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Today I had to send Stomps to the bridge. The story of how this began is in the health section, under "hind-limb paralysis." The vets tried everything, but he just wasn't responding to treatment. Finally, I took him to a vet who had a hyperbaric chamber, in the hopes that that would produce some kind of improvement. But he had a seizure in the chamber and I chose not to continue those treatments. With his age, his heart problem and arthritis throughout his body, he just wasn't going to be able to come back from this. He was clearly in pain and unhappy, and I just couldn't put him through any more trauma.
If you'll indulge me, I'd like to talk a little about Stomps. I got him about 9 or 10 years ago from the Basset Rescue of Old Dominion, to whom I'm eternally grateful. He was a pitiful sight--skinny, no muscles, and skittish. I was told he'd basically been tied to a tree for the first three or so years of his life, just thrown out back when he was no longer a cute puppy. When I got him, I already had Lightning, and I took both of them to a fenced-in tennis court to run and play. Lightning would run huge loops around the court, but Stomps would just pivot in a circle. From being tied in one spot for so long, he'd forgotten how to run. He also would scream if anyone touched his ears, his feet or his armpits. So my goal was to let him be a dog, with not a responsibility in the world. Eventually, with my and Lightning's help, he learned how to run, and his body filled out nicely. When we moved to Kentucky, I bought a small farm and put in dog doors and a huge fenced in area so the dogs could come and go at will. Lightning's always been a bit of a prima donna who preferred indoors to out, but Stomps was always the Sherriff of Nonesuch. His favorite thing to do was to patrol the perimeter, chatting up the neighborhood. Luckily I have the most understanding, dog-loving neighbors and they never were bothered by the barking.
So many people say that dogs they've adopted from rescues seem so grateful, and this fit Stomps to a tee. Whereas Lightning can be demanding and stubborn, Stomps never complained and was always perfectly content to just be with me. He was the sweetest dog to every person he met, especially those who gave belly rubs. And he was such a love to me. He chose not to be trained, but he was so good-natured he seemed to do whatever I needed him to without me giving him commands. When Lightning was a puppy, I taught him to bite the heads off dandelions (it seemed like a good idea at the time). Interestingly, Stomps picked this up just from watching Lightning do it and seeing me lavish praise on him for it. (It didn't make a bit of difference in my lawn's weed problem, so I don't really recommend it.) But it was so cute to see these two dogs run around the yard, biting the heads off dandelions and then looking to me for the proper response.
Stomps was one of those dogs that is just a gift. Just a blessing in every way. I was privileged to have been a part of his life.
Now, a lecture. I don't care how young your basset is, TAKE CARE OF HIS BACK! Stomps was a conformational nightmare, with a pretty severely roached back. I tried to make my house as dog-friendly as possible, with very few stairs and plenty of dog beds, but I could have been a lot more vigilant. Ironically, I think Stomps hurt his back when I was lifting him out of the car after visiting the vet. Stomps was wriggling, and then he yelped. He seemed fine after that, but the next morning he couldn't use his hind legs. That was the beginning of the end. So for those new-ish basset people out there, always protect your dog's back. If I had video of Stomps dragging his hind end around, I'd post it on here so you could see how horrific things can get. And only get dogs from reputable breeders who care about proper conformation. There's a reason for those physical standards, and poorly bred dogs will suffer in the long run. Lecture over.
Thank you to everyone who replied to my post in the health section. It really is a huge help to have knowledgeable and caring people to turn to in a crisis. I wish things had turned out differently, but Stomps is joining quite an illustrious group at the bridge, and will have lots of friends to keep him company until I can get there.
If you'll indulge me, I'd like to talk a little about Stomps. I got him about 9 or 10 years ago from the Basset Rescue of Old Dominion, to whom I'm eternally grateful. He was a pitiful sight--skinny, no muscles, and skittish. I was told he'd basically been tied to a tree for the first three or so years of his life, just thrown out back when he was no longer a cute puppy. When I got him, I already had Lightning, and I took both of them to a fenced-in tennis court to run and play. Lightning would run huge loops around the court, but Stomps would just pivot in a circle. From being tied in one spot for so long, he'd forgotten how to run. He also would scream if anyone touched his ears, his feet or his armpits. So my goal was to let him be a dog, with not a responsibility in the world. Eventually, with my and Lightning's help, he learned how to run, and his body filled out nicely. When we moved to Kentucky, I bought a small farm and put in dog doors and a huge fenced in area so the dogs could come and go at will. Lightning's always been a bit of a prima donna who preferred indoors to out, but Stomps was always the Sherriff of Nonesuch. His favorite thing to do was to patrol the perimeter, chatting up the neighborhood. Luckily I have the most understanding, dog-loving neighbors and they never were bothered by the barking.
So many people say that dogs they've adopted from rescues seem so grateful, and this fit Stomps to a tee. Whereas Lightning can be demanding and stubborn, Stomps never complained and was always perfectly content to just be with me. He was the sweetest dog to every person he met, especially those who gave belly rubs. And he was such a love to me. He chose not to be trained, but he was so good-natured he seemed to do whatever I needed him to without me giving him commands. When Lightning was a puppy, I taught him to bite the heads off dandelions (it seemed like a good idea at the time). Interestingly, Stomps picked this up just from watching Lightning do it and seeing me lavish praise on him for it. (It didn't make a bit of difference in my lawn's weed problem, so I don't really recommend it.) But it was so cute to see these two dogs run around the yard, biting the heads off dandelions and then looking to me for the proper response.
Stomps was one of those dogs that is just a gift. Just a blessing in every way. I was privileged to have been a part of his life.
Now, a lecture. I don't care how young your basset is, TAKE CARE OF HIS BACK! Stomps was a conformational nightmare, with a pretty severely roached back. I tried to make my house as dog-friendly as possible, with very few stairs and plenty of dog beds, but I could have been a lot more vigilant. Ironically, I think Stomps hurt his back when I was lifting him out of the car after visiting the vet. Stomps was wriggling, and then he yelped. He seemed fine after that, but the next morning he couldn't use his hind legs. That was the beginning of the end. So for those new-ish basset people out there, always protect your dog's back. If I had video of Stomps dragging his hind end around, I'd post it on here so you could see how horrific things can get. And only get dogs from reputable breeders who care about proper conformation. There's a reason for those physical standards, and poorly bred dogs will suffer in the long run. Lecture over.
Thank you to everyone who replied to my post in the health section. It really is a huge help to have knowledgeable and caring people to turn to in a crisis. I wish things had turned out differently, but Stomps is joining quite an illustrious group at the bridge, and will have lots of friends to keep him company until I can get there.
Sounds like Stomps was a wonderful dog and companion.
