Dudley

January 2000-February 14, 2005
Dudley
Last Tuesday morning, Dudley came in from his dog run holding his right hind leg three inches off the ground. He had been his usual self when he went out an hour before.

My vet came out on Thursday and gave him a shot of cortisone, and we agreed to have him x-rayed if he hadn’t improved by Monday. She couldn’t palpate the stifle well enough to see how badly damaged it was, and the sedation required for the x-rays would allow a better exam as well.

Unfortunately, the exam revealed that not only had he ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament, but that he had advanced dysplasia in both hips as well. Jack and I decided that we were not willing to put Dudley through the multiple surgeries he would have required for even a faint chance at being “normal.” I asked the vet to put him down, and held him while it was done.

The house is very quiet this morning.

11 thoughts on “Dudley”

  1. Oh Elaine and Jack, so sorry to hear about Dudley. Our household is on the brink of facing the same with our two senior petizens. So much life in such a short span…

  2. Elaine, I am so sorry to hear about Dudley. Ah, pets bring mourning that can be as long and jarring as humans–at least for those who love their pets like you and I do, too. Do you bury your pets at home? We have always done that.

  3. I’m so sorry, Elaine. I know how hard it was when we had to ask the vet to put down our cat a little over a year ago.

  4. I have a sick feeling in my stomach from your very sad news. I am so sorry for your loss.

  5. Sorry about Dudley.How much you’ll miss him! We think of him running like mad thru the house and
    we smile.

  6. I’m so sorry to hear this – the loss of someone who had been a part of your life for so long is painful.

    Please accept my sympathies.

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