1. On 10 Sept 07 I lost last of my five dogs within four years. They were almost same age groups and named Pedro, Lyeka , Donny, Ginny and Snowy and they all died within 8 to 14 years of age. They were real companions to me in all my field tenures, looked after by all of us , wife and parents and grew up with my son as a toddler playing with them. It is needless to say that among many losses or personal pains, I value loss of Dogs life as utmost.

2. The purpose of my writing this piece is to make readers/ dogs lovers aware of some causes of Dogs death as out of ignorance I could not read the symptoms initially .

3. The basic reason a dogs dies is of an organ failure. Usually it is a kidney failure and it comes as a shocker without any warning signs. One of Dog Donny was hale and hearty till one day he stopped eating , i took him to vet who smelled his nose, some odor was coming, he ordered blood urea and uric test and he told me my dog will die a horrible death by evening unless I don't give him a euthanasia as uric acid was above 40 compared to normal 8 and was entering blood stream and it was matter of time it goes inside his brain. Imagine my plight when I got him back and that hale hearty looking dog was going to die within next few hours. His condition worsened and late night he passed away with self forcing myselfd to call a vet late night to give him euthanasia as he was in a pathetic frenzy stage . I cursed myself for not being careful or reading any symptoms of his kidney failures. The euthanasia was very difficult form me, When you feel that your dog has given up and you decide that the time has come to release him to the bridge, do not feel guilty. Many dogs will "ask" to be put down. This is a decision you and your dog will make together. You must honestly ask yourself, "when does his quality of life end?" Euthanasia may be the kindest thing you can do for your dog under the circumstances, knowing you supported and aided your dog to live his life fully in the company of someone who loved him.

3. My other dog Pedro also died of similar organ failures and basic symptom was they stopped eating, we generally ignore presuming he is doing play acting for wanting chicken. Please don't ignore this aspect. Another common cause of which my female dog Ginny died was Pneumonia , which also had no symptom and it came within a day and next day she went away peacefully.

4 One of my other female dog Lyeka died in old age due to acute arthritis, she could not walk in her last month. Later I came to know, high protein diet was basically responsible for it especially eggs. She also underwent two deliveries and probably I should have given her some calcium in her initial years.

5 My last dog Snowy lived up to grand 14 years and was the most healthy dog living his old age . However he was struck with paralysis of rear limbs Degenerative Myelopathy and died within two days. The vet suggested Euthanasia since his condition was very bad but this time I refused since his brain was ok and he could hear me and respond to me , he died in my arms in front of my small pvt mandir in my home.

6 I came to know from vet, usually German Shepherd and Boxers ad old dogs suffer from this disease called Degenerative . Myelopathy. DM can be divided into 4 progressive stages:

a. Toe dragging or knuckling over.

b. Crossing of the back legs and mild loss of side-to-side hip control.
c. Moderate to severe loss of side-to-side hip control to the point of no control.
d. Total hind end paralysis.

7 To date there is no cure for DM, however, there are several additional measures you can take that will help slow its progression, therefore maintaining your dog's quality of life. Keep your dog at his appropriate weight. Extra weight will make his symptoms worse and add more stress to his joints

8. I have lost all my dogs with a grand association with either of them in last 14 years and I don't think I am ready to get a new friend till I settle down/ or grow old to give him complete time. All prospective dog lovers must take a decision of looking after a dog like own child. Dogs cannot talk but understand everything , our moods ,. I remember all my dogs used to hear a distinctive beat of my bullet motorcycle and start barking, telling my wife and kid of my arrival when I was reaching home but still away from home a couple of blocks. I have been extra careful in traveling with my dogs , if by air which is a few hours of being capative only, the Aircraft cargo bin is fully AC and journey is comfortable if dogs is in a comfortable cage. The problem is if traveling by train, the cage is very hot and humid then one has to ensure spending maximum time in guard room, I used to read a best seller in guard cabin with my dogs sitting next to me outside the cage . The train guard usually permitted me especially in afternoon when I took them out of cage and sit with them in guard wagon . My wife and child used to be in 2 AC with me jumping from 2 AC to guard room now and then.

9. A dog also helps in stress buster, companions at remote post like I was at Tuting, Manchula at NE or kiari in Leh. They adjusted themselves with every hardship of my tenure winters or deserts, but we were a great group all of us including our time we spend at CME and MCEME with my wife and child taking the for walks in college campus. A dog is also a combined family responsibility with our better half taking utmost care in our absence. I thank my wife and parents for their support in my absence to look after them.

10 I am sure they are all happy above and one day when I go up, I will certainly meet them or maybe in this life in some other form possibly as human beings.

Hope this info on care for our best friends helps. Let me know if I can do something for any CLOSE KNIT, CARING GROUP in animal welfare . IF any reader has TO DEAL WITH any DISEASE, IT'S EASIER WITH SUPPORT..... MAY ALL OUR DOGS LIVE A THOUSAND YEARS.

Vikram bakshi