feeling sorry

It is with a saddened heart that I report about my best friend of 11 years. A lot of people will say that their dog is their best friend and I don't doubt it. This one truly is.

We named our boxer, Pete, after the great Pete Rose. I have taken him hiking, camping and vacationing and he's never needed a leash (although it was on him). In his prime, he was 110 pounds of smiling muscle. He and I have sat on the porch for over a decade now and listened to hundreds of Reds games. More than a few people have referred to him as my shadow.

He lays beneath my feet right now with a shaved hip, a cone around his head and incurable cancer. The tumor was wrapped around his spine and couldn't be fully gotten.

He has never gossiped, never judged and never held a grudge. He has simply loved.

My wife once jokingly asked me if I loved him more than her. That was 6 years ago and I still haven't answered.

I'm sorry to hear that Q, I had to put my dog down just over a year ago (Thanksgiving week 2010) because she had a bone cancer in her nose that could not be operated on. I'm sorry for your loss, a dog is not an easy thing to replace.

Quinn - I am so sorry to read this. My heart is with you.

There is a reason why a dog is man's best friend. As difficult as it is, when suffering exceeds quality of life, have the courage and compassion to let go (I feel this way about humans, too). Best wishes.

The worst thing I ever had to do was put my 9 year old Rottie down. We would rent movies for her. Had to put a foot stool in front of the tv so she would not charge it and rock the console.

Q,
Truly sorry for your loss . words are meaningless at this point .

Thank you all for the kind words.

Sorry to hear the bad news quinn14.

On the note that dog is man's best friend, reminds me of the saying:
"If you lock your dog and your wife in the car trunk for 2 hours who will jump out first and give you a hug and a kiss?"

Very sorry to hear that. Boxers are just amazing dogs, and I know you're going to hurt for awhile. Pete was lucky to have an owner who loved him so much.