My dog - gone

[marathonmommy]

And it does help to know that other people understand what you are going through. I hope that all of us who have replied to your post have been able to offer you some comfort.

You can't even imagine how great it felt to come home, log on, and see that I had close to 40 replies to my post! You have all provided me with a great deal of comfort. Although I have cried while reading most of your posts, I think that is a good thing. It feels like it is "constructive crying" if there is such a thing. I can see that lots of things are going to remind me of him everyday. It still doesn't feel real and I can't help but feel I did something wrong and should have been able to help him. I will love him forever - he was truly my buddy.

On the human side - I never thought I would feel such a connection to people I have never met. You are the most compassionate group of individuals - you have helped me tremendously!

 

[keishashadow]

So sorry for your loss, never easy to lose a beloved part of your family...hope you take solace in remembering the happy times you & your furry friend shared.

 

[Donna]

Here is a list of poems that really helped me. I made a little memorial to my chelsea with her picture and one of these poems in a frame. I put her collar around her urn. I can still smell her on the collar after all these years. These will also help your therapeutic crying, it is a good release and perfectly normal.

http://www.petloss.com/poems/poems.htm

 

[Copperline]

I am so very sorry to read of your loss. It breaks my heart just reading it.
Being a vet tech, Lab breeder, trainer and Dog Mom to 8 labs over 17 years, I can relate all too well. Huge ((((((hugs)))))) to you and your family during this very difficult time.
Time is all that will heal your heart, but I do agree w/ other posters on something: a small bundle of fur to help your heart heal is sometimes the best thing you can do for yourself and your family.
I thought I would die after I lost my 10 month old Black Lab, Molly to a car accident last December. My parents & DH saw me slipping into massive depression and made the decision to bring home a yellow female pup from one of my breeder friends who had a new litter. Miss Morgan Elizabeth is the light of our life today and although she will never fill the paw prints of her beautiful predecessor, her spunk and spirit never fail to lift my spirits.

Deepest sympathy to you and your family.....

Brigitte

 

[Gail & Joe]

So sorry for your loss. I know the feeling of losing a pet also. My first loss was when I was 15. I was 2 when Patsy joined our family. She was the first of many losses over the years. Like the o/p's have said, it does help ease the pain if you have another little ball of fur to care for and love. Just remember all the great times that you had together. I know that each one of mine has a special place in my heart. Sending hugs your way for you and your family.

ug:

 

[1000th happy haunt]

marathonmommy, my heart goes out to you. Sometime things like that can't be avoided. It happened to my vet, and a vet would notice anything wrong. Her dog was healthy one day, and gone the next.

Perhaps it was congestive heart failure. This happened to one of my cats, and the vet told me it's very fast and unpredictible.

Whatever you do, don't blame youself. It sounds like you did the best you could for you dog under the circumstances.

You and your family are in my prayers.

 

[MickeyMouseGal]

I know that I don't know any of you personally and I am relatively new to the boards, but I thought posting this might be therapeutic or something. Early this morning my chocolate lab died. He was fine after dinner . . . scaveging from my 1 1/2 year old's highchair as usual. Later that night, he was just not himself - listless, non-reponsive. He wouldn't take a drink, eat, etc. (so not like him - he LOVED people food and would have knocked me over ordinarially). I laid next to him for a while hoping he was just feeling under the weather. He seemed to want to be alone. I let him go into another room and cuddled with him a little later. In the mean time, I tried to call the vet - no answer. I was really worried, but DH thought he would be fine and due to the hour thought there was nothing we could do (I'm sure if we thought this was "it" we would have driven all over creation looking for a 24 hour animal hospital.) A little later, the dog jumped up onto the couch to lay down. I felt a little better, thinking he had regained some energy. I decided to go up to bed. I had a dream about him - that the doctor said he had diabetes and needed a medication that cost $210 per month(in the dream). After I woke up, I went downstairs to check on him, and he was dead. I feel horrible! I wish I had stayed with him throughout the night. I don't know what happened. He was totally himself at 6:30, 9:00 he was listless, and 4:30 the next morning he was dead. I have a 5 year old who will miss him. The 1 1/2 year old had such an incredible bond with the dog - it was bizarre. I guess he won't notice too much. Sorry to ramble on . . . I need to vent, release, etc.
I loved that damn dog. He was only 7 years old. I'm not sure what happened? aw:

There is a type of cancer called a hemangiosarcoma that can come on just like that. They have a tumor in their spleen that just starts bleeding. It's common in middle aged large breed dogs. I lost my beloved Golden Retriever to it. If it's any consolation, it's not a painful way to die.
*hugs*

 

[marathonmommy]

There is a type of cancer called a hemangiosarcoma that can come on just like that. They have a tumor in their spleen that just starts bleeding. It's common in middle aged large breed dogs. I lost my beloved Golden Retriever to it. If it's any consolation, it's not a painful way to die.
*hugs*

Thanks you for the input. That is the hardest part for me right now. Not knowing what it could be. I will have to look that one up. I've been doing some research, trying to find answers. I think I have ruled out bloat and intestinal blockages. Although he liked to chew on shoes, he mostly did it for the attention and didn't really eat them. I also didn't notice a distended belly. He was a very big guy (130 pounds), but didn't really seem fat. He was just at the vet last month and had a clean bill of health. I still can't get over how sudden it was. I wish I could have helped him.

 

[DVCconvert]

Please accept my most heart-felt sympathy for your loss.
I have a very aged lab, and every morning she opens her eyes, I feel thankful to my maker. I know that we all have an "expiration date", and when we reach that point, no one is happy. Please try to reflect upon all the love and happiness you and your "Pal" shared --and I pray you find that as a source of strenght and happiness. Pets are one of the greatest gifts in our lives IMHO.

 

[BCV23]

I'm so sorry for your loss. Hopefully, happy memories will soon replace that hole in your heart.

 

[MickeyCrazed]

I'm so sorry...
I know how painful it can be to lose a pet. My thoughts are with you.

 

[Jockaroo]

I want to send my sympathy to your family. You have lost a member of your family and are in pain. The pain shows how much you loved your doggie. Will keep you in my thoughts.

 

[Sparx]

 

[jazstar87]

my dog died last year to diabetes...she was 11. I will think about you!

 

[Mysteria]

I'm so sorry

Myst

 

[Sandy22]

I'm so sorry for your loss.

 

[scoutsmom99]

I'm so sorry for the loss of your fur baby.

 

[luvmy2sams]

I'm so sorry for your loss. We recently lost our beloved cocker spaniel. His death was very sudden, too, even though he was 11-years-old. Some DISers gave me some very comforting words at his passing, and I'll repeat a little of it now......Focus on the love-filled life your dog lived. Take comfort in knowing that he died in familiar surroundings, knowing that he was loved and would be missed. Be thankful for the time you had...100 years wouldn't have been enough. Again, I'm terribly sorry you're dealing with this.

 

[jenfur]

I lost a lab puppy a few months ago. I was shocked at how bad it hurt. You have my sympathy and you'll be in my thoughts and prayers.

 

[Shel]

One of the best things about the DIS folks is that you can share your heartaches with them & you will get so much love & support. I also lost a dog unexpectedly in 2003 & was heartbroken. Our furbabies mean the world to us & it's obvious that you loved your furbaby as well. Someday you'll be able to think about your doggie & you'll smile from the memories.