Considering LIS soon...

I think it was near Augusta as near as I can remember. I just pulled over, stayed in the car until it passed and drove to the nearest hotel. Yes he was special, I was smitten! I'd just drive way too fast (!) and get there as soon as I could.

Fatty was fat! He was so cute, I'll find a good pic of him. I too waited too long in hindsight....it was hard when I realized he was suffering. I had him ten years, which really in cat years is not that long (my currents ones are older)..how long did you have Vasco?

Ah, love and the heavy, leaden, accelerator foot! Been there done that!

At least you had Fatty longer than I had Vasco. Vasco was about 5, got him in 2002 and he passed in 2007. He was still a young-un! And he was sweet, too. Strange thing, he was so brave until I had him neutered around one YO -- then he became the stereotypical 'fraidy-cat. I'll post a photo of him when I can dig it back up!

Did you already know about Fatty's condition before you had him put down? Were you there when they put him down, or did you wait outside while they did it? The vet here seems to want you waiting outside. He put down both Sugar and Vasco.

Vasco just kept losing weight, until finally it was obvious he had no energy. I think I adjusted to seeing him and wasn't aware how bad he really looked, but the vet took one look and just shook his head.

Cats and dogs can live a long time when they are loved, neutered and well-fed, can't they!

Oh I know. My fatty started losing weight around Christmas 2007 and I just was thinking he was getting old. Then around Jan he I started getting nervous and took him in for blood tests. He had lost five pounds (a lot for cats)! The tests came back with kidney disease and we put him on a special diet. He kept losing and losing and then I put him in the vet hospital for fluids to wash out his kidneys but he didn't get much better. He still was functioning though so I took it day by day. Then one Sunday he could barely move and was just awful. I couldn't believe it. Luckily our vet had been seeing him a long time and I called and she came out to our home. She put him to sleep in my lap. I sobbed so hard but knew it was for the best. The vet had just seen Fatty about a week earlier and could not believe he looked that bad. That was when she said it was cancer (Said he had a certain look) and without paying for an autopsy (!) I would not know for sure.

The vet there is probably more comfortable with the owner being outside. I could see why and a lot of owners find they cannot stand to be in there...

Oh, Tracy, that is such a sad tale. To have her put to sleep in your lap...I know it must have been so hard for you. They are our little babies, aren't they! I mean, cats can be so independent but still they are like our little kids that never grow up. You spend their entire lives taking care of them. They have such short life spans compared to people, if you are an animal lover it is something you have to go through so many times. It's why I waited so long to get Dixie. Losing Sugar was so hard plus I just didn't want to replace my buddy, like she was replaceable. She was not. She was my loyal friend.

Dixie must have some stomach ailment. She threw up yesterday while I was gone, and was eating grass this morning. Just now, instead of running to the street for her walk she ran back to the tall grass in the corner of the lot. If she keeps this up I guess we'll be seeing that vet tomorrow. I have the voucher to get her spayed, but I wanted to get her good and healthy before doing that. Now I might wait a bit longer.

What kind of dog was Sugar?

I know what you mean. We had lost lucky dog and I had no immediate plans at all and then Sasha came into our lives.

I wonder if Dixie has any allergies? I know there is a reason for dogs eating grass sometimes but cannot remember. I hope she's ok! Is she eating ok?

Oh a lab mix---I just saw that. Aw. I love labs!

Yes, Sugar was a Lab-mix of some type. I'll put her up too when I can find her pics! I love Labs, too, my best friend has two Chocolate Labs and they are just fantastic dogs! Polly and Maggie!

As I recall, when they eat grass it means they are having digestion troubles. Which would explain the upchucking. We didn't walk this afternoon, not in this heat with her apparently feeling bad. I mean, today has been a scorcher!

I know. When I went out for lunch here it was just horrible. Hotter than usual. Good thing I don't work outside!

I would love a chocolate lab! We will probably get another dog in the future, just not right now. I want Sasha to feel secure in her home first. Although she loves her play dates with the collie across the street!

Yes, today is definitely hotter than the past few days!

I think Dixie isn't feeling too bad -- I asked her if she wanted to "ride in the car," and she sprinted to the door, and then made a mad dash to my truck...

I think you should get a chocolate lab! Just be prepared to toss frisbees all afternoon, cause they don't know when to stop retrieving or when to stop pleasing you!

Here are my late, great furbabes:

OH my! They are so freaking cute! Makes me want another dog..they look alike too! Very pretty.

Good for Dixie, I hope she has a good ride! Does she just love to look out the window? Do you have any pet stores nearby? I bring Sasha into our Petsmart and she just loves all the attention.

I have to go soon, sweating my butt off ( ) in Alabama this weekend. It's my grandpa's 94th (!) birthday and we are doing fireworks too. Should be fun, but I dread the heat. I hope you (and possibly Dixie) have a good time and I will be back on Monday. I have enjoyed talking to you! It's so cool to talk to people who have endured what we have....

Yes, weren't they a matched pair?

No, the nearest Petsmart is an hour away in Augusta. I feel so cheated! Dixie went with me to put some air filters up for my mother, and barked, wagged her tail, and stared out the window the whole time we rode!

Well, it may be even hotter in AL than the panhandle! I have enjoyed the pet talk, too, Tracy and the company! Have a great 4rth and stay cool if you can, see you next week!

Well it looks like safellar got the surgery. Hope he is well. How was your fourth Kim?

I hope he is OK, too, Tracey! I went to the river and swam, ate BBQ ribs, drank a few beers and hung out with some old friends I hadn't seen, well, since the last fourth of July. We even had our own spectacular fireworks show! Had a great time! How about you? Everything go well in AL?

Yeah, it was hot! But, I had a good time (well other than the cousin I don't really like). We did fireworks too at the pond and that was cool. We grilled out hamburgers so it was laid back. Long day though! It's about two hours north of here so we got up early, spent all day outside and then drove home (about 10pm!). I bet the river was refreshing! I don't dare swim in the pond (dirty and snakes) but I love swimming in the Blackwater river close by here in Milton. It is so cold!