Our old girl died last night

[Stevie77]

With us by her side

She was nearly 17yo, we had since she was a pup.

She just took a turn for the worst last night, rather suddenly. Was listless, her breathing was laboured. It was obvious she was dying. We sat with her, stroking her and talking to her until she was no more

We have a Reception aged child and a baby, I'm not looking forward to telling the news in a moment.

Thinking back, she was very quiet yesterday. Didn't eat and drink, I now feel guilty for not noticing.

Anyway, just offloading. Needed to write it down somewhere.

Aww, she sounds lovely

It's not easy is it? Hope you feel a bit better soon.

Sorry for your loss, my old boy was pts last night, it's a horrible thing to go through xxx

Really really feel for you all who have lost pals recently, we had our rescue dog pts 2 years ago and I am still welling up thinking about it. But we went and chose punter lab about 2 weeks later and it was the best decision for us. Could not bear that empty house. You can love more than one dog. Hugs.

You can love more than one dog.

Aww. They're like children aren't they? You love all your children.

flying I'm sure I remember you from another thread about dogs. Will go and have a look. So sorry for you. It's shit, isn't it?

Oh flying you were on Laurie's thread. God there's a lot of us about at the moment.

We lost our beautiful 14 year old lady in September. And got our new pup from Dogs Trust two months to the day. I felt I was ready for pup - and knew that she couldn't replace my old dog (in my 50s so have lost much loved dogs before, as well) but I actually wasn't prepared for how much I was still grieving horribly for my late bull terrier. The first week or so of having pup, despite pup being lovely (if a handful), I still kept crying because when I looked down it wasn't my beautiful old girl next to me, but a new dog... I was knocked sideways by it, TBH, but puppies like babies as so demanding you just keep going and if nothing else she was a distraction. Definitely took me longer than everyone else to bond with new pup - because the old dog was totally mummy's girl from the day I brought her home to the day she died.

I still burst into tears randomly, but less and less. And love new pup very much already even if she is a bit of a dick. (My old dog is sainted in this respect as she was 2 when we got her, so we never went through the puppy stage with her). I have felt a bit conflicted at times though - I don't want to shortchange new pup or ever compare her to beautiful old dog and fortunately maybe, so far she seems quite a different character (we deliberately got a dog that looked very different as well). If I see someone else walking a bull terrier, I still want to cry. The loss is horrible though and after 6 weeks, new pup is only just beginning to fill that bull terrier shaped hole. And never quite will but on the other hand, she will grow into a personality of her own that will be as much loved.

New pup never wants to sit on the same part of the sofa old dog did - she insists on sitting on the other side. Like OP, I am a SAHM and so the house was shockingly empty without a dog.

OP you may know when the time is right - or like me, may miscalculate it a bit. Grieving for an old dog can affect your relationship with a new one so take your time.

So sorry for your loss Stevie77 but it sounds like she had a fab life and a gentle death surrounded by your love and comfort.