| Author |
Barnyard Buddies:  Losing Old Friends  |
|
|
traildancer
True Blue Farmgirl
485 Posts
Loyce
Glide
OR
USA
485 Posts |
 Posted - Jun 23 2010 : 1:31:31 PM
|
I think that it is time for our old Golden Retriever to go. Sackett is 14, deaf and can barely see. Last night, he needed help to stand up and really wobbled walking to the house. Then when it was bedtime, it took both my husband and I to get him on all fours and Sackett just folded. So we had to carry him outside. He weighs about 80 pounds. Anyway, this morning, he hadn't moved and whined when I tried to get him up to drink water. He did eat some dogfood. But if he can't get up, it's time to go. So after work today, I will run home and get him and go back to the vet.
Sackett is my daughter's dog. Kristen just left last week for Alaska to work at a veterinary clinic. Just before she left, she petted Sackett and said, "Try not to die." I called her this morning and she said to put him down if that's what needs to be done.
I know it needs to be done but animals just are so much a part of the family when they've been around that long. It's been coming for about 5 years but the old guy just keeps going. He still wants to go in the pickup when I go riding. Sackett doesn't go on the ride but he likes to sniff and pee, you know--boy dog stuff--at the trailhead. Then I put him in the bed of the truck and he just sleeps until we come back.
So this will be a sad relief and I will bawl like a baby while he goes to sleep.
The trail is the thing.... Louis L'Amour |
|
|
Karrieann
True Blue Farmgirl
1900 Posts
Karrieann
Northeast
Georgia
USA
1900 Posts |
|
|
FebruaryViolet
True Blue Farmgirl
4810 Posts
Jonni
Elsmere
Kentucky
USA
4810 Posts |
Posted - Jun 23 2010 : 1:40:30 PM
|
So sad, Loyce--and I know where you are. Had to take this walk with my 14 year old Husky, Lily a few years back. I swear, I canceled that appointment, or hung up the phone each time I tried to make a 100 times. But in the end, Lily and I both knew when it was the time...and you and Sackett do, too.
Thinking of you and your family...
Musings from our family in the Bluegrass http://sweetvioletmae.blogspot.com/ |
 |
|
|
1badmamawolf
True Blue Farmgirl
2199 Posts
Teresa
"Bent Fence Farms"
Ca
USA
2199 Posts |
Posted - Jun 23 2010 : 1:44:28 PM
|
My heart and soul go out to your Daughter and you, but you all are making the right choice, and Sackett will thank you for it, he'll be waiting at the rainbow bridge for you all.
"Treat the earth well, it was not given to you by your parents, it was loaned to you by your children" |
|
|
|
grace gerber
True Blue Farmgirl
2804 Posts
grace
larkspur
colorado
USA
2804 Posts |
Posted - Jun 23 2010 : 2:58:55 PM
|
It is never easy to say goodbye to our long time friends - they have become a part of us - mind, body and soul. Try each time to remember all those wonderful times you have had with Sackett and just know that your love has also given him 14 years of joy. My heart is with you and please know that you are loved from a distance - Prayers to you and yours and your dear sweet Sackett.
Blessings and Peacefully Passing.
Grace Gerber
Larkspur Funny Farm and Fiber Art Studio
Where the spirits are high and the fiber is deep
http://www.larkspurfunnyfarm.etsy.com
http://larkspurfunnyfarm.blogspot.com
http://larkspurfunnyfarm.artfire.com
|
|
|
|
sherrye
True Blue Farmgirl
3775 Posts
sherry
bend in the high desert
oregon
USA
3775 Posts |
Posted - Jun 23 2010 : 4:02:35 PM
|
oh loyce my heart is breaking right now for you. i am sooo very sorry. it is one of the things we have to do when we outlive our animal friends. i will carry you in my heart for awhile till i know you are ok. i use my book and tablet often. i have shown it to many friends. i am so impressed with the beauty and spirit lift it gives me. thanks again my farm girl friend. happy days sherrye
the learn as we go silk purse farm
farm girl #1014
|
|
|
|
Keeper of the Past
True Blue Farmgirl
925 Posts
Sarita
Battle Creek
Michigan
USA
925 Posts |
Posted - Jun 23 2010 : 4:32:46 PM
|
Loyce, I am so sorry and I will keep you and your family in my prayers. It is so hard to loose a true friend.
Sarita
www.coffmanspinningcfarm.blogspot.com
Life's too short to wake up in the morning with regrets, so.....
'Love the people who treat you right Pray for the ones who don't.
"A happy heart makes the face cheerful..." Proverbs 15:13
|
|
|
|
Fiddlehead Farm
True Blue Farmgirl
4562 Posts
Diane
Waupaca
WI
USA
4562 Posts |
Posted - Jun 23 2010 : 4:52:02 PM
|
Loyce and Sackett, prayers out to you both. It is time, but it is never easy.
Age only matters if you are wine or cheese.
http://studiodiphotosite.shutterfly.com/
farmgirl sister #922 |
|
|
|
LakeOntarioFarmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
933 Posts
Brenda
North Rose
NY
USA
933 Posts |
Posted - Jun 24 2010 : 04:23:19 AM
|
Loyce- It's been just about 3 years and your post brought tears to my eyes, as I remember having my Holly put down. She was a golden retriever also and the first animal I had ever had to have put down. I kept thinking there was another way.....but there wasn't.
It will take a little while, but soon you will be able to talk about Sackett and remember him and every little thing about him with love and not cry!
We have Holly buried on my oldest daughters' property, so it helps to have somewhere to go to talk to her. A couple of months later I took all the pictures I had of her and put them in one special photo album. That really helped a lot.
And finally, when I was ready, we went and bought a golden retriever puppy. We named her Holly's Bonnie Lass(Bonnie) because Holly started the whole thing with loving Golden Retrievers so much.
Big hugs go out to you Loyce, I know how hard it is.
Brenda
FarmGirl # 711
"If you have made mistakes, there is always another chance for you. You may have a fresh start any moment you choose, for this thing we call 'failure' is not the falling down, but the staying down. "~ Mary Pickford
http://theviewfromhere-brenda.blogspot.com/ |
|
|
|
traildancer
True Blue Farmgirl
485 Posts
Loyce
Glide
OR
USA
485 Posts |
Posted - Jun 24 2010 : 1:49:19 PM
|
Thank you all. Yes, it was time. The vet said that Sackett had an enlarged spleen and probably a blood tumor that hadn't burst and bled out yet. One of our other Goldens had the same thing and it did bleed out.
So I petted him and talked to Sackett while he went. Then took him home and my husband and I buried him in a hole my son and a friend had dug years ago for a fort! I think that I will get a packet of wildflower mix and strew on the grave.
Thank you all for your thoughts.
The trail is the thing.... Louis L'Amour |
|
|
|
sherrye
True Blue Farmgirl
3775 Posts
sherry
bend in the high desert
oregon
USA
3775 Posts |
Posted - Jun 24 2010 : 5:29:38 PM
|
oh loyce i am glad the hardest is over. now you can cry hard and rest. i am still carrying you in my heart today. sincerely sherrye
the learn as we go silk purse farm
farm girl #1014
|
|
|
|
kristin sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
11303 Posts
kristin
chickamauga
ga
USA
11303 Posts |
Posted - Jun 24 2010 : 5:36:31 PM
|
So sad. But I bet he had a great life. And the flowers sound really nice.
Hugs, Kris
Happiness is simple. |
|
|
|
1badmamawolf
True Blue Farmgirl
2199 Posts
Teresa
"Bent Fence Farms"
Ca
USA
2199 Posts |
Posted - Jun 24 2010 : 7:17:44 PM
|
I have a rather large grave yard here for all the pets and such who have passed in the last 37 yrs, each grave has a cross with name and yrs on it, and each grave has "For-get-me-knots" planted on it. We have from dog/puppys, cats/kittens, bunnys, horses, a cow, hamsters and rats, a few turtles and an owl, and a badger. They were all part of our family in one way or another, and they all deserved a proper burial, and thats what they got.
"Treat the earth well, it was not given to you by your parents, it was loaned to you by your children" |
|
|
|
Lin
True Blue Farmgirl
807 Posts
Lin
Sioux City
IA
USA
807 Posts |
Posted - Jun 24 2010 : 8:59:03 PM
|
Loyce, I am so sorry, but you did the right thing for all of you. It's so painful, but time will help you and God will too!! Prayers, Lin
"Our beautiful earth is worth saving"!! |
|
|
|
nubidane
True Blue Farmgirl
3004 Posts
Lisa
Georgetown
OH
3004 Posts |
Posted - Jun 24 2010 : 9:30:59 PM
|
Loyce,
I am walking the same walk with you. My 13 YO Dane, WIllow, has been struggling with walking & has regular accidents in the house. The hard thing is she does not seem to be in any pain, & eats like a horse(or a Dane!!) I was ready to make the call last week, & she rebounded, walked to the chicken coop, the goat barn& back into the house. Today she got up 4 times to go outside. I know it is a waiting game, but I look into her eyes each day to make sure they do not spell despair.
Kiss Sackett on the snoot (the BEST part) for me! |
|
|
|
nubidane
True Blue Farmgirl
3004 Posts
Lisa
Georgetown
OH
3004 Posts |
Posted - Jun 24 2010 : 9:33:46 PM
|
Loyce
Sorry, I did not see that you had already put him down.
Keeping you & all yours in my prayers. |
|
|
|
gypsy goat
True Blue Farmgirl
673 Posts
mary jo
michigan
673 Posts |
Posted - Jun 25 2010 : 05:37:02 AM
|
i am so sorry about yor family friend-it is one of the hardest things to do. i hope as each day passes your pain eases and your memories of your sweet dog grow brighter
farmgirl#1362 whatever you are be a good one-abe lincoln |
|
|
| |
Barnyard Buddies: Losing Old Friends |
|
Losing Old Friends
