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astoldbyginger Is trying to keep it all together, but actually really needs a rest.
 
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Default Jul 22, 2019 at 10:17 PM
  #1
We had our terrier for 14 years. On Saturday, July 20th, he passed away at home, after we were adamant about taking him home from the vet following a tough day of "treatment".
A bit of backstory: He had breathing problems due to a heart condition. Fluid built up in his lungs because of it which was when we took him to the vet on Saturday morning. We took him to either a) see if we could get something to ease the stress he was in (as we had also done on Thursday to help remove the fluid in his lungs. That visit went well but we had a different vet attend to us then.) The other option was b) If it was necessary, we would help him have a peaceful pass over if there was no hope of recovery, as it did seem his general breathing problem was worsening. However, the vet who attended to us on Saturday treated us very oddly; dismissing our feelings, and taking all our questions and suggestions as if we were doubting his expertise.
Though my mother was very hesitant, we eventually agreed to leave our boy to be "monitored" by the vet throughout the day. (She was hesitant, because we know our dog very well, and know how he reacts to being confined. He panics and instead of staying put he just goes around in circles, banging his head everywhere -- his vision had been impaired due to old age--searching for a way out. Looking at the vet's facilities, we knew he would not be comfortable.) About 2 hours after we left we got a call from the vet who seemed panicked as our dog's breathing issue had "escalated" (likely exactly what we had warned them against had occured. Our dog more than likely panicked when he got up and realized he was in a tight, unfamiliar space, without us around), the vet told us they had decided to "revive his system." We rushed down to the vet and our dog looked so bad and uncomfortable. They hooked him up to drips saying that he had lost a lot of fluid in the time we left him there. There were tissues with blood everywhere and he had a line of blood on his front, left hind. Even the way he was laying looked abnormal. The vet insisted we keep him there for the rest of the day. We returned to the vet at 7pm, I took one look at him and knew it wasn't good. The vet kept telling us that compared to the dog's condition when he had his episode at their office earlier that day to what he was at 7pm that he was doing better, but we had never seen him look so bad. The vet still made an attempt to have us leave the dog alone during the night, knowing that there would be no-one there to monitor him. But my mother said no, she's taking him home and if needs be, we would bring him back the next morning. Two hours from when we brought him home, his little heart beat for the last time and he took his final breath.
I was relieved then, to finally see him at peace after such a tough day, and knowing he was living with a condition that brought him discomfort. I was also comforted to know that he didn't pass alone in a strange place (i.e the vet's office). We buried him on Sunday. I made him a little shrine with a few photos, his dog collar and some toys and still felt comforted then that he was no longer suffering. However after midday on Sunday, that's when grief struck. It was a beautiful day, and while I was sitting in my living room I could hear a bird chirping loudly outside. Where I live, hearing birds is a natural fabric of life, but this bird's chirping stood out. The peace it brought as I sat there, conjured flashbacks of our dog's life. I could see him, when he was younger, sauntering along the deadend road back to our house. I could see him as a pup, eager to play fetch, mischievously rangling slippers left out of closets, clothes that failed to make it into the clothes hamper and books from the bottom of the bookshelf. I could not stop crying. I woke up this morning, and when I was finally left home alone-- as I work from home-- his absence brought and left tears in my eyes for the entire day. I got absoluely no work done. I couldn't. I realized today, that since I started working from home in January, I spent lots of time with him and our other dog, but obviously he, being quite old, required lots of personal attention and care, that I was glad to provide. So everytime I walked out of a room today and didn't see him in his "spot", it stung.
I will say that I do feel happy that he lived a wonderful, long life, and was deeply loved. He is already greatly missed and I hope, wherever his spirit is, it is happy and at peace.
Although a few friends know of his passing, I just have not been able to express all this to anyone and felt it was important to let it out. Thank you for reading if you have. If you have lost a pet, I hope the memories of you guys' time together bring you much comfort. If you currently have a pet, I hope you two share all the snuggles, love and loyalty that is so potently present in the relationship between a pet and their human companion.

All the best everyone.
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Default Jul 23, 2019 at 07:58 AM
  #2
Astoldbyginger, I'm so sorry. I hope you find comfort knowing he passed at home surrounded by love.
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Default Jul 23, 2019 at 09:14 AM
  #3
I am so sorry too!!! These images have brought me comfort over the years. I hope they help you too.

Saying Goodbye to childhood pet

Saying Goodbye to childhood pet

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Smile Jul 23, 2019 at 03:52 PM
  #4
Thank you for sharing your loss. We have an aging schnauzer / poodle mix we adopted from a companion animal rescue organization around 12 years ago. He has kidney disease which is not curable in dogs. But he's doing remarkably well so far. We hope to continue to have him with us for a while yet. But we also know that, since he's probably around 15 years old, his time is limited. Here are links to 5 articles, from PC's archives, on grieving the loss of a pet plus one I am particularly fond of on what the writer's dog taught her about grief & loss:

Losing a Pet Can Be Just as Hard as Losing a Loved One

Grieving the Loss of a Pet

Why We Grieve So Intensely for Our Pets

On Mourning the Death of a Pet

When Pets Die- Human Hearts Break | Healing Together for Couples

https://psychcentral.com/blog/what-m...rief-and-loss/

My best wishes to you...

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Default Jul 23, 2019 at 04:54 PM
  #5
I’m so very sorry for the loss of your sweet baby. Pets are family. Mine are my babies. It’s truly a heartbreak to lose them. We lost one not too long ago and we will never forget him. Saying Goodbye to childhood pet
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astoldbyginger Is trying to keep it all together, but actually really needs a rest.
 
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Heart Jul 27, 2019 at 04:23 PM
  #6
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Originally Posted by lizardlady View Post
Astoldbyginger, I'm so sorry. I hope you find comfort knowing he passed at home surrounded by love.
Thank you yes, there is atleast some comfort knowing that he was with us.
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astoldbyginger
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astoldbyginger Is trying to keep it all together, but actually really needs a rest.
 
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Default Jul 27, 2019 at 04:24 PM
  #7
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Originally Posted by HappyCrafter View Post
I am so sorry too!!! These images have brought me comfort over the years. I hope they help you too.

Saying Goodbye to childhood pet

Saying Goodbye to childhood pet
These are very touching. Thank you HappyCrafter
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astoldbyginger
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astoldbyginger Is trying to keep it all together, but actually really needs a rest.
 
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Default Jul 27, 2019 at 04:34 PM
  #8
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Originally Posted by Skeezyks View Post
Thank you for sharing your loss. We have an aging schnauzer / poodle mix we adopted from a companion animal rescue organization around 12 years ago. He has kidney disease which is not curable in dogs. But he's doing remarkably well so far. We hope to continue to have him with us for a while yet. But we also know that, since he's probably around 15 years old, his time is limited. Here are links to 5 articles, from PC's archives, on grieving the loss of a pet plus one I am particularly fond of on what the writer's dog taught her about grief & loss:

My best wishes to you...
Will certainly have a look at those links. Thank you for sharing Skeezyks . Watching how much our pets persevere even through their illnesses can be so touching. It was even a learning experience for me. He soldiered on and at times it almost felt like we were more broken to know that his health was taking its toll on him than he was for himself. I wish you continued good times with your fur baby
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astoldbyginger Is trying to keep it all together, but actually really needs a rest.
 
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Default Jul 27, 2019 at 04:38 PM
  #9
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Originally Posted by Sisabel View Post
I’m so very sorry for the loss of your sweet baby. Pets are family. Mine are my babies. It’s truly a heartbreak to lose them. We lost one not too long ago and we will never forget him. Saying Goodbye to childhood pet
Thank you Sisabel I agree, pets are family. A little piece of you leaves with them when they pass. It helps to keep memories of them close to the heart. And I am also sorry for your loss. I wish you more opportunities to continue making great memories with the rest of your babies.
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