Tanner, my yellow lab

Owen

Canon 20D, 70-200 f/2.8, f/2.8, ISO 100, 1/500

Tanner is turning 12 this May, and unfortunately she is ailing. From what I know this is quite old for a purebred lab. She is very arthritic and lumpy, and has trouble walking (and squating). She's my best friend and I will miss her when she's gone. She has so much life left in her but I don't know if her body will keep up much longer. She moans and complains and barks at us because she will no longer walk on our wood floor which is a good portion of our home, and she whines at us from below when she wants our attention. She is the most photographed and loved dog in the world (I bet!) and loves nothing more than a good walk -- however, what used to take an hour to tire her, now only takes five minutes. She has an internal clock; at 3 she gets a cookie, and again at 9. We can be watching TV and at 8:59 she will get up and sit infront of the TV and whine at us... and she doesn't miss a beat with daylight savings. Man, I love this girl of mine. I am sure it is just me loving my dog, looking at this photo and seeing her personality, but I thought I would share Tanner with you. She'd love to meet you, I'm sure! "She won't bite, she'll just lick you to death," we used to say. Now she doesn't get up to meet you at the door.

cmason

She is beautiful Owen, and I know just what you are experiencing...I have one just like her at home, going on 12 as well. Yellow has become white, and as you describe, lots of lumps and aches. But she is our first child, and we will also miss her when she is gone.

Enjoy her and build memories....

Anson

Hi Ya
Yep, one is unlikely to have as strong a human relationship, as the ones us lucky humans develop with our best buddies!

They give SO much and ask for so little.

We have 3 relatively young dogs at present, our last 3 dogs (2 Bouviers and 1 Standard poodle-Bubba, Betsy and Beeg) all passed of varied age related ailments... all three were in and around 12 years old and they all passed within 3 months of each other) needless to say, that was not a great year around here.


We have found, that the best cure for a pet loss, is another (the new pet/s will never replace the old), they just go along way in filling the deep void!

The following is an excellent option when the time is right.
http://www.brightlion.com/InHope.aspx
(turn up your speakers)


Sincerely,

Owen

Thanks for the video, Anson. Moving. Very moving. :cry

Dick on Aruba

Thanks man.

Dick.

System

owen-

I love your doggie-

remember, all dogs go to heaven, even the mean ones, because it was people what made them mean-

I am sorry-

george

UncleJake

This looks like the perfect thread to de-lurk in...

Love those Labs... this is Maggie. She's only five now, but I already know it'll be tough to let her go.



-UJ

Stormdancing

She is beautiful! She looks very well cared for. I'm sure she has had regular veterinary care also. You might check with your vet about giving her an aspirin a day to ease the inflamation and pain.

Here is a web site that might also give some info and help.

http://www.glucosamine-arthritis.org/arthritis-pets/index.html