I just put my wife's dog to sleep... - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

gilada · 02-09-2004, 02:21 PM

I'm getting fucking hammered.

My wife got a dog when she was younger, but had to leave it with her parents when she went to college...

They grew attached and kept him, a Sharpei. Sweetiest baby... Bevo.

My wife's mother died in December, and the dog has never been the same. My father in law went out of town and my wife stepsister, who lives with her stepfather (my father in law) called us and said Bevo couldn't stand up any more. We took him to the emergency vet overnight.

Today we took him to the animal hospital. After doing some tests, they discovered he had a tumor growing off one of his vertibrae, basically destroying it. There was nothing we could do.

I was there when he went to sleep, and christ, if that doesn't kill you a little on the inside, I don't know what does. The poor boy though we were going to take him home...

I've going to get totally shit-faced now.

ShaniFaye · 02-09-2004, 02:40 PM

I'm so sorry for your loss, I had to put two cats to sleep at different stages of my only pregnancy and its a bitch, especially when they made me sign the papers giving them permission to do it. I felt guilty for weeks because I had told both of them that I was taking them to the vet to get well and that they would get extra special treatment when I got them home.

I'll keep ya'll in my thoughts.

Cynthetiq · 02-09-2004, 02:46 PM

sorry. losing a pet is not fun no matter how they are lost.

Averett · 02-09-2004, 02:50 PM

I've been there. It's a horrible feeling. You just have to try and remember that you were trying to help your pet out. Nobody wants to see an animal suffer. Sorry

Kaos · 02-09-2004, 03:07 PM

That's tough man. A friend of mine had his dog for 16 years. He had to put his dog to sleep since the poor thing was in terrible shape (I won't bother mentioning what was wrong). Him and his parents were crushed that they had to do it, but they knew that letting him suffer was far worse.

Bamrak · 02-09-2004, 05:18 PM

Last year my mom had just found out she had cancer for the second time and her/our dog got sick from some flea medicine she gave him. I was the only one who could do it, and I had promised to be there the entire time. That was some of the longest minutes of my life. I can't think of another time in my life where I had so many emotions. I've never felt so guilty or had so much remorse for any action in my life, nor have I cried so hard afterward. I grieved for both the dog and my devastated parents. I have no idea how vets can watch people lose their loved ones and keep themselves distanced from the pain. I gained a new respect for anyone that is in that situation. As I look back on the vets, I can't help but think that has to be some of the longest minutes of their lives to.

As I reread this, I realize how sad this still makes me when I reflect on it, and how depressing the above is... I guess all that needs to be said is gilada, I feel ya dude..

gilada · 02-09-2004, 05:23 PM

Guys and gals,

Thanks all for your thoughts.

I've been running the gammit of emotions, anger, sorrow, guilt, relief, happiness... you hit them all at one point or another.

The thoughts of others, the love of friends and family, and a assload of Chevis helps with the difficult time.

ShaniFaye · 02-09-2004, 05:26 PM

give your wife lots of hugs and you two cry together

merkerguitars · 02-09-2004, 10:00 PM

Tumors aren't fun with dogs....my mom's had one and the only option was to remove it.....well they tried and they had to put him to sleep because of the bleeding...very very sad moment. Better than letting him suffer I guess...sorry for your loss.

Harshaw · 02-09-2004, 10:41 PM

Nothing sucked more than digging the hole to bury my dog in so I know where you are coming from. She helped me through my mom's cancer almost more than any human.

Just remember that it had to be done. Pain sucks, and there isn't much you could have done to make it better.

sailor · 02-10-2004, 07:29 AM

Oh man, Im sorry. I had a dog that my parents bought a year before I was born. I literally grew up with that dog until, when I was 15, he, like yours, could no longer stand up. Putting him to sleep was the hardest thing I have ever done. I sat there and cried all day. And like Harshaw said, digging that hole was just torture.

So yeah, go get completely smashed. Had I been of an age to do so, I certainly would have.

Dammit I want another dog

gilada · 02-10-2004, 07:35 AM

Today, I'm off to pick up his ashes. My wife's family has their dogs cremated. She put one of their bulldog's ashes in with her mother when we buried her back in December.

Man, this just blows hard.

mr sticky · 02-10-2004, 09:18 AM

In time, the good memories will come back, and the tragedy of the moment will lessen. Try to remember Bevo in a certain shared experience, it will help.

Rodney · 02-10-2004, 09:50 AM

You did the right thing, and you were with him when he died. Painful for you, but right for him. He died as he lived, with those who loved him. And you were doing the right thing for him, as you always did.

We have cats. Years ago, my wife's cat, one she had really bonded with, came down with cancer. She was willing to pay any money for advanced treatment, but the cat was old. So at the vet's suggestions, we put her on hormones and a special diet and some other medicine, and that kept her alive -- for three months. They were not quality months; she did not understand what was happening to her, and resisted her drugs, and was in pain. Eventually, even force-feeding couldn't get food down her. And, after a particularly bad day, she crept under the bed and died. We found her there.

A few years later, _my_ particular cat, the one I had bonded with, came down with cancer. His kidneys had gone bad several years before, and we had kept him alive by injecting extra fluid under his skin every couple of days. He didn't like it, but otherwise had a normal life. But when he stopped eating, got restless, and was unable to sleep, I took him to the vet (a different vet) who diagnosed the cancer and said, "This is the end of _quality_ life for your cat. You can keep him alive longer, but he'll be in pain and won't understand what's happening to him." After my experiences with my wife's cat, I had to agree. I spent some time with him, cuddled him, cried for him, and called the vet back in. I was there when he died, and a little after. I felt terrible. But it was the right thing to do.

InTeGrA77 · 02-10-2004, 10:55 AM

Just keep telling yourself that he isn't suffering anymore...

I know how you feel though. I had to watch our family dog die right after my brother (his "official" owner) accidentally ran him over. He was already really old and sick, but it was just so hard to watch him go. Everyone in the family was crying thier eyes out. We all tried desperatley to call the vet to somehow save him, but we all knew that it was too late...

Sorry about your dog though, its good that you were with him in his last moments. And I'm sure that he had a very happy life.

Jim Kata · 02-10-2004, 01:44 PM

Sorry for your loss....I still get a little choked up when I think about having to put my first cat to sleep a few months ago. It gets better with time...or so they keep telling me.

Rawrr · 02-10-2004, 10:07 PM

ack sorry about your loss.. sigh dunno what I'd do if I lost my dog..best of luck to you

Prince · 02-10-2004, 10:37 PM

Been there. Done that. Hurt like a bitch.

hu-man · 02-11-2004, 01:24 AM

I lost a cat to the 5th story window... the window was in the kitchen, and was one of those that are sloped and open horisontally. It was only open a little. We weren't even at home, but was met by the ones living below us. It had died immediately, they said. I buried it underneath a cherry tree, at a spot where it could see the church tower next to my apartment. I was devastated.

quadro2000 · 02-11-2004, 10:20 AM

I'm getting tears in my eyes reading all of these. My sympathies to all of us that have lost pets in the past. I have two kittens now...and I can't even bear to think about it.

Sad.

bernadette · 02-11-2004, 10:35 AM

aw gilada... *hugs*
i know from experience that picking up those cremains hurts just about as bad as the day you had your pal euthanized.

these little furry wonders are part of our families. they love us unconditionally & they're the best friends you could ever have.
sadly their tiny bodies do not last as long as ours do. ending their suffering is the last kind act of love you can give them... even though it hurts you like hell to say farewell.
man... now my face has tears all over it.

but yeah, i know atm hearing time will ease the pain isn't very affective or comforting, but it is true that in time you'll shove the heartache to the back & bring the happy memories forward.

my sincerest condolences for you & your wife.

gilada · 02-11-2004, 10:39 AM

thanks all for the thoughts and well wishes. Last night was tough. And it won't be much fun when my wife gets back either, as it'll probably hit her again.

amonkie · 02-11-2004, 08:18 PM

If it's any comfort, be glad you were there with your furry friend during its last moments. I was in class when my dad decided to take our oldest dog to the vet because she was in so much pain. I get home, and she's nowhere to be found. My dad told me they put her down to end her suffering, but to this day I wish I could have been with her, and have had a chance to say goodbye. Those ten years playing with her are some of the strongest memories of my adolescent life.

lucidity · 02-12-2004, 04:00 PM

yea, this reminded me of when i had to put my first pet to sleep back in May. she was really old, mom had the vet come to the house to put her to sleep rather than put her through the stress of taking her to the Dr. i had to hold her down when she started to fight...i think she knew or something. i still get real emotional about it. only thing i can say is that time helps a bit.

thingstodo · 02-14-2004, 10:59 AM

I truly feel your pain, more than you know.

I had to put a dog to sleep several years ago and swore that was the last time. I bought a macaw, in part because they live so long.

A few years back we visited friends that had a toy poodle. We fell in love and had one of our own two months later. I won't say not a day but for sure not a week goes by that I don't ponder the day she'll become too ill to care for.

But I know that when do this you are doing the right thing for the animal. They don't know any better and only know they hurt. I think the most important thing is to be there with them, as much as that hurts. They are then in a better place and you are left to deal with the emotions and loss. Understanding those dynamics might help you.

By the way, we just got a second toy poodle puppy in December. I'm just setting myself up but they sure are fun!!

Best of luck to you.

flamingdog · 02-16-2004, 05:08 PM

One day you'll look back on this as a valuable and beautiful experience, in the totality of your pet's whole life. Stuff like this enriches life, as hard as it can be to believe at the time.

At least be thankful Bevo didn't suffer any longer than he had to. There are people who let their beloved pets get into a terrible state because they don't have the heart to do what you've done. Ultimately it's better for both you and the dog. You've spared him an awful lot of suffering, and you've spared yourself the agony of watching him fighting a battle he would never be able to win.

Sometimes I wonder why we don't behave this humanely towards people.

Dano069 · 02-18-2004, 09:17 AM

I'm sorry for your loss. It really is like losing a family member. I had to put our German Sheperd to sleep about 7 years ago.

My wife took the kids to her folks and I got the job to take Brandy to the vet. She was a big dog and they had to use 2 shots to put her down. When she died, her tongue was sticking out of her mouth. The vet tried pushing it in, but couldn't do it. I found it pretty appropriate that her tongue was out. That's the way she was. She was always kissing us. My oldest learned to walk by pulling himself up on her. She was very patient for being such a big dog. She did get her revenge one time though.

I was laying on the couch and she was laying next to it. My son crawled over and she sat up. He grabbed her fur and pulled himself up. When he turned to walk away, Brandy reached out with her paw and pushed him over. She turned to me with those puppy dog eyes that seemed to say, "Please don't be mad, I just HAD to do it."

My son was unphased and toddled off to play. Damn, I miss that dog.

02-09-2004, 02:21 PM	#1 (permalink)
gilada Psycho Location: Dallas, Tx	I just put my wife's dog to sleep... I'm getting fucking hammered. My wife got a dog when she was younger, but had to leave it with her parents when she went to college... They grew attached and kept him, a Sharpei. Sweetiest baby... Bevo. My wife's mother died in December, and the dog has never been the same. My father in law went out of town and my wife stepsister, who lives with her stepfather (my father in law) called us and said Bevo couldn't stand up any more. We took him to the emergency vet overnight. Today we took him to the animal hospital. After doing some tests, they discovered he had a tumor growing off one of his vertibrae, basically destroying it. There was nothing we could do. I was there when he went to sleep, and christ, if that doesn't kill you a little on the inside, I don't know what does. The poor boy though we were going to take him home... I've going to get totally shit-faced now. __________________ Hey, this isn't rocket surgery. See my futurephone pics at: http://gilada.textamerica.com See my DVD's at: http://www.dvdprofiler.com/mycollection.asp?alias=gilada

02-09-2004, 02:40 PM	#2 (permalink)
ShaniFaye Submit to me, you know you want to Location: Lilburn, Ga	I'm so sorry for your loss, I had to put two cats to sleep at different stages of my only pregnancy and its a bitch, especially when they made me sign the papers giving them permission to do it. I felt guilty for weeks because I had told both of them that I was taking them to the vet to get well and that they would get extra special treatment when I got them home. I'll keep ya'll in my thoughts. __________________ *I want the diabetic plan that comes with rollover carbs. I dont like the unused one expiring at midnite!!*

02-09-2004, 02:46 PM	#3 (permalink)
Cynthetiq Tilted Cat Head Administrator Location: Manhattan, NY	sorry. losing a pet is not fun no matter how they are lost. __________________ I don't care if you are black, white, purple, green, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, hippie, cop, bum, admin, user, English, Irish, French, Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Buddhist, Muslim, indian, cowboy, tall, short, fat, skinny, emo, punk, mod, rocker, straight, gay, lesbian, jock, nerd, geek, Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, Independent, driver, pedestrian, or bicyclist, either you're an asshole or you're not. What's the best nation in the world? DO-NATION!

02-09-2004, 02:50 PM	#4 (permalink)
Averett Is In Love Location: I'm workin' on it	I've been there. It's a horrible feeling. You just have to try and remember that you were trying to help your pet out. Nobody wants to see an animal suffer. Sorry __________________ Absence is to love what wind is to fire. It extinguishes the small, it enkindles the great.

02-09-2004, 05:23 PM	#7 (permalink)
gilada Psycho Location: Dallas, Tx	Guys and gals, Thanks all for your thoughts. I've been running the gammit of emotions, anger, sorrow, guilt, relief, happiness... you hit them all at one point or another. The thoughts of others, the love of friends and family, and a assload of Chevis helps with the difficult time. __________________ Hey, this isn't rocket surgery. See my futurephone pics at: http://gilada.textamerica.com See my DVD's at: http://www.dvdprofiler.com/mycollection.asp?alias=gilada

02-09-2004, 03:07 PM	#5 (permalink)
Kaos Ssssssssss Location: Ontario	That's tough man. A friend of mine had his dog for 16 years. He had to put his dog to sleep since the poor thing was in terrible shape (I won't bother mentioning what was wrong). Him and his parents were crushed that they had to do it, but they knew that letting him suffer was far worse.

02-09-2004, 05:18 PM	#6 (permalink)
Bamrak Enter Title Here Location: Tennessee	Last year my mom had just found out she had cancer for the second time and her/our dog got sick from some flea medicine she gave him. I was the only one who could do it, and I had promised to be there the entire time. That was some of the longest minutes of my life. I can't think of another time in my life where I had so many emotions. I've never felt so guilty or had so much remorse for any action in my life, nor have I cried so hard afterward. I grieved for both the dog and my devastated parents. I have no idea how vets can watch people lose their loved ones and keep themselves distanced from the pain. I gained a new respect for anyone that is in that situation. As I look back on the vets, I can't help but think that has to be some of the longest minutes of their lives to. As I reread this, I realize how sad this still makes me when I reflect on it, and how depressing the above is... I guess all that needs to be said is gilada, I feel ya dude..

02-09-2004, 05:26 PM	#8 (permalink)
ShaniFaye Submit to me, you know you want to Location: Lilburn, Ga	give your wife lots of hugs and you two cry together __________________ *I want the diabetic plan that comes with rollover carbs. I dont like the unused one expiring at midnite!!*

02-09-2004, 10:00 PM	#9 (permalink)
merkerguitars Buffering......... Location: Wisconsin...	Tumors aren't fun with dogs....my mom's had one and the only option was to remove it.....well they tried and they had to put him to sleep because of the bleeding...very very sad moment. Better than letting him suffer I guess...sorry for your loss. __________________ Donate now! Ask me How! Please use the search function it is your friend. Look at my mustang please feel free to comment! http://www.tfproject.org/tfp/showthread.php?t=26985

02-09-2004, 10:41 PM	#10 (permalink)
Harshaw Is mad at you. Location: Bored in Sacramento	Nothing sucked more than digging the hole to bury my dog in so I know where you are coming from. She helped me through my mom's cancer almost more than any human. Just remember that it had to be done. Pain sucks, and there isn't much you could have done to make it better. __________________ This too shall pass.

02-10-2004, 07:29 AM	#11 (permalink)
sailor beauty in the breakdown Location: Chapel Hill, NC	Oh man, Im sorry. I had a dog that my parents bought a year before I was born. I literally grew up with that dog until, when I was 15, he, like yours, could no longer stand up. Putting him to sleep was the hardest thing I have ever done. I sat there and cried all day. And like Harshaw said, digging that hole was just torture. So yeah, go get completely smashed. Had I been of an age to do so, I certainly would have. Dammit I want another dog __________________ "Good people do not need laws to tell them to act responsibly, while bad people will find a way around the laws." --Plato

02-10-2004, 07:35 AM	#12 (permalink)
gilada Psycho Location: Dallas, Tx	Today, I'm off to pick up his ashes. My wife's family has their dogs cremated. She put one of their bulldog's ashes in with her mother when we buried her back in December. Man, this just blows hard. __________________ Hey, this isn't rocket surgery. See my futurephone pics at: http://gilada.textamerica.com See my DVD's at: http://www.dvdprofiler.com/mycollection.asp?alias=gilada

02-10-2004, 09:18 AM	#13 (permalink)
mr sticky Psycho Location: NC	In time, the good memories will come back, and the tragedy of the moment will lessen. Try to remember Bevo in a certain shared experience, it will help. __________________ The sad thing is... as you get older you come to realize that you don't so much pilot your life, as you just try to hold on, in a screaming, defiant ball of white-knuckle anxious fury

02-10-2004, 09:50 AM	#14 (permalink)
Rodney Observant Ruminant Location: Rich Wannabe Hippie Town	You did the right thing, and you were with him when he died. Painful for you, but right for him. He died as he lived, with those who loved him. And you were doing the right thing for him, as you always did. We have cats. Years ago, my wife's cat, one she had really bonded with, came down with cancer. She was willing to pay any money for advanced treatment, but the cat was old. So at the vet's suggestions, we put her on hormones and a special diet and some other medicine, and that kept her alive -- for three months. They were not quality months; she did not understand what was happening to her, and resisted her drugs, and was in pain. Eventually, even force-feeding couldn't get food down her. And, after a particularly bad day, she crept under the bed and died. We found her there. A few years later, _my_ particular cat, the one I had bonded with, came down with cancer. His kidneys had gone bad several years before, and we had kept him alive by injecting extra fluid under his skin every couple of days. He didn't like it, but otherwise had a normal life. But when he stopped eating, got restless, and was unable to sleep, I took him to the vet (a different vet) who diagnosed the cancer and said, "This is the end of _quality_ life for your cat. You can keep him alive longer, but he'll be in pain and won't understand what's happening to him." After my experiences with my wife's cat, I had to agree. I spent some time with him, cuddled him, cried for him, and called the vet back in. I was there when he died, and a little after. I felt terrible. But it was the right thing to do.

02-10-2004, 10:55 AM	#15 (permalink)
InTeGrA77 Psycho Location: the tangent universe	Just keep telling yourself that he isn't suffering anymore... I know how you feel though. I had to watch our family dog die right after my brother (his "official" owner) accidentally ran him over. He was already really old and sick, but it was just so hard to watch him go. Everyone in the family was crying thier eyes out. We all tried desperatley to call the vet to somehow save him, but we all knew that it was too late... Sorry about your dog though, its good that you were with him in his last moments. And I'm sure that he had a very happy life. __________________ 28 days...6 hours...42 minutes...12 seconds...

02-10-2004, 01:44 PM	#16 (permalink)
Jim Kata Swollen Member Location: Northern VA	Sorry for your loss....I still get a little choked up when I think about having to put my first cat to sleep a few months ago. It gets better with time...or so they keep telling me.

02-10-2004, 10:07 PM	#17 (permalink)
Rawrr Insane Location: Virginia	ack sorry about your loss.. sigh dunno what I'd do if I lost my dog..best of luck to you __________________ This revelation is the death of ignorance tangled in a state of suffocation slave to self righteousness damnation is on your lips

02-10-2004, 10:37 PM	#18 (permalink)
Prince /nɑndəsˈkrɪpt/ Location: LV-426	Been there. Done that. Hurt like a bitch. __________________ Who is John Galt?

02-11-2004, 01:24 AM	#19 (permalink)
hu-man The one that got away Location: Over the hill and far away	I lost a cat to the 5th story window... the window was in the kitchen, and was one of those that are sloped and open horisontally. It was only open a little. We weren't even at home, but was met by the ones living below us. It had died immediately, they said. I buried it underneath a cherry tree, at a spot where it could see the church tower next to my apartment. I was devastated.

02-11-2004, 10:20 AM	#20 (permalink)
quadro2000 All Possibility, Made Of Custard Location: New York, NY	I'm getting tears in my eyes reading all of these. My sympathies to all of us that have lost pets in the past. I have two kittens now...and I can't even bear to think about it. Sad. __________________ You have to laugh at yourself...because you'd cry your eyes out if you didn't. - Emily Saliers

02-11-2004, 10:35 AM	#21 (permalink)
bernadette ::::::::::::::::::::::::: :. Location: this ain't kansas, toto	aw gilada... hugs i know from experience that picking up those cremains hurts just about as bad as the day you had your pal euthanized. these little furry wonders are part of our families. they love us unconditionally & they're the best friends you could ever have. sadly their tiny bodies do not last as long as ours do. ending their suffering is the last kind act of love you can give them... even though it hurts you like hell to say farewell. man... now my face has tears all over it. but yeah, i know atm hearing time will ease the pain isn't very affective or comforting, but it is true that in time you'll shove the heartache to the back & bring the happy memories forward. my sincerest condolences for you & your wife. __________________ .:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.

02-11-2004, 10:39 AM	#22 (permalink)
gilada Psycho Location: Dallas, Tx	thanks all for the thoughts and well wishes. Last night was tough. And it won't be much fun when my wife gets back either, as it'll probably hit her again. __________________ Hey, this isn't rocket surgery. See my futurephone pics at: http://gilada.textamerica.com See my DVD's at: http://www.dvdprofiler.com/mycollection.asp?alias=gilada

02-11-2004, 08:18 PM	#23 (permalink)
amonkie Drifting Administrator Location: Windy City	If it's any comfort, be glad you were there with your furry friend during its last moments. I was in class when my dad decided to take our oldest dog to the vet because she was in so much pain. I get home, and she's nowhere to be found. My dad told me they put her down to end her suffering, but to this day I wish I could have been with her, and have had a chance to say goodbye. Those ten years playing with her are some of the strongest memories of my adolescent life. __________________ Calling from deep in the heart, from where the eyes can't see and the ears can't hear, from where the mountain trails end and only love can go... ~~~ Three Rivers Hare Krishna

02-12-2004, 04:00 PM	#24 (permalink)
lucidity Crazy Location: ...the space between what's wrong and right...	yea, this reminded me of when i had to put my first pet to sleep back in May. she was really old, mom had the vet come to the house to put her to sleep rather than put her through the stress of taking her to the Dr. i had to hold her down when she started to fight...i think she knew or something. i still get real emotional about it. only thing i can say is that time helps a bit. __________________ Faith is the daring of the soul to go farther than it can see. -William Newton Clark

02-14-2004, 10:59 AM	#25 (permalink)
thingstodo A Storm Is Coming Location: The Great White North	I truly feel your pain, more than you know. I had to put a dog to sleep several years ago and swore that was the last time. I bought a macaw, in part because they live so long. A few years back we visited friends that had a toy poodle. We fell in love and had one of our own two months later. I won't say not a day but for sure not a week goes by that I don't ponder the day she'll become too ill to care for. But I know that when do this you are doing the right thing for the animal. They don't know any better and only know they hurt. I think the most important thing is to be there with them, as much as that hurts. They are then in a better place and you are left to deal with the emotions and loss. Understanding those dynamics might help you. By the way, we just got a second toy poodle puppy in December. I'm just setting myself up but they sure are fun!! Best of luck to you. __________________ If you're wringing your hands you can't roll up your shirt sleeves. Stangers have the best candy.

02-16-2004, 05:08 PM	#26 (permalink)
flamingdog Still fighting it.	One day you'll look back on this as a valuable and beautiful experience, in the totality of your pet's whole life. Stuff like this enriches life, as hard as it can be to believe at the time. At least be thankful Bevo didn't suffer any longer than he had to. There are people who let their beloved pets get into a terrible state because they don't have the heart to do what you've done. Ultimately it's better for both you and the dog. You've spared him an awful lot of suffering, and you've spared yourself the agony of watching him fighting a battle he would never be able to win. Sometimes I wonder why we don't behave this humanely towards people.

02-18-2004, 09:17 AM	#27 (permalink)
Dano069 is Nucking Futs! Location: On the edge of sanity	I'm sorry for your loss. It really is like losing a family member. I had to put our German Sheperd to sleep about 7 years ago. My wife took the kids to her folks and I got the job to take Brandy to the vet. She was a big dog and they had to use 2 shots to put her down. When she died, her tongue was sticking out of her mouth. The vet tried pushing it in, but couldn't do it. I found it pretty appropriate that her tongue was out. That's the way she was. She was always kissing us. My oldest learned to walk by pulling himself up on her. She was very patient for being such a big dog. She did get her revenge one time though. I was laying on the couch and she was laying next to it. My son crawled over and she sat up. He grabbed her fur and pulled himself up. When he turned to walk away, Brandy reached out with her paw and pushed him over. She turned to me with those puppy dog eyes that seemed to say, "Please don't be mad, I just HAD to do it." My son was unphased and toddled off to play. Damn, I miss that dog. __________________ I may look attentive, but I'm taking peeks down your blouse faster than the human eye can follow.