Found my dog dead, really traumatised and freaked out

[boymummy2021]

I had a staffy called Lexi, she was 13 years and 6 months old, she had cancer a few years ago that I had removed, she had her eye removed 4 months ago due to a tumour, she had multi tumours on her body most non cancerous, she would eat normally, she died 2 days ago, the day she died I took her for a walk, put her a big bowl of food she ate it, and I went upstairs to sleep and the next morning I come down I could see her fast asleep on the sofa, she looked so peaceful, her paw was under her chin just relaxing and she was on her favourite pillow, but I noticed she didn't wag her tail so I went to stroke her and she was stiff but not very cold, she was dead!! her one eye was open, I am so heartbroken I feel sick ,recently I put a baby gate at the bottom of the stairs as she kept peeing upstairs and would sometimes fall down the stairs, I feel so guilty that she died alone, she was my world and so spoiled, I've never had a dog die naturally they have all been put down but I am so traumatised, I drove her to the vets and she is being cremated tomorrow. I just feel so lost for words, numb, blank, confused, is it my fault? what made her stop breathing

She was incredibly old, had previously had cancer and, after a brilliant day and a lovely evening, she laid happily on her pillow on the sofa feeling comfortable, warm, safe and loved and just slipped away.

You did nothing wrong - it was her time.

It was her time. Unfortunately we lose them too quickly it sounds like she went peacefully and knew she was loved. Remember her life and how good you made it for her rather than her death. She’d want to remembered as a young, happy dog.

Oh OP don't blame yourself, you did nothing wrong. You loved her and gave her a lovely life. It sounds like she passed in her sleep which is the best way to go. She was a lucky girl to have had her life with you and then to slip away peacefully at the end.
Look after yourself, it's really traumatic losing a pet, they are your family and you will need time to grieve.

Yes - she died at home where she felt comfortable, after a long happy life.

She sounds like she passed away a happy old dog. Sorry for your loss

😢 so sorry OP

Oh it was not your fault !

I am so sorry you found her that way, but please take some comfort that she passed away in her sleep.

Her little heart just stopped beating, and her last breath just slipped away. she does not know she is no longer living.

It is us that know she is no longer on this earth.

She passed away very very peacefully. what a lovely way to go.

Lovely words and so true xx

It sounds like your dog had a lovely life and a peaceful death. If she had been in pain, or needed you, she would not have been laid out on the couch in that way.

Grief is the price of love and can’t be avoided. But you can let the guilt go.

Ah OP how upsetting for you. You did everything 100% right. If you could have asked her how she wanted to go when it was her time, she'd probably have said "in my sleep, comfy on the sofa, after a nice normal day with boymummy and a nice big supper." ❤️

That sounds so traumátic OP. But she died peacefully, on her own sofá knowing you were upstairs. It sounds like you had wonderful times together - so sorry 💕💕

She went to bed with a full tummy after a walk, laid down on her favourite pillow and just didn’t wake up again. That is the most peaceful end I can imagine as she wouldn’t have known anything about it.

None of it is your fault, I can tell how much you loved her by the way you talk about her. Please be kind to yourself, you had no way of knowing what would happen.

RIP little Lexi 🌈

She happily crossed the rainbow bridge after having a lovely life with an owner that really loved her. It’s always so sad to lose a pet but we only have them for a short time.

I think sometimes they know, mine did, my Dad took her to the vet and he had to leave the room as he was breaking down and didn’t want her to see him upset as that would scare her. She just raised her head and looked at him as if to say ‘I know, it’s ok’. Lexi went the best way any human or animal could. Happy in her sleep, no pain, no fear, no suffering. She just went to sleep and you know how much dogs love sleeping.

I don't think any of us could ask to go in a more peaceful way- sounds like she just curled up to sleep after a wonderful happy day

She snuggled up and died asleep on her favourite sofa in her home. She had a long and happy life and was very loved.
Be kind to yourself. Light a little candle for Queen Lexi!

She passed at home, in her safe and happy place, where she knew love and happiness. What a perfect way for her to leave this world. I know it hurts but you are actually a very lucky person. Most pets don't leave us in such a calm and relaxed way. Please treasure the gift she left you with, happy memories and knowing she was content to leave you and take the next steps. I am sorry for your loss, but try think of the happy memories.

Awww I'm so sorry. You must be feeling lost without her.
You gave her a wonderful life & she died feeling safe and loved. Be kind to yourself.

Oh Op I’m so sorry . It’s absolutely awful when we lose our beloved pets
Take comfort that she died peacefully in one of her favourite places . She sounds very loved and no doubt had a great life Take time to grieve , you’ll miss her and it’ll hurt like mad but the pain gradually eases & then you’ll be left with lovely memories . Take care

I'm so sorry. You are grieving and that is normal, but please don't think you are at fault. On the flip side, when I've been in the process of having to have a dog PTS I've really wanted them to just go naturally - that has never happened for me.

She went to sleep that night knowing that she was loved, she was comfortable and she knew you were there. As difficult as it is for you at this moment in time, she was blissful ❤️.

Much love to you @boymummy2021

Oh lovely it's so heartbreaking. However she died as most of us dream to. At home, in her bed. She won't have been in pain (she would have let you know definitely- sadly I've been there). Lucky girl. Don't feel bad she wouldn't have been in bed if she wanted to be with youm

I honestly don't think you could have asked for a more peaceful passing for your beloved dog, this is what I will hope for as a pet owner, you've done absolutely nothing wrong here and it's obvious how loved she was. It's heart breaking though, there's no denying it, they don't get to live anywhere near long enough sadly.

I am so sorry you have lost your lovely Lexi, in time, this awful memory of finding her will fade, try to focus on the lovely times spent with her. Losing a beloved pet is so painful, I know, take it easy, you haven’t done anything wrong or anything that caused this to happen. She was loved and cared for, and is at peace now.

Bless you, you did absolutely nothing wrong. As many have said already, she went over the bridge in the best way possible - peaceful, and not in pain. What a lovely way to go. Same as my 2 who both went in their sleep. I was devastated, but took comfort in the fact that it was peaceful and in their sleep. They will be waiting for Lexi on the other side of the rainbow bridge

She was old and ill, she died peacefully in a comfortable position most likely in her sleep.