Just yesterday we had to say goodbye to our Doberman Odin. He was a handsome, muscular red, though he's been pretty much a roan Dobie the last few years. He would have been 14 this Wednesday, Dec. 8th. He had been going down in his hips for the last three weeks or so, but he still could get around after being helped up and having help down the back porch stairs. He was even still trying to play as recently as three days ago. Yesterday morning his front legs started to lose their placing ability and he couldn't get up even with help. More significantly, he didn't seem to want to try. That pretty made the decision for us. Always before he seemed to want to fight and keep going. Yesterday he lost that. It was as if the other animals sensed something going on. All of them made it a point to come and sniff him over and lick his face. Even our nearly feral cat, Ninja, made an appearance, which was really strange. I gave him his big basted bone to chew on to his hearts content on the ride to the emergency hospital. Luckily for all of us, he had been there many times when I still worked there, so going to the clinic was not traumatic for him like it is most other dogs. He was licking my face right up to the end. He had a lot longer than most Dobermans, and had a good life. Five years ago, he went down and we thought it was end then. We treated him with steroids and he bounced back like nothin' to it. We still have one of his sons, who will be 13 himself in a few months. (We thought Odin had been kept away from Freya, but surprise!) Freya we lost to bloat several years ago.


Rest in peace Odester. You were the best, old man.

Becky - I have added this to the article on my web site at:

http://leerburg.com/bridge.htm

Only those who have loved a dog and lost him can understand the pain.

My deepest sympathy. That has to be the hardest part of being a pet owner. To love something so deeply and have to say goodbye… I had to do it with a cat once that developed feline leukemia. My last great loss was having my GSD stolen a few years ago. I searched and searched for that dog to no avail. To this day I will see a dog that resembles him… and I will stop and look.

It sounds like he lived a full life… and now he is reunited with your beloved Freya.

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Just yesterday we had to say goodbye to our Doberman Odin.

I am so sorry. I think almost everyone on this board has known this pain.

I have said it before, and I think it often ----- I'm so grateful that we have that gift to give to these wonderful companions: the gift of a painless end with the friend nearby.

When I had to put down my dog a year ago, the vet sent me a note (which I still have), in which she said "You always did exactly what Luna needed, and today was no exception."

Allow me to pass that on to you.

my deepest sympathy also, becky. i don't think i've ever really gotten over losing my tessa (at 15 yrs old), i've certainly never had another like her since...i still get teary when i re-read what i wrote upon her death.

there's simply no relationship like that that can be forged between a dog and a human-NONE. and it can't be replaced either....

I'm so sorry. It is a very sad time. Try to think of the special times this will help.

Mark R.

Becky,
My sincere sympathy - please know that he'll live forever in your heart.

Becky, don't be sad that Odin is gone. Be happy that you knew him.

I'm sorry for your loss Becky. 14 years is a long time. Losing a dog is never easy. I wish you well.

Glenn