In Memory of Millie the Basset Hound - August 30, 2004 - October 14, 2013

[RobertNashville]

I know I don't really know most of you but I also know that there are probably some of you who only tollerate me because my picture of Millie as my avatar for most of my time here made you think I wasn't all bad. :)  Anyway...I though I would share this as I had to let her go late yesterday afternoon...

 

--------------------

Over a period of about three weeks, my little girl, “Millie” the basset hound went from a full of life and beautiful girl and love of my life to being a very ill little girl.

I noticed her appetite starting to wane the last week of September. I didn’t think a lot of it at the time because it wasn’t all that unusual for something to upset her stomach and for her to forgo a meal or two or even three before returning to gobbling up her breakfast and dinner.

Into the second week I was getting concerned; changed her dog food to see if she would eat more and that seemed to work for few days. I boarded here at my vet’s facility (her usual place) the first weekend of October (Friday through Sunday afternoon October 4-6, 2013) because I was out of town and noted my concerns to the staff – when I picked her up on Sunday afternoon they said she hadn’t eaten much on Thursday but seemed to eat normally Saturday. I took her home and she did seem to eat okay then stopped eating again by Monday…I started supplementing her food with canned and for a couple of days, that worked but she was obviously getting worse.

I took her into my vet’s office on Thursday the 10th and had many different tests run; all of which seemed to indicate a problem with her liver. We started her on medication in hopes that it was an infection that could be treated. Initially, Millie took the medicine and she ate well for about a day or so but by Saturday, she was throwing up a lot and finally, by Sunday, refused to eat anything at all. I took her into Dr. Barker on Monday morning and x-rays showed a large mass near her liver. On my vet’s recommendation I took her to another facility so that we could have an ultrasound done - it took only a few minutes for the ultrasound to confirm both the mass and many tumors throughout her liver and spleen.

There was no choice; no right choice anyway except to let her go and ease her pain but nothing is ever going to ease the pain or fill the huge empty hole in my heart.

I can’t even begin to describe how much I loved that long-eared, droopy-eyed bundle of unconditional love…she was my pal…she was my best friend…she was my little girl…my “Sweet P” and I’ll always love, miss and remember her.

Rest in peace my sweet little girl - I lost you far too soon and I'll always love you.

------------------------------
 

"The best friend a man has in this world may turn against him and become his enemy. His son or daughter that he has reared with loving care may prove ungrateful. Those who are nearest and dearest to us, those whom we trust with our happiness and our good name, may become traitors to their faith. The money that a man has, he may lose. It flies away from him, perhaps when he needs it the most. A man's reputation may be sacrificed in a moment of ill-considered action. The people who are prone to fall on their knees to do us honor when success is with us may be the first to throw the stone of malice when failure settles its cloud upon our heads. The one absolutely unselfish friend that a man can have in this selfish world, the one that never deserts him and the one that never proves ungrateful or treacherous is his dog.

A man's dog stands by him in prosperity and in poverty, in health and in sickness. He will sleep on the cold ground, where the wintry winds blow and the snow drives fiercely, if only he may be near his master's side. He will kiss the hand that has no food to offer, he will lick the wounds and sores that come in encounters with the roughness of the world. He guards the sleep of his pauper master as if he were a prince. When all other friends desert, he remains. When riches take wings and reputation falls to pieces, he is as constant in his love as the sun in its journey through the heavens.

If fortune drives the master forth an outcast in the world, friendless and homeless, the faithful dog asks no higher privilege than that of accompanying him to guard against danger, to fight against his enemies, and when the last scene of all comes, and death takes the master in its embrace and his body is laid away in the cold ground, no matter if all other friends pursue their way, there by his graveside will the noble dog be found, his head between his paws, his eyes sad but open in alert watchfulness, faithful and true even to death." - George Graham Vest

 

[maroonandwhite]

Thanks for sharing this Robert. It sounds like you provided a loving home for her and that she returned the favor 10 fold! I haven't had to experience this yet and I hope mine have many more years to come but I know it's gonna hurt. Hang on to those good memories!

[peejman]

Losing a good dog stinks, condolences. 

[Timestepper]

RIP Millie, you are missed.

 

Condolences, Robert. It'll never get better, but it will get easier.

 

Funny how when one's heart is full there's room enough for the whole world, but when it's empty there isn't room for even the tiniest grain of sand...

 

I can't say anything to make it any easier, only time will do that. In the mean time... we're all here and thinking of you and wishing we could do the impossible and a little of us hurts along with you.

 

Peace, friend.

 

:sadwave:

[MacGyver]

I'm sorry to hear that!

[TripleDigitRide]

Man, that brought tears to my eyes. I am so sorry for your loss. My basset hound, Grizwald, is my first dog, and I dread the day. You and Millie will be in our thought.

[Lumber_Jack]

I'm sorry for your loss Robert. I dread that day we all will face when our little furry pals pass away. Hope you feel better buddy.

[billyscott]

RIP Millie.

I know how you feel Robert. I've been there too many times. It leaves an empty place in your life.

Just know that you gave her a good life for many years. 

[Randall53]

i know exactly how you feel Robert. We list our boxer Pepper, about six weeks ago after 13 years. having her put down was so very hard to do, but she was almost blind, and jyst quit eating. the trails she had made in the grass to navigate her huge fenced in back yard are gone, but i think of her every time i look out the window. its still hard......there are no friends that compares to a good dog or the love they give. i have a 5 year okd Yorky, full size, that has eased the pain and moved into my heart next to Pepper. not a replacement, but an equal. that's what i do...give them love and a good home. when one leaves i find another and start all over again.

[hlb14]

my condolenses sir

[Hozzie]

My condolences. May the great memories remain with you forever.

[walton6467]

Bless your heart Sir. Bless Millly's too.

[Trekbike]

Sorry to hear about your loss Robert.   Dogs are a true gift from God.   

[Guest ThePunisher]

Sorry for your loss Robert.

[E4 No More]

My condolences, Robert. I know what it's like to have to do this, and it hurts bad!

[DaveS]

So sorry to hear of your loss Robert. I just don't know what else to say....

 

DaveS

[hipower]

Robert, of the many things I and all of us here could say...I believe Timestepper summed it well.

I'll just add this.

You provided a loving home to a beloved companion and in return received the most unconditional and sincere love on this earth short of that of our Lord Jesus.

Know that you will be reunited. Remember her for the good times and the love you shared.

God Bless.

[BryanP]

I'm sorry for your loss.  I've had to have enough beloved pets put down over the years to know how much it hurts.

[mikegideon]

Real sorry to hear about this, Robert. 

[Erik88]

Sorry Robert. That's way too young for pup to go. My brother has a basset that's probably 6 and she's a big idiot but we love her.

[Dustbuster]

Robert,My condolences go out to you and everyone close to her. Nothing can describe the loyalty a pet has to its owner.I painfully regret hearing of your loss. Knowing our pets are always gods little creatures that we've been blessed with,I hope you find that new lil friend that will benefit from the good life you had with Millie. I've lost a few in the past and understand,,,,  I remain truly;and hope you can find peace despite your loss

[TripleDigitRide]

While he understands it's not the same, Grizwald said he'd be more than happy to come over and play, if you ever need someone to slobber and drool all over your house. He said he'd even be willing to hog your side of the bed.

[ted]

Very sorry for your loss ,

[DaveS]

While he understands it's not the same, Grizwald said he'd be more than happy to come over and play, if you ever need someone to slobber and drool all over your house. He said he'd even be willing to hog your side of the bed.

Nice looking Bassett TDR!

 

DaveS

[Reservoir Dog]

I am very sorry for your loss.

 

RIP Millie.