My dog died in my arms unexpectedly and I’m not doing too good

[Nikki037297]

Over the weekend we went out for a walk. When we got home my dog was very tired, she was 11, she settled on the rug in the living room but tried to get up and her back legs wouldn’t work, I assumed she was very tired and just needed a rest, I put her on the sofa and had a blanket down for her to lay on, she settled and seamed ok, I looked over a few minuets later and her breathing seamed very fast but faint, I went immediately over to her and spoke to her but she couldn’t look at me, her eyes were open but not focusing, I tried to move her to see if that got her attention maybe she was falling asleep, her head flopped right back and she didn’t response, I panicked and picked her up, her head was flopping all over, I held her like a baby and I could feel her chest with one hand and her heart was beating, I shouted of my partner to cal the vet, she started to take gasps of breath every 30 seconds or so and no breathing inbetween, her heart just stopped beating and the gasps stopped before my partner had even managed to get through to the vet they have a long message you have to listen to about the covid, but I don’t suppose it would have made any difference if he had of spoken to a vet, after this her pupils just went huge to the size of her eyes and there was nothing she was just gone. I’m not sleeping very well, I feel very down. Wondering why I didn’t spot the signs earlier if there was any, which now I look back there was things that day that were off like her not barking at the postman or greeting the other dogs on our walk. I don’t know how to get
Myself out of this mood or when it wills pass. Iv had my dog since she was a tiny puppy and have spent every day of 11 years with her except when we have went abroad and left her with family. She was such a huge part of our family and she’s just gone so quickly. Iv never lost a pet before I did when I was a young child but I don’t really remember much about it as I was young and I do remember my mum being heart broken saying she would never have another dog. Is what I’m feeling normal?

I’m so sorry for your loss
However, she died quite quickly with someone she loved holding her and didn’t suffer by the sounds of it

So sorry for your loss

Thank you again everyone. I do hope in time I can overcome this. I don’t know what was happening with the gasps of breath but it scared me as did all the rest of it and I keep going over it all in my head

Oh I'm sorry, its more unexpected in some ways as you expect to have them put to sleep so it could be adding to it that you feel like you missed something.
More likely she had a huge stroke or something like that, actually that's a better way for her to go than being ill for ages. And you were holding her which was what she needed.
Be kind to yourself

Something a bit similar happened with our previous dog when he was 11. It was an awful shock. It's not surprising you're having a tough time processing it.
But as others have said, it was a kind end for your lovely dog.

I am so sorry for your loss.

A year ago my beloved cat (aged just 5) died in similar circumstances and it was devastating. There's still not a day goes by where I don't replay the scene to see if we could have done something differently. Sadly, there isn't, but we beat ourselves up.

Your dog went for a lovely walk and then went to sleep in the arms of his beloved family. He would have known how loved he was right to the end. Please take comfort in that amid this raw pain.

Is there any chance you could talk to your vet so they discuss what happened.
I echo what others are saying, it sounds so difficult but she passed away very quickly in the comfort of your arms after a lovely walk

Sorry, OP, she xx

I’m so sorry, I’m dreading this day myself 💐
Please take comfort in the fact that she died at home in your arms, and it was quick, no long drawn out painful end.

I'm so so sorry OP. I lost my beloved dog last week in similar circumstances. I too, keep crying on and off and am in such a bad place. I'm functioning daily, but the pain is awful. You have my deepest sympathy and to all those on here that have lost pets. In a funny kind of way it's nice to know I'm not alone in feeling this way

Oh this is so sad. Its heartbreaking when your dog dies so yes, your feeling are normal, it's a proper bereavement.
On the upside, it sounds like your dog had a near perfect death, active life and then quick decline. I hope this will bring you some comfort in the time to come.

Oh and everyone around you who's ever had a much loved pet dog will understand so don't worry too much if you're in tears at work sometimes.

I'm so sad for you. But your much loved dog really had a wonderful death -no lengthy suffering, no being put to sleep by a stranger in a strange place. Instead they passed quickly in the arms of someone they knew and loved.

Just echoing what everyone else is saying sorry for your huge loss 💐
It is the most painful thing when your beloved pet dies in your arms and it will take a while to process it, but I hope you gain some comfort from knowing that for them, it is a good ending.
A nice walk, familiar surroundings and love, and being able to smell you close to them.
I speak from a similar experience with my old boy.

I'm so so sorry OP, you must be absolutely heartbroken. The only comfort I can offer is what so many others have already said - your dog passed quickly in the arms of someone who loved her dearly, she would have been comforted and known she was loved in her last moments. She will still be with you in your heart

I hope I can share this with you

m.youtube.com/watch?v=ZgSkYRclttI

It makes me laugh and cry! It reminds me of my furry friend I lost. Its beautifully painful!
Time will heal but memories will stay forever!

Thank you again everyone for all your kind words at this awful time they really mean a lot to me and I’m pleased to know what I’m feeling is normal I hope it passes very soon, she was extremely loved by us all and was like one of my children, she slept upstairs with us all and would sleep with the children in their beds, she would come for days out with us in the car, we went camping in the summer and she came and she loved that. We have thousands of pictures of her and videos of her, even a video of her on the walk less than an hour before she suddenly passed.

This must have been so frightening for you and such an awful shock but from your beloved dog's point of view it must have been a such a gentle easy death surrounded as she was by her loving family and held in your arms.

You gave her a lovely, happy life and she knew she was loved, no dog would ever ask for more.

So sorry for your loss. Take time to grieve and be kind to yourself you've lost a beloved member of your family.

Oh Nikki I'm so sorry. What a horrible thing to happen.

Sounds like your dog had a lovely last day - I can think of no more fitting happy ending for a dog than a cuddle with their owner after a long and happy walk. No long drawn out painful condition, just love and a happy home. 11 is a good age.

I'm so sorry. This sounds really bizarre and not comforting at all at the moment to say, but that is what you would call a top notch, first class, 'good' death - quick, sounds fairly painlessly, at home and in your arms and without fear i.e. not being injected at the vets or after undergoing loads of horrible scans and tests and cancer and weeks and months various failing organs, which is how dogs normally go. Also, although a shock to you, at least you didn't have to live with the strain of a terminal diagnosis and the heartbreak that brings every second of the day. I hope that will give you comfort in time because it really should.

I'm so sorry for your loss and I'm not surprised you're struggling to cope, I would be devastated. Sending big big hugs xx

Sorry for your loss but agree with others, she died after being out for a walk then a lie on the sofa then in your arms
Sounds like she had a lovely happy life.
My ddog also died at 11, she was very loved and had to be pts at the Vets to stop her suffering (became acutely ill very suddenly), its so hard when they go. I got another relatively soon after as I loved her but also love having a dog and now another dog gets to have a happy life with us

I'm so sorry for your loss 💐💐💐. A friend once said it's almost a good thing dogs have such short lives, if they lived longer we would never cope with the goodbyes.

Oh I'm so sorry for your loss. Your dog died in the arms of the human who loved her most, in her own home where all she knew was love and comfort❤️

@FireflyLon love it, haven't seen that before