"Maxine Precious" – the Basset Hound
About 10 days ago, our Basset Hound Maxine began refusing food and water, which resulted in a Sunday emergency visit to her vet. She spent 3 days in the animal hospital, but all that could be found was yet another UTI – something Max has had repeated bouts with since puppyhood. She is 7.5 years old.
Max came home last Wednesday, but continued to refuse most food and water (hardly enough to keep a hamster alive, let alone a 65 pound canine). After two return visits to the vet and a very long weekend of trying to keep her warm and alive, we returned to the vet again today. I received a call from the vet while I was working on this post with very difficult news. The tests today show that Max is in kidney failure and there is nothing that can be done. Tomorrow we will make a very sad trip to the vet’s office again, to spend some time with Max and hold her paw while she finally is able to rest.
Very, very sad here.
Kerry
Kerry,
I am very sad to hear about Max. I know what you are going through because putting Prince down was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do. There will never be another Prince and I am sure there will never be another Max. Our thoughts are with you.
I am so sorry Kerry. Max and your family are in my prayers. Janalyn
It is such a hard thing… Give Max a little pat on the head for me.
I am so sorry, Kerry. We had to make a similar sad decision for our beagle, Johann, when my older son was 3. Hearing his little voice say “I love you, Johann” as his daddy took Johann to the vet just broke my heart. I’ll be praying for your family.
I am so sorry. I wish I could do something for you and max. I will remeber you in my prayers tonight.
Our family is saddened by your news…as our aging beagle lays nearby. Though a soul they do not have, a dog does bring our souls much comfort many times over.
Dear Kerry,
My heart is broken for you. My husband and I will start praying for you and your family tonight and throughout the day tomorrow. We had to put our nine-year-old golden down last March – and it was one of the hardest things we had to do. We are keeping you close in thought tomorrow.
We will call tomorrow to campaign headquarters
and max out our contriubtions in honor of your Max.
Kerry, I started sobbing when I read your blog today. Please find comfort in knowing there are so many of us like you who have had to make the decision you made today, and there is no easy way to handle it–our pets are such a huge part of our lives, though often we get too busy to notice until they are gone. God gave them to us to care for and to name (Genesis), but of course He also knew what a GIFT they would be to our lives while we are here, and make the bumps a little easier to handle. They are loyal and understanding to us in the simplest purest ways. God bless you and your family.
Kerry, with tears in my eyes, I know what you are going through. Had to put our beloved black lab Indy down in Oct. of ’06 (he was going on 11 yrs), and our house kitty Sunny of almost 15 yrs. three months later. God blesses us with these loyal and loving pets, giving us many happy memories, but it is still hard. You all are in my prayers. Laura in Iowa
Tears here, too. God be with you.
Kerry, I too am so sorry for your loss of your beautiful Max. My husband and I lost the love of our lives on January 4, 2008, the worst day of my life….Our Sebastian a Bassett Hound had a cancerous tumour in his tummy the size of 2 soup cans bottom to bottom and at that time it was only a matter of hours. We had to make the worst decision of our lives to put him out of his pain. I have not been able to stop crying since, every day has been a struggle. Everyone has told me it will eventually get better. I hope that this helps you to know that we are all saying a prayer for our beautiful doggies that we loved unconditionally and they loved us unconditionally..!
Sue – I am so sorry for the loss of your Sebastian. The love and loyalty of a beautiful basset hound is very special. I understand your sadness.
Onemom…..thank you sooo much, I cry as I write this. Bassett Hounds are such sensitive dogs and our was……I look at the blog I wrote and I really should have not said that it was the worst decision as it was the best as he was in soooo much pain, but an incredible trooper to the end. He would not have lasted another night and it broke both our hearts. We had him cremated and will take him home, but I don’t think I will bury him at this point in time. We donated all of his extra food and treats and toys to the local shelter. We all must give a big shout out to fabulous sensitive vets and staff. Our vet was fantastic….big shout out to him…Dr. Brent Garrison on Marco Island and staff. Sue
so so sorry we are going thru the exact same thing, god bless and be consoled by the fact that your dog had a good life.
Hi Elaine – I’m sorry about your loss. I still miss Max … she was such a good friend.
dear Kerry,
I know what you must ahve felt as today I had to put to rest my best friend Pokey. She too was a Basset Hound ..though she lucky enough to reach the ripe old age of 14 . It’s no easier at any age as our last one died at 8 and I still have a 9 year old at home now. They are a wonderful breed, so loving . My poor girl was having issues with urination problems but could find no real diagnosis then they found a very large mass in her liver that was inoperable. As of today a month later it had matasticised to her thyroid and hampered her breathing so I did what I had to and said my last goodbye. It ahs only been a few hours and I miss her terribly and I am dreading waking tomorrow to a day and life without her.
I feel your loss, wendi
Dear Wendi – I am so sorry about Pokey. I was just thinking about Max as I’ve had a rotten day and miss the chats I could have with her. Even though it has been 5 months, I still find myself getting up in the night because I think I hear her asking to go out.
We share your sadness.