Being a dog owner is worth the heartache
I was touched to read the story in More magazine on Saturday, January 5 about the death of Cheslyn Baker's dog, Daisy.
I could identify with this well-written tale of the reciprocal devotion we all experience with our four-footed friends, as we own a near-identical hound who is causing us some serious heartache.
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Our dog, Jake, is a labrador-cross that looks a lot like Daisy and is the same age. He is a second-time rescue dog and one of the most intelligent animals we have ever owned – and we have had plenty.
Cheslyn mentioned she didn't need a lead with Daisy and we are the same with Jake – he just doesn't wander off.
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Now for the difficult part of the story. Jake fell ill about a year ago and we took him to the same vet's practice in Sileby that was mentioned in the story.
He was diagnosed with diabetes and a sympathetic vet gave us a choice of insulin injections or "cheerio".
We decided Jake's good company was well worth the trouble and expense of the twice-daily needle jabs and we have had lots of fun over another year. But now, due to the diabetes, Jake is going blind.
The vet says that at Jake's age, a serious eye operation would be a difficult option, so, we fear, it will not be long before the final decision has to be made. Sad, sad, sad. We have loved his company.
I have enclosed a photo of Jake taken last winter.
Raymond Mason, Cossington.
Comments
by karinfall1955
Monday, January 14 2013, 11:59PM
“Do not worry too much about your dog losing his sight if that is the only problem he has. Obviously he is your dog and you know best. However, my parents have just taken on a fourteen yr old rescue with cataracts that has virtually no sight and she gets around just fine so long as they keep her on the leash and do not move the furniture around. I have had to euthanase many a lovely dog but have always tried to see it as an opportunity to re-home another rescue.”
by annoying9
Monday, January 14 2013, 9:25AM
“My 17 year old dog (I had him when he was 2) died four years ago and I too was heartbroken. I too said never again, but my daughter becoming gravely ill three months later obviously altered the focus somewhat. I did however, as she was undergoing treatment find myself lonely and anxious and did acquire another rescue dog, aged four, to help me I know I will be heartbroken again when I lose this dog but have already had endless pleasure from him and will consider that heartbreak to be 'interest on the loan'. No-one should deprive temselves of the joy of a dog because they fear the inevitable loss”