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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

How long will this last :-(

43 replies

Ducky23 · 14/05/2015 10:53

I am heartbroken.

My 4 yo perfectly healthy dog was sat on the sofa fine the other night at 12.30am. When I got up at 3am to feed ds, my lovely dog was dead. No warning.

I feel awful. Maybe if I had woken earlier I could of got him to the vets. I feel awful that I was upstairs asleep while he was downstairs dying. He was so lovely.

Sad
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Floralnomad · 14/05/2015 11:30

Sorry for your loss , but if he was fine before you went to bed and hadn't woken you in the night I would assume that he has passed away peacefully in his sleep which although awful for you was probably a 'good' death for him . I think I would try to console yourself with that thought xx

moosemama · 14/05/2015 15:03

I'm so sorry for your loss. It's no wonder you're heartbroken. Sad

If it helps, my PIL's 7 year old dog's passing was very similar. The vet said she'd gone in her sleep and wouldn't have known anything about it at all. So as Floral said, of all the ways to go, it's probably the best from their perspective, even though it was far too soon and obviously very hard on those who loved him.

Flowers
WienerDiva · 14/05/2015 15:10

I'm so sorry to hear this. It seems dreadful at the moment but with time it will get easier to deal with. Have you spoken to your vet?

stareatthetvscreen · 14/05/2015 15:11

aww v sad - sending a big hug

my lovely hound was pts just before xmas - v unexpected he was fine in himself but was diagnosed with inoperable tumours the day before.

if i tell you this is the first time i've been able to post about him on here it gives you some idea how long it takes to feel ok about it all :)

ExitPursuedByABear · 14/05/2015 15:13

I don't usually repost shit that I read on Facebook, but this one really touched me.

People who think you can put a time limit on grieving have never truly lost a piece of their heart.

Ducky23 · 14/05/2015 15:26

Thank you everyone Sad

I have been through some tough times and felt like he was the one thing keeping me going. He was the most loving dog.

I spoke to the vet, they were shocked. He had a full check up and boosters only a few weeks before.

I just really really hope he was fast asleep when it happened as his eyes were open when I got to him.

I can't stop thinking what if he was in pain or was there anything else I could of done for him.

Am just tidying up his toys and his blanket he used to carry everywhere Sad

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Ducky23 · 14/05/2015 15:27

And so sorry about your lovely dog stare Sad

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moosemama · 14/05/2015 16:02

I know it must be really hard, but please try not to torture yourself. There's nothing you could have don. It's common for eyes to open, as there's no muscle tone to hold them shut. It's not an indication that he was awake or suffering in any way at all. In people, for eyes to be open shortly afterwards it's commonly a sign of a sudden brain related event, so even less likely that he will have known or felt anything at all. He will have been asleep when it happened.

Again, I am so, so sorry for your loss. ((hugs))

insanityscatching · 14/05/2015 16:05

Oh I am so sorry for your loss. Your dog sounds truly loved and although his life was way too short I'm sure it was a happy one. Be kind to yourself. Flowers

maudpringles · 14/05/2015 16:57

It must be such a shock for you.
I am sending my love and Thanks Thanks

RosieMapleLeaf · 14/05/2015 17:06

So sorry to hear this. I'm sure if he had been in pain or uncomfortable he would have made some noises and you would have woken up. It sounds like it was quick and that he knew nothing of it. My old dogs were euthanized due to illness and the vet told me beforehand not to be alarmed when their eyes were still open so I don't think that is an indication of anything necessarily.

Un-mumsnetty hugs for you OP.

myusernameisusername · 14/05/2015 18:36

My baby is only 2 year's old and i could never imagine the pain im going to feel when she goes Sad Thanks

Ducky23 · 14/05/2015 19:00

Thank you for your kind words everyone Sad

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WindMeUpAndLetMeGo · 14/05/2015 19:14

The Rainbow Bridge
inspired by a Norse legend
By the edge of a woods, at the foot of a hill,
Is a lush, green meadow where time stands still.
Where the friends of man and woman do run,
When their time on earth is over and done.

For here, between this world and the next,
Is a place where each beloved creature finds rest.
On this golden land, they wait and they play,
Till the Rainbow Bridge they cross over one day.

No more do they suffer, in pain or in sadness,
For here they are whole, their lives filled with gladness.
Their limbs are restored, their health renewed,
Their bodies have healed, with strength imbued.

They romp through the grass, without even a care,
Until one day they start, and sniff at the air.
All ears prick forward, eyes dart front and back,
Then all of a sudden, one breaks from the pack.

For just at that instant, their eyes have met;
Together again, both person and pet.
So they run to each other, these friends from long past,
The time of their parting is over at last.

The sadness they felt while they were apart,
Has turned into joy once more in each heart.
They embrace with a love that will last forever,
And then, side-by-side, they cross over… together.

myusernameisusername · 14/05/2015 19:16

That sent shivers down my back and ive got tears in my eyes from reading it

WindMeUpAndLetMeGo · 14/05/2015 19:17

'There is a bridge connecting Heaven and Earth. It is called the Rainbow Bridge because of its many colors. Just this side of the Rainbow Bridge there is a land of meadows, hills and valleys with lush green grass.

When a beloved pet dies, the pet goes to this place. There is always food and water and warm spring weather. All the animals who have been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.

The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind. They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. Her bright eyes are intent; her eager body begins to quiver. Suddenly she begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, her legs carrying her faster and faster. You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross the Rainbow Bridge together, never again to be separated.'

WindMeUpAndLetMeGo · 14/05/2015 19:18

I hope those help, sorry for your loss.

Ducky23 · 14/05/2015 20:31

Thank you windmeup x

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atonofwashing · 14/05/2015 20:36

Ducky, how sad.
I am really sorry for your loss. What an awful shock you must have got.
((Hugs)) to u all.
Flowers

basildonbond · 14/05/2015 21:36

I'm so sorry - what a terrible shock for you

FiveHoursSleep · 14/05/2015 23:17

We lost our 4 year old lurcher unexpectedly in February. ( She was having an operation but there was no reason to think she wouldn't recover)
The surgeon rang and said it had all gone well and she was waking up, then 15 minutes late he was back on the phone to say she had died :(
It took me about a month before I was reasonably confident that I wouldn't just burst into tears randomly, and even now I tear up thinking about that awful night.
And I still feel guilty about stupid things that I really had no control of. The guilty is part of the grieving process, I think.
We have another dog, and the worst bit was watching him miss her without being able to explain what had happened.
We eventually adopted an adult rescue dog from Ireland, and although he's no replacement for our gorgeous girl, he's filling the 'second dog' spot in our household very nicely.
Time does pass and you will stop hurting all the time, but I've been where you are and it is truly painful :(

BurningBridges · 16/05/2015 00:37

Ducky that is awful - if you lose your dog suddenly like that, and so young, it will be harder to get over although I am beginning to wonder if its realistic to ever get over it. My DDog died 2 months ago aged 5, we did a fundraiser for him today for the Blue Cross pet bereavement line and I can thoroughly recommend calling or e-mailing them. I do still burst into tears 2 or 3 times a day. I am up at 12.30am typing this as I can't stand going to bed most days, my work has suffered as well, its a mess. At the event today I spoke about using the pet bereavement service and you could see how people were affected - it turned out one lady had lost 3 dogs in 2 years and she was saying she wished she'd known about the Blue Cross at the time.

I've lost many people but losing my boy has been one of the hardest things I've been through, I saw something someone had written about "losing a piece of themselves" when the dog died, and that's how I feel. So, a long story, but to say to you that at the moment its enough to come to terms with feeling so awful - accepting the loss of your dog will take longer.

Very sorry for your loss Flowers

Ducky23 · 16/05/2015 07:21

Thank you everyone.

Burning I hadn't heard of the bereavement line, I will look it up.

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FiveHoursSleep · 16/05/2015 11:18

Burning I often wonder how you are doing. I'm sorry things are still so hard for you and I'd second the Blue Cross Bereavement line.
I didn't use them myself but I know others who have.

hellhasnofurylikeahungrywoman · 16/05/2015 11:27

Much love to you Ducky23, losing a dog is hard but to lose a fit, healthy, young dog like that must be such a shock.

Please don't worry yourself that he might've been awake when it happened because his eyes were open when you found him, the eyes do open after death even if they were closed when death happened. I think he was asleep when he went and knew nothing but love as he passed away.