Re: lost beloved pets

[Guest guest]

kathy

thank you for the kind words. We actually had to put Kassie Bear to sleep so it made it so much more difficult. She was old and had a ton of health issues-hips, allergies, hair loss, etc. The last few years she got really cranky and was acting unlike herself - chows are known for being weird standoffish breeds but she started getting a little kooky and scary. Growling nonstop and having no control over her "bladder" issues. She ended up biting my hubby when he was bathing her so badly it required an emergency room visit at the hospital and staples. It was very close in his wrist to a main artery and he was very lucky he didn't bleed to death. It was then I knew that she was getting too old and a little crazy for lack of better words. We were fighting a constant battle to keep her away from my son as I didn't trust him not to grab her as he is barely 3 years old. We also have a ton of young kids in our neighborhood and it was a terrible liability and a constant source of stress for me. My son wanted to play with her so badly but it wasn't something I was willing to risk any problems so we kept her in the spare room when he was playing or in the back yard. She started growling at me and acting very strangely like she didn't know me anymore. Her vet said that she had been on so much different meeds for the allergies and her hip issues that he thought she was getting like a doggy Alzheimer's or something. I was constantly so fearful of my son accidentally getting her when she was sleeping to the point of having nightmares constantly. She had been such a great dog and companion to me for so many years without any problems and now within a year -- boom. I think it was just her time. She lived a very spoiled life before the baby came along. sheesh, I had professional pics taken of her hanging all over my house. I even had one with Santa! I love her and miss her and hope that she is in a better place and in no more pain. I also pray to God that we did the right thing and somehow she knew it....the safety of my baby came first. I hope she wil forgive me before I see her again!

[Guest guest]

Shari

I am sorry for the loss of kissie bear. It has been good to hear so

many of us share about our pets. I have had three other dogs that I

lost to old age, but toby, my miniature schnauser was the first I had

to put to sleep who seemed perfectly healthy. He was diagnosed with

cancer in november and I had to put him to sleep in january of this

year. He was the best friend I ever had. He used to watch the

animals on tv and try to get them off the screen! Our local newspaper

did a full page article on animals who watch tv and I was interviewed

and photographers came out and shot him trying to get an animal off

the screen from the lion king. The AP press picked up the story and I

got calls from people in illinois and florida. They even wanted me to

bring him on our local tv station! Then mike died and toby was such a

comfort to me. If I would cry, he would immediately come over and

kiss the tears off my face.

I have read stories in many places before about near death experiences

and some of them have included the departing one seeing their pets in

heaven. Ihave no doubt that we will see our beloved friends again!

Hugs, kathy

> Hi there everyone

>

> I am catching up on posts from last week and have noticed about the

kitty

> lost. I am so very sorry for your loss and can completely

sympathize with

> you as I have recently lost my own dog 2 1/2 weeks ago. She was 11

years old

> and I had gotten her at 7 weeks - it has been pretty tough on me

and my

> family. She was a chow chow named Kassie Bear. Yep - I guess they

are a great big

> part of the family after a short while and it is hard to let go. My

little

> one is only 3 and he took it terribly which made things much worse.

It wasn't

> really the best " toddler " friendly pet to have anyways, I guess. We

are

> thinking of getting him another smaller dog maybe for Christmas as

he is very sad.

> Sure makes things worse but I am looking forward to getting another

pet

> although I will really hate the thought of going through it yet

again in his teens

> but that is the way it goes.

>

> I am sorry for your loss and am hoping you are feeling much better -

I am

> just now starting to feel better myself. I guess we can all look

forward to

> seeing our beloved pets again someday in heaven as I know she will

be waiting for

> me as your kitty will for you too!

>

> love

> shari

[Guest guest]

thanks Kathy - your loving words made me feel much better. I know what I did was right but it is still hard. I tried for 6 months to find a home for her without the possibility of children coming in contact w/ her and shelters - nobody wanted that breed of dog that was that old. It probably would have been a major liability anyways not to mention the fact that she was a "registered biter" as the state of Florida makes the hospitals file a report w/ the state after only 1 bite. It was hard for the kids as she looked like a teddy bear - none understood that she didn't want to be played with as she was so cute and fluffy and innocent looking.

There is a local puppy store that loves people to come in and play (even if they aren't buying)w/ the puppies - especially children as they want them to be used to them so we do that a few times a months so Logan can play w/ the pups. He loves going there although I could and would never buy a dog from them as they are very pricey. I think I have learned the hard way that a "mutt" is a better dog to get as that is all I had growing up and they were just fine - personality and healthwise.

thanks again

love

shari

[Guest guest]

I am sure you did the right thing. I sometimes think we are kinder to

animals than people because we can end their suffering. I doubt that

kassie bear had much quality of life at that point. Part of her

crankiness may have even been that she just didn't feel good. ANd

yes, your son's safety comes first! You would have never forgiven

yourself if she hurt him. I can see where the stress itself could be

very wearing on your health also.

I had a shepherd collie mix that we saved from the shelter when I was

in college. She was paranoid because she had been abused. After a

few years I realized that she followed people around behind their

backs making " air bites " at them. They didn't know she was doing it

but I did. I was always stressed when people were over. Then when my

son was born and able to crawl, all he wanted to do was mess with her.

I ended up making her an outside dog because I was afraid that she

would bite him. I felt so guilty for doing that because she was used

to be indoors. But he came first.

My other dog, smoky joe, is a five year old adorable black miniature

schnauser. He is afraid of little kids and either runs or tries to

snap at them. When my 2 year old step granddaughter comes over, it

is constant stress. She has dogs and absolutely chases him endlessly.

I am afraid he will bite her. So I can certainly understand your

concerns and I am sure that you did the right thing for kassie bear

and your son. I am glad that she was your spoiled baby and that you

have alot of pictures of her! I am sure she had a great life with

you!

Hugs,kathy

> kathy

> thank you for the kind words. We actually had to put Kassie Bear to

sleep so

> it made it so much more difficult. She was old and had a ton of

health

> issues-hips, allergies, hair loss, etc. The last few years she got

really cranky

> and was acting unlike herself - chows are known for being weird

standoffish

> breeds but she started getting a little kooky and scary. Growling

nonstop and

> having no control over her " bladder " issues. She ended up biting my

hubby when

> he was bathing her so badly it required an emergency room visit at

the

> hospital and staples. It was very close in his wrist to a main

artery and he was

> very lucky he didn't bleed to death. It was then I knew that she

was getting too

> old and a little crazy for lack of better words. We were fighting a

constant

> battle to keep her away from my son as I didn't trust him not to

grab her as

> he is barely 3 years old. We also have a ton of young kids in our

> neighborhood and it was a terrible liability and a constant source

of stress for me. My

> son wanted to play with her so badly but it wasn't something I was

willing to

> risk any problems so we kept her in the spare room when he was

playing or in

> the back yard. She started growling at me and acting very strangely

like she

> didn't know me anymore. Her vet said that she had been on so much

different

> meeds for the allergies and her hip issues that he thought she was

getting like

> a doggy Alzheimer's or something. I was constantly so fearful of my

son

> accidentally getting her when she was sleeping to the point of

having nightmares

> constantly. She had been such a great dog and companion to me for

so many years

> without any problems and now within a year -- boom. I think it was

just her

> time. She lived a very spoiled life before the baby came along.

sheesh, I

> had professional pics taken of her hanging all over my house. I

even had one

> with Santa! I love her and miss her and hope that she is in a better

place and

> in no more pain. I also pray to God that we did the right thing and

somehow

> she knew it....the safety of my baby came first. I hope she wil

forgive me

> before I see her again!

[Guest guest]

I know it is so hard with a little one to explain missing pets. My little Logan just turned three in June so of course he didn't understand what was going on - he thought daddy was taking her for a walk and he wanted to go as he saw the leash... it was so horrible to try to keep him inside while she was getting into the car w/ my hubby and I was very upset as I had said my good-byes to her just before he left. What I said to my Logan was that she had to go - she couldn't live with us anymore as she needed to go be with her mommy. I guess it wasn't too much of a lie as her mother had died while giving birth to the litter she was in. Kassie Bear was always a good chow compared to most I had seen as she was hand raised by humans from birth. I really don't have much advice to offer as to explaining to kids other than my little boy understands being with mommy and daddy and that was the only thing I could think of to tell him was that she had lived with us for a long time but she needed to go back to be with her mommy.... Her mommy missed her and she needed to be with her. Terrible to lie to him I guess but he is way too young to understand death, I think. I was really not prepared for him to say much about it as he never really spent time with her - he caught me offgaurd with his emotional outburst and I was already really upset as it was. I have a good friend that is a child psychologist so I will ask her for some advice for you.

shari

[Guest guest]

Shari, I thank you so much for your post! I really say with the deepest part of me, your post touched me. I am sorry about your loss, your dog sounded wonderful. You know, its so common that as animals age, they can become a little aggressive, as they lose memory as how they have been trained, and resort back to their more natural animal instincts.I jsut saw a show on thi,s esp the bigger dog the more probable. That is a long time, to have such a beloved pet. I am so sorry for your loss. I know its like losing a family member. Their presence will always be missed ..

Prince wasnt himself either.He was so quiet, and withsdrawn, quiet and seemed sad. I knew it was time. Saddest thing, is Tyler our 4 year old keeps asking us to please pick up Prince.That last time he saw him, hewas going to the vets. I feel his too young to hear about dying and all, he is very sensitive, and probably wouldnt understand. All I have said is that Prince was very ill, and had to go away. He needed special care. And That we cant pick him up, but he is ok. He is so upset. Any suggestions? ulie>From: "mikat828" <mikat828@...> >Reply- > >Subject: Re: lost beloved pets >Date: Wed, 04 Aug 2004 01:29:36 -0000 > >Shari >I am sorry for the loss of kissie bear. It has been good to hear so >many of us share about our pets. I have had three other dogs that I >lost to old age, but toby, my miniature schnauser was the first I had >to put to sleep who seemed perfectly healthy. He was diagnosed with >cancer in november and I had to put him to sleep in january of this >year. He was the best friend I ever had. He used to watch the >animals on tv and try to get them off the screen! Our local newspaper >did a full page article on animals who watch tv and I was interviewed >and photographers came out and shot him trying to get an animal off >the screen from the lion king. The AP press picked up the story and I >got calls from people in illinois and florida. They even wanted me to >bring him on our local tv station! Then mike died and toby was such a >comfort to me. If I would cry, he would immediately come over and >kiss the tears off my face. >I have read stories in many places before about near death experiences >and some of them have included the departing one seeing their pets in >heaven. Ihave no doubt that we will see our beloved friends again! >Hugs, kathy > > > > > > > > > > > Hi there everyone > > > > I am catching up on posts from last week and have noticed about the >kitty > > lost. I am so very sorry for your loss and can completely >sympathize with > > you as I have recently lost my own dog 2 1/2 weeks ago. She was 11 >years old > > and I had gotten her at 7 weeks - it has been pretty tough on me >and my > > family. She was a chow chow named Kassie Bear. Yep - I guess they >are a great big > > part of the family after a short while and it is hard to let go. My >little > > one is only 3 and he took it terribly which made things much worse. > It wasn't > > really the best "toddler" friendly pet to have anyways, I guess. We >are > > thinking of getting him another smaller dog maybe for Christmas as >he is very sad. > > Sure makes things worse but I am looking forward to getting another >pet > > although I will really hate the thought of going through it yet >again in his teens > > but that is the way it goes. > > > > I am sorry for your loss and am hoping you are feeling much better - >I am > > just now starting to feel better myself. I guess we can all look >forward to > > seeing our beloved pets again someday in heaven as I know she will >be waiting for > > me as your kitty will for you too! > > > > love > > shari > > > >

[Guest guest]

KAthy, did you see my previous post? My all gray , big 22 pound cat is named Smokie Joe! What the heck!

>From: "mikat828" <mikat828@...> >Reply- > >Subject: Re: lost beloved pets >Date: Wed, 04 Aug 2004 13:30:41 -0000 > >I am sure you did the right thing. I sometimes think we are kinder to >animals than people because we can end their suffering. I doubt that >kassie bear had much quality of life at that point. Part of her >crankiness may have even been that she just didn't feel good. ANd >yes, your son's safety comes first! You would have never forgiven >yourself if she hurt him. I can see where the stress itself could be >very wearing on your health also. >I had a shepherd collie mix that we saved from the shelter when I was >in college. She was paranoid because she had been abused. After a >few years I realized that she followed people around behind their >backs making "air bites" at them. They didn't know she was doing it >but I did. I was always stressed when people were over. Then when my >son was born and able to crawl, all he wanted to do was mess with her. > I ended up making her an outside dog because I was afraid that she >would bite him. I felt so guilty for doing that because she was used >to be indoors. But he came first. >My other dog, smoky joe, is a five year old adorable black miniature >schnauser. He is afraid of little kids and either runs or tries to >snap at them. When my 2 year old step granddaughter comes over, it >is constant stress. She has dogs and absolutely chases him endlessly. > I am afraid he will bite her. So I can certainly understand your >concerns and I am sure that you did the right thing for kassie bear >and your son. I am glad that she was your spoiled baby and that you >have alot of pictures of her! I am sure she had a great life with >you! >Hugs,kathy > > > > > > > > > > > kathy > > thank you for the kind words. We actually had to put Kassie Bear to >sleep so > > it made it so much more difficult. She was old and had a ton of >health > > issues-hips, allergies, hair loss, etc. The last few years she got >really cranky > > and was acting unlike herself - chows are known for being weird >standoffish > > breeds but she started getting a little kooky and scary. Growling >nonstop and > > having no control over her "bladder" issues. She ended up biting my >hubby when > > he was bathing her so badly it required an emergency room visit at >the > > hospital and staples. It was very close in his wrist to a main >artery and he was > > very lucky he didn't bleed to death. It was then I knew that she >was getting too > > old and a little crazy for lack of better words. We were fighting a >constant > > battle to keep her away from my son as I didn't trust him not to >grab her as > > he is barely 3 years old. We also have a ton of young kids in our > > neighborhood and it was a terrible liability and a constant source >of stress for me. My > > son wanted to play with her so badly but it wasn't something I was >willing to > > risk any problems so we kept her in the spare room when he was >playing or in > > the back yard. She started growling at me and acting very strangely >like she > > didn't know me anymore. Her vet said that she had been on so much >different > > meeds for the allergies and her hip issues that he thought she was >getting like > > a doggy Alzheimer's or something. I was constantly so fearful of my >son > > accidentally getting her when she was sleeping to the point of >having nightmares > > constantly. She had been such a great dog and companion to me for >so many years > > without any problems and now within a year -- boom. I think it was >just her > > time. She lived a very spoiled life before the baby came along. >sheesh, I > > had professional pics taken of her hanging all over my house. I >even had one > > with Santa! I love her and miss her and hope that she is in a better >place and > > in no more pain. I also pray to God that we did the right thing and >somehow > > she knew it....the safety of my baby came first. I hope she wil >forgive me > > before I see her again! > > > >

[Guest guest]

Shari, that is so sad about Kassie Bear getting into the car,while you watched with your little one from inside the house. Thanks for telling me how you handled it woth your little one. Maybe I did ok. I will ask my friends mom who is a child phd.

Can I ask, was kAssie Bear really sick ,was she depressed? Julei

>From: halvey70@... >Reply- > >Subject: Re: Re: lost beloved pets >Date: Wed, 4 Aug 2004 14:09:50 EDT > > > >I know it is so hard with a little one to explain missing pets. My little >Logan just turned three in June so of course he didn't understand what was going >on - he thought daddy was taking her for a walk and he wanted to go as he saw >the leash... it was so horrible to try to keep him inside while she was >getting into the car w/ my hubby and I was very upset as I had said my good-byes >to her just before he left. What I said to my Logan was that she had to go - >she couldn't live with us anymore as she needed to go be with her mommy. I >guess it wasn't too much of a lie as her mother had died while giving birth to >the litter she was in. Kassie Bear was always a good chow compared to most I >had seen as she was hand raised by humans from birth. I really don't have much >advice to offer as to explaining to kids other than my little boy understands >being with mommy and daddy and that was the only thing I could think of to >tell him was that she had lived with us for a long time but she needed to go back >to be with her mommy.... Her mommy missed her and she needed to be with her. >Terrible to lie to him I guess but he is way too young to understand death, I >think. I was really not prepared for him to say much about it as he never >really spent time with her - he caught me offgaurd with his emotional outburst >and I was already really upset as it was. I have a good friend that is a child >psychologist so I will ask her for some advice for you. > >shari

[Guest guest]

Shari and Beth,

Sorry about your loss too.

LMJOSEPH PALANCA <juliejp61@...> wrote:

Shari, I thank you so much for your post! I really say with the deepest part of me, your post touched me. I am sorry about your loss, your dog sounded wonderful. You know, its so common that as animals age, they can become a little aggressive, as they lose memory as how they have been trained, and resort back to their more natural animal instincts.I jsut saw a show on thi,s esp the bigger dog the more probable. That is a long time, to have such a beloved pet. I am so sorry for your loss. I know its like losing a family member. Their presence will always be missed ..

Prince wasnt himself either.He was so quiet, and withsdrawn, quiet and seemed sad. I knew it was time. Saddest thing, is Tyler our 4 year old keeps asking us to please pick up Prince.That last time he saw him, hewas going to the vets. I feel his too young to hear about dying and all, he is very sensitive, and probably wouldnt understand. All I have said is that Prince was very ill, and had to go away. He needed special care. And That we cant pick him up, but he is ok. He is so upset. Any suggestions? ulie>From: "mikat828" <mikat828@...> >Reply- > >Subject: Re: lost beloved pets >Date: Wed, 04 Aug 2004 01:29:36 -0000 > >Shari >I am sorry for the loss of kissie bear. It has been good to hear so >many of us share about our pets. I have had three

other dogs that I >lost to old age, but toby, my miniature schnauser was the first I had >to put to sleep who seemed perfectly healthy. He was diagnosed with >cancer in november and I had to put him to sleep in january of this >year. He was the best friend I ever had. He used to watch the >animals on tv and try to get them off the screen! Our local newspaper >did a full page article on animals who watch tv and I was interviewed >and photographers came out and shot him trying to get an animal off >the screen from the lion king. The AP press picked up the story and I >got calls from people in illinois and florida. They even wanted me to >bring him on our local tv station! Then mike died and toby was such a >comfort to me. If I would cry, he would immediately come over and >kiss the tears off my face. >I have read stories in many places before about near death experiences >and some of them have included the departing one seeing their pets in

>heaven. Ihave no doubt that we will see our beloved friends again! >Hugs, kathy > > > > > > > > > > > Hi there everyone > > > > I am catching up on posts from last week and have noticed about the >kitty > > lost. I am so very sorry for your loss and can completely >sympathize with > > you as I have recently lost my own dog 2 1/2 weeks ago. She was 11 >years old > > and I had gotten her at 7 weeks - it has been pretty tough on me >and my > > family. She was a chow chow named Kassie Bear. Yep - I guess they >are a great big > > part of the family after a short while and it is hard to let go. My >little > > one is only 3 and he took it terribly which made things much worse. > It wasn't > > really the best "toddler" friendly pet to have anyways, I guess. We >are > > thinking of getting him another

smaller dog maybe for Christmas as >he is very sad. > > Sure makes things worse but I am looking forward to getting another >pet > > although I will really hate the thought of going through it yet >again in his teens > > but that is the way it goes. > > > > I am sorry for your loss and am hoping you are feeling much better - >I am > > just now starting to feel better myself. I guess we can all look >forward to > > seeing our beloved pets again someday in heaven as I know she will >be waiting for > > me as your kitty will for you too! > > > > love > > shari > > > >