Losing a dog friend.

[LeftyStrat]

We have a Shar Pei dealing with kidney failure. He won't eat, and I'm having to put him on an IV every day to hydrate him. It really sucks for him to be afraid of his daddy because I'm sticking needles in him and forcing pills and food down his throat.

He still wags his tail when the wife or kids pet him, but I'm pretty sure within the week I will have to put him down. He runs from me now, which breaks my heart.

This is the second Shar Pei I have owned. The first also died of kidney failure, but Lao Tzu lasted ten years, whereas Chuang Tzu will die at seven.

The breed is one of the oldest, with statues dating to 4000 B.C., but the god damned Chinese communists taxed dogs as a luxury, so the breed dropped to a population of 500.I hate fucking bureaucrats.

Genetic disorders ensued.

I've had to learn how to administer an IV to hydrate him. He's not eating and drinking too little water.

Sorry to rant, but this dog has always acted like a third parent to my children, and a protector of all of us. He's content to lay next to my work desk and stare at me like I'm some super hero.

I'm slowly losing a great friend.

[LeeMo]

I'm so sorry to hear of your pending loss , Lefty. I believe that there is no stronger love than a dog has for his family. I hope all goes well for him and your family.

LeeMo

[eniam rognab]

sorry lefty... such a hard thing to go through, other non "dog people" will say oh just get another one, like its nothing... i feel for you, one of the biggest injustices in life is the relatively short lifespan of your best friend...

but when they stop eating and stuff you just know its time... still really hard, im sure you gave him a great life, with lots of love and attention. just know that he loves you more than you can ever know, you are taking great care of him too.

i actually have my little girly in my lap as i type this; and your post reminded me to give her extra love tonight.

again, so sorry i was a TOTAL wreck when my last dog got hit-and-run in an alley... Yolanda was a great, loyal friend.... hang in there bud

[deeder]

I'm so sorry to hear of your pending loss , Lefty. I believe that there is no stronger love than a dog has for his family. I hope all goes well for him and your family. LeeMo

I'm with LeeMo, be strong Lefty.

[overtone]

Dear Lefty,
sending you and your family thoughts and support for this difficult time. Having been through this with a beautiful dog, I fully understand the internal turmoil involved.
Chuang Tzu looks like a real character on the photos that you posted some time back. Damn.
t

[dorrisant]

Sorry bout your pup, Lefty.

Tony

[Bob S]

Sorry to hear your buddy isn't doing good Lefty.
Tough times for you & yours - try to stay strong bud.

[Zippy]

My Malinois-mix died of renal failure too. During his last few days, he would lay on his dog bed all day long, then pull himself to his feet to walk to the kid's room at bedtime to share a story. I carried him outside the last night to feel the snow one last time - although I didn't know it at the time. He died on the fourth anniversary of my father's death, also my half birthday. He'd been dead for many years now, and I still have a rough time coping with that time of year.

All the best to you and yours, Lefty. Those of us fortunate enough to have shared the joys of having such a great companion, have also shared the pain of loss.

George

[Phil_S]

This is a hard, hard thing to face. Your dog is your best friend. People who never had a dog don't get. Your dog isn't "like a family member." Your dog IS a family member and that's what makes it so hard.

When the quality of life isn't there for you or for him, it's time. Be brave. Do what you must. That's the best kind of love you can give to your dog. Then it will be time to grieve. Though it is not pleasant, this is the way forward. I'm so sorry to hear this news.

[boots]

Sorry Lefty. We've had to put down several pet friends and it sucks every time.

[Scumback Speakers]

Yeah, losing a favorite pet sucks, Lefty. Sorry you're having to go through this.

[M Fowler]

Sorry Lefty, I went through this last year and when our friends can't eat or drink there is not much time left unfortunately. I finally made the choice when I saw the how much suffering he was going through.

Hang in there.

[Structo]

Sorry about Chuang Tzu, Lefty.

We had to do the same thing with our Italian Greyhound, Tanner.

He was only 10 when his kidneys failed.
We had to give him fluid every day.

We probably should have let him go sooner.

I hope we get to see him on the other side.

[Teleguy61]

I feel your pain Lefty.
Been through it many times, it never gets easier.
Make sure he knows you love him, stay with him at the end.
Peace.

[Blackburn]

Sorry to hear, Lefty. It's never easy, but you'll get through it.