Tuesday, November 27, 2012

It’s Getting Steamy In Here

Today is a day of feeling uninspired and just generally blah. Does anyone else ever have days like that? Not about running or working or cleaning or cooking. But, about ALL OF IT.

I think part of the problem is the carpet cleaning guys were supposed to come early, so I couldn’t get in a workout. They came late, which meant waiting around all day and then dealing with the mess. I am kind of not so good without my workout.

Old three legged, one eyed Lucky dog  didn’t like it either.

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Lucky probably realized he would be in trouble when the cleaning guy said that when they cleaned the area where he (the dog, not the cleaning guy) usually craps, the house might reek because of the steam. Just what I love. A humid, steamy house that smells like dog poop. Lucky probably also doesn’t like how these guys keep trying to sell me stuff. I mean you are already paying hundreds of dollars and they want you to do one more room or add in one more layer of freaking Scotch Guard. Lay off.

I do love my little doggie and I worry about him. A lot. I don’t think you realize until you are a pet owner how attached you get to these creatures.

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Lucky has issues. He’s about 14 or 15 now. We adopted him ten years ago with only three legs. A couple years ago he had to have an eye removed due to a cataract gone bad (If I ever have a band I will  call it “Cataract Gone Bad”). A few months ago he started coughing and an x-ray showed a mass in his lungs. We also know he is in kidney failure. On top of that, you can add in that he shits in the house and is pretty much deaf. He sees okay out of the one eye, but not great.  Can you say ticking time bomb?

You all are probably screaming, “Put him down already! My God what do you need a formal invitation?” But when it is your dog and he has been a member of the family for so long, you don’t want to let go. You want to know that you made the right decision at the right time. You don’t want to hold on too long, but you don’t want to give up too soon. You want your kids to be at peace with the decision.

Day by day he’s doing okay. He’s coughing more and more, but he still follows me everywhere and has a voracious appetite (which becomes a problem when the kids will not stop throwing away banana peels and candy wrappers in their trashcans. Damn kids). Also, sometimes  he is delusional and barks at the bookcase. Maybe he’s seeing dead people or the white light.

What to do. I don’t know. One day at a time. I think I will know when it is the day to say goodbye.

Carpet guys are done. No time to workout before picking up the kids. Thinking about hot yoga tonight. Sounds like a plan.

Have you dealt with end of life issues with a pet? Lucky is the first dog that was ever my own. I remember putting our dogs down when I was young. But, it is different when you are an adult and the primary pet owner. It is up to you to make the decision. Having pets is great but this part of it sucks balls.

What happens to your mood when you miss a workout?

SUAR

65 comments:

  1. I have always thought that when it is time, your pet will let you know. You will notice changes and know that he is not happy anymore. It is never an easy decision, but you have to know in your heart that it is the right thing to do. It is hard sometimes to get over our own selfishness of wanting pets to live forever.

    Sounds like Lucky is doing ok for right now - hope you get to have him around for a while longer, and enjoy all the time you have left.

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  2. Haven't had to deal with the pet issues but, at the studio I work at, one of the producers had a dog that he brought in all the time. She became the studio dog and when he had to put her down, holy moly did I ever cry. And she wasn't even really mine!! I can't even imagine how much of a basket case I'd be if it was actually MY pet.
    When I miss a workout, I can get pretty cranky. Actually make that downright bitchy.

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    1. دم فى شركة البراك شركة تنظيف بالاحساءء كافة الخدمات المرتبطه شركة تنظيف منازل بالاحساء والفلل والشقق وخزانات المياه وتنظيف المجالس والكنب والموكيت والسجاد وغيرها من الخدمات المختلفه التى يصعب على ربات المنازل التعامل معها كما تقوم شركة تنظيف شقق بالاحساء بالتخلص من كافة الاوساخ والاتربه فى المناطق التى يصعب الوصول اليها كما تمتلك الشركة فرع فى مدينة الاحساء تعد اكبر شركة تنظيف فلل بالاحساء بالاضافه الى شركة تنظيف بيوت بالاحساء تتميز بالخبره الطويله فى خدمات شركة تنظيف كنب بالاحساء
      تعتبر شركة البراك من اكبر شركة تنظيف خزانات بالاحساء فالشركه تمتلك كافة الادوات والمعدات الحديثه التى تساعد فى القضاء على الاوساخ فى اصعب المناطق وبطرق فعاله ، مثل شركة تنظيف موكيت بالاحساء حجر بالرياض وتنظيف الواجهات الخاصه بالشركات والتى تحتاج الى رافعات واوناشج وبعض المنظفات المخصصه لتنظيف البقع والرواسب الصعبه نتيجة تباعد فترات الغسيل المختلفه
      شركة البراك شركة شركة تنظيف مجالس بالاحساء تقوم بتخلص من البقع المتراكمه على الارضيات والسيراميك وجدران المنازل فهى ايضا شركة جلى بلاط بالاحساء على اعلى مستوى من الحرفيه كما تمتلك كافة ادوات الجلى التى تعيد منزلك الى المنظر الخلاب الجميل النظيف والانيق . كما تقوم العمال اصحاب الخبرات الطويله فى اعمال التنظيف المختلفه
      ما تمتلك الشركة
      شركة مكافحة حشرات بالاحساء لها سمعتها الكبيره فى التخلص من الحشرات بانواعها المختلفه
      شركة رش مبيدات بالاحساء تمتلك فريق عمل كبير جد\ا كل مهمته توفير واستخدام كل الفرص المتاحه من الادوات والمبيدات فى القضاء ومكافحة الحشرات بالاحساء المنتشره بانواعها المختلفه
      اذا كنت تبحث عن

      شركة مكافحة النمل الابيض بالاحساء

      شركة مكافحة النمل بالاحساء

      شركة مكافحة الصراصير بالاحساء

      شركة رش دفان بالاحساء

      شركة رش مبيدات حشريه بالاحساء

      شركة رش مبيد حشرى بالاحساء
      شركة رش حشرات بالاحساء

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  3. I went through this with my family dog Molly this past April. You'll know when it's time. For us it was when her quality of life just wasn't there any more. She was still mentally alert, loving, always happy to see us, but you could tell she was in pain. When her pain became unmanageable with pain meds, and she lost most use of her hind legs, it was time. Hardest decision ever and I miss her every day, but I am comforted by the fact that she lived a good life in a loving home and we made the decision that was best for HER, not for us.

    It sounds like Lucky is still doing well for now and has a good quality of life. He is lucky to have a loving mama like you. :)

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  4. You're right -- the end of a pet's life sucks major balls. We just had to put our cat down a couple months ago and I still can't even look at a picture of her. I too struggled with trying to do it at the right time. Then one night in the middle of the night I woke up out of a deep sleep and found her very sick in the bathroom. I knew it was time and called the vet the next day. One of the worst days of my life. As one of my friends put it, it feels like "your heart being shredded apart with razor blades." The good news is it does get easier with time. It's amazing how much love we can have for our furry little creatures. I'm glad you're doing the right thing and enjoying the time you do have. Lucky is an amazing dog!

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    1. شركة مكافحة حشرات بالرياض القضاء على الحشرات المنتشره فى كافة اركان المنزل لذا اذا كنت بحاجه الى
      شركة رش مبيدات بالرياض متخصصه فى القضاء على كافة الانواع المختلفه من الحشرات الطائره والزاحفه فان شركة البراك تعد من افضل شركة رش مبيد بالرياض ، فالشركة تقدم
      مكافحة حشرات بالرياض باستخدام المعدات التى تساعد على القضاء على الحشرات جذريا وفى وقت بسيط بمجرد استخدام ادوات رش مبيدات بالرياض
      كما تمتلك الشركة
      رش مبيدات لها سمعتها الكبيره فى التخلص من الحشرات بانواعها المختلفه
      شركة رش مبيدات بالرياض تمتلك فريق عمل كبير جد\ا كل مهمته توفير واستخدام كل الفرص المتاحه من الادوات والمبيدات فى القضاء ومكافحة الحشرات بالطائف المنتشره بانواعها المختلفه
      فقد تكون من اكثر الاشخاص الباحتين عن شركة مكافحة النمل الابض بالرياض لما له من اثار خطيره على عفش المنزل فهو يقوم بتاكل عفش منزلك ويستطيع ان يتغذى على الخشب المكون منه اثاث المنزل لذا ينصخ يالبحن عن شركة مكافحة النمل الابيض بالرياض لها القدره على التخلص من النمل بكافة انواعها وكذلك التخلص من اليرقات التى تنتج عن هذا النوع
      من الاخطار الكبيره ايضا للنمل الابيض وهو انتشاره بكثره فى اساسات المنازل ويسكن فى البنيه التحتيه ويستطيع ان يسبب تاكل كبير فى البينه التحتيه الامر الذى يستلزم عليك شركة رش مبيدات بالرياض تستخدم المبيدات المختلفه للقضاء على هذا النوع منه فورا واعطاء كافة الضمانات التى تمنع من انتشار هذه الحشرات مره اخرى كذلك نمتلك شركة مكافحة النمل الابيض بالرياض تمتلك انواع مختلفه من المبيدات ذات الروائح النفاذه والاخرى التى لا تمتلك ايه الروائح كذلك استخدام الحقن الالمانى كل هذا لن تجده غير فى شركة مكافحة حشرات بالقصيم للتخلص فورا من الحشرات

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  5. My kitty Swift had many illnesses for over a year (pancreatitis, lymphoma, high thyroid, a few others). I often debated the "when to say when" question, same as you. My friend (a vet) told me that you will just know. I figured as long as Swift was social and eating, life was good. One day she couldn't get up the stairs without sounding like she was having a massive asthma attack. And then she stopped eating because it was either eat or breathe. That was when I knew when. Its when it is kinder to let go than to hang on.

    Its not a fun process, but Lucky is LUCKY to have you as owners. Just focus on the good life you provided him.

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  6. Beth, Shared with you when I had to put the family cat Wiley down back in June. It's never an easy decision and compounded more if you have small children.

    You do the best that you can until you realize that it is no longer in the pet's best interest to keep fighting and your own stubbornness is only prolonging suffering and poor quality of life. But it doesn't sound like Lucky is experiencing any of that at the moment.

    When the time comes to make a decision you'll know what to do.

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  7. Just a few weeks ago, my mom and I had to put down our German shepherd. We live out in the boonies, and she got me a solid black shepherd to train to run with me because I had a couple of safety issues. The dog failed obedience school TWICE, but he was a big sweetie. So laid back that he never perked his ears up so everybody thought he was an overgrown lab. He developed a spine problem and, all of a sudden, his back legs stopped working. Even at the vet at the end, he was still so sweet and so lovable, we cried for hours after he was put to sleep.

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  8. Hugs. I have been there with several pets and it's really so hard. They're very much my kids and it's never enough time with them when they win your heart. My best advice is to watch and listen to Lucky. He'll tell you when he's ready. Mine always have. I spend each day with my other cat kiddos like it might be there last (I have another who is 18 so it's always possible)as I want no regrets. My thoughts are with you.

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  9. I had to make the decision a few weeks ago--a first as an adult pet-owner. My cat--an otherwise healthy four-year-old boy--swallowed a needle. I had no idea that's why he was under the weather for two weeks. It had, no doubt, done a ton of damage and surgery was not a guarantee. So I made the choice and I still feel horrified and guilty about it. Poor little Harley.

    Miss a workout? I feel like shit when I do, except on rest days.

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  10. This is so timely for me. On Saturday my husband and I had to say goodbye to our cat of 14 years. I've had her for my whole adult life. I'm devastated, but I also know it was the right thing to do. I would echo the others who said that when the time comes, they let you know that they're ready. If he's still interacting with you a lot, he's probably still pretty happy to be alive.

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  11. A few years ago, we made a choice to put our 6 year old dog down. She had cancer and was going hill so fast. She couldn't keep anything down and could barely walk. It's such a difficult decision to make, but you'll know when it's time. For me, as long as they're not in pain and can keep food down and walk, it's not time.

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  12. Oh I'm so sorry...
    I can't even imagine how hard that must be. Poor Luck. (And poor you!)

    I haven't had to deal with end of life pet issues yet. My last cat hated my ex husband, so I found her a new home. (I should've found HIM a new home sooner. I could've kept Stinky! Smartest cat ever...) ;)

    My new cat is too young for me to worry... yet. I can't even imagine going to sleep without her dropping a toy on my head. Or waking up without her cold wet nose in my face.

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  13. Lucky seems like such a sweetheart! I've only had Holly for a few months now and I already warned Angela that I will need some heavy duty therapy when she dies. She is my furry anti-depressant and I already can't imagine life without her.

    Change of subject. Scott Jurek just posted this on Facebook: BOULDER-DENVER: Group run with Anton (Tony) Krupicka, Peter Bakwin & I tomorrow night, 11/28 6PM at Boulder Running Company for launch of Ultimate Direction Signature Series. Free beer and pizza post run with Q & A following. See ya there!

    Are you going!?

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  14. I had to put my dalmatian down this year. He was fourteen and his hips were totally shot.I knew exactly the day that life had gotten too much for him. He just couldn't get up any more and his legs hurt too much for me to carry him. He was in pain all the time. It was just horrible.

    You'll know the right time when it comes. And maybe nature will save you the hardship of making the decision.

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  15. I am the carpet guy. Funny you should post this, because I just finished spot cleaning the chair where the dog sits and watches the cars go by. I also had to clean the carpet around the chair--not pee stained, just dirty. I'd like to throw both (the chair and the carpet) out because they are over 20 years old, as is my entire living room and it just screams 1980s. Maybe if I wait long enough, it will come back in style.

    And speaking of the dog, she's 9 1/2. We got her one month before we had to put the old dog down. We didn't know the old dog was sick until we got the puppy. It was the first and only time I saw my husband cry (not even when his mom died, sadly). We missed her for a long time after that. The puppy had big paws to fill! I just love her, too much. Now that my boys are teenagers, I need that unconditional love. She greets me at the door when I get home from work, or when I come out of the bathroom. I hate to think about going through that again. I feel for you.

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  16. My husband and I have had to put down three dogs since we tend to adopt them when they are older. For two it was obvious. Cancer sucks. The other one, though, she was just old. We knew it was time when my husband came home and found her spread-eagle in her own urine and feces. No one should have to live like that. She probably could had lasted another year but we felt it was undignified to make her suffer.

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  17. I've been fortunate I think that my dog made the decision for me. I had a pug and she was prone to seizures. She had what we thought was a seizure but in hindsight was a stroke because she went to sleep and never woke up. It's hard to lose a pet but I think it's harder when you have to make that decision. Marley and Me gets me every time.

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  18. My husband and I had to put our first cat down a few years ago...It's never easy but I do think you know when the time is right.

    Lucky reminds me so much of my childhood pet, a black cocker spaniel named Charlie, who we later dubbed One Eyed Willie when he had to have an eye removed due to glaucoma. He later went blind in the other eye and developed a skin condition which caused warts to grow all over him, most noticeable in the anal area (AUGH!). Despite all of this, I know my parents loved him dearly and were devastated when the time came to put him down (which wasn't until he was 17 or 18 if I'm remembering correctly). Hoping you still have many happy days ahead with Lucky!

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  19. I LOVE how much you love your pet. I'm a HUGE animal lover. We have a dog, and our whole family loves him so much, I think we are sort of freaks about it. One night at the dinner table- we all decided we love the dog more than anyone else in the world. :) The kids were fine with this, and so were we, the parents. We LOVE HIM. He is so loyal and so dang cute (a yellow lab- Dakota). Anyway, keep loving your doggie, and I think you will know when the day comes to do something. So sorry you have to go through this. :(

    Hugs
    Kelly

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  20. So sad about lucky dog. I have three dogs and work with animals as a living so I know how hard it is to make those decisions and what it’s like to lose a family member after having them for so short a time. Our Boxer has cancer and I know we will lose her soon, but I am so happy she is still here and feeling good. You will KNOW when the time is right for you and Lucky, don’t listen to anyone else!

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  21. It is such a hard but necessary part of being a pet owner. My dog was 14 1/2 when we had to put him down. It was the hardest thing I ever had to do in my life, but I also know it was the right thing to do.

    Zack was still eating (never lost his appetite!) and was always happy to see us when we came home from work. However, we could tell that he just wasn't having fun with life anymore. It never came down to one thing, but was a combination of things that let us know it was his time.

    I think you will know when it's Lucky's time. In the meantime, spoil him rotten and soak up all of the love you can!

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  22. Our dog Pepper had lung cancer. Diagnosed in November after Thanksgiving, it was time by end of December. She had a hard time breathing, had lost a lot of weight and it was just time. You'll know. Hugs for you because it is very hard.

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  23. We've euthanized three of our five cats over the years...the other two just vanished. Each time it was clearly the right time and the right decision...it does feel obvious on that day you make the call. Bu it's still super hard and having one of my kids refer to it as "the day you had them kill TuffKat" in a totally matter-of-fact way does not make it easier :(. Lucky seems like such a GOOD dog.

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  24. We have a 10 year old dog. When it comes to the $400.00 dental cleaning the vet recommends - it is a DOG for heavens sake. Any other time, he is part of the family - and that is all I have to say about that.

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  25. I had to put down my dog 2 years ago, she was 14 1/2. She stopped eating and I knew it was time. As the others have said, you will know when it is time too. My only advice would be to think about how you want it to go and do a little research. We had a vet come out to the house and put her down. It was actually peaceful and went as well as could be expected.

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  26. We started the year with 4 dogs, but lost one in June, and another in October. Both had chronic illnesses which required us to eventually euthanize. We'd had two previous dogs we euthanized after battles with cancer, and I'm not sure I agree with the "you'll know when it's time" sentiment.

    Sometimes you're certain when the moment arrives, as with the dog we lost in June. She threw a blood clot which left her paralyzed. Sometimes you agonize for months beforehand wondering if the time has finally come, as with the dog we put down in October. He had nasal cancer and encroaching kidney disease for more than a year. There are several questionnaires online to help pet owners gauge their pet's quality of life; maybe those will help you.

    Enjoy being with Lucky, and give him as many good times as you can while he can still enjoy them. Good luck!

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  27. My Lucky is an 11 year old pit/lab mix who is bouncy as a puppy on most days but walks like a baby deer on her first day on occasion thanks to arthritis. As long as she keeps the look in her eyes that she's loving life we can both ignore the rare bad day.

    When things get too bad for her I'll cry for days, take time off work, and be happy that although she had a terrible first owner we helped her have a wonderful,full of love life.

    Looks like you really hit a nerve with this post, I know it affected me!

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  28. Just when I thought I couldn't love you any more..........

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  29. Yes, we've had to put our dog to sleep. On Christmas morning in 2007 we found her paralyzed from the hips down. It was so sad. She was still the same dog otherwise, just couldn't move. I had to go out of town for work the next few days. The vet came and said nothing could be done, so we put her to sleep. I was glad I wasn't there when she died. We have a new dog now, another St. Bernard. Love him like a child! A big, hairy, slobbery child. It's really more like a second husband...

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  30. I feel your pain Beth. I have an 18.5 year old kitty, that I've had since he was barely 6 weeks old. In his prime he was a hefty 17lbs, now he's probably 8-9lbs. While he feels like nothing more than fur and bones, he still eats, grooms and demands attention. He doesn't seem to be suffering or in pain, although I suspect he's diabetic and I discovered some kind of growth on his back near his tail. I could probably go get him looked at/tested or whatever but I don't want to put him through that. I fear anesthesia would kill him if they tried to remove the growth and I'm not sure really what could be done for him otherwise. I love that that old kitty, but I realize he won't last forever and I don't want to try to squeeze extra months or whatever out of him by putting him through testing and such. I don't know. It's just so hard. I wish he could talk to me.

    I agree with everyone else in that Lucky is lucky to have you. Every animal deserves to be loved and cared for, right up to the end. Spoil him rotten and soak up as much time as you can.

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  31. I'll never do pets while living in a hurricane area (ever tried evacuating with a pet then realizing your house is gone and none of the hotels take pets? Yeah...). But my inlaws not only survived the above situation, but had to put their dog to sleep after 18 years. This little guy was a little like Lucky - things just kept going downhill. Once he could no longer move on his own and had stopped eating they made the call. It was obvious he was suffering, so that helped with the decision, but not with the sadness! Everyone cried for weeks! They really do become a family member.

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  32. My cat was 21 years old ( yes, 21) when we had to let him go. He was the most loyal friend, but as many have said, we just knew when it was time to let him go. I believe, as should you with Lucky, that he knew he was very, very loved and his life with us was good.

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  33. I also have a dog, but have not had to put down any pet. I have been told that when you have a pet with health problems, you just know when the right time is to let them go.

    If I don't get a workout in, and it was an unplanned rest day...watch.out. I get cranky.

    By the way, I'm so jealous of your running trails and mountains :) I don't get that here in MN!

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  34. Oh, I am so sorry to read this :(. Our cat is having some elderly issues and I keep wondering "when". I hope he can make it until the kids leave for college....but the thing pees in the corner of the house and it drives me mental. I have to put a towel down every day so he can pee on it. Bleh. But way too hard to put them down. Just love Lucky as much as you can and take it day by day!! :)

    xo

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  35. Our 4 year old cat recently died unexpectedly and it has been very hard to deal with. I agree that a pet dying is different as an adult when you are the primary caregiver. I can't imagine how difficult it would be to decide when is the right time to put a pet down. I hope that you find some help with this.

    And yes, my mood suffers when I don't work out. I miss the extra seratonin that my brain desperately needs!

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  36. I've only had to put one pet down... my dog Abby. She was a large breed Pomeranian, and just about the best dog ever! She took 1st place in dog obedience school... and I swear that dog understood everything we were saying! We knew for quite some time that she was having difficulty urinating, but seemed fine otherwise. Then, suddenly, she was peeing blood and couldn't walk on her hind legs. The hardest part was afterward when my husband sat on the back porch holding our now tiny Abby all wrapped in a pink blanket as we said our good-byes. The little ones really didn't know what "dead" meant until that very moment.
    On a lighter note: My 5 year old daughter still asks from time to time if she can get her pink blanket back :) We all just look at her and say "GROSS!"

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  37. Aww, poor Lucky, but he is a lucky dog, he got you as his family. You will know when the time comes.

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  38. Sadly, I have had to deal twice in the last six months with the terminal illness of pets. I realize that this is an incredibly tough decision to make, and that you love your pet dearly, but if his kidneys are shutting down and he has a mass in his chest, he is suffering every day. Unlike a marathoner, who can push through suffering because she knows that the past was, and the future will be, better, an animal just lives in the present. If he is suffering, he can't say to himself "It hurts now but I might feel better later." It just hurts. And while he no doubt is attached to you and doesn't want to be separated, it doesn't reduce the pain. And so if he isn't going to get better (and with kidney shutdown and a mass in his lung, he's not going to), you are keeping him in a state of suffering for your own purposes.

    And pets will not necessarily let you know when it's time. They may let you know when it's so incredibly unbearably awful that they really need to die now, but they have a strong will to survive and they will continue to appear to want to stick around even when every minute of their day is deeply painful.

    So, this doesn't mean you should put him to sleep today. But I would encourage you to set a date (maybe within the next week or so), and stop your beloved pet's suffering.

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  39. You normally make me laugh, but today you almost made me cry. my family had dogs growing up, one they had before me....losing him when I was 16 was traumatic. Now I have my own dog and I can't imagine having to make the decision, buy I think you will know when the time is right and you and the family van be at peace with it. For now, just keep loving the furry family member.

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  40. So sorry to hear about Lucky but if he is still happy, not in pain (as far as you can tell), then pray for a peaceful passing in his sleep.
    My sister just put her 3 year old cat down yesterday. The poor thing had so much cancer it was a shock to even the vets in such a young cat. It's absolutely heart breaking. Sorry to share such a sad story. :(
    Lucky is so fortunate to have such a loving, devoted owner. Blessings to him.

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  41. I had to put my beloved dog down 6 months ago. He was 13 years old, and I had owned him since he was 8 weeks old. But, he had developed a brain tumor. My dog was a fighter and with the help of great vet care and medicine, he fought for a little over a year. I loved this dog more than I love most humans (sad, but true), and I didn't want to lose him. Yet, I said when his quality of life went to shit, I wouldn't keep him alive for me. And, I trusted others that said I would know when it was time.

    They were right. Even through his fight, he had always remained, for the most part, that quirky loveable dog who had a voracious appetite. He had slowly been declining more and more, but one day I looked at him, and that sparkle in his eyes was gone, and I knew.

    It was one of the hardest, most gut-wrenching things I've ever had to do. And, I still think about and miss him every day. But I just have to keep telling myself he is happy and not suffering now.

    All of this is to say, I know just how awful what you're going through is. I carry my dog with me in my heart every moment of every day. And, you will do the same with Lucky. Plus, we'll all be here for you to help you through. Hugs!

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  42. My 16 year old dog passed away last spring. Some days he was fine and other we thought he might pass (or it was soon). He never seemed to be in pain though, but was pretty much blind. My family talked about putting him down and no one could do it. No one wanted to make that choice, and because he wasn't in pain it was even harder to make. Then finally there was a day my mom called to say she really thought it was his last day, which happened all the time. That night he passed in he sleep. And honestly I'm glad he went that way. I know not everyone had that choice though.

    It really is a hard thing to do.

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  43. I couldn't make it through all the posts without getting weepy. It will be hard and it will always hurt but the hurt isn't nearly as strong as the awesome memories I have of my first dog. There isn't a day that goes by that something reminds me of how great she was and how wonderful my little old Jack is. I know it's cheesy but it's true, better to have loved and lost then to never have loved at all. Give Lucky a belly rub...a dog will always dig that no matter how they feel.

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  44. It is so true how the family pet, can become like a member of the family. I have lost a treasured member, so I can relate to how your feeling. My thoughts, prayers and support are with you.

    Yes, I look forward to those daily workouts, and can become cranky when I miss one.

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  45. I enjoyed reading your blog today and hearing more about your sweet Lucky. I'm so sorry that she is in poor health...She has had a wonderful Doggie life because of you....
    Such a hard thing to worry about ....when??? You will know Beth....you really will. I had a poodle that was 21 yrs. old the day I had to take her in.... (I wanted so badly for her to choose or go to sleep and not wake up)....but she didn't and while it was the hardest thing I've done...it was right to do at that point. I got her the first year I was married and she was my companion through all the kids...and the deployments the Army has.... She was my rock...my constant...I miss her and think of her often....
    Those last months I took lots more time with her....she always had a McDonalds hamburger when we went through the drive through...she loved those and we didn't do that except the last 6 months of her life...
    She was deaf and blind. And pooped in the house...I kept her in the kitchen....she could feel me...but couldn't see me...
    She stopped eating...and I knew ....
    Your Lucky sounds like she is doing pretty well yet....Just enjoy her...and don't fret over what to do ...let your heart decide.... The decision will surprise you when you make it...you will just know that it is time....You owe Lucky that..and you owe yourself that for being her Mama...
    big hugs.....

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  46. You will know when the time is right. I lost my sweet boy Max earlier this year. We were dealing with some health problems, but he took a turn so suddenly and we had to make the decision that was right for him. It is so hard to put your feelings aside and do what is right for your pet, but they will let you know when the time is right.

    I feel like a blob when I miss a workout!

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  47. Ugh, I am so like that too when I don't get to workout. Late carpet guys suck!
    My cat lived to be 23.5 years old and I had her since I was 12 years old. It was the hardest thing I went through and we finally had to put her down about 3 months before my first daughter was born. I was really hoping she would hang on to meet her new "sister" but it was time.
    Your dog is precious and will let you know when it's time. For now, it looks like you are soaking up time with him so good for you! He is one lucky doggie!

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  48. One of the hardest things we have to do as pet owners is deal with the end of life issues. I've had to put 3 cats down and it never gets easier. With the last one, who was in kidney failure, I made the decision to put her down when she could/would no longer eat. I wasn't going to let her starve to death. As long as she was eating and drinking and seemed relatively content, I let nature run it's course. So sorry about your dog...he sounds like a tough one though, that's for sure.

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  49. As hard as it is, you will know when the right time is. You'll still feel guilty and you'll still cry buckets, but deep down you'll know it's the right thing to do.

    Hardest time I had was when I had to put a horse down for a stupid injury. He was young, which made it worse.

    Prayers to you and Lucky!

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  50. I have had two dogs that I ended up putting down. The first one I probably let hang on to longer than I should have. However, I have no regrets. The second one I have regrets about. I wish I had let her hang on longer.

    My advise....if you aren't ready and Lucky isn't in a lot of pain then wait.

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  51. We have a dog with a lot of problems. He is only 3.5 years old but has seizures. Even with medication, he still has seizures at least 1-2 times a week. It breaks my heart. The vet says he isn't in pain but when he is seizing and I hear the noises he makes... it's heartbreaking. I ask my husband are we bad pet owners and should he be put down and he says no, the vet says no... and I'm at a loss on where to go from here. They are running more tests on him and hopefully a new dosage of medication will help. But we've been told that before and it has only gotten worse :(

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  52. I know how you feel about blah days. I usually tell myself to get to the gym and do 20 minutes, and if you still feel bad then you can go home. Usually, unless I am actually ill, the malaise sorta wears off.

    I think once it's Lucky's time, you will know. For my husband's dog we knew because he stopped eating, drinking or crapping. Previously he had been peeing and crapping in his cage on the regs. He was a 13-year-old beagle. Let me tell you that digging a hole to bury him was the most cathartic thing I have ever done.

    For my family's dog, he threw his hip out irreparably (or, extremely expensively) one Sunday night. The ER vet also noticed a tumor on his lung and that he wasn't responding properly to stimuli, so cancer probably was in his brain too. He was an 11-year-old doberman. 120 pounds of fear of everything with a love of muddy puddles and sleeping on the sofa by 7pm nightly.

    It sounds like Lucky is doing pretty well, considering. So when it happens you pretty much won't have a choice I think, and that will be "his time."

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  53. I've been there...3 times. It's never feels like the right time and it never gets easier but one thing to keep in mind is his enjoyment in life. He's eating, he's interacting, he's engaged in life. When he's no longer enjoying anything you will know then that helping him to let go us the biggest act of kindness you can offer him, because you live him. Take the time now to tell him everything you want him to know, hug and kiss him every chance you get, and cook him a big fat steak with a none for Christmas!

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  54. I don't envy anyone that has to make that decision. Mika is my first pet and as I start seeing more grays on her, it makes me sad. She is still young, only 8, but I remember when she was the smallest little pup taking pee pee breaks IN the house.

    As for Lucky, as long as he seems happy and energetic, you are good. When they begin to look depressed or in pain, then it may be time. Either way it's a decision that YOU have to be comfortable with and as a parent, yes they are our babies, you will know when it is time.

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  55. sorry typo corrections: "because you LOVE him..." and a big fat steak with a BONE!

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  56. I am a first time pet owner (I'm 24 but never had pets when I was a kid, although people probably still think I am child now lol) so I completely understand the family bond between a human and an animal. Just remember Lucky was blessed to have an great life with you and your family. A life well spent.

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  57. Been there...It is so hard to watch a pet get old. We went round and round trying to figure out when to put our beloved newfoundland down. But she showed us in her own way when she was ready. I felt so bad....praying for you. Just remember all the good times you have had with Lucky!

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  58. I have a 12 year old Pug who is deaf, blind and has diabetes. I have to give him insulin shots twice a day. Oh and I forgot to mention that he has mass cell cancer tumors as well. He barks at things such as the chair or the air for no apparent reason. He was my baby before I had a baby, so I can't put him down. Oh and did I mention that I have another crazy Pug, a 6 year old, a husband, and a full time job?!! LOL

    It is always nice to run to get away from it all. Yes, I like you get very cranky (read: total bitch) if I don't get to work out, so that is why I'll work out around 9PM if I have to, when everything and everyone has calmed down.

    Hang in there!! It will get better.

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  59. I've had to put down 2 dogs and one cat. TOTAL MESS each time. It doesn't get easier. Nothing worse than saying goodbye to your little buddies.

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