a bit of a sad news for dog lovers

[louthepou]

Yeah, I know, it's not the end of the world, but what the heck. We had to put down our oldest dog; she was now 14 and loosing the battle. "Penelope" was the kindest and most gentle dog that ever lived. The two other pointers in the family (oh and yes, the humans too) will miss her.

[kiawrench]

sorry to hear that ,, had to do similar to one of my english bulls,, it is hard , but best thing is to now get a puppy, start over .and name puppy "penny " to honor penelope

[ColinthePilot]

I know how you feel. Its tough.
My family has an interesting trend with dogs. We get a new dog in the family just before one dies. My mom, sister and I picked up my first dog (I was 5) the same day my grandmother's German Shepherd, Lady, died. We had Taffy, the beagle, for 7 or 8 years i guess, and Grandma finally got a new dog, an English Cocker named Freckles. Taffy and Freckles duked it out on weekends when they saw each other. A few years later, my Grandmother passed away and we got Freckles full time. Shortly thereafter, Taffy had to be put down (like Penelope, losing the battle). Now my folks still have Freckles and swear they won't get another dog, but maybe my sister or I will have one by then.

[h2olawyer]

Always tough losing a member of the family.  My heart & prayers go out to you!  I'm sure with you as the gentle master, she had a great life.

H₂O

[Rick G]

We had Furball our cat for 12 years  . I had to put him down last year,  he had lost 8 1/2 pounds , and showed all the signs of advanced age . He was 22 years old  and we still miss him !

[louthepou]

Thanks guys, I appreciate.

And Colin, interestingly, we got a new dog this past summer. Not planning ahead though; this was purely luck; we locally rescued a German Shorthaired Pointer (three years old). Some folks in the city realized that pointers belong in the country side... So I guess we followed your advice in a way ;)

Lou

[Tiger]

 :( Sorry to hear about your loss Lou my friend. It is always a heart breaker because your loosing, not just a dog, but a family member. What ever you do, you can never replace her...she was a one-off. However, there are, sadly, many many more that need to be rescued and given a loving, forever home. We have two from rescue shelter's and one we got as a pup from a pet shop...sort of another rescue ;)

Try this link, its from www.petfinders.com ...http://search.petfinder.com/search/search.cgi?pet.Animal=Dog&pet.Breed=pointer&pet.Age=&pet.Size=&pet.Sex=&location=N0B+1T0

                      8).......TIGER....... 8)

[supervision]

I  know your pain Louis, we get so attached to them, it kill's to see it end.  I know your pain, time is the only healer of the feeling of losing that close of friend.  Get another one, they deserve it, and you deserve it. 

[YellowJacket!]

Lou, I'm so sorry to hear the news.  My two Blue Heelers are like our children.  They are just as much a part of our family as everyone else.  They know our moods, our feelings and our thoughts and show us (all dog lovers) unconditional love.  After coming home from a bad days work and plopping down on the couch, my older Blue Heeler will come sit next to me and put his head on my lap and just look up at me. He knows I had a bad day and after a short while of sitting there petting him, things are better.  The look out for us and protect us too.  They know are friends (thats why they don't bite Lucky) and they know who are strangers (they get the "look" but not the bite; unless they threaten) and even after not seeing a friend for a couple years, they still know you are a friend.
A girl I work with lost her dog of 15 years the other day.  She called into work because she was so upset and one of our co-workers was berating her because of doing so.  We told him, "you just don't understand".  Losing a pet, especially one from so long, is a terrible thing for someone to go through.  It is really like losing a close family member.  To make the decision "that it is time" is even more difficult.  My heart goes out to you and I hope you heal soon.
From the DaveTN family, including Dexter and Levi, we send our condolences.  ;D

David

[Tiffanator]

Hi Lou, I'm so sorry to hear that. I can fully understand how you are feeling right now. I had 2 cats growing up. Frisky was MY cat, she stuck with me big time. In May 2006 we had to put her down after 18 years. It was by far the most heart breaking thing I have ever had to do. I didn't go back to work the day we did it, I couldn't stop crying. It took a long time to get over it and I still miss her. Our other cat, Trouble, was put down in March of this year after 15 years and again, it was devastating. Trouble was my dad's cat and I have never seen my dad as sad as he was when Trouble drifted away in his arms. It truly is something only a fellow animal owner and lover can understand. They are more than just animals, they are family members.
Almost 6 months to the day of Frisky's death an abandoned kitten showed up by a dumpster at work, starving. We took her in and fed her and I ended up with her. I really didn't want another cat, I just couldn't go through what I had gone through with Frisky. In the end though, she was mine, and now she's my right hand man... er... cat. Its like it was meant to be, she has SO many characteristics of Frisky. I didn't want another cat, but it really does help with the healing process, not really to move on and forget about the other animal, but to fill the emptiness that is there now.
It may not be the end of the world... but it sure does feel like it doesn't it.
Tiff.

[Aelwulf]

My condolences as well.  My German Shepherd I adopted from a rescue group might be following suit sooner than I'd like.  He's nearing 10 and has had a gray muzzle for a bit and lately I've noticed he's lost some weight (although that could be due to having a canine roommate to play with again).  He's developed a slight limp in one of his front legs as well that I'm hoping can be resolved when I take him to the vet soon.  When he goes I'll definitely miss him but still being single military I don't see myself getting another pet until I'm out or (God forbid) married.