Moderators Travis In Austin Posted June 11, 2007 Moderators Share Posted June 11, 2007 Well the past couple of weeks have been a bit of a whirlwind for me. Two weeks ago I was putting the finishing touchs on preperations for a big murder trial. The murder trial started Monday and ended very late Friday night. We got an excellent result for a 23 year-old young man. He and his parents were very happy and I was flying high. I got home as fast as possible after everything was over with plans of having a big glass of bourbon and finally getting some sleep after two weeks. When I got home my wife told me that she didn't want to say anything while I was in trial but that our dog Malcolm had not been feeling well for the last couple of days. Well as many have said on here, pets become family, and this was more then the case with Malcome. Off to the Hospital Malcolm went, he was panting up a storm and was in obvious distress. As soon as I saw the radiograph of his lungs my heart sunk, it had a diffuse cloudy apperance. The Vet said there was a chance that it could be fungal which is more treatable then cancer but their hospital did not have the drugs to treat it and that we would need a specialist to treat it. None were available in Austin over the weekend so they put him on oxygen and said we would have to wait till Monday. They may joke a lot about aggies around here, but A&M has one of the best Vet hospitals in the world and it is only two hours drive. I called a couple of friends and made arrangements to have him seen up there on Sat. They rigged Malcolm up with oxygen and tanks in the back of my SUV and we drove up to College Station. They were expecting us and got him on a gurnery, said they would run tests, view the radiographs and then meet with us. It wasn't 15 minutes before they consulted with us and confirmed the worst, regardless of whether it was cancer or fungal, he would suffer a great deal for a long time with either chemo or anti-fungal treatment and even then, the chances were slim. He started to say that if it was fungal the medication is very expensive and could take 9 months. I told him that cost was not the issue, we would do whatever it takes - I just did not want him to suffer needlessly, and I asked him if it was his dog what would he do. He said the chance of a positive outcome was less then 1% and that if it was his dog he would not let him suffer any longer. We had our hopes so high it was like someone shot Kelly and I in the stomach. We just both sat there crying, and it was obvious he had to give this same news a 1000 times before, and he really helped us through it. Anyways, sorry about all the details, just wanted you to have the background. Some of you met Malcolm, and I am glad you had the chance. For those that did not have the pleasure, all I can say is that everyone said the same thing about him: "That is the biggest dog I have ever seen" followed sometime later with "He is the sweetest dog I have ever met." The words might have differed a bit, but they all essentially said the same thing. His size put some people off initially, but he always had them won over by the time they left. I have put his photo up a time or two on here when there was a "post your dog post" or some such thing, but I just wanted to post a couple more to let him know we are thinking about him. He was the best friend I ever had. I am sure glad I decided to wait to quit smoking until next week. Travis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Travis In Austin Posted June 11, 2007 Author Moderators Share Posted June 11, 2007 Kelly got him platforms for his water and food when he was a puppy so he would not have to bend over so far to eat and drink. She made sure he did not want for anything. He had a great life, I wish it could have been just a little longer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve Posted June 11, 2007 Share Posted June 11, 2007 Travis My sincere condolences for your loss. As a fellow pet owner, I feel your pain. When the time comes, it's never easy. You never get over it, you just get used to it. Sounds like he had a great life and was well loved. Remember those good times. Take Care. Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arky Posted June 11, 2007 Share Posted June 11, 2007 Hi Travis, sorry for your loss. Hang in there buddy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay481985 Posted June 11, 2007 Share Posted June 11, 2007 looks like a great dog, sorry for your loss. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timmikid Posted June 11, 2007 Share Posted June 11, 2007 So saddened by the news. I met Malcolm when I was visiting Travis only two weeks ago. Indeed the sweetest dog. My thoughts are with you. T Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators dtel's wife Posted June 11, 2007 Moderators Share Posted June 11, 2007 Travis, I am really sorry for your loss. Malcolm was a beautiful dog, I especially like the picture of him with the cat. In the winter and spring my cat stays indoors a lot. She is about eleven years old. In the summer, she stays outside most of the time, only coming in occasionally. Anyway, if I don't see her for a day or so I get worried and start asking everyone (all eight other people) in the house if they have seen her, because I know her time is running short. I will be very sad when that day comes. I kind of thought something was up with you. You had said something about a "big trial", but we hadn't heard from you on the Forum in a while and I was wondering what happened. Thanks for sharing you story with us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lwhaples Posted June 11, 2007 Share Posted June 11, 2007 Sorry to hear,Best wishes. Larry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldbuckster Posted June 11, 2007 Share Posted June 11, 2007 Very Sorry for your Loss................It hardest thing I've ever done was put my 14 year old Boxer down, cried like a Baby, it was awful, never going to have another dog, damn things...........A couple of months went bye, searching for another Boxer, found a Female 3 year old at a shelter rescued her, and Hallie is the best dog I've ever owned, what a sweet-heart, so, my hearts been stolen again........Thank God she came along.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wpines Posted June 11, 2007 Share Posted June 11, 2007 The euthanasia decision is a tough one. After we decided that the best thing was to put our sick dog Calvin down (lung cancer), we buried him on the edge of our yard in a planted area with a couple of mountain laurels and rhododendrums. Calvin's nickname was Zippy. For mothers day, I got my wife a small marble monument, an oval with just his initial, Z engraved on it. It's a pretty amazing thing. There are 15,000 species of mammals. This one species adopted humans, and without the ability to communicate at all, they just trust us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbsl Posted June 11, 2007 Share Posted June 11, 2007 Travis I am so sorry about Malcom!! Malcom was the sweetest dog I have ever meet. The first time I meet Malcom I realized he was a special dog! Travis opened the door and behind him was this big white fluffy beautifull animal that totally accepted me in their house! Malcom had such a warm, gentle, easy going personality that whenever he came up to me I had to talk to him, pet him, and gave him some bear hugs. He had such a soothing effect on me! These pics of Malcom are from last years Central Texas Klipsch gathering at Travis's house. Travis I thought you might like this pic of Malcom and Jack when he was kitten. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbsl Posted June 11, 2007 Share Posted June 11, 2007 Malcom and Jack Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbsl Posted June 11, 2007 Share Posted June 11, 2007 . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LoudnClear Posted June 11, 2007 Share Posted June 11, 2007 I'm sorry to hear of your loss, Travis. For what its worth though, you got to say goodbye, the decision was clear, and he had a GREAT life because of what you guys did to enrich his life. There are ways to lose pets where you don't get to say goodbye, its icing on the cake when you do. I had a cat for 14 years from the time I was 13 to 27. I can agree with what was said before that when you're that close, the heartache still comes back when you miss him years later. Its never ok that he had to go, it just is. You can't get through here without some scrapes with death and a final toe to toe. Our only recourse is to remember the good times with them and to not deny the enriching experience to another deserving dog now that you have an opening. I hope that you've confirmed to your wife that she was correct in not telling you during your hectic time. That kind of decision can wear on a person and I hope you relieve her of that portion of worry. Praying for your comfort and clarity, Kimball Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wardsweb Posted June 11, 2007 Share Posted June 11, 2007 OH MAN, NOOO! Travis I am so sorry and saddened to hear this. Malcome was my buddy. I had to fight back the tears just reading this. I know you and Kelly must be in agony. Please let me know if there is anything I can do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilverSport Posted June 11, 2007 Share Posted June 11, 2007 I am sorry to hear of your loss of your good friend...take care. Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daddy Dee Posted June 11, 2007 Share Posted June 11, 2007 Travis, I am so sorry to hear about Malcome. You are right about him being a member of the family, rings true to me, too. This is a very tough time, indeed. I appreciate you sharing your story with Malcome and pics, too. What a great dog and friend. Peace, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jacksonbart Posted June 11, 2007 Share Posted June 11, 2007 He is in a better place. Sorry to hear that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dp1954 Posted June 11, 2007 Share Posted June 11, 2007 Travis. I am truly sorry for your loss and I know exactly where your coming from. Me and mine are Brittany spaniel lovers. Up until xmas of 2005 we had 5.... Mom, dad, 2 pups and a cousin. The daddy was the first to go just before xmas of 2005. 15 years as the best friend, hunting companion and just plain buddy that a guy could ask for. 6 months later his lady friend, the momma also passed away. Again an excellent friend and companion. My dogs are family just like my kids. Heck santa even comes to visit them too.... and they know and expect it..!! I'm now down to 3 left and the 2 pups although pups nomore are both 12... I really am sorry about your friend. Don't wait to long to find another one. It really does help. Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dkalsi Posted June 11, 2007 Share Posted June 11, 2007 Dwilawyer, I am sorry to hear about your loss. I remember my when my brother had to sign to put our dog to sleep. My brother never cries for anything (movies, family drama, anything at all).... but when my brother had to sign to put our dog to sleep....I remember him shaking, crying like a little baby.... Once again, terribly sorry about your loss. Hang in there. Dhar Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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