Some of you may remember a post i put on here a few weeks ago about my Rhodesian Ridgeback dog. I was at a total loss as to what was the matter with him regarding his eating and behaviour in general, so i somehow came to the conclusion that he was being 'haunted' by the ghost of my last dog, the very much missed GSD Alfie.

After giving the matter some more serious thought i could see the holes rapidly appearing in my theory but i will defend myself as best i can by saying i was at my wits end with him.

However, long story short and all that, we did some comprehensive research on the WWW and changed vets to see if we could get to the bottom of it. It turned out that he was suffering from a neurological disorder which causes megaoesophagus (where food either can't enter the stomach or won't stay in there) and in Mungo's case, inflammmatory bowel disease.

So today after long and careful disscusion with the vet we made the heartbreaking decision to have him PTS. There was no cure for him and the vet said even the chances of making his life more comfortable was slim in anything other than the very short term. We opted to PTS now before he had to suffer ever increasing amounts of pain.

We will both miss him dreadfully (i am finding this hard to write with tears in my eyes...)

I am so sorry to hear this sad news. My thoughts are with you.

I am crying for you and Mungo as I write this Helen. 

God Bless you for seeking out further help for him and taking the very brave decision to act sooner rather than later.  For Mungo the pain and distress is over - sadly for you and your partner/family it is only now beginning in earnest.  

Mungo will always be in your heart.  Run free sweet boy.

{{{{{hugs}}}}} Teri xxx

Oh Helen, I'm so sad to read this news.  Poor Mungo and poor you.  You did the kindest thing for him but sadly knowing that doesn't make the loss any easier to bear.  My thoughts are with you
Carina

Oh helen, sweetheart..Im sooo very very sorry to hear you've been through this.
Ha' way! My door's open for you {{hugs and chocs}} :)

Ditto Ditto Teri's words, a decision we all fear and bless you for setting Mungo free from it all x x x x

Oh Helen, I am so very sorry.  You did the bravest and kindest thing you could ever do for Mungo; lesser people would have seen him suffer on for their own sakes.

Run free with Alfie Mungo.

Helen (& Earl)

So sorry to hear this very sad news Helen :(

{{{hugs}}} to you x

Run Free Mungo.

God Bless x

Oh Helen, this is so sad.  I remember your last post well!

My thoughts are with you, what a terrible decision, but it was the right one hun, I'm sure that Alfie really will be there for him now.

Very sad news but a very brave, considerate and loving decision. I'm so sorry.

I am so sorry  to hear your sad news about Mungo - you put his welfare before your own which is the greatest gift we can give our dogs.

so sorry to here about your sad loss
i know you will meet again at the bridge.
it's a hard decision to make.
but for the best.
sending you hugs :-)

Donna

im so sorry, i hope you have many happy memories, it makes us remember you have to treasure the moments we have with these wonderful animals. so sorry.

I am so sorry! :( HUGS to you.

That is just terrible. I remember your earlier post and I am shocked to read what has happened since. Although tragic and heartbreaking. You have released him from the pain and fear, which is only what any of us desires. What you have done has taken real courage, a courage which can only be born out of a powerful and devoted love. Bless you for loving him enough to let him go.

Run free little fella

So sorry to hear your sad news, Helen.
Run free, Mungo.
Karen

I'm so sorry to hear that Mungo is no longer with you, I remember your post about his problems ... but take comfort in knowing you did the best thing for him...always the hardest thing...{{hug}}

Lindsay
xxx

I am so sorry to read this. You know you have done the best thing for him and he is now running free, over the bridge with no pain and discomfort. 

Take care xxx

Our thoughts are with you

So sorry to hear the very sad news aboiut Mungo :(

Run free boy :)

Lucy
xx

Oh poor Mungo, and poor you, that's heartbreaking. :( My thoughts are with you. x

so sorry to hear about your loss. Thinking about you at this difficult time ((hugs))

Thank you all for your thoughts and hugs. It really makes a difference to hear from people who understand what you are going through and don't just think 'It's only a dog'

It was a hard decision and i said many times i wish he could just get better. What really brought home to us what had to be done was when he went to the vets and we thought he was having an 'alright' kind of day, but when the vet palpated his tummy and he was in quite considerable pain. And this was on a good day. It just shows what a brave and loving dog he was to have suffered that for probably his entire 2 years but never once refuse a walk or to do something with you.

We all took our other 2 dogs for a long walk in the woods today and it seemed so empty without him. I know it was the best for him, but i can't help but think if i hadn't of made the call yesterday i could still hug him now. But i know that he would still now be feeling unwell, I can at least remember the good times......

thank you all again.

So sorry about Mungo :(  Why is it that usually the right thing to do is also the most heartbreaking? :(

Run free at the bridge, Mungo.  Alfie will be there for you xx