Retirement Today!!! WOO HOO!!

[EA37TS]

Congrats and enjoy.

[The Gritz Carlton]

All things don't always work out as planned. Very sadly, we've been back and forth with Little Baby Blondie (my 5 year old yellow lab) to vet and veterinary specialist. Final blood panel sent to University of Georgia revealed Acute Monosystic Leukemia, which is cancer of blood and bone marrow. Brought her home and kept her as comfortable as possible until she started stumbling around a little. Doctor said it had got in her brain and the next step would be seizures. Saturday we honored her dignity and had to send her across The Rainbow Bridge. What a stab to my heart. I got her at retirement and we've spend the last 5 years 24/7 together. We had some great "last days" together an she finally was able to "raid the pantry".

[axis earl]

Originally Posted by The Gritz Carlton

All things don't always work out as planned. Very sadly, we've been back and forth with Little Baby Blondie (my 5 year old yellow lab) to vet and veterinary specialist. Final blood panel sent to University of Georgia revealed Acute Monosystic Leukemia, which is cancer of blood and bone marrow. Brought her home and kept her as comfortable as possible until she started stumbling around a little. Doctor said it had got in her brain and the next step would be seizures. Saturday we honored her dignity and had to send her across The Rainbow Bridge. What a stab to my heart. I got her at retirement and we've spend the last 5 years 24/7 together. We had some great "last days" together an she finally was able to "raid the pantry".

Gritz, Our deepest condolences from our dog loving family. Every day we have with them is the best. Keep the good memories and remember that Rainbow Bridge.

[Squerly]

Originally Posted by The Gritz Carlton

All things don't always work out as planned. Very sadly, we've been back and forth with Little Baby Blondie (my 5 year old yellow lab) to vet and veterinary specialist. Final blood panel sent to University of Georgia revealed Acute Monosystic Leukemia, which is cancer of blood and bone marrow. Brought her home and kept her as comfortable as possible until she started stumbling around a little. Doctor said it had got in her brain and the next step would be seizures. Saturday we honored her dignity and had to send her across The Rainbow Bridge. What a stab to my heart. I got her at retirement and we've spend the last 5 years 24/7 together. We had some great "last days" together an she finally was able to "raid the pantry".

Oh no Don, I'm so sorry. I have tears in my eyes right now as I remember Shep, who we lost 3 years ago on the 18th of December. It's tough, but be strong for Blondie. She wouldn't be happy to see you hurting.

[jeffpiercemagic]

Originally Posted by The Gritz Carlton

All things don't always work out as planned. Very sadly, we've been back and forth with Little Baby Blondie (my 5 year old yellow lab) to vet and veterinary specialist. Final blood panel sent to University of Georgia revealed Acute Monosystic Leukemia, which is cancer of blood and bone marrow. Brought her home and kept her as comfortable as possible until she started stumbling around a little. Doctor said it had got in her brain and the next step would be seizures. Saturday we honored her dignity and had to send her across The Rainbow Bridge. What a stab to my heart. I got her at retirement and we've spend the last 5 years 24/7 together. We had some great "last days" together an she finally was able to "raid the pantry".

Don and April,

Zita and I are so sorry for your loss. Having gone through loss we understand your feelings. It will get better, but never go away. You guys are strong. See you soon hopefully.

Jeff and Zita

[Pete'sMH]

What a sad, but heartwarming story. A dog’s love is unconditional and beautiful. You just have to suspend your “man card” for a while and cry. When we lost our sweet dog of nearly 18 years we were sure we’d never get another. But just recently a very special rescue joined my wife and me for our travels. He’s a great traveler.

Sorry for your loss, friend.

[rudyhehn]

We've lost several pets and know that empty spot in your heart. Sorry for your loss.

[16ACE27]

I've always been a "dog person" and certainly know the pain of losing one due to their unconditional love. The last one passed in 2007.

We now have a cat bequeathed to us by our youngest son from a dissolving college living arrangement. It was supposed to be a temporary thing until a better home could be found for her. This was in 2011. You couldn't pry that cat out of our household now. She provides so much entertainment and love to our empty nest home. I dread the day she too passes, not only for my wife's sorrow, but for mine as well.

What joy our pets bring us.

[The Gritz Carlton]

Thanks so much for the heartfelt and kind words. She was my 24/7 sidekick/best little buddy. She went everywhere. Way to young!!

[gnach]

Oh Don, that's a heart break. we're sorry for you and April.We only borrow them for a little while but Blondie was way too young. - Gary and Iris

[halfprice]

So sorry to hear this. Labs are the best friend you could ever have I miss mine everyday.

Just know she is over the rainbow bridge looking down at you.

Jerry

[Mr Sunshine]

Sorry for your sad news. We have been pet free for years, but still have warm memories of our Cocker family member we had to let go. We feel your pain.

[Homer3]

Gritz - so sorry to hear about your loss. We lost our corgi boys in March 2016 and May 2018 and still haven't been able to get another motorhome hog. We always said (and laughed at ourselves) that we were the staff of two of the cutest guys around. They loved the motorhome and we miss them every day and especially when we're on the road.


I hope your fond memories of your girl will bring you comfort. Anyone who has had their heart "owned" by a dog can feel your pain. Take care.

[Judge]

Sorry to hear about this Gritz....

We take our miniature pincher with us and she is a big part of our lives. She turns 11 this summer and hoping we can get retired by January and have her with us for a few years while we travel more.

I’m dreading the day when we have to go through what you are right now.

I almost don’t want another pet because they become a part of the family and hurts just like when you lose any family member.... but they also being a lot of joy and companionship.

Hopefully remembering the good times will help ease some of the pain.

[The Gritz Carlton]

Originally Posted by Judge

Sorry to hear about this Gritz....

We take our miniature pincher with us and she is a big part of our lives. She turns 11 this summer and hoping we can get retired by January and have her with us for a few years while we travel more.

I’m dreading the day when we have to go through what you are right now.

I almost don’t want another pet because they become a part of the family and hurts just like when you lose any family member.... but they also being a lot of joy and companionship.

Hopefully remembering the good times will help ease some of the pain.

Agree...at our age, our pets are our replacement for our grown kids and often take precedent over them. I often though my daughter was a bit jealous of Little Blondie because Blondie could do no wrong by me. I'm at the point in life I don't want to have to leave a mature pet behind myself so we will not be getting another. We still have Bugsie, our 10 year old Lab. As you could imagine...Bugsie is grieving in ways we can only guess at but we will never know her pain as they can't just express it like we can. My son adopted a sweet little Pitt puppy 4 years ago. She totally changed my opinion about that breed...she's abut as sweet a dog as you could have. He reminded my last Friday of some "some words of wisdom" I spoke to him just before he got her..."Just know Brian, at your age, part of owning a pet and assuming the responsibility for them is know you will watch them die some day...start this relationship with that understanding and prepare yourself for it throughout her life". In reality...there is no preparation.

[jeffpiercemagic]

Originally Posted by The Gritz Carlton

Agree...at our age, our pets are our replacement for our grown kids and often take precedent over them. I often though my daughter was a bit jealous of Little Blondie because Blondie could do no wrong by me. I'm at the point in life I don't want to have to leave a mature pet behind myself so we will not be getting another. We still have Bugsie, our 10 year old Lab. As you could imagine...Bugsie is grieving in ways we can only guess at but we will never know her pain as they can't just express it like we can. My son adopted a sweet little Pitt puppy 4 years ago. She totally changed my opinion about that breed...she's abut as sweet a dog as you could have. He reminded my last Friday of some "some words of wisdom" I spoke to him just before he got her..."Just know Brian, at your age, part of owning a pet and assuming the responsibility for them is know you will watch them die some day...start this relationship with that understanding and prepare yourself for it throughout her life". In reality...there is no preparation.

Don there is no prep for what you might have to do, but we have to do it for them and not hang on for ourselves. After the last time my wife Zita said "no more" but this is my feelings, they select you you don't select them so one day someone will select you and you will know its time.

Jeff

[Mitch S]

I'll have to agree with Jeff, You never ready to lose a furry member of the family. We went to my daughter's graduation from her training, and my other daughter called to tell us that our pom-chi mix had passed away while we were gone. Thanksgiving of 18 we were in Florida for a family gathering and out chi-eagle came up missing from the yard while we were missing, never did know what happened to him. It wasn't long after my sister passed, we had to put our 12 yr. old chi down.

[vkb]

Originally Posted by The Gritz Carlton

All things don't always work out as planned. Very sadly, we've been back and forth with Little Baby Blondie (my 5 year old yellow lab) to vet and veterinary specialist. Final blood panel sent to University of Georgia revealed Acute Monosystic Leukemia, which is cancer of blood and bone marrow. Brought her home and kept her as comfortable as possible until she started stumbling around a little. Doctor said it had got in her brain and the next step would be seizures. Saturday we honored her dignity and had to send her across The Rainbow Bridge. What a stab to my heart. I got her at retirement and we've spend the last 5 years 24/7 together. We had some great "last days" together an she finally was able to "raid the pantry".

Sad to read of your losing your beloved pup...all the great memories keep them near and dear to your heart ….

[saddlesore]

Originally Posted by The Gritz Carlton

We're were just laughing about going to the Waffle House Monday morning in our pajamas and have coffee!!! What a Kodak Moment!!

AND.....Ordering T-Bone Steak & Eggs.....

[GVP-The Boxcar Children]

So sorry for your loss, Gritz Family! Our 2 dogs and 2 cats are all aging and on various medications as are we, and they are truly the children we never had. We know your pain all too well-our deepest sympathies to you and your family.
GVP