We have power again ... and some sad news

[Obi-Wan Pinobi]

Hi, everyone!

We have our power back for the second time. We had it back at the beginning of the week but the storm front that came through with tornadoes on Tuesday knocked it out again. Thankfully we came through Isabel with very little damage -- 1/2 inch of water in the basement is the worse we had. It's pretty much receded, and there were a few books of mine that got damaged, but that's about it. We fared much better than some others in the area (pictures to come soon).

Unfortunately, we have some sad news. We had to have our white Poodle Toby put to sleep.

He got sick earlier this year with a mysterious immune disorder. Last year at this time he weighed about 22 lbs, but in March he weighed 12. He seemed to be responding okay to the prednisone he was on, but just wasn't gaining any of his weight back. Lately he'd been having trouble climbing the stairs and I had been carrying him up.

Monday night Lauri and I found him on the kitchen floor flat on his belly. He didn't have the strength to stand on his own. Lauri and I talked and she told me "it's his time." So she took some time to say goodbye to him, and then I took him to the emergency vet.

It was probably one of the hardest things I had to do. He was such a good dog, obedient and so loyal to Lauri. I hated the thought of losing him, but at the same time I hated to see him suffer. Lauri said he was probably holding on as long as he could for us, but he couldn't any longer.

I was with him when he went to sleep, petting him on the head and telling him what a good boy he was.

And I better stop now before I start crying again.

 

[GotAnyPins]

I know how much he meant to you and Lauri..and I feel so bad for both of you..and you are right, I think they do hold on for us..

When we had to put down our Trevor 1 at 20 yrs old, I know his last few months were hard for him, and he did it as long as he could, 'till Eddie finally had to put him down too, and we did the same. petting him..then I think they just sit up there, and watch over us, and wait till we are all back together again..

So know this is just a temporary good bye..

 

[Debi]

{{{Hugs}}}, Matt. Pets are a huge part of our lives, and to lose one is like losing a child (scratch that - losing a pet IS losing a child). {{{Hugs}}}

 

[BeautyLLM]

Matt and Lauri,

I am so sorry to hear about Toby. I know just how you are feeling, sometimes doing the "right thing" is the most difficult thing to do. When it was my Max's time, even though I felt like I was deserting him, but in my heart I knew I was ending his suffering and setting him free.

{{{hugs}}} to both of you during this difficult time.

 

[NHMickey]

I am so sorry to hear that. I can relate to your feelings Matt. Give Lauri a hug for us.

 

[LynniethePooh]

Matt and Lauri
I am so sad to hear about Toby. I agree with the others, having to make that decision about a pet is one of the hardest things we ever do. Hugs and Hugs to both of you!

 

[suzanneb]

for your loss, Matthew and Lauri. You are in my thoughts...

 

[atlnewf]

My heart goes out to you guys. Hugs and Pixie Dust.

Ashley

 

[Joey27]

Dear Matt and Laurie

Sorry to hear about your loss. I know how much it hurts when you lose a family member. Sending more Pixie Dust your way*******************

 

[Mickey527]

Matt and Lauri,
I am sorry to hear about your loss but glad that you were able to spend Toby's last moments with him.
I remember when my Prince had cancer and I had to have him put to sleep. I couldn't be in the room with him, he saw me crying and was trying to comfort me. That was over 12 years ago and I still cry when I think of him. He was my dog before my boys were born and he was my baby.
Glad to hear that you have power and hope nothing else happens there and you ae out in the dark again.
Peggie

 

[perndwler]

{{{{{{{{Hugs to you both}}}}}}}} I went through it with my Chen-Chen. It was the hardest thing I've ever done in my life.

 

[flyinglizard]

Hello,

I share your sadness...

After I had to put my dog Baron to sleep, I received a sympathy card from the staff at the Vet's office. The verse read:

We who choose to surround ourselves
with lives even more temporary than
our own live within a fragile circle,
easily and often breached.

Unable to accept its awful gaps,
we still would live no other way.

We cherish memory as the only certain
immortality, never fully understanding
the necessary plan....

"The Once Again Prince" Irving Townsend

Jonathan Edwards, from the show "Crossing Over", has mentioned many times, that loved dogs also wait for us on the "other side".

I find comfort in that and I hope you will as well.

I understand your pain and loss, but we give ourselves to be put in that position.

Yes, it's worth it...

I hope you find some peace and consolation from my thoughts...

 

[BriarRose59]

I am so sorry to hear of your loss. A pet gives unconditional love and it is hard to let go sometimes, even if you know it is for the best. We are in a similar situation with our Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. He is in endstage congestive heart failure. We have him on 6 different medications because he just doesn't want to give up yet. He still is playful and loves to be around us so we don't have the heart to put him down yet. We have already discussed that when he gets to the point where he is in pain or cannot function like a "normal" dog, we will make the same difficult decision you did. Even though it was hard, I think you made the right decision.

 

[lovingthemouse]

I understand exactly how you must feel- when Roger was in for one of his too many hospitalizations, I had to put Buffy to sleep. My vet said to consider the quality of her life versus my feelings of letting go. It was a tough thing to do, but i was there with her too. Pets are so integral to many of our lives that we do have these intense feelings. Thank heavens Toby had you both as the loving owners. Caroline