R.I.P. Boots

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Boots last meal

I spent all morning sitting with my daughter’s sick dog Boots.  Boots is seven years old and has lymphoma.  My daughter and her family have been on vacation and were coming home today.  We weren’t sure if she was going to last until they got home.  But she did.  Her condition deteriorated drastically from yesterday until today.  She could no longer get up and walk.  I think she may have had a stroke too because she had no control of her tongue and it wouldn’t wouldn’t stay in her mouth.  I kept splashing water on her tongue to keep it hydrated, but she really made little effort to drink the water or even try to swallow.

This picture was taken yesterday.  She hadn’t eaten much the last week so we tried everything to get her to eat. We discovered that she liked McDonald’s McChicken sandwiches after we took the bread off and peeled away most of the crust.  She ate a few of those in the last few days.  Oh, she also loves milk.

But after  this meal yesterday, just stopped eating and drinking.  My son-in-law took her to the vet to be put to sleep just a little while ago. 

So, it’s not been too good of a day so far.  But we’re off now for pizza and maybe a movie and a little bit of fun!

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55 thoughts on “R.I.P. Boots”

  2. Oh, I’m so, so sorry.

    You and your daughter have my most sincere sympathy. I do know what that’s like.

    May Boots rest in peace and may all who loved her be comforted.

  4. So sorry to hear about Boots. : ( I’ve also been in the situation before and it’s never easy. My condolances to you and your daughter. I hope she’ll not be too sad for too long knowing that Boots is no longer suffering.

  5. Im sorry for your loss I know exactly what that feels like. On wed we lost our baby of 11 years to cancer. Doughboy was a great dog with a great heart. give your daughter my sympathies

  7. Loosing a pet can be a hard thing. We lost our cat a few years back to cancer. We put him to sleep so he didn’t suffer. Rest in peace, Boots.

  8. Sorry, as sad as it is, you have to think about how now there is no more pain for your loved pet.

  10. Poor Boots, I was wondering how she was doing. All doggies go to heaven with no pain.
    Sorry for your families loss.

  11. Jonco,
    I have total empathy, my gf just put down her 18 year old cat due to kidney disease. Peace, bro.

  13. It can be a heartrending experience to have a four legged friend put down. I still remember vividly going through it about six years ago with Sadie, my fat Beagle. My wife and I were in the Vet’s exam room holding her when the Vet gave her the shot. I absolutely lost it when Sadie looked at us with an expression that told us that she understood. I’ve lost two cats and another dog since, but I have not been able to make myself be in the room. People who have not had a beloved pet die just don’t get it. Drink all the milk you want, Boots…

  14. My most sincere sympathy Jonco…Boots looks a lot like my dog Benny and the day he goes im going to be a total mess.R.I.P. Boots.

  15. Well, Mike, I’m still above ground. Things can always be worse. Plus, I learned something from my brother that I try to always think about: The way you react to the things that happen in your life is more important than the actual things that happen.

  16. Thanks everybody. Boots is home now, buried in the back yard. Once she was diagnosed, we started getting used to the idea of her passing (she was on steroids that made her act a little more normal for a while). One other concern was how her sister (litter-mate) Clover would take it. So far, Clover seems okay. But anyway, thanks for all the kind words.

  17. Oh yeah, and thanks to you too Dad. We appreciate you sitting with her for her last few hours…
    on a lighter note… Sorry about a crappy start to your birthday– 🙂 Maybe some of these fine folks will
    buy you a round!

  20. We lost our dog last year at age six to the same cancer. A very tough thing to do, put down a loved pet. Boots is no longer in pain and is chasing a tennis ball, rabbit or chewing on his favorite toy.

  21. Krisgo & Jonco – Its always hard to say goodbye to a four-legged sidekick. Keep her alive in your hearts – my thoughts and prayers are with you.

  27. So sorry to hear of the passing of the dog. It is difficult to be the one there in the end. We lost our beloved cat of 21 years a month ago today. My heart goes out to you and your daughters family.

  30. nice Einstein. shows how smart ya really are, heartless too, my family was always of the belief that anyone who had no compassion for the suffering of animals, would have no compassion for the suffering of their fellow man, looks like it holds true.

  31. Deepest sympathies. Thanks for sharing something so personal, our hearts go out to your daughter and family.

  32. Rest well, Boots. I understand the loss of a pet. I feel like mine are really more than just animals – they are family.

  34. I know how painful it is to lose an animal companion. Wherever Boots is now, I hope the little mutt is happy and having fun.

  35. I didn’t say this, just paraphrasing Jonco.

    It’s your birthday, kick off your Boots and have some fun.

  37. Be at peace, Boots. We had to put a 6-month old puppy to sleep a couple of years ago. It was terrible. We still have one of his littermates and there are days we wish he had been the one to be put to sleep. But the kids (and I) love him.

  39. Sounds like you did your very best to make her last little bit of time as comfortable as possible. It’s never easy to go through these things. Always remember the good times. RIP Boots.

  41. Nah, I wouldn’t ban him for that. He’s just not a dog lover, and that’s not a crime. Neither is insensitivity.
    I didn’t even ban Bill K. who sent me an email with some some really, really cruel comments about my niece. But he said he’s never coming back anyway.

  43. Sorry about Boots Jonco. I am glad he isn’t suffering anymore though. I am glad he waited for your daughter to get home, I bet he was too.

    You are a good man Jonco and it is an honour to know you. xxxooo

  44. Jonco, I know how you feel, I’ve had it happen to me several times. I hope it isn’t long before you only remember her wagging tail and welcoming smile.

    Einstein, keep off this site – we’re much to good for the likes of you.

  45. I am so sorry for your loss, I know the pain too well. Here are words that helped me during the hard time.

    Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

    When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
    There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.
    There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

    All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
    The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

    They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

    You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

    Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together….

    Author unknown…

    To have loved and then said farewell is better than to have never loved at all. For all of the times that you stooped and touched my head, fed me my favorite treat and returned the love that I so unconditionally gave to you. For the care that you gave to me so unselfishly. For all of these things I am grateful and thankful. I ask that you grieve not for the loss but rejoice in the fact that we lived, loved and touched each other’s lives. My life was fuller because you were there, not as owner, but as my friend. Today, I am as I was in my youth. The grass is always green, butterflies flit among fthe flowers and the sun shines gently down upon all of God’s creatures. I can run, jump and play and do all of the things that I did in my youth. There is no sickness, no aching joints and no regrets and no aging. We await the arrival of our lifelong companions and know that togetherness is forever. You live in our hearts as we do in yours. Companions such as you are very rare and unique. Don’t hold the love that you have within yourself. Give it to another like me and then I will live forever. For love never really dies, and you are loved and missed as surely as we are.

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