Rip Mj

[Vodstok]

I have not posted anything about this yet, but some of you may remember that I had a dog for a while named MJ (short for Mary Jane, not the name we gave her). We adopted her almost 3 years ago, and she was sweet little old beagle; she would have been 10 on Oct 28th.


However, as things happen, she came down with a rare condition called "chylothorax", and is rare enough that our vet said MJ was the fourth dog he had ever seen with it, out of over 15,000 over the course of 10 years. basically, her lymph system was draining fluid into her body cavity. We tried for about 4 weeks after she was diagnosed to treat it. She had been throwing up weird mucassy stuff for about a week prior to that.


After a special diet, plus steroids, rutin (a natural capilary strengthener) and antibiotics, she just couldnt take it any more, and neither could Bree, so we had to put her down. It was awful, she was such a nice little animal.


By a complete coincidence, Bree had been over at a friends house earlier in the week, and had me one of her dogs, named Happy. She hit it off with Happy right away. Two days later, we had to have MJ euthanized.

That following weekend, we found out that Happy was being neglected by the girl who owned her, and her family (our friends) were going to have to give her away so that she would actually get taken care of.

And it just so happens that we no longer had a dog. I met Happy, and I have never hit it off with an animal so well in my life. She is awesome, she plays and kisses (MJ had spent her life until we got her as a breeder, so she didnt do regular doggie things, no playing, no kissing, no fetching)

Happy is DOG. she is big (80 lbs) and black, the best our vet can figure is that she is half black lab, and half pitbull. before anyone cringes too much, apparently this mix has only the best of both worlds, and never inherets the "inherent" aggressiveness of the pit side. Basically, Happy looks like a brawny black lab with shorter ears, and smiles ALL THE TIME.


I figured it would be nice to apprise everyone of our pet situation. we miss MJ a lot, but Happy has done a great job of fitting in. And now we have a dog that can rip and intruder's leg off :)

[Doc Faustus]

I'd be more worried about the lab part, than the pit bull, actually. Lab crosses can have bad tempers. But, if you have a nice one, you have a nice one. Good luck with your new dog. I know what it's like to lose one. I had a spaniel/border collie cross for fifteen years, but she didn't survive a move a few years back.

[Vodstok]

Sorry to hear that. i had lost plenty of other pets before, but MJ was my first dog ever, so that was a real kick in the teeth. The worst part was for my wife, though, I hate seeing her that upset. She is the biggest dog lover i have ever known. it is good for her, though, big time. She had a lab pitbull growing up, so its almost like a replacement for her childhood dog.

[hammerfan]

Vod, you know I feel yours and Bree's pain. Here's a little poem for you:

If It Should Be…..

If it should be that I grow weak
And pain should keep me from my sleep,
Then you must do what must be done,
For this last battle can’t be won.

You will be sad I understand,
Don’t let your grief then stay your hand.
For this day more than all the rest,
Your love for me must stand the test.

We’ve had so many happy years,
What is to come can hold no fears.
You’d not want me to suffer so,
The time has come, please let me go.

Take me where my needs they’ll tend,
But stay with me until the end.
Hold me firm and speak to me
Until my eyes no longer see.

I know in time that you will see
The kindness that you did for me.
Although my tail its last has waved,
From pain and suffering I’ve been saved.

Please do not grieve – it must be you
Who has this painful thing to do.
We’ve been so close, we two, these years
Don’t let your heart hold any tears.

[Marley's Ghost]

a stolen poem
i'll leave in here
to lift you spirits
and subside a tear.


Do not mourn my passing for if you could only see
By slipping all my earthly bonds, I'm young again and free.
By day I run the Heavenly fields, my body healthy and strong
At night I sleep at Angels' Feet, lulled by Celestial Song.
So do not mourn my passing, just close your eyes - you'll see
I'm once again that frisky pup, just as you remember me.

[Miss Olivia]

There once was a man from Nantucket......
Sorry, got carried away with all the rhymes. Ahem.
While it sucks you lost your pet, it's neat that you found a good dog that needed a good family in such a coincidentally compatible time. It just makes you feel like everything happens for a reason sometimes.

[newb]

Sorry to hear about your lose Vod. Damn pets really are family.A couple of years ago my 13 year old dog died and I vowed not to get another one....it was just too hard when they died.A few months went by and the next thing you know....I had TWO more dogs. What can I say....i'm weak. Plus I really missed the dog greeting me when I came home from work. Damn thing looked like he was smiling.

[Vodstok]

Originally Posted by newb

Sorry to hear about your lose Vod. Damn pets really are family.A couple of years ago my 13 year old dog died and I vowed not to get another one....it was just too hard when they died.A few months went by and the next thing you know....I had TWO more dogs. What can I say....i'm weak. Plus I really missed the dog greeting me when I came home from work. Damn thing looked like he was smiling.

Its funny, our new dog has been named Happy since she was a puppy, but she apparently grew into it. She is just a big smily goofball.


Until she gets challenged by another dog. She is pure alpha with other dogs and will not take shit from them; its fortunate she is big and very strong.

With people though, she is completely submissive; totally non-aggressive. She is awesome :)

[Disease]

sorrie to hear of your loss Vodstock, I had a dog put down, it was my first dog, it was a very sad time, but you seem like you're doing ok...

[Phalanx]

I fucking HATE losing a dog...it's the worst....as bad as it can be, I don't believe any loss of another type of pet brings about the emotional loss that a dog would...
Nothing anyone says in here'll make much better.
You had some good years, that's all you can really ask for.

Here's to moving on.
Good luck with it all...