds. Our Husky has just started to blow her undercoat and WOW . I'm amazed that she has any hair left!

 

[annnewjerz]

A vet told me a long time ago that shedding is actually not triggered by heat, but rather by daylight. During the summer and the longer daylight hours, the dogs shed more (which I guess can be considered to be indirectly related to heat). Don't know if that's true, because our Lab seems to shed in patches almost year round. We started giving her supplements about 4 months ago and have seen an improvement in the shedding, but she still sheds. Our Husky has just started to blow her undercoat and WOW . I'm amazed that she has any hair left!

Where all of the fur comes from is a mystery to me. Our lab doesn't shed much and with short brown fur, it sort of blends in. Our Golden Retriever, on the other hand, is a maniac. I can reach down and grab some of his longer fur and will come back with a full handful that just comes right out. I'm not talking individual hairs, I'm talking clumps. We will wash and brush and wash and brush and still----within 3 days there are tumbleweeds all over our wood floors.

If I ever thought a dog should be going bald, it's him, but somehow he's still got plenty.

 

[Todd_H]

Where all of the fur comes from is a mystery to me. Our lab doesn't shed much and with short brown fur, it sort of blends in. Our Golden Retriever, on the other hand, is a maniac. I can reach down and grab some of his longer fur and will come back with a full handful that just comes right out. I'm not talking individual hairs, I'm talking clumps.

I can definitely relate.

We will wash and brush and wash and brush and still----within 3 days there are tumbleweeds all over our wood floors.

If I ever thought a dog should be going bald, it's him, but somehow he's still got plenty.

We had been through a few shedding combs/blades before finally settling with a horse comb to brush our Lab. That is, until we found this one called "The Furminator": http://www.nextag.com/Easystep-FURminator-FUR00103-Anti-612190573/prices-html

The Furminator is the best tool I have ever used for combing a shedding dog. Seriously, a couple of good brushes with this thing and you will have removed the entire undercoat. If possible, I'll post some pictures of it in action tonight when I brush my dogs (who desperately need it right now ). Not trying to give a sales pitch (it is a bit pricey for a comb), but it's well worth the money to keep the "tumbleweeds" out of your living room, IMO.

 

[My2Girls66]

Last week was a tough one for our family of three. Both our cats have long term health problems: Moxie, our Maine Coon has a very serious heart murmur that will end her life with a stroke/paralysis at any time and Snickers, Miss Personality+, with a thyroid problem that she took pills for 2x a day quite willingly.

Well, last week in the middle of the night our son (23) woke us scared because Snickers was having trouble breathing. By the time I got to her I found her back legs paralyzed and she was having a seizure. Her mouth appeared to be frozen open and she meowed constantly. We were all in tears as we drove her to the 24 hour vet. This was not the cat we expected go this way. She was only 15 years old; an indoors cat and totally devoted to our son! A dear sweet 8 pounder who worked her way into our hearts with her voice and gentle insistence. She even echoed "Ahhh" when our son told her to say "Ahhh" at pill time. I stayed with her until the very end, stroking her and talking. I'm glad I did. My eyes still well up with tears as I write this.

Here is a picture and a tribute I wrote for my son who is still hurting.

To Snickers

I’m glad you suffered only a short time. You were such a big part of Tim’s life; following him everywhere; crying when he closed a door on you. Attached to him, attached to us, attached to your chair, any smooth surface, your blankie, your stuffed animals, your water dish. We’ll miss your talks, your “Ahhhh” when you took your pills and your devoted loyalty to us, your family. You were so smart; you learned new things but you lived life on your own terms. Moxie’s smell and look after a haircut, even a visit from Nathan sent a reflex action deep down from your core. Thunder scared you and the doorbell. The vacuum could make you hiss and run. But you gave us love and loved to be rubbed back legs spread for a full belly rub. I’m glad I got to spend a few weeks at home with you and most of all, I’m glad I said goodbye for us.

Goodbye Snickers, you were loved.
7/30/09

So sorry about Snickers

 

[My2Girls66]

I can definitely relate.





We had been through a few shedding combs/blades before finally settling with a horse comb to brush our Lab. That is, until we found this one called "The Furminator": http://www.nextag.com/Easystep-FURminator-FUR00103-Anti-612190573/prices-html

The Furminator is the best tool I have ever used for combing a shedding dog. Seriously, a couple of good brushes with this thing and you will have removed the entire undercoat. If possible, I'll post some pictures of it in action tonight when I brush my dogs (who desperately need it right now ). Not trying to give a sales pitch (it is a bit pricey for a comb), but it's well worth the money to keep the "tumbleweeds" out of your living room, IMO.

Another that can relate! Hershey's fur is coming out like crazy! One of our 6 cats is also shedding like mad- the others not so much. I use the Furminator on them and it does take a lot of fur out but it just keeps coming and coming....