Epic road trip, but had to say goodbye to my German Shepherd before we made it home

[Felix808]

Wow that's a rough one. it's hard enough when it's expected
At least you have some great photos & memories of your trip together.

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[Trooper19]

I'm still processing everything, and this is not the post I was hoping to share. I had meticulously planned my first camping road trip with my dog and Bronco. We were having the time of our lives, and he was such a strong, healthy, great dog. Everyone we encountered love saying hi to him. At 8.5 short years of living together, we had so many firsts on this trip.

Unfortunately on our 2nd to last night on the trip when we arrived at our motel, Thor suddenly became very ill. I thought he may have been motion sickness, as we had a rough day of driving in blizzard conditions. He had a rough night, struggling to keep down water, with no appetite and desire to go on walks. I extended our stay at the motel so he could rest, and by morning with no progress I was searching for nearby vets for urgent care. His stomach flipped (apparently common for larger chested dogs, I had never heard of), and his spleen was enlarged, amongst a nasty fever. They were shocked he was hanging in there as well as he did. He was such a tough dog. How quickly and unexpectedly everything had turned. I was not prepared to say goodbye, and have not been well.

He was my soulmate, and we were never separated. I adored him since I had him, and dedicated my life to making his the best. I am lucky to have so many wonderful memories with Thor, truly a special dog.


With that, I'd like to share some photos of our trip. It was about 3,500 miles from Austin, TX, up Big Sur, and back. The Bronco performed phenomenally, and my lifetime gas mileage went up almost 2.5 mpg (living in the city has equated low smiles per gallon).

Your story hits me hard , could not read with dry eyes.
As a fellow dog owner of a large Sheperd mix I truly feel for you.
Thore looks amazing in your photos.

 

[FleshTuxedo]

Your story hits me hard , could not read with dry eyes.
As a fellow dog owner of a large Sheperd mix I truly feel for you.
Thore looks amazing in your photos.

That first picture made me laugh out loud. Needed that after reading OP's story.

 

[broadicustomworks]

Man, that’s a hard read for us. Can’t imagine being in your shoes. Nothing we can say here to make it any better or reverse it.
But what an epic bit of time you gave him on his journey.
Thor looked to be a proud, happy boy. I read once that the reason they love us so much and so intensely is due in part that they have to fit a lifetime of it in such a short span. And that to us, they are a part of our lives, our day-to-day. But we are ALL of their day, at our whim to give them attention, sustenance, potty breaks.
We truly don’t deserve (as a whole) them.
Sorry for your loss but happy that you were there to give him an epic last ride, and that he had his best friend there beside him the whole time.

 

[MaximuNashville]

Sorry for your loss. I lost my best friend (golden retriever) suddenly last year to aggressive cancer. Fine one day and gone less than a week later. I miss him every single day. No words will make it any better. It’s obvious you loved him though and I’d wager you gave him an amazing 8 years. Any one of us would be lucky to have had the love you shared with him.

 

[Laddyaddy19]

This just breaks my heart. Thanks for giving Thor a good life and sharing pictures of your adventures with him. Our good friends in Texas lost their German Shepherd a few months ago for the same reason. Came on so suddenly for a young tough and healthy dog. I wish there were words to express my sympathies

 

[unctarheel78]

This hurts my heart. Sorry for the loss of your buddy.

 

[HoosierDaddy]

How quickly and unexpectedly everything had turned. I was not prepared to say goodbye, and have not been well.

Uggh, I know your pain too well.
We had to rather unexpectedly put our beautiful shep shep Alikay (Al, Bubba, Bubbs, Albus Dumbledog .... dog of a million nicknames) down about a year ago.
It was horrible.
We miss him.
It was our honor to share time with him.

I wish you strength as you grieve and go through this process.

 

[Muddog899]

I'm still processing everything, and this is not the post I was hoping to share. I had meticulously planned my first camping road trip with my dog and Bronco. We were having the time of our lives, and he was such a strong, healthy, great dog. Everyone we encountered love saying hi to him. At 8.5 short years of living together, we had so many firsts on this trip.

Unfortunately on our 2nd to last night on the trip when we arrived at our motel, Thor suddenly became very ill. I thought he may have been motion sickness, as we had a rough day of driving in blizzard conditions. He had a rough night, struggling to keep down water, with no appetite and desire to go on walks. I extended our stay at the motel so he could rest, and by morning with no progress I was searching for nearby vets for urgent care. His stomach flipped (apparently common for larger chested dogs, I had never heard of), and his spleen was enlarged, amongst a nasty fever. They were shocked he was hanging in there as well as he did. He was such a tough dog. How quickly and unexpectedly everything had turned. I was not prepared to say goodbye, and have not been well.

He was my soulmate, and we were never separated. I adored him since I had him, and dedicated my life to making his the best. I am lucky to have so many wonderful memories with Thor, truly a special dog.


With that, I'd like to share some photos of our trip. It was about 3,500 miles from Austin, TX, up Big Sur, and back. The Bronco performed phenomenally, and my lifetime gas mileage went up almost 2.5 mpg (living in the city has equated low smiles per gallon).

My daughter works at a vet when the get large dogs in to be fix they will ask if you want them to pin the stomach so this won't happen.

So sorry for your loss.

 

[Red Sox 4Life]

Damn Glenn, so sorry for your loss. Just reading your story with all the photos and all the replies brought tears to my eyes. It is so hard to lose an unconditional loving family member. This really hits hard as my unofficially adopted son just had to put his German Shepard (Momma's) down last Friday on my birthday (3-22-24). As others have said, knowing it's coming is hard enough, but so unexpectedly is a real tragedy. Thanks for sharing, I know it was tough.

Slightly off topic, is that Route 66 photo from Barstow CA?

 

[Donkeygyrl]

They give 300% and don't ask for much ,best companions ever.
Time is the only thing that make it a little easier hang in there.

 

[CM81]

sorry for your loss. It's never easy to lose a dog including when they are part of your family. It really is a cruel part of life that dogs live such a short life.

 

[tock13]

Dang, this broke my heart. Take solace in knowing you have a good dog the absolute best life he could have ever had. Cherish the memories… take care man…

 

[MFP2241]

Sorry man, that really sucks. Thanks for posting the great pics, sounds like you have some nice memories to go with them.

 

[Fordgirl2003]

I cannot express how sorry I am in words. Just know tears are flowing and my heart breaks for you.

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