Gator is telling me its time :( (lab, vet, rescue, best)
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As a lot of my Facebook friends already know, my 14 y/o Lab mix Gator has been in a decline for a few months now. He rallied the last couple of weeks after a change and increase in his pain meds but as of tonight, I think his short vacation from pain is over. He is still seeking attention but its more to try and let me know something is wrong rather than seeking affection. He is whining and looking to me to help him and comfort him.
Tonight he laid down while out on his "walk" (I take him slowly just past the next door neighbors house and back so he still feels included in the evening walk ritual). I ended up having to carry him back to the house. The look he gave me when I put him down on his bed was full of love as always but also spoke of his pain and confusion about why he hurts.
I'll be speaking with my vet first thing in the morning but I think I know what I need to do. Gator deserves every kindness I can give him and I think that tomorrow that kindness may include having to let him go.
Please keep my Gator in your thoughts tonight. As I write this, he is watching me from his bed in the other room. For all of his faults, there has never been a more loyal friend to me. From that day I rescued him on the side of that Georgia road, he has always been there when I needed him.
Oh No. I am so sorry to hear this poor old Gator.I will be thinking of you and him tonight and sending prayers for a night not filled with pain for him. I will be out of town for the next 4 days ( nephew getting married) and I have not decided if I am taking my lap top or not will decided in the AM before I leave so if not just know I will be thinking of you and sending you hugs as you do what you decide is best for Gator. The hardest part of owning a dog is watching them get old and then having to make such decisions.
My condolences to you, VA-Cat. It's never easy, there's never the right words, it always just sucks.
I hope that you can look back and remember all the fun, even when he was being a handful, and smile as well as feel eternally blessed that you were allowed to have even a moment of time with him.
Know that Gator deeply appreciated your rescue of him and that the love you have had will never go away even if he is no longer here, physically.
But for the immediate future, while you are grieving, I'm so very sorry. It's the hardest and worst thing about pet ownership...knowing that one day, we will have to say 'good bye' to our dearest friends.
Please know that so many of us have been at that same point (and will be again). There's a lot of understanding out here, for all the Gators and those of us who love them.
As one wise poster told me, "It's the last best way we take care of them."
Thinking of you and the good boy.
I know how your heart feels, just having gone through this four weeks ago with my nearly 16 year old Cleo.
If you make the decision today, from what you're saying I think you will, you might have an odd sense of relief as well because you're no longer having to watch Gator being uncomfortable and in pain. If you do, along with all the other emotions of course, don't beat yourself up over it.... I was there with Cleo and almost felt bad that I had a small sense of relief. Four weeks later I still miss her like crazy. Please have Gator tell her hello for me.
I'm so sorry to hear this, Va-cat. The slow little token walks sound all too familiar to me. It's such a sad time. I know Gator had a wonderful life, thanks to you. You'll be in my thoughts.
Location: Montreal -> CT -> MA -> Montreal -> Ottawa
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It was very early in the morning when I posted on your Facebook post about this, and I may not have been completely lucid. I haven't stopped thinking about you and Gator.
You've read my posts to others who are going through this, so I won't repeat myself. And, beyond that, you always know how I feel about "our boys."
All that I can say to you in addition is that I want to give you a big hug. What you've done for Gator all of these years has been remarkable. He knows such big love, and that's what's important as you do the most selfless thing you can ever do.
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The hardest part of owning a dog is watching them get old and then having to make such decisions.
