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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

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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:

Entschuldigung · 15/02/2023 14:42

I'm so sorry. That picture of him ... well, what a handsome, lovely dog. You can see how good natured he was.

I totally understand how you're feeling. We were so sad when our dog died 3 years ago. We still talk about him a lot and always will. However, we can enjoy the memories now even though we still miss him.

Lots of love to you.

Inastatus · 15/02/2023 14:47

@Labtastic - wha a gorgeous good boy ❤️ I’m so sorry for your loss. We’ve got a lab too and all adore her. It seems so unfair sometimes that such sweet souls can’t live longer lives. Sending hugs.

JuneFromBethesda · 15/02/2023 14:56

As I’m reading this my 12.5-year-old Labrador is snoozing next to me on the sofa. I’m so sorry for your loss. I sometimes wish we could front-load the grief and get that bit out of the way, then have the unadulterated joy of having our dogs in our lives, but of course life doesn’t work like that.

I try to prepare myself for the loss of my dog, although I know it’s impossible really. Hang onto the thought that he had a wonderful life and knew nothing but love, which was absolutely what he deserved ❤️

Lansonmaid · 15/02/2023 15:57

I'm so sorry for your loss, sending you hugs hugs. What a lovely dog!

We lost two dogs last year. One was nearly 14 and I was so totally unprepared for the raw grief, we'd had her since she was a puppy. Sadly her replacement got a vile blood vessel cancer and had to be put to sleep on my birthday and I don't think he'd got to 3 years old (rescue dog). The love of a dog is so overwhelming and unconditional. We just have to love them back in the short time they are with us

Ihateboris · 15/02/2023 16:08

My heart is breaking for you. I have an old and grey black lab, and I'm dreading the day she goes x

Letsnotargue · 15/02/2023 16:13

So sorry to hear about your beautiful boy. We’ve had to make that decision a few times now; I’ve realised that it’s supposed to hurt and feel awful and I let myself wallow in it. It won’t last forever, and you will start to feel a little better about it over time, but right now you need to grieve in whatever way works for you.

Dogs really do live in the moment, and they don’t have plans for their future, they just want to be happy, fed and loved. It sounds like you did all of that for your lovely boy while he was here, and now it’s your time to feel sad that he’s gone.

I have always waited a while before getting another dog, but this varies person to person and you might find out about a dog that is perfect for you - that’s how mine have generally happened as I’m a sucker for a hard luck story.

Take care of yourselves and soon you will be able to smile at his memory.

WedonttalkaboutMaureen · 15/02/2023 16:24

LizzoBorden · 15/02/2023 12:29

Oh I am so so sorry. I said goodbye to my absolutely adored 13 year boy two weeks ago and the pain is horrific. I think, quite seriously, he has been the love of my life.

But but but. He had an amazing life. We had so many adventures and not an our went by without someone (me, usually) telling him how much he was loved. And, when the time came, we loved him enough to give him a peaceful end and be right there with him, telling him what a good boy he was and that we would see him again. God I am in floods of tears again. Much love to you op, it's fucking awful. Grief truly is the price we pay for love.

Well that's set me off.

WedonttalkaboutMaureen · 15/02/2023 16:26

Labs have the softest, most velvet like ears. And are such loving dogs.

He looks so happy and handsome in your photo OP. I bet he had a wonderful life.

Time does slowly heal and the memories eventually make you smile, not cry.

Dogs are the best.

hiredandsqueak · 15/02/2023 16:53

I am so sorry you lost your lovely boy, your love for him shines through your every post. Grief is the price we pay for love and you loved your boy and were loved deeply in return. Be kind to yourselves

Witchofthedales · 15/02/2023 17:20

What a beautiful boy! I'm so, so sorry, OP, they're not just pets they are family and their loss leave a huge hole 😢💐 xx

Nsky62 · 15/02/2023 17:36

I lost my cat 13 days ago, a rescue at 18 months, heart failure at 13, I miss her dreadfully , and having a cat.
Been unwell and had nursemaid purrs and rubs
Thinking ofyou, it’s awful to lose them, I hope you take comfort that you loved him and gave him a great life

Eightiesgirl · 15/02/2023 17:45

I'm so sorry for your loss. He looked a beautiful boy. I lost my darling boy almost a year ago. I stayed in bed for three days crying. I still cry now and I miss him so much. A piece of my heart died with him. I got him at 7 weeks old and lost him just after his 13th birthday. He was a chocolate lab and my best friend in the works. I just try to remember what a wonderful life he had and how loved he was.

chronictonic · 15/02/2023 17:51

So sorry OP. Completely sympathise as fellow black lab owner.
I'm a mess when she's even a bit ill or out of sorts so I can't imagine the pain you're feeling.
Sending soft strokes x

mrsdolittle · 15/02/2023 17:52

I'm so so sorry OP. It is heartbreaking. Try and take comfort from the fact he was so loved and had an amazing life with you. And you were brave enough to let him go when the time was right for him.

We lost our beautiful ditzy yellow lab about 18 months ago. She was only 5 but had an inoperable tumour in her mouth. We knew we were going to lose her for about 9 months - it was so so painful. It broke us really - and I still cry for her often.

It will get better I promise but it will take time

NeverTooLateToSing · 15/02/2023 17:56

Aww, what a fab boy! I'm so sorry for your loss, and yes, the grief is just awful. Missing them hurts so much. Our old boy died suddenly last April, and it was agony. But, in time, it did start to settle. We've never stopped missing him, but the stabbing physical pain of it does ease eventually.

You might want to make a note of the Blue Cross, who support people experiencing loss of their beloved pets.

We had a summer with no dog at all, and then, by the autumn, I felt ready to open our home to a new rescue, and it's been wonderful. In no way does he replace the dog we lost - he's his own hound, completely! - but having a dog around the place again is just such a lovely thing.

Wishing you all the best on this difficult journey. xx

Etinoxaurus · 15/02/2023 18:07

He’s so beautiful.
My darling girl died last spring. She was 15 and much loved. I lasted a fortnight before phoning Battersea and her replacement is loved nearly as much and at my feet now.

ProfessorLayton1 · 15/02/2023 18:18

So sorry for your loss He looks adorable.

GreenLeavesRustling · 15/02/2023 18:19

This helped us. I am so sorry for the loss of your good boy xx

HerbalTeaAndCake · 15/02/2023 19:46

As he's gorgeous OP.
So so sorry for your loss.
May your lovely boy rest in peace 💐🌈🐾

Fantasea · 15/02/2023 19:53

What a beautiful boy and I'm so very sorry for your loss. You've given him the best life knowing much you love him and I believe you will see him again Xxx

JuneFromBethesda · 15/02/2023 20:13

Aargh @GreenLeavesRustling that illustration has just destroyed me 😭

Blackjack15 · 15/02/2023 20:15

I'm so sorry. He's beautiful and looks so happy and loved in his photo.

The pain never goes away but you learn to live with it and one day the paw prints on your heart will make you smile at the memories instead of cry.

There's a great support group on Facebook called blue cross pet loss which I've found helpful x

Original poster

Labtastic · 15/02/2023 20:33

GreenLeavesRustling · 15/02/2023 18:19

This helped us. I am so sorry for the loss of your good boy xx

Ok now I'm crying again! But I love it. Thank you.

And thank you to each and every poster who has taken the time to write a message to a stranger. I hoped a few people would make me feel better but this is MN at its best. Just goes to show that dog owners are the best people ❤️

OP posts:

Inastatus · 15/02/2023 20:46

@GreenLeavesRustling - 😭😭😭

AccidentallyRunToWindsor · 15/02/2023 21:19

I'm so sorry to hear this news, what a handsome boy he was.

It will get easier I promise, there will be a day when the pain isn't so raw and you can look at photos of him and smile rather than sob.

Look after yourself x

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