SAD

47 Replies

Today I took my beloved Linus, my English Springer, to his vet. Our vet has known us since Linus was an infant ( oh I mean puppy). He has been under the weather. He has been sick before and has bounced back. This time was slightly different. He has lost 20% of his body weight.
It was strange that I would not notice that he lost so much weight. The doctor did say Linus is at the end of his days, but not yet the “real” end. So we are beefing him up to live out his glory days with gusto. He is on a couple of medications right now also. She also informed us we do not have to give him the dreaded vaccinations as they are a detriment to his old age. Now I wonder what the immunization gods would think of such a thing in the human population? Anyway we are helping our little man out the best we can and need your prayers. Thank you WordPress Friends. I know how much you enjoy his life as I have shared my favorite photos with you all on numerous occassions ( https://alesiablogs.wordpress.com/2012/11/15/napblopomo-rocks-for-linus/ ) Those shots on the link were taken when he became the first legal pot smoker in Washington State!
By the way Linus’s vet said she only sees a handful of English Springers these days. It seems folks do not want the dogs that had a “purpose” that much anymore like hunting etc. They prefer the labradoodle! They are cute, but not a breed.

47 thoughts on “SAD”

    1. alesiablogs Post author

      I am hoping I can get him over his current ailments and fatten him up. You are absolutely right- it is devastating. I love this guy. You all just get in on all his funny photo shots as if he were a model or something..haha

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  2. Donna

    Oh Alesia – my heart aches for you. It is the hardest thing to have to know when the end is for you beloved pet but do know that he knows how much you love him and feels it. I pray for you and him and that you will enjoy your time together! Hugs to you.

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    1. alesiablogs Post author

      WE are hoping to just get him over the infection and get him gaining weight . He also had another little procedure today we need him to heal from. So I am hopeful. He is just at that age and he has had some close calls it just all makes me nervous. You are so sweet to pray for us.

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      1. Donna

        Pets can surprise us at what they can recover from! Give him get well hugs and pets from us! I know about those close calls… we have a 14 year old boxer/lab mix.

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  3. Julie

    We need to get together and visit. I hope you have more time with Linus than you imagine! you never know; I’ve seen people like you bring out the best in dogs, and extend their lives beyond belief!
    Love you ,Alesia! I am sorry Linus is not so well.

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  4. Lisa Lassiter

    Get all the cuddle time you can! I know how hard that decision is to make. It’s interesting how much we love our four legged children.

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  5. A.M.B.

    Oh I am so sorry to hear this news about Linus. I hope his remaining days are full of cuddles and produce wonderful memories for your family. I’ll be thinking about your family, including Luke, who has such a special relationship with Linus.

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    1. alesiablogs Post author

      Thank you. WE are working on getting rid of an infection now. He also had a minor procedure in the office which I hope will help the problem he has and we need to try and fatten him up abit. So I really do have hope he will be around a bit longer! I probably just am overly dramatic! Thank you all the same. He really is a part of the family! Alesia

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      1. A.M.B.

        I hope the infection clears up quickly! It’s so hard as our pets age. I lost my childhood cat last year (he lived to be 21), and even though he lived a happy, long life, his passing was very sad for our family.

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  6. Pam

    Praying for you and the puppy dog. Animals are a big part of some of our families and the thought of losing them is a real heartbreaking idea.

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  7. Fred Rife Photography

    Sorry to hear about Linus; I’ve been where you’re at with older dogs and it’s no fun to see them decline because they become so entwined in the heart of a family. After we lost our Border Collie two years ago, we weren’t sure we could love another dog. But then we adopted Bella, a then-18-month old English Springer Spaniel. She came with lots of baggage but we persevered and now she’s such a part of the family that we can’t imagine life without her. (English Springer Spaniel’s, in my opinion, are amazing dogs/companions.) All the best to you and your family as you make more memories of the time you have left with Linus.

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    1. alesiablogs Post author

      Fred, You know our Vet said the same thing you did about English Springers in regards to companionship. Indeed we have found this to be so true with Linus. He puts up with me putting sunglasses, flip flops, MP3 players or just about any silly thing we want to do to him all in the name of fun. He plays right along with us! He also waits until we all go upstairs to bed and then he comes up the stairs after he knows we are all settled in and then jumps on one of my son’s bed ( he might even go to both of them before the night is over) and than by the am he is in my bed snuggling with me. I just love him so much. The Vet said he is living on borrowed time..We will definitely take it!

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  8. Jane Fritz

    So sorry that you and your family are going through this. Losing a beloved pet is so hard. Heartbreaking, really. Our pets are such a part of our family and are loved as such. They give us so much and, sadly, they teach us about death as well as about love and trust. We went through this with our cat last year. Life’s not the same without her, but she is not forgotten. All the best to you, Alesia.

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    1. alesiablogs Post author

      Jane, thank you so much. I believe animals are here to teach us so much about love and kindness. We will make the best of his time left. I will keep everyone posted on how he is progressing. I am going to try and get him to eat more for sure.

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  10. alesiablogs Post author

    John,
    Thank you so much for your thoughtfulness. AS I was just writing to Jane–we are going to work hard on fattening him up if he will eat. I wish I could give him my appetite! He is also on some meds for infection . Hopefully we can get that under control and be back on a good path. Blessings,Alesia

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  13. sethsnap

    It’s hard I imagine. I dread having to take our Baylee to the vet. She is turning 11 this month and she is getting on up there. I feel for you. I’ll keep you and Linus in my thoughts.

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    1. alesiablogs Post author

      Seth, Thank you so much. I had no idea the response I would get in regards to my dog. It has been so sweet. We all know the hurt that the loss of an animal can have on the human spirit. I feel like I have a support group now where I can share.

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  14. metan

    Sad to hear that Linus isn’t well. That time when a pet is really aging is always sad.
    Luckily he doesn’t know it though, and you can shower him with love and affection and he will go out convinced he is the centre of the universe 🙂 Sometimes knowing the end is coming is a good thing, sad, but good. Good luck with him.

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    1. alesiablogs Post author

      Metan, Thank you to. I am overwhelmed with the support my followers have been to me. I will continue to share with all my readers about Linus until he leaves this earth. For now he is still my buddy laying by side as I even write this. I am fattening him up as the VET said to try to do and giving him some medicines. I remember watching Marley and Me and crying so hard when the dog passed in the film. I am just glad I can share with you all by writing about it. Thanks again.

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  16. stephenedwards425

    Linus looks beautiful..er…I mean handsome, if he is sensitive about those gender identification adjectives…btw…thanks for deciding to follow my blog…I hope you will enjoy the trip…be encouraged!

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  18. Garden Walk Garden Talk

    I am saddened by the news on Linus. Having had dogs into old age from the age of six weeks, I know just how you feel. It is tough and the sadness will last a long time when that day comes. It is good that you care so much and gave him the best care. All the best to you and Linus.

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    1. alesiablogs Post author

      Thank you so much. Like I said earlier I am so humbled by all the response. Linus would not eat this morning for me. However later when I tried again he ate for me out of my hand and than got up to eat. He seems like himself basically, but now I am pushing the food more etc.

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  19. pishnguyen

    I am so, so sorry to read about this. And so heartbroken and sorry for the worry and hurt I know you have to be feeling. I remember all too well going through this same thing with my beloved Tex (the Springer I had before my current beloved, yet spoiled, boy). It still makes me tear up thinking about it. I wish I had better words for you — something that would help — but, in reality, I know nothing can really help.

    I hope that Linus bounces back and starts feeling better and healthier soon. With Tex, it started out at about the same age, and the vet told me to expect the end to come “at any time”, which was absolutely devastating. But Tex rallied, and I had two more wonderful years with him. In the end, it’s never enough time; my choice would have been never to be parted from him. But it was much better than nothing and a wonderful blessing. I pray that you and Linus will have quite a bit more time together.

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