FisterD

So sorry Mark. He looks like a great Ol' boy and it looks like you had a great life with him. The memories you created together will last forever.

batty

Mark, my sincerer and heartfelt condolences. Rudy looks like an amazing dog. The day I put my last German Shepherd down was the most agonizing day and then month of my life. Thirty days later I couldn't take it anymore and got another Shepherd from the WA German Shepherd rescue. That helped more than anything else possibly could. A few years later another dog, a Rhodie, wandered into my life. I couldn't be happier, but already dread and steel myself for the end of the line whenever it will come...

I agree with Trackrat, that there are so many wonderful dogs that need good homes, you will do yourself and the next dog a world of good when you are ready to take in another. Hang in there. You will always have Rudy in your heart!

Reddy Kilowatt

Sounds like you and Rudy enjoyed a very rich 14 years. I'm sure he enjoyed it as much as you did.

gonz911

My condolences.

I had 2 Jack Russell Terriers who were my dear buddies. My oldest was 13 and last September I had to put him down. I didn't know he was that sick. 4 months later my other pal, 11 years old also had to be put down.

Dogs give their unconditional love and in retrospect we have them for such a short time. I'm still not over losing them and as wimpy as it sounds, I grieved for days. Still hard for me to look at pictures.

All the best!

RJT

Mark I am so sorry to hear about Rudy. Your story brought tears to my eyes and memories of when Robert and I had to make that same decision in 1999 when we had to put our beloved Reka to sleep at the age of 16. It was totally unexpected and out of the blue. She went from being fine to not being able to breath in a weeks time. She had lung cancer. Having to let her go had such an effect on us we didn't get another dog for 6 years. We just couldn't. Then came Speedster and she is my total partner in crime. She is my Rudy. I'm hugging Speedster extra extra tight tonight. I don't know how I'll handle it when it's time to let her go. We came close to losing her last month (she was poisoned) but with lots of prayers and a great Vet she made it. I know that one day though, prayers and a great vet will not help .......

Hugs from me to you, and a Lick from Speedie too....

Here's a poem I really like and I hope it helps.

"In the Candle's Glow"

Warm light coming from far below,
Twinkling, sparkling is the candle's glow.
All is well up on the ridge,
The place we know as Rainbow Bridge.

Furbabies sleeping in heaven's light,
Tended by candles in the night.
Peaceful dreams be theirs to keep,
As they slumber in this night so deep.

Hearts on earth that miss them so,
Take comfort in the candle's glow.
Watching for them in skies above,
Bound eternally by a cord of love.

Laura Hickman

timothymoffat

Mark, very sad to hear. It took several attempts to read through the entire thread. I kept looking at my two Jack Russell Terriers (Terrorists?), realizing that day will come. Dino is 10, Daisy is 6. "Pet?" I don't think so. Companion, protector, entertainer, but more than anything friend(s). They are ALWAYS happy to see you and their ideal world is to be at your side every moment. If only we as humans could show such devotion.

CarmG993

My condolences Mark.
My wife and I have been thru this as well. We had to put down Oz last September and Max passed in our arms a few years prior. Everyone knew them and asked for them daily. They were very well behaved. They will always be a part of us. Miss them so much ..........
Oz & Max

hpuck

Mark, I am so sorry for your loss. I am a vet as well as an animal caregiver - so I know and have experienced both sides of this painful time.

It is good to talk about him and to remember and celebrate the good times you have had. 14 years is a wonderful age to reach - he was lucky to have found someone who adored him too. Trying a cart and nursing a pet with Degenerative Myelopathy is an exercise of love.

You tried your best and Rudy knew it - and you were close to him comforting him right to the end.


Bill

cabrio993

Hey Mark,

Sorry to hear that. believe me, I feel your pain as I am going trough it right now.

My Vizsla Dog of 12 years, Hugo, developed Mast cell tumors on his rear leg 4 months ago. We have operated on him twice and it comes back more agressive and rapidly growing than before. The tumors have now spread and he is lumpy all over. He can barely walk now, as the mass is too big and can't be operated anymore.

But with all the pain and discomfort that he must be going trough, he still chases me around wherever I go, wags his tail happily when he hears my voice, and still has that same spark in his eye as the day that I took him when he was only 8 weeks old.

I just came back from the Vet. She said that there is nothing else that they can do and that I should consider putting him down. I know that this is something that I need to do in the next few days to stop his suffering and it is tearing my heart appart.

You did the right thing and you were there for Rudy when he needed you the most. I must do soon the same for Hugo. I keep looking in his eyes for a sign, anything that tells me that he had enough, and as much as it will hurt, I will be there for him and assure him that everything will be ok.

There is a strong bond that gets created between a dog and its "person". We like to think that we "adopt" a dog, but I really believe that they adopt us instead by allowing us into their wonderful world. The moments and that special bond that you share with Rudy, will be with you forever.

Hang in there buddy. Your Rudy sounds a lot like Hugo, and if there is an afterlife, I'm hoping that he finds him so they can play and run, free of all pains and discomforts. I'm sure they'll have a blast!

pcarhombre

Mark. There is no way you could know this, but ever since my own dog attacked me for no known reason and then dropped dead many years ago, I have feared them. Imagine my chagrin when I came unexpected with Gappy to your home months ago and after you welcomed us in, I saw Rudy. I almost peed in my pants, but because you were so chilled about the whole thing, I decided to go with the flow. Rudy's temperament was an extension of your own. The kindness you showed to me was reflected in the trust you had in him that he would do the right thing and in the way he understood the social connection between us.
I too, have lost animals more dear to me than my connection to other humans and so share in your sense of loss. But I too, am confident that the love you felt for him is mirrored and celebrated in the way you treat other people.
The heart is a funny place: I believe in karma. The love you made is circulating within your own life. Rudy is a part of it still! You were instrumental in his progress: he, in yours!
My thoughts are with you!

nile13

Mark, that is a beautiful dog and a beautiful eulogy.

I feel your pain. But I'm sure your life is better because Rudy had been part of it. That's how I think when remembering Cody, our golden retriever. The smell of wet fur and the feel of a wet nose always stay with you. And that's a good thing.

tjangi

Mark- So sorry to hear about your loss. Any dog that can balance a treat on his snout and eat it on command is an extraordinary dog. Rest In Peace Rudy...

nota_troll

Mark. You're Rudy looks exactly like my Gracie. They could be twins. Last year I too had to ease her pain.

I am sincerely sorry for your loss.

Edward

Mark,

I know what you're going through. Had to do likewise a bit over a year ago to Harley ...an incredible dog and huge furry friend to my children. He was the best protector yet incredibly gentle and loving ...was my kids' guardian and friend for years. It was so very hard for me to see him go down, and then to see my childrens' grief ...the loss to us all cannot be described adequately in words. Hard, my friend. I know. Take heart, buddy. Keep posting pics, keep talking about him, and share him, his companionship, and what he meant to you whenever you see fit. It is how we cope, and very much a part of how we show our love, even when they are no longer with us. My best to you, my friend, during this trying time.

Ed

skywachr

Mark, I'm so sorry that you had to experience such a loss of your friend. Rudy looked like quite a character. What a blessing to have experienced having such a faithful buddy.

Our Yogi is almost 12 1/2 and is definitely slowing down. It's such an inevtiable heartbreak but I wouldn't miss the experience for anything.