Our gentle giant is gone - YorkieTalk.com Forums

Lou · 07-07-2009, 06:10 AM

Many of you already know that we have been struggling with when the best time was to put our beloved german shepherd, Ivan, down.
http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/off...en-let-go.html
Well, the decision was made last night when we saw that he just wasn’t finding a comfortable spot to lay down with his poor hips and couldn’t be comforted due to his itchy/painful skin condition. Everything got drastically worse last week. We had to admit that we could no longer stay on top of the condition or in front of his pain. Even though it was the right thing to do we are grieving terribly. The little dogs are doing alright but I am noticing that they are all coming to realize his absence may be more than a trip to the groomer. They have lost their fearless protector and gentle friend. Poor little Skeeter has lost his playmate and best friend. Personally I have lost the only dog that ever took care of me!

Rainbow Bridge has always been a comfort to me and lord only knows there must be dozens of animals over there waiting for me by now, but he will be leading the pack to greet me when I die.
I look forward to it.
RIP my gentle giant. I love you.

ARCHIE · 07-07-2009, 06:15 AM

Only another dog lover could honestly understand how you are feeling.
It's so difficult to loose someone you love and who has only loved you
in return. Lou, know that he know longer is suffering but once again
happy and playing with all his sisters and brothers and new friends
at Rainbow Bridge. Cherish the memories the two of you have made
and I hope they ease your broken heart.

Hugs,

abby2473 · 07-07-2009, 06:26 AM

....I'm so sorry....

...I know from experience how hard this decision was to make...but they let you know don't they? ............RIP Ivan....

PiePiper · 07-07-2009, 06:32 AM

So sorry for your loss. I know how hard it was to make that difficult decision to let go. When we say good-bye they always take a piece of your heart with them. RIP Ivan

LDandPasquale · 07-07-2009, 06:32 AM

Ohhh Lou...i'm sooo sorry!! I'm sending you a giant virtual hug!! My thoughts are with you and your family!!

TresCutePiggies · 07-07-2009, 07:18 AM

I'm so sorry to hear about Ivan. I lost my gentle giant almost two years ago, and I had to make the decision to let him go as well - though it's really no decision at all when they tell you they are suffering.

Rest in peace big boy. He will be leading the pack as you said when you are reunited one day.

BonBon · 07-07-2009, 07:52 AM

I am so sorry. RIP sweet Ivan.

Lou · 07-07-2009, 08:46 AM

Thanks everyone.It is good to hear from you who understand how I am feeling. I have been crying all morning. I'm at work and afraid to step outside of the office. A lot of my co-workers and friends don't understand.

My only regret is that the vet asked if we wanted Ivan injected directly into the vein or in an IV. We chose the direct injection because we thought it would be quicker. It wasn't. Poor Ivan had to suffer through them trying to find a vein that wasn't affected by edema and then they didn't give him enough so I was sitting there holding his head while he panted so hard! Finally he closed his eyes and it was over. I'm going to post a slide show later on after the pain dies down. Please be sure to look at it. I think you will get a big kick out of this big puppy playing with a bucket! I think I even have one of him carrying around a brick! He was a real card.

4doggiemama · 07-07-2009, 10:40 AM

GSDs are such stately, beautiful dogs. You must have loved him so much and I can hear your pain. Reading your story caused me to reach down and love my babies. Their lives are too short. R.I.P., Ivan, mommy's gentle giant.

I belong to an EPI forum where most of the dogs affected are GSDs. I can hear the love in the words of the members as they fight for the health of their beautiful dogs.

mimimomo · 07-07-2009, 10:42 AM

So sorry for your loss. You did what was best for him. Will look forward to the slide show of gentle Ivan.

manolos mom · 07-07-2009, 11:24 AM

I am so sorry about the loss of your Baby. I Understand, if you need to cry just send me a mesg and we can cry together. I held my Angus and felt him take his last breath. God Bless you and give you strength..He will be your angel and watch over you.

Patti · 07-07-2009, 12:46 PM

I am so sorry for the loss of your beloved Ivan. It hurts so much when we lose one of our babies. I look forward to the slideshow.

RDB911 · 07-07-2009, 01:40 PM

So Sorry for your lose..my heart goes out to you..RIP Ivan

yorkiepaws · 07-07-2009, 01:47 PM

I am so sorry to hear about Ivan. Rest in Peace sweet one.

crystalsmom · 07-08-2009, 06:03 AM

Lou I am crying my eyes out here, my dear friend. You are so right about non dog people not understanding and just how deep the pain goes, I do understand.

I have always loved the breed and remember my Dad having one at work that was beside him every minute when he was there late. I never met the dog but Dad would come home most every night and tell my brother and me such wonderful stories and we could not believe any dog could be so wonderful. He told us just how gentle he was but 'Shep' knew when something was up that he had to be aware of. Mom would pack a surprise for Shep each day in Dad's lunch and we were told lunch time was so exciting for him but he would have given up any surprise for my Dad. I guess you know where I get my love of dogs from.....yes my Dad.

Remember we are here for you. I don't know how I ever would have gotten through my loss without YT. Pm me anytime that you are feeling low and I will be there for you, I hope you know that.

If tears could build a stairway
and memories a lane,
I would walk right up to Heaven
and bring you home again

07-07-2009, 06:10 AM	#1
Lou Donating YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: A little town south of Chicago Posts: 4,525	Our gentle giant is gone Many of you already know that we have been struggling with when the best time was to put our beloved german shepherd, Ivan, down. http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/off...en-let-go.html Well, the decision was made last night when we saw that he just wasn’t finding a comfortable spot to lay down with his poor hips and couldn’t be comforted due to his itchy/painful skin condition. Everything got drastically worse last week. We had to admit that we could no longer stay on top of the condition or in front of his pain. Even though it was the right thing to do we are grieving terribly. The little dogs are doing alright but I am noticing that they are all coming to realize his absence may be more than a trip to the groomer. They have lost their fearless protector and gentle friend. Poor little Skeeter has lost his playmate and best friend. Personally I have lost the only dog that ever took care of me! Rainbow Bridge has always been a comfort to me and lord only knows there must be dozens of animals over there waiting for me by now, but he will be leading the pack to greet me when I die. I look forward to it. RIP my gentle giant. I love you. __________________ http://www.its-a-yorkie-thing.com Gracie Skeeter Adie Tyler

07-07-2009, 06:26 AM	#3
abby2473 Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Cape Cod, MA Posts: 1,643	....I'm so sorry.......I know from experience how hard this decision was to make...but they let you know don't they? ............RIP Ivan.... __________________ Linda, Willow & Jake's Mom: Jake Rory

07-07-2009, 06:32 AM	#4
PiePiper Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Connecticut Posts: 759	So sorry for your loss. I know how hard it was to make that difficult decision to let go. When we say good-bye they always take a piece of your heart with them. RIP Ivan __________________ Mom to Piper & Chipper

07-07-2009, 06:32 AM	#5
LDandPasquale YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Massachusetts/Florida Posts: 2,614	Ohhh Lou...i'm sooo sorry!! I'm sending you a giant virtual hug!! My thoughts are with you and your family!! __________________ LD that's me and Pasquale "If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving is definitely not for you!"

07-07-2009, 07:18 AM	#6
TresCutePiggies Owned by Rory & Lane Donating Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 1,893	I'm so sorry to hear about Ivan. I lost my gentle giant almost two years ago, and I had to make the decision to let him go as well - though it's really no decision at all when they tell you they are suffering. Rest in peace big boy. He will be leading the pack as you said when you are reunited one day. __________________ Rory and Lane now have a dog blog, Doggie Debutantes. Find us on Facebook here.

07-07-2009, 06:15 AM	#2
ARCHIE No Longer A Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: NEW YORK Posts: 16,218	Only another dog lover could honestly understand how you are feeling. It's so difficult to loose someone you love and who has only loved you in return. Lou, know that he know longer is suffering but once again happy and playing with all his sisters and brothers and new friends at Rainbow Bridge. Cherish the memories the two of you have made and I hope they ease your broken heart. Hugs,

07-07-2009, 07:52 AM	#7
BonBon Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: With my yorkies Posts: 10,350	I am so sorry. RIP sweet Ivan. __________________ He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion. -- Author Unknown

07-07-2009, 08:46 AM	#8
Lou Donating YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: A little town south of Chicago Posts: 4,525	Thanks everyone.It is good to hear from you who understand how I am feeling. I have been crying all morning. I'm at work and afraid to step outside of the office. A lot of my co-workers and friends don't understand. My only regret is that the vet asked if we wanted Ivan injected directly into the vein or in an IV. We chose the direct injection because we thought it would be quicker. It wasn't. Poor Ivan had to suffer through them trying to find a vein that wasn't affected by edema and then they didn't give him enough so I was sitting there holding his head while he panted so hard! Finally he closed his eyes and it was over. I'm going to post a slide show later on after the pain dies down. Please be sure to look at it. I think you will get a big kick out of this big puppy playing with a bucket! I think I even have one of him carrying around a brick! He was a real card. __________________ http://www.its-a-yorkie-thing.com Gracie Skeeter Adie Tyler

07-07-2009, 10:40 AM	#9
4doggiemama Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: KS Posts: 3,290	GSDs are such stately, beautiful dogs. You must have loved him so much and I can hear your pain. Reading your story caused me to reach down and love my babies. Their lives are too short. R.I.P., Ivan, mommy's gentle giant. I belong to an EPI forum where most of the dogs affected are GSDs. I can hear the love in the words of the members as they fight for the health of their beautiful dogs. __________________ Joanne Eli ChipperEva Snowboy Rosie(R.I.P. 1996-July 29, 2013) Cocoa(R.I.P 1998-April 26, 2012):

07-07-2009, 10:42 AM	#10
mimimomo Don't Litter Spay&Neuter Donating Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: So Cal Posts: 9,874	R.I.P Ivan So sorry for your loss. You did what was best for him. Will look forward to the slide show of gentle Ivan. __________________ Jenny Mimi Momo Princess Turbo Madan Pin Brush: www.toplinepet.com

07-07-2009, 11:24 AM	#11
manolos mom Donating YT 4000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 7,982	I am so sorry about the loss of your Baby. I Understand, if you need to cry just send me a mesg and we can cry together. I held my Angus and felt him take his last breath. God Bless you and give you strength..He will be your angel and watch over you. __________________ Ethical Breeders follow and support http://www.ytca.org/

07-07-2009, 12:46 PM	#12
Patti Donating YT 30K Club Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Illinois Posts: 35,509 Blog Entries: 6	I am so sorry for the loss of your beloved Ivan. It hurts so much when we lose one of our babies. I look forward to the slideshow. __________________ Cali Pixie Roxie : RIP Nikki; RIP Maya;RIP my sweet Dixie girl 1/17/08 http://callipuppyscastle.bravehost.com/index.html

07-07-2009, 01:40 PM	#13
RDB911 Lola's Love Donating Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Mill Valley, CA, USA Posts: 2,934	So Sorry for your lose..my heart goes out to you..RIP Ivan __________________ www.NewPuppyPads.com Puppy Pee Pads by the Case and Washable Pee Pads www.PremierYorkie.com

07-07-2009, 01:47 PM	#14
yorkiepaws Owned by "Lil Rat" Donating Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Maryland Posts: 1,067	I am so sorry to hear about Ivan. Rest in Peace sweet one. __________________ Mommy to Himalaya and Kitty

07-08-2009, 06:03 AM	#15
crystalsmom Donating YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 7,946	Lou I am crying my eyes out here, my dear friend. You are so right about non dog people not understanding and just how deep the pain goes, I do understand. I have always loved the breed and remember my Dad having one at work that was beside him every minute when he was there late. I never met the dog but Dad would come home most every night and tell my brother and me such wonderful stories and we could not believe any dog could be so wonderful. He told us just how gentle he was but 'Shep' knew when something was up that he had to be aware of. Mom would pack a surprise for Shep each day in Dad's lunch and we were told lunch time was so exciting for him but he would have given up any surprise for my Dad. I guess you know where I get my love of dogs from.....yes my Dad. Remember we are here for you. I don't know how I ever would have gotten through my loss without YT. Pm me anytime that you are feeling low and I will be there for you, I hope you know that. If tears could build a stairway and memories a lane, I would walk right up to Heaven and bring you home again __________________ Last edited by crystalsmom; 07-08-2009 at 06:05 AM.