Lost another Trail Dog

“Zeke
Feb 14, 1989 - Oct. 11, 2003

I had my "pup", Zeke, euthanized yesterday after a very quick decline in health. A couple days ago she started having labored
breathing and fainting after walking 10 feet. She stopped eating and drinking and eventually lost the ability to stand or move. By yesterday morning all she
could move were her eyes and tail. That tail kept wagging to the end. The vet didn't know what the cause
was without doing the whole work-up but her quality of life surely wouldn't be all that good if she came through, she was an old dog as it was. Four months shy of her 16th birthday. She was my roommate all through college and after. She out lasted a number of girlfriends too :). It was a tough decision to make but I feel it was for the best. I like to think she's watching the ducks fly in from the big guys blind or chasing those rabbits in the field which were forever just out of reach.

It's amazing how much I took her for granted. I keep expecting her to be under foot, trying to get in the back door, just laying around. I even hear the phantom clicks of her toenails on the kitchen floor. After one day, I'm already finding dropped food on the floor which surely wouldn't be there if she was.

Dang, I'm going to miss that mutt.


”

“Man...I lost a dog I had for 8 years back in May. She got ran over by a car. I don't think that I could have a pet euthanized--it would be one rough decision. I feel for you man. That's gotta be tough. Losing a close pet like that can be worse than losing some family members. Sorry to hear this.”

“Landscaper and I are sorry, Rockman. Thanks for posting the pictures so we can see her.”

“Khapla!!! Thanks for sharin.”

“Sorry to hear about Zeke Rockman, I remember her wagging tail and being so happy to see you return from a bp trip. She was a great ol girl!”

“Sorry to hear that, Bill. Losing a dog is as hard as anything.

My condolences.”

“Sorry to hear this, Rockman. Losing dogs is always very tough.”

“She will always be with you, just look over your shoulder and she will be just out of sight keeping her eyes on you and keeping you safe.”

“Truely sorry to hear the unfortunate news. My deepest sympathy goes out to you.”

“So sorry for your loss Rockman.”

“At least you'll know where to find your pooch when the time comes :(
Sorry to hear about your loss, I know how it feels. I lost my Buster 3 years ago this Christmas and I still miss him like crazy even after getting another doggie.

Check out this link when you have a minute.. it's a little sad, but reassuring.

http://rainbowsbridge.com/”

“Rockman, I a sorry for your loss. I remember you talking about her on the trail this summer. That is one of the toughest calls to make in life. I wish you the best.”

“sorry to hear that rockman.”

“Rockman.. I've had to make that decision a couple of times in my life too. That decision is one of the toughest I've made. Your description of her was awesome. Thanks for the picture. Lucky dog to have had you for her entire lifetime...”

“you poor thing. what a lovely dog she must have been. LadyHiker is right, she was very blessed to have been loved for her whole life. and you took care of her until the very end, sparing her unnecessary pain and suffering. i'm very sorry for your loss.”

“I had Claudell,
born June 20th, 1982, put down on April 14, 1997.

I buried him on a hardwood ridge that he and I had traversed too many times to remember. I routed the 1.4 mile Leverette Cemetery Trail along the ridge so I can pay him a visit every time I hike the trail.


I try not to think about the eventual demise of Sarabelle.


Dogs are something. Really something.

Happy memories, Rockman.”

“Really sorry to hear about your loss. I know how hard it can be. You can take some comfort in knowing that because of you, your dog had the best life possable..thats more then most animals get.

When we close one chapter, we get to open another....when your ready, you get to train and love another trail buddy.








I meant another dog....you do know that, don't ya.”

“Ive put several down myself - my condolences.

mtnsteve - girl/dog whats the differance?”

“that sucks rockman :( I am sorry for you

It is another reminder that life is always precious abd to enjoy those you care about all the time.”

“Just this morning I was rubbing my pooch on his rear haunches, he moaned & groaned worse than ever, he's getting old & has bad arthritis. I know someday in the not-too-distant future I'll have to do the same, and it's really killing me.

Very sorry for yoy RM, know exactly how you must feel.

Next time we meet the beer's on me, in memory of your trail buddy.”

“Sorry.”

“Having lost two good dogs, I know the feeling.”

“My thoughts are with you.”

“generally, i like dogs better than ppl. and vice versa. go getcha a new pup real soon.”

“Man that's sad...my condolenses to you.”

“I'm sorry”

“Few things are worse than losing your pet/hiking partner. Sorry for your loss Rockman. I raise a mug to mans best friend and wish you well.”

“i can only imagin ur pain”

“I am sorry for your loss dude!



8(”

“Condolences. It's tough to lose one that has given so much and has asked for so little.”

“Thanks everyone for the condolences. It means alot after what happened. I bailed on work today and went to Cache Creek after dropping my old man off at the indian casino. Just hung out at the waters edge for four hours reminiscing about her. She would of loved that creek. I came home and started going back through hundreds or photos to set the ones of her aside. I'm amazed at how many keggers that dog went to! She's either drinking beer, sitting in spilled beer, laying amoung the empties. Saw all her past doggie friends too. None of them alive now either. Maybe they're all playing together again somewhere. There's even a few I totally forgot about like the time I went hot-tubbing in the pouring rain with the 4 labs ; Zeke, Buddy, Sam, & Dookey. Awesome!

I'm gonna wait awhile before I get another pooch, probably a year, but today I was thinking of what to name the newbie. I like the sound of Jenny.”

“A good name for a dog would be "stallworth"... Or "swann"... Of course, it's up to you. ;)”

“It's funny you metioned "Swann". Well, kind of. The thought of "Goose" came out of nowhere.

If I were to pick a name after a sports figure it definitely wouldn't be a Steeler. I'd go with something like Montana or Ronnie.

Maybe even Teemu. :)”

“My vet had 2 labs named Duck and Goose. They were very well trained dogs. Rockman, I just have this image of your dog and several other dogs sitting around drinking beer!”

“:-(
I've been through that. Very sad. My dog is so special to me.

I'm sorry for your lost, Rockman.”

“sorry to hear rock....i know i'll be devistated the day buckshot dies, so i can imagine......”