Memorial to Albert, Canine Freeper and Attack Schnauzer

03/23/2004 | TC Rider

[TC Rider]

Albert, our 12 year old Standard Schnauzer, has been in declining health since being diagnosed with cancer in December.

Over the last few days his breathing has become very labored and he can no longer control his bladder.

Later this morning we will be having him put to sleep.

This is the hardest thing I've ever had to do.

I won't ask my fellow freepers to pray for Albert, because all dogs go to heaven and this one will be on the express route. I will ask my fellow freepers to pray for my wife and I and to ask our Lord and Savior to give us strength to get through this difficult day.

[TC Rider]

I'm going to try to come back to this thread, when I'm not typing through the trears and post some more snaps and comments about the best dog I've ever owned.

[Tijeras_Slim]

Sorry about your pup. The only comfort is that pets trust us to do what is best, even when it is hard.

[codyjacksmom]

Yes, this is one of the hardest things to do. He is a beautiful dog...May God bless you and your wife in this sad time and give you comfort through your grief...

[TC Rider]

THank you both so much. We're worrying if we are doing the right thing. The part I hate is that while his body is totally wasted, his mind, eyes, ears, etc are still fine. He's alert and sharp as ever.

[codyjacksmom]

Dear Tc...it is natural to worry. Look deep within your heart...is he suffering? Is life good for him anymore? When you search your soul, you will know what is best and right for your much loved little boy. I truly feel for you. Go with your heart and know that he is depending on you right now. God Bless!!!

[trussell]

Prayer ping.

Please post your replies to TC Rider

TC Rider my prayers going up for you and your wife. I know it hurts, I am truly sorry for your pain!!

Blessings,
Trussell


If you want on or off my prayer ping list, please let me know. All requests happily honored.

[GraceCoolidge]

I am so sorry for your family... I know how hard this is. Just remember, even if you were to put your beloved friend through the aggressive "treatment" some people now advocate, he would not know why, he would only know he continues to suffer and he wouldn't understand it. You are doing the right thing for him, just as he would always trust you to do. You are putting him first, the same as he no doubt did for you for many years. I am thinking of you and your family.

[backhoe]

Neighbor, this is one of the toughest things we're called to do in this life... your dog friend would walk through Hell, just to be with you another day. It's up to you, the higher being, to know when the time has come to let him go on.

You are giving him mercy, and setting him free from that dying body.
I know how hard this is, but you are doing the right thing for your old friend.

[netmilsmom]

Prayers for peace in your family.
Some friends leave paw prints on your heart.

[AKA Elena]

Most people who allow extraordinary means to keep a pet which "needs" the comfort of our "Good Shepherding" to be relieved of the pain of living -- do so for their own egos. You are doing the right but difficult (mildly put) thing for Albert!

Having gone through this agony just two weeks ago for my grandchild's dog and for many over my years as a breeder, exhibitor and lover of my dogs, I can feel your pain, but offer my admiration and consolation for this hardest of departures.

As the dog world says, Albert will be waiting at The Rainbow Bridge for you and your wife to cross over it!

God has instructed us to care for the creatures that He gave us and you are doing just that -- ultimate and valorous care!

[Pegita]

Heavenly Father, we return to give You thanks for the tender hearts of TC and his wife ... they have honored beyond measure Your word that a righteous man has regard for the life of his beast, but the mercy of the wicked is cruel. Proverbs 12:10

Thank You that You have made it that the return of the creature to his Heavenly Master is swift ... therein lies mercy. Thank You that the enormous pain of parting bespeaks of the love and loyalty of years ... great is the delight that You give to us in the companionship of our furry friends. Thank You that You will again delight us with joyful reunion, yet during this most difficult time, may our prayers and our tears sustain TC and his wife ... in the Name of Jesus, I pray, Amen ...

[Alamo-Girl]

It is always so hard to say goodbye to our beloved companion animals. I pray for y'all in dealing with this loss.

[CDHart]

May God hold you and your wife close to Him now and give you peace and strength to do the right thing. The only time I've seen my husband cry in 40 years of marriage is when we had to put our Mac down. But be assured your dog will be in a better place.

Carolyn

[RnMomof7]

Ohhh I do know how you feel, I have been broken over the death of pets.

The last was a 21 year old cat . I found him dead and wept for hours.

The thought of losing our dog brings me near tears.

When we lost a collie mix in an accident several years ago, my very wise son (then 17), told me that we needed a different breed because we needed to love it for itself not as a replacement .

[Johnny Gage]

Been there.. done that. It's a very very hard thing to do.

Prayers for you and your family.

[oceanperch]

Being that I have 3 labs and they are truly my kids my heart really goes out to you and your wife.

I have three other aquaintances on this side of the screen who have also lost loved K-9's.

With seeing the pain and suffering they are going through I brought home a new Lab baby as my 13yr old is crippled up yet of sound mind. Grumpy as hell. He can only walk 4 steps at a time then rests and must use my son's wheelchair lift to get in and out of the van. So his time is coming in another year or two.

I lost a Lab 5yrs ago and still hurt.

I truly feel your pain. Prayers for your family in this time of grieiving.

[oceanperch]

When bowel and bladder control go that is the sign.

My son asked when the time comes for are crippled 13yr old can I use adult briefs on him.....tempted but he is in so much pain now I do not want him to live in much more pain and being grumpy all the time except when someone visits who he has not seen in awhile.

He hates the new baby as he knows what thats all about.

We don't talk about certain things in front of him it hurts his feelings.

[Khurkris]

My sincere condolences to you all. Bless you.

[Argh]

When I get to heaven, I expect to join my dog (died 1978) and my mom (died 1993) sitting there listening to Bach (died 1750) belting out his latest paean to God on some glorious celestial organ. Albert will be welcome to join us.

Of course, if I end up in the other place, the deal's off.

I wish you the best of luck.

[Esther Ruth]

I just hate good byes also, that's the days are passing never to be relived again, that God gives us such wonderful things, life SO sweet, only for it to be taken away - what can I do with this fact - this reality, I can only turn it around and ask God what He may be trying to teach me or show me. I can wonder what it was like for the Father to give (away) His only Begotten Son, to lose Him to death, how lonely He must have been, how sad, and then realize how much He really loves us. He is preparing a place for all of us now - where someday we will all be, and are pets :) - where there will never ever be any more sadness or sorrow, no death and we will always be with Him forever. Also makes me think of how lonely the Lord must be when He is not first in our hearts, when we place others before Him, for He is so jealous for our love. Praying for you on this difficult day.