Just found out my next door neighbors have to put their dog to sleep
I had a feeling this was coming but for some reason was devastated to find out today that he'll be gone in a few days. They're holding out just to have a little time to get used to the idea and I guess work up the courage to do it. I'm so heartbroken though I know it's the right thing for them to do since poor Bubba is so old and in such bad shape now. There's something wrong with one of his hind legs (I have a feeling he has bone cancer going on in there since his symptoms have been exactly like Boo's were when he was diagnosed). My neighbors also lived through that with me too, and they've been thinking the same thing but haven't wanted to acknowledge it until recently. Poor Bubba is so old and crotchety now anyway even on all four legs, but now that he can't use the one he can't get himself outside to go to the bathroom and back inside without help. Today was the first day that L--- just suddenly burst into tears as she was helping him with his back end trying to get him back in the house.
They rescued Bubba when he was brought to a vet and then to foster care after being taken away from a dog fighting ring where he'd been abused and used as bait. He has some scaring from old wounds and around his muzzle where he was made to wear a muzzle that didn't fit it right. He was so happy to be with his knew family that doted on him, spoiled him rotten, and sadly overfed him as a way of trying to compensate for the terrible life he had before... he was so skinny when they got him you could count all his ribs even though he had already been rescued and was in foster care trying to get fattened up.
Bubba gave back so much love and devotion to his new family and would cheerfully put up with all manner of indignities the youngest child bestowed on him... he made her his special charge the day she came home from the hospital after being born and has never stopped guarding her and letting her get away with murder even now that he's in such bad shape and likely having some pain. She's still to young to really understand what death means, but she's definitely starting to feel the pain of having to lose her hairy guardian and playmate that's a good five times bigger than her even though she's not very clear on exactly why.
I think Yoshi knows. The neighbors insist that their dogs knew when Boo was going, and they cried and howled the day we took our final ride to the vet. I never believed they were just saying that. I really think dogs just know these things. I've noticed lately that Yoshi has been very attentive to Bubba and doesn't try goading him into playing anymore but just leans back against him on the chain link fence when Bubba leans against it to get some weight off his bad leg and keep his balance. Just yesterday I caught him sniffing and licking at Bubba through the fence, and he's never done that before. I've also noticed that Yoshi has lately raced outside like his butt was on fire the second he hears Bubba come outside the few times that he does, and he won't do any wandering away for a pee or a poo and sticks right by Bubba until he's back in his house. He has his other neighborhood doggie friends, but Bubba has been his best buddy from the first day I brought him home, and he's going to be so sad when big Bubby Bear is gone.
This isn't even my dog, and I'm so sad. He is such a likable smelly old lazy fart of a beast, and it's really going to suck when he goes. On the one hand I know it's his time, and the kindest thing to do is have him have a peaceful passing, but on the other hand I'm really going to miss the tubby great lump and his little stump of tail wiggling furiously back and forth as much as a little stub of a tail can when I come out in the yard and he's out in his looking at me hopefully for a treat with his saggy jowly face that would break out in a doggie grin when he saw me coming.
Oh, I really hate this. 
= new reply since forum marked as read
and it hurts even when it's not our own lovable.
It sounds cheesy but it meant a lot to me when friends sent me cards after we put our dog down. Other dog people get it. 
