I had to leave the house yesterday for a couple of hours. I tucked her in with a blanket in her kennel and left her sleeping. I returned home and held her close which is pretty much all we've done. I gave her a warm bath, it makes us feel good, so I figured it would do the same for her. While bathing her I noticed what appeared to be bruising all over her chest, my wife informed me this is referred to as 'mottling', which usually means death is very near. I dried her off and realized she her breathing was sounding raspy or gurgling. I held her close for about 45 more minutes and she passed in my arms.
Thanks for the kind words, thoughts and prayers. She will be missed.
Oh J....I'm so sorry to hear this. I must have missed a previous post or two. I'm glad you were there to comfort her.
Added: If the kids are having a rough go of it as well there is a book out there about animal death. My MIL bought it for us, it's called "Dog Heaven" by Cynthia Rylant.
I'm so sorry... :(
I just lost my beloved cat of 14 years a little over two weeks ago. I am glad I was there for his passing, as I know you are, too. I think it helps. Wishing you the best.
So sorry to hear this! But it sounds like there wasn't really anything you could do to help, no matter what the vets did.
I am so sorry for your loss. I know it is not much comfort now but she will be waiting for your family at The Rainbow Bridge
So sorry.
That's the sad thing about pets--we almost always outlive them.
"Why dogs don't live as long as people"
by Robin Downing, DVM
Being a veterinarian, I had been called to examine a ten-year-old Irish Wolfhound named Belker. The dog's owner, his wife, and their little boy were all very attached to Belker and they were hoping for a miracle. I examined Belker and found he was dying of cancer. I told the family there were no miracles left for Belker, and offered to perform the euthanasia procedure for the old dog in their home.
As we made arrangements, the owners told me they thought it would be good for the four-year-old boy to observe the procedure. They felt he could learn something from the experience.
The next day, I felt the familiar catch in my throat as Belker's family surrounded him. The little boy seemed so calm, petting the old dog for the last time, that I wondered if he understood what was going on.
Within a few minutes, Belker slipped peacefully away. The little boy seemed to accept Belker's transition without any difficulty or confusion.
We sat together for a while after Belker's death, wondering aloud about the sad fact that animal lives are shorter than human lives.
The little boy, who had been listening quietly, piped up, "I know why."
Startled, we all turned to him. What came out of his mouth next stunned me. I'd never heard a more comforting explanation. He said, "Everybody is born so that they can learn how to live a good life - like loving everybody and being nice, right?" The four-year- old continued, "Well, animals already know how to do that, so they don't have to stay as long."
I am so sorry for you and your family. We lost our beloved dog of 18 years last month, so I know your sorrow well. ((hugs))
So so sorry to hear this. Pets are true members of our family - really, the only ones with unconditional love.
Many of us here have lost very beloved pets, so we know the heartache your family is going through.
May all your memories of her will be of the love and joy she brought to your household. Do something to remember her - plant a tree or make a nice garden stone w/her name on it.
Thoughts to you guys!
I am so sorry for your loss.
Hugs to your family.
I'm so sorry. I'm glad you were able to be there for her at the end.
Sorry for your loss! Can you post a picture?
I am sorry to hear about your loss; I cannot imagine what that must have felt like. I'm sure you holding her gave her a lot of comfort...good for you for being strong for her, even in your sadness. I wish every pet had that experience.
Oh dear, J., I'm so sorry about your dog. That sucks. I lost my old Golden back in August so I am right there with you brother.
Strength and love to you and your family.
:(
J., you made me cry...it totally SUCKS that our pets will die before us - they are like our children, we care for them, and feed them, and love them. I have a golden and a dachsund mix. The golden is turning 3 this Christmas, the dachsund just turned 9. I cannot imagine how I will feel the day they pass. They are very close to us.
Know that we (other pet lovers) feel your pain and care about your beloved pup. This is not easy. I'd love to see a pic if you can post one.
I'm so sorry. My heart breaks for you. As someone who has experienced the loss of a very beloved family member, my thoughts go out to you. I'm sure she found great comfort in your arms in her last moments, knowing you were there holding her close. Keep her memory close to you. She will always be in your heart.
J., I'm so sorry. We lost our 11 year old many years ago. I still remember how hard it was. It takes a long time to get over it, but the pain will slowly get easier and you'll remember all the wonderful things about her time with you all.
I'm very sorry for the passing. I lost my beloved Solomon a year and a half ago and I still cry. He was and always will be my baby boy. We have all of our dogs' ashes on our mantle.
I'm so sorry J.! My heart breaks for you and your family. I'm glad she got the chance to be loved by such a wonderful family as yours. Being hugged as we pass.....I think is the best way to say good-bye. So sorry.
I am so sorry for your loss!
I am so sorry for your loss. She was very lucky to have you be there with
her went she went home. The bond we pet lovers have with our animals
is very hard to explain. If you go to petloss.com you can do a tribute to
your sweet girl. It will be kept forever. Again I am so sorry. Rest in peace
little girl.
Aww...I am sorry. Your pet passed away feeling much love from you. It's a damn shame when a pet dies.
L.
The loss of a pet is so hard. I've experienced it many times.
I think there is a comfort in being there when they pass so they know we were there with them until the end as they would be for us.
I'm sorry for your loss.
Gosh J.....sooooo sorry...but so wonderful that you were there with your beloved friend. "Gone but not forgotten" is what I have printed above my dogs pictures...oh wow....those feelings of hurt have come back to me again....it has been two years for me....and I still hurt alot. I will never get over them. The love of a dog is hard to compete with. My thoughts are with you....I hope there is a doggy heaven.
J.:
I am sooo sorry!! I know your baby girl was very young!!
I know you loved her and she knew and felt your love!!
Hugs going out to you!!
J., how precious that you were with her and she knew you loved her. Our pets give us so much...most of all, they allow us to show our love and our humanity.
J. ~ I'm so sorry about your loss. May your beloved pup RIP. What a blessing for her to have passed away so peacefully in your arms!
I'm so sorry for your loss J.. I'm glad you were there for her and she wasn't alone. You're a great doggy daddy!
Oh, I'm so sorry to hear this; I just read your other posts. We lost our long hair Chi a couple of years ago, too. I'm reading "Heaven is for Real: A Little Boy's Astounding Story of His Trip to Heaven and Back" and he says that our pets who have gone before us are waiting in Heaven for us. What a wonderful thought.
Sorry to hear that your pet passed away. Glad you got to spend her last moments with her. She knows she was loved. She is in a better place. Thoughts and prayer's coming your way. RIP
So sorry for your loss.
J., you have a lucky family to have such a loving dad as you are. I'm so glad you had that quiet last time with your beloved pet, and that her last breath was in your arms. I have tears in my eyes writing this. I wish you the best.
So sad to hear, but she knew she was loved.
There isn't a more beautiful way to go - held and comforted by the one you love - my condolences and love to you all.
Condolences.
If I have to go, that's how I would want to do it, though: after a nice warm bath, wrapped up in loving arms. Sounds like your pup knew she was loved.
Pets leave such a hole in our lives when they pass.
I am so sorry for your loss...heartbreaking.
I am so sorry for the loss of your little dog. It is always very difficult loosing a pet. So glad she could be with right with you when she had to go.
