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The doghouse

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Original poster

Our dog died and I'm heartbroken

119 replies

Labtastic · 15/02/2023 08:30

Yesterday came the time to pay the price of owning a dog. Our old gorgeous lab went off over the rainbow bridge after having a sudden collapse which was thought to be a ruptured undiagnosed tumour. He was too old for us to consider operating (particularly as even a successful operation would only have given him an extra 1-2 months) so we let him go. He died peacefully with us all with him, and really I couldn't have asked for a "better" death for him as he was still himself less than 24 hours before he went.

But god. The pain is indescribable. I can't stop crying. DH can't stop crying. I think he's cried more in the last 24 hours than he has in the last 10 years.

Posting here because people on this board get it, I think. I can't express the pain properly to people who don't own dogs, or even to those that do, but haven't yet lost one.

Just writing this has helped. I'll try and look out a picture of him if I can do so without bursting into tears again!

OP posts:
ÉireannachÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉ · 15/02/2023 09:26

Oh god love him. What a good, good boy. Rip doggo xxx

Emiribnessteema · 15/02/2023 09:28

I'm so sorry to read your news, what a gorgeous boy xxx ❤️

arghtriffid · 15/02/2023 09:29

So sorry OP. He was indeed a beautiful dog.

I bought a bottle of wine and took to bed when my dog died. As you say unless you have had a dog die you won't get it. I was completely bereft. I did get another dog quite soon after and that did help with the grief.

ThatshallotBaby · 15/02/2023 09:29

@MrsFinkelstein you are so right, they are angels on earth.

theemmadilemma · 15/02/2023 09:31

I'm so very sorry, they leave such a HUGE hole in our hearts.

It's always helped me to focus on the great life I gave my pets while I had the honour of having them with me. Losing them is the price we pay for all the joy they bring us.

It does get better, and the happier moments become the focus and the sadness while never going, gets less 'sharp'.

We still talk about them and keep the memories of them alive. And we tell our new pets about their predecessors. 😀

Coffeefig · 15/02/2023 09:31

I’m so, so sorry for your loss. Dogs are family and even just thinking about losing my sweet girl one day is enough to make me cry. Sending lots of love ❤️

mycatsanutter · 15/02/2023 09:49

@Labtastic I'm so so sorry I know exactly how you feel having been through it and It breaks your heart . I have a massive lump in my throat when I read about dogs that are so loved dying . Our lab too was fine then one day was acting a bit odd , we found out at 1pm she had cancer and like you an op would have given her a few more months . We didn't want to see her have no quality of life and she was put to sleep at 4pm . It's such a shock when you have no warning . Sending you a big virtual hug xx

Original poster
Labtastic · 15/02/2023 09:49

MrsFinkelstein · 15/02/2023 09:11

I'm so sorry for the loss of your beautiful boy.

I'm horrifically unsentimental and hard hearted with humans but do believe dogs are angels on earth.

I can still get teary thinking about the 2 dogs our family has had and had to say goodbye to.

And I get emotional looking at my 2 labs currently snoring on the sofa next to me.

They'll all be waiting for us with tails wagging.

And now I'm fecking off again. I need a human to be grumpy to.

Oh god this is exactly me too! I think we give our hearts so unconditionally and unguardedly to dogs, and they back, in a way we don't do with other humans.

OP posts:
HoleyShit · 15/02/2023 09:51

Wow he looks so much like my boy, who we lost a year ago aged 14. It hurts like hell, they're family after all.

Take care x

Original poster
Labtastic · 15/02/2023 09:55

Howdya · 15/02/2023 09:11

He looks just like my boy. What a lovely dog. I'm so sorry. Tell us about him?

He was just the best dog. But everyone thinks they have the best dog (and they're all right!)

He was so dependable, kind, gentle and loved us all so much. Even if you just went out to put the bins out, and were back within one minute he would greet you at the door with a toy, as joyful as if you'd been out for five hours. He loved the sea, streams, stinky ponds and probably sampled every food known to man in his lifetime, and a lot of things that wouldn't be classed as food too. He was never ill and never injured himself. His stomach was the most excellent timekeeper as at 5pm on the dot a nose would gently appear on your lap to tell you it was supper time. He smiled with all of his teeth showing when he was really excited.

God I loved him so much.

OP posts:
devildeepbluesea · 15/02/2023 10:01

What an absolutely beautiful boy.

I’m so sorry - it’s so bloody hard. Lost the love of my life nearly 2 years ago and I can still burst into tears unexpectedly about him. But you gave him the best and final gift: a good death. I know from experience that this WILL be a comfort in time xx

CaroleFuckingBaskin · 15/02/2023 10:02

So very sorry to see this. What a handsome boy! It is devastating and yes you will cry for some time yet. Amazing age for him though. I have all my dogs ashes with me which I find a great comfort and still chat to them. It is hard to think about getting another, but I have done it because the emptiness is huge. In time, when you are all ready , it really does help to fill a void, and you will find that you will love them all just the same. Hugs xx

Suzi888 · 15/02/2023 10:20

Lovely boy 💕

💐So sorry-

I think you just have to let yourself go through the pain, see so many threads where people want to try and stop the feelings, but it’s the price we have to pay imo. (As difficult as it is).

Glitterb · 15/02/2023 10:35

He was an incredibly beautiful well loved dog, it probably won’t mean much at the moment but giving a dog an amazing life means you have done absolutely everything right. The loss you feel is the price paid for loving him all these years, he didn’t suffer and went peacefully with the people he loved.
The pain does get easier with time, remember all the good times ♥️

Mumof3teenagers · 15/02/2023 10:39

I’m so sorry for you loss. Our dog died last April and it’s was one of the most heartbreaking moments in my life. I still miss him so much and think I can even hear him sometimes. They are family and it’s grief you are feeling.
Keep the memories close 🐾🌈🐾

CrepuscularCritter · 15/02/2023 10:57

What a sweet smiler. I am so sorry.

In a perfect doggy heaven, he and my J are timing dinner together, and searching for any body of water to wallow to the fullest.

Sending a gentle handhold.

elastamum · 15/02/2023 10:57

He sounds wonderful! I am so sorry for your loss. I have lost 3 labs over the years and you never forget them. We have now got another rehomed dog and we all love him too. It's a privilege to have them in our lives x

Floralnomad · 15/02/2023 10:59

Sorry for your loss @Labtastic 💐🐾

LynneBenfield · 15/02/2023 11:01

@Labtastic Flowers what a gorgeous boy. I’m so sorry.

OrinocoGlow · 15/02/2023 11:01

I am so sorry, he is such a handsome boy. It really is a pain like no other when we lose our beloved dogs. I hope the happy memories you have of him and knowing that you gave him a wonderful life will bring you some comfort in time but it does take time so allow yourselves to grieve for your beautiful boy.

2Old2BABPpresenter · 15/02/2023 11:02

What a beautiful boy, I’m so sorry for your loss. I’m still heartbroken for our family dog who pined herself to death after my father died in 2008, you never forget them x

KnottyKnitting · 15/02/2023 11:05

I am so sorry for your loss- what a beautiful boy- it must be devastating when they go so quickly and unexpectedly.

We had to have our lovely old sheltie PTS just before Christmas. She was a good age (15 and a half) but she had many health conditions so it was on the cards but it's just heartbreaking to lose a loyal friend who has been with you since the were a puppy. My DH was in bits for weeks after and still now he will tear up if he sees her photo or we talk about her.

Take time to grieve. It's like any other bereavement.
Take care. Flowers

familyissues12345 · 15/02/2023 11:06

MrsFinkelstein · 15/02/2023 09:11

I'm so sorry for the loss of your beautiful boy.

I'm horrifically unsentimental and hard hearted with humans but do believe dogs are angels on earth.

I can still get teary thinking about the 2 dogs our family has had and had to say goodbye to.

And I get emotional looking at my 2 labs currently snoring on the sofa next to me.

They'll all be waiting for us with tails wagging.

And now I'm fecking off again. I need a human to be grumpy to.

You're right @MrsFinkelstein , dogs are just the best, unconditional love. I can be grumpy as anything to a human, then our lovely dog comes along and it all changes.

I'm so sorry op, I dread the day it comes with our dog, I actually don't know how I'll ever get over it Sad

chorusline79 · 15/02/2023 11:08

Sending love - so sorry for the pain you are feeling. What a beautiful boy he was. Take comfort from each other - sounds like he had a great life and was very loved.

Original poster
Labtastic · 15/02/2023 11:09

KnottyKnitting · 15/02/2023 11:05

I am so sorry for your loss- what a beautiful boy- it must be devastating when they go so quickly and unexpectedly.

We had to have our lovely old sheltie PTS just before Christmas. She was a good age (15 and a half) but she had many health conditions so it was on the cards but it's just heartbreaking to lose a loyal friend who has been with you since the were a puppy. My DH was in bits for weeks after and still now he will tear up if he sees her photo or we talk about her.

Take time to grieve. It's like any other bereavement.
Take care. Flowers

So sorry for your loss too @KnottyKnitting - they take a big chunk of our hearts with them 💔💔

OP posts: