My sister-in-law just sent this to me. Isn't he the sweetest dog ever? This is the last time I saw Heath, taken Christmas Day 2006, right before I left Denver to fly back to L.A.

Update: I just got the call that my dog died. The vet went to the house to adminster the shots. He told my family it was definitely the right decision. From his breathing, it was likely he had blood in his lungs, would not have made it through the night and was in pain. Heath went outside one last time and ate some snow, which he always loved to do. Afterwards, he went in and put his head on my dad's lap. Dad and I raised him. My mom and dad, brother and sister-in-law, sister and brother-in-law, niece and nephew were all with him. We got Heath 13 years ago when we went with my sister to get a dog for my then 2 year-old nephew. Tonight my nephew helped the vet carry him out on a stretcher when he was gone. He's going to be cremated and spread at his favorite pond. I'll love you forever, Heatharoo!

Thanks to everyone for the sentiments, sharing of your own stories, the poems, and all around good will. It is much appreciated.

I got a call from my brother in Colorado that my dog Heath is going to be put to sleep within the hour. He was limping when I was home in December, which is typical for an aging lab. Most of the last month he spent in the hospital being tested as it became apparent that the limp was more than just bad hips. The night of the Org WinterBall I got a call that the doctor thought it was nuerological and more tests were done. Today the doctor confirmed that Heath has an agressive cancer that can't be treated. He's in pain and has been suffering for the last few weeks.

This is Heath at a park this past summer after swimming.

Heath stayed in Colorado when I moved California. My dad and I got Heath as a pup in the spring of 1993. We went with my sister to pick out a puppy and we ended up with Heath. Though we always had a dog when I was growing up, Heath was the first one who was mine. Because he's a choclate lab, my dad wanted to name him something chocolatey, and I didn't. My dad suggested Hershey and Heath was the compromise -- in honor of a Heath bar to please my dad, but really short for Heathrow, to honor the English heritage of the Labrador.

Thanks to the winter blizzard, I spent more time at home hanging out with Heath on this last trip than I am normally able to -- so thankful for that. He slept on the bed with me while I was home -- all 70-plus pounds of him!

I gonna miss my little buddy.



Heath and me the day before I moved to California.
[Edited 1/20/07 22:48pm]
[Edited 1/25/07 14:50pm]

I am so sorry Chris.

God, first Milty, now you.
I wish or pets had longer lifespans. I mean, they're our best friends!

Hey mad, I'm sorry to hear that...

That sux having to have an animal you consider part of your family put down. It's an emotional heart wrenching decision.

Had to do that when I had a dog, and I still miss her to this day

i'm sorry to hear this. he looks like a beautiful dog.

This is terribly sad and reading this hits really close to home.

He's gorgeous.

So sad.

I remember taking my dog for a walk the day she was gonna be out down. It was raining but I had to take her out over the fields. Iam getting tears in my eyes even now just typing this


I walked her with my other dog, Otis, and damn, its a walk I'll never forget. I talk to them alot when Iam walking with them. She was slow bless her, and tired, but I got her running with sticks LOL.


I remember seeing her looking up at me from the bottom of the stairs when my dad was getting ready to go to the vets to put her down. She was so smart. Her look told me she knew she was going to die and never see me again. It sounds crazy but she just knew. I grew up with her. We'd been together for a long time. I still miss her, particually when I walk my other dog, Otis. we even had certain parts of the walk, with silly things we use to do (hills we'd run down, races we'd have etc...)

My dog Otis didn't seemed the least bit fussed she had gone LOL.

thesexofit said:

So sad...

thesexofit said:

i'm crying already, I didn't need that!

my brother and sister-in-law and parents are all at my brother's house, waiting for the vet to come. i felt like complete dork talking to Heath on speakerphone, but they said he cocked his head like he does when i talked to him.

thanks everyone for the wishes.

madartista said:

I am so sorry.

Three score and ten are given to man,
But ours is a much briefer span.
So though I give you all my heart,
The time will come when we must part.
But all around you, you will see,
Creatures that speak to you of me;
A tired horse, a hunted thing,
A sparrow with a broken wing
Pity, and help (I know you will)
And somehow, I will be with you still;
And I shall know, although I'm gone,
The love I gave you lingers on.
-Author Unknown

I beleive that every animal knows, and they understand that your just trying to help end their pain. They can also sence how hard it is for you, and know how much you care for them. Its a horrible thing to have to do but in the long run you know that it was right. May he rest in peace.

thesexofit said:

I hesitated to post this on this already sad thread, but your comment reminded me of the following very touching John Updike poem, and I think comfort can be found in the shared experience of the loss of a beloved pet, and realizing when the time has come to free them from suffering.

"Another Dog’s Death"
For days the good old bitch had been dying, her back
pinched down to the spine and arched to ease the pain,
her kidneys dry, her muzzle white. At last
I took a shovel into the woods and dug her grave

in preparation for the certain. She came along,
which I had not expected. Still, the children gone,
such expeditions were rare, and the dog,
spayed early, knew no nonhuman word for love.

She made her stiff legs trot and let her bent tail wag.
We found a spot we liked, where the pines met the field.
The sun warmed her fur as she dozed and I dug;
I carved her a safe place while she protected me.

I measured her length with the shovel’s long handle;
she perked in amusement, and sniffed the heaped-up earth.
Back down at the house, she seemed friskier,
but gagged, eating. We called the vet a few days later.

They were old friends. She held up a paw, and he
injected a violet fluid. She swooned on the lawn;
we watched her breathing quickly slow and cease.
In a wheelbarrow up to the hole, her warm fur shone.

i am so incredibly sorry to hear of your loss. my talula is sitting beside me and i honestly don't know what i'll do when that time comes. its horrifying.

i hope you feel better and i hope you can quickly remember how great a companion heath was while forgetting the pain of his loss.

Oh Christopher you never said a thing... I love you and I am so sorry!

Awwww geez

madartista said:

i'm so sorry to hear about your dog Chris. i hope you can find some comfort in the memories you guys had together. losing a pet is like losing a family member, and that's never easy.

ahh man... my heart totally goes out to u and Heath..
I know its difficult..
I have a dog myself since she was a baby..and .. u 'know' the "time" is just around the corner..so I know I'll be in your shoes, hopefully later than sooner...

I FEEL for u man..

Take care of yourself. Many hugs!

Oh my lord Im so sorry to hear that
I lost my beloved kitty last year after nearly 15 years so I know how painful it is for you
just think - your dog is up there in doggy heaven - not in any pain whatsoever - keeping a watchful eye down on that special someone who cared for him all those years
for Heath and for you
[Edited 1/21/07 1:46am]

Chris, I'm really sorry.



M

oh, Chris. I'm so, so sorry.

Ow sweety I'm so sorry
I know he must have had a great life living in your home

I'm so sorry to hear that!

thesexofit said:

oh god, that made me cry.

oh no!



i remember how much we talked about hi. that's so awful.

i'm so sorry.