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Original poster

Our family dog died last night, im a bit shocked that im so upset

23 replies

Mamazon · 21/07/2009 22:01

her name was Rosie and she was a lovely English bull mastiff. she was the most placid affectionate teddy bear and all the children adored her.
she was only a fortnight from her 8th birthday.

We knew she was unwell and we all knew that she had reached a stage where we would probably have to make the hard decision to put her to sleep. unfortunatly our vet appointment was for thursday, she died during the night.

My parents are both disabled so i had to take her body to be cremated today. it really was one of the most difficult things i've had to do.
I knew i'd be upest when she passed but im surprised at just how upset i've been.

The children have been upset too. DD seems to be very mkatter of fact about it. DS was saying "but why did she have to die, i loved Rosie"
DD said " yeah but it doesn't work like that. dogs don't get old like mums do"

made me smile.

we'll get her ashes back in a few days. not sure what we'll do with them.

OP posts:
ipiratethief · 21/07/2009 22:05

oh bless, it is bloody hard and very upsetting to lose a beloved pet, in any circumstances.

They bring back memories for us too, I am sorry you have had to deal with this.

It's the live we put in, and the love they give back so unconditionally.

It was my cat's anniversary on sunday, and I still love and miss him. ten yrs on.

hope you feel better soon, and can think of him with happy smiles.

ipiratethief · 21/07/2009 22:06

think of 'her' duh, sorry.

differentID · 21/07/2009 22:07

Mamazon, my darling cat did that to me 7 years ago. We had finally steeled ourselves to have him put to sleep when we had a phone call from the vets to say he had gone in his sleep.

There was a sense of massive guilt and upset, but also a tinge of relief that we hadn't had to "sign the death warrant" so to speak.

I have Honey's ashes in a little wooden cat shaped casket on top of the piano- where he used to sit watching me

smugmumofboys · 21/07/2009 22:09

Sorry to hear that. It can really catch you unawares. I was distraught when our much-loved cat died two years ago. Really sobby.

Just let it out and have a good cry. (My DSes were completely matter-of-fact as well).

ipiratethief · 21/07/2009 22:09

I have my cats ashes too. In fact i have two cats ashes, (can't part with them).

ilovemydogandmrobama · 21/07/2009 22:10

I thought my heart would break when my Golden Retriever had to be put down. Didn't have kids at the time, so didn't have to think about anyone else's feelings other than my own, but what about her ashes somewhere she liked to walk? Or a holiday that was special? I took DD (Darling Dog to Cornwall and scattered his ashes where he loved to swim, me and DP said a few words about him, and then another dog came over and lifted his leg , but hey, that's the world of canine...

FlappyTheBat · 21/07/2009 22:10

differentID, hope you don't mind me asking but where about did you get the casket?

I've had my cat's ashes in a little cardboard box in my wardrobe for almost 7 years - we've moved 3 times since he died so doesn't feel right to scatter them in a garden he never knew.

differentID · 21/07/2009 22:13

it actually came from the crem that did the burning. Will find out which one.

thumbwitch · 21/07/2009 22:13

if it makes you feel any better, I had a baby fledgling sparrow in my room overnight - it had fallen from its nest and I made a nest for it on my bedroom window sill outside - no parents came back so I brought it inside overnight (too cold for it) and was feeding it. It seemed to be doing well, it woke at first light and I fed it, then I went back to sleep and when I woke up again later it was quiet - I thought it had gone back to sleep but it had died.

I was sooooo upset. And I had only known it for ~ 12 hours.

thumbwitch · 21/07/2009 22:14

sorry, am so - for you and the loss of your dog.

ipiratethief · 21/07/2009 22:17

, i know that feeling thumbwitch, have done similar.

FlappyTheBat · 21/07/2009 22:19

Thank you dID.

Mamazon, I took some of my dog's ashes ( parents got her when I was 14) up to Arthur's Seat in Edinburgh because that's where I used to take her for walks then we planted a rosebush in a big tub with the rest of her ashes there.

I'm sure Rosie wouldn't mind if you scattered some or all of her ashes or did what we did.

ipiratethief · 21/07/2009 22:19

I htinkit's just a very pure and tranquil love that you have for a pet isn't it. It is a huge wrench.

Rindercella · 21/07/2009 22:22

I am really sorry for you. It is amazing the impact these animals can have on our lives - and how upset we can be on losing them. Our family dog Tessa died nearly 10 years ago and I still can't go to my parents' without thinking of her - the house seems so empty (they chose not to replace her).

When she was put down, at 15 years old, we knew it was the best thing for her as there was no way she could carry on without further distress and pain, but it was just so fecking sad. I spent my teens mucking about with her, running around the farm with her, that the house just seemed wrong, empty, without her. I always thought that when she died we would feel her presence there, but we never have.

Time is a great healer, but there will always be a special place in your heart for Rosie

oneopinionatedmother · 21/07/2009 22:26

i love my dog to bits, and would be to pieces without her, though she is often neglected now the babies are here.

they are a family member and it is not silly to be deeply upset when they die

Poor you.

our family dogs are buried underneath flowering trees, so we can think of them when the tree blossoms.

differentID · 21/07/2009 22:33

It's a place called summerleaze pet crem and it's in gwent. I can't get onto their website, though

Original poster
Mamazon · 21/07/2009 22:34

the kids wanted to bury her in the garden but she's just way too big.

think we'll maybe plant a rose or something as a memorial for her.

I knew i'd be upset. its just how much its hit me. I had proper tears and everything. she wasn't my dog, i'd already left home when they got her. but i saw her almost everyday and since my parents couldn't it was always me that trook her to the vets, gave her a bath etc.

OP posts:
differentID · 21/07/2009 22:38

and that's perfectly ok.

Flappy- I have put a couple of pics on my profile, if you want a look.

The next tabby to pass away, Paris, got a pale blue marble urn and my mother has him on a sideboard.

Mintyy · 21/07/2009 22:41

Very sorry to hear about Rosie, Mamazon. Under 8 is young to die, isn't it, even for a pedigree dog? It is perfectly understandable that you are so upset. Do you have some photos of her that you can put up around the house? Tis very sad .

FlappyTheBat · 21/07/2009 23:31

Mamazon, the rose we got for our dog was called "sweet dreams", has pale yellow flowers.
I left home when our dog was 4, she was still my dog though and I loved her lots. It doesn't matter, dogs are a huge part of a family and you do miss them.

completely unmumsnetty but (((((hugs)))))

dID, thank you so much, I will try a few pet crems and see if they will sell one for me.

Hobnobfanatic · 21/07/2009 23:47

So sorry to hear your news. I've lost so many pets over the years and it never gets easier - least of all with children - dealing with their grief and life-and-death questions.

They really do steal your hearts.

I hope the tears give way to smiles and fond memories soon. x

Blondeshavemorefun · 23/07/2009 13:33

so sorry to hear about you loss of rosie

it is heart breaking when pets die as they are part of the family ((HUG))

junglist1 · 24/07/2009 10:29

Pets don't argue or hurt your feelings, they're loyal no matter what. They really are part of the family, and I've never trusted anyone who doesn't treat their pets as such. Sorry for your loss

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