Rocky

[SteveColes]

12 years ago, this Christmas, I brought home 2 Golden Retriever puppies from the same litter, one male, Rocky, and one female, Pebbles. If you know Golden's, they seem to have one of two extreme personalities, Stoic or high strung. Rocky was the stoic, and Pebbles the other. They made a great pair. Until yesterday, they have never been apart.

When Gail and I took them for Obedience classes, I worked with Rocky and Gail worked with Pebbles. Those classes ended up with a strong bond between Rocky and myself, and Pebbles with Gail.

About 3 months ago, Rocky started having trouble with going up and down stairs. At first, it seemed that he had injured his right leg but the vet couldn't find anything. A few weeks later, when they decided to x-ray they found a small mass. We made an appointment with the vet surgeon, but he wasn't available for 3 weeks and it didn't seem like an emergency. When the surgeon x-ray'd. the mass was at leas 3 times the previous size. It had consumed 2 ribs and was pushing 2 more apart about 4 inches.

The Surgeon explained the radical and extensive surgery that would be necessary along with x-ray and chemo therapy. He felt that "might" give him an extra 6 months. His opinion was not to even do a biopsy. Just do the best we could for him. Our regular vet concurred. He didn't really seem to be in pain, except when he went up and down stairs. So we kept him down stairs and either Gail or I would sleep down stairs with him(Mostly Gail). A few weeks later, we realized that trying to lay down or to stand from a laying position was also very painful.

We thought, perhaps, it was time. But we realized that he still had some good quality of life. Once he was up or down, he was fine. He still loved to go for walk, even if they were short becuase of lack of stamina. He still would jump up and almost run to the front door and bark when someone was close to it or a dog passed by, his tail would wag like mad, His appetite was good. So we decided to wait.

Slowly, the good parts of the day were less and less. On Monday, he refused an offered piece of toast and on his walk he only lasted about 20 yards. So we loaded him in the car and took him to an ice cream parlor, where he ate and clearly enjoyed a cup of vanilla ice cream.

Then it was off to the vet where all the staff knew him. Almost all of them came into room to give him a pet and treat and say goodbye, He was given a very strong sedative and was laid on a blanket as he just fell asleep and you could see him really relax for the first time in a while. A lot of respect and sympathy was given for him and us through this whole process. Then they administered the final shot and he quickly and very quietly passed.

I broke down and cried like a baby. Gail had been crying all morning and through the whole thing. She is still crying a bit today.

As I write this, I imagine Rocky crossing the "Rainbow Bridge" looking over his shoulder wondering where Pebbles is, his constant companion of 12 years. But it doesn't matter, becuase he is distracted by a gathering of almost 60 years of Coles family pets, all welcoming him and wanting to play.

There are. Creepo, Mota, creepo, jr., Cho-Cho, Captain Midnight, Flash Gordon, Miss Jones, Pish-pish, Timmy, Scratch, Baa-Baa, Stony, Griz, and Lady Bug.

I am sorry to bore you all with this very long and maudlin post. I wrote this for me, but then I decided to post it too. Sorry,

RIP

[FredP]

sorry for your loss steve and gail. I know what you are going through and sympathize with you. I still have the ashes of our favorite dog on the mantle. just havent found the perfect spot to spread them yet. I will one day but its only been 5 years and we havent stopped missing her yet.

fred

[TracyP]

Steve, I knew when you answered my post Saturday after having to do the same thing that the time was too painfully near for you. My heartfelt sorrow goes out to you and your family. I know what you are going through.

[MikeH]

Steve and Gail,
I'm so sorry for your loss. We know what you're going through and you can take comfort in knowing he is no longer in pain. As many know we went through this almost 2 years ago with Cody. He was such a great friend and we still miss him. Take care of Pebbles as she will surely be grieving for her buddy.

[Partman]

Sorry to hear of your loss steve and gail. I know what you are going through.

Danny

[gator]

Steve -

Extremely sorry for your loss. It seems that all animal lovers must go through this. We have a 16 year old dog and a 14 year old cat buried next to each other in our side yard. One followed the other in our lives and now we must decide if another will follow them.

George

[Tar Heel]

Steve and Gail, my heart goes out to you. I had my best friend Cody, a black lab, put down in 2001 due to cancer. It's been 7 yrs and I still miss him. He loved to get in my rope hammock in my gazebo with me. I haven't been in that hammock in 7 yrs...it's just not the same. Good luck.

[davejones]

Steve,

My deepest sympathies to your family for your loss. I am glad that Rocky was able to go peacefully. If he is like most retrievers I am sure he was wagging his tail to the end (even if it was only on the inside).

Reading your post sure made me think about my own retrievers. As my lab gets up there in age it hurts me to even think about the day that will no doubt come. I am glad that you posted this however, as I now know how we will spend that day.....a trip to the ice cream parlor seems like the perfect reward for the most loyal and true of all friends.

May Rocky rest in peace.....

[Bas]

Steve, I'm deeply sorry for your loss. And thanks for sharing. We had to put Gilly, our 15 year old Dalmatian to sleep not a week and a half ago. It is still very difficult. Reading your post helps a little.

[Jon]

Steve I'm sorry to hear of your loss. Dogs get to be so much more to us than just a pet, They are family. I will keep Gail and You in my thoughts.

[nelsone]

Sorry to hear about Rocky. People that don't have pets can never understand the bond that develops. Don't worry about "boring" us with posts like this. That's part of what we are here for. Take care!

[LeftyTom]

You did your best for him, and that is all he wanted.

[DavidF]

I am really sorry you had to go through this steve, my heart goes out to you and Gail, and I have tear in my eye.

[JimmyC]

Steve,
You and Gail have my family's deepest sympathy, there is no greater gift that you can give a pet than to be with them until the end.

Jimmy

[JackLeg]

Steve: I share your sadness. BUT, you did the right thing. Being an old farm boy, I saw many animals reach the place where the humane thing to do was to end their suffering.

My condolences, friend.