We had to euthanize our family dog yesterday

[canoeist52]

Rocky was a 14 year-old Catahoula Leopard Dog. He went peacefully surrounded by family. He had no fear, just laid his head in the vet's hand and passed. We are grateful to all vets who provide such kind service.
Rocky as a pup

Our house is quiet this morning.

[Pool Hall Ace]

1. Oh, I am so sorry.

Safe passage, Rocky-dog.

Hugs for you :hug:

[BuelahWitch]

2. RIP Rocky

Beautiful dog :hug:

[alsame]

3. RIP over the Rainbow Bridge, Rocky. So sorry for your loss. nt

[hobbit709]

4. I'm sorry.

R.I.P. Rocky

[Bertha Venation]

5. Canoeist, I am so sorry.

Godspeed, Rocky, to the Rainbow Bridge.

[raccoon]

6. I'm sorry to hear that.

:hug:

[a kennedy]

7. Sorry for your loss.....

:hug: edit for grammar

[driver8]

8. I'm so sorry for your loss --it is never easy to say goodbye to our friends.

Rocky looks like such a sweet boy.

[Demoiselle]

9. What a sweet face! I am so sorry for your loss.

[schmuls]

10. Dear Rocky - rest in peace

[Bossy Monkey]

11. So so sorry.

I hope you can celebrate those 14 great years. What a handsome fella he was.

[Rambis]

12. sorry to hear it

Our kids found our 15 year old golden on the living room floor last month. I am glad we didn't have to make "the decision" but it was hard for them and us.

[canoeist52]

28. sorry about your golden, Rambis.

That must have been so hard to find him gone. That what I expected every morning. Food was the only thing he still enjoyed. He was in such pain from arthritis. We were ready to let him go.

[Rambis]

37. strange

I still rearrange the patio furniture to leave an out (not needed)- I bought 100+ aspirin the other day because they were a good deal. They get so ingrained into the family and everyday life it is hard when they are gone. I am still finding dog hair on my clothes so it reminds me of him. My daughter said last week (she is 6)that she wanted to travel back to a time when sunny was alive. Breaks your heart:hug:

[canoeist52]

40. Yes, Rambis, it's the little things were discovering.

I still step carefully into any room expecting him to be laying in the doorway.
If I leave anything on the couch It'll still be there when I get back.
I can leave coffee on the coffee table.
Your daughter has a lot of wisdom and insight at six years.

[myrna minx]

13. I am so sorry for your loss.

:hug:

[michreject]

14. I know your heart is breaking

Mine is as I read this.

[MissMillie]

15. God speed, Rocky

you were loved and you will be missed.

Canoeist... he'll miss you too.

[livetohike]

16. I'm so sorry for your loss of Rocky

:hug: I hope all the memories of good times you had over the years will bring a smile to you and your family. He sure was a cute dog....I also have a Catahoula Leopard and she is one of the best dogs I've ever had. You had many good years together....:hug:.

[canoeist52]

26. These Catahoula's are a special breed.

Don't know if yours is but ours was very dignified, loyal but would do what you wanted only if he thought it was a worthy cause. I've never had a dog like him. Not really affectionate(just put up with the mushy stuff), but protective and dependable.
He had such arthritic pain in his hips that he could not walk for the last week. When my husband had to carry him down the stairs to go out, he was indignant so we knew it was time. He was the only dog my son 23 and 20 y.o. daughter ever owned. She works as a dog groomer, so going to work today was particularly difficult.



Waiting for the bus

[livetohike]

38. Oh, now I'm crying too

:hug:. This has to be really hard on the "kids" too. Our Cindy was adopted from a dog pound in L.A.- they called her an Australian Shepherd! They said she was a stray (at 8 weeks old)and we brought her home on her 4th day in the pound....She's like velcro with me - follows me everywhere. She's very protective, but doesn't like overt affection. Unlike her buddy, our ACD Murphy who would lick you to death. I call her my "big goofy girl". She has a great personality.

Her hips have been bothering her for a year now and she is just 6.5 years old. I have been giving her Synflex and keeping her active which is no problem since she loves her boomer ball! She loves to go canoeing but is not crazy about swimming :shrug:, which would be great for her hips if she was.

You did the right thing by Rocky....it's always hard to know when it's time. He was a beautiful boy.

Here's Cindy taken this week on a hike:

[canoeist52]

39. Wow, Our story was the same. An older womwn had to go to a nursing home and couldn't care for her

dog who recently had 2 puppies. We took the male at 8 weeks. The vet also thought he was an Australian Shepherd. Reading the behavioral characteristics, we knew that wasn't right. After more blood work and some on-line research, we found his breed.
Your Cindy tugs at my heart. She looks very familiar. I'd say give her a hug for me but... you know what that's like. Rocky lived to chase sticks in the waters, even in cold weather if we'd let him. He left sticks in the water every where he swam. We used to try to explain to friends that he wasn't a retriever but a chaser.
My only regret is that we didn't get him flock of sheep to herd. :)

[livetohike]

41. As soon as we got home with her we took her to the vet

and our vet was from Louisiana. She is the one that said Cindy looked like a Louisiana Catahoula Leopard. I had never even heard of the breed. So I looked on-line for everything I could find out about the breed and besides looking like one, she has many of the characteristics except for the aggressiveness. She is very good with people and other dogs - the ACD is another story.

Rocky is over the Bridge chasing sticks with all the dogs we have known and loved :-).

[EndersDame]

17. Rocky will be waiting for you at the door of the afterlife tail wagging

[UrbScotty]

18. I am so sorry, canoeist.

Having lost a dog in July, I feel your pain.

I am glad Rocky went peacefully.

:hug:

[lunamagica]

19. RIP sweet Rocky. n/t

[LisaM]

20. I'm sorry

it's so hard to lose a pet. One of our dogs just battled cancer - so far successfuly - so every extra month we have him is precious.

[OwnedByFerrets]

21. My heart goes out to you....its never easy.

[joeybee12]

22. I'm sorry to hear that...that's always tough.

:grouphug:

[Ishoutandscream2]

23. These threads break me up the most

I am terribly sorry for your loss. Dogs are the greatest creatures in the world.

[rubberducky]

24. My heart breaks for you.

This has to be one of the most gut-wrenching decisions we are ever faced with.

[foxfeet]

25. I'm so sorry. I wish you peace and healing .

He's a handsome guy.

[hedgehog]

27. Sorry to hear you had to go through this.

[elocs]

29. Sorry for your loss. It's tough and heartbreaking and there's no way around it.

My first cat was nearly 20 and my dog was 16 when I had them put to sleep and was with them, but it didn't go well for me at all since the vet had a hard time finding a good vein and it took several tries. I was prepared for it to be done, but not for it to take 3 times.

[applegrove]

30. RIP.

[darkstar3]

31. My condolences, dear friend.

I have a dog myself, and I love her dearly. I know that when the sad day inevitably comes I will be nigh inconsolable.

I cannot hope to ease your pain, but I hope these words will help your grief. There is nothing on this earth that embodies love, joy, and all things good like a happy dog, and as long as you carry these things in your heart, the legacy of Rocky will live on.

[Bryn]

32. So Sorry for your loss

May Rocky have a safe journey to Rainbow Bridge.

[Mudoria]

33. My deepest sympathies

Lost one of mine 6 weeks ago.. heartbreaking.

[The Midway Rebel]

34. Prayers and comforting thoughts sent your way...n/t

[proteus_lives]

35. RIP Rocky.

We had to do that to Valentine our family dog a few years back. It's so hard, my condolences.

[Sheltiemama]

36. I'm so sorry.

I've been there twice. Rocky was a very handsome fellow.

[GreenPartyVoter]

42. I'm so sorry *hugs* Glad it was peaceful for him.

[Call Me Wesley]

43. Safe passage to Rocky.

May he be free from suffering. Peace and comfort to you and yours.

[WinkyDink]

44. {{canoist52}}~~~I'm so sorry. RIP, Rocky.

[Vidar]

45. A peaceful journey to Rocky & my condolences.

[Beaverhausen]

46. I'm so sorry.

Sounds like he had a happy life and a peaceful passing.

Not that that makes it any easier.

:hug:
Most of us here know how you are feeling.

[bluedigger]

47. That is so sad!

Rocky sounds like he was a great dog! I got a Catahoula Leopard last year and she is the bestest ever. I can't imagine.:hug:

[emilyg]

48. I am so sorry.