I've had dogs all my life, but never a relationship like this one. A good friend stated it best " Every great dog owner has that one dog that owns you and it's a bond that you will probably never experience again"

Ruger is coming up on his 13th birthday and it just makes me intensely mad that his health is failing. Way too short of a time together. Now its evaluating his situation, caring for him, and trying to repay him for what he's done for me.

Since a pup, his natural instinct is indescribable. No formal training for hunting, he just was born to do it perfectly. But his instincts and knowledge of us is what is so different. He knows when I've had a bad day. He didn't great me with a ball to play fetch, rather he would just crawl up on me and lay his head across my shoulder and wouldn't move. I blew my knees out in high school and deal with chronic pain. Somehow he just knows the days I'm hurting and he becomes the 110# heating pad. Whether it was just laying his head across my knees, crawling up on the bed and laying over my legs. Knows when I need a laugh and instantly becomes the family clown.

Don't believe in spirits - explain this. Two nights before my mother passed, I woke up to Ruger whining and my Mother talking to someone. Came down the hallway (Mom was in a hospital bed in the living room) and Ruger's hair all stood up like plugged into an electrical socket and he wouldn't go into the living room. He stood at the end of the hallway and stared at an empty rocking chair diagonally across the room as my mother carried out a conversation. Mom's last words in that conversation was "Ok, I love you and will be there soon" I asked her who she was talking to and she said "My Dad, don't you see him sitting there" She looked back at the chair and said oh, Dad left as Ruger let his hair down and went over and smelled the chair. He had a very confused posture as he circled the room and kept going back to the rocking chair and smelling it.

Nearly 13 years of extraordinary experiences with him. Way too many to try to list. Never imagined a relationship with a dog where we communicate with eye contact, body language, and just knowing what each other is thinking. But he's my best friend, family guardian, and that list just goes on and on.

For the past six-seven months, he's had episodes of mini-strokes about 1-2 months apart. Just stops dead in his tracks, shakes a little, becomes wobbly, disorientated, vomits, then lethargic for a day or two. Since Christmas, this is becoming more frequent (almost weekly) and I'm realizing just how limited on time we are. The last 24 hours has been laying on the floor with him, cleaning vomit, or him laying across my feet. If I leave the room he immediately begins to whimper. It's not right that good animals live such a short life span and POS humans can live so dang long. Yep, I said it. I value my dog over many people. Well, back to giving this guy a hug

I miss my old Border Collie every day....smartest dog I ever saw, could do it all...was my best friend for almost 20 years

Mr Wieland i am so sorry to hear about your friend i know it is impossible to put into words what you are feeling but know that you are not alone sir
just let him know how much he means to you and for him .continue to try and stay strong
its a gift to have been brought together with such a loyal friend and as you mentioned about your mom you know that everything in our life time happens for a reason
im not sure we are supposed to fully understand why
God bless

I'm sorry that Ruger is having health issues. My dogs are a huge part of my life. Losing them is one of the hardest things we go through, but I wouldn't want to live life without dogs. They are the best. Reading that story of Ruger and your mom gave me goosebumps.

Yup, just buried my 13 yr old Beagle, Had her in the house on hospice for the last week.

Its a hard thing to go thru. Sometimes we forget that our pets are only with us for a short time. We think they will be with us forever.

I am sorry. I truly understand the loss and ache. It’s been a year since we had a dog and we are battling with the idea of adding another one. They bring much joy and purpose

I am sure he will find peace , I hope you can as well.

Fritz has turned out to be the communicator , he communicates for both dogs , if Matcha needs to go out he is the one to wake me up , and insist I get out of bed , he will hold up in the kitchen and she will go out.
if she is out and wants to come in but isn't even at the door like he could tell she was waiting to be let in she will be 25-30 feet from the door.
she likes to stay out nights being Husky and Pyrenees if it is a nice night she may want to stay out till 2 , nice night is relative somewhere above 0 and not windy and not raining.
other things as well he is just finding his way as the communicator , I have never had a dog that communicated for another dog before.

You are in for a very rough time. I think we get to see our loved ones again. I am sure that includes our 4 legged friends. Hang in there!

Sometime you need to make the tough choice I helped my dog Holly to the end,,, She wasn't in pain. Basically I had to take her out every hour, hour and a 1/2, She had a tough time getting arounf the last few weeks, but the tail was always wagging once she was up and kept me in sight.
The very end was quick, so that part was easy.

The price of a good dog is the heartache in the end.

Sorry to hear of Ruger's failing health. A lot of pet owners never get to experience that kind of bond and just don't get it.

Be thankful that you two crossed each others path. The memories will always be with you.

Ol' dad

I've owned a lot of dogs in my life, but only 2 hold an extra-special place. One was my last. She was a lot like you described. Lost her to an evil flesh-eating disease when she was only 3 years old. Thoughts are with ya....

Randy, remember his smile, thumping tail and that big block head. I'm on my 5th lab and they all bring joy and love to our lives but as you said, they live too short a life. He looks very regal. My heart goes out to you.

So sorry

The good ones never last long enough.. Since Sept we've buried the absolute best friend of our life and another good hunting dog who met an unfortunate end while hunting.. Rough, feel for you..

It really sux...I've put down more dogs than can be counted on both hands, and a little bit of you dies with every one of them.

It's awful, but at least you have the memories.

Both you and Ruger are lucky to have each other. It's nice to know you know each other so well.

I have 1 getting older Beagle in the yard, and now 11 buried under it. Never gets easier.

Got him to eat some rice from my hand then he turned his head away. Tail wagging a little. This episode feels so different than the past. Just have a sick feeling that he's not bouncing back. He's slept about 24-28 of the last 36 hours