This was a tough week...

[martyo]

Wednesday night at about midnight one of my dogs, Stanley, started having very labored breathing. I rushed him to the Emergency Pet Hospital. They took an X-ray and identified a mass in his chest. They suggested that I see another vet and I went to a second animal hospital about a half hour away. I was there most of the night and it was confirmed that he had a softball sized tumor pressing against his heart.

I met with my regular vet yesterday and we determined that Stanley was in serious distress, so I brought him home to be with me and his sister, Stella.

This evening the vet came to the house and put Stanley to sleep. This was the toughest thing I have ever had to do. I do believe that it was in Stanley's best interest though. His breathing was labored and he was out of energy.

This was a tough week indeed.

Stanley, you were a good friend who helped me through so many tough spots with your undying loyalty. You were there when I got divorced. You were there when my Dad died. You made me laugh and you made me smile.

Rest in peace Stanley. You will live on in my heart.

http://www.legalknevil.com/albums/My-Dogs/aab.sized.jpg

[Bigdogjim]

I agree with it is very, very hard to say goodbye to a trusted friend.

Rainbow bridge is where you will meet again!


Go here......... http://www.indigo.org/rainbowbridge_ver2.html

[Raudermaster]

Sorry to hear Marty. He's watching you from the big dog house in the sky.
Jarod

[ts-pa]

Sorry for your loss. What a great picture of him.

[offroadkarter]

Sorry to hear your dog passed.

Im guessing the tumor couldnt be removed?

[Richy04]

Sorry for your loss,

I dont have a dog now but had a few dogs and cats before I got married and loved them all. They become your best friend and they never have a bad day but always love you no matter what.. My Brother in Law had to put his dog down a few months back, the most loyal,friendly and funny dog I've seen in a while. When my BIL wasnt home, the dog walked around with his shoe in his mouth. Pretty funny to watch.

His dog had cancer and he spent mucho dollars for chemo and it gave him months with his beloved pet. I think I cried as much as him as his dog gave made me laugh.

Once again I am sorry.. Richy

[2003 MIB]

I know how much he meant to you, Marty. Hell, your screen name was "Stan" when you joined this site. You gave him a good life and he gave you a good life. That's something to be proud of.

-Dan & Coli

[oldekid]

We sure do get attached to these creatures. I've had to go through that with both cats and dogs. It's really hard. With a dog, it's so hard to give up that dedication that they have for us. They really do become our best friends. Wives will leave us, but these guys are always there. They are amazingly devoted.

Sorry for your loss. It may take some time, but since it's obvious that you love animals, I'm sure you will start fresh again with another. It will be hard to totally forget Stanley, but you will always have fond memories of his devotion to you. There are others out there that will lovingly take over where Stanley left off. It might be good for you and another lucky puppy to give that a shot.

Thanks for sharing Stanley with us. He looked like a really cool dog, and you did the right thing for him.

Take care.

[SC Cheesehead]

Oh man, Marty, my heart goes out to you. The old cliche, " a man's best friend" is true, for sure. I had to put my old buddy Stout down a couple of years ago due to a back injury, and it just tore me up.

Hang in there, over time the fond memories will replace the hurt.

SCCH

[devo59]

im sorry about stanley, he fill your heart in many ways that at times you needed it filled. its tough to let him go. i have a 6 yr old belgian and i couldnt even think of my life without her. i can only imagine what your going thru.
hop in your car and find a big parking lot and light up those tires and spell his name in it.....

[sabtaj1]

Sorry for your loss. Beautiful dog. Even though it was a hard thing to do it just shows how much you loved your dog to not let him suffer anymore.

[RCSignals]

Marty, I know exactly where you are. We had to do the same with one of ours just over a year ago. It was the hardest thing I have ever had to do, and it is still with me.

Rest assured you did the right thing for him though. We have the power to keep our loyal friends alive far beyond what might be their natural time, and too often we do just that, for ourselves and not them.

Stanley will alway be with you. Have comfort in that, and thoughts of all the good times.

Think of him as being in a place where the sun always shines, the grass is always green, and he has room to run forever.

[MM03MOK]

Oh, Marty! :bigcry: I know Stanley is now playing with many of my bunnies over the Rainbow Bridge. Humphrey and Petunia send their best to Stella.

[larryo340]

I'm very sorry for your loss, I know how hard it is to let a buddy go, and no words will help you feel better. Just accept my heartfelt sympathy for your loss. Now you will have to spoil Stella even more than you do now. I'm sure she misses him very much as well.

[rayjay]

Deepest sympathy Marty, Stanley is now playing with my two Rotties in doggie heaven. Its never easy, rest assured you did the right thing and he didn't suffer.

[Bluerauder]

This evening the vet came to the house and put Stanley to sleep. This was the toughest thing I have ever had to do. I do believe that it was in Stanley's best interest though. His breathing was labored and he was out of energy.
My sincere condolences to you, Marty. :( I have enjoyed seeing pics of Stanley and Stella over the past few years. My favorite was of Stanley "relaxing" on your boat. Aaaaah, what a life. Despite the pain that you feel right now ... you did the right thing.

Understand the "toughest thing" part. Went through a similar experience in April 2006 with our 16 year old dog. No way to express the sadness and sheer difficulty in making that decision. Tough just doesn't capture it.

FWIW --- I found the Rainbow Bridge information (link posted above by BDJ) initially posted by Donna to be very comforting. It doesn't make the pain go away completely; but it was helpful for me. Hang in there, buddy !!

[RoyLPita]

I'm Sorry for your loss, Marty. I can just picture Stanley playfully raising the hackles on Mittens, Samantha, Blue, and Bandit up there. The four names that I mentioned are cats that are no longer with me.

[knine]

Marty, I'm sorry to hear about your loss. I lost my "scoozie" "snoozie" Dalmatian 7-5-05. His "real" name was Arson. Hardly a day goes by I don't think of him. I know how you feel, the hurt is strong. Do a homeless dog a favor and rescue him from a pound to honor Stanley's memory.....then get that dog a dog. Nothing in life gives me more pleasure than watching my dogs enjoy life. Nothing. Period.

[Zack]

God Marty, Im truly sorry.
I just love animals and fear the day I have to endure the same heartache.

[sailsmen]

Sorry for your loss, in time you will think more about the good times.

We have a 16 year old Yorky, mostly blind, mostly deaf, mostly senile. He gets around well. He has a very good appetite and loves to sleep in our bed. :) We know his days are numbered.

We put our other Yorky to sleep 1-30-04, brain tumor. Buried her in the back yard. Next morning I am jogging. 2 very intoxicated guys, so I go around the block to avoid them. One curses at me and says he is going to take my shirt.

Big, big mistake! He takes off his shirt and empties his pockets. My rage from burying Sassy and my confidence from seeing his frail body build like a locomotive going down the Rocky's.

He charges me and apparently sees the look in my eye resulting in a moment of sober clairity. He stops and begins crying, then apologizing. His friend walks over and I tell his firend, "you are the second luckiest man in the world, because after I got thru kicking his a$$ I was going to kick your a$$".

I am the third luckest man because had this drunk proceeded I may have hurt them far more than I intended.

[MarauderTJA]

I truly feel your loss Marty. My eyes get welled up just hearing about this. I loss a American Bobcat (BillyBob) that traveled with me for 7 years in my motorhome who was my first cat and truly my buddy and pal. He had a heart problem and died in my motorhome on Easter Sunday while I was in NC a few years ago. To this day if I think of him I start to cry.......

[sailsmen]

I owned a bobcat called Rowdy. I gave her to a couple that had a 450lb lion named Sam.

Rowdy got out and was in the paper. I got her back from the SPCA, boy was that an experience.

"Sir describe your cat. Sir show us your papers for your cat."

It was only thru my presistance that I got her back.

They had her in a lion cage in the middle of a room surrounded by all the ferocious dogs! And it's the Society to Prevent Cruelty to Animals?

[CRUZTAKER]

Dude.

We are sooo sorry for your loss. :depress:

[MADRODER]

Sorry for your loss........having dogs all my life it's never easy when one passes away, hang in there.

[KillJoy]

Sorry to hear Marty. Losing a friend is always hard....

KillJoy

[BruteForce]

My condolences. I fear the day I'll have to do the same. My girl Flora is getting on in years. Keep Stella close as she's probably feeling the absence too. {sniffle}

[BK_GrandMarquis]

Sorry for your loss Marty.

I know how it is. I had to put my pup, of 11 years, to sleep three years ago because of bone cancer. I still don't like thinking about it. :(

[PhastPhil]

Mart, I am sorry for your loss. Stanley is in a better palce now and free of pain.
Though I have yet to lose one of my dogs, I can imagine how hard it must be. Several years ago, my wife & I fostered a young Rottie who was terrified of everything. We had him for five months when he was ready to find his new home. I nice family wanted to adopt him. I brught him to his new home with a director of the rescue group we fostered for. Leaving that dog with the new family was the hardedst thing I had ever done in my life. The pain was incredible. After two months, the family realized he did not make the transition. I went back to thier home to pick him up. We decided not to put him through that again, and have adopted him ourselves. I dread the day when he will be gone forever!

[Smokie]

Marty my friend I understand the hurt, I lost my friend of 18 years not long ago, she drew her last breath in my arms...hang on to the good memories.

[younga1]

Marty,

As you may recall, I lost my 1st child very much the same way in November. My chocolate lab was 13 1/2 and truly my best friend.

Your will never fill the void but it will get better with time. Find peace in knowing you did the right thing by not trying to hold on longer for yourself while he suffered.

Enjoy the memories and cherish the photos you have. I wish I had taken more.

I am so sorry for your loss!!

[Cobra25]

I'm sorry for your Loss. I know How you feel. I had too put too sleep my Dog Kibe ( American Akita) a few months ago after almost 14 years . The hardest thing I ever had too do. Yesterday would of been her 14th Birthday. Our Home just isn't the same with out her.

[Dr Caleb]

Awwww Marty. :bigcry:

I'm so sorry to hear of yours and Stellas' loss. From all the pics of him and Stella you've shared over the years, he seemed like a big pookie.

[jgc61sr2002]

Marty - Very sorry to hear about Stanley.:( I know how much he ment to you.

[captJ696]

Wow, Marty...really sorry to read about Stanley. I remember awhile back I sent a picture of my labrador ROCKY and you commented on how much ne resembled Stanley. Keep Stella close, believe me, she misses him also. Dogs truly are a blessing.

[Pops]

Marty Linda and I went thru this a couple of years ago. We lost both dogs within 6 months. Its tough to lost friends like them. Good luck and have good memories of the dog.

John

[magindat]

Keeping him going would have been selfish and cruel. You are big man to let him go, Marty.

All the best.

[Krytin]

Sorry to hear about your loss Marty.
It's never easy to let go when you have to - you did your best!
My thoughts and prayers are with you.

[Local Boy]

I'm sorry for your loss...I, too, had to put down one of my dogs...Was the hardest thing ever, to do....It still hurts when thinking about it...

People and pets come into our lives...and we are forever changed because of them...Their memories live on....

ALOHA

[ckadiddle]

Sorry to hear it Marty. Dogs give us completely unconditional love that is so difficult to find among humans.

[shodude]

marty i feel your pain.. i had to do the same thing about 2 years ago ( on 9-11 no less) with my beloved best friend. my dogs condition sounds almost the same as yours.. he was panting for hours and walked the yard ALL day.. i knew something was wrong.. poor guy.. it really is the best thing you can do for them in that condition.. just remember all the good times!