Posted on 07/19/2013 5:58:20 PM PDT by mountn man
Last summer, a photo of a man cradling his elderly dog in Lake Superior pierced the hearts of millions. Schoep, a shepherd mix who turned 20 on June 15, passed away on Wednesday, but his image will remain a lasting tribute to the deep and loving bond that can run between humans and their canine companions. Owner John Unger posted a brief Facebook statement on Thursday, saying, "I breathe but I can't catch my breath...Schoep passed yesterday."
(Excerpt) Read more at shine.yahoo.com ...
can metacam work as a pain med for cats? our vet prescribes it for our us. they flavor it and for a cat it would be a small amount in an oral syringe.
R.I.P. OldTimer
My Otis is going on 14 y/o.
Old dogs rule.
God,that’s so sad.
.
I am sorry to hear this. Hannah and John seem like such nice people and I hate to hear they have had such huge losses recently.
Ginger, she would stand and lean against me as hard as she could. When I'd come home from work, she'd greet me at the door whining. I'd whine back at her, so she'd whine back harder. We'd just go back and forth whining as hard as we could at each other. When she wagged her tail, it wasn't some wafting thing. That thing would bang like a bass drum when she'd hit the wall with it. It was almost like a tree branch, hitting your leg.
On my birthday, July 30, 29 years ago, the best dog I ever had left me.
Not a day has gone by that I have not missed him.
When I was young, I was afraid to die.
Now, I don’t think of what I’ll lose so much as *all* that I’ll regain.
There’s a whole lot of much loved critters waiting for me over there.
Just a comment to say....I hate the “last ride”.
The “last ride” to the vet is as painful as it gets.
good times. :-)
She had been in the yard with my mom. With my mom yelling at her as usual. Not the Ginger was doing anything wrong, just that's how my mom was with her. High strung does around people who get uptight EASY are a unique combination.
She had been in the yard, snooping around, being her playful self. (11 years old and still a puppy at heart, everything was FUN to her)
I had come home from somewhere and a buddy had stopped by. We were sitting at the table talking, when Ginger came in and leaned against me. She was shaking terribly. I thought maybe her arthritis was acting up, but when I went to give her her pill, her mouth was locked shut.I immediately took her to the emergency vet.
He said he'd run some tests and call me in a few hours with results.
He called back 3 hours later and said she had congestive heart failure and that she wasn't going to make it, to come as quick as I could to say goodbye. I was there 10 minutes later and she was gone.
Though I did say goodbye, WE never had a chance to say goodbye together.
I feel she left me and I feel I failed her, not being there.
Now here I am 50 years old. 290# of construction worker sobbing at the memories. But they're good memories, even in the pain.
especially when it turns into the last ride to the vet.
So sweet. Can’t believe a dog made it to 20! Especially that size.
So sweet. Love the stories.
I will never forget my most beloved German Shepherd ever. Her birthday would be Sunday here. She would be 29.
That is 1 dog I wish could live Guiness-Book length, especially for a “large” dog. I’d never mind having her all my life. True perfection.
The photographer who took this photo is a dear friend of my cousin, also a photographer, and they both live in Bayfield WI, on Lake Superior. The photographer of this photo lost her own husband in an ice fishing accident on the lake just this past winter: http://www.twincities.com/ci_22458940/wis-man-dies-after-fall-through-ice-lake
I hate to be a jerk but that dog is not crying.
Many people have told the poster it was “reverse sneezing” but they’re so emotional and defensive they will not listen.
If they had simply held the dog’s nostrils shut briefly they would have stopped the “sneezes” and its suffering.
Reverse sneezes are generally not dangerous but they are distressing to the dog.
When dogs do cry it’s usually expressed with whimpers or howls.
The “last ride” is indeed a painful one. Even if it is what needs to be done.
I had to put my old lab to sleep last month. Sadly, there was no way he could “load up” and no way I could load him. He was too darn big. My neighbors are older and more decrepitor than I am, lol.
I live in the country where vets will make ranch calls, but not for dogs. After two days of calling every vet in a hundred mile radius...the good Lord put me in touch with a vet that took pity and drove 45 miles for a home euthanasia. The man had never laid eyes on me prior to this...but when I get another dog, I will reciprocate and he will become my main vet.
I will say, if you are able to have a vet do a home euthanasia and it doesn’t bother you...it is the only way to go. The dog was very comfortable and not stressed at all.
I take what ever dog strolls into my yard as a rule, but I am hoping for a medium breed to amble up. I adore big dogs but can’t lift them any more. :(
I had a similar day [cat style, lolling in the sunny yard, watching birds, etc.] 6 weeks ago my Quatorze (the original Viking Kitty). The next day, she was a limp rag when I took her for that last ride.
She’s buried where we had our last play session.
God’s peace and comfort to surround John and all those who have gone through this kind of loss. Only pet lovers can understand.
A Dog’s Prayer
Treat me kindly, my beloved master, for no heart in all the world is more grateful for kindness than the loving heart of me.
Do not break my spirit with a stick, for though I should lick your hand between the blows, your patience and understanding will more quickly teach me the things you would have me do.
Speak to me often, for it is your voice that is the world’s sweetest music, to me, as you must know by the fierce wagging of my tail when your footstep falls upon my waiting ear.
When it is cold and wet, please take me inside...for I am now a domesticated animal, no longer used to bitter elements...and I ask no greater glory than the privilege of sitting at your feet beside the hearth...though had you no home, I would rather follow you through ice and snow than rest upon the softest pillow in the warmest home in all the land...for you are my god...and I am your devoted worshiper.
Keep my pan filled with fresh water, for although I should not reproach you were it dry, I cannot tell you when I suffer thirst. Feed me clean food, that I may stay well, to romp and play and do your bidding, to walk by your side, and stand ready, willing and able to protect you with my life, should your life be in danger.
And, my beloved master, should God see fit to deprive me of my health or sight, do not turn me away from you. Rather, hold me gently in your arms as skilled hands grant me the merciful boon of eternal rest...and I will leave you knowing with the last breath I drew, my fate was ever safest in your hands.
—Beth Norman Harris
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