could keeping our lawns beautiful be killing our pets?
 

Our adorable Granddog had to be put down today. she was only 9 years old and my daughters loyal and constant companion. It started months back when she developed cancer on her toes. The last few weeks it has been seizures getting closer and closer together.

In conversation with my daughter the subject of spraying fertilizers and weed killers on her lawn regularily thru the years came up. I suppose we will never know what actually killed our little girl but It certainly has me thinking. Are our pets really safe even walking on our lawns that are constantly treated with chemicals? This is very frightening and I am not sure how we can completely avoid contact with the grass.

poor sweet little Ashlee, RIP

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Re: could keeping our lawns beautiful be killing our pets?
 

Nonie, Oh that is so hard. I understand the pain. I had an Ashley. She lived to 17. My Bubba was only 9, cancer of the liver. I do have some weeds, but have only treated once in almost 4 years. I do not like using chemicals and really try to avoid using them. So sorry about Ashlee. It helps me that I made Bubba a special web page and I have framed pics of pets... :'( This is my online memorial for my Bubba. http://petmemorials.youns.com/memorial.asp?ID=1802

Re: could keeping our lawns beautiful be killing our pets?
 

Thanks so much for the website Ronda, That was a beautiful memorial you put out there. I will tell my daughter about it.

Re: could keeping our lawns beautiful be killing our pets?
 

Nonie, I worry about that also. Especially in TV as we back on a golf course and I'm sure they're spraying there constantly. We called and were told the spraying is completely harmless to pets. But I don't believe it.

Re: could keeping our lawns beautiful be killing our pets?
 

Nonie,

So sorry that you lost your Ashlee. Our little Vixen has cancer and is not doing well. We will have to put her down soon. She has tumors in her breasts. They told us she might not live as long because we had bred her for a few years. She is also pretty deaf. She is 14 though, so she has had a good life. Prancer is 15 and is very arthritic and almost blind. We can't get him to take the pills for his pain. We will probably put them down at the same time because he will be so unhappy if she is gone. They would never be able to make the move with us anyway, it would be too hard on them. Such a hard decision to let them go, but I know it's the right thing to do for them.

ss

Re: could keeping our lawns beautiful be killing our pets?
 

Our dog was 15 and died of cancer. We were able to keep her alive for a few years giving her shark cartilage every day. But when it came to her not being able to swallow, it was time to let her go.

I'll never forget watching my hubs bringing her home from the vet euthanized. He had her in his arms with her head and back legs limply swaying as he carried her across the lawn to her resting place. A scene that is etched in my memory forever.

Re: could keeping our lawns beautiful be killing our pets?
 

Oh Bright!!!! You made me cry! What a sad sad picture I imagined! We sure do love our babies, oh yeah and our kids, also! lol My 16 yr. old black and tan cocker span. 'Bouvier' is 100% blind and 90% deaf, but she keeps going and going and going, and her tail keeps wagging and wagging and wagging! It's still very hard that I lost her son, my bubba, at 9.

Re: could keeping our lawns beautiful be killing our pets?
 

Sschuler I am so sorry that this painful task is ahead of you, they look so sweet.

Bright, I know what you mean, I have some images myself of past pets that I cant let go of.

However it happens it hurts like he**to lose a beloved pet. Their loyalty and devotion and unconditional love is totally amazing.

Re: could keeping our lawns beautiful be killing our pets?
 

I have 2 cats...both 15 years old now...same age my dog died. I know they don't have much longer on this earth and I think about losing them all the time.

I have made a decision.

When they are gone...I am animal free. It's too hard to deal with their deaths because all my animals have been like children to me.

I've had enough heartbreak in my life...not only my dear beloved animals but also dear friends.

Re: could keeping our lawns beautiful be killing our pets?
 

Bright, the imagery in your post about your 15 year old dog that had cancer made me cry. I'm like Nonie, I'm just a fool for animals. Every time I have to euthanize a dog, cat or horse, I think for a while it isn't worth the pain to continue getting animals. But then I fall in love; and the enrichment, joy and companionship I receive from these animals is worth the world to me. As long as I am able, I will have animals!

Re: could keeping our lawns beautiful be killing our pets?
 

Brights post also brought tears to my eyes.

One thing I truly love about TOTV are all of the animal lovers. Be it cats, dogs, buffalo and even gators, so many of you display love and kindness towards all God's creatures. I really think how one treats animals tells what kind of person they are!

Re: could keeping our lawns beautiful be killing our pets?
 

MSNPA,

Yes there are quite a lot of animal lovers in TV and thats what really concerns me about all the chemicals that are being sprayed on our TV lawns. Its a real possibility that my daughters dog did get cancer from the constant spraying. Very strange that the cancer started on her toes and then possibly went to the brain!

Its almost impossible to keep our pets off of our TV grass, so where do we take them to do their thing and get exercise???

Re: could keeping our lawns beautiful be killing our pets?
 

Hi Nonie,
My little pug Benson has been going to a vet down here and up north. After many tests etc. the vets concluded that there are too many chemicals and poisions in the Villages down here. Benson gets ear infections and respiratory problems. Up north he has acres to run with no poisions. He clears right up. All I can do is keep the poisons out of my yard down here. The worst are when you buy new landscaping. All the plants have been sprayed with a strong poison. I know one little black poodle died 2 days after her owner got new landscraping. My northern vet says Florida is hard on pets because many pesticides that are banned in NY are still used in Florida.
Every dog or animal lover is in pain to see their little pets suffer. My heart goes out to all who lose a pet, especially you Nonie.

Re: could keeping our lawns beautiful be killing our pets?
 

Thankyou Mc for the information that you received from your Vet about Southern chemicals. I appreciate your input.

Re: could keeping our lawns beautiful be killing our pets?
 

I came home recently and found a sign in my yard to keep off for 24 hours because it had been sprayed. I was away from the house for an hour. A neighbor told me that our dog was outside chasing the man that was spraying the yard.