This, one of the worst days of our lives because it sort of blindsided us. Granted she was 13 and slowing down but one day she started panting heavily while doing nothing and looked in pain. Took her to dog ER and a large mass in her stomach ruptured(that is what we were told) and even with life saving measures would only last a few more weeks but be in pain. Making that decision as head of family was difficult. Then coming home to an empty house full of dog hair and having to tell adult children not living with us anymore what we had done. Lastly, its been about 6 months now and every time I open cheese or prep some food I still sort of expect her to be right next to me.
All the other stuff, like picking up poop or cleaning up puke or untangling hair from the vacuum is a cake walk compared to putting them down.
Wife and kids ask me if we will get another dog and my immediate response is no because we will eventually have to put them down. I guess I am scarred.
Oh, boy. That sounds like me the day before we put our dog down. I said the same to my wife, couldn't handle putting a dog down again. Well, after we put our dog down, I had to go to my mom's to fix her computer or something, and saw a billboard with a dog in a Superman cape, "be a hero and adopt a pet..." or some such. It was literally "a sign." My daughter found our current dog, and within a month, she was ours. We still accidentally call her our old dog's name from time to time. My wife and I get daily emails on Nextdoor about dogs in the pounds and shelters needing a home. At least our dog only had to spend about a month in the shelter. She doesn't know how good she has it. And we're overjoyed to have her in our home and happy to spoil her. She's great. What I dread now is the day we are too old to take care of a pet.
Don't hesitate, get another dog. There is nothing in the world like growing old with a loving pet.
It's funny that southerners think that 32 is cold.
Not a couple weeks ago, it was 70 degrees here and I was out on the deck (with the dog) in a swim suit, working on my tan. It was about 25 degrees this morning, should warm up to the mid-40s today. And it'll be in the upper 60s by middle of next week. I remember walking in the cold and snow at Penn State and waiting for the school bus in the cold and snow, as a kid. Age has something to do with it, as well as not being used to it. I was bundled up with cap, gloves, heavy coat, the works, going to the store this morning. I wouldn't move back to a cold weather state if you paid me.
