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Can I ask for some ongoing thoughts for my boy please

Jarena

Well-Known Member
This means so much to me, Jarena. Thank you. Jess says that tomorrow is the day. Neither of us is letting the other have second thoughts. But we're pushing for the afternoon so we can have an entire day to spoil him.

My tears are already spilling for your family, I’ll be thinking of you.
 

Boxergirl

Well-Known Member
About 10 years ago I lost my grandmother (who I was pretty close to) and a week later I lost my dog. I was very sad about my grandma but I was absolutely devastated about my Smokie Bear. I had a lot of guilt about that. I have theories on why that is, so I’m ok about it now. But at the time I thought I was a monster. You’re certainly not alone.

Thanks for this. I was feeling a bit callous.
 

glen

Super Moderator
Staff member
My thoughts are with you and your family, if everyone in this world had a part of your heart put in them we wouldnt have animals being neglected and abused, your amazing, youve gave him the best life, youve never gave up on him and your certainly not now, this is the most hardest part but the most loving act we do, to be with him at the end holding him.
Your in my thoughts and prayers.
 

April Nicole

Well-Known Member
I'm so sorry for your losses. Will be praying for you and your family today. I know Al will be terribly missed. I agree w everyone else's sentiments, you are amazing, and I have no doubt that you are making the right choice for him. Give him a big hug from all of us here on the forum. He is such an inspiration. And a big hug to you my friend.
 

TylerDurden

Well-Known Member
I wish you and your family all the best. Al‘s stories have taught all of us a lot about dogs, and especially about the love between dogs and their owners. You are probably one of the strongest persons I "know". When it comes to moments like that, we are all weak, but I think that‘s totally ok. I‘m sure you are doing the right thing. As everybody else, I will be thinking about you today.
 

marke

Well-Known Member
Thank you, Marke. That's what I'm hoping for. I want him able to walk in to the clinic after a a car ride, wagging his nubbin and happy after a really yummy breakfast with his favorite people next to him. He struggled with so many things during his life, I want to do this right. Good day or bad day, he'll get some ice cream and a car ride tomorrow because I know it's the right thing to do.

It's been a heck of a week. My maternal grandfather passed two days ago and my husband's grandfather passed this afternoon. I didn't know my grandfather well at all, so there's no grief there except for being sad for my mom. I'm feeling a little guilty for crying so much over Al and not at all over the humans that have passed. So I'll just keep my grief to myself or share it here, with other dog lovers.
only one person in my life has equaled the grief i've felt with the passing of one of my dogs , never been a people person ......... hope Al enjoys his ice cream and car ride .........
 

Nik

Well-Known Member
I am so sorry to hear this. My heart is hurting for you right now and for Al. I know how hard the decision is and I know that even when you know it is the right decision you will never feel comfortable with it.

As for the grief over Al overshadowing that for your other losses you should absolutely not judge yourself for this. If it is any consolation, science has proven that the love and attachment we have for our dogs is on par with what we have for a human child. The same parts of our brain activate and light up with our dogs as they would for our own baby. We bond with them and while we may call them fur babies in jest our hearts know it isn't really a jest and the science proves it. Give yourself space and permission to grieve. You need it. And enjoy spoiling Al one more time.

I will be thinking of you and sending all the hugs and puppy kisses from here to you, Al and your family. <3 <3 <3
 

Boxergirl

Well-Known Member
I want to sincerely thank everyone for the kind words and thoughts. We upped his meds yesterday because why not? He did all the things, had all the treats, was able to walk to the froyo stand down the block, and the meds gave him an almost normal day. He had the best day ever and he left peacefully and quickly with the people he loved most around him. I'm having a much harder time with this than I thought I would. In a different way than any other dog I've had to make this decision for. I just feel like he had more good days in him - but at what cost? Four horrible days to two good ones? That's not fair and the increasing doses of Pred would have taken a toll on him. I have to remember that one day too soon is always better. It is. And he had the BEST day. But I miss him so and his brother is grieving heavily.

I'd like to share pictures again. From day one to yesterday. Here's my special, sweetest boy. Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledog.
image4.jpeg image5.jpeg image6.jpeg Pictures 2017 011.JPG
 

Jarena

Well-Known Member
I want to sincerely thank everyone for the kind words and thoughts. We upped his meds yesterday because why not? He did all the things, had all the treats, was able to walk to the froyo stand down the block, and the meds gave him an almost normal day. He had the best day ever and he left peacefully and quickly with the people he loved most around him. I'm having a much harder time with this than I thought I would. In a different way than any other dog I've had to make this decision for. I just feel like he had more good days in him - but at what cost? Four horrible days to two good ones? That's not fair and the increasing doses of Pred would have taken a toll on him. I have to remember that one day too soon is always better. It is. And he had the BEST day. But I miss him so and his brother is grieving heavily.

I'd like to share pictures again. From day one to yesterday. Here's my special, sweetest boy. Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledog.
View attachment 61361 View attachment 61362 View attachment 61363 View attachment 61364


You are a blessing to this forum and always have the best advice. So remember, like you said, one day too soon is better than one day too late. You have to follow your own words of wisdom. I really believe you made the best choice and if he were still here tomorrow you would be beating yourself up more than you are now. Just know you made the right decision at the right time, and let yourself grieve the loss of your boy, no need to grieve because of your choice. It sounds like he had one last normal day, that’s really amazing. I feel like that, the fact that he had a great day, says so much. It says your timing was perfect. That’s how I would want to remember my pup, back to normal one last time.

Thank you for sharing the pictures. I love seeing that face. I’m so deeply sorry for your loss. He certainty had a purpose on this earth. He taught me a lot, without ever meeting him. He also taught all of us about you, the depth of your love for others seems endless. Thank you for sharing him with us.
 

Jakesmum

Well-Known Member
I am so sorry for your loss. Making the decision is the hardest and I know all the second guessing you are still tormenting yourself with, but you made the absolute best decision for your boy and he is no longer sick or in pain. Remember all the happy times you had with him.
 

Nik

Well-Known Member
I am grieving with you. Even though I never met him I feel like I know Al through your stories and photos. And of course I can't help but see Kahlua in him as well.
It truly does look like he had an amazing day doing all the things he loved. <3 <3 <3
 

April Nicole

Well-Known Member
Thanks for sharing those pics. Love the baby pic ! Thinking about you, hope each day gets a little easier.
R.I.P. Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledog.
 

Sheila Braund

Well-Known Member
Well, after much trial and error I've finished Al's lift harness. I was using the Front Range harness and it works well, except I wanted something with a handle on it and covered straps. He wears it almost 24/7 and the nylon rubs just a little. I tried the Webmaster harness and the handle was too far back to be useful to us. I wanted something like a step-in wrap harness that I could alter. Unfortunately most wrap harnesses are made for Chihuahuas, lol. Al is skin and bones, but he has a chest measurement of 27-28". I finally found one at Bentley's Pet Stuff in an XXL. The chest was, and still is, just a bit big for him. I made two tucks in the front to tighten it up a little. I bought a step in harness from Target that was on clearance and took it apart, leaving the nylon webbing in the center chest piece and sewed it to the inside of the step-in so the chest area was sturdier. I then took heavy nylon strapping and sewed it to the inside of the harness to provide structure. Then I covered it all with fleece and added a handle. Overall I'm very pleased. It's very sturdy and fits him well. The handle makes walking him so much easier. I'm going to try to make a pattern so I can make my own wrap harness that fits him better.

Al's doing well. He's so sweet and funny. Walking him is like walking a rubber dog. It's ridiculous. Newborn foals and giraffes have nothing on Al for the wobblies. His pain in pretty well controlled with the prednisone and gabapentin. I have to make sure to keep strictly to the 12 hour regimen. Mornings are more difficult, but I think that's to be expected. I'm encouraged by how well he's doing. He's also putting on some weight. The hardest part for him is pooping. We have to walk a long time to get things moving and then everything just falls out. Unfortunately he can't walk that long so we take breaks. Far too often he ends up pooping in the house and totally freaks out, hurting himself in the process. He's very ashamed and upset when this happens, even though we don't make a big deal about it. He's also having a problem with the top of his toes. Specifically the foot where he has a skin tag on the top. Those things bleed like crazy. He was walking around on his last bad day with a foot covered in blood, lurching all over. He looked like he should be on The Walking Dead, lol. He didn't care at all. He was just happy that I was laughing at him and calling him by a new, loving name - Zombie Dog.

Here's the finished harness. Maybe it will give someone an idea if they're in a similar situation and can't find a ready made harness to suit their needs. Please excuse the mess, we're in the midst of replacing windows. This was the beginning of Zombie Dog day. You can see his bloody skin tag foot.
View attachment 61339

View attachment 61340

This is a close up of the stitching where I put the straps for structure.
View attachment 61341

And this is the inside. It's not prettily done, but without taking the original harness apart it was the best I could do. It's soft, and that's what matters. The purple is the chest piece from the step in harness I got at target. Oh .. and the toes of my magenta toe shoes, lol. I'm very stylish.
View attachment 61343
Oh I love it! Job well done Boxergirl!
 

Sheila Braund

Well-Known Member
Oh Boxergirl, I'm so sorry
The best last day. You can see his front legs weren't working will in that last picture, but it didn't stop him from trying to jump into his girl's jeep - his favorite place.
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My dear Boxergirl, my heart is breaking for you and your family.....
Thank you for sharing this very personal part of your life with us. Thank you for the pictures.... He truly is a special one.....you can see it in his very first picture.
I honestly believe that Al is still very close to you.... I also believe he is grateful for your heart renching decision. Please do know I'm thinking of you, Al and your family. Now your little man is no longer .... Now his your little Angel.
(((Hugs)))
 

Boxergirl

Well-Known Member
I just wanted to say thanks to you all again. We're adjusting to having him gone. He was so high maintenance and I miss him even more because of that. It's the difficult ones that teach you the most and I'll be forever grateful for all I learned from him. His issues put my youngest daughter where she is today - in behavior and training - and she's going to be so good at her job and help so many dogs. It's clear to me that Al came into our lives for a reason. Thank you all letting me share my little non-mastiff boy with you.