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Hi Guys,
My heart is breaking at this present time because I beleive that in one hour my husband will get the news from our vet that we have to put our 11 year old lab to sleep.
I'm more disappointed in myself for not recognizing that I should have been feeding him the same standards that I feed the rest of the family. He could have had a much better and longer quality of life.
I wish I could have done more and I have tremendous guilt when looking back over the past several years.
Thanks for listening and I hope that maybe this will be an eye opener for others that may have a similar situation.
The fact that you are so broken up over this tells me that you loved Cooper like you love any member of your family. And to a dog, that's all that matters. Don't beat yourself up about his food. Regret doesn't change anything, and you want to remember your dog with loving memories, not hurt. And by the way, labs are considered large breed dogs. While many do live longer, 10 years is their documented life expectancy. So you must have done something right. Be kind to yourself during this difficult day.
Kim.
Please update us. Sending possitive vibes your way.
Hi Girls,
Thank you for caring!
The vet has suggested we try two different medications. I beleive he's improving but very slowly. I'm not sure how long we'll have him but I'm going to baby him each and every day he's with us. The old boy sure is hanging in there God Love Him!! He walked down stairs into the basement last night which was the first time in over a week so fingers crossed.
What's wrong with Cooper? It sounds like it may be arthritis or something similar. My last Great Dane, whom I ADORED, developed horrible arthritis when he was 9, and after trying various drug cocktails we added physical therapy, including hydrotherapy. He improved dramatically and had a much better quality of life for the last few months of his life. I woke up one morning to find he had died in his sleep in my room; he was still warm, so it hadn't been long. 
I'm afraid to say that we had to put Cooper down yesterday and it was one of the most difficult things that I've ever been through. The vet said that his hip looked shattered on the X-Ray, so it must have been arthritis. He could barely walk and he was having bowel movements on the floor which was not Cooper at all. I layed on the floor with Cooper as he was being injected and he just had the sadest look on his face. He looked like he was peacefully sleeping when it was all said and done. I didn't want to leave him there but I know that the vet has dignity and he'll be taken care of. He's being cremated and then his ashes will be spread acrossed his favorite lake at the cottage:( Life can really be difficult sometimes, I feel lost without my sidekick.
Love You Cooper XOXO
Oh my...i'm reading your post while I'm here at work with tears in my eyes. I'm so sorry for your loss. Dogs are just the best friends in the world and each one is irreplaceable. RIP Cooper
I have another fresh start with my newest addition "Tanner" which is another purebred yellow lab:) So pleased with my new puppy...
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