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Finn is now at peace
Mail Online ^ | 6-29-12 | Toby Harnden

Posted on 06/29/2012 1:17:17 PM PDT by afraidfortherepublic

Full Title: Finn is now at peace: TOBY HARNDEN recounts the final, heart-rending days of the beloved rescue dog who was put to sleep in his arms

Finn is now at peace: TOBY HARNDEN recounts the final, heart-rending days of the beloved rescue dog who was put to sleep in his arms

When the end was nigh for Finn, my faithful shaggy companion for more than 14 years, he knew it and I knew it. We had travelled a long way together, from Belfast to Washington to Israel to London and ultimately to the suburbs of northern Virginia but it was clear his journey was over.

The pain in his body was suddenly making him cry and yelp much more frequently. And then he just stopped eating and drinking. For several days, he didn’t touch his food and had to be forced to drink. I took him for a walk but he moved with agonising lassitude.

His hind legs seemed to have seized up. They would fold underneath him, he would try to haul them up and then he would let his front legs down in resignation and just look up at me plaintively. On his final proper walk, he collapsed nose first in the dust and I had to carry him home.

As I wrote in my recent piece about Finn’s waning days, his decline had been slow and steady. For a year, I had been carrying him up and down the stairs. For more than six months, he had been incontinent and wearing a nappy inside the house – something that distressed me at first but never seemed to bother him much.

(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...


TOPICS: Pets/Animals
KEYWORDS: rainbowbridge; rescue
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Read the whole thing. Lots of wonderful pictures of Harnden's fine, furry friend.
1 posted on 06/29/2012 1:17:32 PM PDT by afraidfortherepublic
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To: Joe 6-pack
Doggie ping


2 posted on 06/29/2012 1:19:31 PM PDT by afraidfortherepublic
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To: AnAmericanMother; Titan Magroyne; Badeye; SandRat; arbooz; potlatch; afraidfortherepublic; ...
WOOOF!

The Doggie Ping list is for FReepers who would like to be notified of threads relating to all things canid. If you would like to join the Doggie Ping Pack (or be unleashed from it), FReemail me.

3 posted on 06/29/2012 1:25:41 PM PDT by Joe 6-pack (Que me amat, amet et canem meum)
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To: Joe 6-pack

I have an old girl who’s at the end of her degenerative myeopathy journey.

A decision will have to be made soon.

I can’t read this.

:(


4 posted on 06/29/2012 1:29:58 PM PDT by Salamander (I wanna hurt you just to hear you screaming my name.)
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To: Salamander

Our old boy, K-ci, is close to the end as well. We have to carry him up the steps and his front leg gives out and he falls on his face. Our family also has to make a decision soon, before our son has to leave to go back to college. It’s so sad...


5 posted on 06/29/2012 1:50:40 PM PDT by rochester_veteran ( http://RochesterConservative.com/forums)
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To: afraidfortherepublic

Love it. thanks B.


6 posted on 06/29/2012 2:04:28 PM PDT by Mountain Mary (Voting for the lesser of two evils is still voting for evil.)
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To: Salamander

oh, poor thing :( Is she an old dog? My Jack Russell has been acting weird lately so I’m taking her in next week to get a geriatric screening. She’s 12 and a total sweetheart.


7 posted on 06/29/2012 2:16:39 PM PDT by midnightcat
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To: afraidfortherepublic

My wee Phudd passed eight years ago yesterday.

It is never easy and you never quit missing them.


8 posted on 06/29/2012 2:20:20 PM PDT by Eaker (When somebody hands you your arse, don't give it back saying "This needs a little more tenderizing.")
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To: afraidfortherepublic

My Keeley went to Texas A&M today; They did a lot of tests. They still think it is bone cancer; but in the first stages. I will know Monday. I am doing everything I can to save her.


9 posted on 06/29/2012 2:36:43 PM PDT by freekitty (Give me back my conservative vote; then find me a real conservative to vote for)
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To: Salamander

We lost our 9 year old Chocolate Lab “Clancy” this past Tuesday at our mailbox at the highway. I hadn’t noticed he was in the woods near the right-of-way and when my wife went to get the mail I walked with her.

Clancy, unbeknownst to us, followed in trace; I heard the screeching brakes of a young lady’s van but it was too late.

I keep looking behind me while I read online to see if he’s on his pillow sleeping. Not there.


10 posted on 06/29/2012 2:40:51 PM PDT by Joe Marine 76 ("It's The Natural Born Citizenship, Stupid!")
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To: afraidfortherepublic

Just lost my good little girl a few weeks ago. I can’t read this.

My priest has got to be wrong. I can’t believe that God would make these creatures, filled with His love and joy, and then they die and—nothing.


11 posted on 06/29/2012 3:00:38 PM PDT by ottbmare (The OTTB Mare)
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To: rochester_veteran

Her back end is gone.
She’s really heavy too so it’s hard for her to get up, if she does at all.

Sadly, her mind is 100% and she seems to be happy just laying there eating, drinking and letting us carry her wherever she needs to go.

I’m sorry about your boy.

I know how it is.


12 posted on 06/29/2012 3:07:52 PM PDT by Salamander (I wanna hurt you just to hear you screaming my name.)
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To: midnightcat

She’s not even 10 yet but she’s SO damaged from abuse and genetic issues that she never had a chance.
[she’s a rescue]

We’ve just tried to give her the best life she could have.

Her beloved sister Phoebe died in February of immune system issues [same litter/same rescue] and Pookie’s not been the same, since.
They were inspeparable.


13 posted on 06/29/2012 3:10:55 PM PDT by Salamander (I wanna hurt you just to hear you screaming my name.)
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To: Eaker
Dear Phudd, he was an angel dog.
14 posted on 06/29/2012 3:11:17 PM PDT by Ditter
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To: ottbmare; freekitty; Eaker

I’m so sorry for the loss of your precious pets. And in the case of freekitty, the potential loss of her pet. It is always hard.


15 posted on 06/29/2012 3:12:37 PM PDT by afraidfortherepublic
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To: Joe Marine 76

Oh, God.

How horrible.

For 20 years I’ve had Ibizans and the #1 cause of death for them is them running after some critter and getting hit by a car.

It’s been nerve-wracking and my fence looks like something from a Supermax prison.

That’s always been my worst nightmare.

I haven’t the words to say how badly I feel for you.

:(


16 posted on 06/29/2012 3:14:26 PM PDT by Salamander (I wanna hurt you just to hear you screaming my name.)
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To: Eaker

Phudd, the biggest little dog ever.


17 posted on 06/29/2012 3:16:03 PM PDT by Tijeras_Slim
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To: ottbmare

The bible has tons of passages speaking of the new Heaven and new Earth and animals will be there.

God would not take from us our innocent pets.


18 posted on 06/29/2012 3:16:55 PM PDT by Salamander (I wanna hurt you just to hear you screaming my name.)
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To: ottbmare

http://www.answers2prayer.org/bible_questions/Answers/animals/pets.html

Just one of many available.


19 posted on 06/29/2012 3:18:13 PM PDT by Salamander (I wanna hurt you just to hear you screaming my name.)
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To: freekitty

My prayers for her recovery.


20 posted on 06/29/2012 3:19:11 PM PDT by Salamander (I wanna hurt you just to hear you screaming my name.)
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