Much More Than a Mate

[Heather]

You'll be in trouble with Maureen!

[Jasper Brush]

G'day Glenny,

Well. My dog I put to sleep on 18th.

You write good poetry.

I read your poem and I feel a gentle, loyal, respect for the Australian breed.

The Scottish connection?

I know you all are fond of dogs.

This is what I wrote after I dropped off my best mate; after he was put to sleep.


18th July 2011.
This afternoon I took my dog on a death march. He seemed quite happy about it— a he pattered down the footpath his cataract opaque eyes hardly picking up the separations in the footpath. He had not been well, he’d drink a lot of water then after ten minutes or so he would spew it up again. His vision, though not good was further impaired by an infection in his left eye that had a lot of discharge. He had a tight pull on the lead as he shuffled along huffing, his body moving at a medium pace, wonky left front leg dropping his shoulder in rhythm with his uneven gait. He’d been off his tucker and the night before: he took his time moving from the comfort in front of the gas fire to the solitary confinement of his bed: a basket in the laundry, and I was very careful to make sure his comforter soft toy, flea, a red and white striped kind of felix the cat was tucked in at the head of the bed because I knew my old dog was on his last legs.
The next morning when the laundry door was opened, Mop had not slept in his bed. Flea was still tucked in beside the curve of wicker basket— a silly grin on his face. Mop had spent the night on the cold floor, rejecting a rest in his favourite sleeping place. I myself had spent an uneasy night; yes I shed a few tears. I was worried about my fourteen and a half year old dog and the knowledge that the time had come.

I love you son.

Goodbye.

I had Mop cremated. It only took four days for the ashes come back in a nice urn to arrive back at the vets,

So to you all.

I appreciated the poem.

Best wishes to all.


John

[Maureen K Clifford]

It awful John when that time comes, but dogs don't seem to have the same concerns we do about thing - they accept their fate stoically as they do all things in life. He was loved right to the end and that's all he asked and all he needed. So sorry for your loss I feel the pain Mate

Cheers

Maureen

[r.magnay]

...not too sure about that Maureen, dogs having less concerns I mean, our best dog was the rotty / lab X, what a dog! He had cancer in his neck which we had operated on but unfortunalely some was attached to his jugular so it had to stay there, they gave him 12 to 18 months and in hindsight we probably should have had put down at 2 years, but evertime he looked a bit low and we would discuss putting him down, it was like he could understand us, he would almost instantly start bouncing around and smiling as if to say.."Nothing wrong with me, I'm fine." eventually we could see he wasn't and had him put to sleep at about 3 years after his op, he had a pretty good run. I usually shoot dogs that are at the end there time, but couldn't with Ben, we had the vet come and do it at our place so we could bury him with dignity.

[Bob Pacey]

Thanks for shareing that John it is always hard to think you are the one to make the decision.

I always say not again but then some chirpy little bugger gets to my soft spot and here we go again.

Bob

[Glenny Palmer]

Dear John,
I feel so sad for you. It is a very real bereavement when you lose a dear pet, but you have struck upon the idea that writing down your feelings is such a help. And you have written your feelings out beautifully. Once expressed, the healing process is easier.

Thank you for sharing such an intimate thing with us all, & for your kind words to me. I wish you happier days to come.

Glenny

[william williams]

sad to hear that mate I know of your loss and feel for you

Yes we have all have lost four legged mates over the years and yes some of them still hold special places in our heart. And I am no different to anyone else. There have been 3 horses that are special in my memory 5 dogs and a frill neck lizard called Albert that stayed with me in my camp for 18 months. 8 are no longer in this world today but they still remain in my memory

Bill the old softy

[noelcauser]

Watch what your doing up there in QLD with dogs. They say one today has been found with the deadly Hendra Virus. Pretty scarey to think that mans best friend could have this happen,

[Jasper Brush]

Thank you all.

And thank you Glenny.

I've been so depressed. Then I read your poem about happy dogs.

I know every one goes through it, with animals.

Then once the post was up i had the feeling perhaps I should not lumbered you all with my feelings.

Maureen, once sent me a poem by Kym K about the Australian Light Horsemen in the first world war. After the war was over the soldiers were told they could not repatriate their horses home to Australia and were ordered to shoot their best friend--their horse, the animal that had stuck by them through thick and thin.
All those men carried out there orders and put their horses down.

Sad

Anyway I feel a lot better.

Yes, in the country the best way and quickest way to put an animal down is with a rifle. Though, it would still be hard I imagine.

John

[Heather]

So sorry to hear about your dog John. I think we've all been there and it's not an easy decision to make but is the right one often. Take things easy John.

Heather