We had to put Genie down today - Views From The Top

audrey · 06-02-2009, 06:50 PM

To our friends...
Genie developed a liver inflammation (chronic active hepatitis) that progressed so fast in the last week that we felt we had no choice but to put her to sleep. It appears to be more common in Labs than most other dogs. We were offered steroid therapy but her life wouldn't have been the same.
We don't yet know what caused the hepatitis... but I would urge dog owners to read up on leptospirosis, a bacterial infection. There is a vaccination (that was never offered to us) that isn't perfect, but it may have prevented this.

Genie was a free spirit of the outdoors and we'll be grieving for a while.

--Pat and Audrey

vegematic · 06-02-2009, 07:00 PM

I'm so sorry to hear that. What an awful decision to have to make, even when it is the best one.
-vegematic

pocahontas · 06-02-2009, 07:04 PM

Dear Pat & Audrey
We're So very sorry to hear about your dog.
This is so sudden & so sad
They are like children to us
& it just breaks your heart to have to
make this kind of decision

una_dogger · 06-02-2009, 07:05 PM

I am so so sorry. I know that there is a huge empty spot in your home and your heart right now...such a difficult decision but you gave her the most generous gift --the gift of release...my heart and thoughts go out to you both. Godspeed, Genie, you will be so missed.
{{{{hugs to Pat and Audrey}}}}

Papa Bear · 06-02-2009, 07:22 PM

A terrible loss. She was a love.

I'll always remember her roaming ahead and then looking back as if to say "Hurry up you slow pokes!"

Genie, RIP

bobandgeri · 06-02-2009, 07:23 PM

Words cannot describe the shock we felt when we saw this. We know first hand how close you were to Genie and how hard this decission must have been to you both. You are all in our thoughts. If we can do anything at all to help please let us know.

Jason Berard · 06-02-2009, 07:24 PM

I'm so sorry for your loss.

Tom Rankin · 06-02-2009, 07:26 PM

Our condolences as well.

Tom & Atticus · 06-02-2009, 07:27 PM

I'm sorry for your loss and I'm sorry I never had the opportunity to run into Genie or either of you. Such choices are one of the most difficult we make in life. You surely made the right choice to make sure your friend didn't suffer needlessly or go through life less than what she was. From what I hear, you gave her a great life.

Last night a friend passed the following onto me and the timing seems appropriate:

Quote:

There is a book called Dogs Never Lie about Love by Jeffrey Moussaieff Masson. His last paragraph in the book sums it up:

"I am not a religious man, and I pause before using the word soul. But my experiences with the dogs in my life, and now with Sash, Sima, and Rani, convince me that there is some profound essence, something about being a dog, which corresponds to our notion of an inner soul, the core of our being that makes us most human. In human animals, this core, I am convinced, has to do with our ability to reach out and help a member of another species, to devote our energy to the welfare of that species, even when we do not stand to benefit from the other - in short, to love the other for its own sake. If any species on earth shares this miraculous ability with us ...it is the dog, for the dog truly loves us sometimes beyond expectation, beyond measure, beyond what we deserve, more, indeed than we love ourselves."

bobandgeri · 06-02-2009, 07:31 PM

A happier time that you shared:

una_dogger · 06-02-2009, 07:39 PM

That is such a beautiful memory, BobandGeri. Thanks so much for posting that. I am hugging Terra and asking her if her good friend stopped by on her way "passing through". I will never forget Genie's generosity, she let Terra play with all her toys and sleep on the bed with her and Pat. Genie put any Hoover to shame and always made sure there were no scraps to clean up after Pat and Audrey's wonderful dinner parties. Genie had wonderful "dog parents" -- she was truly blessed to have landed with you and I know you both feel like you were the true lucky ones. She was a wonderful dog, one of the great dogs of the world and I will think of her tommorrow as I hike along. She will be remembered so well by so many.

Tuco · 06-02-2009, 07:47 PM

Audrey and Pat- I am so sorry for your loss. I know how much Genie meant to you; and also know all of the great times you all must have shared.

Savor the memories....

http://tuco.smugmug.com/gallery/2122...434_Xfc9K-L-LB

Waumbek · 06-02-2009, 07:52 PM

I'm very sorry to hear this. I have followed Genie's adventures in the mountains with you with real enjoyment because it was always so clear that each of the three of you was doing what you love with those you love. They say time heals, but I still miss every dog I've ever had the privilege of "owning." I'll miss reading about your Genie too.

Bobby · 06-02-2009, 07:52 PM

Audrey and Pat, my deepest condolences to you. Genie was awesome, and will be missed by everyone.

Hikes4fun · 06-02-2009, 08:12 PM

Been there done that

...It's a tough decision, but if it needs discussing it's usually for the best...Please except my heartfelt condolences..Shiloh sends out a woof too

06-02-2009, 06:50 PM	#1
audrey Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: MA. Avatar: Pat,Audrey,& Leo Posts: 1,616	We had to put Genie down today To our friends... Genie developed a liver inflammation (chronic active hepatitis) that progressed so fast in the last week that we felt we had no choice but to put her to sleep. It appears to be more common in Labs than most other dogs. We were offered steroid therapy but her life wouldn't have been the same. We don't yet know what caused the hepatitis... but I would urge dog owners to read up on leptospirosis, a bacterial infection. There is a vaccination (that was never offered to us) that isn't perfect, but it may have prevented this. Genie was a free spirit of the outdoors and we'll be grieving for a while. --Pat and Audrey

06-02-2009, 07:00 PM	#2
vegematic Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Bethel, ME Posts: 683	I'm so sorry to hear that. What an awful decision to have to make, even when it is the best one. -vegematic __________________ If vegetarians eat vegetables, what do humanitarians eat

06-02-2009, 07:04 PM	#3
pocahontas Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Greenville, RI & Thornton,NH Posts: 118	Dear Pat & Audrey We're So very sorry to hear about your dog. This is so sudden & so sad They are like children to us & it just breaks your heart to have to make this kind of decision __________________ Tricia

06-02-2009, 07:05 PM	#4
una_dogger Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Avatar: North Percy Posts: 2,986	I am so so sorry. I know that there is a huge empty spot in your home and your heart right now...such a difficult decision but you gave her the most generous gift --the gift of release...my heart and thoughts go out to you both. Godspeed, Genie, you will be so missed. {{{{hugs to Pat and Audrey}}}} __________________ NE115~34/48 NH48x3~NE67~ADK46r # 6247~NEHH 99/100~~YAlpine 77/100~2010 BOSTON MARATHON bib # 26266~Terra the Traildog NH4L48 #106 May You Walk Gently Through the World and Know Its Beauty All the Days of Your Life~Apache Blessing doG is my CoPilot

06-02-2009, 07:22 PM	#5
Papa Bear Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: New York City Posts: 1,844	A terrible loss. She was a love. I'll always remember her roaming ahead and then looking back as if to say "Hurry up you slow pokes!" *Genie, RIP* __________________ Pb Papa Bear's Hundred Highest List Papa Bear's Fifty Finest List Everything that can be counted does not necessarily count; everything that counts cannot necessarily be counted. - Albert Einstein

06-02-2009, 07:23 PM	#6
bobandgeri Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Merrimack NH... Avatar: Mt Washington January 2008 Posts: 1,484	Words cannot describe the shock we felt when we saw this. We know first hand how close you were to Genie and how hard this decission must have been to you both. You are all in our thoughts. If we can do anything at all to help please let us know. __________________ Bob & Geri bobandgeri@rbhayes.net http://www.facebook.com/bobandgeri http://rbhayes.net/recent.htm

06-02-2009, 07:24 PM	#7
Jason Berard Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: N. Thetford, VT Avatar: another cool sign Posts: 1,036	I'm so sorry for your loss. __________________ We have agreed not to drive our automobiles into cathedrals, concert halls,art museums,legislative assemblies,private bedrooms,and other sanctums of our culture; we should treat our national parks with the same deference, for they, too, are holy places. -Edward Abbey-

06-02-2009, 07:26 PM	#8
Tom Rankin Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Tillson, New York Avatar: Views and Brews! Posts: 4,543	Our condolences as well. __________________ Tom Rankin Volunteer Balsam Lake Mountain VP Catskill 3500 Club CEO Views And Brews! Trail maintainer for the Dry Brook Ridge trail from Mill Brook Road to just past the Lean-to

06-02-2009, 07:31 PM	#10
bobandgeri Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Merrimack NH... Avatar: Mt Washington January 2008 Posts: 1,484	A happier time that you shared: __________________ Bob & Geri bobandgeri@rbhayes.net http://www.facebook.com/bobandgeri http://rbhayes.net/recent.htm

06-02-2009, 07:39 PM	#11
una_dogger Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Avatar: North Percy Posts: 2,986	That is such a beautiful memory, BobandGeri. Thanks so much for posting that. I am hugging Terra and asking her if her good friend stopped by on her way "passing through". I will never forget Genie's generosity, she let Terra play with all her toys and sleep on the bed with her and Pat. Genie put any Hoover to shame and always made sure there were no scraps to clean up after Pat and Audrey's wonderful dinner parties. Genie had wonderful "dog parents" -- she was truly blessed to have landed with you and I know you both feel like you were the true lucky ones. She was a wonderful dog, one of the great dogs of the world and I will think of her tommorrow as I hike along. She will be remembered so well by so many. __________________ NE115~34/48 NH48x3~NE67~ADK46r # 6247~NEHH 99/100~~YAlpine 77/100~2010 BOSTON MARATHON bib # 26266~Terra the Traildog NH4L48 #106 May You Walk Gently Through the World and Know Its Beauty All the Days of Your Life~Apache Blessing doG is my CoPilot

06-02-2009, 07:47 PM	#12
Tuco Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: East Hampstead, NH Posts: 617	Audrey and Pat- I am so sorry for your loss. I know how much Genie meant to you; and also know all of the great times you all must have shared. Savor the memories.... http://tuco.smugmug.com/gallery/2122...434_Xfc9K-L-LB __________________ Eric "Therefore we are all, in some sense, mountaineers, and going to the mountains is going home." John Muir "If you save your breath, I feel a man like you could manage it." Tuco Benedicto Pacifico Juan Maria Ramirez All Hiking pix Can be seen here My Trip Reports and Website Racetwitch.com- a worldwide resource for endurance athletes Last edited by Tuco; 06-02-2009 at 07:50 PM.

06-02-2009, 07:52 PM	#13
Waumbek Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Avatar: "World's Windiest Place" Stamp (5/27/06) Posts: 1,891	I'm very sorry to hear this. I have followed Genie's adventures in the mountains with you with real enjoyment because it was always so clear that each of the three of you was doing what you love with those you love. They say time heals, but I still miss every dog I've ever had the privilege of "owning." I'll miss reading about your Genie too.

06-02-2009, 07:52 PM	#14
Bobby Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Boston, MA Avatar: on Owl's Head summit Posts: 631	Audrey and Pat, my deepest condolences to you. Genie was awesome, and will be missed by everyone. __________________ "Don't try to strike everybody out. Strikeouts are boring! Besides that, they're fascist. Throw some ground balls - it's more democratic." Crash Davis -"Bull Durham" My albums

06-02-2009, 08:12 PM	#15
Hikes4fun Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 212	Been there done that...It's a tough decision, but if it needs discussing it's usually for the best...Please except my heartfelt condolences..Shiloh sends out a woof too __________________ CATS 1668 & HH-- ADK 6338 http://billc926.smugmug.com/Nature

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