Labradoodles Discussion Forum

Thank you, Kate, for this beautiful poem and its perspective. I have only had to make this decision a couple of times in my life, and thankfully not since I have gotten Zonker, my first, absolutely wonderful, dog, that I got from you almost 9 years ago. The decision is never easy, and cannot help but leave you with doubts, but I know there are times when it is clearly the most loving decision you can make.

I inherited my father-in-law's 15 year old poodle two years ago. She is a very sweet and loving dog and I dread the moment when this will be the right choice for her, but I cannot even begin to imagine how painful this would be if it were Zonker. He is such an integral part of our lives, and has been for all these years. He's still so lively and happy that I don't know that I'd even give this a thought at this point, but as I mentioned in another post, he recently had a lump removed that turned out to be cancerous and I've started feeling more anxious about him than I had before.

In this context I especially appreciate the poem's reminder to enjoy the time we have together. I definitely will, hopefully for quite a while longer!

Thank you for your wonderful dogs, Kate! We all appreciate them! - Dorian

Old dogs — Kate Schoeffel, Thu Jul 22 20:57

Margot's message about Mortie has got me thinking that many of our early Labradoodles must be approaching their final years now. I always intended to do a second survey at about this time to... more
- Re: Old dogs — dionnebock, Sat Oct 6 16:13
  
  Hi Kate, I just discovered your forum today, and am wanting to let you know that our Bailey will be 15 in a few months, and he is still going strong. He has only started to slow down over the last 12 ... more
- - Bailey — Dr Kate, Wed Oct 10 23:02
    
    Hi Dionne Your puppy was born on the 6th of January - parents Angel and Bill. Fortunately I did record the change of ownership. I think he was the puppy that arrived in the middle of an 8 year old... more
  - Old Dogs — anob6865, Sun Oct 7 03:19
    
    Hi Dionne Just saw you email and thought I would respond, I think your dogs may be brothers, our dog Mosco is also almost 15 and was born on the 21 Dec 1997 from Kate, I remember some back then some... more
  - - Vale Tess — J. Beaton, Wed Oct 10 03:18
      
      Tess Beaton, daughter of Fred and Doris, litter sister of Foxy, Tiger, Moby and Rufus, beloved and loving companion of John, great friend of Kate dog Rusty and foundling Indy died a month short of... more
    - - Tess — Dr Kate, Wed Oct 10 23:06
        
        Oh Dear I am so sorry to hear about Tess. 10 is too young. My deepest sympathy to all your family warm regards Kate
- Old Dogs — sherousc, Thu May 24 09:43
  
  Hi Kate - We don't think Cleo is an old dog, and neither does she, but she is 9 years old now (3/10/03 litter). She is doing great. She still has lots of bounce. She likes to run and fetch,... more
- - Therapy dog — rjsue, Thu May 24 22:31
    
    Hi Kate Just thought I would let you know that Kobe who is almost 4 (mum - Amy, dad-Bill) is now a Delta Therapy Dog. Each week we visit patents at RNSHospital. He is a star and loves all the... more
  - - Re: Therapy dog — Linny & Buffy, Sat May 26 00:04
      
      Hi Sue, Kobe sounds like a very special boy. Buffy is also a Therapy Dog, and volunteers at Greenwich Hospital, so we are probably not too far from you :) Best wishes, Linny & Buffy
- Maggie Finlayson — alex.finlayson, Sat Apr 28 02:11
  
  Hi Kate This is a very delayed reply to your original message. Our beloved Maggie (parents Blanche and Fred) is still very much alive and a huge part of our family. She is 11 on the 7th of August and ... more
- Robbie — sophie.reid89, Thu Apr 5 22:04
  
  Hi Kate - a delayed response to your original post, but here's another update on an oldish doodle! Robbie is an F1 labradoodle born june '02, parents Nikki and Jake (i think!), so he'll be 10 this... more
- tom — tombert, Sat Mar 24 02:47
  
  Hi Kate Tom has now gone to join Bert, wherever good hearted, enthusiastic, labradoodles go. After six weeks of managing renal disease, including a change to a kidney-friendly diet which was tough on ... more
- - Re: tom — susangluch, Tue Mar 27 22:24
    
    So sad to hear of your loss. These dogs are so incredibly loveable and so take hold of our hearts. Sue
  - When the time comes — Dr Kate Schoeffel, Tue Mar 27 16:38
    
    Please accept my condolences Linda - 16 years is a great innings. I have assisted in so many sad departures and have cried many times but I still find it an honour to be able to ensure that a loyal... more
  - tom — paula.barbuto, Mon Mar 26 00:48
    
    Dear Linda Your message brought a tear to my eye especially that Tom "had a good life and deserved a good death". We felt exactly the same way about our Sunny and Disney. Our thoughts are with you -... more
  - So very sorry — Linny & Buffy, Sun Mar 25 02:05
    
    Hi Linda So sorry to hear about the sad loss of your wonderful Tom. Sending big hugs your way. Best wishes Linny
- Champ Nov 1995 — karcliff, Fri Mar 23 02:28
  
  Hi Kate, We got Champ Christmas Eve of 1995 (born November 95) when you bought the litter to Canberra. He is still going strong although is very old, arthritic, deaf and doesn't see very well. He... more
- - Champ — susangluch, Sat Mar 24 17:57
    
    I know exactly how you feel our Doogie will be 11 on the 6th of April. His parents were Doris and Blue. He is getting arthritis and has trouble getting up but once up is still so playful and people... more
- old dogs — tombert, Sun Jan 15 03:20
  
  Tom (February 1996) is still going strong. He has arthritis, is pretty deaf, and can't see very well, but still loves his walk in the mornings. The walk is now stately, rather than brisk, and he... more
- Matty — my4flynns, Mon Nov 28 15:45
  
  Maybe you'll remember us. We bought our doodle, Matty, more than 11 years ago, and live in Virginia, USA. Matty will be 12 years old in Feb., but has recently been exhibiting some neurological... more
- - Matty — Dr Kate Schoeffel, Tue Nov 29 01:02
    
    Hi Margi I do remember you. That was back in the days before Labradoodles became the fastest growing "breed" in the US! I'm sorry but I can't shed any light on the problem. Both Blue and Blance have... more
  - - Matty — my4flynns, Sun Jan 1 06:06
      
      Hi, Kate: This past week, on Dec. 28th, we had to let our beloved Matty go. She didn't quite make it to her 12th birthday. It was an excrutiating decision, and we are still in the mourning stages.... more
- Old dogs — tgm.mam, Mon Sep 26 23:16
  
  Hi Kate, I was just thinking today that I must contact you regarding our wonderful dog Gordy, who we received from you over 11 years ago now. I think he may have been the first of your puppies to be... more
- - Gordy — Dr Kate Schoeffel, Tue Sep 27 21:20
    
    Hi Meg Bugglie and Blue had the best puppies ever. She was called Bugglie for a reason - not the most beautiful labrador in the world - but a great nature. She retired years ago and lived to a ripe... more
- Vale Honey DOB 7/11/99 — dcdk, Wed Jul 6 04:28
  
  Dear Kate We lost our lovely Honey - parents Bill and Angel - last week. She had had a cancerous tumour in a leg joint for about two years. She had 4 rounds of surgery but the wound from the last... more
- - Honey and Blossom — taylors, Sun Jul 31 02:17
    
    So sorry to hear about your Honey.We almost lost our Harry 5 years ago but he pulled through and is now as playful as ever- thought you might be interested as it seems he is Blossom's brother! He too ... more
  - - ** Leo- Honey's half brother** — Sarah Black, Mon Aug 1 04:27
      
      My labradoodle (one of Kates')- Leo DOB 21/5/99, parents Bill & Doris - died a week after his 10th birthday. Death was caused by a tumour on the adrenal cortex. The condition was not diagnosed... more
  - So sorry for your loss (nm) — Linny, Buffy & Spike, Fri Jul 8 00:12
  - Honey — Dr Kate Schoeffel, Thu Jul 7 16:35
    
    Dear Denise and Dave We had a full brother of your Honey - from the previous litter. His name was Wallace and he was a delightful dog - exuberant and confident, but full of personality and not silly... more
  - Sympathies — fran.freeman, Thu Jul 7 04:22
    
    Denise and Dave - my deepest sympathies. Tomorrow is the first anniversary of me putting Chester the wonder dog down. You have done the right thing. I remember thinking as soon as the deed was done - ... more
  - - thanks fran — dcdk, Thu Jul 7 05:24
      
      Thank you Fran. I spent 3 days thinking I'd made a terrible mistake but now I remember how happy she was when she was well and I realise I was keeping her alive for us, not her. She had a great life... more
    - - Your decision — Dr Kate Schoeffel, Thu Jul 7 18:06
        
        It's the hardest decision you may ever have to make - but you have done the right thing. For me - ensuring that an old dog, which has lived a good life, can also have a good death, is the most moving ... more
      - Your decision — dzim1, Fri Jul 8 11:58
- Zonker - an old-ish dog — dzim1, Sat Jun 25 11:09
  
  We got Zonker from you in October of 2002. He was born on August 2nd of that year so he's going on 9 now. He's still wonderful, loving and reasonably obedient, bouncy and enthusiastic and always... more
- Molly — ben 52, Sat Feb 19 13:30
  
  Hello Kate, I'd like to update you on Molly. She is now ten!!! Still the love of my life. She never gets sick and I visit the vet once a year for her annual injections. He said she's one of the... more
- passing of chester the wonder dog — fran.freeman, Fri Feb 11 18:55
  
  Hi Kate. Sadly I put Chester (circa Jan 1997) down in July 2010. He became very lame in a front paw virtually over night with x rays revealing very little and anti inflammatories/pain relief not up... more
- - Chester — Katharine Louise Schoeffel, Tue Feb 15 19:40
    
    Hi Fran I am so sorry to hear about Chester. I remember him so well and have enjoyed the odd photograph from different parts of the world as you have travelled with him. I have just about forgotten... more
  - - old dogs — fran.freeman, Sat Feb 19 19:09
      
      Thanks Kate. For the record and am not sure if the spelling's right but a phaeochromosarcoma is a tumour on the adrenal gland. Chester went from being a very laid back and cruisy lad to very anxious... more
  - We're so very sorry to hear about Chester. (nm) — Linny, Buffy & Spike, Fri Feb 11 21:41
- Monty — markm 954, Wed Jan 12 18:02
  
  Well it just over a month ago that we had to put our darling Monty to sleep (1 Dec 2010). He too was born on 21 December 1997. He did not quite make his 13th birthday. After a long history of hip and ... more
- - Condolences — Katharine Louise Schoeffel, Thu Jan 13 17:08
    
    I am so sorry to hear that Monty had joint problems I would love to hear that evey dog we've bred lived to a ripe old age without problems and then died in its sleep - but I've been a vet too long to ... more
  - So sorry for your loss :( (nm) — Linny, Buffy & Spike, Wed Jan 12 23:22
- Old Dogs — anob6865, Sun Sep 12 19:45
  
  Hi Kate, We received our dog Mosco from you back on the 14th Feb 1998, Mosco was born on the 21 Dec 1997, as you can see he is now approching 13 years old and has been a wonderful pet to our family.... more
- - Epilepsy — Katharine Louise Schoeffel, Mon Sep 13 14:41
    
    Hi Anne Thank you for the update on Mosco. I am sorry about the problem with epilepsy - it is so hard because there is no way of screening for it and in our dogs it usually only showed up later in... more
- old dogs — Nicola Read, Fri Aug 20 17:09
  
  Hi Kate, It's been great hearing about some old doodles. Suzie's Elmo was one of the first doodles that I met. Like Suzie, if you ever go into the business of cloning dogs, I'll have a clone of... more
- Elmo (12 years) — Susiedoodle, Fri Jul 23 05:14
  
  Hi Kate Elmo (born March 30 1998, so he's 12) is still going strong. He has been a lovely lovely pet (I often say to people I wish I could have 'cloned' him). He is medium sized (weighs about 21kg).... more
- - old dogs -Freddi — danielle.joffe, Wed Aug 11 23:04
    
    Hi Kate Freddi is 11. She is still fit, smart and going strong, although she is starting to slow down. She was always a very petite dog, weighs 11kg and has medium length hair that sheds. She gets... more
  - - Freddi — Katharine Louise Schoeffel, Fri Aug 13 20:55
      
      Hi Danielle One of the nice things about hearing from owners of older dogs is that I remember you and of course Susie and Elmo. I have so little contact with my owners these days and it reminds me... more
    - - old dogs freddi — danielle.joffe, Sun Aug 15 23:46
        
        Hi Kate Glad you remember me! We came to your shop just before you gave it up, to pick up Sam - a labradoodle/backcrossed with poodle, he was 5 weeks old and so little but so confident! He has... more
      - Hmm - the pet store! — Katharine Louise Schoeffel, Tue Aug 17 15:51
        
        Hi Dannielle I'm amazed to say that I do remember you at the store - although I've been determinedly blotting out that insane 2 years of my life. I still think it was a great store but what was I... more

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