RIP Sweet Shelby Girl
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Our weekend started out like any other weekend but yesterday our sweet boxer collapsed in our kitchen and was dazed and confused. She had been showing some signs of age the past few weeks but nothing too crazy. Our Shelby was going to be 10 years old this coming July and I remember like it was yesterday, driving over two hours from our home to pick her up in New Hampshire when she was 8 weeks old.
She was our fourth boxer and if you have ever had one, you know they are alike no other dog. They are full of energy, the sweetest most lovable dog you will ever own. They are loyal, super friendly and they think they are human. -ha. They also have their own kind of play, boxer play! You know exactly what I mean if you own one.
Shelby loved her buddy Garth (our bullmastiff we lost at age 4 about a year and half ago). I know for certain, she is running through fields and sun bathing in the grass as she and Garth loved to do together. They were best buddies and I know they are together now.
For us, our pets are like our kids. Losing Shelby was not what we had excepted anytime soon but as your pets creep up in age, you know it’s inevitable. The day you say good-bye though is never easy regardless. We rushed her to the vet and it was deemed she had a brain tumor which was causing her to have mild forms of seizures. The outcome was not good even if we kept her for a few days at the animal hospital to try and get her seizures under control. We decided that instead of making her go through extensive treatment and pain, it was best to put her down. I had a boxer years ago named Roman (it was my first dog I had after I graduated college that was “mine”) and I put him through hell in the end keeping him alive because of my own selfishness. I couldn’t bear to let him go so I spent tens of thousands of dollars getting him treatment, special foods, special meds to keep him alive and while he was happy and pretty good for about 8 months, he completely crashed one night around 2am and I ended up rushing him to the vet. He was scared and in pain. I ended up having him put down but it was because of me, that he suffered in the end. That lesson taught me that never again, would I do that to an animal. It taught me that the best thing I can do for my pets, is to let them go when their time has come. Honestly, I wish we could have done the same thing for my gram in the end. It was awful to watch her suffer and we knew she was going to die but of course, we had to let nature take it’s course. RIP Sweet Shelby girl.
Meet Jessica
What started as a hobby, Jessica’s blog now has millions of people visit yearly and while many of the projects and posts look and sound perfect, life hasn’t always been easy. Read Jessica’s story and how overcoming death, divorce and dementia was one of her biggest life lessons to date.
I agree 100%, for both the animals and people we love. I enjoy reading your blog and know your family has suffered much loss lately. I almost never post comments, but I’m sure there are those who will be upset about your comments concerning end of life for those we love. I just wanted to be the first to offer my support for your comments. When my mother was suffering, afraid, and lost inside her own failing brain, I so wished we could have given her the peace she certainly deserved. It was so sad to watch her and not be able to help. Love to your family as you miss your baby.
Thanks Pam! Yeah it’s a double edged sword for sure. It’s so hard to lose a pet, by far the worst day of being a pet owner. Thank you for stopping by 🙂
I’m tearful reading your story, going through the same thing with our toy poodle. I know the time will be here very soon. ????
So sorry for your loss but glad you gave Shelby a wonderful life. ????
I’m so sorry to hear about Shelby, Jessica! Our dogs are our family and it’s so hard to let them go. I can tell that she was a very lucky dog to have a family like yours!
Aww, so sorry! You guys have suffered much loss in recent times. Prayers and hugs!
I’m so sorry about your sweet baby. I agree it’s the day all of us pet owners wish would never have to come.
Sending you godd thoughts and prayers for your family. Hugs,
I, too, had to put my 15 year old cat, Abbey to sleep in September. I totally agree with you…do not let them suffer just because we can’t let go. She was calm, purring and I was with her when the vet put her to sleep. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Oh my! What a hard 6 months! I’m so sorry about your Shelby! Be the strong woman that you are and remember there are so many other furbabies looking for a new home! You and your family are in my prayers!
A sad tearful message from you today. Having lived through this several times, trust me, it doesn’t get easier as we love them so much and do not want that to end. I always thank God that they shared life with me. I love the photos you shared and pray that your memories will continue to comfort you.
Yes!!! It’s so hard to make that decision. You fear that others will think you are giving up on your loved one, but you aren’t. Our pets are family and they give us so much love. It’s only fitting that in the end, we have the chance to give them peace. Bless you and your family during this time of grief.
So sorry for your loss. I agree wholeheartedly with making the difficult decision to let our animals go in peace and not putting them through treatment that buys us time but often reduces quality of life. I put my lab down in June after a cancer diagnosis. I was presented options but knew she would rather spend her last days laying on the couch then going to the vets for chemo. Thank you for making the difficult choice and for sharing your story. It isn’t easy.
And I too wish as humans we had options…hospice is a start but still ways to go.
So sorry. Loosing a beloved pet is extremely hard on its own but especially so close to loosing your gram too. You all are in my thoughts and prayers.
I am so sorry. Please know my prayers are with you and your family. I embrace you with much love.
I am so sorry for your loss…. Pets are family and having recently gone through somethings similar recently – I completely understand the pain that you and your family are feeling. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family….
It is said that “the Lord doesn’t give you more than you can handle”. Sometimes I think so much stuff happens to us that we need a hard hat! I am so sorry for your loss, especially so close to your gram passing. I had a cat when I was a teen and it died, I had never experienced such sadness in my short life…ever since that horrible event I have never wanted another pet, they just don’t live long enough for me. Lifting everyone in prayer, sincerely, Juanita in OH.