My Bueatiful, Bueatiful George
By needtoiron
@needtoiron (82)
Australia
October 9, 2007 4:54pm CST
Hi,
GEORGE, was my 18yr old Chihuahua, shih Tzu cross who I had put to sleep last night because he was riddled with cancer and I could not bare to see him suffer any longer.
Let me tell you a little about GEORGE. I was given george by a friend about 2yrs after my 16yr old Lab died. We wre having coffee one day when my friend went outside, soon after she called me out to look at what this silly pup was doing. He was at my car standing up on the passenger side door, all the other pups were of playing but not GEORGE. My friend said to me that it was obvious that he wanted to go home with me. So in a nut shell that is how I picked GEORGE.
GEORGE has been my companion, my best mate, my confidarnt, my co-woker and just all round buddy for 18yrs. What do I do now?
When I say co-woker,when he was about 18mths old I started taking him to work with me. At the time I was the Nurse Unit Manager for A Rehabilitation Unit. He did some wonderful work with these people. Helping them get movement back in their arms and legs and just making these people feel special. So much so many people said that they wanted a GEORGE dog, but unfortunately there was only one GEORGE and he was mine. One case comes to mind where a young man came to the unit because he had badly damaged his knee and after having it repaired would still not walk on it. So we put GEORGE to work on him by placing a ball in front of his good leg and getting him to kick the ball so as GEORGE would fetch it. Then after he had done this a few times we then placed the ballin front of he bad leg for him to kick the ball again for GEORGE and he did, hence how we got him using his leg again.
GEORGE also went to work with me at a pallitive care unit, were just being there helped lift these peoples spirits.
Best mate, GEORGE has always been there for me , whenever I needed someone to talk to. he always listened really well and then would give me a lick as if to say " it will be OK mum". Or he was always there just for company.
Now he is gone and I write this in tears. I have other dogs, but will I ever find another GEORGE.
3 people like this
6 responses
@babygurl850406 (1322)
• United States
10 Oct 07
I can sympathize with you, I had to put my 13 year old cat down when he got cancer. I got him as a baby when I was 7 years old and he was pretty much my best friend through all the years it was very difficult I didnt even know what to do. But it helps so much to know he is not suffering anymore. His quality of life got so bad in his last few months he was so thin you could feel his bones.
Its great to hear he did therapy work to lift other people's spirits, I have a dog who I do that with. Although you will never find another "George" because there is only one, open your heart up to other dogs and they can become just as special in their own ways.
1 person likes this
@Katlady2 (9904)
• United States
11 Oct 07
Babygurl, I'm so sorry for your loss hon. It's so hard to lose our babies, especially when it's to something as awful as cancer. But he will always be in your heart and memories hon. And more than likely, since my Meg loved kitties, your kitty is romping and playing all over the place with her while they are waiting for us. Hugs to you sweetie.
@needtoiron (82)
• Australia
10 Oct 07
Yes it's not pretty when they start to deteriorate. GEORGE had gone from 10 kg down to 6 in a matter of months and he was groling at everyone and yet he had such a friendly nature.
Thank you for yourcomments.
1 person likes this
@ctrymuziklvr (11057)
• United States
10 Oct 07
I can soooo feel your pain. Not because of a lost dog to age or a disease but because I had to rehome my 3 ferrets that I also had for a long time. It sounds like George lived a long and happy life. If he had cancer his life would not have been as wonderful as it was and that combined with old age would certainly had him suffering. You did the best thing for him and yourself. You wouldn't have been happy watching George suffer. I really am sorry for your loss.
@needtoiron (82)
• Australia
10 Oct 07
Yes he did have a very full and rewarding life. And as he got older and the faclties got worse we would call him the silly old bas*** because he would bark at nothing and the growling at the other dogs GEORGE always accepted other dogs that were bought into our home, but he was getting grumpier with the other dogs which I can only put down to pain.No after all we had been through together I could not bear to see him suffer any longer.
Thank you for your words of comfort.
@AmbiePam (92717)
• United States
10 Oct 07
I am so sorry for your loss. Most people don't understand that pets are true friends, and deserve mourning. I hope you'll be able to find comfort in memories. I think it was kind of you to have him put to sleep after you knew there was nothing else left to do. Some owners keep their dogs alive even though they are in so much pain, just because they can't bear the parting. I think it is kinder to be strong, and let them go with dignity and love. I miss my dogs that have passed on. There are never substitutes, but there are always new friends waiting to be made. : )
@needtoiron (82)
• Australia
10 Oct 07
I agree there are never substitutes for true friends and as the saying goes "you will be able to count your true friends on one hand". This includes dogs as well. I am a softy an connot bear to see anyone in pain especially animals as they can't voice their pain. GEORGE was a real tough guy he never let on that her was in pain but from the extent of the cancer he must have been.
1 person likes this
@foxygirle (376)
• Philippines
10 Oct 07
i understand how you feel loosing a favorite dog. SOmehow the pain is there because of the unforgetable memories that the two of you have shared. Its really hard to loose a dog that you love. Its like loosing a loved one.
@needtoiron (82)
• Australia
10 Oct 07
GEORGE touched so many lives and everyone that knew him loved him. There are so many wonderful memories and writing this has freshened those memories for me.
Thank you for your response.
@rksessions (4)
• United States
9 Oct 07
I understand what you mean. I had a pure bred black lab. He was like part of the family. He was very protective and he literally gave his life for me. I was outside one day and we were playing fetch and a car for no reason drove all the way up into the yard and hit my dog who ran in front of me to protect me. He went blind because of it and he broke his leg and his hip. He stayed with us for another 2 years until he started to really be in pain. I could not stand to see such a wonderful dog suffereing so I put him down. He deserved to die without pain since he was just a wonderful dog. I have never been able to get another dog. If i ever did get another dog there would never be another one like him. His name was AJ.
@needtoiron (82)
• Australia
10 Oct 07
Hi,
Sounds like he was a really great dog. George just seemed to be always there when I needed him.The big problem when I had him put to sleep was that he was still so alert and kept looking at me with those big eyes as if to say whats wrong mum.
