Reese became suddenly and profoundly ill yesterday and Sara called the vet yesterday morning. A full panel of diagnostic tests told us she was suffering major organ failure and there wasn't much we could do. We made the decision to euthanize Reese. The entire family said our goodbyes to our pet last night. The whole family was bawling. She was gone about 30 minutes after I snapped this photo.
Reese -- a chow/German shepherd mix -- is easily the best dog we've ever had. She was amazingly intelligent, very kind and gentle, (mostly) obedient, playful and just a wonderful dog. We all loved her. She was only about four years old when she passed.
Please excuse this weepy self indulgence, though to keep things in perspective there's also this. This will likely be my only post today. You can see more photos of Reese in my Flickr photo stream.
My heart is with you and your family, my friend. Never easy to say goodbye to a loved one.
ReplyDeleteI wish you and your family the best with this.
I recently lost the best friend I ever had and I understand your loss.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry.
So sorry to hear about your loss.
ReplyDeleteWe lost one of our cats over the weekend. It's amazing how much space these little furballs take up in our heads and hearts. Be well!
ReplyDeleteGoodbye, Reese.
ReplyDeleteWhat a sweet girl! Our pets give us so much and leave us too soon.
ReplyDeleteThinking of you and thanks for sharing the pics.
...oh man fritz, that kind of thing is really hard...my best to you & the family...
ReplyDeleteOur dog just died about a month ago. He was nearly 17, so we knew it was coming, but it was still very tough for the kids. OK, I admit it was tough for me too; they do become part of the family.
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear about Reese.
Hang in there, Fritz.
ReplyDeleteI had to say goodbye to a cat a little while ago, still miss her (all the ones before her, too, actually).
My heart goes out to you and yours. We put my dog down earlier this year. I cried for several days. I still get choked up with I see a chocolate lab.
ReplyDeleteMy heart goes out to you and your family. I'm really sorry for your loss.
ReplyDeletePosting about the loss of your dog is never "weepy self indulgence." Pets hold such a special place in the lives of their companions that there is no better way to grieve than to share. A lot of us have lost a buddy and we know it hurts.
ReplyDeleteAw man! I lost my own dog after almost a dozen years of adventuring on mountain and river. My thoughts are with you.
ReplyDeleteLosing a pet friend is very hard. My thoughts are with you and your family. We lost ours 2 years ago and it's still sad.
ReplyDeletei'm sorry to hear it. that's very sad.
ReplyDeleteare you getting a new dog?
That's sad. Dogs are the best. My Golden Retriever, Ed, who's sitting beside me, passes along his condolences and says you should get another one when the pain wears off. Reese in Peace.
ReplyDeletei'm so, so sorry to hear about this.
ReplyDeleteI can understand how you must be feeling, since I lost Dipsy a while back too to organ failure. Its hard to put them down, but its selfish to keep them alive, when nothing else is possible. I still feel bad sometimes.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't say it any better than Bother Yam...posting about Reese is one way to remember her. That last photo of her with your daughter is a precious one!
ReplyDeleteMy thoughts are with you all.
Fritz: My condolences. I lost my own dog Muki Jacques just over a year ago--after 13+ incredible years, that dog lived for adventure: beach, woods, parks--and still grieve and miss him terribly. I'm sorry for your loss and wish you the best. Paul
ReplyDeleteMy condolences to you and your family, Fritz. Around 5 years ago, we had to put our nearly 20-year-old cat to sleep after he got progressively more sick over the last two years of his life. Even though we knew it was going to happen some day, we were all crushed when his time finally came.
ReplyDeleteOh, and his name was Reese. Imagine that.
I am So sorry to hear about your loss.
ReplyDelete