Beef
was born here at our home, a pup from our Sheba who was pure
German Shepherd, who had to be put to sleep from glucoma. We
miss her very much. Beef is going on 10 years old and just a
big baby at heart. The only thing he thinks about is his ball.
If you throw a ball to him you have made a buddy for life.
BEEF'S MOTHER
I wanted to say a little about Beef's Mama. My brother and his wife came to us one day and told us about her. The owners moved away...and left her there! She slept and stayed there at home, waiting for them to return! She was seen in the fields hunting mice or anything she could find to keep herself alive...she always returned to the house and kept a vigil on the front porch! What kind of monsters would do that? Not only did they abandon her but when my brother and sister-in-law brought her to us and we took her to the vet, he said she had been abused! But yet...still loyal...still waiting for them...to come get her...
Sheba adjusted quite well with us and her remaining life was spent with people who she knew cared and loved her very much.
Update: October 30, 1998 Sadly my Beef has been diagnosed with a deadly disease that kills the nerves to the spine. He will lose all use of his legs and it will slowly crawl up his spine. Right now it is in the early stage so I have a little time with him. If I am lucky the vet said maybe a year. It is not curable so there is nothing I can do. I have given his ball back to him. He is not in pain and is very unhappy when he can't play ball. He falls sometimes but is doing well right now and is very happy. The day he can no longer walk or comes close to that I know he will be ready to go. Beef will never be happy once he can't play ball. It saddens me to see the light in his eyes right now and know in a few months that light will fade when he can no longer play ball. I am not ready for this and never will be. He is my baby, born here and will die here, I'm not ready and I know he is not. So full of life, such a baby at heart. This is going to be so hard.
Update: December 14, 1998. The disease is progressing faster then expected and crawling up his spine much faster then anticipated. I really wanted to see him get through next summer. That may not happen. He is still playing ball and is still quite content but, he has slowed down some and now must usually be helped up the steps. The need to come to terms with this is slowing sinking in.
I assure anyone reading this I will not allow my beloved beef to suffer in anyway, but you must understand that I will not cut his life short until the day he tells me to. All I will have to do is look in his eyes, he will let me know.
Update: Jan 5, 1999. Beef is doing rather well right now. He get's a little stiff from the cold but he is hanging in there. He's quite happy and content, and yes still playing ball. He must always be helped up the steps now but he can still walk and run. For everyone praying for Beef out there I thank you. He just might be able to make it through to the summer. He enjoys the summer so much, I just want him to have one more summer to play ball to his heart's content. That is what I pray for. A little miracle would help too.
Update:
Jan 8, 1999. I have gotten so much e-mail from so many loving
and caring people that I just had to add a special thank-you
to all of you. Also I would like all of you to pass this page
on, maybe by the grace of the good lord himself Beef will have
his chance to run and play one more summer. Some may say "Is
this for you or for him" I say it's for both of us. Beef
knows his time is running short, and so do I. It's understood.
But faith does so many, many things and I say he will make it.
Help me do that... please?
Update: Jan 20, 1999. Beef is not doing all that well right now. He is starting to drag his one leg. He still can walk and run and play ball but...he is starting to lose some of that energy he had so very much of. He follows me more and stays by my side alot more now. The light in his eyes is not as bright as it used to be and he has become even more loving towards me then ever before. To pet him sometimes was a feat in itself, he has always been so hyper all he ever wanted to do was play ball. For the first time that I can remember he will sit and allow you to pet him and even will ask you to by laying his head on your lap. Usually the only real chance you have of petting and holding him still to love him was when he is resting or sleeping. That has changed and though I like being able to hug and love him with out getting whacked in the face with his face or tail because he can't sit still, I sure miss that old Beef who never has nothing on his mind but his ball.
Update: Feb 7, 1999. After much consideration and the fact that Beef's hind leg's are going to go way before the light in his eyes does, we have decided to purchase Beef his very own K-9 cart. Although this is not a cure it will definitely extend Beef's life. I know Beef and once he realizes that he can move and get going in this thing he will be very happy about it. Anyone that thinks I am being cruel to him consider this. Just because a dog can not walk is that reason enough to take his life away. I think not! If Beef was ready to go that would be one thing, but he is not. When that time comes we will both know and have to accept it, but for now he won't leave me just because he can no longer walk.
Update: March 15, 1999. Beef is hanging in there pretty well! He is losing the feeling in his one back leg, but still is able to walk and run, more like a hopping than running. But he stills moves pretty good considering. I will not be putting him in the K-9 cart until he can no longer get around. Most dogs will not be likely to want to use it if they are still able to move around. And he still is playing ball...that goes without saying I guess :-)
Update: April 27, 1999. Beef's K-9 cart has arrived and since he has been having a very hard time getting around, we have started using it now! He knew what it was for and has adapted to it almost overnite! He is happy and when in the cart is free...He knows when he is in the cart it is PLAY BALL time! Thank you all for your prayers and e-mail regarding Beef. He is happy and so are we. I realize this is not a cure but the vet said I could be extending his life for a couple years or more if I am lucky! And please remember there is no pain with this disease, I would never do anything to hurt Beef or make him suffer in anyway!
Update: August 3, 1999. Beef is doing very well right now, although he has lost all fuctions of his back legs. He loves his cart and is in it quite alot :-). He will be going for x-rays soon to see have far the disease has progressed if any. Hopefully it has not! I do not regret getting him the cart he is happy beyond believe with it!
Update: September 9, 1999. I have waited to make this entry because putting it here makes it final! Beef is still happy and playing in his cart but he can not live in his cart 24 hours a day. He no longer is able to get around with out it, and also without going into details it is time. His eyes tell me and my heart tells me. My heart is sad because at the same time my Duke who has never been sick a day in his life has to be put to sleep also. I did not update anything about Duke because my heart was not in to it. His back legs are bad and I took him in to the vet and had x-rays done and bloodwork done. The vet says he is just old and there is nothing I can do about it! He falls up the steps and down them. It's almost like there is a connection between him and Beef. They grew up together. Beef was born here, and Duke was brought home when he was 8 weeks old! Duke loved Beef when he was born and just a pup but than a love hate relationship developed between them. They always fought with each other but something tells me there is more going on here! Beef is not in pain, but Duke is. So...my heart is hurting right now because they will both be put to rest together at the same time. They will not go to a vet, the vet will come to our home. They lived here, they will die here. My heart is heavy and the feelings I feel I can't express. They are not just animals...they are my friends! Maybe that is what hurts so very much! Knowing they love me so much, and so unconditionally, the fear of losing that...
UPDATE: September 20, 1999: My beloved Beef and Duke will be laid to rest September 24. I have nothing to write at this time as my heart is having a hard time coping with this right now. I just wanted to let you know because of your support and prayers and felt the need to at least tell you this.
UPDATE: September 26, 1999: My big baby Beef has been laid to rest September 24, 1999 alongside of his pal and fighting buddy Duke. My heart is broken over losing you. A big horse with a babies heart! You won't need that cart anymore buddy, your free. You got your ball and you got 4 healthy legs. May your heart be filled with happiness and contentment Beef...I love you.
