Our dog suddenly died this evening

[GodspeedJune]

Just so sad.

Our springer spaniel collapsed and died this evening as we were driving him to the beach for a walk. He had been absolutely fine all day and had no underlying health issues that we knew of.

It was so traumatic, he was travelling on the back seat when we heard a gasp and realised he was laying collapsed on his side. We pulled over immediately but he was completely floppy and losing colour.

Didn’t know how to do CPR so had to Google it, so didn’t start quickly or do it effectively. Nearest out of hours vets was half an hour away. So we lost him on the side of a main road.

He was the cuddliest and neediest dog you could imagine. He had been pawing at me for affection all day and I feel awful for telling him to stop. I wish we had just been able to hold him calmly, he didn’t deserve to go in such a panicked frenzy. We only lost his littermate in March, can’t believe we’ve lost him too. Just so shocked that this has happened - losing him with no warning, and the undignified way it happened.

Awww Finn & Sam are both lovely looking dogs. So upset for you all. You will be in shock. Look after your self.
You did everything you could considering everything was so sudden and unexpected xxX

That was a good way for him to go. Excited for the beach, happy with his people. Not good for you, of course it wasn't. A terrible, awful shock. I am sorry for your loss.

I am so sorry for your loss, Finn and Sam look absolutely beautiful. It must feel so unfair but as pp said you can take some comfort in that it wasn’t long drawn out suffering

Just wanted to send some love and say how sorry I am.

It doesn't sound like even if you had started CPR quickly there was much of a chance so don't beat yourself up.

I agree he was happy in the car on the way to the beach and knew how loved he was.

Thank you again for all the kind words of support.

It’s so hard to understand that this time yesterday he was (or seemed?) completely fine. You’re all right that it was better that way than him being unwell, it just makes it so difficult to go from a healthy and happy dog, to not having him at all.

We’ve lost pets before, but there has always been an underlying health issue or diagnosis.

It was all just so hideous and I wish we could have done better for him. He loved to be cuddled and if I’d known how it was going to end, wish that we had done that instead of frantically trying to save him. It also feels so cruel that he was sitting just behind us and we still don’t know what caused this.

Really sorry to hear this, it must have been very hard for you to witness.

It sounds like a heart attack, we lost a dog in a similar way to what you describe. She was fine, came back off a walk and just collapsed, she was only 8 too.

my heart is breaking for you. I have a beautiful boy called Barney who is just over 14 months old and he is my whole world and just the thought of that happening to him makes me weep. I am so so sorry for your loss, I am sure you gave him 13 wonderful years of happiness and being spoilt rotten. I wish dogs could live as long as us x

Thank you both. GrandRapids I’m very sorry you lost yours in a similar way, 8 is no age at all. We lost a border collie at 9 to cancer, it adds another layer to the grief.

I hope you have many more wonderful years with Barney. They really are the best of companions.