When a Pet dies......

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Kind of an odd St. Patrick's Day. Awoke this morning to find that our dog had taken a turn for the worse. Today was the day he would have to be out down. For crying out loud, the dog "King" was 19 years old. (That's 133, for you and me.) He was part German Shepherd, part St. Bernard. Weighed about 100-110 lbs. He has had more skin diseases, dog fight scars, and other assorted medical problems than any dog I've known. We took care of him when he was ill and loved him always. He protected my three kids from the time they were born until today. The UPS Delivery guy was scared to death of King...He didn't need to be, he just was. King had a barking system that told us when someone was in the driveway, when deer were passing through, when people were walking on the road etc. I'm really gonna miss that dog... I swear he could read my mind sometimes.....I'll remember him always.....

-- Harmony (harmonyfarm57@hotmail.com), March 17, 2002

Answers

Harmony, I'm very sorry to hear about King. It's so hard to lose a pet that's been part of your life for that long. It's like losing a family member. My dog, 'Tettaroni', is 12 and luckily is still in pretty good health. Just slowing down a bit with age. I hate to think about what it will be like when we lose him.

-- Murray in ME (lkdmfarm@megalink.net), March 17, 2002.

Smokey was half Lab and half Weimariner, he made 16 years, 16 glorious years. I could put a day old kitten on the floor and say "guard", moma cat could not approach. He went through a glass and screen window to protect a neighbor woman from another neighbor womans exhusband when I was not there to say what to do. He unlatched a mobil home door to aid another woman neighbor who was being bothered by a punk neighbor.

There are no words, there is no way to say what we feel when nature cuts away a perfect relationship. Nature is as cruel as our little friends are loving. We can only cherish the fleeing time we are together, we cannot use words that are enough to explain what the feelings means. There is no way a non connected person can understand.

Twenty plus years ago Smokey left here, the memories will not go away, but the pain will. Start anew, it isn't enough, but it will help.

-- mitch hearn (moopups@citlink.net), March 17, 2002.


Sorry , but he lived for a long time and sounds like he had a great life.

-- Patty {NY State} (fodfarms@hotmail.com), March 17, 2002.

Been thru this many times myself and it never gets any easier to handle. You need to give yourself plenty of time to mourn the loss of such a good and loyal friend of so many years. As time goes on, you will find yourself looking back and in odd moments remembering things about King that you hadn't thought about in years. The memories will bring a smile to your face and happiness to your heart.

I wish you peace.

-- Carol - in Virginia (carollm@rockbridge.net), March 17, 2002.


Min Ugh Lee - my red Peke. Named her that after hubby calling her Ughly and son calling her Booggers for the first 2 weeks we had her.

Ming lived to be 15 y/o. I had to make the decision to have her put to sleep last spring. I think it was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do. I "knew" it was the right thing for her, but.... I sometime will her her bark, or hear the sounds of her nails as she run across the wood floors. There is still a huge vaccum.

Sure do miss my little "dust mop". Know exactly how you're feeling right now.



-- dottie - in E Shore MD (mother-ducker@webtv.net), March 17, 2002.



I had a dream about my Teddy today, almost like a dream in a dream.

Their were birds in the attic, and he put his paws on the wall and barked his deep bark (half Black Lab, and half German Shepherd).

I allowed myself the pleasure of stroking his back, and just like that I new it couldn't be him. Then I woke up.

Teddy has been gone for 15 months, and I'll never forget him.

-- Rick in SW West Virginia (Rick_122@hotmail.com), March 17, 2002.


My condolences, Harmony. I have also been through the loss of a pet many times, like someone else said, it never gets easier. We lost the Notorious Norrie Dog two and a half years ago, I still miss her terribly. She was a German shepherd, had been badly abused by her first owner, rescued and civilized by her second owner, and came into our home and stole our hearts for her last 5 1/2 years. We spoiled her ROTTON, and I swear that dog knew it and appreciated it. From the day I brought her home I felt a connection with this dog, as though this was were she was always meant to be.

I read a news blurb a couple of years ago, said that (Harvard U?) did a study on grief and loss, came to the conclusion that the loss of a pet can be far more difficult for some than the loss of a fellow human. Not news to those of us whose lives revolve around our pets.

My father says why do you have pets when you are so devastated when they die, you cry for a week at time? Told him hey...they give me so much love and joy and companionship every day for years at a time, so a week or two of tears is a small price to pay. And...we get to enjoy the memories.

-Chelsea

-- Chelsea (rmbehr@istar.ca), March 17, 2002.


Harmony, I am so sorry for you. I lost a six year old yorkie in November and her twelve year old father in January. The six year old hadn't been sick. She came to me like she had a belly ache. I took her to the vet. He took blood, gave her an antibiotic shot and told me to call for the blood results the next day. I brought her home and an hour and a half later realized she was having difficulty breathing. I called the vet to bring her back and was told they all went to lunch for the next two hours, but if I wanted I could bring her in and leave her. I brought her to another vet and she went into respiratory failure and died on his table. Her Dad never let on that he was sick either. Yorkies have a problem with their tracheas collapsing if they bark too much. I thought he had caused a problem from barking because he used to get upset if I didn't come to bed fast enough at night. I brought him to the vet. She diagnosed him with a collapsed trachea. When the medication she gave him wasn't working she asked if I wanted them to put a tube down his throat to help him breathe while allowing the swelling to go down. I got a phone call back that the poor little guy had an inoperable tumor in his airway. It had grown so big that it was like having a plastic bag over his head. He was always so happy and never complained. Not even at the end. Needless to say, I had to have him put down. I know the pain you're going through. There's not a day that goes by that I don't look to see my guys. I really do believe the loss is harder than losing a human. I guess it's because their love is so unconditional. Sorry again for your loss. - Sheryl

-- Sheryl in NJ (all295@aol.com), March 17, 2002.

So sorry for your loss Harmony. It is always so hard to lose a beloved pet. God bless.

-- Sharon (chessyemailaddy@notreal.com), March 18, 2002.

Oy vey! What a way to start the week and the day...bawling! I've said good-bye to many of my animal friends and it never gets easier! Remember all the good time with yor pal. I agree that it is harder to lose a pet than a human being from our lives. Animals give unconditional love and all they ask from us is a little kindness. Go ahead and grieve. It's healthy. God bless!

-- Ardie/WI (ardie54965@hotmail.com), March 18, 2002.


sorry for your loss Harmony. the others have said it better than I can, but - when you are up to it - find another puppy to share your life with. it's the best thing you can do. having said that - it took me 6 years to be "up to it" and follow my own advice after I put my 13 year old down. looking back on it now those dogless years were empty years. don't let too many go by.

take care

-- B. Lackie - Zone3 (cwrench@hotmail.com), March 18, 2002.


I am sorry for your loss! Grieve all you want to because this pet was surely a part of your family! I know.

-- Suzy in Bama (slgt@yahoo.com), March 18, 2002.

Thanks everyone, for your kind words....Thought I saw King this morning, laying in his favorite spot on the patio...he is still with me....I know....

-- Harmony (harmonyfarm57@hotmail.com), March 18, 2002.

I lost my beloved toby on saint patricks day 14 years ago and I still dont celebrate that holiday.19 Years for a dog that big is amazing! I am sorry for your lose.

-- kathy h (ckhart55@earthlink.net), March 18, 2002.

Harmony, I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. The above posts say it all. Our animals give us so much of themselves, and teach us so much about life and love.

I've lost a few furry (and feathered) friends myself and their memories live on in my heart forever. 19 years, wow, you certainly have excellent animal husbandry skills.

After your immediate grief subsides, I'm sure you'll find room in your heart for another pet. Perhaps a rescue from a shelter, who desperately needs a loving home?

Prayers for you in your grief, with hopes for good memories and brighter days.

-- Michaela (flhomestead@hotmail.com), March 18, 2002.



Harmony, when you said you saw King sleeping on his favorite spot, I got the shivers! We had two Yorkies and the oldest, Buttons, died of cancer. He had a VERY strong personality. Oy vey! Anyway, one day I looked up from the kitchen and there he was! I looked to the other dog and looked back. He was gone! It was too wierd! Then, we got a cat. One day, I was dusting and that cat ran up to me, hit me with his two paws and ran under the couch. It was exactly what Buttons used to do to me when I dusted. I think that Buttons just had to let me know he was still around for awhile.

-- Ardie/WI (ardie54965@hotmail.com), March 18, 2002.

Harmony..so sorry for the loss you are feeling. Just no words or easy way to ease the pain of a pal leaving you behind. I say cry when you feel like it and thank God that He, in His wisdom, gave us the capability to remember the memories.

Thinking of you..

-- Sher (riverdobbers@webtv.net), March 18, 2002.


Harmony, we're in the same boat. I lost my beloved Munchkin on Sunday. He was a 12 year old German Shepard I had had since he was four weeks old. It was like losing one of my kids! He got up Sunday morning and seemed fine. Even chased the cat around the truck. But as the day wore on, things went downhill. By afternoon he was throwing up blood, and it soon became obvious there was only one thing to do. The vet was so kind, and I've been bawling my eyes out ever since. I had to take the day off from work yesterday cause I would have been just useless. I loved that dog dearly, and am going to miss him so badly. I don't regret putting him to sleep, it was the right thing to do, but oh how it hurts. Here's hoping for peace for both of us soon.

-- Julie (rjbk@together.net), March 19, 2002.

I have a white shepherd who would give her life for me and her family.To tell the truth I love this dog more than some of my family members.I would rather be with her,walking thru the woods,than most people I know.I know one day she will be gone but she has brought more joy to my life that it is worth the pain I will suufer when she is no longer with us.

-- cathy kendall (kendallc@meta-net.net), March 19, 2002.

Harmony, don't know if it helps you or hinders to read these responses from us, sharing our own stories, but hope somehow it helps... We lost Danny (our 1/2 Australian shepherd, 1/2 border collie) several years ago when he was 14. We still miss him. He was around since before two of our kids were born. All the kids grew up with him. The last winter he wouldn't sleep anywhere but the porch, so we built him a straw bale "house" on the porch to protect him from the winter. We had two hens that adopted him and wouldn't go to their own house at night, but slept with him in his straw house. Bagheera slept with him too; they were buddies ever since Bagheera came as a kitten. The delivery people were scared of him, but he'd never done anything worse than bark at the cats and the chickens for eating his food. He was pretty darn special. My hubby says when he dies if we're still around, to bury his ashes by Danny. Whew. That's pretty special. We lost three house cats in a house fire about 3 months after Danny died. For anyone who thinks that many cats couldn't be that special, that's okay, they just don't relate. They were special, and it was awful. It took quite a while, but the time came that we knew it was okay... it wasn't disloyal, we weren't trying to "replace" anybody, we were just ready... Now, Pal --idiotic, loveable, 2-yr-old retriever mix, jumps into "his" folding lawn chair by the back door (looks pretty awful leaving lawn chairs out all winter, but hubby says Pal's worth it) to play his "I'm here for my biscuit" game, when he's not sleeping with Bagheera by his side ... and Missy, Donavina and Bruno (who all came at intervals) lounge, stretch, purr and follow us around the house... it would sure be lonesome without them. Empty words now, Harmony... but it'll get better in time. God Bless you and encourage you.

-- teddy (millerfam@panhandle.net), March 19, 2002.

Harmony, Tears came to my eyes when I read about King and his passing. We lost our beloved Bassett Hound "Harley" last year to cancer. I miss his happy-go-lucky attitude and wagging tail, everytime I turn into our driveway and he's not at the front door to greet me. A dear friend sent me this poem after old Harley died and it helped me find some solace.

DON'T GRIEVE TOO LONG Don't grieve too long for now I'm free I've followed the path God set for me I ran to Him when I heard His call I swished my tail and left it all. I could not stay another day To bark, to love, to romp or play Games left unplayed must stay that way I found such peace, it made my day. My parting has left you with a void Please fill it with remembered joy A friendship shared, your laugh, a kiss Oh yes, these things I too shall miss. Be not burdened with times of sorrow I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow My life's been full, you've given so much Your time, your love and gentle touch. Perhaps my time seemed all too brief Don't lengthen it now with undue grief Lift up your head and share with me God wanted me, He set me free! ~ Author Unknown ~

-- Carol from Dixie (plantlady51@webtv.net), March 21, 2002.


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