The first pet I ever had is nearing the end.

[Tim]

f***. The first pet I ever had is nearing the end. He's a golden retriever named Buster. I remember when we first got him. It was in September 1996, a couple of months before my fifth birthday. He was always so mischievous, always trying to escape when people opened the door, occasionally succeeding. We would walk around the neighborhood, calling for him with a treat or a piece of cheese. We'd either catch him, or he'd come home an hour later. More than once he jumped in lakes.

My older sister took him with her when she moved to Arizona in 2004, and I've only seen him once since then, when she brought him with her in like 2006. But I've always known that he was happy out there in the warm climate.

My sister called my mom crying last night, saying that when she got home from work, his hind legs weren't working. Thinking about how energetic he was always running, and thinking about him now just laying there breaks my heart. He's probably gonna be put to sleep in a couple days. I try to take solace in the fact that he's lived a long and happy life, longer than most dogs. It won't make it hurt any less when he's gone though.

Sorry to bum you guys out.

[Alex Shelley]

I'm sorry. *hug*

[Tim]

Jun 9, 2011 20:50:48 GMT -5 Alex Shelley said:

I'm sorry. *hug*

Aww thanks. I'm pretty okay now, but when it finally happens I'm certain I'm gonna cry. Especially if my mom and dad cry, I hate seeing them like that.

Still glad that he was able to live such a long, happy life, but I still hate knowing he's in pain and that I can't do anything about it.

[rogers67]

At least you have nice memories with your pet.

[mattperiolat]

We're here for you now and when the time comes. Speaking for experience, it hurts a lot. Good memories will be that in time, but if you need support over the next few days, we'll be right here.

[Mozenrath]

It sounds like he had a great run. You gave him a fantastic life, and a long one, particularly for a larger dog. Don't be afraid to love another dog, but don't rush yourself, either. I wish you and your family the best.

[Deleted]

It's good that he had such a long happy life. Still a sad thing.

[Tim]

Jun 9, 2011 22:00:14 GMT -5 Mozenrath said:

It sounds like he had a great run. You gave him a fantastic life, and a long one, particularly for a larger dog. Don't be afraid to love another dog, but don't rush yourself, either. I wish you and your family the best.

A few years after he moved to Arizona, we adopted a dog from the local shelter in the Spring of 2008. His name is Larry (was already named, it fits perfect), he's part beagle, part Jack Russell terrier, and seriously adorable. He's about 4 now. We seriously treat him like a son.

[Tim]

Buster back in the day (judging from the house, has to be pre-2003)




Buster recent




Larry!




Larry again (yes, that's a Star Wars blanket)




And just because, our cat Chauncey!

[Bravo Echo November]

Sorry Tim, losing the first is always difficult. My condolences, and if you need to vent or anything I will listen.

[woowoowoox]

I'm sorry, hun. I just lost my 5 month old puppy last week to parvo. It wasn't my first pet by any means, but it was the first one I was close to. It was terrible. Worse when my mom considered him like her child so when he finally passed she went ballistic. Pretty much the worst thing I've ever had to watch.

I wish you the best though.

[Tim]

Jun 9, 2011 23:59:57 GMT -5 woowoowoox said:

I'm sorry, hun. I just lost my 5 month old puppy last week to parvo. It wasn't my first pet by any means, but it was the first one I was close to. It was terrible. Worse when my mom considered him like her child so when he finally passed she went ballistic. Pretty much the worst thing I've ever had to watch.

I wish you the best though.

Aww, that's terrible. Especially only at five months.

[Shy Guy]

sorry tim losing a pet is always hard.

[Alex Shelley]

Jun 9, 2011 23:59:57 GMT -5 woowoowoox said:

I'm sorry, hun. I just lost my 5 month old puppy last week to parvo. It wasn't my first pet by any means, but it was the first one I was close to. It was terrible. Worse when my mom considered him like her child so when he finally passed she went ballistic. Pretty much the worst thing I've ever had to watch.

I wish you the best though.

I'm so sorry. Parvo is terrible. I'm sure you already know this, but make sure you bleach the f*** out of your house before letting any other dogs in it. Parvo is such a nasty, nasty disease.

Losing them that young can be so amazingly hard. I've personally lost two kittens who were so incredibly special to me. Their deaths were hard for me to handle. I have a tattoo that's dedicated to both of them. I won't say it's HARDER than losing them old, it's just... A different feeling, I guess. It's painful for different reasons.

My friend just lost her lifelong cat two weeks ago. The cat was 19 and my friend had had her since she was 10. I knew how special the cat was to her and watching how much she's suffering... It sucks.

[Clash, Never a Meter Maid]

Really sorry to hear that, dude. At least he got to live a long and happy life where he knew he was loved.

[woowoowoox]

Jun 10, 2011 0:43:16 GMT -5 Alex Shelley said:

Jun 9, 2011 23:59:57 GMT -5 woowoowoox said:

I'm sorry, hun. I just lost my 5 month old puppy last week to parvo. It wasn't my first pet by any means, but it was the first one I was close to. It was terrible. Worse when my mom considered him like her child so when he finally passed she went ballistic. Pretty much the worst thing I've ever had to watch.

I wish you the best though.

I'm so sorry. Parvo is terrible. I'm sure you already know this, but make sure you bleach the f*** out of your house before letting any other dogs in it. Parvo is such a nasty, nasty disease.

Losing them that young can be so amazingly hard. I've personally lost two kittens who were so incredibly special to me. Their deaths were hard for me to handle. I have a tattoo that's dedicated to both of them. I won't say it's HARDER than losing them old, it's just... A different feeling, I guess. It's painful for different reasons.

My friend just lost her lifelong cat two weeks ago. The cat was 19 and my friend had had her since she was 10. I knew how special the cat was to her and watching how much she's suffering... It sucks.

Done and done. We bleached two times while he was sick and just another two times yesterday and last weekend. We're doing our best to make sure none of the other dogs get it 'cause we have three - the mom, dad, & brother of the puppy. His brother actually got it first but he survived the treatment. I guess mine just couldn't handle it.

[Yami Daimao]

I've been through the same thing, and yeah, it's going to suck and you're gonna cry for the first few days or so, but after a while it'll settle in, you'll remember the great times you had together, and you'll be happy that he's at peace.

Sorry to hear about that, buddy.

[Tim]

Well, it happened this afternoon. My sister carried him into the veterinarian's in her arms (and he's a golden retriever, no small feat), and held him and kissed him the whole time. I wasn't sure that it was today, so when she called me about a half hour ago and told me he had passed, it hit me like a semi truck. I cried for a few minutes, after I told her that I wished I could have told him that I still loved him and remembered him. She said that he knew, and that every day he was treated like a king, and lived one long, happy life. So I'm sad that he's gone, but I'm glad that he's not in pain anymore. The vet told her that his muscles had been deteriorating for a few years, but the little guy still held on.

Rest in Peace

Buster Andrew/McGillicutty Myers (we could never decide whether Andrew or McGillicutty would be his middle name)

September 28th, 1996 - June 10th, 2011

[Mozenrath]

Buster is a good name for a dog.

[Fern]

Yeah, that sucks. When my dog died I was very upset. At least he got old and useless. I know that sounds weird, but when my dog stopped doing anything, it made me happy. Like a kinda, old man dignity. I dunno, probably sounds weird.