I think my dog is dying

[CalibratedNellyphant]

I don't know where to start or what to do.
My poor boy is in the vets and they are trying to stabilise him but it's not looking good.
He is only 6 but he developed epilepsy a couple of years ago. He had been doing ok but last night he had two long fits and I thought I would have to take him to the vets. He settled down for a few hours but then this morning after I dropped the DCs at school he started fitting and wouldn't stop so I had to take him to the vets.

I am so so worried about him the vet said they would do everything they could but he was very sick and it doesn't look good.

I have told the DCs he is sick and might not make it and the eldest two are so upset. The youngest doesn't really understand but he has grown up with the dog and he will be devastated if he dies.

DH is working away and the DCs are in bed so it's just me here and I can't stop crying. I'm just used to sitting here with him on my lap. DH works away a lot so the dog is my company most nights.

I'm not even sure why I'm posting I'm just so sad and lonely right now and I just want him to be ok even though I know how unlikely it is.

[CalibratedNellyphant]

I'm dreading tell the kids. I don't know what to say to them.
I don't even really know what I will tell DH when he calls.

[deerman]

So sorry for your loss. Just be as honest as you can when you chat to your DCs.
Hopefully your DH calls you back soon and you can chat to him. Will he be coming home soon to support you and the kids?
Maybe forget studying for tonight and just be kind to yourself.

[MsAdorabelleDearheartVonLipwig]

Oh god I'm so sorry. What a dreadful shock. At such a young age. Poor boy. And poor you. Where is your Dh? Any chance he could come home? I'm sorry you're alone. Do you want to talk about him?

[CalibratedNellyphant]

DH isn't home for months, we are traveling to see him at the end of May and that will be the next time we see him in person.
I will try to be as honest with them as possible. It's just so hard DS wanted to go to the beach in the summer for his birthday so we could take the dog with us and share our ice creams with him.

[YorkieDorkie]

Poor pup and poor you it's always a heavy blow to a family. Stay strong X

[Jaimx86]

So sorry for your loss. Staffies just have a way of becoming one of the family, don't they. Lots of love to you and your family xxxx

[CalibratedNellyphant]

DH is abroad for work. He would probably come home of I asked him too but it would be really awkward for his job and a major inconvenience for everybody involved so I'd rather not ask unless it was an emergency with the DCs or something.

I don't know what I want to do. I want DH to call me back and I want my poor boy back.
He was so lovely we got him when he was 7 months old. He was a rescue dog and as soon as.We met him he ran to us with his tail wagging and bouncing around. Then we introduced him to the DCs and we were worried he would be overexcited but he was much calmer like he knew what to do around them and we all fell in love with him.
He is a month younger than our youngest DC and they grew up together. He bonded so well with our older two. Whenever the kids were upset he would sit next to them with his tail wagging for extra cuddles.
They will be devastated we all loved him so so much.

[deerman]

He sounds like a lovely dog.
Will your DH have a chance to contact you soon do you know?

[HookedOnHooking]

So sorry. He sounds like such a lovely boy.

[ChipsandGuac]

I'm so sorry. I fully know how heartbreaking losing a dog is. 6 years of love, walks, waggy tails and being remembered for being awesome, is a beautiful thing. You were both lucky to have each other. RIP Xxxxxxxxxxx

[confusedandemployed]

Oh I'm so very sorry, Calibrated. I think it really is so much harder when they're young. I lost one of my DDogs about 6 weeks ago, but she was nearly 14. Despite my being devastated, it somehow felt like the right order of things. You don't even have that comfort so I really sympathise.

You can take comfort from being brave enough to put an end to his suffering. He didn't suffer any longer than necessary and you should be very proud of yourself. You did right by him.

for you all

[CalibratedNellyphant]

Thank you all.
DH called me last night and I told him what happened. He is gutted that he wasn't here to say goodbye and he is upset that he can't be here now to help.
We are both so so sad for our poor boy but you are right confusedandemployed at least he isn't suffering.

The DCs will be back this afternoon so I will tell them all then.

[Sadieatthebridge]

So sorry to hear this Nelly

We were in a similar situation a couple of weeks ago with our lovely 7 year old DDog (brain tumour). I completely get the 'it's not fair' feeling of losing a young dog.

They become such a huge part of our lives. I guess the grief is the price we pay for loving them so much, and them loving us back. You did the best for your boy. And that's what counts the most: they have such faith in us and trust that at the end we make the right decision for them at the right time. Xx

[mollie123]

so sorry for the loss of your ddog - they leave such a dog-shaped hole in our lives.

[MsAdorabelleDearheartVonLipwig]

God I'm so sorry Nelly. We lost our old spaniel a year and a half ago and I remember how much it hurt. Give yourselves time, everyone grieves differently. We've got another dog now and I still feel guilty about it. I'm always looking at the picture of my old boy and wondering what he'd think. I couldn't be without a dog though and he's helped massively in a lot of ways. He's his own person and he's a lovely dog. You can't help it though, you always miss them. I hope your kids are ok.

[ALaughAMinute]

[EasyToEatTiger]

So so sorry to hear. I screamed the walls down when we lost one of our dogs. Again, please try to be gentle with yourself. . Please also remember that you have done all you were able to do. (((((((!))))))))))))That's supposed to be a hug.

[puffylovett]

Aww big hugs. We lost our old spaniel in March, I miss her everyday and talk to her picture! I really struggled without that wet nose and waggy bum and so we've just taken on a 5 month old pup. Feeling a bit guilty really, but she's had us in stitches and has been a little ray of sunshine.
Be kind to yourself, you've just lost a member of the family and are shouldering a lot by yourself :(

[CalibratedNellyphant]

Thank you all
I told the DCs yesterday afternoon. Middle DC cried straight away and is asking lots of questions about where the dog is now is he happy etc.
My eldest has been quieter. When I told her she was pretty accepting that it was the best thing for the dog and he is happier now but she cried a bit last night and she was upset this morning because usually she comes downstairs first and the dog sits next to her to watch the tv.
The youngest is mixing between being quiet and clingy and asking loads of questions. He slept in my room last night because he wanted to be close and he was very upset. He has been very lost today as he usually plays football or basketball with the dog in the garden and they often used to sit together to eat (because the youngest dropped the most crumbs).

It's very quiet here without his claws clacking against the laminate flooring. We all miss him so much.

[EasyToEatTiger]

Some ((((((hugs))))))).. more...

[CalibratedNellyphant]

Thank you.
The youngest won't sleep again tonight and the middle dc is playing up as well. I'm trying to be there for them but it's really hard not to cry because I miss him too. It doesn't help that this would be the time that I would usually talk to DH just me and him as the DCs are in bed. But I can't because they are still awake.