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That sucks, sorry to hear Flukey

What caused it?

[Buf-Phoon]

sorry for your untimely loss Luke. Tough time for sure. BTW was Jet a Labradoodle ??

[Flukey]

Thanks Guys - he was really just a pup as Dags said.

Jet was a Curly Coated Retriever Jules. As to what caused it Tab, we dont know. Apparently larger dogs are at risk of it happening and he was certainly in that category.

The stomach twists on itself, like a wrapped lollly. The gas that builds up in the gut can't escape with bloats the stomach and if not detected quickly is almost always fatal.

Obvious signs would have been vomiting but my dog ate anything, so vomiting wasnt unusual for him.

There is a massive void in our house atm as dog lovers would understand. The wife and I are driving to Bendigo on Tuesday to look at some pups so I suspect we will have another one very soon.

Edited 05/01/08 12:20 PM by Flukey

[Dagabond]

Good to hear your getting another Flukey , I still cant bring myself to that point and I dont think I ever will.

[saleen]

I used to be really into marine fish and seahorses but then I got this fellow and the fish got boring....

This is my german sheperd Rex, the day after I picked him up at almost 9 weeks old- That was 14 months ago and in that time I can tell you he's grown into one of the best looking Germen Sheperds around. I know im bias but I cant walk him or take him to the beach without being stopped and asked questions.

Awesome dog Mat. Seems to like the camera too.

Hey Dags & Flukey. Very sorry to hear about your losses. Hope you are doing ok.

Rob

Might not be the best of times, however, here's a story I received off a fellow dog lover. It's a little sad, but it made me appreciate my pets a little more. I think some of you may have already read it.

How Could You?

When I was a puppy I entertained you with my antics and made you laugh. You called me your child and despite a number of chewed shoes and a couple of murdered throw pillows, I became your best friend. Whenever I was "bad," you'd shake your finger at me and ask "How could you?" - but then you'd relent and roll me over for a bellyrub.

My housetraining took a little longer than expected, because you were terribly busy, but we worked on that together. I remember those nights of nuzzling you in bed, listening to your confidences and secret dreams, and I believed that life could not be any more perfect. We went for long walks and runs in the park, car rides, stops for ice cream (I only got the cone because "ice cream is bad for dogs," you said), and I took long naps in the sun waiting for you to come home at the end of the day.

Gradually, you began spending more time at work and on your career, and more time searching for a human mate. I waited for you patiently, comforted you through heartbreaks and disappointments, never chided you about bad decisions, and romped with glee at your homecomings, and when you fell in love.

She, now your wife, is not a "dog person" - still I welcomed her into our home, tried to show her affection, and obeyed her. I was happy because you were happy. Then the human babies came along and I shared your excitement. I was fascinated by their pinkness, how they smelled, and I wanted to mother them, too. Only she and you worried that I might hurt them, and I spent most of my time banished to another room, or to a dog crate. Oh, how I wanted to love them, but I became a "prisoner of love."

As they began to grow, I became their friend. They clung to my fur and pulled themselves up on wobbly legs, poked fingers in my eyes, investigated my ears and gave me kisses on my nose. I loved everything about them and their touch - because your touch was now so infrequent - and I would have defended them with my life if need be.

I would sneak into their beds and listen to their worries and secret dreams. Together we waited for the sound of your car in the driveway. There had been a time, when others asked you if you had a dog, that you produced a photo of me from your wallet and told them stories about me. These past few years, you just answered "yes" and changed the subject. I had gone from being "your dog" to "just a dog," and you resented every expenditure on my behalf.

Now you have a new career opportunity in another city, and you and they will be moving to an apartment that does not allow pets. You've made the right decision for your "family," but there was a time when I was your only family.

I was excited about the car ride until we arrived at the animal shelter. It smelled of dogs and cats, of fear, of hopelessness. You filled out the paperwork and said "I know you will find a good home for her." They shrugged and gave you a pained look. They understand the realities facing a middle-aged dog or cat, even one with "papers." You had to pry your son's fingers loose from my collar as he screamed "No, Daddy! Please don't let them take my dog!" And I worried for him, and what lessons you had just taught him about friendship and loyalty, about love and responsibility, and about respect for all life. You gave me a goodbye pat on the head, avoided my eyes, and politely refused to take my collar and leash with you. You had a deadline to meet and now I have one, too.

After you left, the two nice ladies said you probably knew about your upcoming move months ago and made no attempt to find me another good home. They shook their heads and asked "How could you?"

They are as attentive to us here in the shelter as their busy schedules allow. They feed us, of course, but I lost my appetite days ago. At first, whenever anyone passed my pen, I rushed to the front, hoping it was you - that you had changed your mind - that this was all a bad dream...or I hoped it would at least be someone who cared, anyone who might save me. When I realized I could not compete with the frolicking for attention of happy puppies, oblivious to their own fate, I retreated to a far corner and waited.

I heard her footsteps as she came for me at the end of the day and I padded along the aisle after her to a separate room. A blissfully quiet room. She placed me on the table, rubbed my ears and told me not to worry. My heart pounded in anticipation of what was to come, but there was also a sense of relief. The prisoner of love had run out of days. As is my nature, I was more concerned about her. The burden which she bears weighs heavily on her and I know that, the same way I knew your every mood.

She gently placed a tourniquet around my foreleg as a tear ran down her cheek. I licked her hand in the same way I used to comfort you so many years ago. She expertly slid the hypodermic needle into my vein. As I felt the sting and the cool liquid coursing through my body, I lay down sleepily, looked into her kind eyes and murmured "How could you?"

Perhaps because she understood my dogspeak, she said "I'm so sorry." She hugged me and hurriedly explained it was her job to make sure I went to a better place, where I wouldn't be ignored or abused or abandoned, or have to fend for myself - a place of love and light so very different from this earthly place. With my last bit of energy, I tried to convey to her with a thump of my tail that my "How could you?" was not meant for her. It was you, My Beloved Master, I was thinking of. I will think of you and wait for you forever.

May everyone in your life continue to show you so much loyalty.

[senna_T]

that made me really sad man! I've just moved into a place with my GF and we'll be looking at getting a dog soon after I get back from Holidays. I don't want a small dog, as I am a kinda big guy - I think I will step on the small ones! I'd love a Rhodesian Ridgeback, but I'm afraid of the size of our backyard, its not tiny, but still - too hard to choose!

[mercuryturbo]

This is Mork aka Porky Mork 5 yr old cattle x staffy

Basil aka Baz my parents 5 yr old heinz dog

Bender aka the Gender Bender 9 month old Blue Tongue

Louie aka Screwy Louie psycho Cockatiel

Kelly, cool 12yr old German Shephard

[Buf-Phoon]

Awesome dog Mat. Seems to like the camera too.

Hey Dags & Flukey. Very sorry to hear about your losses. Hope you are doing ok.

Rob

Might not be the best of times, however, here's a story I received off a fellow dog lover. It's a little sad, but it made me appreciate my pets a little more. I think some of you may have already read it.

How Could You?

When I was a puppy I entertained you with my antics and made you laugh. You called me your child and despite a number of chewed shoes and a couple of murdered throw pillows, I became your best friend. Whenever I was "bad," you'd shake your finger at me and ask "How could you?" - but then you'd relent and roll me over for a bellyrub.

My housetraining took a little longer than expected, because you were terribly busy, but we worked on that together. I remember those nights of nuzzling you in bed, listening to your confidences and secret dreams, and I believed that life could not be any more perfect. We went for long walks and runs in the park, car rides, stops for ice cream (I only got the cone because "ice cream is bad for dogs," you said), and I took long naps in the sun waiting for you to come home at the end of the day.

Gradually, you began spending more time at work and on your career, and more time searching for a human mate. I waited for you patiently, comforted you through heartbreaks and disappointments, never chided you about bad decisions, and romped with glee at your homecomings, and when you fell in love.

She, now your wife, is not a "dog person" - still I welcomed her into our home, tried to show her affection, and obeyed her. I was happy because you were happy. Then the human babies came along and I shared your excitement. I was fascinated by their pinkness, how they smelled, and I wanted to mother them, too. Only she and you worried that I might hurt them, and I spent most of my time banished to another room, or to a dog crate. Oh, how I wanted to love them, but I became a "prisoner of love."

As they began to grow, I became their friend. They clung to my fur and pulled themselves up on wobbly legs, poked fingers in my eyes, investigated my ears and gave me kisses on my nose. I loved everything about them and their touch - because your touch was now so infrequent - and I would have defended them with my life if need be.

I would sneak into their beds and listen to their worries and secret dreams. Together we waited for the sound of your car in the driveway. There had been a time, when others asked you if you had a dog, that you produced a photo of me from your wallet and told them stories about me. These past few years, you just answered "yes" and changed the subject. I had gone from being "your dog" to "just a dog," and you resented every expenditure on my behalf.

Now you have a new career opportunity in another city, and you and they will be moving to an apartment that does not allow pets. You've made the right decision for your "family," but there was a time when I was your only family.

I was excited about the car ride until we arrived at the animal shelter. It smelled of dogs and cats, of fear, of hopelessness. You filled out the paperwork and said "I know you will find a good home for her." They shrugged and gave you a pained look. They understand the realities facing a middle-aged dog or cat, even one with "papers." You had to pry your son's fingers loose from my collar as he screamed "No, Daddy! Please don't let them take my dog!" And I worried for him, and what lessons you had just taught him about friendship and loyalty, about love and responsibility, and about respect for all life. You gave me a goodbye pat on the head, avoided my eyes, and politely refused to take my collar and leash with you. You had a deadline to meet and now I have one, too.

After you left, the two nice ladies said you probably knew about your upcoming move months ago and made no attempt to find me another good home. They shook their heads and asked "How could you?"

They are as attentive to us here in the shelter as their busy schedules allow. They feed us, of course, but I lost my appetite days ago. At first, whenever anyone passed my pen, I rushed to the front, hoping it was you - that you had changed your mind - that this was all a bad dream...or I hoped it would at least be someone who cared, anyone who might save me. When I realized I could not compete with the frolicking for attention of happy puppies, oblivious to their own fate, I retreated to a far corner and waited.

I heard her footsteps as she came for me at the end of the day and I padded along the aisle after her to a separate room. A blissfully quiet room. She placed me on the table, rubbed my ears and told me not to worry. My heart pounded in anticipation of what was to come, but there was also a sense of relief. The prisoner of love had run out of days. As is my nature, I was more concerned about her. The burden which she bears weighs heavily on her and I know that, the same way I knew your every mood.

She gently placed a tourniquet around my foreleg as a tear ran down her cheek. I licked her hand in the same way I used to comfort you so many years ago. She expertly slid the hypodermic needle into my vein. As I felt the sting and the cool liquid coursing through my body, I lay down sleepily, looked into her kind eyes and murmured "How could you?"

Perhaps because she understood my dogspeak, she said "I'm so sorry." She hugged me and hurriedly explained it was her job to make sure I went to a better place, where I wouldn't be ignored or abused or abandoned, or have to fend for myself - a place of love and light so very different from this earthly place. With my last bit of energy, I tried to convey to her with a thump of my tail that my "How could you?" was not meant for her. It was you, My Beloved Master, I was thinking of. I will think of you and wait for you forever.

May everyone in your life continue to show you so much loyalty.

Geez Rob, how could you , 3.22 am and you post that. Are you all right mate ? A bit depressing, even for me at 5.50pm

[Flukey]

Dogs are for life, mmmmkay

[chikt]

jeeezzzz, that made me really sad aye. Did work experience wen I was in yr 10 at this vet. Guy came in, looked very macho, looked like a bikie actually, he walked in head down with a rotty, very healthy lookin dog. I asked him if he had an appointment and wat his dogs name was. he had a lil while to he went in to c the vet so I started talkin to him bout his dog, his dogs name was ty, 3 yr old rotty. Didnt get to ask him wat was rong with him b4 the vet came out and said wood u like to come thru, so I thought id just go bak to normal duties, but no the vet called me in to. Put ty up on the table and instantly the macho guy started crying, instantly I knew wat was gonna happen. I watched the whole thing, dog get injection, dog go to sleep, owner ball his eyes out. I walked the owner out to his car and wished him all the best and said sorry 4 his losses. walked bak inside an the vet asked me to give him a hand, walked bak into the room where ty was, we had to slide him onto a stretcher (this was not a small rotti) walk him out the bak, and to my surprise we thru him into the freezer, well this was to much for me, made the mistake of lookin into the freezer, but it was to much, I thankd the vet 4 showing me wat it wood b like to work there and got my bag and caught the nxt bus outta there. I cood not believe that's wat they do with the dogs and other animals they put down. Im very sorry to any1 that has had an animal put down, maybe not all vets r like this, which I hope they are not.

Kinda made me think about my lil buddy, his name is stumpy, Hes a stumpy tailed cattle dog x Terrier. Love him to bits and its really true, a dog is a mans best friend (only im not a man lol). These pics r wen he was a puppy, ill get sum recent ones soon, sorry bout the A4 page, cant edit it 4 sum reason, any photo shopers I dun no if u wood b able to help me out

Edited 06/01/08 07:20 AM by chikt