Sometimes being the patriarch of the family just plain sucks. I made the call last month to put our youngest son’s dog down, she was only 7 years old.

Champ the wonder dog was a registered border collie that was a birthday present for our youngest son’s 12th birthday and they have been inseparable ever since. Everyone knows how smart border collies are and Champ was no exception. He had trained Champ to do all kinds of things from herding the neighbor’s cows to riding the whitewater on the bow of the canoe. She was a whiz with catching a Frisbee and one of the funniest things was when our son took up disc golf in his first year of college and he had to train Champ NOT to catch them and bring them back.

A couple of months ago we noticed Champ was favoring her left ear and we discovered some drainage. The vet’s initial diagnosis was an ear infection and prescribed some medication, but when the symptoms seemed to worsen we took her back for another visit. When the vet irrigated her ear he found a tumor deep down next to her eardrum. It’s a rare occurrence and the surgical fix was estimated to be very expensive and there was a good chance it could be debilitating. The alternative was to do nothing which was unacceptable because of the increasing pain, or keep her drugged up for the next 5-6 months. Although our son is a 19 year old young man he was devastated, especially with Champ being as young as she is and otherwise healthy.

We brought her home from the vet and decided to sleep on it. The next evening after supper we discussed the situation. We were not going to spend thousands of dollars on a debilitating surgery. Keeping her drugged up for several months until the inevitable end was not a good end for an active border collie, and watching her suffer in increasing pain was not an option either. I made the call to put her down. I called the vet and set up an appointment the next day and my son said he wanted to take her back to the vet on his own and handle it. Bless her heart, my wife cried like a baby as our son, with Champ by his side in the front seat of the pickup, drove down the drive headed to town . . . dad-gummit, I think I even developed a case of the sniffles.

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- Change it back -

It's always a tough call when a pet becomes part of the family. Give the family a hug from us here.

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Life Is A Gift. Defend it!

So Sad. Esp with such a young pup. And one that grew up at same time your son did.
He will be thought of everytime you and your family see a dog catching a frisbee.... and you will smile.
Maybe not today, or tomorrow.... but you will smile.

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Reg. Magnum wants/Rossi wallet

Our pets are such important members of our families. They teach us love and they teach us forgiveness. They teach us to be cautious of strangers and to love our friends and family without reservation. They give us as much love as they receive, maybe more. Letting go is almost impossible until you realize you have to do what is best for them. You spend the rest of your life mourning them and praying you will see them again in the next life. God Bless our animal friends and may we live up to their beliefs in us. We are better people because of our pets.

My condolences, doing the right thing doesn't make it any easier.

I'm impressed that your son had the stones to handle what must have been a very painful task, must have been raised right.

I think I caught your sniffles.

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SWCA #2817

Y'all have my deepest and sincerest condolences.
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,
,
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Death? Smile back...

Champ is waiting on the other end of the Bridge for your son. the reuniting will be joyous. And yes, I do believe all good dogs go to Heaven.

You are all in our prayers.

Wingmaster

Sorry to hear this Faulkner. My condolences to your family from mine. We had to make this same decision this past Wed. when we had Penny, our Australian Shepherd, put to rest. It is a painful decision.

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Dan
Ps 96 SWCA 2930 SWHF 524

Just three months ago, we had to put down our 14-year old border collie, Patsy. She had gone on every pack trip with me and the pack string since she was six months old. I miss her terribly, but you did the right thing. When these dear animals put their complete faith and trust in us, sometimes doing the right thing is hard. Our feelings and thoughts are with you at this time.

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Pack light and cinch tight.

I normally don't let my dog Ripley up on the couch, but after reading this I had to let her up and cuddle with me.

Sent from my D5803 using Tapatalk

Faulkner:

We are on our 5th Golden Retriever and so I have been there 4 times and feel your pain! Loosing a great dog really sucks and I keep saying "this is the last dog" - but never actually stick to that statement. Sometimes to ease the pain, a new "best friend" is the perfect solution. Even though it's really hard to forget such a great dog, having a new puppy lets you focus on something more pleasant, fun and rewarding rather than dwelling on sadness. I hope you choose that route and again..... very sorry for your loss.

Regards,
Chief38

...I want to hug my Basset Hounds now...but they're both asleep...I'll make up for it tomorrow...

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A Country Boy Can Survive

MULE PACKER,

Thanks for posting this song, God and Dog, Dog wags his tale. Makes me tear up each time I hear it. Funny thing, I had just yelled at Sam, my English Setter for running too far out in the field. Then I logged in and read your post. Needless to say I,too, curled up in front of the wood stove with Sam, and told him how sorry I was that I had raised my voice. Hope he understands. He is 13 now, and showing his age.
Thanks again.
Dave

Seems again I post this too often...



Sorry for your loss for sure.
A wonder dog was all true love it seems.

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Only difference Fool/Mule-ears

Sometimes the right thing is the hardest thing.


Sorry to hear of your loss...

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- Post No Bills -

You have our deepest and sincerest condolences, from our house to yours.
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Faulkner,

So sorry to hear about your dog. I have been in the same situation. I hope you and your family will find joy in the pictures, and happy times you spend with your dog " Champ "

"The hole dogs leave in our hearts is not to make us sad, but rather to take a piece of our heart to keep next to their own, to remain close to us, to remember us, and to love us still. So wherever they go, our hearts beat as one."

Thank you,

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Henry

Sorry for your loss.

After our Goldens were lost, my wife didn't want any more dogs.

Then Buddy came along. Heart bandits.... that's what they are

Sent from my HTCD200LVW using Tapatalk

I hurt for all of you, Faulkner, but especially your son.

It's the last loving act for one who gave you so much love, and it hurts like hell.

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Oh well, what the hell.

My sincere condolences on the loss of Champ. I know how bad it can hurt. I lost my 12 year-old Collie just over a week ago and I’m still grieving.

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A gun has no brain.. use yours

PatriotX said it all in just a few words. Sorry for the loss. A lot of us here know all too well how it feels.