R.I.P. Fridge 1995-2007
This was Fridge (or Fridgidaire Silverbear on his AKC papers) He was one of the sweetest animals you could have ever met. A couple hours ago, we had to have him put to sleep. He had been battling bulging discs in his neck for the past month, and had been doing pretty well with his medication. But last night he took a big turn for the worse. The neck problems had been causing lameness in his right front paw and he would drag it but still walk on it. Last night, he was laying in the living room and couldn’t stand up. His left side had pretty much been paralyzed. He was too old for surgery, and my wife took him into the vet today. I know she asked the question to the vet “If it was your dog, what would you do?” The answer was the most painful one. Jen was there with him, and i know this is tearing her up.
I’m not doing well either, I should have been there, but went to work instead. I gave him a tearful hug goodbye this morning, figuring it might be the last time I saw him. Unfortunately that was the case.
I helped deliver him when he was born, and his size in the litter garnered him the name Fridge. We never thought we would be keeping him, and we never thought the name would stick. Well both were the case, and we couldn’t have asked for a better dog. And he looked at us, right in the eye, and you could tell that he completely trusted in us and counted on us for love and protection. I’m just glad he didn’t have prolonged pain, but it won’t be the same when I go home tonight.
Jen, I’m so sorry I wasn’t there…
October 26, 2007 @ 4:19 pm
So sorry to hear your news John – knowing that you did the right thing doesn’t make it any better of course
What an awful week for dog owners…
October 26, 2007 @ 8:23 pm
Thoughts are with you all John. They are some of our best feiends and it is so hard to see them go. But even harder to see them in pain. You did the right thing.
October 26, 2007 @ 8:24 pm
Ohhh… that’s so sad. Sorry to hear about it. Take care.
October 27, 2007 @ 1:20 am
Sad news John, hope the family gets over the trauma with time…
Was Fridge a Keeshond? I had one as a pet when I was a kid, and she was just the most wonderful pet…
October 29, 2007 @ 8:32 am
I’m so sorry. We’ve all been there. I’ll never forget the day my boyhood dog was put to sleep. I was at work when my mom called me. I rushed out of work with tears in my eyes to pick him up from the vet’s office. I brought him to my parents house and buried him. My dad was amazed at how deep I dug the hole. I cried the whole time. They give so much and ask for nothing but affection. Humans could learn a lot from them.
God bless and take care.
October 29, 2007 @ 2:03 pm
Thanks for the condolences all. Yes Stuart, Fridge was a Kees, as are both my other dogs. Love the breed. Best dogs in the world in my opinion.
It’s weird how things hit you. We would always make the joke that when we “put something in the fridge” that it must be uncomfortable for him.
Well last night we had some leftovers and I asked Jen if I should put them in the fridge and she just burst into tears. She felt silly, but it wasn’t silly to me at all. We’d made that joke for 12 years, and no all of a sudden the phrase just feels wrong.
Oh well, his Dad (Shadow) seems to be perking up and we’re doing okay. Gonna miss the big guy a ton though.
Thanks to everyone again for your thoughts.
-Grey
October 29, 2007 @ 2:11 pm
So sorry for the lost John.
October 30, 2007 @ 11:24 am
Sorry for your loss, Grey. Sounds like some great memories.
November 6, 2007 @ 4:25 pm
I’m so sorry Grey, I’d say “belated condolences” but I bet you’ll be feeling his loss for awhile. Hugs and good thoughts to you, Jen and the girls.