I'm very sad to report that our sweet Brian Wilson passed away the other night. He was only four but had terrible medical issues, including a doggie version of Crohn's and a bad spleen. Over the weekend he developed a high fever and an infection and the bloodwork indicated anemia and his doctor said basically there's not much left to do and he'd suffered enough. So we went to the vet Monday night to say goodbye and he was pleased to see us, but very weak. At home my husband and I debated what to do - try a blood transfusion for the anemia (even though the doctor advised against it - said the spleen issue was still too big), bring him home to let him die in his back yard with us, take him to our holistic vet, etc. In the morning the vet called and said Brian had passed away in his sleep.
We realized that was a blessing, that he'd made the decision. And that when I thought we went to see him to say goodbye, HE was the one who wanted to say goodbye to US because he was ready to go.
I know it will get better, but boy is it hard to love a pet. Because they're not our pets, they're our most loyal, wonderful friends.
If you haven't seen this, watch it - it's wonderful (although it will make you cry):
I'm so sorry. I just loved reading about Brian and seeing pictures of him. He seemed like such a sweet, loveable goofball. My heart goes out to you and your family.
we've been thru this twice and it is absolutely the worst. I agree with Who Princesses' assessment of Brian as a lovable goofball. you guys did a great thing by rescuing him and I know you gave him the best possible life. so damn young and so unfair. at least, he died peacefully.
I'm rambling....there's nothing I can say.....it WILL get better but it's gonna take time. Your whole family is in our thoughts O:-)
If I had known then what I know now...
Vegas 93, Vegas 98, Vegas 00 (10 year show), Vegas 03, Vegas 06
VIC 07
EV LA1 08
Seattle1 09, Seattle2 09, Salt Lake 09, LA4 09
Columbus 10
EV LA 11
Vancouver 11
Missoula 12
Portland 13, Spokane 13
St. Paul 14, Denver 14
so sad when the doggie thread goes thru these "down" phases.
go give your best friends some big hugs!
If I had known then what I know now...
Vegas 93, Vegas 98, Vegas 00 (10 year show), Vegas 03, Vegas 06
VIC 07
EV LA1 08
Seattle1 09, Seattle2 09, Salt Lake 09, LA4 09
Columbus 10
EV LA 11
Vancouver 11
Missoula 12
Portland 13, Spokane 13
St. Paul 14, Denver 14
Just thought I would share this, while it's a sad story because the dog could have died....I'm so impressed by the dog knowning to honk the horn to get attention....he saved his own life and hopefully the owner gets the maximum punishment for animal cruelty!
Music is my Religion and Pearl Jam, my Savior! Tattooed Dissident!
Hi there, Just want to say thank you to all the lovely members who helped me with Henry's surgery going back a few years ago. You helped to allow him to have a few more years in comfort and to that I will be eternally grateful. Unfortunately now, he's not himself, barks at nothing, can't see and can't hear. He is snappy with the kids too and it's obvious he's not happy anymore. :( He's gone down hill ALOT this year but mind you, he is 16 years old. I am taking him down to the vet to do the right thing for him ( if only we could do the same for humans hey?). Just wanted to say thank you again and could we please add him to your 'in memory' list. :( Thank you for all the well wishes. xxxx
“ "Thank you Palestrina. It’s a wonderful evening, it’s great to be here and I wanna dedicate you a super sexy song." " (last words of Mark Sandman of Morphine)
Adelaide 1998
Adelaide 2003
Adelaide 2006 night 1
Adelaide 2006 night 2
Adelaide 2009
Melbourne 2009
Christchurch NZ 2009
Eddie Vedder, Adelaide 2011
PJ20 USA 2011 night 1
PJ20 USA 2011 night 2
Adelaide BIG DAY OUT 2014
Hi there, Just want to say thank you to all the lovely members who helped me with Henry's surgery going back a few years ago. You helped to allow him to have a few more years in comfort and to that I will be eternally grateful. Unfortunately now, he's not himself, barks at nothing, can't see and can't hear. He is snappy with the kids too and it's obvious he's not happy anymore. :( He's gone down hill ALOT this year but mind you, he is 16 years old. I am taking him down to the vet to do the right thing for him ( if only we could do the same for humans hey?). Just wanted to say thank you again and could we please add him to your 'in memory' list. :( Thank you for all the well wishes. xxxx
Hugs! You are doing right by him. I'm glad we were able to Help you be able to spend the last few years with him, they always let you know when they're ready.
Thanks mate, just came back from the vet and feeling pretty damn low but I know it was the right thing to do.
“ "Thank you Palestrina. It’s a wonderful evening, it’s great to be here and I wanna dedicate you a super sexy song." " (last words of Mark Sandman of Morphine)
Adelaide 1998
Adelaide 2003
Adelaide 2006 night 1
Adelaide 2006 night 2
Adelaide 2009
Melbourne 2009
Christchurch NZ 2009
Eddie Vedder, Adelaide 2011
PJ20 USA 2011 night 1
PJ20 USA 2011 night 2
Adelaide BIG DAY OUT 2014
Hi there, Just want to say thank you to all the lovely members who helped me with Henry's surgery going back a few years ago. You helped to allow him to have a few more years in comfort and to that I will be eternally grateful. Unfortunately now, he's not himself, barks at nothing, can't see and can't hear. He is snappy with the kids too and it's obvious he's not happy anymore. :( He's gone down hill ALOT this year but mind you, he is 16 years old. I am taking him down to the vet to do the right thing for him ( if only we could do the same for humans hey?). Just wanted to say thank you again and could we please add him to your 'in memory' list. :( Thank you for all the well wishes. xxxx
glad you were able to get the last few years with Henry, hugs to you guys...
1995 San Francisco San Jose
San Diego 2 shows
2003 Missoula
2005 Missoula
2006 Denver 2 shows with Tom Petty
Gorge 2 shows
2009 Utah
LA1
LA2
2012 Missoula : Meet and Greet : "Instant Classic show"
I've lost my wild child, uber-destructive puppy who grew up to be my sweet, easygoing buddy. My fierce protector (at least in his mind). My couch cuddler and foot warmer.
If you'd told me a month ago that we'd come to this, I don't think I'd have believed it. Looking back, I can see that there were a few hints during the last few months that something might be wrong but they were so minor it never occurred to me that something was going on with his health. Things took a dramatic turn 3 weeks ago and really accelerated in the last 10 days. We went through numerous tests to try to figure out why his kidneys were failing and if anything could be done. Ultimately, all that came to a logical conclusion: Django would not get better and had been through enough. Yesterday, Glenn and I said our goodbyes and let him go.
I know I've posted all these pictures before but please indulge me as I remember him here. I really loved that little guy.
Adorable puppy face hides a mind bent on destruction!
Playing with big brother Pete, his BFF:
Making a sheltie version of a snow angel:
"Why are you looking at me like that? Is there something on my nose?"
Sleeping on his back:
"What? It's hot, I have a fur coat . . ."
Talking to Mama out in the yard:
Django would have turned 12 at the end of this month. I think he had a good life. I know he had lots of love.
Comments
We realized that was a blessing, that he'd made the decision. And that when I thought we went to see him to say goodbye, HE was the one who wanted to say goodbye to US because he was ready to go.
I know it will get better, but boy is it hard to love a pet. Because they're not our pets, they're our most loyal, wonderful friends.
If you haven't seen this, watch it - it's wonderful (although it will make you cry):
http://www.ted.com/talks/billy_collins_two_poems_about_what_dogs_think_probably?language=en
And a last photo of Brian - trying once again to make friends with Nomar the cat.
Hugging you as hard as I can in spirit. Losing our pets is sooo hard.
we've been thru this twice and it is absolutely the worst. I agree with Who Princesses' assessment of Brian as a lovable goofball. you guys did a great thing by rescuing him and I know you gave him the best possible life. so damn young and so unfair. at least, he died peacefully.
I'm rambling....there's nothing I can say.....it WILL get better but it's gonna take time. Your whole family is in our thoughts O:-)
Vegas 93, Vegas 98, Vegas 00 (10 year show), Vegas 03, Vegas 06
VIC 07
EV LA1 08
Seattle1 09, Seattle2 09, Salt Lake 09, LA4 09
Columbus 10
EV LA 11
Vancouver 11
Missoula 12
Portland 13, Spokane 13
St. Paul 14, Denver 14
Tattooed Dissident!
I'm at my wit's end. I don't know what to do and I'm so worried. Tomorrow I take him to have his blood checked again.
Thanks for asking.
thinking good thoughts
go give your best friends some big hugs!
Vegas 93, Vegas 98, Vegas 00 (10 year show), Vegas 03, Vegas 06
VIC 07
EV LA1 08
Seattle1 09, Seattle2 09, Salt Lake 09, LA4 09
Columbus 10
EV LA 11
Vancouver 11
Missoula 12
Portland 13, Spokane 13
St. Paul 14, Denver 14
Thank you everybody for your kind words about Brian. It's getting better - but boy our backyard is still very empty.
Just thought I would share this, while it's a sad story because the dog could have died....I'm so impressed by the dog knowning to honk the horn to get attention....he saved his own life and hopefully the owner gets the maximum punishment for animal cruelty!
Tattooed Dissident!
I am so sorry to hear about Brian, he will be missed!
1995 San Francisco
San Jose
San Diego 2 shows
2003 Missoula
2005 Missoula
2006 Denver 2 shows with Tom Petty
Gorge 2 shows
2009 Utah
LA1
LA2
2012 Missoula : Meet and Greet : "Instant Classic show"
2013 Portland
Spokane
2018 Missoula
1995 San Francisco
San Jose
San Diego 2 shows
2003 Missoula
2005 Missoula
2006 Denver 2 shows with Tom Petty
Gorge 2 shows
2009 Utah
LA1
LA2
2012 Missoula : Meet and Greet : "Instant Classic show"
2013 Portland
Spokane
2018 Missoula
1995 San Francisco
San Jose
San Diego 2 shows
2003 Missoula
2005 Missoula
2006 Denver 2 shows with Tom Petty
Gorge 2 shows
2009 Utah
LA1
LA2
2012 Missoula : Meet and Greet : "Instant Classic show"
2013 Portland
Spokane
2018 Missoula
Just want to say thank you to all the lovely members who helped me with Henry's surgery going back a few years ago. You helped to allow him to have a few more years in comfort and to that I will be eternally grateful.
Unfortunately now, he's not himself, barks at nothing, can't see and can't hear. He is snappy with the kids too and it's obvious he's not happy anymore. :( He's gone down hill ALOT this year but mind you, he is 16 years old. I am taking him down to the vet to do the right thing for him ( if only we could do the same for humans hey?). Just wanted to say thank you again and could we please add him to your 'in memory' list.
:(
Thank you for all the well wishes. xxxx
Adelaide 1998
Adelaide 2003
Adelaide 2006 night 1
Adelaide 2006 night 2
Adelaide 2009
Melbourne 2009
Christchurch NZ 2009
Eddie Vedder, Adelaide 2011
PJ20 USA 2011 night 1
PJ20 USA 2011 night 2
Adelaide BIG DAY OUT 2014
Help you be able to spend the last few years with him, they always let you know when they're ready.
Adelaide 1998
Adelaide 2003
Adelaide 2006 night 1
Adelaide 2006 night 2
Adelaide 2009
Melbourne 2009
Christchurch NZ 2009
Eddie Vedder, Adelaide 2011
PJ20 USA 2011 night 1
PJ20 USA 2011 night 2
Adelaide BIG DAY OUT 2014
1995 San Francisco
San Jose
San Diego 2 shows
2003 Missoula
2005 Missoula
2006 Denver 2 shows with Tom Petty
Gorge 2 shows
2009 Utah
LA1
LA2
2012 Missoula : Meet and Greet : "Instant Classic show"
2013 Portland
Spokane
2018 Missoula
I've lost my wild child, uber-destructive puppy who grew up to be my sweet, easygoing buddy. My fierce protector (at least in his mind). My couch cuddler and foot warmer.
If you'd told me a month ago that we'd come to this, I don't think I'd have believed it. Looking back, I can see that there were a few hints during the last few months that something might be wrong but they were so minor it never occurred to me that something was going on with his health. Things took a dramatic turn 3 weeks ago and really accelerated in the last 10 days. We went through numerous tests to try to figure out why his kidneys were failing and if anything could be done. Ultimately, all that came to a logical conclusion: Django would not get better and had been through enough. Yesterday, Glenn and I said our goodbyes and let him go.
I know I've posted all these pictures before but please indulge me as I remember him here. I really loved that little guy.
Adorable puppy face hides a mind bent on destruction!
Playing with big brother Pete, his BFF:
Making a sheltie version of a snow angel:
"Why are you looking at me like that? Is there something on my nose?"
Sleeping on his back:
"What? It's hot, I have a fur coat . . ."
Talking to Mama out in the yard:
Django would have turned 12 at the end of this month. I think he had a good life. I know he had lots of love.
We had a family portrait made in 2007. I really like that my 2 boys are in the picture with us.
When Django got to Dog Heaven, I'm sure that Pete was waiting for him at the gate.