Spare thoughts for Nanook please (update page 4)

As most of you know, my ultimate heart & soul dog is Nanook. That boy is my life, my heart, my soul, my buddy, my everything. We've been through so much together, good & bad, which has made our friendship nothing but stronger.
Well he's getting older, he's 15.5. My family, friends & I have been talking about him a lot lately. You see over the weekend & at the begining of the week he was having some bad days, not awful but worse than his "normal" bad days. As sad as it is we know that they can't live forever.
Forgive me if this is a little broken but everytime I think of him I get teary eyed, tense & just can't think straight.
We are taking things day by day at this point and loving every moment of it. Nothing is for sure at the moment, like I said it's a day by day basis we're going on, but between all of us (me, vets, family, friends) he most likely has anywhere between a few days to a few weeks left in this great world. Some feel that a few days some feel a couple months.
This is just so hard on me. I've been planning on doing a thread all about him for a week or so now, everytime I sit down to do it my mind goes blank, thinking only about how much I love Nooker Bean, how much I will miss him. I think of so many great things to say yet can't place them on paper (computer). I wanted this thread to be very special but I just can't get it right.
He has fallen a few times, worse than ever, on his good leg & whining in pain. Besides these couple incidents he is still happy, way happy & appears to be in no pain.
I want to ask each & every one of yous if you can keep my boy in your thoughts & prayers. He so deserves it.

Nooker bean from the last few days:
Dealing with the camera because I have a treat in my hand lol
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...s/100_1321.jpg

handsome pose
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...s/100_1320.jpg

This one's a little on the dark side but I love it
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...s/100_1319.jpg

Waiting for some lovins
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...s/100_1318.jpg

Being his happy self
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...s/100_1316.jpg

my cute buppy bean wanting even more lovins
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...s/100_1312.jpg

Eating some yummy meats
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...s/100_1306.jpg
mmm mmm good
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...s/100_1305.jpg

My "new" favorite of him
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...s/100_1317.jpg

Oh Nanook! I'm so sorry to hear about all of this! Rest assured you WILL be in our thoughts!

Too bad they can't live as long as us.
I am very sorry and hope your baby is confortable and has many months and even years ahead of him. Some dogs live very long!

I thought you might appreciate this:

WHY DOGS DON'T LIVE AS LONG AS PEOPLE (one heck of a story)

(Author Unknown)
Being a veterinarian, I had been called to examine a ten-year-old Irish
Wolfhound named Belker. The dog's owner, his wife, and their little boy
were all very attached to Belker and they were hoping for a miracle. I
examined Belker and found he was dying of cancer. I told the family
there were no miracles left for Belker, and offered to perform the
euthanasia procedure for the old dog in their home.

As we made arrangements, the owners told me they thought it would be
good for the four-year-old boy to observe the procedure. They felt he
could learn something from the experience. The next day, I felt the
familiar catch in my throat as Belker's family surrounded him.
The little boy seemed so calm, petting the old dog for the last time,
that I wondered if he understood what was going on. Within a few
minutes, Belker slipped peacefully away. The little boy seemed to
accept Belker's transition without any difficulty or confusion.
We sat together for a while after Belker's death, wondering aloud about
the sad fact that animal lives are shorter than human lives. The little
boy, who had been listening quietly, piped up, "I know why."
Startled, we all turned to him. What came out of his mouth next stunned
me. I'd never heard a more comforting explanation.
The boy said, "Everybody is born so that they can learn how to live a
good life, like loving everybody and being nice, right?" He continued
calmly, "Well, see? Animals already know how to do that, so they don't
have to stay as long."

:'''(

I'm so sorry! :( you and Nanook with be in my thoughts and prayers..((hugs))

(((((hugs))))) to you and handsome sweet Nanook. May you have many more beautiful moments together.

:( Oh, this just makes me cry, too. I had to put down my 17 1/2 yr old kitty last December, I know exactly how you feel. He was my soul-mate kitty. I felt so conflicted. How would I know when it was time? But people here on PT assured me that you just know, and they were right.

Nanook will let you know when he's ready. Then you can let him go peacefully.

Please PM me anytime, I send you gentle (((hugs)))

Oh Sue, I am sorry to hear that Nanook (and you) are going through such a tough time right now. I will definitely include you both in my prayers. Please give that big handsome boy a very big but soft hug for me.
{{{Hugs}}}

He looks very healthy and happy. Its no fun getting old is it nanook?

(((((hugs))))) I know how hard it is. Lots of prayers and good thoughts for you and Nanook

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by caseysmom

He looks very healthy and happy. Its no fun getting old is it nanook?

---

Yes he is happy and pretty healthy considering all his problems but "don't judge a book by it's cover" & "looks can be decieving" are well used quotes for a reason. Now I know why. :(
Thanks for the thoughts! :D

Sue, I'm so sorry that this is happening. My heart breaks for you and Nanook. I can barely type through the tears. Don't we all know how hard this is for you? Nanook is such a beautiful, beautiful boy and I know he's as loveable as he looks. I'll keep you both in my heart, night and day.
(((((HUGS FOR SUE AND NANOOK)))))

This is true and from my experience with my RB gigi (kitty) they can hide their illnesses very well.

Its no fun but unfortunately its part of being a parent to a fur baby.

Of course you and that beautiful boy will be in my thoughts. I know how hard this must be on you. :( (((HUGS)))

I'm so sorry it's coming down to "that time". The time we ALL dread as pet owners. I have been asked " Why do you do that to yourself? You know they will die long before you so why even get them in the first place, then you save yourself the heartache." I have told them that the pure and honest love you get from your animals makes it worth the heartache. Look at all the long, or not so long in some cases, years of love, devotion, companionship, laughter, tears, memories we have and cherish of our beloved companions. It would not hurt so much if we have no loved so well and be loved so well in return. Yes it's hard to lose them, I dread the day one of mine goes, I know they will take part of my heart with them. But I also have all the joy they have given me so I hope that will see me through, as I hope it sees you through the coming hard times. We will be here for you and I wish many prayers and thoughts to Nanook, and you, that he will be as happy as possible until "that time" and that when it comes it will be peaceful. Hugs to you for what you have to deal with.

Sue, Nanook has always had a very special place in my heart. Ever since you've started posting there's just been something about that boy that makes me melt. I'm not sure what it is. I'm guessing it's my weakness for older dogs, and how I feel the same you do with him as I do with my Simba.

Dogs are truely something special. I do hope you both have many more years together. He always looks so lively and healthy in his pictures, but I know aging has got to be bringing him down. You've done an awesome job with him.

{HUGS} to you both.

I am so sorry to hear all of this. I really don't know what to say. I also had to put down my kitty of 22 years. Before our 3 children, before we were married, there was Sammy the cat. Sammy never did really take much to the kids. She was even more indifferent to the dogs when they came along. She was a loner and an independant soul. She was an outdoor cat and a tree climber and bird catcher. She was active almost all the way until the end. It all happened so fast. At about 21 years Sammy just suddenly could not jump up on the counter (Yes, she was still jumping up on the counter to see you if you were doing dishes or leaning at the sink) any longer. And then from there, lots of house accidents - continual. Nothing I could do to stop her from urinating everywhere. Ruined the entire lower floor carpeting. But she still came upstairs every night and jumped up on the bed with my wife and I, snuggled at our feet and slept through until we awoke in the AM. Then finally she couldn't even jump on the bed. She began peeing upstairs. I started seeing blood in her urine. I had her to the vet several times and although her health was failing, she - like yours - didn't seem to be in any particular pain.

The vet said, "Sammy is old" and things are just failing. But otherwise, she was in remarkable shape for a cat 22 years old (and an outdoor one). "Whatever I wanted to do"... Each time, I came back home with Sammy. I think to everyone's surprise. Although everyone loved Sammy, I know they all thought it was time.

But when YOU are ultimately the one making that FINAL call, it is not as easy. I know. I know because although they all thought it was the right thing and appropriate. They did not ultimately take her there, hold her and watch her slip away. I don't know if there is ever an easy way. I do know that it would have probably been cruel to let Sammy waste away as she would have probably gone through some devasting setbacks and ultimate pain if I hadn't made the decision that I did (although it was still tough). I took Sammy back with me (that was also tough) and buried her on the hillside behind my house where she used to run and play and climb trees as a kitten. I hope she is happy there! I hope you have the strength and support to know what is right and when to act when that time comes. Peace be with you.

Dan (Bob's Dad)