Dammit! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Frown]" src="images/icons/frown.gif" /> Our Newfoundland, Gozar, has been struggling with decreasing liver function for a little more than a month (we found out right before Moab 'Zu Zoo VI). Pricey prescriptions and increasingly frequent trips to get his gut drained (~4 liters of effusion per trip <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="images/icons/shocked.gif" /> ) are getting us by, but his albumin count is still falling, in spite of our best efforts with diet, drugs, and supplements. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Frown]" src="images/icons/frown.gif" /> We can stay on top of the peritoneal effusion and minimize his discomfort, but the next stop is going to be edema and at some point soon after that, Kammy and I will have to make the decision we're dreading. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Frown]" src="images/icons/frown.gif" /> He's been too good a friend for too long to make him suffer just because I don't want to say goodbye.

Gozar has been our near-constant companion critter for nine years... including every Moab 'Zu Zoo, as well as trips to AZ, CO, NV, OR, UT, and WA, and every-other-year pilgrimmages by air or by car to MI. If you ever walked by a beat-up black Amigo anywhere and encountered a foot-wide furry head with a foot-long tongue, you've met Gozar. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Cool]" src="images/icons/cool.gif" /> You were at least as likely to trip over him as he lay next to a cabin, a tent, or a campfire... his truest gift, and his most welcome influence on me, is his ultra-calm demeanor. I'm still trying to be more like him! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" />

We've got a few weeks left, and we're gonna spoil him rotten as long as we can... Swimming, snacking, and lazing around together.

Many of you are part of Gozar's extended family, too. I thought you should know. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Frown]" src="images/icons/frown.gif" />

Randii

<small>[ July 10, 2003, 03:29 PM: Message edited by: randii ]</small>

I am so sorry to hear that. I feel your pain, with a 16 year old cat and an ailing 9 year old lab. I remember the first time I met you and Kammy and Gozar up in Big Bear. Couldn't believe that big dog riding along with you in the back of the Amigo. My son asked about him when I got back from Moab VI. Wanted to know if he was there. He remembers him quite fondly. It won't be the same in Moab without him. He will be missed. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Frown]" src="images/icons/frown.gif" />

I feel your pain.
I had to leave my german sheppard when i moved here. It was the hardest thing i've done in my entire life. I've been with her through hell & back over 9 years. She died 3 months after i left.

rubo

I am Truley saddened by this news Randii & Kammy. He has to be one of the coolest animal friends I've ever seen. A giant Gentle Fur Ball of Love.

My heart goes out to you.

Curtis J

wow Randii.....i'm sitting here thinking about how i would feel if it were one of my little dudes getting to the end of the line <img border="0" title="" alt="[Frown]" src="images/icons/frown.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Frown]" src="images/icons/frown.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Frown]" src="images/icons/frown.gif" />

Really sorry to hear that man! we all know in the back of our minds that the good things have to end eventually, but dammit it is really hard to come to grips with the reality.

Bev and i wish you and Kammy the best in this tough time.

for those who have never owned a dog...that "man's best friend thing" is for real.

hang in there <img border="0" title="" alt="[Frown]" src="images/icons/frown.gif" />

Unfortunately I've never had the honor of meeting this famous canine or the humans he's adopted, but believe me Randii, my wife and I feel your pain. Not too long ago we had to make the same choice for one of our fuzzy ones, not due to old age, but because she was starting to cause herself serious injury and posing a potential threat to the baby. I know he's as much a family member as any two-legged person about. Our sympathies for you and your family. Enjoy him while you can.

James

Wow, Randii. That's horrible news. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Frown]" src="images/icons/frown.gif" /> My thoughts are with you. I do remember meeting him at 'Zu Zoo IV. He was quite the lovable horse/bear/moose.

later,
d

Randy...i wish now that I had a physical picture of the images in my mind...
The image of Gozar looking not unlike Snufflupagus lumbering after the slobbery tennis ball i had just thrown...only to be distracted by a passing butterfly and forgetting the very existance of the ball. I spent all of a couple hours with him and have truly missed him ever since ZuZoo IV.

Gozar is a wonderful Newfie...Spoil him a little for me too.

Believe me when i tell you that i know your pain...i miss my pooch and lament every single day over him. All i can say on the inevitable is that I wish i had been at the vet to comfort Chingo in his last moments. Be there for Gozar.

Randii,

Words cannot express how terrible the news is, or express the empathy we have for you. We are very truly sorry to hear of this.
Gozar is the coolest tank of a mammal <img border="0" title="" alt="[Cool]" src="images/icons/cool.gif" /> , and has been a fixture of Moab 'Zu Zoo, an unofficial mascot if you will.
I know Gozar is not only your companion, but moreso like a son to you and Kammy. Letting him go is probably the toughest thing you have ever had to do. Given the situation with his pain and such, I would have to agree that you are making the best possible choice there is to minimize his pain and maximize the quality of time you have left.

Good luck, and know that we are all here for you if you need anything, and you have my number, so feel free to give myself and Tia a call anytime.

Randy and Kammy, I am extremely sorry to hear this. Susana and Rex will be extremely saddened as well. Gawd this is awful.

Rex is our first pet and these "animals" transcend their supposed role in nature. Because we are childless like you, I bet Gozar to you is - much the same as Rex is to us - your baby boy.

Cherish him and his memory and bask in the fondness of his companionship and unconditional love.

I truly am very sorry, but very grateful we got to meet and spend a little time with this wonderful Newfie. Even if Rex couldn't quite figure out how or where to hump him.

<img border="0" title="" alt="[Frown]" src="images/icons/frown.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Frown]" src="images/icons/frown.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Frown]" src="images/icons/frown.gif" />