The hardest part

[A10]

I don't like small dogs.

About 9 years ago one of our kids went through a divorce. He ended up with this flakey girlfriend who had this chihuahua. The dog was kinda weird, nervous and not real friendly. They started bringing her by the house and she (her name was Poochie, of all things. Stupid name.) and our Dachshund started playing together. Poochie had never been around other dogs, and she and Missy became good buddies.

So the boy moves in with this gal and they decide to get a bulldog puppy. The big clod tried playing with Pooch, and dang near crushed her several times. Since Pooch and Missy got along, she moved in with us. She was about 10 years old at the time. Our Doxy started teaching her how to be a dog. She had never been allowed to have free reign in a yard before. Pretty soon she started developing a personality. Turns out dogs shouldn't be a fashion accessory, which is what she was before.

It was around that time my beautiful wife was diagnosed with breast cancer. Pooch became attached to her, with her every day through the good stuff and the really really rough stuff. She would sleep with her, actually standing guard (I never would have believed it. One time when the grandkids were here they went to check on their grammy and Pooch wouldn't let them past the door, growling if they tried to step through the door. Cracked the kids up, having a 5 pound attack dog standing guard over their grammy!).

Poochaloo helped Cami through 5 years of hell. She had more than earned her place here.

So on to today. Little Pooch is almost 17. She's had heart problems for several years. She has some trouble breathing, and it's getting real hard for her to walk (Cam carries her most places). She had to have most of her teeth pulled, and has been on soft food for some time. Over this past month she has been deteriorating pretty quickly, losing both her appetite and her hair. I'll be talking to the vet this morning. We are at, and probably past, the time to make that hardest of decisions.

Sorry for the long post guys, just had to vent a little.

I found out that small, dogs ain't so bad......

 

[Marshwheeling]

It is tough to say goodbye to an old friend. You have all my sympathy.

 

[H Richard]

We had a yorkie that was 14 years old, near blind, almost deaf, arthritis, but she was a trooper. Every morning she wanted out so she could go next door and visit the pair of huskies that lived outdoors in a large pen. She would come back all wet from where they had licked her on the visit. We had t make that terrible decision, but after a while you will be glad you did, as hard as it seems.

 

[Qball]

Yepp.. them small dogs really grows on you.

it is allways hard to let go though.
Once had a Newfoundland, 14 years old she became.
Ohh... how i miss here.

 

[jack the toad]

Dogs have a way of getting in your heart. Sorry to hear the story but the dog evidently has done what dogs typically do as pets, to brighten someone's day.
ETA:
After a closer look at the pic you posted, that dog has a very similar resemblance to one my sister had as a kid and we lived at home.

 

[old bear]

Ron, pets such as yours quickly become more family than animal. Remember that Poochie could not have had a better or more loving home. I want to believe that Poochie knows that. Prayers for everyone. Fred

 

[Old TexMex]

I empathize totally with you. It's a tough row to hoe, but as men, we have a responsibility to our beasts, family though they be. We do love some of them dearly.


In memory of Little China:

 

[captorquewrench]

Sad for you.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[twodog max]

Been there too. Three time and it is tough but the right thing to do.

 

[timn8er]

God Speed to Poochie, & prayers for you & yours...

 

[JcMack]

poochie looks like my 10 yr old long hair Chihuahua. Fierce little dogs.

 

[A10]

Pooch crossed the bridge about an hour ago. She is out nack with Mousiecat, Partnerdog, and Simonkitty.

When we cross the bridge there will be the tiniest direwolf waiting, along with the rest of the menagerie.

I want to say thank you to all for your thoughts and well wishes. Cami is doing well, grandkids are here with us.

 

[DeathGrip]

I'm sad to hear this. It's a tough thing to have to do but we do it out of love for our faithful furry friends.

Every time I see a thread like this it makes it seem like I just did it yesterday and the day before. Then I look at my two and think about their time on this marble. I just hope that I'm around long enough to see them off rather than leaving them orphaned.

Dang.

 

[JcMack]

A10...Very sorry about your loss. I had a scare with mine yesterday. I hope she outlives me.

 

[ralph7]

RIP Poochie

And we keep renting out our hearts on a short term loan because the loyalty and love is worth the pain of loss, but just barely.

 

[DavidWJ]

God gave us dogs to love and to love us. I know a couple that have the first research dog released from a local Vet School. Like your Poochie, they had other dogs to teach it to be a dog. He's so normal now you'd never know his history...

 

[Bullet Bob]

I've never been a small dog person either, but all dogs have a way with humans. Sound like Poochie had a great life with you, and lived a long time. And she was able to go out without pain and suffering. I should be so lucky.

Good job on taking care of her.

 

[shouldazagged]

Hurting for you, A10.

The letting go is the last loving thing we can do to fulfill our contracts with our pets. You have my heartfelt sympathy.

 

[Tom S.]

Anyone who doesn't think losing a pet isn't like losing a family member, doesn't understand pet owners. Sorry for your loss, but I believe that someday, you'll be reunited.

 

[Kanewpadle]

Sorry to hear Ron. Our little "pooch" is 16. She's blind, deaf, and has a hard time getting around. I'll be surprised if she makes it another year.