Kaiser soon to the bridge

spiritsmom · 12-02-2011, 09:23 PM

I set Kaiser's appointment for Tuesday morning at my vet and then will drive him to be cremated.

Finally had to break down and make the appointment because I am aware that I am crossing the line into selfishly keeping him going. Not real sure how old he is, but guessing 12-14 yrs old. The last few years have been really hard on him - he's lost a ton of weight, lost alot of the control of his back half, has gotten very stiff and he's just been plagued by skin problems. I've tried to get him back to where he used to be, but despite all the meds and supplements he is just getting worse. His sweetness is still there and his personality still shines through which is why I have put this off. But he can't even stand long enough anymore for his regular baths. I've had to clip away all his beautiful fur and now he just doesn't look like himself so I am not going to take new photos of him - would prefer to remember him the way he was years ago.

Not yet sure how to explain this all to my 4 yr old daughter, but we'll find a way.

Kaiser was my very first GSD of my own - I had only fostered before him. I adopted him as a result of this board back in December 2003. On the 11th of this month we would have had 8 yrs together. I fell in love with his shelter pic on the urgent board and drove the couple hours to meet him, waited for my app to be approved and the next day went back and brought him home. He was oversized and long haired and definitely not "well bred" but he was the beginning of my love for GSDs. He helped raise numerous fosters and was there for me when I worked in a shelter and would come home crying. He helped me pick boyfriends first and then my husband. He welcomed 2 children into our family and more pack mates - never had an issue with him with any of them. He has a gentle soul and everyone who has ever met him loves the big lion of a dog. His looks may have been intimidating but his personality surely was not. He will always be a legend in my opinion. Losing him is going to hurt, but I don't want to keep him going just for myself. Love ya big man.

Some older, cherished pics of my big guy:

Emoore · 12-02-2011, 09:28 PM

So very, very sorry you're going through this. I know it's a hard decision and you're doing what's best for him. It's easy to see from your pics that he's had a wonderful life with you. Run free sweet Kaiser.

ksotto333 · 12-02-2011, 09:29 PM

beautiful pictures.. sorry you're going through this..it's never easy...

Stosh · 12-02-2011, 09:34 PM

Oh my gosh, what a wonderfully gorgeous boy! He has such a sweet kind look in his eyes. I can imagine how difficult it's going to be for you, but he's obviously been well loved for many years. We'll all share in your sorrow.

DanielleOttoMom · 12-02-2011, 09:38 PM

Oh my heart breaks for you. I can see by your story your story you love Kaiser very much. Your giving him him the best option of being free of pain. Very heart breaking

but your act of kindness is truely selfless. As for your daughter

again I feel for you. Having to explain the loss of her beloved friend. I too have two kids I can't imagen having to explain the loss of a beloved pet. Then again it is part of life... Death is the end of life here on earth but just another chapter of life in heaven. I believe we will all see our dogs in heaven again. I believe they do watch over us too! Kaiser I'm sure will watch over you and your daughter until you meet again. I hope y'all have a great weekend and spoil him. Sendin thoughts and prayers from Dallas.

BowWowMeow · 12-02-2011, 09:46 PM

Ah, Michelle. I'm so sorry. I just went through this with my 19yo Cleo Kitty. It is never, ever easy but it is truly a gift we can give them, to end their suffering.

Enjoy the remainder of your time together.

Veronica · 12-02-2011, 09:46 PM

My tears for you.

So sad when we lose our buddies.

I really love that 2nd picture. What a sweetie.

rgollar · 12-02-2011, 09:47 PM

I am so sorry for you and your beautiful dog. Looks like you gave him a great life.

katieliz · 12-02-2011, 10:09 PM

what a beautiful boy, who has been such a huge part of your life. wishing you strength.

bianca · 12-03-2011, 04:34 AM

I am so sorry you are in this position

What a beautiful boy.

12-02-2011, 09:23 PM	#1 (permalink)
spiritsmom Crowned Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Middletown, Ohio Posts: 5,812	Kaiser soon to the bridge I set Kaiser's appointment for Tuesday morning at my vet and then will drive him to be cremated. Finally had to break down and make the appointment because I am aware that I am crossing the line into selfishly keeping him going. Not real sure how old he is, but guessing 12-14 yrs old. The last few years have been really hard on him - he's lost a ton of weight, lost alot of the control of his back half, has gotten very stiff and he's just been plagued by skin problems. I've tried to get him back to where he used to be, but despite all the meds and supplements he is just getting worse. His sweetness is still there and his personality still shines through which is why I have put this off. But he can't even stand long enough anymore for his regular baths. I've had to clip away all his beautiful fur and now he just doesn't look like himself so I am not going to take new photos of him - would prefer to remember him the way he was years ago. Not yet sure how to explain this all to my 4 yr old daughter, but we'll find a way. Kaiser was my very first GSD of my own - I had only fostered before him. I adopted him as a result of this board back in December 2003. On the 11th of this month we would have had 8 yrs together. I fell in love with his shelter pic on the urgent board and drove the couple hours to meet him, waited for my app to be approved and the next day went back and brought him home. He was oversized and long haired and definitely not "well bred" but he was the beginning of my love for GSDs. He helped raise numerous fosters and was there for me when I worked in a shelter and would come home crying. He helped me pick boyfriends first and then my husband. He welcomed 2 children into our family and more pack mates - never had an issue with him with any of them. He has a gentle soul and everyone who has ever met him loves the big lion of a dog. His looks may have been intimidating but his personality surely was not. He will always be a legend in my opinion. Losing him is going to hurt, but I don't want to keep him going just for myself. Love ya big man. Some older, cherished pics of my big guy: __________________ Michelle Spirited Shepherds IntCH Blackthorn's Onyx RN BN ~ Nyxie 7/4/10 (LC GSD) Int JuA Spirited Glory of Brick Chapel ~ Glory 5/12/11 (Shiloh Shepherd) Nat BA Spirited's Twilight Sparkle of Lobo ~ Tala 12/20/11 (Australian Shepherd)

12-02-2011, 09:28 PM	#2 (permalink)
Emoore Crowned Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: North DFW, TX Posts: 9,215	So very, very sorry you're going through this. I know it's a hard decision and you're doing what's best for him. It's easy to see from your pics that he's had a wonderful life with you. Run free sweet Kaiser. __________________ Rocky vom Backyard- 10 years young Kopper vom Felssclucht Bach - 17 months At the Bridge: Cash van der Animal Shelter 2006-2010

12-02-2011, 09:38 PM	#5 (permalink)
DanielleOttoMom Elite Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 1,954	Oh my heart breaks for you. I can see by your story your story you love Kaiser very much. Your giving him him the best option of being free of pain. Very heart breaking but your act of kindness is truely selfless. As for your daughter again I feel for you. Having to explain the loss of her beloved friend. I too have two kids I can't imagen having to explain the loss of a beloved pet. Then again it is part of life... Death is the end of life here on earth but just another chapter of life in heaven. I believe we will all see our dogs in heaven again. I believe they do watch over us too! Kaiser I'm sure will watch over you and your daughter until you meet again. I hope y'all have a great weekend and spoil him. Sendin thoughts and prayers from Dallas. __________________ Otto Blk GSD 02/23/10 Circe Blk Sable GSD 06/22/08 My fur babies!!

12-02-2011, 09:46 PM	#6 (permalink)
BowWowMeow Crowned Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Buffalo, NY Posts: 14,798	Ah, Michelle. I'm so sorry. I just went through this with my 19yo Cleo Kitty. It is never, ever easy but it is truly a gift we can give them, to end their suffering. Enjoy the remainder of your time together. __________________ Ruth & the 4 Legged Rescue Gang Rafi the malaroo http://www.dogster.com/dogs/693238 Gio & Varda, the krazy kittens ....In my heart: Cleo Kitty Chama Kai Basu Massie

12-02-2011, 09:46 PM	#7 (permalink)
Veronica Elite Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: SW Michigan Posts: 1,243	My tears for you. So sad when we lose our buddies. I really love that 2nd picture. What a sweetie. __________________ "Folks will know how large your soul is by the way you treat a dog." -Charles F. Duran

12-02-2011, 09:29 PM	#3 (permalink)
ksotto333 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Ohio Posts: 277	beautiful pictures.. sorry you're going through this..it's never easy...

12-02-2011, 09:34 PM	#4 (permalink)
Stosh Crowned Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: tyler texas Posts: 8,434	Oh my gosh, what a wonderfully gorgeous boy! He has such a sweet kind look in his eyes. I can imagine how difficult it's going to be for you, but he's obviously been well loved for many years. We'll all share in your sorrow.

12-02-2011, 09:47 PM	#8 (permalink)
rgollar Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Michigan Posts: 303	I am so sorry for you and your beautiful dog. Looks like you gave him a great life.

12-02-2011, 10:09 PM	#9 (permalink)
katieliz Crowned Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: york township, mi Posts: 6,324	what a beautiful boy, who has been such a huge part of your life. wishing you strength. __________________ mom to seraphina blue & the cashman miss jeni-take-a-ride, rescued 7/07 shangri la's great white caesar, rescued 4/09 hearthside's cinderfella (RIP 4/20/09) shep von bellefontaine (RIP 6/9/10) voodoo lily (dsh) & cricket (african grey)

12-03-2011, 04:34 AM	#10 (permalink)
bianca Knighted Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Australia Posts: 3,328	I am so sorry you are in this position What a beautiful boy. __________________ Miss Molly Moo (aka The Piranha/The four legged Mouth) GSD 31/10 Raennik Hassan (Cooper) GSD 19/10/11 Paris Tabby Cat 15 years Texas Tabby Cat 15 years

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