R.I.P. BUBBA (slightly tractor related)

Folks, if you will allow me;
In fall of 2008 my daughters boyfriend had a doberman what was about to drop a litter. He did not have a decent place for pups,so we let her stay in a room of the old house across the yard. For some reason, she rejected most of them, two died, and one night my daughter went over and found two more barely alive. She brought them to the house, warmed them and literally breathed life back into them. The Vet was amazed, but cautioned us that they may have problems down the road.
As they grew, Bubba was the cautious one. Sissy would run along side the push mower watching the wheels, Bubba would go sit on the porch, or peek around the corner of the house. He could not stand the sound of a push mower or lawn tractor, but my neighbors could pass the house half dozen times a day, sometimes three at a time, on their Farm Tractors and Bubba did not pay them any attention.
When my wife died three years ago, I don't know what I would have done without Bubba! After my daughter went back to work, Bubba saw that I got fresh air and exercise. In the morning we would walk across the yard to get the paper and I would smack a tennis ball with a racquet and he would retrieve it, over and over. He loved to play ball! He would not leave the house without that tennis ball in his mouth.
We lost Sissy to kidney failure after about a year and a half. About a year ago,the Vet told us that there were definite signs that Bubba's kidneys were failing. He gave us a special diet to feed him and he did well for a while, then he began to go downhill. About five months ago, daughter said, What the heck, if he only has a short time, he might as well enjoy it! So she bought canned dog food, (the pricey kind in the little flat cartons), and he began to recover, he regained the gleam in his eyes and his energy. Until about a month ago, when it began apparent that he was losing weight, then his appetite began to fail.
The vet had told us that we would know when it "was time". This past weekend he lost all energy,he would carry his ball outside and just sit and hold it in his mouth, his eyes became dull and it was apparent that he was suffering. Monday and Tuesday night all he did was just lay there.
So, Wednesday,we carried him to the Vet for the last time. I said my goodbyes at home,my daughter said I didn't have to accompany them if I didn't feel like it. She and her boy friend were holding him when he went to sleep. He will be cremated and brought home to sit beside Sissy.
Bubba,
You were the best and most faithful companion anyone could have. We sure did have some good times! I'm sure gonna miss you little buddy!
Love,
Gampy
Thanks, folks for allowing me.

Sorry for your loss it is so very hard. BTDT too may times now, but I always end getting another.

Sorry for your loss, Shadetree.

After you have time to grieve... I hope another pup will grab your heart and be your buddy.

Thanks,
My daughter has already said that she will have to get another somewhere in the future. There's too much love and companionship Not to have one.

It’s always hard to lose a pet! Especially one who was a close companion through troubled times. They really become a member of the family. I have a 17 year old cat that is also experiencing kidney disease. She has good days & some not so good. I’m doing all I can for her but know her days are numbered. Sure am going to miss her when she’s gone and know what you are going through!
Tim

Yes. Jim

Sorry to hear of the loss of your friend. Somewhere out there there is another waiting to be your firend again. Stan

One of hardest things to me is the death of an dog. They are one of the few things that show unconditional love and devotion to their owner.

When I was a kid I couldn't understand why my mom cried and my dads eyes watered up when we put our dog down. As an adult, the first time I had to put a dog down, I understood. You become attached, real attached.

Sorry to hear of your loss.

Rick

My boxer boy Bubba died 2 weeks ago. He had cancer, we were blessed with him for 10 years. It hurts, and I will remember him forever. But he is in a better place now, and he will always be in our hearts.

I read this and wasn't going to make any comments, then I started thinking. Everyone deserves to have the perfect dog just once in a lifetime. Most all of the dogs we have had have been lost and found their way to my yard. It's hard to give a dog a meal and send him on his way.

We had "inherited" a half heeler half shepherd of some kind from my wife's nephew. Solid black and a pretty good dog. Stayed outside all the time until she started getting older. She was about 14 years old when a neighbor dog jumped the fence and all at once we had an old dog that was going to have pups. Didn't know what to do. She had never had a litter of pups and we were sure she would die giving birth. She had two, one still born and the other she wouldn't take care of, didn't know what to do with this "thing". I gave him his first bath and we had to bottle feed the little critter. The momma wanted him, but wouldn't nurse him. He was mostly white with a half mask that was black. He got a name (Beau) and a home for the rest of his life. Never had to house break him. He stayed within ten feet of me any and all the time I was home. I guess I was his daddy because of all the bonding we had early on. As he turned four years old he developed kidney problems and, like one of the other posters, we had to have him put to sleep, with me holding his head and his paw. I do think that is the hardest thing I have ever done. I'll never be that close to another animal again. Not intentionally, I just don't see how that could happen.

I know this is long but there is no way to make it short.

Best dog we ever had was a collie that a neighbor rejected and gave to us. Biggest collie I ever saw, 110# and not fat. 'bout like having apony in the house. His personality was the best, he lived to 14, and has been gone for 20 years, and I still miss him.

i had to put one of mine sleep a few years ago vet came to the house and done it her and my weenie dog pushed a basketball around in the yard together after she died he would not play with any ball even to this day

Your story brought a little tear to my eye. When I was young we had a house dog that just adored my mom and mom adored it. When mom passed away at 46 dad and I kept mom's dog with us all the time. She rode to town with us and was everywhere we were. Dad re-married a year and a half later and his new wife accepted the dog well, but one day the dog just disappeared, never to be seen again. Dad and I had a few really sad days after that. We don't realize how emotionally close we can get to our little 'buddies' until they leave us, especially when they're attached to a late loved one. Jim

Every time a dog dies a piece of your heart goes with it.
Every time you get a new dog it gives you a piece of its heart.
Maybe if I am lucky enough to live so long, all of my heart will be dog and I may become as generous and loving as they are!

We have had our bad streak with our critter friends the past couple of years. Kind of funny how it is, but the things you get the maddest over with their bad habits.....are the things you miss the most when they are gone! Lost my Jack Russell & I will always remember him.

Cris,I like that!

fixerupper, you are so right!
When they were pups, my wife helped look after them and most of the time she would take care of Bubba. She would sit in her rocker/recliner and he would lay on the recliner arm and sleep. He loved to be rocked. I seldom even use the den anymore, but a few months ago, I sat down in her chair one day, and the next thing I knew, here comes all sixty plus pounds of Bubba right up on the arm of that chair! I laughed myself silly, he didn't quite fit anymore!

I'm way out at the end of this post, but I just had to write. We have had several dogs, but never seemed to have the perfect dog until after they were gone. Never really realized how perfectly they fit in the family until after they were gone. Spent too much time thinking about some dumb thing they used to do until after they were gone. Had one that used to steal one of my leather gloves every time I'd set them down. He'd either chew it, bury it or hide it - I'd never get it back. I miss him every time I put on a pair of gloves. And I'm sure all the rest of you understand.