We lost our faithful dog this afternoon

[dsonyay]

I hope you guys don't mind me posting something about our dog Major, but we had to put him down this afternoon. He was 15 years old and has been with us since 1996. My wife bought him for our oldest who was 6 at the time to help her while I was deployed. He has been there for all of our ups and downs and was with us on so many trips to our home town while I was in the Navy. He was at the kid's birthday parties, sleepovers, and endured wearing dresses and whatever else my kids decided to have him wear while playing together. He was a good sport every Halloween and allowed us to dress him in costumes even though I knew from the look he'd give that he wasn't overly happy about wearing a hula skirt. He pulled them on their rollerblades and protected them from anyone strange walking by with a schnauzer's trademark toothy bark.

Major helped me get through one of my darkest times while I was in the Navy. Dogs can be so consoling when you are sad.

Over the years he slowed down a lot and could no longer hold himself up by the end of this week. It was time for him I guess.

His last good day ironically was the day after I found eggs in the gourds. He was outside walking around and for the first time in his life he encountered getting swooped by Orion and Grace- my first pair.

Our little 5 yr old Schnauzer, Mulie, looks kind of lost. She'll heal much quicker than we will and will likely be the one to provide the most comfort to us of all.

I just needed to write something to help me cope a bit. Please take good care of your pets and don't take them for granted. Let them sleep in your bed once in a while and don't get too upset if they can't make it out of the house in time. Hug them often.



Major Fredrich Doyle
Feb 16 1996 - May 1 2011

[Gobbler T]

David,
Sorry to hear of your loss. 15 years is a long time.

Thank you for your service.

[eyeamtheman]

We don't mind you posting that David. Hate to read that but your dog sounds as if it had a good and happy life.

[Hanover Bill]

Dave;

So sorry for the loss of your faithful companion. I can appreciate how you feel, having gone through it many times myself. Our pets are part of our family, they give us unconditional love and ask nothing in return.

We always say never again when we lose one, because we don't want to go through the pain again, but we always dive in again because we know that it is always worth it.

Cherish his memory and find comfort in the fact that you provided him with a good, loving home.

Also, thank you for your service to our country.

Hanover Bill.

[jspurgin]

So sorry about your dog. Many thanks to you for your service to our country and the sacrifices made by your family in your absence.

[Guest]

David
Sorry for your loss!! Our pets become one of our family over the years.
We to have a schnauzer that very dear to us. She is 10 and so faithful
To our family. Thanks for your post! And your service to our great
Country
Mike

[3wood]

David so sorry to hear of your family's loss. My brother's Schnauzers Jack and Hallie (born on Halloween) have brought so much joy and comfort it's unmeasurable. Thanks for sharing Major's story with us.

[chickadee]

David, I am sorry about your dog. Your post brought tears to my eyes. You are so kind and such a good heart. You are caring of your birds and pets. And I'm glad you posted and shared with us about your dog. When I was pregnant with my son, the vet told us are female boxer raven had Breast cancer. And that she had maybe six months to a year to live. She was to old to operate on and like any cancer it would only spread. They said she will stop eating and we will know when its time. That was 3 years ago. Raven is 13 years old. We got her when she was 9 months old in 1998 when we was married.we had a older boxer that bless his heart passed at 10 yrs old in his sleep. But the sad thing is that raven still has as much energy as she did the day we brought her home. Some days she can be slower then others. But she really can take a lot. I'm not sure if she will let us know. But I look at her and I know its coming and that's when I cry because I know I do take for granted her being her. Their will never be another raven. And I can't picture heaven without sunsets or are pets. She will leave us behind her daughter sadie who is ten. Are pets do have a big impact in are lives and help us have a big heart. I'm sorry to burden you with my story. Just want you to know I understand and know how you feel.

[NancyinEnidOK]

David, you did the caring thing for your Major and I know from experience how hard that is. You were willing to break your own heart to spare him "not so good" days, maybe some confusion and even pain. I believe our dogs trust us to make those really difficult decisions, and I also believe that one day we will be with our beloved pets again -- can't believe any place could seem like heaven unless they are there too. My condolences to you and your family, and thank you for your service to our Country!

[Louise Chambers]

So sorry, David - dogs are good people, and they are truly members of our families. Sounds like he was a wonderful friend.

[rrmartins]

Very sorry for your loss. God bless

[pugsleyhall]

David,

So very sorry about your loss. We had to have our beloved pug put to sleep a couple of months ago. We have a shelter dog now, not a replacement but a wonderful animal we adore. Thank you for your service.


Melissa

[DakotaLady]

Hanover Bill said everything so eloquently. I'm so sorry for the loss of Major. I completely understand. I have a cat and can't imagine spending my darkest times without him. I've lost 2 dogs and when our cat passes on I will never do this again as the pain is too great.

It sounds like you gave Major a wonderful life. Keep his memories alive and close to your heart. I'm so glad he got you through your darkest times our pets sure have a way of healing us. Thank you so much for your services. You sound like a wonderful person.

[RC Moser]

Know exactly how you feel. I lost my best buddy Jinx the wonder dog Yorkie male in 2004, I can tell you the date jun 24th. I cried like baby and it affected me for months . I still call him every time I go by his grave in the back yard. That dog had to go everywhere I went and laid by me when I sat, and sleep with me. When I came back from overseas in the 90's He cried and howled for half hour and wouldn't leave my side. Yes, Dogs are angels from heaven for some of us and when they go it HURTS.

[CNO~La]

Thanks for sharing David. I just went and held my little pup.

[Winger]

Oh David, Our hearts ache for you and your family. From
one "Schnauzer" lover to another we know that they are just amazing members of our family. We salute you for the service you have given to our country & we salute Major for the undying loyalty and love that we know he has given to your family.

We have 2 old/sick Schnauzers (Webster/"Webs":12 yrs old & Miss Lilah Dee: 10 years old). Webs has heart & liver function problems. Lilah was successfully treated for "Cushings" disease (chemo) when she was 6 yrs old. Just this past Feb. she had a stoke, followed by Pancreatitis & liver enzymes that were 8 times higher than what they should have been. They are both on special vet diets and numerous meds....some of the meds are actually filled with our "human" pharmacy. I know you understand, with this very special breed of dog we will do anything to keep them active, healthy as possible & alive.

Give Mulie a big hug from Webs & Lilah Dee...She will see you through this!

Last thoughts: I recently read this.... "I wish I was as good of a person that my dog thought I was..."

My sincere condolences~ Tammy

[Bob]

David, I am sorry to hear of your loss, but more importantly I want to say thank you. Thank you for taking a pet into your home and keeping him until the end.

We do some pet rescue and too many times, people tend to discard their animals, if they make a few mistakes or when they get old. We are fortunate to have a large home with a big lot, as well as a small farm. We have saved dogs, cats, horses, goats and a couple pot belly pigs. I feel a loss every time one of the animals passes, so I know how you feel.

You gave him a happy, loving home and it sounds like he knew it.

[trisha]

So sorry to hear of your loss, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. We have 2 very special dogs also, who have carried us thru many hard times. Hugs to you.

[Barrowdog]

David,
I have tears right now. Smokey was a salt & pepper and looked liked Major. He lived to be 18 and was a constant companion and taught us so much about dog love. Our schnauzer Barrow has benefited from all Smokey taught us, and is a great dog in his own way. He is white because I wasn't ready ro get another Salt and pepper and is named Barrow because we had just returned from Barrow, Alaska where all the animals are white. Thanks for the posting !Schnauzers are all about love,
Sue

[Matt@atx]

Dave,

I am very very very SORRY to hear about losing your beloved family member. As a lover of animals, I do not think it is at all out of place to share your broken heart over your faithful dear beloved dog here to this forum.

We are barely deserving to have companions as devoted as our Pet dogs. Most people only truly learn what the word means in this life from dogs like your Major. What a huge loss and hit in the heart for you and your family.


It sounds like he had one nice life full of love and happiness with your family. He knew how much you loved him.
My condolences to your you and your family bro.