Bear

[Bear's mommy]

Hi Shawn, Bear took a turn for the worse today and we had to let him go. He wouldn't even eat his canned food out of my hand and he normally swallows it whole. He began shaking today so I put a blanket over him and tried to warm him up. When my husband got home from work, we took him back to the specialist that originally saw him for his pulmonary infiltrates with eosinophils (PIE) and he was very anemic. That was why he was shaking. He began coughing again since they significantly reduced his steroids to see if that would help his kidneys. They did a chest x-ray and they thought he might be coming down with pneumonia or more infiltrates. They were also scared to give him more fluids because they didn't want to flush out what red blood cells he had and then he would need a transfusion. He just had 2 major organs that were so ill that we were fighting a losing battle.

Anyway, we decided to let him go. I held him while they did it and then just held his head in my lap after it was over for another hour or so. I even cut some of his hair to bring home. That had to be the hardest decision I have ever had to make in my life. All of my pets growing up always died on their own. It was so hard to leave him there and come home. I feel like I have lost one of my children. I know he is not hurting anymore, but I miss him so much already. Thank you for thinking of us.

Leslie - RIP my sweet Bear 02/17/2001 - 02/21/2008

[Bear's mommy]

Sorry everybody, my first post was originally posted in the Vet's Corner to Shawn because I was responding to him. We had to let our sweet Bear cross the bridge tonight. I am beyond heartbroken. That was the hardest decision I have ever had to make. I know he is not hurting anymore but I miss his beautiful face and wagging little nub. I feel as if I have lost one of my children. This pain is beyond words. It's funny how they can become such a big part of your family. They are definitely not here long enough.

Leslie

RIP my sweet Bear 02/17/2001 - 02/21/2008
I will see you at the bridge baby boy.

[brunie's mom]

So sorry to hear the sad news about Bear.
You did everything you could for him, and it sounds like he was a much loved dog, that will be missed.

RIP Bear.

Gina

[Sheenagirl]

I am so very, very sorry for your loss of Bear.
You know you did everything you could - it was just out of your hands...
Bear knew he was loved.
Hold onto your wonderful memories until you can be together again.
RIP Bear, fly high with the angels. You are in very good company.

[AngelBunny]

So very very sorry. I hope you find consolation in knowing he had the best, happiest life he could have had because he was your dog.

[harleychik66]

Leslie- I am so sorry for all you went through and your loss of Bear.

You did everything you could for him. He was so lucky to have had you.

My thoughts are with you.

RIP Bear.

[shybird]

I am sorry for your loss. Rest in peace Bear.

[warrior1]

So very sorry for your loss. RIP Bear.

[Anne]

I'm so sorry for your loss of Bear.
R.I.P. Bear.

[observer]

I'm so sorry to hear this.

He had a wonderful life with you, and his last breath was taken in the place where he always felt safest and most loved.... in your arms. Freeing our beloved dogs from their pain is the only time we come close to showing them the selfless love they show us every day. You did everything you could, and he will love you forever and watch over you. The pain will ease, and you have memories to treasure always.

[TrinaJ]

Leslie, I am so very sorry for your loss of Bear...I am crying as i type this, My heart is breaking for you.

May you take comfort in the knowledge that he is free of pain and that he had such a wonderful life with you.

May he rest in peace flying with the angels.

~*sending you hugs from across the Pacific*~

Trina xo

[DreamweaverRotts]

Dear Leslie,

I'm so very sorry to read that you lost Bear. I had such hope for him but it appears that he had complications that were too hard to overcome. I know you did the right thing but it surely doesn't make it any easier.

I too am so sorry for not getting back to you sooner. I've been sick and overwhelmed with another family tragedy. My 10 month old grand nephew, Baron, passed away. He was born May 8, 2007, weighing 1 lb, 11 oz., 12 1/2 inches long, after only 27 weeks and 1 day of gestation. He seemed to thrive and gained weight but he suffered from bronchial pulmonary dysplasia and he lost his fight early Sunday night. We are all heartbroken, as I'm sure you all must be too.

I can only think of one of my favorite quotes from the movie "Message in a Bottle" ...

"If some lives form a perfect circle, others take shape in ways we cannot predict or always understand. Loss has been a part of my journey, but it has always shown me what is precious. So has a love for which I can only be grateful."

With Deepest Sympathy,
Helen

[Andy Larrimore]

Deeply sorry for your loss

[Sam's Mom]

I too am very sorry for your profound loss. May your bruised heart find peace in knowing you cared for him till the end...he was not alone...he was safe in your love.
Fly high Bear you're an angel boy now.

[Bear's mommy]

Thank you so much everybody for your wonderful support. I am still having a very hard time adjusting to Bear not being here. I still have very mixed emotions, but I know the "what if's" are supposed to be normal and that it will take time. I spoke to my best friend of 20 years 4 days after I lost Bear and she asked how I was doing and when I told her that all I have been doing was crying, she said "still"...like I should have been okay after 4 days. That just crushed me even more. I thought she really knew how I was with all 4 of my dogs. She would always make fun of me because they were treated like children and would always say Bear needs to be outside and he's too big to be in the house. It wasn't a matter of size to me...I knew rottweilers were big dogs before we even got him. He, as well as our other 3 dogs, is MY FAMILY and my family does not sleep outside. Not one single time from the day he came home until the day we let him go did he sleep anywhere but inside our home. I guess I really shouldn't have been surprised since she has never really been a dog person. The dogs that her family did have stayed outside and didn't really get that much attention except maybe when the kids played in the backyard. This is why I am so very thankful for all of you, who I have never even met, for your thoughtfulness and understanding.

I have also been reading a book on pet loss that is helping me deal with all of the emotions I am feeling and that they are normal and as equally painful, if not more in some cases, as losing a human family member. When you raise, nurture, and love a pet for its whole life, how can someone not feel that way? I think part of my problem too is that my husband does not feel the way I do. I know he misses him, but he doesn't have breakdowns like I do every single day. I think of Bear every minute of the day. I know most men show their feelings differently than women (no offense to any men) so I am probably just taking this too much to heart. I can say that the first time I have even ever seen my husband cry was the night we put Bear to sleep, so I do know it was hard for him and he misses him. I also work from home so I was with Bear 24/7 and the last month of his life we had our little schedule/routine down just perfect of when he had to take his medications and eat because one of his medications had to either be taken 1 hour before his meal or 2 hours after his meal but couldn't be taken with any other medication. Just me and him would go to another room so he could eat without the other dogs bothering him and I would make sure he ate all of his food because he was beginning not to eat but would sometimes eat out of my hand. God I miss him.

I know this is a long post and I am truly sorry but I know you all understand and won't judge and think I'm crazy for my emotions because most of you have been in this same position before. Again, I appreciate everyone's thoughtfulness and prayers.

Thank you so much,
Leslie