Monday, July 12, 2010

Bingo The Dog Is Finally Gone. Burying A Dog Sucks.



A few weeks ago I mentioned how we had to put my dog Bingo to sleep because we found out he had cancer of the spleen. And we were going to do it right away because the vet said he only had a few weeks to live.

After talking to the vet more she said that he wasn't really in pain, just some discomfort. So we decided to take it day by day. And although he was more tired than usual, and followed us around more than more, he didn't seem that bad.

He even ran out the door and followed me up the street just a few days ago. I looked back and he was running after me, his big old lab tail wagging. Running a bit slower than usual but still running.

Well yesterday things took a turn for the worse. He started to bleed a bit out of his ass.

So we called the vet, and instead of telling us to bring him to one of the vets that was open on a Sunday she said, "I live in Downingtown. I'll be there in half hour." Which was so great.

She came over and we decided to have him put to sleep right there. On our front porch. It was really, really sad but also very peaceful. I didn't think that I'd be able to sit through it but I did. We talked to him as he got the first injection and got more and more tired.

Over the 20 minutes it took for him to be sedated a few people were walking their dogs around the block. He would normally bark but instead he just looked up. Once he was fully sedated, she gave the second injection and it was over in five minutes.

I even asked if she could help wrap him up in the blanket because just moving him around while he was lifeless was too much. So she wrapped him up. Swaddled him really. We thanked her and she left.

We decided to bury him in the back yard so we put him into the wheelbarrow and wheeled him to the back of our yard next to the creek. It was right next to where we buried all of the other frogs, gerbils, Guinea pigs and hermit crabs over the years. But this hole was going to have to be a lot bigger.

I dug the hole while Bingo laid wrapped in his favorite blue blanket. The hole took about an hour to dig because there were so many rocks. I'd stop once in a while and just look at the blanket - not believing he was dead. And cry a bit.

Finally, after digging the hole, we put him in the hole and made sure he was curled up. We then put two of his stuffed animals in with him. Then filled in the dirt. There was a huge rock that I put in front of his grave. I may paint his name on it.

A sad day. But I'm glad we decided to bury him in the back yard instead of having him cremated. At least we'll know he'll always be there.

Goodbye Bingo. You were a great dog.

25 comments:

Anonymous said...

I'm so very sorry for your loss. I teared up just reading about it. Sounds like you loved him very much.

Avitable said...

Sorry to hear about your loss. Losing a pet is always so hard.

AbelPetSupply said...

You're making me cry! We JUST watched Marley and Me again over the weekend and sat on the couch BAWLING! Your description of that day is so much like the movie.

At least the hardest part is over now. Each day will bring a little more peace. I grew up with a yellow Lab. Got her when I was 5 and we had to put her asleep when I was 20. We have all of the these pictures of us with her, crying, knowing we were letting her go the next day. It's still hurts to look at those. I feel your pain.

Verdant Earl said...

That sucks. I know all to well the pain of losing a pet that you love. Hang in there.

John said...

I am so sorry for your lost, it is really hard...We feel your pain...

Some Guy said...

Heartbreaking, Zibbs. I'm so sorry.

Anonymous said...

Ugh, I'm really sorry, Zibbs. Let me know if you're up for a beer this week after work.

You and Bingo were fortunate to have this happen at your home, where he was most comfortable.

Putting a dog down is no easier than losing a human family member. I am really sorry, this will suck for awhile.

Maybe he'll meet my Ruga up there :)

Kristen said...

This is a very sad but sweet post. Having a pet put down has to be one of the hardest things to do, but having it done at home, on the porch, sounds really peaceful. RIP Bingo.

sybil law said...

Aww, I'm so sorry.
But he was with you, and that's always preferable and comforting.
xoxo

Jenn said...

Aww Zibby very sad but sweet post. We did the same with our beloved cat. We felt so much better having him put to sleep at home. You did the right thing, and Bingo had a wonderful life with you and your family. RIP Bingo hugs...

Jessica said...

:( I am so sorry for your loss.

Tony Alva said...

Sorry to hear of your loss Zibbzy. You'd think after having to do this a few times myself we'd give up the whole pet thing, but we inevitably get more. Ours are all still young, but with my little girl who has grown her whole short life with these little "People" surrounding her this exercise will surely be even worse. I'll do what I've done my whole life and live in the deniale that they'll live forever like me.

JenJen said...

hugs from here sweetie.

CrotchPains said...

Sorry Zibbs...He was s cool old dog....

Heff said...

Yep, there's always that ONE pet you remember more than the others.

Kate said...

Hugs to the Zibbs family. What a wonderful vet you have, too. Now Bingo is now longer in pain, and you can always visit him in the back yard by the creek. I went through the same thing with my kitty a few months ago.. It sucks. RIP Bingo.

Cora said...

Oh Zibbs, I'm so very, very sorry.

:-(

((((BIG BIG HUGS))))

jax said...

Oh God. I happened to come over today by chance. I'm so very very sorry for your loss. Our darling doggy daughter passed away on 5/7/08 with a story very similar to yours. Only in her case she turned from being fine one day to being extremely sick the next. I was with her when she was gone at the vet's. It was the hardest thing i've ever had to do. Her ashes are still with us and I give her a greeting every now and again. I miss her every day. Big hugs to you.

Dr Zibbs said...

Thanks everyone.

Scope said...

I think you did the made the right choices when you made them.

Sorry for your loss.

LegalMist said...

I'm so sorry for your loss. It is so hard to lose our little pals.

You'll probably hate me for joking at a time like this, but after we buried our second dead cat in the back yard, my husband started singing:

"Our house, is a very very very fine house,

With two cats in the yard,
life used to be so hard...."


Ha ha.

I had to punch his arm for that one.

But it lightened the mood. And I still smile, and cry just a little, every time I hear that song. 'Cause now, instead of reminding me of the seventies, it reminds me of my two little furry pals that we buried in the yard.

RIP, Bingo. You obviously were a well-loved dog.

Anonymous said...

So sad. It's never an easy thing to have to put a pet down. I went through that a couple years ago with our 17 year old dachshund. I was a mess.

Bodaciousboomer said...

I just read about Bingo. I'm so sorry for your loss. When I was growing up and lost a pet my mom told me about the rainbow bridge, where all pets go when they leave us. It may be childish, but I'm still holding on to that- at my age. By now, they'll be a whole pack just waiting for me.

Rosie said...

Sorry. Horrible to go through but I'm glad he had a great life with you.

Caffeine Court said...

:( I just saw this. So sad. I'm looking at my big old 12 year old lab, she is really slowing down. I know I have to prepare myself. I hope when she goes it will be as peaceful as it was for Bingo.