My lovely black lab PTS

[leekandpotsoup]

My lovely cheeky soppy black lab aged 12 was PTS last Thursday We both feel so shellshocked by the loss. I keep thinking he's there next to me. He's such a big character and a happy loving boy - everyone knew him and the kids in our street loved him as he was so gentle and easy going with them.

He's had neuropathy for several years for which he was medicated and it had got into both back legs quite badly, affecting his walking and ability to get himself up or down without our help to lift him. But he seemed happy in his little comfort zone with us.

He'd been a bit off, not himself since last weekend and had a couple of "funny turns" one on Sunday when he wouldn't go on his walk and then he seemed to struggle walking on the floor which is a combination of rugs and wood flooring - we had to hold him and guide him across the wooden flooring . He picked up the next day although he seemed a bit tired and lethargic. On Wednesday evening he had another "funny turn" but worse than the first, he collapsed and rolled onto his side and wet himself and from then on he wasn't himself - he was panting heavily, looking stressed, wouldn't eat or drink and couldn't walk, we carried and shuffled him from the kitchen onto his bed with us in the living room. His gums were pale. Thinking we'd keep him calm and perhaps he'd sleep it off

We stayed with him all night - and he didn't show any improvement. I noticed that he'd done a poo on his bed too. We rang the vets as soon as they opened in the morning and they told us to come in.

The vet examined him and said his abdomen was swollen which probably indicated kidney and/or liver damage. This would explain why he yelped when I accidentally touched him in that area a few days before.

We all agreed it was time for him to go, and even then, he licked my face and wagged his tail. He died peacefully thankfully

Because of covid it felt much worse as we had to stay in the car park while the vet and nurse took him and examined him. We were then allowed to be with him inside for the injection.

But I can't help wondering what happened when he had those "funny turn" did something inside him "go" or rupture, did he have a seizure or what? Was he in pain?

I'll probably never know, but I keep wondering

💐for you. I dread those days. But your boy knew you adored him and that’s why he was so loveable. He reflected what he saw in you.
It hurts but eventually you will remember the best times and the joy he brought you. 🐾🐾❤️

Heartbreaking for you @leekandpotsoup. I know exactly how you are feeling, my dog was 13 when she was PTS. I cried for days afterwards. Sending a handhold and

So sorry for your loss x

I know the sickening empty feelings you are going through
I had my little girl pts Saturday. She was nearly 15.

I can’t cope at all with the loss. My shadow is gone. My best lockdown buddy has left.
I don’t know how I’ll get through this.

The only comfort I have is that she never suffered, and your pooch didn’t either. He sounds extremely well cared for and loved.
Special dogs stay with you forever

Thank thou for your kind comments and virtual hugs to @NoProblem123. Even though we knew it would happen that it was inevitable we feel shell shocked and completely bereft without our best friend. Everything that we do involved him - prepping food and he'd be there waiting for his titbits. He was always at my side

they are such a big part of the family. Sorry for your loss.

Heartbreaking isn't it Leekandpotsoup and I am sorry for your loss, and Noproblem123 too. Shell shocked and bereft are how I feel too, having lost my dog last week. Our dogs really are part of our lives, like a little shadow following you everywhere, especially when food is on the scene. I hope it gets easier in time, for us all.

I'm so sorry, leekandpotsoup, NoProblem and Orinoco. It's absolute agony and I really feel for you. It's a long, hard road to travel.

How are you doing @leekandpotsoup xx

Hi @NoProblem123 how are you?
it's a week today since he was PTS - I feel bereft and miss him. Today I asked DH if our boy ok as we were upstairs, then I remembered. I knew it was inevitable but when it actually comes it hits you like a sledgehammer
💐💐

I feel awful too @leekandpotsoup

Everywhere I go in the house I see where she sat, where she slept, where she ate, where she rolled on the carpet in the morning sun.
I feel I’ve spent years filling my house with rubbish but the only thing that matters isn’t here anymore.

I’ve lost pets before but I’ve never felt like this and I don’t know why.

I guess it’s early days after a lifetime of love x

@NoProblem123 I know exactly what you mean. This is my 3rd dog that I've had to lose and somehow this is worse. He was a big character. Perhaps it worse being in lockdown and we can't go to work and other activities to keep our mind off our loss

Will you get another dog when you feel up to it?

@leekandpotsoup yes I would agree about lockdown - after spending a year working from home with the dog walk being the highlight of the day, and now not being able to go anywhere to distract myself has left an even bigger void than it would in normal times.

I was thinking about offering a foster home to my local kennels for any dogs that might be elderly or not settling in kennels.
I don’t know. I can’t imagine not having a dog to love and laugh with again, but I can’t go through this again. Maybe it’s like childbirth and you forget the pain !
Do you think you will ?

@NoProblem123 that's true we spent everyday with him and keeping an eye on him to make sure he was ok, we were like his carers towards the end

I'd like another dog, DH too but like you I wouldn't want to go through what we've been through, and he was such a fantastic dog. It's early days and we think we'll wait til things return to some kind of normality, post Covid