wraithfodder: (critter-scream)
[personal profile] wraithfodder

Today, at nearly 11 years old, Rory succumbed to the cancer. We put him to sleep this afternoon.

Rory and his stuffed alligator

We knew his time was limited, and he basically did make the two weeks that the vet predicted. Alas, the prednisone was no match for the cancer. He threw up his medicine last night and his breathing was not good. This morning, it was worse, and there was some bleeding. I took him to the vet, who said he was in bad shape and that we should end his pain today or tomorrow. I opted for today, after watching him struggle with his breath. I don't regret the decision.  He's now without pain, hopefully in a better place. He went to sleep very peacefully after the vet administered the drugs. I think he knew. This morning he just looked at me with his one eye and I could see it was time. We decided to have him cremated, so that if we move, we can take him with us.

We had good times and bad - he weathered some intense surgery a few years back when he nearly died from bladder stones. He's had Lyme, he's been bitten or clawed by something, he's eaten things he shouldn't and ruined things- like chewing up the zipper on his sleeping pad, drooling and leaving white spots on the hard wood floor, mangled the gutter (I will never figure out what that was about, but I won't repaint it as now it has sentimental value). He put up with me putting stuffed animals on him, trapping him in snow forts (he LOVED the snow).

Toughest part will be coming home and not being greeted by him, wanting to go out, or hearing him barking himself silly at the squirrels, or whining for me to open the door when good grief, even the cat could do it. I will be vaccuming up his hair for months to come, I am sure, or begging for good. He did get his appetite back right before he went to the vet, scarfing down the forbidden whie bread, but we knew from watching his breathing, that letting him go was right.

And now, some pictures and videos...


Sitting on the rug, his favorite spot


In the yard, in the Spring, probably picking up those darned deer ticks.


Rory and the cat, playing. Yes, they loved each other quite a bit. When I came home after Rory was gone, I let the cat sniff the alligator (which Rory rested on in his final moments) and I think the cat knows.


As if anybody else is shredding tissues on the floor....GUILTY! ;)


Rory LOVED the snow. He'd stay out all day if we let him. He'd sit on the last vestige of snow as spring approached as if trying to hold on to the cold spot.


Yes, he was a shelf for stuffed toys.


Taken in October, when his eye hemorrhaged. He loved to sit in the same spot next to the patio, so much so, the grass is gone, the Earth flattened and impacted.


Oh yeah, he did not like the Cone of Shame at all, but he healed up so well from the surgery.
 

Laughing or yawning. I'd like to think he's no longer in pain and running green pastures, shredding weeds and chasing squirrels.


Shredding weeds. A favorite.

 


Frustrated by the fence cuz he's too fat to jump over it. Aw.. poor little guy.
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Date: 2010-12-01 03:58 am (UTC)
ext_8600: (Default)
From: [identity profile] reedfem.livejournal.com
Oh no. I'm so sorry. What a special guy.

Date: 2010-12-01 04:07 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] mcsheplovers.livejournal.com
Rory was so incredibly handsome. Just a beautiful, beautiful dog. Such a pretty coat! I'm so sorry for your loss. Losing a pet is such a miserable feeling. You did the right thing by not letting him suffer even though it must've been so hard to let go. Thinking of you.

Date: 2010-12-01 04:14 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] syble4.livejournal.com
[[[[hugs]]]]

Date: 2010-12-01 04:18 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] foxyinthecity.livejournal.com
I'm so sorry for you and your family lost. Rory was beautiful.

Date: 2010-12-01 04:23 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] crayonbreakygal.livejournal.com
I am so sorry to hear this. He was such a beautiful dog. *hugs*

Date: 2010-12-01 04:26 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] sgafan.livejournal.com
I'm so sorry for your loss, but glad that you have peace in your decision. I think the last, best thing we can do for the companion animals we love is to make that decision and to end their suffering when its time to do so. He had a loving and happy life and in the end, that's what matters.

*HUGS* to you on your loss!

Date: 2010-12-01 04:29 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] vecturist.livejournal.com
{{{HUGS}}} I'm sorry. Looking at the pics, Rory had a good life.

Date: 2010-12-01 04:30 am (UTC)

Date: 2010-12-01 04:58 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] neeraffxi.livejournal.com
My heart goes out to you. When I read your entry tonight I had to go and hug my big dog Wolf tight and I didn't want to let go.

It's so hard to lose a pet and some people might not understand, but they are so much more. Our companions, our best friends, always there for us with unconditional love and devotion.

Rory had a great life with you, the pics and vids speak for themselves :)

I have had both scenarios, having to put my cat Willie and my girl Grace to sleep and my little Rica ripped from me unexpectedly when she was only 5. No matter how, it hurts just the same and they will always hold a special place in our hearts.

Noone will ever replace them, but our hearts are big and have plenty room to share our love with new little souls that are searching for a home and friend to spend their lives with.

*hugs*

Susan

Date: 2010-12-01 05:16 am (UTC)
ext_2160: SGA John & Rodney (McShep-red hug)
From: [identity profile] winter-elf.livejournal.com
*hugs you* Oh Rory. He was a beauty and I know you'll miss him like crazy.

Date: 2010-12-01 05:22 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] kimberweeme.livejournal.com
I'm so sorry for your loss. I recently had to do the same thing for my beagle, so I understand completely. I teared up reading this post and looking at all the lovely pictures.

I'm sure Rory's patch of heaven has lots of snowbanks for him to play in.

Date: 2010-12-01 05:30 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] wraithfodder.livejournal.com
Thank you very much. It is like losing a member of the family, as I've always considered pets family.

Date: 2010-12-01 05:30 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] wraithfodder.livejournal.com
Thanks. Yes, very tough to say goodbye to the furry ones.

Date: 2010-12-01 05:31 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] wraithfodder.livejournal.com
Thank you. I'm sorry to hear of your loss too. I curse cancer and all the misery it causes. But I'm glad that I've had the time with my pets that I've had. I could never be without one.

Date: 2010-12-01 05:32 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] wraithfodder.livejournal.com
Thank you. I should also add that he chewed up lots of underwear and socks, but oh well, they're just clothes. ;)

Re: Rory

Date: 2010-12-01 05:32 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] wraithfodder.livejournal.com
Thanks. I know. I always think 'never again' but then I do, because the good always outweighs the bad.

Date: 2010-12-01 05:33 am (UTC)

Date: 2010-12-01 05:33 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] wraithfodder.livejournal.com
Thank you. At least now, Rory is at peace.

Date: 2010-12-01 05:33 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] wraithfodder.livejournal.com
He was gorgeous, and so gentle and kind. It was very difficult to let him go, but I also know he's at peace now.

Date: 2010-12-01 05:34 am (UTC)

Date: 2010-12-01 05:34 am (UTC)

Date: 2010-12-01 05:34 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] wraithfodder.livejournal.com
Thank you. Yes, he was beautiful, and the little squirt knew it too ;)

Date: 2010-12-01 05:35 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] wraithfodder.livejournal.com
Thank you very much. It was very difficult to do, but in the end, it was the right thing to do for him. I had to put aside "just one more day" thoughts to realize I had to make him happy, not me. He enjoyed his final days as much as he could.

Date: 2010-12-01 05:35 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] wraithfodder.livejournal.com
Thank you very much. Your messages have meant a lot to me.

Date: 2010-12-01 05:35 am (UTC)
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