Off Topic Thread 5.0

Buer

Really disappointed to hear about that, Jaco. I know from seeing the few posts where you've mentioned Buddy previously, he holds a strong place in your heart. If it's any consolation, from how you speak of him, it's obvious that he has enjoyed a good life and the level of attention that some dogs only dream of.

They're funny creatures and their ability to sense your mood or the tone is truly bewildering at times. I recall when my father passed, we gathered in his bedroom around his bed, waiting for the inevitable. His dog (I'd say "our" but it was truly his dog and they doted on one another), who hadn't left his side for 3 days aside from toilet breaks, was curled up on the bed. When dad left us, the pooch got up and silently left the room. I went downstairs a short time later to put on some coffee (it was about 4am) and there she was, in my father's chair, head in paws in silence, grieving the fact that he was gone.

Rest assured Jaco, there's little doubt that dog loves you just the same as you love him.

Neil3030

Very sorry to hear that Jaco. But what a great life you have given to Buddy!

Genuinely sorry to hear that Jaco, it's a tough time and mind yourself. Make a trip to the butchers and let him have at it.

Richie_Rich89

Sorry to hear that, Jaco. Would it be worth a shot switching to raw/unprocessed food (if that's not what you're feeding already)? That's what I do with my dogs. The two sites I generally look to for information are dogsfirst.ie and No More Vet Bills.

One of them advocates cutting down carbs to fight cancer https://dogsfirst.ie/sugar-causes-cancer-in-dogs/

And the No More Vets Bills lady argues that fat is the root cause of all health problems because prey animals in the wild are much leaner and any junk given to farm animals ends up in the fat cells. The dog's body then supposedly struggles to eliminate wastes and disease results https://www.nomorevetbills.com/2017/cancer-reversed-with-raw-food/

It's hard to know what to think. Hope your dog isn't in too much discomfort.

Dubinusa

Buddy was loved and had a great home. Sad news Jaco. Wishing you the best.

OldRio

Heart goes out to you Jaco. We lost our 15 year old collie
3 weeks ago. He had a stroke. I buried him under his favourite tree. Heartbroken. Jack was a bundle of energy.

We also have a 14 year old spaniel Cross and when his time comes we've decided that's it. We're getting to old.

All the best Jaco.

jacothelad

OldRio wrote: »

Heart goes out to you Jaco. We lost our 15 year old collie
3 weeks ago. He had a stroke. I buried him under his favourite tree. Heartbroken. Jack was a bundle of energy.

We also have a 14 year old spaniel Cross and when his time comes we've decided that's it. We're getting to old.

All the best Jaco.

I too decided that he will be the last. However, when I had him on the cliff top path looking across the Moray Firth to the further highlands I suddenly thought about how I would feel walking on a beach on the West coast without a companion or ascending an easy Munro on my own. I welled up with the thought that he will never do that again and how alone I woud be. I don't know. Even thinking about it feels somehow disloyal to my wonderful pal. Stupid I know.

The Inbetween is mine

jacothelad wrote: »

I too decided that he will be the last. However, when I had him on the cliff top path looking across the Moray Firth to the further highlands I suddenly thought about how I would feel walking on a beach on the West coast without a companion or ascending an easy Munro on my own. I welled up with the thought that he will never do that again and how alone I woud be. I don't know. Even thinking about it feels somehow disloyal to my wonderful pal. Stupid I know.

Not at all stupid....had my lab for 15 years...had to get someone to take him to the vet when it was his time...
didn't even want to know what day it happened...just when I came home he was gone..and I bawled like a child....that was nearly 25 years ago and I could never bring myself to get another dog after that, ... disloyal would be the perfect word to my mind.

OldRio

jacothelad wrote: »

I too decided that he will be the last. However, when I had him on the cliff top path looking across the Moray Firth to the further highlands I suddenly thought about how I would feel walking on a beach on the West coast without a companion or ascending an easy Munro on my own. I welled up with the thought that he will never do that again and how alone I woud be. I don't know. Even thinking about it feels somehow disloyal to my wonderful pal. Stupid I know.

I feel it Jaco I really do. Enjoy the rest of the time with Buddy.
I was going to say more but I'm losing it.

jacothelad

The Inbetween is mine wrote: »

Not at all stupid....had my lab for 15 years...had to get someone to take him to the vet when it was his time...
didn't even want to know what day it happened...just when I came home he was gone..and I bawled like a child....that was nearly 25 years ago and I could never bring myself to get another dog after that, ... disloyal would be the perfect word to my mind.

It took me 24 years to get over my last Labrador, Winston. Buddy was like his clone.

mfceiling

jacothelad wrote: »

It took me 24 years to get over my last Labrador, Winston. Buddy was like his clone.

If it's any consolation Jaco "Winston" was/is an awesome name for a lab.

Makes me think that we made a mistake when we called our fellow Monty!!

jacothelad

mfceiling wrote: »

If it's any consolation Jaco "Winston" was/is an awesome name for a lab.

Makes me think that we made a mistake when we called our fellow Monty!!

We called him Winston because the evening we got him, with his floppy jowls and sad face I thought he looked like Winston Churchill. My friend has a new lab. called Monty and another called Solly....who is bonkers squared.

.ak

Devastated to hear that jaco.

jacothelad

I have sat up with him all night and he eventually dozed off across my knee about 30 minutes ago. He has cut off the blood supply to my legs.:D I don't want to move and wake him. The chemo hopefully will make him easier and pain free for a while.:(:(

jacothelad

You cab see what I mean about Winston Churchill. This pic was taken in May 1976.

Yeah_Right

Jaco, so sorry to hear about Buddy. Had a couple of labs growing up. A golden one then a chocolate. Will always have a soft spot for them. I'll raise a glass to you and Buddy this evening.

DGRulz

So truly sorry to hear you and Buddy are going through this Jaco. I posted here a couple of years ago about having to put my Retriever through the same horrible procedure again and again to try fix his Aspergillosis so I know somewhat of what you're going through. When we got our first family dog, I was about 4 so I grew up along side him and when the day came that my Dad walked in one day without him, it was like losing a brother. When the current dog was going through those procedures, every time he was on the table if felt like a piece of myself was there in the balance with him. When humans go we can sometimes detach ourselves from the loss by thinking of the bad things they might of done or how they might have wronged us. Dogs have this horrible way of worming their way into a part of you that you could never hold anything against them. It is the cruelest crime of existence that their time is so much shorter than ours. Spoil him rotten Jaco.

Dave_The_Sheep

DGRulz wrote: »

It is the cruelest crime of existence that their time is so much shorter than ours.

Agree complete. The only upside of this is we can make their elder years as comfortable as possible and them as happy as we can - which is the least they deserve.

Hoping for as great a final few weeks full of steak and rubs for Buddy, Jaco. Have had dogs all my life, nothing but sympathy for for you two are going through together. All the best.

swiwi_

LOL, my little landlocked alpine canton is getting...surfing.

vienne86

Only just logged in and read about Buddy, jaco. I am so so sorry for you. He is a magnificent looking dog, but he is your pal and your companion. Dogs give us so much......like the welcome you get when you have only been out for ten minutes! I hope his chemo goes well and keeps him comfortable allowing you to have more good days together.

Zzippy

Sorry to hear Jaco. Hope you and Buddy get some good quality time together.

The main reason why I want to get my own place is to get a dog

sullivlo

I got a dog a few weeks ago. She is a collie and is 16 weeks now. Have had her since she was 8 weeks, so almost 2 months, and I honestly can’t remember life before her. I am currently lying on the couch and she is lying on my head asleep. It is just as uncomfortable as it sounds. But she is incredible and I absolutely love her.

She also enjoys watching rugby on tv, which is a bonus.

Oh and her favourite song is the Late Late show theme tune.

Stheno

sullivlo wrote: »

I got a dog a few weeks ago. She is a collie and is 16 weeks now. Have had her since she was 8 weeks, so almost 2 months, and I honestly can’t remember life before her. I am currently lying on the couch and she is lying on my head asleep. It is just as uncomfortable as it sounds. But she is incredible and I absolutely love her.

She also enjoys watching rugby on tv, which is a bonus.

Oh and her favourite song is the Late Late show theme tune.

We adopted a rescue in January who had spent his whole life living in one room with 25 other dogs that were seized by the authorities

When we first went to the rescue and said we weren't fussy they were unsure if he would work out, so we spent a few weeks going down to them and taking him for walks.

He was almost feral. When we first brought him home he was terrified of every noise, afraid of other dogs on walks and wary of cuddles.

He was so fearful it was heart-rending

Nearly three months on, he sleeps on the bed, spends his days resting on the windowsill/playing with his toys/sunning himself on the bed in the afternoons.

He also discovered our local beach and got to know how normal dogs act.

Everyday we try to make sure we go to the beach after work.

Today I was tired as I'm working very long hours and said to the OH to go without me. "Take a break" said the OH so off we went.

We get to the beach and there are a couple with a nervous dog who bounded up to our fellow wanting to play.

Ten minutes later we are still standing there as they chase each other like loons and we share tips on how to.socialise dogs right now.

I'm going to video a beach trip.to.send to the.rescue, I don't think they will believe it

That little creature is such a brave animal, and has embraced every little thing that he has discovered is part of being a normal.dog.

It warms my heart every day

OldRio

The wife just asked if I had any idea when we would receive our first vaccine jab. She thought it was being done on an age and vulnerability basis.


God bless her innocence.

kuang1

OldRio wrote: »

The wife just asked if I had any idea when we would receive our first vaccine jab. She thought it was being done on an age and vulnerability basis.


God bless her innocence.

In the queue to get mine right now in Waterford. Well organised tbf.

Highlight so far is that it reminds me so much of queues in the airport. Remember those?

Sigh.

mfceiling

kuang1 wrote: »

Highlight so far is that it reminds me so much of queues in the airport. Remember those?

Sigh.

Where the person behind you is breathing heavily down your neck and the person in front has the contents of their suitcase scattered across the floor because they can't find their passport?

MaybeMaybe

Michael Fassbender learning how to race, there has been 2 seasons and it's a really enjoyable watch.

prawnsambo

mfceiling wrote: »

Where the person behind you is breathing heavily down your neck and the person in front has the contents of their suitcase scattered across the floor because they can't find their passport?

Speaking of people breathing down your neck, a friend of mine works in a test centre. The number of people he says turn up for a test without a mask on is incredible. One guy when questioned about it said "I'm just the driver". :eek:

Squidgy Black

prawnsambo wrote: »

Speaking of people breathing down your neck, a friend of mine works in a test centre. The number of people he says turn up for a test without a mask on is incredible. One guy when questioned about it said "I'm just the driver". :eek:

One of the drive through test centres in cork was right beside a mcdonald's, and they had to keep telling people not to go through the McDonald's drive through after their test.