Mikethor Posted July 21, 2013 Share Posted July 21, 2013 Here I am trying to decide should I put my 11 year old German shepherd Thor to sleep. This has been on my mind for the last two weeks as he he cut his food intake by half back then. Took him to the vet last week and had his bloods done and they indicate he likely has a tumor. Softened his dry food up for him and he gulped his normal portion down, great all sorted until today where he ate very little again. He always sleeps inside with us at night on his dog bed, last night he kept getting off his bed and lying beside me and panting like it was the middle of summer - winter here in NZ. Same again tonight so have had to put outside in his run as he his panting like crazy again. I know what I need to do and owe it to him but it does not make it any easier, I put his brother to sleep nine years ago and we put our pointer Kaiser to sleep last year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve RA Posted July 21, 2013 Share Posted July 21, 2013 You could have him X-rayed and you - and the Vet - could probably have a better idea if it might be operable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
a matt Posted July 21, 2013 Share Posted July 21, 2013 Wow man, my heart goes out to you and Thor. It was one of the hardest things I have had to do. But it was for the best. I know it doesn't stop the pain for you. We must do what we think is best. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikethor Posted July 21, 2013 Author Share Posted July 21, 2013 He cannot handle a general anesthetic at his stage of life, shocking night last night. Had him inside and he just kept lying beside me then getting up and trying to crawl under the bed - this dog has the heart of a lion and does deserve this. Today is the day, thank you all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob DuBois Posted July 21, 2013 Share Posted July 21, 2013 Put my little black Pug Fufus through surgery for tumors before he had healed the tumor came back. Wish now I had put him down instead of putting him through surgery. My oldest Milo is sixteen and slow moving, can't hear but still a faithful friend hate the day that's coming soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gixxerjunky Posted July 21, 2013 Share Posted July 21, 2013 Ahh man I'm so sorry to hear. I also have a Thor in my household and couldn't imagine going through what your having to do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sperman Posted July 21, 2013 Share Posted July 21, 2013 It is never an easy decision. I always feel like I didn't do enough, yet I waited too long, all at the same time. You have my sympathy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wgj3 Posted July 21, 2013 Share Posted July 21, 2013 Some of the toughest decisions in life. You know better than anyone else, but that certainly doesn't make it any easier either way. Best to you and T. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve RA Posted July 21, 2013 Share Posted July 21, 2013 My sympathies, had to do it previously - dogs and cats - and it always hurts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikethor Posted July 21, 2013 Author Share Posted July 21, 2013 Thanks Steve, he has just had his breakfast. Trying to stay really positive here not that easy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Youngeyes Posted July 21, 2013 Share Posted July 21, 2013 Prayers inbound. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
a matt Posted July 21, 2013 Share Posted July 21, 2013 Prayers inbound. Plus 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikethor Posted July 21, 2013 Author Share Posted July 21, 2013 While I'm not crying I will share something with you guys about damned special this dog is and how I got to look after him for the last nine of his eleven years. My first german shepherd was Stein who was Thors brother. I had Stein from a eight week old pup and he was a machine. Two weeks before Steins 2nd birthday his eyes went from brown to jet black and his moods were like he was short circuiting, turned out he was having some sort of brain bleed and I made the really tough call to put him to sleep. He did not die easy and in the end the vet gave him the same dosage they give to put a horse to sleep - he took half an hour to die in my arms and I still cannot think about this. Three months later I received a phone call and was told that Thor had been ejected from the police as they could not handle him and that the current owner an ex police dog handler instructor was getting nailed by Thor when they corrected him so he was about to get put to sleep. Talk about fate here was a chance to own another dog who was not just similar to Stein but was his brother, I took him and yes I had some really hair raising times with him along the way given his propensity to fight and enjoy it. With consistency and fairness this dog became MY dream dog, totally fearless with incredibly high drive but at the same time he would lie up side down in my arms and just lick my face. If you google " luga Von Heisenberg" on you tube there are some clips of him. He is also my avatar. I already miss you my ltlle buddy and owe you so much for what you have taught me about patience, tolerance and unconditional love. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
a matt Posted July 21, 2013 Share Posted July 21, 2013 What a story (thank you for sharing), that has not ended my friend. When one door closes.... All the best to you in this time. Alan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FullMetalJacket Posted July 22, 2013 Share Posted July 22, 2013 RIP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikethor Posted July 22, 2013 Author Share Posted July 22, 2013 Well the little warriors soul is now up playing with his brother on this warm sunny day, his body is currently on his dog bed on the front porch overlooking what he considered his domain. I feel strangely calm after this and it was the right thing to do, held him in my arms until his heart stopped and then some and my other half said he was smiling. He did not even growl at the vet today in fact he could not care less about this stranger. She commented on how much he had gone down hill since she saw him last thursday and how he was not even watching her. I timed this right and it does not make it easier but I kept my promise I made to him last night that I would end his suffering. I have dug a grave under is favorite tree with the associated roots to hack through and will bury him once Lee gets home so she can say goodbye to him. Thank you all for your words, prayers and thoughts RIP Thor you will never be forgotten! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimmyZip Posted July 22, 2013 Share Posted July 22, 2013 Thank you for sharing about Thor. I would rather feel the grief of losing a dog over never having known one. We have evolved, like they I feel, to be together. In our struggle to attain a companion, we have created an extension of our selves. I just love em! R.I.P. Thor. JZ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikethor Posted July 23, 2013 Author Share Posted July 23, 2013 Damn, it is quiet today. We bought all our houses primarily around the needs of the dogs. We automatically step around where his dog bed where used to be out of habit. Woke in the middle of the night and wanted to pat him but he is not there. You truly forget how much of your day and life is involved with them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Proudprado Posted July 23, 2013 Share Posted July 23, 2013 I'm getting very close to having to make the same decision on my GS and I'm therefore having a nice cry with you . Someone once told me that the few days or weeks of pain after putting your dog down are nothing compared to the amount of joy you receive from them while they are with you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikethor Posted July 23, 2013 Author Share Posted July 23, 2013 Here are some pics, very grey pic was taken a few months ago and he still looked good. Others were taken when he was around 3 - 4 years of age. Yeah it gets easier and because I knew it was right this time it was much easier but still hard. I would trade this pain anytime to have the time with a dog like this again. It is part of that unwritten contract. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cohland Posted July 23, 2013 Share Posted July 23, 2013 “We need another and a wiser and perhaps a more mystical concept of animals. In a world older and more complete than ours they move finished and complete, gifted with extensions of the senses we have lost or never attained, living by voices we shall never hear. They are not brethren, they are not underlings; they are other nations, caught with ourselves in the net of life and time, fellow prisoners of the splendour and travail of the earth.” Henry Beston Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikethor Posted August 27, 2013 Author Share Posted August 27, 2013 While I'm not crying I will share something with you guys about damned special this dog is and how I got to look after him for the last nine of his eleven years. My first german shepherd was Stein who was Thors brother. I had Stein from a eight week old pup and he was a machine. Two weeks before Steins 2nd birthday his eyes went from brown to jet black and his moods were like he was short circuiting, turned out he was having some sort of brain bleed and I made the really tough call to put him to sleep. He did not die easy and in the end the vet gave him the same dosage they give to put a horse to sleep - he took half an hour to die in my arms and I still cannot think about this. Three months later I received a phone call and was told that Thor had been ejected from the police as they could not handle him and that the current owner an ex police dog handler instructor was getting nailed by Thor when they corrected him so he was about to get put to sleep. Talk about fate here was a chance to own another dog who was not just similar to Stein but was his brother, I took him and yes I had some really hair raising times with him along the way given his propensity to fight and enjoy it. With consistency and fairness this dog became MY dream dog, totally fearless with incredibly high drive but at the same time he would lie up side down in my arms and just lick my face. Well there is a higher power out there or fate. Today is my birthday and I received a random email that an 8 year old German shepherd needs a new home. Well the father of this dog was my first dog Stein who was brother of Thor! I was stunned and frankly still cannot believe it. If you google " luga Von Heisenberg" on you tube there are some clips of him. He is also my avatar. I already miss you my ltlle buddy and owe you so much for what you have taught me about patience, tolerance and unconditional love. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikethor Posted August 27, 2013 Author Share Posted August 27, 2013 My editing did not quite work, the second to last paragraph above is the new relevant one about the Stein son. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IHAVEGAS Posted August 27, 2013 Share Posted August 27, 2013 My experience has been that sooner rather than later is best for all involved. Sure as heck is hard though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
a matt Posted August 27, 2013 Share Posted August 27, 2013 Crazy how thing go some times. Good luck, keep us posted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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