my dog

[rickydog]

My name isn't Ricky. My dog's was.

He was a Sheltie, extremely bright, faithful, protecting and a lot of fun for me, my wife and our 4 kids. He loved to fetch, take walks and always “wanted the ball� when my sons and I were throwing in the yard.
He patiently protected and guarded our household as all good shepherding dogs do. And he was always waiting at the door to greet us when we got home.

A couple of weeks ago he began to have trouble standing up. His back legs seemed to be weak and uncoordinated. The vet examined him and assumed it was a recurrence of arthritis in his hips. The prescriptions did not help and his condition worsened until last Thursday, when I took him to the vet for the 3rd time in 2 weeks. A blood test revealed a serious case of diabetes that required a quick and awful decision to be made. He would have needed several days of hospitalization, and twice daily insulin injections for life. With no guarantee of success or quality of life. We didn't want to put him through that. He was in enough pain already, yet he never complained.

Hope I haven't depressed anyone here, that's not my intent. Quite the opposite.
I do believe that God has a place in Heaven for dogs such as this!

[Richard]

my heart is broken for you and any family members.

As I understand it? God holds animals "accountable" for murder.

He employs animals to deliver messages I.e. Baalack, Barrach and the "Mule".

I think Ricky was created for you...and will be waiting for you in a cognitive though different life...


I am sorry for your loss and am equally at a loss, to explain how you will see him again. I only know you will.

richard

[justsomeone]

Dogs are great. You will love the next one just the same.

Sorry for your loss.

[eccentrically1]

My condolences, Rickydog in Georgia. We had a blue heeler/black lab mix that lived to a good age for her size. I know how you feel. Now we have a terrier mutt puppy we adopted from a rescue shelter, Bella Mia. She's a lot like Sassafras.
I just finished reading The Art of Racing in the Rain. It's written from a dog's perspective, Enzo, named after a famous race car driver. His owner ,Denny,is a race car driver who goes through more than his share of rough patches in the 20 years or so of the arc of the book. It has a lot of moments in it that give you goose bumps when the dog is narrating. I won't give away the ending in case you'd like to read it.

[Timothy]

Sorry for your loss. I have no experience with Shelties, but the wife said the one she had as a child was the best dog of her life.....and we have had many. 10 to 20 dogs are dumped in front of our farm each year. We give most of them away thru the local paper, but keep the occassional one and now have 5. Sad, wonderful, and the most loving of creatures.

Please adopt another. There are so many that need a home, and they return love upon love.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nGeKSiCQ ... re=related

[erick]

I agree with Timothy. The best thing you can do is adopt another. There are so many in need. It sounds to me like you were a great friend to Ricky I'm sure the same will be true of Ricky the Second.

On a somewhat related side note: I've got 3 dogs if you'd like to take them off my hands :-P

E

[murilo]

Ricky,
I'm also sorry for this loss!
After 5 years I still suffer for my passing parrot, my friend for full 19 years!
Fortunately you was able to practice some worthy stuffs in your hart!
Be sure, this practice, or exercise, is any way a huge gain!
And don't be afraid to send and dedicate yourself to next puppy, ok?
Best!
M

[rickydog]

Many thanks one and all for the kind comments.

Isn't it amazing how a dog can bring out the best in humans?

[murilo]

Ricky,
just my last 2 cents.

Philosophically, a pet may be a Master to one, a tool for love tuning.

This same wide love that confused humans may hardly expend all life to explore and experiment, in family, friends and any other people.
Best!
M.

[graham]

Eccentrically1 wrote :

I just finished reading The Art of Racing in the Rain.

I've read this book too.
I picked it up to read just a few pages but could not put it down till I finished the whole book.

It's a very moving story and sure to bring a tear to any dog lovers eye.

Graham