Every new dog we've had in the past 33 years have been wander-in dogs at where I worked. And like yours, lived to be in the 12-15 years old range. It is hard to have them put to sleep after you've had them that long. We've had our current Rottie for 11 years now. You don't own the dog, the dog owns you and lets you take care of it.Lukem,
Sorry for the loss, and it does not get easier... We live on a small farm in the Missouri Ozark Foothills (SE MO), and have 'in-herited' several dogs over the years from people who dump them on the highway.
We take them in feed them, care for them and make them part of our family, and they have 120 acres to roam all they want on. Several have passed on due to old age (normally around 12-15 years old) and have the vet humanely end their suffering. It is hard to go through, but we enjoy their company and loyalty while they are with us, and remember them afterwards.
~John
So I had to bring one of our dogs to the hospital last night, a 10 year old Labrador Retriever. She got really lethargic and noticed some swelling in her abdomen. After a bunch of tests it wound up being internal bleeding. She had to have a blood transfusion overnight which sounds like it went well. Now we're just waiting around for some other test and an ultrasound to find out what the problem is and then probably go into surgery. Guess its all part of being a pet owner but man does this suck. And I just can't stand the waiting part. I"m sure a few of you here have been through it before but this is my first pet to pass. She's one I "adopted" when my wife and I moved in together as she was her's. I have my own two that are only about 3 years old.
I can apply that same sentiment to my 65 years. Never a day will go by for the rest of my life that I won't think of and miss my Katie and I am certain the same will be true for you. Your Lab was a beautiful dog. Here are a few quotes from those who really understand what it is to lose one of these close family members just to let you know that you are not alone in your grief -shendron said:To lose a beloved pet is monstrous. I lost one a little over a year ago and it was the singular most emotionally devastating event in my 70 years and will sting the rest of my life.
Not the least hard thing to bear when they go from us, these quiet friends, is that they carry away with them so many years of our own lives.
--John Galsworthy (author - The Forsyte Saga)
If you have a dog, you will most likely outlive it; to get a dog is to open yourself to profound joy and, prospectively, to equally profound sadness.
--Marjorie Garber
She was a pound dog. Katie was fearless, as she would take on the Rottweiler down the street, but she was the sweetest, most endearing and gorgeous animal I have ever known. She'd hiked every mountain range in Southern California, crossed deserts and walked over 4000 miles just in our neighborhood. We really miss her.Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened
--Anatole France