We lost our loving pet, Pumpkin yesterday. He was 12 years old. Celebrated his 12th birthday last month, Sept. 18th.
The last 2 months was the hardest for me. I knew the end of his golden years was coming to an end. He was limping. Unable to stand independently while eating. He eats and then walks around and goes back to eating until the bowl is emptied. It was the first sign something was really wrong.
I got him at 8 weeks old just right after I graduated from college. A companion I was ready for out of college. Picked him up in Peach Orchard surrounded by his parents, brothers & sisters. The first night I brought him home was Halloween night. I decided to name him "Pumpkin". He lived with 4 of my sorority sisters and we all loved taking care of him when we lived together.
A few months later, moved to Minnesota & got a job. My family at home instantly loved him and welcomed him to the family. Their first meeting was at the airport when they came to pick Pumpkin & I up. He was such an excited puppy, wanting to get out of the crate. The moment he got out, he ran around us and leaving a stream of pee on the airport carpet as we walk to the car.
I married in 2000 to Scott. We had a son, that came to the world 7 weeks early. The first few weeks at home with our son, he was protective of our son. Laying next to him by his bassinette & sleeping with us at nights.
Then a daughter came 3 years later and he continued to be such a loving dog to us protecting all of us under the roof.
I am Deaf. He was trained to be a hearing dog. A brilliant dog he was. Passed with flying colors. He knew I was Deaf and he always came up to me and hit my hand with his wet nose for attention or to inform me of the sounds (ie: doorbell, bed alarm, and of course to be petted and give him love).
The last few weeks was a very, very sad one for me. Pumpkin started to decrease w/ his daily activity (walking with me, tail wagging, and coming with me to school to get my kids - he loves coming with because he is always surrounded by many kids sitting in circle to pet him). Took him to the vet last Friday (was quite a hard week because I was in denial and not wanting to be told of the facts of what was wrong with Pumpkin but it was ... time) the vet ran tests and told me he had cancer. He was losing weight and he just didn't look too well). Decided to put him on predisone for a few days to help ease his pain. Brought him home with us. Of course he perked up and looked ok. We did make an appointment for him to be put to sleep Monday, Oct 5th. But the entire weekend was a very emotional weekend for me. We did take him with us out to the Family Fun Fest Oct 3. A wagon ride. He enjoyed it.
He seemed ok Sunday night and I decided to wait and postpone our final day to a later date.
But Monday night he went downhill. He struggled to go outside to do his business and then at midnight, back outside with me. He walked around and then sat down. It was raining and it was the moment I had to accept and know he's ready.
I did not watch the ending of the Monday night football but laid down on the carpet with Pumpkin in my bedroom. Cried and comforted him. UNTIL, he turned around and looked at my eyes & licked my tears from my cheeks. I knew it was TIME. He told me.
Called the vet and made a home-visit appointment for him to be put to sleep here at home, peacefully. Of course, the last few hours was the HARDEST. Set up his doggy pillow, his pawprints and his favorite duck by our fireplace - his final resting spot. Kids came home from school and we were together to be with him until he passed away.
He died peacefully in my arms.
You are SO MUCH missed by us, especially me. I love you PUMPKIN!!!!!!
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Yesterday, the 1st day since his passing was the most difficult day I've had. Woke up not tripping over Pumpkin by my bed like I've always did in the AMs & him not there at his spot to observe the kids getting ready for school. Then after my husband & the kids left - felt emptiness. Went upstairs to my bedroom and cry. I knew Pumpkin wouldn't like seeing me sad. I opened my laptop and looked for pet loss websites especially for GRs. I came across this website and felt at ease reading the pet loss stories and instantly signed up as I felt so much comfort from you here. Thank you for welcoming me. Here are some more pictures I added. I am very thankful I was able to print Pumpkin's paw prints the day before he died (it was not planned since I thought I would have a few more days with him). It was ready yesterday and I slated it under our tree at the front of our house. A spot I can sit and look back to good memories of us together. Am currently waiting for his ashes to be returned and then I will feel some kind of closure.
Thank you again for all the heartfelt messages you left.
The last 2 months was the hardest for me. I knew the end of his golden years was coming to an end. He was limping. Unable to stand independently while eating. He eats and then walks around and goes back to eating until the bowl is emptied. It was the first sign something was really wrong.
I got him at 8 weeks old just right after I graduated from college. A companion I was ready for out of college. Picked him up in Peach Orchard surrounded by his parents, brothers & sisters. The first night I brought him home was Halloween night. I decided to name him "Pumpkin". He lived with 4 of my sorority sisters and we all loved taking care of him when we lived together.
A few months later, moved to Minnesota & got a job. My family at home instantly loved him and welcomed him to the family. Their first meeting was at the airport when they came to pick Pumpkin & I up. He was such an excited puppy, wanting to get out of the crate. The moment he got out, he ran around us and leaving a stream of pee on the airport carpet as we walk to the car.
I married in 2000 to Scott. We had a son, that came to the world 7 weeks early. The first few weeks at home with our son, he was protective of our son. Laying next to him by his bassinette & sleeping with us at nights.
Then a daughter came 3 years later and he continued to be such a loving dog to us protecting all of us under the roof.
I am Deaf. He was trained to be a hearing dog. A brilliant dog he was. Passed with flying colors. He knew I was Deaf and he always came up to me and hit my hand with his wet nose for attention or to inform me of the sounds (ie: doorbell, bed alarm, and of course to be petted and give him love).
The last few weeks was a very, very sad one for me. Pumpkin started to decrease w/ his daily activity (walking with me, tail wagging, and coming with me to school to get my kids - he loves coming with because he is always surrounded by many kids sitting in circle to pet him). Took him to the vet last Friday (was quite a hard week because I was in denial and not wanting to be told of the facts of what was wrong with Pumpkin but it was ... time) the vet ran tests and told me he had cancer. He was losing weight and he just didn't look too well). Decided to put him on predisone for a few days to help ease his pain. Brought him home with us. Of course he perked up and looked ok. We did make an appointment for him to be put to sleep Monday, Oct 5th. But the entire weekend was a very emotional weekend for me. We did take him with us out to the Family Fun Fest Oct 3. A wagon ride. He enjoyed it.
He seemed ok Sunday night and I decided to wait and postpone our final day to a later date.
But Monday night he went downhill. He struggled to go outside to do his business and then at midnight, back outside with me. He walked around and then sat down. It was raining and it was the moment I had to accept and know he's ready.
I did not watch the ending of the Monday night football but laid down on the carpet with Pumpkin in my bedroom. Cried and comforted him. UNTIL, he turned around and looked at my eyes & licked my tears from my cheeks. I knew it was TIME. He told me.
Called the vet and made a home-visit appointment for him to be put to sleep here at home, peacefully. Of course, the last few hours was the HARDEST. Set up his doggy pillow, his pawprints and his favorite duck by our fireplace - his final resting spot. Kids came home from school and we were together to be with him until he passed away.
He died peacefully in my arms.
You are SO MUCH missed by us, especially me. I love you PUMPKIN!!!!!!
------------------------------
Yesterday, the 1st day since his passing was the most difficult day I've had. Woke up not tripping over Pumpkin by my bed like I've always did in the AMs & him not there at his spot to observe the kids getting ready for school. Then after my husband & the kids left - felt emptiness. Went upstairs to my bedroom and cry. I knew Pumpkin wouldn't like seeing me sad. I opened my laptop and looked for pet loss websites especially for GRs. I came across this website and felt at ease reading the pet loss stories and instantly signed up as I felt so much comfort from you here. Thank you for welcoming me. Here are some more pictures I added. I am very thankful I was able to print Pumpkin's paw prints the day before he died (it was not planned since I thought I would have a few more days with him). It was ready yesterday and I slated it under our tree at the front of our house. A spot I can sit and look back to good memories of us together. Am currently waiting for his ashes to be returned and then I will feel some kind of closure.
Thank you again for all the heartfelt messages you left.
