My girlfriend moved in a year ago and brought her 14 yo lab with her. I'd known her for the few years we'd been dating and she was the quirkiest dog I've ever seen. I called her crunchy peanut butter because she had about a dozen fatty tumors on her and her coat was just lumpy. Had no interest in dog toys, playing, and most other dogs and was the pickiest eater for a dog I've ever seen. Stuff she'd eat happily for a month or 2, she'd just decide not to eat anymore. But, she was just a happy dog and she loved attention, walks and treats. And, she loved to swim more than anything. It was hard to walk her on the trail near my house that runs along the river, because she'd almost demand to be taken to the water and stop walking. Her health has been off and on for the last couple years. But, something happened after her dinner Monday and she didn't want to get up anymore and was struggling to breathe. Not sure if she had a stroke or seizure, or maybe one of the tumors ruptured and got fluid in her lungs. When she hadn't improved Tuesday morning we contacted a vet who makes house calls to come out and put her down, but she couldn't be there til 3. I went to work and came home around 12 and she was lying on her bed and having a hard time breathing. Dawned on me that she might not make it to 3, so I sat down with her and held her head and just petted and talked calmly to her. After about 40 minutes her breathing calmed and she seemed to go to sleep, and just never woke up. Her breathing got weaker and shallower and I'd guess she passed around 2:15. Very calm and as good as a natural death can be I'd guess. They give you 100% love and after you've provided and cared for them, in the end it still doesn't feel like you did enough. Not sure when or if we'll get another dog, but I miss her and my last dog immensely. Hope you take the time to give your dog, if you're lucky enough to have one, some extra time today. Give them a pat for us. Miss you Lulu.
Losing a dog sucks. My mom just lost her dog she had for 15 years. It's really tough. Sorry for your loss.
Sorry to hear. We've had two dogs over the years -- still miss them.
Sorry for your loss, losing a dog is hard. They are such wonderful friends.
Rescued a boxer/bulldog mix the day after Christmas ‘24. Little did we know he was totally deaf and half-blind. We didn’t care, he grabbed our hearts when we first met him. He had been abandoned in a cage out in the country under a big tree when he was brought into the local rescue facility. So, he had major abandonment and separation issues. Beyond all of this he was the sweetest and most loving dog. He loved everybody and had some hilarious traits. His hip dysplasia, liver issues, and overall general health got so bad over the past few months we decided to have him put down in our home. This was one of the hardest things to do because he had been such a fighter, to show love in spite of his many ailments. The house is very different now and it’s tough to adjust to. We did this same thing back in ‘17 with a boxer that we’d had since a pup. I’m not sure I want to do it again. They get inside your heart in a strong way.
Digression...
On one of my delivery runs today I followed a Tesla sedan with dogs hanging out of all three available windows.
I’m sorry to hear, I’ve lost my share of dogs and it never gets any easier. After our last dog passed away almost two years ago from a ruptured spleen we made a little space in our living room for pictures and all my girls wrote a letter chronicling their favorite memories. Just keeping alive the memories is all you can do. Some day when ready you’ll find the love for a new dog and yet you’ll never be replacing the love you had for your last one.
@mohoosier Yep, I think you and I have had similar feelings. After I lost my last dog, being single again, I didn't want the responsibility or the heartache from losing another dog. I've watched my son's dog for 3 ski season's when he's gone out west to work at a resort and that's been great, because she was a terrific dog but still not mine. With Lulu, it was my girlfriend's dog, but she got very attached to me, and me to her, and she was 14, so we knew the end was looming. Still didn't expect it, as this past weekend we took her camping and she walked/hiked and swam like normal. She wouldn't eat her dog treats and that was very unusual, but as I said, she was finicky, so didn't seem alarming. Would have never guessed the dog that was swimming like crazy on Saturday would be dead Tuesday. I won't get another right now, but if my gf decides she wants one, I'd listen. Right now she's grieving and says she doesn't want one for at least a year. We'll see when she sees a really cute rescue!
Thanks all, I know this was long-winded, but I needed to release a little. Give me a few days and then I'll be back to pics of T&A.
So sorry. Losing a dog is the worst. When I lost my last one, I wasn’t sure I could put myself through that again. I waited three years and just out of the blue decided I needed one. Weirdly enough, it was a month before the pandemic and I would have gone crazy without her. So she’s still young, but I think way too often about what a mess I’ll be when it happens.
@zeke4ahs We lost a black poodle when I was 11 named Nicki. He was a good dog but got hit by a car. Then we got another black poodle and there was just something wrong with him. He had emotional issues so we had to give him up because he bit my Dad and would just show his teeth a lot. He ended up living on a farm. With Nicki it was like a member of the family died.
While I regarded God as a tyrant I thought my sin a trifle; But when I knew Him to be my Father, then I mourned that I could ever have kicked against Him. When I thought God was hard, I found it easy to sin; but when I found God so kind, so good, so overflowing with compassion, I smote upon my breast to think that I could ever have rebelled against One who loved me so, and sought my good.” C. H. Spurgeon
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