Any Suggestions on Getting an Ill Dog to eat?

[labbypaws]

I am so sorry for your loss.

[Deleted]

(((jesmelric))) and ((all4saleny))

I’m so sorry, Jesmelric. You gave her what such a good dog deserves: Love and support when there was hope. Love and relief from suffering when hope was gone.

[jesmelric]

Thanks for all the sympathy and good thoughts. I miss her a ton, she was such a part of our daily lives, a million times a day I start to talk to her/look for her, and it's like...oh yeah, she's gone

It makes me wonder how people are able to eventually get another dog knowing you'll have to go through the grief again some day.

[Deleted]

Jes - I lost my precious Nomad about a year ago. He was a 16 year old black lab and he was everything to me. I never went anywhere without him in the car, weather permitting. He was my protector. He kept me safe.

About 6 months before he left us, I adopted Flyer, my little border collie. Nomad slept all day and I really wanted an active dog around to bark and alert me. I still cared for Nomad all the time. I walked with him outside to help navigate him and keep him safe. I took care of him until the end. I have no regrets because I was with him 100%. He took care of me in his earlier years.

I love my little Flyer and he's not Nomad. I didn't even consider any type of breed resembling Nomad because I wanted Flyer to have his chance and have his day. I know someday I'll go through the same pain as I did with Nomad. In fact, it still hurts and I get teary eyed. It's worth it, though. I can't imagine not having this little guy in my life to train agility, go for walks, keep me company in the car, lick my hand, etc..

You'll know when you're ready.

[jellybeanscloset412]

((((Jes)))) Your story is almost identical to what we went thru. My dog Brindy was going thru the same thing. The meds and all. She finally couldn't walk but was completely with it, still eating and everything but she was crying off and on for two days.Finally my vet said she felt she spinal cancer.

It was one of the worst days of my life. She was my heart and soul! This was September 23rd. I know how you feel. You and your family will be in my thoughts.

Just know she is not suffering anymore.

[Deleted]

I am so, so very sorry.  I lost my beloved Tina Girl 2 years ago and I will never recover.  I know we all understand that.  Mine happened so quickly too.  Please know you are in our prayers.  Sending you healing. 

[Deleted]

I'm so sorry for your loss. We had to put our 14-year old Hunter to sleep in Sept. and I still think about him all the time. I know it was a very hard thing for you to do.

[jesmelric]

Gosh you guys really understand what we've been going through. We do love our fur babies, don't we? We think about and miss her every day. They are just so much a part of our lives. I know we will get another dog at some point because my husband really wants one and has always loved having dogs. I won't be ready for who knows how long. She was SO sweet and good I just feel like no other dog can compare. Right now I have to figure out what to do with the practical things; dog food, harness, etc that we have left. She got sick quick so there's a lot left. I gave some to my daughter but her puppy is 7 lbs right now and Coco was about 50 lbs. I see on our neighborhood FB page lots of people rescue and foster dogs, maybe someone there can use it, I know there are many dogs in need.

[Deleted]

I know you don't want to think about it now.   But my suggestion is to keep some of the essentials, leash, collar, food and water bowls.  You never know when your next dog will come into your life.  I had no intentions of getting a dog at the time, and then I found a puppy in my parking lot.  Luckily I had stuck a crate from my last dog in the attic, and I still had some bowls around.  So I was able to make her comfortable in the crate and give her food from my neighbor and water while I ran out to buy dog food, a leash and a collar.  Turned out the neighbor whose yard she dug out of didn't want her, and I was suddenly owned by a dog again.  

[atdahop]

Jes, I am so very sorry to hear about your baby. I have been away for a week and trying to catch up. I have been through this with my beloved Tara and so know what you are feeling. Think about the wonderful life you gave her and all the fun things you did together. I waited too long to get another fur baby, three years. My advice would be to rescue another as soon as possible.

[jesmelric]

Thanks so much for your kind thoughts. Yesterday I did donate the items I had to a woman who has four rescue dogs. The one she most recently rescued has demodectic mange to the degree he is unadoptable. So that actually felt good, to help out other dogs who can use/enjoy the items. Also she told me there are several rescue groups in our area who are very good at finding a good match so that is good information to have when the time comes.

Right now we are doing some remodeling so if for nothing else other than practical purposes this really wouldn't be a good time to adopt another dog. I do know my husband wants to and maybe by the end of the year we will be done with the work and the time will be right.

[Deleted]

You'll know when the time is right to adopt.
There's so many animals out there that need a good home. Someday one of those dogs is going to make his way into your heart.

[sunsetpainter]

Feb 17, 2015 17:17:32 GMT @dantes said:

You'll know when the time is right to adopt.
There's so many animals out there that need a good home. Someday one of those dogs is going to make his way into your heart.

All of ours found us in one way or another.  You will know when it's right.  (((hugs)))

[Deleted]

I'm so sorry for your loss. It is so hard to say good bye. As others have said, you'll know when the time is right for a new baby. We got Emma (mastiff) a couple of months after we lost Sadie (St Bernard).

I started looking at different sites a few weeks before the bf text me a pic of Emma and I knew she was my next baby. Sadie had only been gone a month and I felt like I was trying to replace her at first. But then after weeks of looking at pics of different dogs, I realized I was just looking for another friend. And after Emma was home, I knew she would not replace any dog just like no dog would replace her.

The hardest thing for me was going through the puppy stage again after nine years of no puppies, lol. I know I will never stop missing our fur babies who have passed, but I'll always welcome a new fur friend into my home.

[jesmelric]

Feb 17, 2015 18:11:25 GMT @discountdiva said:

I'm so sorry for your loss. It is so hard to say good bye. As others have said, you'll know when the time is right for a new baby. We got Emma (mastiff) a couple of months after we lost Sadie (St Bernard).

I started looking at different sites a few weeks before the bf text me a pic of Emma and I knew she was my next baby. Sadie had only been gone a month and I felt like I was trying to replace her at first. But then after weeks of looking at pics of different dogs, I realized I was just looking for another friend. And after Emma was home, I knew she would not replace any dog just like no dog would replace her.

The hardest thing for me was going through the puppy stage again after nine years of no puppies, lol. I know I will never stop missing our fur babies who have passed, but I'll always welcome a new fur friend into my home.

Yes, I think my husband is really looking for the companionship he has always enjoyed with having a dog.

And that is another thing I am hesitant about, having a puppy after 11 years of no puppies. Although we can adopt an older dog, there could be pitfalls there, as well. Such as if the dog has been abused or mistreated it could have behaviors that are too difficult. Plus if you adopt a dog that is several years old, that's just that much faster you'll have to say goodbye  

[Deleted]

I just saw this thread and apart from I am so dang sorry I want to share this with you.

There is NO time limit on how long you grieve. I am probably one of the most hard core people there is and yet....well I am bawling right now as I write this to share with you.

I lost my heart dog, my one in a billion Lou a year ago. Feb 3. I am still so far from over it it's not even funny. I have NEVER in my 48 years had something hit me like this. He was a rottie...my hands down favorite breed ever and I honestly don't know if I'll ever be able to have another rottie again. I still don't know if I'll be able to handle seeing another black and tan around.

And even after a year the grief at times for me is STILL as fresh as the day I lost him. To say losing him gutted me might be the biggest understatement ever. There have been studies and articles written that people have a harder time with the death of an animal than a human. I find this to be accurate for me.

Don't discount the rescues. I have always rescued and am a huge proponent of it BUT you have to do it when it feels right for you. That may be tomorrow or never. And when it happens that right dog will find you.

I'm so damm sorry. Hugs.

[Deleted]

So sorry for your loss. What a sad story but at least you did everything you could. I am sure Coco knew how much you loved her.

[jesmelric]

Feb 19, 2015 1:51:16 GMT @toomany said:

So sorry for your loss. What a sad story but at least you did everything you could. I am sure Coco knew how much you loved her.

Thank you for your kind thoughts. I just got a card in the mail today from the vet's office signed by everyone with lots of nice things to say about Coco. Made me feel good, but cry, too. 

[Deleted]

I'm sorry, Jesmelric.

That's Coco in the photo, yes? She looks so content and well cared for. Beautiful girl.

[jesmelric]

Feb 20, 2015 4:42:14 GMT @dantes said:

I'm sorry, Jesmelric.

That's Coco in the photo, yes? She looks so content and well cared for. Beautiful girl.

Yes, that's her That was after her surgery, we had to put a t-shirt on her because she was scratching at the stitches with her rear leg, so I picked up a couple of larger kids t-shirts at the thrift. We joked she looked like a boy in that one, but she looked so adorable to me. She was a beautiful girl. And I know everyone says their dog is the best, but she really WAS!! Quiet, but barked when she was supposed to. Well behaved, NEVER got in trouble, and great company. Greatly missed  

[Deleted]

I'm sorry. I just lost my 14 yr old shepherd to old age right before Christmas & I still tear up when I talk about her. She was the 3rd of our long time pets to go. They were all hard, but she was the hardest because she was very bonded to me. Before that it was her 13 yr old buddy & our 17 yr old cat. It's just hard they were a part of our lives for a long time.

You will know when/if the time is right for another pet.  I have two other adult dogs that I adopted before we put Sadie down.  They weren't intended as replacements, it just seemed strange to only have 1 dog for a while.  I also could not imagine having a puppy again - so I looked for a younger adult dog.  Our local animal shelter was great.  I volunteered & visited a lot & they let me foster 1st because it was important to me to make sure that I found an adult dog with a temperament that would fit in around here.  The first one worked out so well that when I was contacted about a similar breed in another local rescue - we adopted him too!

[Deleted]

Jes, I'm so sorry for your loss. Sometimes the most loving choices are also the hardest.

[Deleted]

She was a beautiful girl. And I know everyone says their dog is the best, but she really WAS!!


I don't remember who said this: There's only one best dog in the world and every boy has it.  It's so true, except for the boy part. 

Shophippy - I'm sorry you lost your Shepherd. 

[Deleted]

I guess the point of my long-winded & run-on post was supposed to be:

When the time comes, don't be afraid to consider an adult dog I was a little apprehensive myself, but my two adults have turned out to be great dogs!

[Deleted]

I love senior dogs. I know there's more care and expense, but my heart always goes out to the older ones. There's a senior Golden Retrieve I know and I always want to hug him. He's such a gentle giant.

[Deleted]

When I found my 8 week old husky puppy in my parking lot 8 years ago, I hadn't had an actual puppy since I was 18! All of my dogs in between were rescues and ranged from 6 months to 2 years old. I'm still amazed that we survived that first year. Challenging enough to raise a puppy, but this girl was arrogant and stubborn, high energy, and insisted on getting her own way. I got equally stubborn and the contest of wills was on. When I adopted a companion dog for her, I went for an adult. It was so much easier. Even though he had been in 10 places by the time he was 1 1/2, it took minimal effort to reinforce his housebreaking and to get him to walk well on a leash.

Now that I'm a senior myself, if I outlive my current guys, I plan to adopt (smaller) seniors and try to make their later years comfortable.

[jesmelric]

Feb 19, 2015 0:46:18 GMT @harleychik66 said:

I just saw this thread and apart from I am so dang sorry I want to share this with you.

There is NO time limit on how long you grieve. I am probably one of the most hard core people there is and yet....well I am bawling right now as I write this to share with you.

I lost my heart dog, my one in a billion Lou a year ago. Feb 3. I am still so far from over it it's not even funny. I have NEVER in my 48 years had something hit me like this. He was a rottie...my hands down favorite breed ever and I honestly don't know if I'll ever be able to have another rottie again. I still don't know if I'll be able to handle seeing another black and tan around.

And even after a year the grief at times for me is STILL as fresh as the day I lost him. To say losing him gutted me might be the biggest understatement ever. There have been studies and articles written that people have a harder time with the death of an animal than a human. I find this to be accurate for me.

Don't discount the rescues. I have always rescued and am a huge proponent of it BUT you have to do it when it feels right for you. That may be tomorrow or never. And when it happens that right dog will find you.

I'm so damm sorry. Hugs.




Yes, that is how I feel just gutted is very accurate. I am so sorry to hear of your loss I have never had something hit me this hard either. However I do have to say in my 48 years I am lucky I haven't had to experience much loss. 


We went to the vet Friday to pick up her ashes and paw print. Of course that caused a fresh cascade of tears. I have put them up for now because I'm not ready yet to do something with them, I want a photo frame display with the picture on one side and the paw print on the other. 


I know my husband will really enjoy the companionship of a dog, but I don't know how long it will take me to be ready. 

[Deleted]

I'm so sorry you had to say good bye to your Coco. Making peace with a loss like this takes time. My mom lost her German Shepherd 7 years ago and still gets choked whenever she sees one.

I totally agree that you know when it is time to get another dog or the right one will find you. There are so many great dogs out there of every age. When the right one comes along, you just know.

[Deleted]

Like others have said, you'll know when you're ready.

This poem is hanging at the clinic I go to. It's a dogs last will and testament:


To a poor and lonely stray, I’d give my happy home; my bowl and cozy bed, soft pillow and all my toys; the lap, which I loved so much; the hand that stroked

my fur; and the sweet voice that spoke my name.

Before humans die, they write their last will and testament, giving their home and all they have to those they leave behind. If, with my paws, I could do the

same, this is what I’d ask…

I’d will to the sad, scared, shelter dog the place I had in my human’s loving heart, of which there seemed no bounds.

So, when I die, please do not say, “I will never have a pet again, for the loss and the pain is more than I can stand.”

Instead, go find an unloved dog, one whose life has held no joy or hope, and give my place to him.

This is the only thing I can give…

The love I left behind.

– Author Unknown

[jesmelric]

Yes, we will definitely get another pup at some point, I think my husband would actually be ready now. I will listen to you guys that I will know when I'm ready, and I can tell I'm not there yet. Yesterday I ordered this:

www.sendaframe.com/new_fgallery/items/23324.shtml?a=frame&gg=froogle_23324&gclid=CKyY0tHj-sMCFZMkgQodBJIAkA

Actually from a different website and it shows out of stock now, so I hope I don't have any problems getting it. Not sure when I'll be ready to display it, but I want to have it for when I'm ready.  I have the paw print from the crematorium, reviewers said it works well with the frame.