Have to change my signature.

[labontefan]

Bitsy the "bugle" (beagle/bulldog mix) is no longer my camping buddy.  :%

She hadn't been eating well and had lost a lot of weight. However, she did the same thing last summer and perked back up as soon as I started taking her camping and traveling with me instead of leaving her in the kennel. I thought she was just bored and depressed. I had another trip planned to the race at Bristol and hoped that would cheer her up.

Unfortunately, it was quite a bit more than just being bored. We got to the track campground last Tuesday (8/24) but she didn't seem as interested in all the other campers as she usually was. Then Wednesday night, she was very sick--woke me up several times vomiting. She also had diarrhea. By Thursday morning, she was too weak to stand. I had heard friends mention a great veterinary hospital that wasn't too far away, so I called and got directions, and bundled her in the car to take her there.

The folks at the vet hospital were great. I was almost hysterical by the time I got there and they rushed her right into treatment before asking me to fill out any paperwork.

The vet said she had pancreatitis which was causing the vomiting and diarrhea--which had in turn caused her to be extremely dehydrated, and that was causing her kidneys to fail.

They worked very hard to save her, but she didn't respond well to the treatment. I went to visit her on Friday. She couldn't lift her head, but I think she knew I was there because she would follow me with her eyes when I moved.

Then the vet left a message for me Friday night saying it was important that he talk to me. I went back to see her on Saturday morning and she looked worse. The vet said that her kidneys didn't appear to be functioning properly and he didn't think she was going to get any better. The thing that really got to me was when he told me they could hear her groaning and whimpering. This was a dog who NEVER cried or whined. He said they could try more IV's and more treatments but he thought it would just prolong her suffering. So I made the very painful decision to let him put her down.

Like I said, the folks at the vet hospital were great. He gave me a few minutes alone with her before he gave her the injection. His assistant looked like she was about to cry also as she handed me a box of Kleenex.

I feel so terribly guilty that I didn't realize she was that sick. The people at the vet hospital said not to beat myself up over it because sometimes it is really hard to tell with dogs. I still feel like I let her down.

But at least she got to go on one last camping trip, and I was with her at the end. I also know she got excellent care her last few days.

She was 13 years old and I had had her since she was a pup. This is the first time in 20 years I haven't had a dog. I had a little cockapoo when I first got Bitsy and was thinking of getting another dog to keep Bitsy company.

I think I probably will get another dog...but not for a little while.

RIP, Bitsy...I miss you so much!

[copcarguy]

Hey there labontefan...

I can imagine all the feelings you must be going through...  I am sorry for your loss.  Our Husky Sheena had to be put down a few years ago.  She was 14 and just couldn't make it anymore.  Like you said it makes you feel good knowing you were there at the end and you got in one last camping trip.  Sheena was deaf, could barely walk sometimes, and had her good and bad days, and the last Saturday we had her she was really like she was a good 10+ years earlier.  We had a nice walk in the woods and she she just the best!  I have good memories of that last weekend in the woods.  I am not sure if you followed my thread about us adopting another dog a few months ago from Miss-Teri here on PUT...  To make a long story short, we adopted Sabrina and had her flown up here to NY from Oklahoma.  It amazed me how many PUT'ers were willing to pitch in and made this happen!  I know you have a big hole in your heart now, but trust me your memories are the best things to hold onto...

[BaysideBruce]

Sorry sorry to hear of your lose.  We recently lost our dog and there is nothing to say but that it hurts like hell when it happens.  Remember that she was doing what she loved to do, going camping with you.  Keep the memories of her, that is the gift that she gives you that will live on forever.  Take some time to greif, but don't beat yourself up over her death.  When you are ready to move on, there will be another dog to share you good times with again.  (Not to replace her, but to continue on with the things things that make you happy).  Wish you the best.

[dee106]

we had to put my husbands dog down two years ago, i was their when he had it done, looking on how sick the dog was, (cancer) when we took him in and laid on the table he didn't taken his eyes off Ken, and when the doctor held his paw to put the needle in, the dog put his other paw on the doctors hand  as to say please let me do it  then he closed his eyes. we stayed with him for a while, then had them take care of the ceremation
 A week later we got a plaster cast of his paw prints in the mail from the vet, as an rememberance along with a condolence card, he was 14yrs

[labontefan]

Thanks for the kind thoughts!

Copcarguy...I followed the story of Sabrina and her trip from OK to NY closely--even told a lot of friends about it as just an amazing story of how "cyber-friends" can really help out.

I told several co-workers about Bitsy because I knew they were dog-lovers as well. I was very surprised and touched today to get a sympathy card (which was specifically for the loss of a dog) from one co-worker, and then another sympathy card that was signed by 8 or 10 other co-workers. I work with a great bunch of people.

Then when I got home today, there was a large envelope in the mailbox from the veterinary hospital. I couldn't imagine what it might be. When I opened it, it had a letter of sympathy (written in beautiful calligraphy) from the staff and a copy of the story of the Rainbow Bridge. I was so touched! Maybe they do this for every animal they lose, but it was a wonderful gesture and helped reassure me that Bitsy got the best possible care her last few days.

http://www.petloss.com/poems/maingrp/rainbowb.htm

[birol]

How sad, to loose a beloved pet. They are jsut like ones own children .....I miss Milo so much already, we only ahd him a few months but I miss him a lot Have no idea what the rescue organization did with him He was slated to go to a loving home .....They refused to release him to my wife's care ....

[MommaMia]

I am so sorry!  You must be hurting so!  I hate losing a pet....

My thoughts are with you.

[Miss-Teri]

I'm so sorry, Ann.  Losing a pet is so difficult.  I'm always so glad to see pets that are as loved and cared for as Bitsy was, and I grieve with you in losing her, but she was one lucky dog to have had you and to have known love.  

Your co-workers sound like a wonderful bunch of people to be so understanding.  Too many times you'll hear, "What?  It was just a dog."

But no she wasn't, she was a part of your family.

[Chez Way]

I'm so sorry to hear about the loss of your camping buddy, Bitsy.  It sounds like she had a great life,