We said goodbye to Dizzy today

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Booboos

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After a long struggle with Degenerative Myelopathy we had to say goodbye to Dizzy today. We tried everything we could and for a while he was happy running around in his wheelchair but the last week he was just getting too tired and it was time.

He was the loveliest, softest, nicest and most loyal dog I have ever had and I am so sad MiniBoo won't remember him. I feel so guilty we couldn't do more for him, this stupid disease has no cure and we had to basically stand by and watch him get progressively more unable to move. He was only 10 years old and it was such a shame.

WithDizzy1_zps28d69901.jpg



This is him just a few weeks ago, he remained as calm and patient as he always was during his whole life and when he was lying down you couldn't tell there was anything wrong with him.

I often thought of this picture with sadness as he became less and less able to move around

Dizzysnowball1.jpg


Goodbye my little man, I will miss you.

Dizzy.jpg
 
So sorry to hear that, and sorry for your loss x

CDRM is a horrible condition for which, as you say, there is no cure. Hopefully there will be more use of the DNA test to identify the marker, I see more and more studs identified as DM clear which can only be a good thing x
 
Thank you CC.

Dizzy was DNA tested a year ago when he first started showing symptoms as it's so difficult to diagnose DM. The information I got back then was that they are finding the gene in so many GSD lines that they don't know what to advise breeders. I hope that's wrong because I would love another GSD in the future when things are not so painful but I don't want the risk of going through DM again.
 
I think they can now identify if breeding animals carry it or not. It's a relatively new advance. Carrier does not automatically mean producer AFAIK but of course better to be safe than sorry. TBH I can tell DM a mile off, only because we've had two females with it. Two too many, as you say, as with any numerically large breed, there are going to be higher instances of inherited conditions.
 
CC: I am so sorry to hear you also had experience of this horrible disease, so sad. Dizzy was tested by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals in the US who are trying to map the condition. Hopefully it will give breeders more information for the future.

Thank you everyone for your kind words.
 
Big hugs to you all on such a cruel day. The last act of love is the one that hurts us the most. Thank goodness for happy memories...
That last photo of Dizzy is absolutely gorgeous, what an expression!
 
Really so sorry to read this, he really was a stunner. 10 is no age. however better 10 happy years and he looks like he was very happy.

JDx
 
So sorry to read your sad news. I too had to watch my darling dog gradually deteriorate in a similar way. Soul wrenching thing to go through and you have my deepest sympathy.
 
Thank you everyone, I am in tears reading you comments. He is the third dog we have lost in a year, first Jackey with old age, then Betty's heart gave way and now Dizzy, it's beyond sad.
 
Aw N, just seen this, I am so sorry. Such a horrible condition, I have lost too many shepherds to DM, it is so hard when their brain is still so active but their legs let them down.:( You have made the right decision, hard as it is. That is a gorgeous photo of him and MiniBoo, I am sure if you show her that as she grows up she will remember such a good friend. Thinking of you. x
 
I'm so very sorry..run free Dizzy. Heartbreaking but selfless. You have beautiful photos & I'm sure many beautiful memories to keep forever.
Sending heart healing vibes & hugs from me & extra hugs from my Shepherd xxx
 
Thank you both. I can't imagine life without a GSD, they are the best breed, but I do need to find a stud that is clear for DM as I can't bear to go through this again.
 
Im sorry to hear Dizzy has gone.

Im in the middle of my torture with Joey. He is only 8 and was only diagnosed in Jan 2013. He's gone downhill soo quickly that I haven't had time to deal with the whole thing.

Im still questioning when is the right time.... did you know?

Sorry
 
Sorry to read this. Sometimes this decision is our biggest responsibility as pet owners!! Well done for being brave.

Night night Dizzy x

I don't remember much of my childhood dog, toushka, but my mum has a brilliant photo of us infront of the kitchen having a hug, I like it as a photo and I am sure it means a lot more to mum than it does me. You never know miniboos might remember him, the only memory of Toushka I have is her clearing up my brothers milk when mum spilt it and I was in a cot??!??
 
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I am so sorry to hear about Joey Cas1979! Even younger than Dizzy and even quicker decline, so sorry! Dizzy coped really well with the disability and he was very keen on his wheelchair which allowed him to go on walks as normal. The last week he did not want to go in the wheelchair and his attitude to life changed. His front legs looked very weak and he looked just tired, so it was time. You will know what is best for Joey, it won't be easy but you will know because you love him.

Thank you Toffee44. She was looking for him the other day to brush him, so sad! We have loads of lovely photos together so hopefully we can all look back on those.

Thank you nativepony.
 
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