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Till we meet again old friend.

Had to have the greatest dog in the world put down tonight.
Tank was our blonde lab. He was around 14 near as I can remember. We had him since he was around 2. I've never seen a sweeter dog than him. He loved everybody, but he ADORED my daughter.

I came home from work and he greeted me as usual, he even shook hands and gave me a high five. Shortly after the wife and I went to my moms house for a visit. My daughter called about 7:15 upset, said Tank wasn't acting right. He could only lift his head, he couldn't get up. We came home and took him to the emergency vet. She said he had a mass in his abdomen, and apparently it was bleeding internally as she got blood from 3 different places.
She said they could do x-rays and possibly surgery, but at his age, if he survived, they recovery would likely take the rest of his life.

He deserved peace.

I feel gutshot, but my daughter is taking it hard. That dog was her baby. When she would get ready for work, she'd be sitting on her floor putting on her makeup and Tank would lay with his head on her leg.

created by JeepMaker on Aug 26, 2011 at 11:15:36 pm     Pets     Comments: 23

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Comments ... #

RIP Tank! I know the feeling Jeep. August 6 was one year since I put down my 12.5 year old Chow/Sheppard mix. One of the worst days of my life. Peace to you and your family!

posted by Doug on Aug 26, 2011 at 11:52:07 pm     #  

So Sorry for your loss. It is going to be a tough weekend...

posted by RockChick on Aug 27, 2011 at 01:09:45 am     #  

Sorry to hear of your loss. They are good friends and family members. Good memories and shared times.

posted by Mariner on Aug 27, 2011 at 02:36:08 am     #  

From experience, I can tell you that you will miss little things like the clickity-clack of Tank walking across the kitchen floor and his barely audible "barking" while he dreamed in his sleep. Don't be embarrassed to grieve over the loss of your family member or tell others Tank stories. Keep his leash where it was always placed, keep the food bowl that he pushed across the floor while he went after the last morsel or bit of gravy, and consider having a favorite photo of him enlarged, framed and placed prominently in your living room. Always remember that Tank knew he was loved.

posted by charlotte on Aug 27, 2011 at 07:25:19 am     #  

I am so sorry for your loss, On 6, July this year I had to put down my girl so I know how awful you feel. And Charlotte is right about missing the little things. The picture is a great idea, I did the same thing.
Again, I am so sorry for you. We love them, and then we cry...

posted by Tkd925 on Aug 27, 2011 at 08:14:14 am     #  

What a difficult decision you had to make - so sorry for your loss.

posted by MaggieThurber on Aug 27, 2011 at 08:50:58 am     #  

The only bright side to this is that you were there for him when he needed help and you were able to get him some relief right away. I'm sorry for your loss.

posted by viola on Aug 27, 2011 at 08:56:25 am     #  

Thanks all. Our other dog Bosco, the 100+ lb chocolate lab keeps looking at the back door, and going outside and looking for his buddy.
They were very close.

posted by JeepMaker on Aug 27, 2011 at 09:06:07 am     #  

JM, We're so very sorry for your loss. I hope you can work your way through by remembering Tank isn't suffering. Now it's time to spoil Bosco rotten....

posted by rch101 on Aug 27, 2011 at 09:22:03 am     #  

I am so sorry JM. It's a special bond and hurts like heck.

posted by tlm0000 on Aug 27, 2011 at 10:16:06 am     #  

JeepMaker, I know by your grief how much your family loved Tank. He was very lucky to be loved so much. He will forever be in your memories. It always helps my family when we lose a pet to make a shadow box that includes a favorite toy, collar, leash, photos, tuft of fur, etc. as a memorial. I also believe they are always near us. I still hear, on some days when I come home from work, my dog's nails clicking on the floor as it raced to greet me at the door. She was 13 when she passed several years ago. Be comforted in knowing Tank exceeded the life span of many dogs, which shows how much he was loved and how much he loved being with your family. Peace.

posted by bikerdude on Aug 27, 2011 at 11:19:34 am     #  

Sorry for your loss Jeep, hes out of pain now and having happy dreams.

posted by Linecrosser on Aug 27, 2011 at 11:26:26 am     #  

Hugs to you and your family, JeepMaker.

posted by valbee on Aug 27, 2011 at 05:57:19 pm     #  

Sorry to hear. Never an easy decision to make, but always the right one when it's in their best interest. He is happy and pain free now and wants the same for you and your family.

posted by Ryan on Aug 27, 2011 at 09:26:49 pm     #  

Ryan, he is not "happpy and pain free and wants the same for you and your family". Tank is dead. Tank in not in heaven. He feels nothing and wants nothing. He doesn't even have any memories of his former happy life. He has no memories at all and has become no more than the molecules and atoms of which he was formed. We all have to deal with the realities of life. Some of us sooner that others.

posted by pete on Aug 27, 2011 at 09:49:25 pm     #  

^^^ Geez. kind of an asshole-ish statement there pete. you could of just stayed out of the thread, Jeep just lost his best friend.

Good luck to you Jeep!

posted by steve155 on Aug 28, 2011 at 06:31:55 am     #  

You're right, Steve. Should have kept my damned mouth shut!

posted by pete on Aug 28, 2011 at 08:57:24 am     #  

I've outlived several dogs, and losing a dog never gets any easier. You may rest assured that you made the right decision.

I'm truly sorry for your loss.

posted by madjack on Aug 28, 2011 at 11:12:43 am     #  

Sorry for your loss, JeepMaker. He will be missed for a while, but never forgotten. Best to you and your family during this difficult time.

posted by renegade on Aug 28, 2011 at 11:32:50 pm     #  

My deepest condolences, Jeep. Tank sounds like a one-of-a-kind.

posted by Anniecski on Aug 29, 2011 at 08:57:24 am     #  

Sorry for your loss jeep. that's the hardest thing about being a pet owner - knowing you'll outlive em...

posted by billy on Aug 29, 2011 at 09:49:10 am     #  

Jeep- So sorry for your loss. I lost my boy June 23rd this year- the pain is still very raw. I miss him every moment of every day. Sounds like Tank was a very loved boy. Healing thoughts to you and your daughter.

Pete- Seriously?! F off. That may be the most insensitive thing I have ever seen.

posted by Courtney on Aug 29, 2011 at 12:50:37 pm     #  

I already said I should have shut up. But I promise to wear a hair shirt and flagellate myself for a week as penance, o.k.?

posted by pete on Aug 29, 2011 at 01:47:01 pm     #  

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