Pet loss thread

[CouchCoach]

Yesterday morning before I took her to the vet, our male dog would not leave her side. He laid his head on her and I think he knew what was going to happen. I still had some hope because I didn't know what was wrong with her, but he knew. He's on our couch right now, which we've never allowed before. I'm getting tears in my eyes just looking at him.

Go ahead, let it go. Sit with him and hold him and just let go, you're both grieving and need some release. Dogs are intuitive and he will want to comfort you. Want to get better and feel better? Help someone else get better.

 

[Tabascocat]

Or a rescue dog that is pretty mellow. We got a puppy one time and he caused more aggravation for our older dog because of the energy level.

Yea, you have to make sure it will be a good match. I have them play together a few times before making that jump. You can’t just go buy one and hope for the best. Study breeds to get a feel on how they will cope, if one is more aggressive, age difference pairing, etc.

I want a husky real bad, particularly a klee kai. But, we have two small chi’s right now and we aren’t sure if it will mesh well. I hear if we get it very young, it can grow up well with ours and not get dominant yet we aren’t at that point yet. I want to add another before our oldest passes on.

 

[Crazed Liotta Eyes]

I saw the headline yesterday and stayed out just because of that. Sure enough, I got emotional coming here but came here with a purpose this morning and this was my second stop after the Pops thread, gotta greet my peeps first.

Only people who feel as Crazy does can try and make him feel better. Only those of us that get emotional about our pets and consider them as family can relate to how he feels and how hard that was. And I felt bad for not coming in here yesterday because the way I feel is exactly what he needs. After I wrote my post, I went into the living room and grabbed my pups up and hugged them extra hard and long. I appreciate and love them but will just a little more today.

Crazy, I should have been in here the minute you posted this thread. Part of the magic of this site is being there for each other but I put my fear of pain ahead of your real pain and I am sorry I did that. I only wish there was something I could do or say to accelerate the healing but there isn't. But I do carry a poster that I've never met and his family in my heart today.

Thanks, man and you have nothing to be sorry for.

 

[SlammedZero]

Yea, you have to make sure it will be a good match. I have them play together a few times before making that jump. You can’t just go buy one and hope for the best. Study breeds to get a feel on how they will cope, if one is more aggressive, age difference pairing, etc.

I want a husky real bad, particularly a klee kai. But, we have two small chi’s right now and we aren’t sure if it will mesh well. I hear if we get it very young, it can grow up well with ours and not get dominant yet we aren’t at that point yet. I want to add another before our oldest passes on.

I love our Husky. She has been amazing. Super smart. She picked up everything so quick and she even taught herself how to open the slider door. She will literally let herself back in if I don't lock it. Now, if I could only teach her to shut it. She gets along great with our mini-aussie, but, she does have a little domination in her. We have had an issue with her guarding the dog food a bit and she is definitely selfish when it comes to bones. Outside that, no issues. Super energetic when they're young. She used to get "the zoomies" where she would just get this sudden burst of energy and just rip around the house or yard. That has seemed to wane a bit lately. Overall, fantastic dog. She is a sweetheart and it has been a great experience with her so far.

 

[Tabascocat]

I love our Husky. She has been amazing. Super smart. She picked up everything so quick and she even taught herself how to open the slider door. She will literally let herself back in if I don't lock it. Now, if I could only teach her to shut it. She gets along great with our mini-aussie, but, she does have a little domination in her. We have had an issue with her guarding the dog food a bit and she is definitely selfish when it comes to bones. Outside that, no issues. Super energetic when they're young. She used to get "the zoomies" where she would just get this sudden burst of energy and just rip around the house or yard. That has seemed to wane a bit lately. Overall, fantastic dog. She is a sweetheart and it has been a great experience with her so far.

Haha, we have a 5yr old chi that runs like a deer, except she uses the bedrooms to zoom around in. It happens maybe once a every month or two, not sure what sparks it. She won’t do it outside probably because of the Texas heat!

She guards the food bowl too over the old one and she can get cranky but wouldn’t hurt a fly, only lizards

 

[Tabascocat]

Good point, maybe a nice boneless steak is the way to go.

Not sure how I missed this one but get ya a sirloin(no seasoning), cook to MW. Dice it up and mix with scrambled eggs.....your dog will be in hog heaven!

 

[CouchCoach]

I love our Husky. She has been amazing. Super smart. She picked up everything so quick and she even taught herself how to open the slider door. She will literally let herself back in if I don't lock it. Now, if I could only teach her to shut it. She gets along great with our mini-aussie, but, she does have a little domination in her. We have had an issue with her guarding the dog food a bit and she is definitely selfish when it comes to bones. Outside that, no issues. Super energetic when they're young. She used to get "the zoomies" where she would just get this sudden burst of energy and just rip around the house or yard. That has seemed to wane a bit lately. Overall, fantastic dog. She is a sweetheart and it has been a great experience with her so far.

We referred to that as "cheeking" because I had this crazy frat brother that became dentist and when he'd get one too many, he'd shuck his clothes and start doing laps as fast as he could around the house, the outside of the house and he called that "cheeking". This was before streaking became a thing.

He moved to Pochahontas, AR and they paid all of his moving expenses and gave him a deal on his home to be their dentist. The town's leaders went over the first night as a welcoming party with food and drink and caught him in one of his "cheeking" episodes, one of the funniest stories I've ever heard and this was from his wife. She said trying to explain it to them was even funnier because she'd been married to him for 3 years and didn't know herself why he did it. She knew alcohol triggered it but most people don't feel the need to do that.....at least as often as he did it. He was as close to a real life "Animal House" member as I've ever known.

So when our Cairns began doing that, my wife immediately named that "cheeking" and we loved it every time they'd do it, especially chasing each other. My Havanese play with each other but they don't "cheek" and I miss that. It was a riot when they'd do that and they were growling the whole time they were doing it.

 

[Vtwin]

Condolences friend. It is so hard to let them go. We lost one of our German Shepherds in January and the other in May. Last week had to say goodbye to my all time favorite dog that wasn't mine. In all three cases the dogs were 13 years old and although they showed their age they were eager to go for a walk and had the spark. The end came quickly for all of them. Within 2-3 days the enthusiasm and spark was not there. I had to carry each of mine to the car. I could see it in their eyes that it was time, as much as I didn't want to. Getting choked up reliving it here. It's what we sign up for when we bring them home though. Doesn't make it any easier.

We brought home a Shepherd puppy in August. My wife was very hesitant about getting another so soon because she thought she "wasn't ready yet". That sentiment lasted for about three seconds when the new pup arrived. She is bugging me right now, the dog not the wife, because the sun is shining and those squirrels aren't going to chase themselves. She experienced snow for the first time yesterday.

She'll never replace Scout and Ranger but she brings her own personality and energy and it's her time to shine in the spotlight. That's why we named her Solo.

 

[FloridaRob]

The very first memory I have as a child is losing my dog. Now, my bichon is 15 and gettng close. He is already blind and has lost most of his hearing. The only reason my wife and I are still in our big house is because of him. The kids have been gone and the house is too much but the dog knows his way around. We are dreading the day we know is coming. This thread is comforting knowing all you guys have been through it.

 

[Vtwin]

Yesterday morning before I took her to the vet, our male dog would not leave her side. He laid his head on her and I think he knew what was going to happen. I still had some hope because I didn't know what was wrong with her, but he knew. He's on our couch right now, which we've never allowed before. I'm getting tears in my eyes just looking at him.

A few years ago our female puked one evening. No big deal, not unusual, get's into something outside or whatever. This time though the other one came to me and was trying to get my attention like he hadn't before. I brought him outside thinking that's what he wanted. Over the next week this repeated itself a few times. After puking Scout seemed fine, completely normal but it really bothered Ranger in a way it had never before after the dozens and dozens of times over the years.

One morning Scout was clearly sick and I brought her straight to the vet who sent me straight to the vet hospital 30 miles away in the city. Turns out she had an autoimmune disease that had caused her esophagus to lose it's function. She wasn't puking, she was regurgitating food that could not get down to her stomach. Eventually she aspirated some into her lungs which caused pneumonia. We got her back in business but had to feed her sitting in an upright position and give it a half hour to let gravity get the food down. Except for that she lived a perfectly normal life for three years or so until something else took her.

I guess the point is that Ranger knew immediately that something was wrong the first time she puked when to us it sounded and looked just like any other time.

The moment he seemed to realize she wasn't coming back home is another story that really reinforces just how aware and intelligent these critters are.

 

[Crazed Liotta Eyes]

Condolences friend. It is so hard to let them go. We lost one of our German Shepherds in January and the other in May. Last week had to say goodbye to my all time favorite dog that wasn't mine. In all three cases the dogs were 13 years old and although they showed their age they were eager to go for a walk and had the spark. The end came quickly for all of them. Within 2-3 days the enthusiasm and spark was not there. I had to carry each of mine to the car. I could see it in their eyes that it was time, as much as I didn't want to. Getting choked up reliving it here. It's what we sign up for when we bring them home though. Doesn't make it any easier.

We brought home a Shepherd puppy in August. My wife was very hesitant about getting another so soon because she thought she "wasn't ready yet". That sentiment lasted for about three seconds when the new pup arrived. She is bugging me right now, the dog not the wife, because the sun is shining and those squirrels aren't going to chase themselves. She experienced snow for the first time yesterday.

She'll never replace Scout and Ranger but she brings her own personality and energy and it's her time to shine in the spotlight. That's why we named her Solo.

Thank you for relating your story. I'm hoping I can be like you and give another dog a great life but I'm just not sure right now. The pain is too raw. What a great name Solo is for a dog.

 

[Crazed Liotta Eyes]

A few years ago our female puked one evening. No big deal, not unusual, get's into something outside or whatever. This time though the other one came to me and was trying to get my attention like he hadn't before. I brought him outside thinking that's what he wanted. Over the next week this repeated itself a few times. After puking Scout seemed fine, completely normal but it really bothered Ranger in a way it had never before after the dozens and dozens of times over the years.

One morning Scout was clearly sick and I brought her straight to the vet who sent me straight to the vet hospital 30 miles away in the city. Turns out she had an autoimmune disease that had caused her esophagus to lose it's function. She wasn't puking, she was regurgitating food that could not get down to her stomach. Eventually she aspirated some into her lungs which caused pneumonia. We got her back in business but had to feed her sitting in an upright position and give it a half hour to let gravity get the food down. Except for that she lived a perfectly normal life for three years or so until something else took her.

I guess the point is that Ranger knew immediately that something was wrong the first time she puked when to us it sounded and looked just like any other time.

The moment he seemed to realize she wasn't coming back home is another story that really reinforces just how aware and intelligent these critters are.

There is no doubt about dogs having some sense that we don't have. They know when something is wrong with us too. When I've been sick, these dogs would not leave my side. There has been a few times where I felt fine but one of them was paying extra attention to me to the point where I wondered if I need to go to the doctor. LOL.

 

[The Fonz]

Birds too can sense danger.I used to have a parakeet he used to go nut before an earthquake. and i am talking about 15 minutes or so before

 

[Stash]

I had to put down my little Chihuahua / Scottie mix today. She went from running 100mph a few days ago to severe kidney failure today and then gone. Gonna miss that little sweet dog. I'm not looking for sympathy, I just wondered if anyone wants to talk about the dog they miss. I can't believe how a dog can become such a family member, but it's true. I'm taking shots right now to deal with the pain.

I'm truly sorry for your loss my man. Pets are like family. So innocent. I had my own heartbreaks several years ago with two of our dogs. One soon after the other. It was so heartbreaking, I couldn't bring myself to get another dog. My son moved back in with his cat, and now that guy is my best buddy.

 

[Runwildboys]

Yea, you have to make sure it will be a good match. I have them play together a few times before making that jump. You can’t just go buy one and hope for the best. Study breeds to get a feel on how they will cope, if one is more aggressive, age difference pairing, etc.

I want a husky real bad, particularly a klee kai. But, we have two small chi’s right now and we aren’t sure if it will mesh well. I hear if we get it very young, it can grow up well with ours and not get dominant yet we aren’t at that point yet. I want to add another before our oldest passes on.

If one of your Chihuahuas is female, she'll probably be the boss.

 

[Runwildboys]

I love our Husky. She has been amazing. Super smart. She picked up everything so quick and she even taught herself how to open the slider door. She will literally let herself back in if I don't lock it. Now, if I could only teach her to shut it. She gets along great with our mini-aussie, but, she does have a little domination in her. We have had an issue with her guarding the dog food a bit and she is definitely selfish when it comes to bones. Outside that, no issues. Super energetic when they're young. She used to get "the zoomies" where she would just get this sudden burst of energy and just rip around the house or yard. That has seemed to wane a bit lately. Overall, fantastic dog. She is a sweetheart and it has been a great experience with her so far.

I taught my dog to shut the door behind him, but it wasn't a slider. The way I did it was I opened the door and let him watch me put a treat behind it. I made him wait until I said, "Close the door, and pointed to it." I did this with the door farther and farther open, until he learned what I wanted him to do. He was a very smart dog, so it only took about 10 minutes. Maybe you can use that idea somehow?

 

[Runwildboys]

The very first memory I have as a child is losing my dog. Now, my bichon is 15 and gettng close. He is already blind and has lost most of his hearing. The only reason my wife and I are still in our big house is because of him. The kids have been gone and the house is too much but the dog knows his way around. We are dreading the day we know is coming. This thread is comforting knowing all you guys have been through it.

We'll still be here if you need us.

 

[Crazed Liotta Eyes]

I'm truly sorry for your loss my man. Pets are like family. So innocent. I had my own heartbreaks several years ago with two of our dogs. One soon after the other. It was so heartbreaking, I couldn't bring myself to get another dog. My son moved back in with his cat, and now that guy is my best buddy.

Thanks, Stash. I've never been that fond of cats but we had to take on our daughter's because she moved into an apartment with roommates who are allergic. I'm starting to warm up to it even if it's not reciprocated so far. She only hisses at me half the time now, LOL.

 

[Stash]

Thanks, Stash. I've never been that fond of cats but we had to take on our daughter's because she moved into an apartment with roommates who are allergic. I'm starting to warm up to it even if it's not reciprocated so far. She only hisses at me half the time now, LOL.

Yeah, some cats are real jerks. But the one we have now is just about the coolest cat you've ever seen. So friendly and laid back I call him 'the dog of cats'!

 

[Crazed Liotta Eyes]

Yeah, some cats are real jerks. But the one we have now is just about the coolest cat you've ever seen. So friendly and laid back I call him 'the dog of cats'!

simply awesome.