Handhold young spaniel with acute kidney injury

[distrussful]

I can't believe I'm writing this but our beloved 4 year old spaniel suddenly started being sick a month ago. Was quickly diagnosed with kidney injury and we kept hoping it was treatable, we are abroad where they offer dialysis, he's been on dialysis every second day for a month but we haven't seen an improvement and he's now off his food (his one true love in life). We've made the heartbreaking decision to say goodbye on Friday.

I can't cope, he's my best friend and especially where we are now, we do everything together. His birthday is in two weeks and it all just feels so horribly unfair. He's so loved and remarked upon everywhere he goes, the calmest and kindest soul.

I don't really know what I wanted from this post, mostly just to speak to others who will
Understand.

Oh my love ...I lost my beautiful labrador on Friday in a truly horrific accident. I'm in pieces so completely feel your pain. There is no pain like it x

I'm so sorry to hear that. You must be distraught - it's so unfair at the best of times but to have no time to prepare and think through all of the things you still thought you'd have time to do together.

My husband has had dogs his whole life but this is the first one that he's lost at such a young age and so suddenly, it's overwhelming in its pain.

I keep trying to focus on what a lovely, fun and interesting life he's had and how we've done the best by him but it's scant comfort really. Thank you for replying.

I'm so sorry you're going through this, I imagine it's a double blow for you because he's so young. We're likely to have to let our greyhound go in the next couple of days as we've just found out he has lung cancer. He's an old lad though (about 16 we think), so we knew this day was coming soon.

Would it help you to plan to do something in honour of him on his birthday. Maybe go on his favourite walk or make a stick library in his memory?

Would you like to post a photo of him? Completely understand if it's too upsetting for you. My two favourite breed of dogs are spaniels and labradors x

@Ihateboris
Not sure if this will work but this is him loving his life in the forest here, we used to go every day for our morning walk, just the two of us. I used to complain as he'd never let me stand and enjoy the view...!

@hididdlyho that's a lovely idea, there's so much he loved that we could have a wonderful bittersweet day like going to the pub, going for a swim etc. I hadn't thought of trying to do that, thank you.

Soooo gorgeous 😍 xx

Whatever age they live to it's never long enough.

MAY I GO – by Susan A. Jackson
Do you think the time is right?
May I say goodbye to pain filled days and endless lonely nights?
I’ve lived my life and done my best, an example tried to be.
So can I take that step beyond, and set my spirit free?
I didn’t want to go at first, I fought with all my might.
But something seems to draw me now to a warm and loving light.
I want to go, I really do; it’s difficult to stay.
But I will try as best I can to live just one more day.
To give you time to care for me and share your love and fears.
I know you’re sad and afraid, because I see your tears.
I’ll not be far, I promise that, and hope you’ll always know,
that my spirit will be close to you wherever you may go.
Thank you so for loving me. You know I love you too,
and that’s why it’s hard to say goodbye and end this life with you.
So hold me now just one more time and let me hear you say,
because you care so much for me, you’ll let me go today.

@Chuchoter what a lovely poem, several of the lines really do resonate about hanging on for us. He's deteriorated so quickly in the last 24h that we knew we couldn't ask him to hold on any longer for us.

I'm on my way to collect him from the hospital for the final time before Friday morning, thank you all for the support today, it's absolutely sustained me xx

@Ihateboris I tried to write a Private message given what you're going through but mumsnet will not facilitate it without a random set of giving all of my data up. Just wanted to say how much your messages meant to me and what it must have taken from you given what you're going through yourself. I'm always here if you fancy a chat or an offload of how it's feeling (although we will have to circumvent the messaging!) xxx

I'm so sorry, I've got 2 spaniels and they're the most adorable dogs in the world. My eldest is my shadow and never leaves my side. Doesn't matter what age they are, you're never ready to let a dog go but better a day too soon than a day too late. Treasure every last moment and look after yourself

Thank you. Not sure if you saw my original post, but my gorgeous girl fell from a balcony. Her injuries were so severe that she had to be put to sleep. I'm broken...absolutely distraught. The blood is still on the pavement where she fell and I can’t bear to walk past. I will never ever forget the way she looked into my eyes as she lay on the pavement in absolute agony x

I'll honestly be thinking of you on Friday x

Sad update here, he's deteriorated hugely overnight with hemorrhagic gastroenteritis too so we have decided to go ahead today to stop his suffering. I can't thank you all enough for the kind words over the last 24h

No words, just a virtual hug x

In your photo he is looking at his favourite view; you.
Rest easy wee boy 🌈🐾

Run free darling boy, no more pain for him.

In the weeks and months ahead you will feel grief and sorrow but you will see and feel little signs to remind you of him and know that whilst his physical form has gone, he's never left your heart.

Sending lots of love. He looks like a gorgeous happy boy. Just know you are doing the kindest most loving thing for him. While it's so unfair he's going so young he's had a happy life with loving owners xx

Oh how heartbreaking. It is awful losing a dog at any age but to lose your beautiful boy so young seems especially cruel.

How happy does he look in that photo though. It is clear he has lived his best life and been so very loved in his short time with you. And well done for having the strength to see that it is the final kindness to let him go at the time that is right for him.

I am so very sorry 💐

Sending you hugs and thoughts, what a lovely wee doggie he was. You've given him the best life and done the most loving thing at the end. Rest easy and run free wee one.

Thank you all. He left us very peacefully yesterday. He had us with him and a whole contingent of vets who had been looking after him at the animal hospital for the past month were also all there with us. To know him was to love him. We are devastated but also grateful that he's at peace.