quote:

Originally posted by sadlerbw:
I don't cry very often, but I'm tearing up as I write this. Bones, our family's 4-year-old german shepard passed away unexpectedly this morning. He was acting strange on Monday morning and was admitted to the emergency pet clinic that afternoon with a suspected bowel obstruction. It turns out that his bowels were fine, but he had pneumonia and was swallowing lots of air as a side effect. He was showing signs of pancreatitis. By the time treatment began for those issues, the infections had progressed too far and the vet couldn't stop them. We got the news late last night that he was going septic, and this morning he stopped breathing. My wife and I were able to see him last night before he passed, but it didn't make this morning any easier. Bones had Bloat about a year ago, but we caught it quickly and were able to save him. This time, we didn't see the problem until it was too late. Bones was only 4 years old.

We are devastated. Our kids know he was sick, but we are waiting to tell them until they get home from school today. It is going to hurt them badly. We just lost my wife's father less than a month ago, and Bones was a furry shoulder that my wife and kids could lean on while they dealt with that grief. Now he is gone as well, and it is going to make things that much worse. Bones was the best dog I've ever owned, and I will miss him fiercely.

I'm not a terribly emotional person, but this is hitting me hard. Bones earned these tears with his love, loyalty, and devotion.

To all my internet friends out there, I have a favor to ask you: Give your pets and extra hug or kiss tonight in honor of Bones. He was a good boy, he was loved, and he will be missed.

Thanks for giving me a place to vent,

- Bret