Dudley

[threeringedmoon]

January 2000-February 14, 2005

Last Tuesday morning, Dudley came in from his dog run holding his right hind leg three inches off the ground. He had been his usual self when he went out an hour before.

My vet came out on Thursday and gave him a shot of cortisone, and we agreed to have him x-rayed if he hadn't improved by Monday. She couldn't palpate the stifle well enough to see how badly damaged it was, and the sedation required for the x-rays would allow a better exam as well.

Unfortunately, the exam revealed that not only had he ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament, but that he had advanced dysplasia in both hips as well. Jack and I decided that we were not willing to put Dudley through the multiple surgeries he would have required for even a faint chance at being "normal." I asked the vet to put him down, and held him while it was done.

The house is very quiet this morning.

Comments

[pezzgrrrl.livejournal.com]

it's always so hard to make the decision to let your pets keep a certain quality of life.

*big hugs*

[brisingamen.livejournal.com]

Very sad, but I think you did the best thing for him.

[elainegrey.livejournal.com]

That's so hard. My heart goes out to you and Jack.

[wouldyoueva.livejournal.com]

Aw...poor Dudley but lucky to have owners kind enough not to let him suffer. Best to you and Jack.

[enchylatta.livejournal.com]

i'm so sorry
sometimes the most loving and kind things we do for our animal friends are the most painful things for us.

[kwintt.livejournal.com]

Oh my goodness, how sad for your family. I am sorry to hear this

[allyson13.livejournal.com]

Please accept my condolences on your loss.

*hugs*

[ashcomp.livejournal.com]

Sorry to hear this. We had to do this for our last pet of many years, and now the current cat is starting to walk pretty stiffly; the knee she had fixed while a young thing is not holding up as well as the others. It's going to be really hard when her time comes.

[sunnysparkle.livejournal.com]

Oh my.
I am extremely sorry for your loss.

***HUGS***

[galeni.livejournal.com]

Damn. Sympathies.

That's rough.

[tamiam.livejournal.com]

Sorry for your loss. I know how much our pets mean to us. That's a great picture, looking at us.

[apeacock.livejournal.com]

got here via enchylatta....and wanted to say that i am very soory about your dog...he was so beautiful..

I used to live in CO too. :)

[serendipoz.livejournal.com]

That's hard to do.

*hug* - many happy memories of him.

[athenais.livejournal.com]

Long runs and far horizons, comfort and peace to Dudley.