Losing a family friend, but gaining one shortly

[Andy Chase]

My wife's 13 year old cocker spaniel, Happy, has been having troubles breathing and moving around lately. She used to work at an animal hospital and caller her former boss to talk things over and we've made an appointment for Saturday morning to put him to sleep. She got him just before we started dating, and our 2 boys love Happy. They're somewhat understanding that he's not going to be around in the near future, but I'm curious as to how they'll take it this weekend. It's going to be tough on our Cockatiel as well, he squawks whenever Happy is out of his sight for more than 2 minutes, and it's ear piercing until he see's Happy again to which he'll whistle at him. They're best buds.



On a brighter note, my buddy's male springer spaniel fathered 2 puppies and he's giving me his pick of the litter. We pick our puppy, Bauer, up sometime next week. I'm excited because this is going to be my hunting dog. We didn't really mean for these to happen within days of each other, but it'll probably help our boys cope with the loss of Happy.

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[EddieS'04]

Not loosing a freind. You are loosing a family member.

So sorry, I feel your families pain.

Happy is a good looker!

 

[Andy Chase]

Thanks.



That's actually Bauer, the springer. I didn't have a picture of Happy on my work computer.

 

[Mike Dziubina]

I lost my spaniel about 2 months ago. very tough for me. best of luck with your new family member

 

[Mark Stadnicki]

So sorry to hear this. It is a tough thing to do. My thoughts are with you and your family.



I had to put down my 9yo beagle Jul 3rd due to stomach cancer. It was not a good weekend for me. I don't have kids and had him since he was a puppy. My German Sheppard who has been with him since a puppy really misses him. House seems empty without him.

 

[Rodger Tellefson]

Sorry to hear of your loss. Dogs do have a way of working their way into my heart.

 

[Robert Caffyn]

Real sorry to hear about your buddy. They are truly like family, its hard when it gets to that time. For me, its a quality of life thing. Have lost 5 of the last 6 goldens to cancer. I pray Molly will do better! Bob



PS: My neighbor across the lagoon just had their 5 y/o english springer spaniel put to sleep as they seem to have a neurological disorder(inherited) that makes them super aggressive. Its like a bi-polar thing, like a switch flips and they will attack, bite and so on. Neighbors feared when grandkids are around, so the choice was made. Have yours checked, the vet should know about this!!!!

 

[Andy Chase]

Bob, I've never heard of that or seen that. (Not saying there's not a lineage with that) but we've owned 3 purebreads, and brittany Springer mix - one of the best dogs we've ever had, I want one someday. And I've knowns a few other people with Springers.

 

[Andy Chase]

Bob, I did a search and did find an article on it. It's Sudden Rage syndromn and can happen to any dogs, but I guess it's happend in Springers so there's also Springer Rage. I never knew that, but it sounds like it's so very rare that it isn't a real issue. It's a form of Epilepsy.

 

[JohnnyB]

You can also look up idiopathic aggression.