West the doberman pincher during his last days

[o56kid]

YOu gotta stay with them when they are dying, , ,

[o56kid]

@o56kid I had a cat that was dying, I decided to let the vet do an exploratory to see of he could save her. I faal that I made the wrong decision.

In any case you have to be there for them till the end. .

[Dimescream]

I believe that nature should take its course. Euthanasia, may help to console us of the fact that we helped in reducing the dog's pain, BUT, we should REMEMBER that WE have taken the liberty to END the dog's stay on this earth. When I saw my 7-month-old pup lying dead, I said a prayer and thanked God for the 7 beautiful months he stayed with us. I thanked God that HE gave me a good friend, though his stay was very shortlived; it was a precious one. He had to go someday, it was Benji's time.

[Dimescream]

My Dog had a Paarvo attack (viral disease). I get up at 4 in the morning to give him his meds, and, he is lying dead. I tried so hard,I believed and I never lost faith in him. I know that h tried too. I aw suffer at the clinic. I feel guilty! I miss him so much. He was such a good friend. Dogs are way better than humans man. You do whatever to them, and they are always there to greet you like never before. I lost two dogs in two months. I never felt this sad, man. I will always remember them.

[stumpypolecat]

If the animal in question is not going to get better then it is only fair to put it out its missery. I know that I would want to be put out my pain if I was on my way out.

[spiritos22]

Why can't sick humans don't get to have the same treatment?

[jballzzz]

My dobermann, "The King" was dying of heart enlargement. The EKG was the last thing we tried,.. he had the disease. After about a week, I saw my boy getting worse and worse. I finally asked the King what should I do?... and for the first time he lied down and started whimpering, then crying. We, and I mean WE could not take it any more.. I had him put down on 16 Nov 08, he passed in my arms. It has been Hell ever since. Euthanasia is good when properly used.

JD Saldivar

sorry about West

[MeaghanEdwards]

RIP, beautiful boy.

[Genoc1d3r]

Aww... It makes me sad! He seems like he was a nice dog! I know he is happier now that he is healthy in heaven!

[halo5549]

i hope your dog lives! my dog was killed beacous some bastard was trying to get to my uncles dog and had to get rid of my dog first! well, the 2 are gone to doggie heven now,its sad to loose a dog but i realy hope your dog makes it!

[policedogz1965]

@halo5549 awwwww im sorry!))): what did the guy do to them, if you dont mind me asking?



[hughvane]

Thanks for keeping us posted about West and his battles; and now his demise. No more distress, pain and uncertainty for him. I wish peace and comfort for his bereaved family.

[warwickharris]

thanks for that hughvane - i just forwarded your comment onto them via email :)

ciao

rick

[warwickharris]

West, I know you will wait for us on the other side of the Rainbow Bridge, with our other beloved and departed pets.

Thank you for choosing us as your family

______________________________­____________

[warwickharris]

He would insist on sitting on ones foot even if you were standing, then he would press that huge head of his against your thigh he did that to me this morning, then shuffled away back to the Patio, obviously stiff from Osteo -Arthritis

End of an era really; West; King of Ronan Rd, now reunited with Summer, both running thru the fields in the sky, as they used to run thru the sugar cane fields where the majestic Crawford College now stands.

[warwickharris]

According to his previous owners, his mother only gave birth to one puppy. That explains whey he was so over protective towards me. West came to us 10.5 years ago, he was just 8 months old and Summer was just over a year what a striking pair of Dobermans they were, plus we had Mischa the daschund all had identical markings and all so cheeky !

Remember how he would sit on ones foot, especially if you were watching TV or reading the newspapers.

[warwickharris]

The beach was deserted and the sea a beautiful blue-green, a befitting way to say goodbye to a loyal friend, in a dignified manner. It was a happy goodbye when I drive off to the office (impossible to get tiem off tpday) as I knew in my heart it was the right thing to do .

West was an incredible guard dog, everyone was wary of him. When he was at his prime he weighed over 60KG, he was the large size Doberman, often referred to (incorrectly) as Warlock Dobermans.

[warwickharris]

He has been on anti-inflammatory drugs for over 18 mths & the new medication worked well but was affecting his digestion, so that he constantly had an upset tummy & vomited each night there fore very little nutrients were being digested.

We took the dogs to the beach @ 5h30 this morning and gave West his favorite breakfast (steamed fish) and a nice faux bone from woolies.

What a treat , to run on the beach during the week , as opposed to only sat & Sun.

[warwickharris]

The owner emailed me this sad but necessary and inevitable news - i think Maggie was articulate in her describing the whole HUMANE procedure! thanks for the email maggs!!!

COPIED AND PASTED:

From: Maggie Fuller

Sent: Tuesday, September 16, 2008 1:19 PM

To: eye

Subject: West

We made the difficult decision last night to have him put to sleep today.

He had been at the vet for a consultation last night & has been declining steadily the past few months.

[warwickharris]

hey Rikutida i agree with you here!!! that would be the most comfortable and humane way - thanks for that!

[DerkaDog]

This is a hard thing for me to give an opinion on, I mean, I think that it would be nice to let the dog go on its own, but we don't know if it would be painfull, emotionally or physically. I would, and will, let the dog go out right next to me.

[warwickharris]

itz a VERY tough decision - you know WHAT??? the day i did this vid, he was getting really bad and the owners thought it was time, well, just waiting that little bit longer and new medication = hez ALIVE & KICKING and made a turn for the best - beloved 'West.' :-)

[warwickharris]

Tuesday, September 16, 2008 1:19 PM, Maggie Fuller WROTE: We made the difficult decision last night to have him put to sleep today.

[Rikutida]

I think as long as the pet's overall painless and as long as it's situation still can be improved with medics I think it deserves to be allowed to spend a few more days, weeks, months or even years with you. Of course, if the pet's only in pain and nothing can be done improving it's health anymore you should do your loyal friend a favour and release it from it's pain.

[warwickharris]

Tuesday, September 16, 2008 1:19 PM, Maggie Fuller WROTE: We made the difficult decision last night to have him put to sleep today.

[LoreleiMission]

We have a local Pawspice center (hospice for pets) & they help with pain relief & advice when medical intervention no longer helps but just annoys a pet. They have a list of quality-of-life things, but Dr V also told me I would "just know" if I had to make a decision. She was right because eventually the cancer traveled to Alex's brain & she had a series of awful seizures & nothing could stop them & she howled to me for help. It was time. It was sad to do, but she would've done the same for me.

[warwickharris]

hey what a brilliant idea[hospice for pets] LoreleiMission so sorry to hear about your lovely dog - but the way you explained everything, IS EXACTLY HOW I SEE IT/WHAT I WOULD DO!!! thanks for your response - much appreciated! i think to watch an animal suffer and not step in to help, when itz time is up anyway, is SO cruel, yet some people just wont have their pets put down cos of what their religious beliefs are. itz beyond me! if we have a pet - ITZ OUR RESPONSIBILITY. thanks again :)

[warwickharris]

Tuesday, September 16, 2008 1:19 PM, Maggie Fuller WROTE: We made the difficult decision last night to have him put to sleep today.

[Genoc1d3r]

Well, think about it this way, if you used euthanasia he wouldn't be alive till this day.

[warwickharris]

hmm - too true - thatz why i said to my friend, not to put him down just yet. but i do think if the dog starts having fits and seizures, or anything really causing suffering, then i think euthanasia is appropriate. thanks for your thoughts :-)

[Genoc1d3r]

Aww... I think its up to you if you want to let it go on it's own time

[warwickharris]

Tuesday, September 16, 2008 1:19 PM, Maggie Fuller WROTE: We made the difficult decision last night to have him put to sleep today.

[warwickharris]

the vet said: "it would be a miracle if toby pulled thru." he did=TWICE!he was meant 2 be and was my best friend. when i feel overwhelmed in situations, i dream of him comforting me. strangely enough i'm watching a friend's vid: hez asking if one is a dog or a cat person. i'm both! dualistic in every area of my life! i LOVE all animals and my cat sam is more dog than cat :) but a dog will save your life - a cat wont. itz just the difference in the way they were made, different instincts!

[warwickharris]

go well, and MAKE PEACE with what you explained! I ADMIRE YOU, the way you spoke/what you said, from your heart. sam was 'meant for a time/a season.' his life shared WITH YOU!!!

ciao

rick/eye

[hughvane]

Thanks for your thoughts, and the effort you've gone to. I no longer punish myself over Sam's demise, I know intellectually that it was the 'right thing' to do. The emotions are a different matter. Dogs display such desirable and admirable character traits, it puts we humans to shame. I have another dog now, a rescued animal. She's earning accolades for her friendly behaviour and loyalty. I'm not a cat person, preferring the abundant bird life - with which cats interfere unfortunately.

[warwickharris]

:-)

ok great yeah i understand the head verus the heart ALL TOO WELL!

so glad you have a new friend!!!

sams demise? hmmm you mean his lights being put out by a vet? or just his death generally?! hey remember he lived his life for you... you were his best friend, so his demise was a beautiful free grace given gift, in disguise. yes, dogs and most animals put us to shame! you so damn right.

[hughvane]

Has West passed on? From the video, I'm persuaded he probably hadn't enjoyed much physical affection. That's why he kept extending his paw for you to continue stroking his head. Your commentary said he was a vicious attack/guard dog. They don't receive much, if any, physical contact with humans. I train dogs for others, but I won't have anything to do with guard dogs like Rottweilers, Dobermanns and G Shepherds. I've seen too many potentially wonderful dogs ruined for the sake of human egos.

[warwickharris]

west is still alive! hez made a strange comeback. he was treated very well, as his owners got him from the spca, and lavished him with love. he took to the wife of the family as his personal companion - was never trained to do so! he is very highly strung, and for some reason got jealous when others came too close to the owner. i was the only one he never worried about. i won his affection. yes, some ppl ruin dogs irrecoverably - they should be horse whipped! humans horse whipped, not horses !

[warwickharris]

contd... a few of my friends subscribe to reincarnation & say itz not our choice to choose. i don't believe this. i may be wrong! no one has all the answers! i had to put my black Labrador retriever down. he was old, had lived a full life, and was having stroke after stroke in his last days. that was years ago. i was young, but i've never loved an animal as much as i loved toby, and my now black cat i have [ garden too small now for a dog.]

[warwickharris]

i've had 3 dogs in my life=others died 'naturally.' dogs ARE a man's best friend! FAITHFUL to the end! PLEEEZ be gentle on yourself, cos sam lives on! i'm smiling now=my catz name is sam :)

oh btw TOBY my "best friend" i discussed was run over by an evil old woman who just kept dragging his body under her car. wont go into all detail, but her complaint was to come down to her home and clean the RED blood off her WHITE pristine mercedes! ***to be continued, last mesg to follow:)***

[hughvane]

I've just been re-reading my account of the life - and death - of a best friend, my old Lab dog Sam, whom I watched fading by degrees, over days-weeks-months. Finally I had him humanely injected. He died quickly and painlessly, 4 years ago. I hoped always that he would die naturally - he was 15 years old - but in the end I believe that what I did was right for him. It was an unspeakably tough decision. I still feel as if I betrayed him and his trust in me. I doubt I'll ever get over that.

[warwickharris]

hey hughvane - been meaning to get back to you since your response, i'm just always so busy and have a pathetic 56k dial up modem!

my heart goes out to you BIG TIME, cos i know exactly how you feel/felt!!! BUT stop beating yourself up my friend! you did what was right for who you are and your nature re your outlook on life and therefor your dog. it was the most humane method for you to choose! we as humans have been given DOMINION over the animal kingdom! ***to be continued...in next message***

[warwickharris]

Tuesday, September 16, 2008 1:19 PM, Maggie Fuller WROTE: We made the difficult decision last night to have him put to sleep today.