R.I.P. Excellent Rachmaninoff

On Friday, February 22, 2013 at 6:30 PM Excellent Rachmaninoff was euthanized. The short of it is that Rocky stopped eating. He'd drink his water, but he would often throw it back up again. We gave him medication for nausea, so he didn't get dehydrated. He just wouldn't eat. On Friday Rocky had become too weak and disoriented to walk, so I had to carry him into the veterinarian's office.

I wrote a little more here: R.I.P. Excellent Rachmaninoff.

The only downside to owning a dog is that you'll very likely outlive them.

created by madjack on Feb 23, 2013 at 05:43:31 pm Pets Comments: 23

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Comments ... #

I hope you're doing ok Madjack. Sorry for your loss.

posted by upso on Feb 23, 2013 at 05:50:27 pm #

Oh. That sucks.
Sorry for your loss, Jack.

posted by justread on Feb 23, 2013 at 08:46:18 pm #

My sympathies, MJ.

posted by Sohio on Feb 23, 2013 at 09:00:45 pm #

So sorry for your loss

posted by shamrock44 on Feb 23, 2013 at 09:16:35 pm #

Very sorry to hear this, madjack. I know you loved him.

posted by historymike on Feb 23, 2013 at 09:25:46 pm #

My husband and I have outlived way too many dogs with many tears shed. It is agonizing and hurtful. I know your pain MJ.

We are presently without any pets at this time besides tropical fish. And the house is lonely.

posted by jackie on Feb 23, 2013 at 10:42:22 pm #

Its a tough time for you madjack, I know. You did what had to be done. I'm really sorry for your loss. Like jackie, we've also outlived quite a few. Its still terribly difficult even knowing that this is the order of things. Frankly, it sucks.

posted by holland on Feb 24, 2013 at 12:03:08 am #

It's what we do for them. He had a great life with you, that's a dog's heaven. Gonna get another pup?

posted by nana on Feb 24, 2013 at 01:02:53 am #

The right thing to do is seldom the easiest. I'm so sad for your loss, but it does my heart good to hear what a noble and loving thing you did. I've had to do that once. It was on my birthday, and a quarter of a century later, it remains one of the most gut-wrenching days of my life.

I cannot imagine my life without a dog. Frankly, it wouldn't be much of a life. They bring so much to our lives and ask for so little.

I will hug mine even closer tonight and whisper a 'fare thee well' to Excellent Rachmaninoff as I do.

posted by gamegrrl on Feb 24, 2013 at 03:18:49 am # 1 person liked this

My thanks to all of you for your kind words.

What I miss most is the little dog coming to greet me at the door.

I think that we'll just wait around a while and see if another dog turns up. That's what generally happens.

posted by madjack on Feb 25, 2013 at 10:55:35 am #

Sorry to be so late on this madjack - somehow I overlooked your post. My deepest sympathy and best regards to you.

Take some comfort knowing that you gave him a great life.

posted by Foodie on Feb 25, 2013 at 11:15:17 am #

Sorry for your loss, madjack.

posted by mom2 on Feb 25, 2013 at 01:02:26 pm #

madjack posted at 09:55:35 AM on Feb 25, 2013:

My thanks to all of you for your kind words.

What I miss most is the little dog coming to greet me at the door.

I think that we'll just wait around a while and see if another dog turns up. That's what generally happens.

Yeah. My dogs have tended to find me, rather than vice versa.

I realized that I am sitting here with a glass of bourbon, thinking of you.

In the words of a guy that I like to read:

"Here's how"

posted by justread on Feb 25, 2013 at 10:33:30 pm #

I, too, initially overlooked your post, sorry.

And I'm terribly sorry to hear about your loss. Rocky will surely be missed for a long, long while. They don't call dogs "man's best friend" for nothing -- they really are it.

posted by jmleong on Feb 26, 2013 at 04:43:50 am #

So sorry for your sad news, mad.

posted by Anniecski on Feb 26, 2013 at 01:03:27 pm #

Thanks guys. I miss the little guy pretty bad.

posted by madjack on Feb 27, 2013 at 10:52:56 am #

So sorry MJ. Maybe you would consider this? http://www.adai.org/

I have been approved and am getting my feet wet tomorrow by taking a dog for the weekend while I wait for a puppy.

posted by SherryET on Feb 28, 2013 at 06:40:02 pm #

I'd end up keeping the dog, Sherry. One of my neighbors is involved in this program and I gather he and his family have trained or fostered three assistance dogs and adopted two.

posted by madjack on Feb 28, 2013 at 07:02:10 pm #

Same here madjack. Once you bond, well, you've bonded. We did adopt a little poodle whose owner died right about the time our Jack died. Quite by surprise. Its worked out very, very well. This dog is older but who cares. One will come along for you. Its wondeful that your heart is open. If you should feel like looking there are gobs of mature dogs that need good homes in the local shelters. Our vet (who is also a shelter vet) asked me last week if we had room for a 5 yr old purebred Yorkie. My heart does, my wallet doesn't. We pretty much have a full house, three cats and three dogs and one dog has a $280 dental cleaning coming up. Take care madjack.

posted by holland on Feb 28, 2013 at 08:18:47 pm #

I have it on good, inside authority that this guy is quite the gentleman and strikingly handsome.
At Toledo Animal Shelter.
"Ford"

http://www.petfinder.com/petdetail/25115167

posted by justread on Feb 28, 2013 at 10:38:49 pm #

All the best MJ.

I can't foster dogs either. I keep 'em. That's how I got my current dog--took him out of a bad situation to "find him a better home." He got one--mine.

My guy is 10 years old in April. Avg. life span for his size/mixed breed is 12 - 13. Damn clock keeps on ticking....and I hope and pray he's "above" average....

posted by oldhometown on Feb 28, 2013 at 10:51:05 pm #

I guess my thought was after seeing what great work these dogs do for the people they serve, it would be a little easier giving it back.

posted by SherryET on Mar 01, 2013 at 12:03:17 pm #

^^I'm not putting down the idea at all, nor the work. I hope you didn't take it that way. I just know me and know how quick I bond with dogs...

posted by oldhometown on Mar 01, 2013 at 05:34:24 pm #

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