Dogs are no our whole life, they just make our lives whole

This week is a very sad time for me. Anyone who knows me, knows how much of an animal lover I am. Especially my dogs Scooter and Bentley. Friday I have made the decision to put my almost 10 year old beagle, Scooter down. Since March, he has had some major health issues that he has not been able to bounce back from. He has suffered from seizures ever since he was a pup, but never bad enough to be medicated. In the long run that he complicated the issues that he dealing with now. After having routine check ups and a complete blood count with zero results, a couple weeks ago my vet diagnosed him with dementhia ( doggie ahlzheimers). I did not even know that animals could get this disese. It was a true heartache to hear the truth, but yet a relief to finally have an accurate diagnosis. It has the same effects on animals as it does in humans. They lose control of all body functions, they are confused, and do not know who they are or even who you are. Once simple pleasures, like riding in the car on a summer day or going to visit grandma are now stressful events, because they are in now an unknown environment. They regress into a child like state, sleeping hours on end. Scooter has always been there by my side. When I was going through my divorce I sometimes felt that he was my only friend. He was there to lick my tears of pain away, and he was always there to give me unconditional companionship. He put up with me moving from apartment to apartment from Wapak to Spencerville. He adapted to my sleep and work schedules when I changed jobs. When I was sick or recovering from surgery he was always by my side. When I was sad or lonely he knew it. When I was able to purchase a home of my own he felt like a king. He had lots of room to roam, lots of squirrels to chase with his buddy Bentley and lots of different things to sniff and roll in. It is hard to comprehend that this little tri- color Beagle pup with a patch on his rump will no longer be a part of my everyday life. I remember when I purchased him at the pet store, he was so little, but yet so full of spunk. I miss those evenings when I would get home from work and he would race around the yard and around the house several times because he had so much built up energy. I wish i could have bottled that energy for a later date... like the present. It is very sad to see an animal once so vibrant and full of life, to now... just wanting to melt into your lap and die, because he hurts so badly. I do believe in my heart that Scooter has been a god send in my life. Sometimes I think that the best therapy is pet therapy. He will always be in my heart. I will will miss him. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Be a better Heartthrob. Get better relationship answers from someone who knows. Yahoo! Answers - Check it out. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.472 / Virus Database: 269.8.7/829 - Release Date: 6/2/2007 5:26 PM