Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Happy New Year!!

Hope everyone is having a good time tonight and that you are all being responsible. Happy New Year and we will see you soon.

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Saying goodbye to man's bestfriend.


On Monday night, we had Bernie put down. Let me tell you it wasn't easy thing to do. I really didn't want to go through with this. I struggled with ways to prevent this. When it came down to it, we simply do not have the money at this point in time. About 6-8 weeks ago we noticed that he had a pink area on his underside. We didn't know what it was, so we took him to the vet. That visit was close to $400.00 with well over $200.00 in medication. Turns out that the pink that we saw was a rash of some sorts that was oozing pink fluids into his fur. We did everything that was required and the rash that he had in that area cleared and all was good. The treating process was difficult on us, since one of the medication that he had to take gave him "cotton mouth" which caused him to drink a lot of water, which in turn caused him to pee a lot too. Not being able to be let out fast enough at times, he ended up peeing in the house. That was frustrating, but once we understood what was happening, it was easier to cope with it.
Everything seemed to be fine after the treatment was done. Money well spent, so we thought. Until a few weeks ago we discover that it was back, In a week, the the 6x6 inch infected area had spread out to most of his underside. We had to make the hard decision. If money was no object, as it is for some, I would have spent the 3-4-5 hundred dollars a month to have him treated, but as it stands, that is not the case here. Over the years a few other symptoms of old age have found their way in. He has really bad teeth, which the vets say can contribute to Heart, liver and kidney failure. He has had bad joints. Generally in the winter when he needs to navigate in the deep snow he has a hard time walking afterwards. Every now and then he had a hard going up and down the stairs.

We had Bernie for just over 8.5 years, he was about 1.5 years old when we got him. He was a gem. The best dog I have ever come across. He was gentle with children, rarely barked, when he did it was usually a yip. Mind you he did have a scary bark if he wanted to bark. But in the time that I have had him, I have heard him use it less than 10 times. People that didn't like dogs liked Bernie.

Coming up with the decision wasn't easy. It certainly didn't get any easier as the time got closer. I really didn't expect to find myself balling my eyes out as we where at the vet's office. I balled for hours...literally. My eyes are wet just thinking about it now. I loved that dog, he was my dog. I was the one that he obeyed, followed and generally speaking stayed close to. I was his master. I really do miss him, but I know that he is no longer suffering.