Posted on 03/16/2017 10:36:46 AM PDT by Joe 6-pack
My good buddy Ranger suffered a severe stroke sometime late Monday early Tuesday of this week. I've been working with the vet trying a few different meds to try and remediate the effects, but nothing has worked and there has been no improvement to his condition, and he's paralyzed on the right side from the neck down. He is comfortable and can drink his water when I hold his head up over the bowl.
We have an appointment for 8:30 in the morning, at which time we'll do what's necessary and Ranger will slip this mortal coil.
Please keep him and me in your prayers.
I am so sorry, Joe. Keeping you in my prayers.
Way too many of us have been in your shoes. Thank God for rainbow bridge. It’s a place that truly exists, even if it’s only in your heart. I am convinced that my Bubs called to me from there one night in my sleep. His collar and leash were on the ground with his bag of peanut butter cookies, and he had a huge dog smile on his face as he wagged his entire butt. His coat was gleaming instead of dull and brittle, his eyes were clear and bright as he stared deeply into my heart.
He thanked me for loving him so much, that he was happy and free, that he could run and spun around in the soft grass, and that he didn’t need his collar and leash anymore,because he was safe.
I had burried him with his favorite things. He said good-by.
I miss him a ton after all these years, and I am so grateful for the relationship we had. He was my first dog of my very own in my life,. I had to put him down 7 years ago due to lymphoma cancer. He was 14.
Way too many of us have been in your shoes. Thank God for rainbow bridge. It’s a place that truly exists, even if it’s only in your heart. I am convinced that my Bubs called to me from there one night in my sleep. His collar and leash were on the ground with his bag of peanut butter cookies, and he had a huge dog smile on his face as he wagged his entire butt. His coat was gleaming instead of dull and brittle, his eyes were clear and bright as he stared deeply into my heart.
He thanked me for loving him so much, that he was happy and free, that he could run and spun around in the soft grass, and that he didn’t need his collar and leash anymore,because he was safe.
I had burried him with his favorite things. He said good-by.
I miss him a ton after all these years, and I am so grateful for the relationship we had. He was my first dog of my very own in my life,. I had to put him down 7 years ago due to lymphoma cancer. He was 14.
So sad. I had a German Shepherd for many years when younger. They are my favorite dog, and I was so happy to see a German Shepherd (finally) won the Westminster Dog Show this year. From the looks of your dog in this beautiful winter pic above, he too could have qualified to win the show. A beautiful, thick coat and so obviously a dog lovingly cared for. You have to do what must be done, and you have my complete sympathy. Here’s to a dog that led a good life.
I am so, so sorry. I had a Malinois for 15 years and I know well how devoted the Belgian shepherd breeds can be.
Godspeed, Ranger. You are a GOOD dog. :(
I’m just starting to look for a senior fellow to fill the void that my sweet Otis left when he died last summer at the ripe old age of 16. He actually drowned in a nearby pond one evening, sparing me from that painful decision. He was so tired and the best good boy.
I’ll be wishing the best possible outcome for Ranger and you. He’s stunningly beautiful.
I always give them some last treats “that aren’t good for them”. I don’t care though. I bought a 5 pound bag of peanut M&Ms from Costco the morning I was saying my final goodbye to my old Molly (they were her favorites). She was a 15 year old Border Collie. We ate (mostly her) the whole bag that afternoon. She just kept coming back for more and how was I going to deny her that last pleasure.
I am so sorry for Ranger having the stroke and the lack of any other solutions. I know how terrible it is to lose your best fur-buddy. My heart weeps for you. Perhaps, after an appropriate time, your heart will be healed enough to give a loving home to another deserving puppy. So many languish in shelters all over. RIP, Ranger.
What a handsome beast! So sad for your loss.
Prayers for you and Ranger. :(
I’m sorry for your friend’s condition. Of course he doesn’t understand what’s happened but he knows you are at his side. Salute.
So sorry to hear this Joe,just know that he will never hold this against you, and that if he knew what you were doing for him he would thank you for the wonderful life you’ve given him, and be waiting patiently to greet you again someday.
Thank you, sweet lady. We just never seem to have them as long as we’d like. Screen got all blurry again.
Understand the pain. Took me 20 yrs to get another. Today my daughter-in-law’s beagle, “Bell,” was also let go. If Jesus returns on a white horse...
Got my Molly laying next to me with her head on my lap..
I can’t even imagine having to put her down...
My prayers are with you...
What a beautiful baby, those darn dogs, they steal your heart and then they leave you.
My heart breaks for your loss.
God Bless.
I’m so sorry. I prayed for you.
Joe - So sorry about the sad news....
Ranger had a great life with you!
I put down one yellow lab 1 year ago and my second one is not far off either.
It just sucks. ...
I didn’t want to get another dog because of the hurt when they have to leave us. But then thought of all the wonderful pets out there wishing every day for someone to give them a loving home.
I found a female black lab pup that needed rescued and now have Jezzy, who is a basket-full-of-energy and a great companion. Funny as hell too.
Good luck, Joe.
Prayers to you and Ranger!
I wanted to thank you all very much for the wishes and prayers you have extended to Ranger and me this afternoon. As I’ve sat on the floor with his head in my lap, all of your comments have brought me great comfort.
I had been volunteering at a no-kill shelter in 2005, and when Katrina hit Louisiana pretty much every municipal and private animal shelter in the state was overwhelmed by the volume of abandoned and displaced animals that came pouring in. Although the shelter I was at was (an remains) an operationally no kill shelter, Ranger tested positive for heartworms and with kennel space at a premium, he was tagged to be euthanized. I went and sat in the kennel with him and he was cowered in the corner, obviously neglected and abused weighing about 30 pounds with his ribs showing through his thick matted fur, and covered in feces. I sat across from him just cooing to him and he came over to me slowly and put his paws up on my shoulder and started licking my face. Although I already a Shepherd at home, Timber, I decided then and there that I had to do everything to save this dog. Eventually, I hammered out an arrangement with the vets and the shelter manager that I would foster him if the kennel paid for the heartworm treatment (which they didn’t expect to work given his state of malnutrition.)
Needless to say, Ranger was a survivor, and while over the past few days, I’ve been praying for a miracle, it dawned on me today that the last 12 years I’ve had with him have been a miracle. He has been a tremendous road trip partner, and every year over the holidays we would make the drive to Pennsylvania to spend Christmas and New Year’s with my folks. He’s traveled with me through Texas for work and throughout other parts of the deep south. He has been a complete blessing in my life and I know, that I have one more chance to show him tomorrow how much I love him by taking his pain away and carrying all of it inside of me.
I know tomorrow I will most likely not feel much like posting, so I wanted to briefly eulogize my little boy, and thank you all sincerely for the prayers, kind words and comfort your replies have given us.
J6P
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