[mtbbill]

I know these kinds of posts have gotten flamed in the past. Right now I really don't care.
Tuesday is my normal weekday MTB ride day and I was looking forward to a bit of exploring in an area I had not been to in over a year. A phone call at lunch time changed my ride plans in a bad way. Our beloved dog, Taffy, had a visit to the vet today to try and explain some health issues that have cropped up in the last few weeks. The news was very bad, she had a major infection throughout her body. While about $2K+ in procedures and meds may have kept her from dying and around for maybe another year or so, at the age of 15 she already had other age related problems and was at the point she could not do much of what she did in the past anymore.

It was with a heavy heart and lots of tears that the family had to say good bye to Taffy. My two boys ages 11 and 8 have had Taffy in thier lives since day one and this is their first experience with learning how to deal with death. We all knew that this was going to come but it sucks none the less. She will be missed.

<img src="https://pf2.mountainbikebill.com/images/FamilyTrips/AnzaRoadTrip26FEB05/AnzaBorregoDesertRoadTrip-26FEB05-24.JPG" border="4">
<img src ="https://pf1.mountainbikebill.com/images/kids/jake/Jake2001/TaffyWalkingJake-2JAN01-1.jpg" border="4">

 

[mjaraica]

I was only eight when saw a F... car hitting my dog and saw him died within 10 minutes. So traumatic that still embeded in my brain. I am glad that she had a caring home where she will be missed.

 

[Veracity]

I am sorry to hear about your loss Bill. I understand your dilema. My dog of 12 years has developed some nasty eye mucus. From what I have read, this could be the beginning of distemper which also could be life threatening. I won't find out until Friday.

My kids, wife, and myself would be devastated to have to make a decision like that. He is my son's best friend.

I just hope that money that it is going to cost to help him will be reasonable.

Again, I am sorry for your loss.

 

[Julie]

What an adorable face she has ! !

I think she was as happy as a pup can be for her 15 years (something like 80 human years) and wouldn't have liked being a sick invalid for a few extra months.

I'm so sorry for your family's loss.

 

[xjbebop]

Dude...

..my condolences. I know how brutal those decisions are. Those pix are great and will be cherished some time from now. It seems like everyone I talk to lately has similar stories. As hard as it is for the kids, this is something that can be avoided for only so long...
They will rebound quickly, and have many fond memories for the rest of their lives...
-bd-

 

[Blue Rat]

I'm sorry to hear about the loss of a beloved family pet ...

I'd recommend you talk often about Taffy with those boys, allow them to explore those difficult feelings and to put them in a proper place.

 

[Skywest]

woof

That's a wonderful picture of your kids with Taffy. I'm sure you all will remember all the fun and funny times you've shared with the dog during the last 15 years.

I'm sorry for your loss.

 

[OldDogDan]

Hi Bill,
Sorry to hear about you and your family's loss. Some kind of simple ceremony with the kids would be a good thing. They're still young enough that, after sufficient time (and only then), you can look forward to picking out a new companion. I'll always remember my childood days of roaming the fields in north county with my dog, back when you could let small kids and dogs safely wander unleashed, and there was plenty of space to do so. It says a lot about your connection to the on-line mountain bike community that you chose to share this with us. Dan

 

[Pigtire]

Sorry to hear about your loss. As a dog owner myself I definitely know how your family feels. And yes, all dogs go to heaven.

 

[djphaneuf]

Mountain Biking Dog Lover

Sorry to hear about your loss. Have owned many dogs and had to make the humane decision to put several of them down. It is tough, but you can be very happy that you shared 15 good years with your friend. I always mourn the loss but it is never long before we get a new friend to keep us company.

No flaming on this one, I hear MT Bike Bill is cool.


Regards,

Dave

 

[tkblazer]

Sorry to hear about your family's loss Bill, she truly looks to be an awesome dog..

 

[SHIVER ME TIMBERS]

sorry to hear.......like another guy....keep talking with the kids

 

[Andy aka Rut]

Sorry Bill,

Thats never good to hear.

 

[mtbbill]

Thanks everybody for the warm thoughts and advice. We had a little memorial when we laid to rest. On the hike out to the spot we all talked about fond memories of her. Some laughs and some crys. The boys each gave her something special to take along on her "trip". We already had plans for a family vacation next week, which is a good time for a some extra quality time for the family.

 

[boboso]

Bill, first my condolences on the loss of a good friend and family member. I think your hike was a great idea with the good talk and remembrance. When things settle down a bit, perhaps the boys can play an active part in getting a new family buddy.

As a side note, please try a rescue dog service and give a good dog a good home.

Thanks everybody for the warm thoughts and advice. We had a little memorial when we laid to rest. On the hike out to the spot we all talked about fond memories of her. Some laughs and some crys. The boys each gave her something special to take along on her "trip". We already had plans for a family vacation next week, which is a good time for a some extra quality time for the family.

 

[Maddog]

I understand just what you had to deal with. We had to put down our 13 yr old golden ret. several years ago (cancer) and a couple years later our 15 yr old black lab died in his sleep so no hard decision there. My daughter and I hiked up to a local creek that the dogs loved and spread their ashes up there. That will probably help when the day comes for her current 8 yr old golden. He's her dog and they are real close. We got another black lab too and my daughter runs them both in dog agility. When the end comes for them, I hope they go in their sleep too, or out on the trail on a hike or bike ride! Have a great vacation!

BTW, anyone who would flame a post like this is sub-human!

 

[JustBarno]

As a side note, please try a rescue dog service and give a good dog a good home.

Best of luck in these tough times, a dog can be such an amazing addition to the family ...

Not to derail the post, but boboso is right, there are so many sweet dogs out there available for adoption that are truely sweet and truely need a good home. I've just adopted a boxer (Kona) this weekend. She is 2.5 years old, and was probably really close to death before she was picked up by Boxer Rescue of LA. Her old owner had her in a shock collar, and obviously didn't feed her well as she is WAY underweight. She has a bad cough, but is slowly putting on the pounds and will be a GREAT dog for years to come. I also adopted about 2 months ago an 8 week old boxer/border collie mix (Gaia). She is absolutely adorable, and could spawn the next designer dog, but because her mom was rescued pregnant, we got her for $325 including all of her shots, getting altered, and tons of free stuff from Pet Smart. I would never dream of getting a dog any other way after the rewarding experiance of adopting.