Pets are people, too

Technical difficulties viewing the forum. I keep getting these pop-ups.

 

PM admin, apparently you've got spyware.

 

That’s a problem I’ll gladly live with. How they grow...becoming handsome adults before your eyes.

These clowns from the Santa Ana River camp are almost two...

 

Stewie being.....Stewie

 

Man it just seems like lately I just have bad news about my kids...
My dog Wheeler is not doing well.

We found Wheeler with her little brother back in about 2007. We were driving home from Tehachapi on the back roads near Arvin outside of Bakersfield after a Farmers market where we were promoting our construction firm Watson Brothers Construction. Her brother and her ran across the street right in front of us on Wheeler Ridge Road. We were in the middle of nowhere so they had to be abandoned. They could only have been 6 weeks old.

We whipped a U-Turn and went back. Believe it or not, from finding so many abandoned animals on that stretch of road, we carried dog food and water. They were starving so they came to us for the food.

We named Wheeler after the road Wheeler Ridge Road, her brother we named Arvin and found Arvin a good home.

Wheeler is a Chow Golden Retriever mix. The sweetest disposition on the planet. A total “B” personality, always getting slapped in the face by the other dogs tails!

She is at least 12 years old and no telling Health history. She’s a shaky bag of bones now and can barely walk. She is my buddy and used to plow her face into mine and just hold it there if I laid on the floor.

Don’t know if she will make it Monday.
She’s been a great dog and companion.

Took a couple really bad selfies...

 

Oh, Mikie!!! I am so sorry to hear this When our fur babies get old and it's time for them to move on, it's never easy for us humans. However, please take consolation in knowing that Wheeler could not have had a better life, than the one you were kind enough to give her. Animals make us better humans and we are so lucky that they allow us to love them and then, love us back.

Big hugs to you, my friend. My heart goes out to you.

 

Thanks Suzanne!
I turn into a big sobbing baby when my kids are suffering. Wheeler has had an awesome life. I just got to keep remembering that.

 

So sorry Mikie

 

Thanks Dave.

 

Sorry @Mikie...

 

Thanks Chris, this part is never fun.

 

I feel your pain brother Mike, I still miss my 2 pits" from 20 yrs ago. That goes to show the good memories they leave us behind, heck once in a great while they pop up in my dreams so sad when I wake up.

 

Sorry to read this Mikie. Never an easy thing to go through. This is pretty spot on:

https://theoatmeal.com/comics/dog_paradox

 

Awe Mikie you and Mrs Watson are outstanding humans for rescuing these animals! I wish you could be spared the heartache, but I know it’s part of the journey. Cry away brother, your tears are not wasted.

 

Sorry for your loss @Mikie.
Our furry family members are hard to lose.

 

Mikie, you were a gift to sweet Wheeler, and she to your family. Don't let the pain of loss keep you from getting on that horse again – when the time is right. I'm with you, man, it hurts. I just whispered to the weezl last night how I miss our our buddy Carlo. They're family. They always will be. Peace to you and yours.

 

If there was a hug emoji I would use, so instead....XOXOXO.

 

@Mikie: I just looked at those selfies again. I assure you there is not one bad thing about them!

Our thoughts are with you, buddy.

 

When the tortoise decides to play in the dogs tunnel.

 

Agility tortoise. Enter him in competitions!

 

Clyde is a delightful tortoise. You have to keep him out of the garden because he will pretty much bulldoze it over. He is social and will come over to visit and let you scratch his neck. We like him a lot. He's around 50 years old.

 

Re-entering the dog world this evening as wife and child are bringing home a 10 wk old Cobber Dog.

I've raised three dogs (1 at a time) and put three dogs down. I swore never again.

Oh well - the damn thing is pretty cute, and won't leave hair everywhere. Here we go!

 

Congrats......I think.

 

Life is not complete without a dog, Congrats little pup on finding a great furever home...

 

Congrats, dude. I can't recall if your daughter has siblings, but mine does not, and I was told an only child needs to have a dog. Not by anyone who actually knows anything about that, but by buttinskies that my wife probably coached. When we got Rusty I wasn't feeling it at all. I was convinced that our gnarly schedules wouldn't allow for it, and when I came to the realization that we were going to be getting a small dog (something I swore I'd never do) I was even more put off. But I quickly realized, like @Voodoo Tom said, that a home isn't complete without a dog, particularly a home with kids. Rusty has been great for my rugrat, and I can't imagine not having him around now either.

 

Congratulations on the new family member! Many enriching years to you and yours.

There’s no question that a pet is a responsibility that can require sacrifice. But the returns are wildly (IMO) disproportionate to the investment. I can’t put a number on the vibe our animals have brought to our household, and you’ll be right there, too. Your daughter is lucky to have a new friend. Props for your generosity*.


*Anyone can buy a pet. The real generosity is in committing future time to the welfare of the animal.

 

Two cuties in that pic. I have learned to take the time to love on them every single day. It helps down the road to know you gave them your best at that difficult time.

Wait...

Shouldn’t we do that with EVERYTHING in life we cherish?
Congrats!

 

Don't worry gents, despite my disagreement over getting a dog, I've raised two wonderful dogs from puppies through that dreaded final drive to the vet - a Siberian Husky named Stoli and a Corgi named Rusty. Dogs provide something intangible into our lives and deserve attention and love every day. With such nurturing and attention, they give back x1000. Biscuit will get the same love and attention, plus the love and attention from my daughter.


Back Story:
The first dog I had to put down was a family dog (collie/retriever mix) that was with us from the time I was 5 until I had to bury her when I was 17. Literally. I lived in the middle of nowhere at the time.

 

Biscuit, yes! I always swore I'd have a yellow lab named Biscuit. Just never connected the dots.