Saying goodbye to our beloved Shoby
We knew the time was coming and tried to hold off as long as possible but when I came home the other evening my kids said Shoby had something pertruding from his rectum. In the past few years he had severe problems with his anal glands and problems with his hips but we were confident that he was comfortable. Well about a year ago that all changed. He started bleeding from the rectum and although medicine helped we felt then that we should do what was right for him. Took him to the vet and they sent us home with more medicine and another full blown set of hopes and prayers. In early 2003 Shoby suffered a bought with Bloat. This was horrible and we almost lost him. Luckily my husband spoke up and asked that they do everything humanly possible to help him and in 3 days we took him home. 
Well this time was different. I knew I couldn't watch him go through anymore pain and suffering so I called the vet who said she "agreed" and that I should bring him in around 4. I didn't want my husband to go because I knew after just losing his mother it would be too diffcult for him to handle. Well he said we loved this dog together and we would make this trip together. (thank heavens) When we arrived at the office the "twit" doctor starts out by saying well maybe we could do this and maybe we could do that all the while still saying....."but... you know what you should do". I was so upset by this time, I had alreay past the sobbing stage. I told her that our minds were made up and that although we knew the void we were going to experience it was time to think about him and not us. She wholeheartedly agreed. Then the worst part happened, all he wanted to do was have me hold his paw. With the look of "God mom please take me home" I couldn't take it and decided to leave the room. I got down on the floor with him and hugged him till I thought my arms would break and all he could do was keep kissing my face. When I turned to leave my heart was literally ripped out and as I write this now don't know how I am going to be able to get over this. To stand there and watch them do that would have near killed me. The doctor asked to leave the room because he said Shoby knew something was very wrong and it was upsetting him causing the bleeding to pick up and he was so self concious of that. In 10 seconds the one thing I love as much as my husband and my kids was gone and it had to be my decision. I literally feel like I am devastated. We brought him home and buried him on our farm right under the tree he loved so much. To anyone who has ever loved and lost a Old English Sheepdog, you understand the depths of my despair right now and finding this web site helped me so much because you all know just how special these dogs are. My heart knew he needed to go, I just wish I could convince my head. Thank you for taking a moment to read my story. You would have loved him, everybody did. He was wonderful from the day we brought him home. |
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| Our sympathy on your loss of Shoby....
thank you for sharing his story... (I posted you under the Dave's Lucy post this am) |
| My most sincere sympathy on your loss of Shoby. Yes, we have all been through the loss of a beloved sheepie, and it is indeed the hardest thing to do. You must take comfort, though, in the fact that you did what you had to do, when you had to do it.
Take your time to grieve fully. From experience, I know that sometimes it feels like the hurt will never go away. But eventually, the hurt is replaced by loving memories of a wonderful dog. Shoby will live in your hearts forever, and you can feel proud that you gave him such a good and loving home and life. Chris |
| I'm so sorry for your loss.... there really are no words.... but you and your family are in our thoughts... |
| My heart and prayers go out to you and your family.. |
| Anyone who has ever lost a loving companion knows of your pain.
My thoughts are with you.  *hugs* |
| Hi,
I understand the grief you and your family feels, which is so unbareable at this time. Know in your hearts that you did what was best and don't doubt for a minute that Shoby didn't know how much he was loved by you. Because you loved him so much you let him go. He sounded like such a wonderful boy and in time you can return here and post fond memories you have of Shoby..his quirks, his funny ways , his adventures and how endearing these traits were to you and your family. If we could we'd want them to last forever but that's not to be and we in our lifetimes have to say goodbye to many of our furried friends. Some day you may find another furball whom desperately needs a home like the many rescues posted here. Not now..it's too soon. Not to replace Shoby either as he was unique and not replaceable ..each endears themselves to our hearts. With the passing of many of my beloved friends I find solace that there is room to help another. I feel I do it in honor of the one that passed. No matter what decision you make in the future, Shoby will live in your heart forever and some day your tears will be replaced by smiles at his memory. Shoby is now free of pain and running around the Rainbow bridge with my Shaggy, Big Dog, Bear,Snoopy and even playing with all my kitties too. Miss Belle, one of the most loved sheepies whom recently passed was loved by so many that knew her story. She had the pleasure of living with Jill who post on here..Shoby is meeting her too and all the others whose stories are posted here. Jill and myself are trading seeds to plant in our memory gardens in honor of our sheepies. Others are welcome to do that as well. Bart's mom told a heart warming story of viewing a beautiful black and white butterfly in her garden whom she now refers to as Barterfly. Come back in a few days, weeks..and tell us more about this wonderful boy. I'm so sorry for your loss. Hugs to you. Marianne and the boys |
| My heart goes out to you and your family! I understand that the pain is so intense and I do promise that it will subside. Thank-you for your post on our story of Bartfly! I hope that gave you a little smile and hopefully showed you that Shoby will show you in his way that you did in fact make a selfless decsion for him! You must keep in mind that you ended his pain and now he is free to watch over you and your family without the worry of the body he has left behind. He is with you still! Please take comfort in that!
Having to make the choice to take his pain away is not something you should feel bad about. You did the right thing for Shoby and you really need to know that! I send you a huge hug and a Bartfly your way, keep your eyes and heart open, Shoby will send you a sign. All our love, Colleen and Gucci George |
| Dear Papergirl,
Our sympathy and prayers and support are with you and your family. I've only had to make that decision once in my life, and the only way you make it is with tears, sadness and emptiness. Don't deny your feelings and make room for them. They will eventually blossom into loving memories that will be with you and your family. Barney and Maggie send you a big sheepie kiss. George |
| I'm so sorry for your loss. Sometimes the kindest thing we can do for our dogs is the hardest thing for ourselves. Some day the pain will fade and be replaced by happy memories, until it does be kind to yourself, you did the only thing that was left for you to do.
Hugs from Daisy and the boys |
| I am very sorry for your loss.
Having to put down a dog is one of the hardest decisions. Just know you made right one. Shoby is on a better place, free of pain. My thoughts are with you. Elissa |
| Dogsong 2 (Samantha Parton)
out in the trees, dirt on our knees we laid him down forever and on the hill there it was still as in the ever after he lays his rest we knew it best to lay him down so gently and now he sleeps where moss does creep and no more is he with me the birds did cry, and so did I to think of life so lonely and in their song I heard it long what sadness, and what beauty your friend is gone, but you live on in life you loved him fully but now little streams and forests dream and all is made more holy |
| Hi Papergirl,
I now see you have added an avatar photo of Shoby. You can see such wisdom behind those eyes! What a beautiful boy he was. Marianne and the boys |
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