Man's best friend

[joelamosobadiah]

Hope he continues to do well NFL Fan. I've added a dog of my own (10 lb. miniature dachshund named Bash) since I was last around here and I can't imagine what my wife and I would do if something happened to him!

[Nfl Fan]

Well guys. I haven't been around here much, but we put Buster down Monday. It has been one of the most heartbreaking things we have ever endured.

We love you Buster. Your life touched so many. We miss you and we will never forget all the love and joy you have brought us.

[Omaha Red Sox]

Very sad to hear this NFL. Sucks. But wonderful memories you'll always have. RIP Buster.

[Nfl Fan]

Thanks buddy. It's harder than I thought it would be.

[dream_017]

Thanks buddy. It's harder than I thought it would be.

Sorry to hear bud. Not to be a downer, but it doesn't get too much better. I've tried to stay out of this thread, because it brings back too many memories, we had to put Roscoe dowwn back in May - it was the hardest decision and still gets me emotional. We have since got another dog that we love but I still can't believe that my dog is gone. We had a dog when I was young, but I don't remember too much about her I think I was 3 when she was put down, but Roscoe was my dog - I got him when he was a puppy once I moved out and had him for the last 12 years. Hang in there and hope you do better than I have done.

[Nfl Fan]

Dream, I appreciate the dose of reality. NOTHING will ever replace Buster. We're just going to have to work through the pain. I told my wife a few moments ago that the pain we feel is a reflection of the love we shared.

He was a great dog, and he will live on in our hearts.

[Metroid]

So sorry to hear buddy. Hang in there man.

And sorry to you too dream....ugh. I know I'll be there with you guys sooner than later. Ginger is a little over 12. She gets around really good still and most people still think she's a young dog, when people ask I tell them to guess, no one ever says more that 6 or 7. Still, she is winding down. I keep saying that she's going to set a record though and be the oldest pit bull ever to have lived!

Here's a recent pic of Ginger playing with a "friend" on the coast.

[Nfl Fan]

So sorry to hear buddy. Hang in there man.

And sorry to you too dream....ugh. I know I'll be there with you guys sooner than later. Ginger is a little over 12. She gets around really good still and most people still think she's a young dog, when people ask I tell them to guess, no one ever says more that 6 or 7. Still, she is winding down. I keep saying that she's going to set a record though and be the oldest pit bull ever to have lived!

Here's a recent pic of Ginger playing with a "friend" on the coast.

Yeah.... Ginger helps you pick up chicks.

I can't believe she is 12 already. They say that loved dogs live longer. Both our Boxers outlived the average, but they were well loved as well. Met, when Gingers day comes (and I hope it's a very long way off) I wish for you a quick and natural end like Rocky a few years ago. Let me tell you, it is SO MUCH EASIER than the decision and act of carrying your dear friend on a one-way trip into the vet. It was just brutal, but Buster was so far gone and sufferring so much that we just had to.

OK. Gotta get before I start bawling here at work again...

[lmcjaho]

Diesel at the vet. Not great prognosis so far.

$575 visit Monday. We left with ten days of antibiotics while we waited on two blood tests. Doc suspects he has kidney issues which may or may not be treatable. Also suspects possible thyroid problem (hence the second blood test). Diabetes which was our other possibility was ruled out (unfortunately since it's much easier to treat for than the kidney problem).

Tuesday morning, blood test results came back:

Thyroid problem? Check. Apparently one of the worst cases our vet has seen, this is the reason for his problems with his coat (you can see in the pic that his coat is very grey/brown instead of black as it used to be) and his lack of energy. Also most likely culprit for his loss of weight/muscle mass - from a high of 145lbs a couple years back (not fat) he is down to 118lbs today. Treatable with medication, full recovery expected.

Unfortunately, Kidney Problem - also check. The test does not indicate whether it is an infection, partial failure, or complete failure. If infection is the cause, the current course of antibiotics he is on should help and urine tests next week will give us an idea of whether or not he is improving. If so, he should be okay. If not, it's not treatable and his time is short.

More tests needed in a week to see how he responds to antibiotics. If good results he gets another ten days of antibiotics and a good chance at recovery. If not, kidney failure which is pretty much untreatable.

[Nfl Fan]

Buster riding shotgun in the SL about two weeks before he died...