re KO Loft's absence

[KO Loft]

I want to say hello to all my friends who I have missed during my absence. I was taking care of my sick golden ret. Barney for the past few months. He suffered a stroke and it left him partially paralyzed. We had to support him on walks and when he had to go outside to conduct his business. When he was a puppy he suffered seizures that the vet said most people would put the dog down rather than buy meds for him, but we kept him and every day we had to give him his pill wrapped in a pc of meat or bread. In the end he would lift his head and try to swallow his bread even when he could not eat anything else. He died recently and I have been having a difficult time with it. Today it is snowing and this was the time of the year he loved; playing the snow like a young pup rather than the 17 year old dog he was in real life. He would watch over killer my bird when we let him outside, and it always amazed me that a dog breed for hunting and retreiving never showed any interest in Killer. He would just walk by him and then sit down in front of him as a guardian and Killer would even fly by him and land almost to say I know it is safe hear.

Barney is now gone but will never be forgotten.

[Lovebirds]

Sorry to hear about Barney. Sounds like you provided him with everything he needed to live a full life. 17 years is a long time. I can't imagine having to say good bye to any of my dogs, but they're getting up in age too, so I guess the day is going to come...........welcome back to PT. Sorry you were gone under these circumstances.

[pigeonmama]

so sorry to hear about your loss. Wow, 17 years you had with your wonderful dog. That's a long life for a golden retriever, especially with a special needs dog. Just goes to show what a wonderful and caring owner you are.
Hugs,
Daryl

[Trees Gray]

I'm so sorry to hear about your loss, I can understand how you are feeling.

Please rest assured that you did everything you could and gave this dog the best life ever, God knows.

God bless you for providing such a wonderful life to one of His creatures.

Thank you for your explanation as to your absence and we are happy to have you back.

[Maggie-NC]

So very sorry to read about Barney but it sounds like he had the ideal home where he was loved and cherished. We lost our dog at 17 years old, many years ago, and I still miss her tremendously.

We look forward to you posting again.

[spirit wings]

Originally Posted by KO Loft

I want to say hello to all my friends who I have missed during my absence. I was taking care of my sick golden ret. Barney for the past few months. He suffered a stroke and it left him partially paralyzed. We had to support him on walks and when he had to go outside to conduct his business. When he was a puppy he suffered seizures that the vet said most people would put the dog down rather than buy meds for him, but we kept him and every day we had to give him his pill wrapped in a pc of meat or bread. In the end he would lift his head and try to swallow his bread even when he could not eat anything else. He died recently and I have been having a difficult time with it. Today it is snowing and this was the time of the year he loved; playing the snow like a young pup rather than the 17 year old dog he was in real life. He would watch over killer my bird when we let him outside, and it always amazed me that a dog breed for hunting and retreiving never showed any interest in Killer. He would just walk by him and then sit down in front of him as a guardian and Killer would even fly by him and land almost to say I know it is safe hear.

Barney is now gone but will never be forgotten.

So sorry about Barney, Goldens are a special breed, my best friend had one, Prince was his name, and he was so sweet and docile, when he took a nap on the back deck a little tit mouse bird would land on him and pull little tuffs of hair from his back to make a nest with, he would just lay there and take it, reminded me of that looney tunes cartoon of the bull dog and kitten he grew to love. Barney will always be a special memory for you for sure......

[j_birds]

Sorry about your lose of Barney. I know how you feel. I had a aussie shepherd for many years. She was my best friend. She got cancer and I soon had to make a choice of where I wanted to let her go or watch her go through the suffering the later days in this illness will bring. Vet Pleaded with me not to wait to long and put her through all the pain that would follow. I will never forget get her (Diana). Still miss her very much. Jim

[penname]

So sorry for your loss, it's so hard to lose a loved pet and companion.
Seizures are very hard to deal with and like you said most people wouldn't have given this dog a chance, but you did and I know it's a herculean effort to live with epilepsy in a loved one, bless you for it.

17 years is a wonderful old age for any dog to live to, this shows how much you loved and cared for Barney, he was very lucky to have you in his life. People like you are rare. Barney is in a beautiful place right now waiting to see you one day, this is what I firmly believe. You did good by him, remember the good times you both had and be consoled that you loved him and had him till he was a good old age. I know the pain is terrible for you but time does heal and it gets easier though we never forget.

[maryjane]

I'm so sorry you lost Barney, even though he had such a long and full life. I lost my golden more than three years ago and miss her every day. How wonderful that you had so much time together but it's never enough.