RIP Shakespeare the four legged Redskin fan

[CNYSkinFan]

I had to make the decision to put down my 6 year old lab Shakespeare today. He had a debillitating protein disease only discovered this week. We took him in for a surgery to repair an ACL he hurt around July 4th and the blood test discovered the disease. So quickly this week he lost strength and then lost the ability to stand on his own Thursday night. This morning after a night full of love and steak we let him go. We will be burying him later tomorrow. He was only 6 years old, and before this despite a previous surgery and absolute moose of a lab, 110 lbs of pure muscle and the tallest pure bred lab (and even rivaling some mix dane breeds) I have ever met.

Many of you are friends with me on Facebook and know hoiw rapidly and devastating this was. However Shakespeare also was a Redskin fan. On game days he would wear his redskin collar, just like I would wear my jersey. For years he slept on a free redskin blanket I got on my first trip to fed ex after filling out a BOA credit card app. I did not chose to give that to him of course, one night he decided to pull it into bed with him and lay on it. After seeing the millions of white hair on the fleece blanket I knew that was now his and he had it for several years.

He watched a thousand games with me and had his own football too. But two games stick out. The Monday night miracle he was just with us a few months. My wife had fallen asleep on the couch and Shakespeare was also asleep. As Moss caught the second pass I started jumping up and down as silent as possible so not to wake up the neighbors and my wife. Shakespeare got so excited the lug jumped into my arms and celebrated with me. That is when i knew he was a Redskin fan, cheering against Dallas.

The second was also a miracle Dallas win, the Sean Taylor return g block. I had all three of my dogs then but was away at a sports bar watching the game. When I got home my boy was waiting for me at the end of the driveway and I was so pumped I ran (yes my fat ass ran) around the yard with him and his sisters, but mostly with him.

He was a good dog. And will be missed greatly.

[smoak]

My heart is with you and your family Dustin. I know how much you love your dogs and they are really blessed to be part of your family. I remember hoe supportive you, Dave and the entire HR family was when I had to put Tucker to sleep. Its a gut wrenching experience and we're here for you.

[SpicyMcHaggis]

I had to make the decision to put down my 6 year old lab Shakespeare today. He had a debillitating protein disease only discovered this week. We took him in for a surgery to repair an ACL he hurt around July 4th and the blood test discovered the disease. So quickly this week he lost strength and then lost the ability to stand on his own Thursday night. This morning after a night full of love and steak we let him go. We will be burying him later tomorrow. He was only 6 years old, and before this despite a previous surgery and absolute moose of a lab, 110 lbs of pure muscle and the tallest pure bred lab (and even rivaling some mix dane breeds) I have ever met.

Many of you are friends with me on Facebook and know hoiw rapidly and devastating this was. However Shakespeare also was a Redskin fan. On game days he would wear his redskin collar, just like I would wear my jersey. For years he slept on a free redskin blanket I got on my first trip to fed ex after filling out a BOA credit card app. I did not chose to give that to him of course, one night he decided to pull it into bed with him and lay on it. After seeing the millions of white hair on the fleece blanket I knew that was now his and he had it for several years.

He watched a thousand games with me and had his own football too. But two games stick out. The Monday night miracle he was just with us a few months. My wife had fallen asleep on the couch and Shakespeare was also asleep. As Moss caught the second pass I started jumping up and down as silent as possible so not to wake up the neighbors and my wife. Shakespeare got so excited the lug jumped into my arms and celebrated with me. That is when i knew he was a Redskin fan, cheering against Dallas.

The second was also a miracle Dallas win, the Sean Taylor return g block. I had all three of my dogs then but was away at a sports bar watching the game. When I got home my boy was waiting for me at the end of the driveway and I was so pumped I ran (yes my fat ass ran) around the yard with him and his sisters, but mostly with him.

He was a good dog. And will be missed greatly.
I'm so sorry Dustin. My dog passed away this past October, so I know how you feel. You never really get over it, but all the great memories will last forever.

[Trish]

Aww I'm Sorry. <3

I know how it feels I've lost a few furry friends over the years. The memories are forever. Hold them close to your heart.

*offers unlimited hugs.*

[CNYSkinFan]

My heart is with you and your family Dustin. I know how much you love your dogs and they are really blessed to be part of your family. I remember hoe supportive you, Dave and the entire HR family was when I had to put Tucker to sleep. Its a gut wrenching experience and we're here for you.
Thanks Smoak, I actually thought about your situation during Shakespeare's last week, As you know I have a two year old, and Shakespeare also lost the ability to hold it in for even short periods of time. and like yours it all happened suddenly in the span of a week. We went from planning to try and work with the situation to having to make the decision.

I still miss his tail thumps in the morning and his singing of a song to me when he saw me. This morning was rough, but I guess it will get better every day.

[nicefellow31]

Sorry to hear that. We had to put down our black lab Max back in 2006 after 12 years of good times. That was hard. We just recently became dog owners when we acquired a Westie puppy that we named Brody. Hang in there.

[OCSkinzFan]

I am truely sorry for you and your family's loss.

I had a pair (borther and sister) of labs. The brother (Bobo) got hit by a car and died. His sister (Isabel) looked for him everyday for weeks. I still miss him two years later.

[CNYSkinFan]

I am truely sorry for you and your family's loss.

I had a pair (borther and sister) of labs. The brother (Bobo) got hit by a car and died. His sister (Isabel) looked for him everyday for weeks. I still miss him two years later.
This may sound grtoss but we brought Shakespeare's body home and let the other dogs smell him and see that he was gone. Then they watched as we buried him too. They are kind of moping but at least they aren't looking at the fence waiting for him to come home. They did that on the rare occassions when we took the lab on a road trip or a couple of times when he stayed overnight during his last surgery.

[OCSkinzFan]

This may sound grtoss but we brought Shakespeare's body home and let the other dogs smell him and see that he was gone. Then they watched as we buried him too. They are kind of moping but at least they aren't looking at the fence waiting for him to come home. They did that on the rare occassions when we took the lab on a road trip or a couple of times when he stayed overnight during his last surgery.

We tried that too, but Isabel just seemed confused. They had never been apart in their lifetimes. I put her inside and burried Bobo over 5 ft deep because I was worried ODHD Isabel would dig him up. (She's the type of dog that will never stop fetching... ever. She'll even throw her ball at you.)

[AGibbsGirl]

This may sound grtoss but we brought Shakespeare's body home and let the other dogs smell him and see that he was gone. Then they watched as we buried him too. They are kind of moping but at least they aren't looking at the fence waiting for him to come home. They did that on the rare occassions when we took the lab on a road trip or a couple of times when he stayed overnight during his last surgery.

Doesn't sound gross, sounds smart. I cremated my dog (We tend to move like Gypsies and I didn't want to leave him behind if we buried him) and now he sits on a shelf in my living room.

Very sorry for your loss D. I was following the situation on FB and I could tell things weren't going to end well. You were very good to Shake, and that's all a dog needs in this world, the love of a good friend.