Today was the day for my Lab,Bear, he had to be put down.

[model70hunter]

He was pushing 13. All his joints were gone. He was eating but was becoming emaciated.

I saw where a few of you announced the same recently. It was hard to read your posts as I knew Bears day was coming.

He was a very good dog, Shoot a dove and he would get it, pretty steady fellow. He was a great judge of character. For some reason he did not like folks I didn't like.

He loved my wife and would have taken a bullet for her. When my wife was going thru changes she passed out and hit her head,concussion. Her best friend lived across the street, ran over and called 911. Old bear would not let the EMT's check her. The neighbor's son had to drag him away.

I got on line tonight and read a few posts. The bag piper gave me a laugh,I needed that. Thanks.

It is over so quickly, I said I was not going to lose it. I set in the Vets lobby bawling like a baby for 10 minutes. After about 5 minutes one of the clerks said do you want to settle up now. I guess I gave her the look, she went into the back and did not come out until I went to the counter.

A thousand years ago a king said "the more I know of man kind the more I appreciate my dogs". Bear was that way, free of man's vices. He was loyal. We loved and appreciated him.

 

[Hapworth]

I'm so sorry. It's the loss of a loved one and dear family member.

You were Bear's shepherd and saw him all the way through. That is the greatest love. Blessings and prayers for you both.

 

[bamabiker]

I'm sorry to hear this.
Labs are usually very good dogs. We have had a couple over the years. Sounds like your Bear was a good one.

 

[Iggy]

Been there Done that.. Din't like it, but it is the last best thing you can do for a true friend. It's the only thing that has made me cry in over 50 years.

It'll be a while, but when you are ready, there are a lot of good dogs out there that are desperately lookin' for a family to invade, love, and guard.

When it's time, give one a job.

 

[Mule Packer]

Probably one of the hardest things I've ever had to do. I feel for you, pard.

As you know, there's nothing like a dog to give unconditional love, and while no other dog will be able to take his place, you'll eventually be able to make an additional place in your heart and home for another who will also be a loyal companion.

Like Iggy...been there, done that. They've all been special and will never be forgotten.

 

[Kanewpadle]

You lost a friend today. Sorry. You will never forget him. He will live on in your memories.

 

[dmar]

Sorry to hear about the Bear. Labs are really a special breed. Better days are ahead...

 

[PatriotX]

The hardest thing about being a pet parent is that they never live long enough.

 

[STCM(SW)]

In late February my Black Lab, Bruno had trouble breathing, after lab test's, Xrays and sonic test's I find out he had a large tumor in his chest. Was not something that could be removed with out killing him.
In constant pain breathing.
One week later I had to have him put down.
He was the best........
Only thing I can post/say is this:



Sorry for your loss.....
Something in my eyes right now, must be rain I think.....

 

[Eaglestroker]

Our four legged friends are the ones that always answer the door happy to see you, even with the misses might not be. It is a hole that's never 'filled' but gets better with a fill in. When my GSD's time came a year or so ago it caught me off guard and the members here helped in getting through it. One of the posts said "The best dog was always the last one I had." Found a lot of truth in that.

Sorry for your loss but glad your family enjoyed your time with him.

 

[s&wbest]

Put my black lab down and also her offspring. The two were inseperable. Had a new born and did not know how to stop fleas in a basement carpet. The mother had a tumor and was 13yrs old. No money for a 300 dollar surgery and we had to address the flea problem. Tried spraying but they would rehatch weeks later. Had to choose between my dogs or safety for my baby. I know more now and could have worked to spray yard and basement. At the time I did not have a clue. Never cried so hard after dropping them off at the shelter. They were family but had to choose.

 

[model70hunter]

Thanks for the kind words. We have a female Lab. She is 7. She too is looking around and wondering where her bud is. She's been hanging close to me all evening. I don't know if she is comforting me or looking for comfort.

I had to put down a great lab about 14 years ago. 13 years ago on fathers day she walked in the house with baby Bear, registered, out of hunting stock, freshly bathed and I remarked he looked like a Teddy Bear. Bear was his name from then on. Over the years I've had to put down 3 labs, very good ones.

Bear was special.

When younger my heart healed. Now I'm 68, I see myself on bears path. The last one. Maybe that is why it hurts.

All I know is in doggy heaven waiting for me are 3 labs and my 1st farm dog as a kid. Well there will be 4, the little lady lab we have will be the 1st one to greet me at the gate.

 

[Big Cholla]

Pet dogs give their love unconditionally. They don't care what you are, only who you are. I have had pet dogs since birth. I have lost my mother and my father. Loosing a couple of my longer lasting dogs has been right up there with loosing my parents. My wife insisted in getting what I called a "foo-foo" over 10 years ago. He is a Shih Tzu. He quickly attached himself to me and became 'my dog' in his mind and mine too. He turned into a great 'shop dog'. There isn't anything I do or use in the shop that disturbs him. His head is within a foot of my right foot as I post this. Of course, he is sound asleep. He is loosing his hearing and developing cataracts. I am bracing myself for his demise. I'm not sure that I want to take on another dog after he goes in the next couple of years. The loss is just too great for an old guy like me. .................. Big Cholla

 

[amazingflapjack]

Hey Brother-my Wife and I just prayed for you and your house. I know it is early, but think of the life you were able to give Bear, and please consider affording another wonderful creature that opportunity.

Thank you Father for Bear's life.

 

[shouldazagged]

Thanks for the kind words. We have a female Lab. She is 7. She too is looking around and wondering where her bud is. She's been hanging close to me all evening. I don't know if she is comforting me or looking for comfort.

She's doing both.

I'm so very sorry you and she and the rest of the family had to go through this. It's part of the contract we and our pets make, and ultimately the most loving gift we can give them for the deep love they have given us.

Prayers for you, and yes, for Bear's four-legged buddy.

 

[moralem]

Our pets know can bring a grown grizzled man to tears. You have my condolences. I too have an almost 14 year old yellow lab who has out lived her nine lives but each day she wakes and I thank my lucky stars. She is getting slower and can't see as well but she is still with me and for that I accept all her bad habits. B I know her tine will come and I will cry like a baby. All the best to you and sorry for your loss.

 

[timn8er]

I know your pain...I can still vividly recall the day I lost my boy. It's been years & I don't think a day goes by without me thinking of him. My condolences to you & your family, & to Bear I wish God Speed.

 

[model70hunter]

I've been thinking about 13 years of Bear. When he was about 1,he got bored while we were at work. He drug both BBQ grills off a 2nd floor deck, all the way across our yard and proceeded to destroy them.

I was pretty ticked. I stuck his nose on one and said do it again and you'll end up inside. HE never did it again.

One of them was new. Well he would sit next to me by the new, new one while I BBQed and sipped on a beer. Happy, helping me cook, waiting for me to accidently knock off a cooled piece of meat. I always thought if he had thumbs he might sneak a drink of the beer.

He would beat me to the truck when we went hunting.

He would race me in the snow while I drove my 4 wheeler.

He always knew when to put that big square slobbery head on your lap to comfort you.

I kept one pup from the last litter and trained him. He ended up replacing a lab for a father and son who had to put their lab down.

When Bears pup was about 6 months old we were dove hunting. It was nice and hot. The pup dug a nice large hole deep in the cool dirt. When he was done ole Bear walked over and laid down in it. His little son had the most disbelieving face. He just stood there staring at ole Bear.I laughed my tail off.

 

[Rustyt1953]

It hurts. It just really hurts. When I had to put Muff and Toby down, each in turn, I decided to make them go as happy as I could.
I took each to McDonald's, gave them six Big Macs each, let them trash the car and then went to the vet.
Both were covered with special sauce and, to my eye, looked happy.
The other dogs in the waiting room went berserk when they smelled my dogs.
I held each one as they breathed their last.
It hurt. Still does.

Bless your kindness my brother.

 

[Malpasowildlifer]

I'm sorry for your loss; prayers out