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The doghouse

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

Original poster

Found my dog dead, really traumatised and freaked out

110 replies

boymummy2021 · 13/04/2025 23:12

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

OP posts:
Eggsboxedandmelting · 14/04/2025 10:29

Trust me op your ddog died in the best way. Ours was pts in February.. I wish she had gone in her sleep on her favourite bed..
So sorry for your loss.. I bet she was loved immensely...
Are you ready to share a photo of your special girl?

Umidontknow · 14/04/2025 11:09

It sounds like she had a whole life time of knowing she was loved by you. And it sounds like she had a lovely last day and went peacefully and happy, I know it was a shock, but it really does sound like the nicest possible way for her to pass

Hoppinggreen · 14/04/2025 11:10

I am so sorry for your loss and I am sure finding her like that was awful for you but given the circumstances it sounds like she had a good death.

Newbie8918 · 14/04/2025 11:11

What a horrible shock for you. You took the brunt of this……your lovely dog on the other hand didn’t. She had a nice walk, a full belly and fell asleep peacefully on her favourite pillow. She felt safe and comfortable and wouldn’t have known what was happening as she went peacefully.

I had to put my senior dog to sleep. He was in pain, hated the vet so was scared and probably picked up on how sad we were as he was injected. It doesn’t feel like it now but I know what I’d choose (for them) and it sounds like a lovely way to go.

condolences op. It’s never easy. They’re a massive part of our lives ❤️

CaptainMyCaptain · 14/04/2025 11:18

WearyAuldWumman · 13/04/2025 23:18

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

This.

You have all my sympathy, you must be heartbroken but she died peacefully in her own bed without any difficult decisions to be made. It's a death we would all wish for, I think.

Welshmonster · 14/04/2025 11:21

if you have pet insurance, they often have a bereavement phone line you can call to get some support.

Lascivious · 14/04/2025 11:27

I’m sure it was a shock.

I hope once the shock wears off, you’ll come to be thankful that she had a lovely peaceful death all cosy at home.

When my old dog was at the end of her life, I used to wish she’d slip away in her sleep.

GunnersGirl · 14/04/2025 11:32

I'm really sorry to read this. I know the feeling. One of our dogs had a sudden stroke and I blamed myself for missing something. Please don't blame yourself. 13 is an incredible age for a dog. There are a lot of pet bereavement services out there - by phone and online forums that might be able to help. This isn't your fault.

Noodles1234 · 14/04/2025 11:33

I’m so sorry to read this, I know we don’t want them to die alone. However reading this I felt she didn’t, she was in her loving home with no traumatic trip to the vets. What a life she had, you cared so much and she must have happily fallen asleep knowing you were upstairs and she settled down for the night with a full heart.

what a very lucky pup.

Endofyear · 14/04/2025 11:33

Oh lovely, you didn't do anything wrong - she was old and passed peacefully in her sleep at home, she knew she was loved ❤️ be kind to yourself and allow yourself to grieve and remember what a blessing she was 💐

LittleLabrador · 14/04/2025 11:34

She probably went in the best way OP. After a lovely day, a nice full belly, a day with family, no pain and feeling comfortable, peaceful and warm on her favourite spot in her sleep. Far better than at the vets which could have been stressful for her. I’m so sorry for your loss

ilovesushi · 14/04/2025 11:34

I'm sorry you weren't with her in her last moments, but from the position you found her in it sounds like she fell into a peaceful sleep and she went on her own terms in her own time. No need for guilt.

GunnersGirl · 14/04/2025 11:37

I wasn't with my eldest pet when she died. I never got over it, but someone said to me that sometimes they choose when to go - and maybe she knew me being there would be too hard on me. That helped me. I hope in some ways it helps you too.

Fioratourer · 14/04/2025 11:37

But it sounds like she died in her sleep which is what most of us would choose. You sound like a lovely caring owner. Be glad she wasn’t at the vets/scared. Sending love my dog is my bestie.

AleynEivlys · 14/04/2025 11:42

It's so hard isn't it? They are but a chapter in our lives, but we are their entire book.

You will have been her favourite book, she your best ever chapter. She went peacefully after a long and lovely read. RIP Lexi. 🖤

Strawberrypicnic · 14/04/2025 11:43

So sorry for your loss. I know it doesn't help right now but just wanted to echo that it sounds like the kind of passing we can only hope for for our lovely dogs when their time comes - in her favourite spot on the sofa, no stress of acute illness or vet trips. She will have known you were nearby and been comforted by your presence, even if she couldn't see you.

I havent used it myself but have heard other people speak highly of the Blue Cross pet grief line, perhaps you could give them a call and talk things over. ❤️ www.bluecross.org.uk/pet-loss-support

SchruteShunned · 14/04/2025 11:46

@AleynEivlysthis is absolutely beautiful. Thank you for sharing this.

Zebedee999 · 14/04/2025 11:51

boymummy2021 · 13/04/2025 23:12

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

It sounds lik eyou gave her the best medical care possible, far more than most would have. SO just be grateful for the time you had together. It is awful losing a faithful doggy companion so it's no surprise you're wondering if you could have done anything different. You sound the perfect owner so just relish the good times. I mourned my faithful old dog for ten years plus. Good luck.

Tweedled · 14/04/2025 11:55

If I could I would want my own pets to go exactly that way.
Belly full of nice food and lovely and comfy in their own house on their own sofa.
Heck, I would want to go that way too.
I know it’s a massive shock OP and you will be devastated but she was old with medical problems and it was her time. What a wonderful life you gave her. Full of love and happiness. It’s all a dog could wish for. RIP Lexi.

CalleOcho · 14/04/2025 11:57

Rest peacefully Lexi 🌈 ❤️

It sounds like she had a fantastic, long and loving life with you OP, despite her health challenges.

Please don’t feel guilty. Take time to grieve, dogs are family members.

JustCabbaggeLooking · 14/04/2025 11:59

A very good girl💔

Americano75 · 14/04/2025 11:59

What a perfect passing for a lucky wee dog who knew nothing but love her whole life. I'm so sorry for your loss, please look after yourself.

theemmadilemma · 14/04/2025 12:04

I'm so sorry OP. I found my boy passed 18 months ago and it's a horrible experience.

But I echo others when they say what a lucky girl to have reached that age and be able to pass peacefully (clearly by his position) at home where she was loved.

Try and remember that is the BEST possible outcome for any pet.

Fannybycandlelight · 14/04/2025 12:05

WearyAuldWumman · 13/04/2025 23:18

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

This is what we would wish for all our pets, just as we would for ourselves.

I'm sorry for your loss. x

CantStopMoving · 14/04/2025 12:09

Sorry for your loss. It is absolutely devastating to lose a pet.

it sounds like your dog had a lovely happy life and they died all cosy on the sofa. They just went to sleep and didn’t wake up. Isn’t that the best way for a pet to go? I know that is how I would want my pet to go, all happy and loved in their favourite spot. I’d personally take a great amount of comfort that it happens like that- no suffering, no agonising owner decision to make.