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Salagatle!


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Tuesday, September 08, 2009

Good bye - Kaizer

Last pic of Kaizer, at the vet, last night, just before we had him put down...



Last night I had to make a very, very difficult call. Last week Sunday, our White German Shepherd, he who went blind just short of a year ago, was suddenly very sick. A call to the vet, who agreed to come out, even though it was nearly 9pm, and he was admitted. They checked him out, agreed he was very ill, did some blood tests, and decided to wait for the next day.
Next day, Monday, they called and recommended they open him up to check what was the problem. Cut him I said.
And they did, and found that he had a major disease of the pancreas. What was strange though was that this is normally found in small breed dogs (lap dogs) mainly because of their feeding habits. Not one of the 3 vets at this place had ever seen this in a large breed dog. Sample was taken and sent off to the labs for diagnosis, and they put him on a drip, and general antibiotic to start treatment. In the meantime he was vomiting and had the runs.....
Nothing was going / staying down, he was weakened to the point where he was almost unable to hold up his own weight.
We visited every night, and got an update every night.
As he was not eating, a decision was taken to operate again and install a feeding tube. However, this didn't help, as he was vomiting the food up within 20 minutes of being fed.
Anyway, last night on the way home, I got the call. Basically the vet was telling me everything that is wrong, what he thought was going on, and what would probably happen within a day ot two. "Do we put him down Doc?" was my question. "Yes".

I went home, had a chat to LuckyL and GMan, and the Princess. The two boys agreed they wanted to say good bye, and came along. The Princess, well, she stayed home and said goodbye in her own way.
We spent about 10 minutes with Kaiser, and then I told the boys that I was calling the vet to administer the injection. They should go wait in the car. GMan went, but LuckyL decided he wanted to stay with me.
So, the vet came, and did the deed, and mercifully, within 15 - 20 seconds, Kaizer lay his head down as asleep, and was gone.

So, my dear Kaizer, now you can see again. The pain is gone, you will probably let anyone wash you as often as they want. Even let them brush your beautiful coat, which you would never let us do. Run around and play at your hearts content, and know that we will always remember you fondly. Not too sure what's going on in Snoopys head right now, but clearly she's missing you, and at 16yrs of age, will probably join you soon, there where you are now.
Thank you for 7 years of company, fun and laughter. Thank you for youer protection - untrained you knew where your place was, who to defend, and who not to trust. you have no equal in my world, and even if we get another dog one day, I can only hope he has half as much intelligence as you had.
Sorry you had to suffer for a while, but as humans we are selfish, and don't want to let our pets just go.....

I will miss you. RIP.

Born 15 July 2002 (on My and the Princess anniversary....)
Died 07 September 2009
Member of the Family from 09 September 2002.... 7 years tommorow.

Salagatle!

"Bite him Kaizer!!!!'

8 comments:

Fishman said...

It is so sad, they are family members.

Divemaster GranDad said...

Sorry for your loss, bro...

You've got me in fuckin' tears in the office...thanks...

Bruthafromanothamutha said...

Sorry Bro, thoughts are with you all

A 2 Z said...

Very inspirational words! Kaiser was lucky to have you as his master.

Jeannine said...

I'm sorry to hear of your loss. :-( I don't know if you're familiar with Kipling's poem, The Power of the Dog, but if not, here it is:

The Power Of The Dog
by Rudyard Kipling

There is sorrow enough in the natural way
From men and women to fill our day;
And when we are certain of sorrow in store,
Why do we always arrange for more?
Brothers and Sisters, I bid you beware
Of giving your heart to a dog to tear.

Buy a pup and your money will buy
Love unflinching that cannot lie--
Perfect passion and worship fed
By a kick in the ribs or a pat on the head.
Nevertheless it is hardly fair
To risk your heart for a dog to tear.

When the fourteen years which Nature permits
Are closing in asthma, or tumour, or fits,
And the vet's unspoken prescription runs
To lethal chambers or loaded guns,
Then you will find--it's your own affair--
But...you've given your heart for a dog to tear.

When the body that lived at your single will,
With its whimper of welcome, is stilled (how still!);
When the spirit that answered your every mood
Is gone--wherever it goes--for good,
You will discover how much you care,
And will give your heart for the dog to tear.

We've sorrow enough in the natural way,
When it comes to burying Christian clay.
Our loves are not given, but only lent,
At compound interest of cent per cent.
Though it is not always the case, I believe,
That the longer we've kept 'em, the more do we grieve:
For, when debts are payable, right or wrong,
A short-time loan is as bad as a long--
So why in Heaven (before we are there)
Should we give our hearts to a dog to tear?

Wreckless Euroafrican said...

Beautiful thank you very, very much
SALAGATLE!

Wreckless Euroafrican said...

Beautiful thank you very, very much
SALAGATLE!

A 2 Z said...

A friend sent me this today: I guess there is still some good people working in post offices. I thought it would be appropriate in this circumstance:

Our 14 year old dog, Abbey, died last month. The day after she died, my 4 year old daughter Meredith was crying and talking about how much she missed Abbey.. She asked if we could write a letter to God so that when Abbey got to heaven, God would recognize her. I told her that I thought we could so she dictated these words:

Dear God,
Will you please take care of my dog? She died yesterday and is with you in heaven. I miss her very much.. I am happy that you let me have her as my dog even though she got sick.
I hope you will play with her. She likes to play with balls and to swim. I am sending a picture of her so when you see her You will know that she is my dog. I really miss her.
Love, Meredith

We put the letter in an envelope with a picture of Abbey and Meredith and addressed it to God/Heaven. We put our return address on it. Then Meredith pasted several stamps on the front of the envelope because she said it would take lots of stamps to get the letter all the way to heaven. That afternoon she dropped it into the letter box at the post office. A few days later, she asked if God had gotten the letter yet. I told her that I thought He had.

Yesterday, there was a package wrapped in gold paper on our front porch addressed, 'To Meredith' in an unfamiliar hand. Meredith opened it. Inside was a book by Mr. Rogers called, 'When a Pet Dies..' Taped to the inside front cover was the letter we had written to God in its opened envelope. On the opposite page was the picture of Abbey &Meredith and this note:


Dear Meredith,
Abbey arrived safely in heaven.
Having the picture was a big help. I recognized Abbey right away.
Abbey isn't sick anymore. Her spirit is here with me just like it stays in your heart. Abbey loved being your dog. Since we don't need our bodies in heaven, I don't have any pockets to keep your picture in, so I am sending it back to you in this little book for you to keep and have something to remember Abbey by..
Thank you for the beautiful letter and thank your mother for helping you write it and sending it to me. What a wonderful mother you have. I picked her especially for you.
I send my blessings every day and remember that I love you very much.
By the way, I'm easy to find, I am wherever there is love.

Love,
God


Happiness keeps you Sweet,
Trials keep you Strong,
Sorrows keep you Human,
Failures keep you Humble,
Success keeps you Glowing ,
But Only Friends Keep You Going!