My precious doggie died during surgery on Monday night. He had swallowed a little piece of rubber...we think it was from an old hard rubber chew toy that we had discarded some time ago. We always threw away any toy that showed wear. We think he may have had this piece hidden somewhere & gone back to chew on it. It lodged in his intestine and he couldn't survive the surgery to take it out. He was never strong in health, even at a young age (he had to have two allergy shots a week and take medicine twice a day for arthritis), but he was only 4 1/2 years old and we were so sure he would pull through. I miss him so much I can hardly bear it. I haven't cried this much since my Dad died 15 years ago. He was the most affectionate dog I've ever known, always kissing and cuddling, and he had the most amusing little personality. Everybody loved him. I just keep replaying last weekend over and over...he didn't eat his dinner Saturday night, but that wasn't at all unusual for him. And he was restless Saturday night, but he wanted to play fetch-the-ball, so we sat on the floor and played till about 4:30 A.M. Then he slept fine. On Sunday, he was a bit "off", but I just thought he had a little stomach bug...he was still pretty frisky and didn't act like he was that sick. Sunday night, he kept shivering like he was having chills, and I told my husband that I was going to take him to the vet in the morning. I kept him wrapped in a blanket, and he went to sleep, and he was still very cuddly and kissy. I was there when the vet arrived, and she said it wasn't chills, it was a tremor, and she thought maybe his back was bothering him again. But when she touched his tummy, she thought the problem was there. They did an x-ray, and she said it was inconclusive so they would do a barium x-ray. She said the barium might even push anything out that might be in there. But then she called and said the barium test didn't go well and there appeared to be a blockage. She said she would do surgery and that she wanted him to stay overnight. I was concerned, but I've known a couple of dogs that have had that surgery (one that swallowed a whole corn cob off a counter), so I thought everything would be fine. I was even planning to sleep downstairs when we brought him home, so I wouldn't have to jostle him by carrying him up and down the stairs. But he didn't make it through the surgery. I still can't believe it. I keep asking myself if I could have seen something sooner, if I should have brought him to the emergency vet instead of waiting till morning. I just miss him so, so much.

Oh Irish I am so sorry to hear of your loss! Please try not to blame or second guess yourself! Of course you did everything you could for your pup!...You sound like a loving and wonderful dog owner and your poor doggie was lucky to have you even for so short a time. You will be in our thoughts!

So sorry that you have lost your precious dog. Terrible things like this happen and nothing we do or say can make it better. Just know that all your friends here are sending you much love and lots of big hugs. I have two dogs myself, one a tiny Chihuahua that is my shadow. I would be crushed if something happened to one of them.


Paula

Irish,

I know all about the pain of losing a beloved pet, as does everyone in my family. Don't beat yourself up with the "what ifs" as you will drive yourself insane! It is hard enough losing him without adding guilt to the equation. I think you know in your heart you did what you could for him....if he wasn't showing serious signs of illness how were you to know?? In the normal cycle of a healthy dog's life they have down times, stomach upsets, even bouts of depression.

Allow yourself to grieve, as it is a loss, a real true break your heart kind of loss. He was your friend, your companion and you loved him.

Hugs and healing thoughts coming you way
Floater

So sorry for your loss. I know how difficult it is to lose a precious pet.

Oh IrishLass I can totally sympathise with you as I am in a kind of similar position my self at this moment. Our Labrador Molly dislocated her hip while jumping over one of our farm gates (we are assuming this is what she did as we didn't see it happen but she is doing it all the time) on Good friday but we thought she had just pulled a muscle as it didn't look dislocated or out of place to us. Lo and behold by that night she was not too happy so we took her to the vet the next morning and sure enough it was dislocated. The prognosis was not good as they like to get them back into the socket within hours of them dislocating for the best possible chance of them staying in. So far so good it has stayed in but the next couple of weeks are going to be the teller. Not too many options if it pops out again as Labs are notorious for having bad hips and she is no exception after xrays confirmed this.

So I have all the guilt feelings of why didn't I take her in straight away, would it have made any difference to her prognosis if I had?? It's so hard to know exactly what is wrong with them and how they are feeling as they can't communicate with us with words and animals are pretty tough when it comes to these things.

Please don't blame yourself for any of this as you did everything possible and your little dog couldn't have wanted for a better owner. I can understand the crying of many tears as it was Easter when I lost my beloved staffy 'Candi' (from old age) many years ago and I cried rivers of tears for her for months afterwards, actually years, as it was 2 years later before I could even think of owning another dog. This event with our current dog bought back memories of that weekend and I thought 'oh no I can't go through this again', not at Easter.

Allow yourself time to grieve without the guilt or what ifs, it was just simply his time to go.

Kia kaha (be strong)........But allow yourself to grieve

Hugs

Rox

(((((irishlass))))),

i am so sorry for your loss. your story had me in tears - when i lost my dog a few months ago it seemed like the crying wouldn't stop, like i would never know how to deal with the deafening silence of her absence.

some of the hardest deaths that we endure are the ones where we question our decisions, our judgments, our actions. you did the best you could, with the knowledge that you had. i hope you are able to come to that in time. he sounds like he was a wonderful dog. & it sounds like you gave him a wonderful life & that he gave you so much in return.

with much sympathy,
xo, ellen

Oh Irishlass, I know what you are going through. I lost my Cockatoo Nakita one day and I kept going through the what ifs, I still do but Floater has some good advice. My husband told me something once that made me feel better. I was feeling down because I had lost my bird, dog and cat all at once. He told me that in all the world, I got to spend the time with them in their lives. I was the one that made it joyful and fun and I got to share in all their happiness. It helps so much as I know I loved my animals and gave them so much during their time with me.

Many hugs,
Mopsy

This quote is so true. Just think of all the animals in the world who have and have had the misfortune of belonging to owners who aren't fit to look after themselves let alone an animal.

IrishLass his life was a happy and fulfilled one with you and he went to his 'doggie afterworld' knowing he had had a wonderful and caring owner in yourself.

Rox

Irishlass,

I went through this last month with my kitty. One day she seemed fine, and the next, we noticed she was scratching in our plant pots, which she just never did, so we guessed something was up. I brought her to the Emergency Vet Hospital (it was a Sunday night), fully expecting she had a urinary infection, would be given antibiotics, and be fine.

The vet didn't like the way she looked, ran some tests, and it turned out that she'd had kidney disease for a long time - her kidneys were almost twice their normal size, and WE HAD NO IDEA... Then we began realizing - she'd been quieter than usual this winter, and yes, it looked like she lost a little weight, and she hadn't been eating as much... Why weren't we more alert?

She only lived for a week after that... She was 8 years old, and we'd expected to have her for many more years.

We can second-guess ourselves forever... None of us knows with certainty what is going on - our critters do indeed have "off" days, just like us. We look at the enormous cost of veterinary care, and weigh whether they might be fine the next day, and whether we should just wait a little bit longer...

We have to remember that we are human, that we love our animals, and would NEVER deliberately hurt them. Your pup was very lucky to have you in his short life; with the special care that he needed for allergies and arthritis, you were obviously very dedicated to the little guy.

(((BIG HUGS)))

JJ

Irish Lass - I am so very sorry for your loss. I echo what others have said to not second guess yourself too much. It doesn't serve any real purpose...easier said than done though of course.

Try to take care of yourself right now as best you can.

Sincerely,
Suz

Dear Sweet (((((IrishLass))))))
I have been exactly where you are my dear friend. Years ago I had a beloved furbaby...part border collie, part lab...pure affection. One day out of the blue I noticed that she had a slight limp in her back leg. My children were little and I had full days of car pools, PTA meetings....you know the drill. I didn't take her to the vet the very first day that I saw her limping, instead I took her to the vets the next day. The vet examined her and after not really feeling anything obvious, told me that he would take some X-rays. I left her there with him and drove home a few blocks away. When I got home the phone was ringing. It was my vet telling me that my 'baby' was in distress and to come back immediately. I don't even remember driving back to the hospital, I was in such a state. When I got back to the vets I was told that my beloved had passed away on the table. I was in shock. How could a seemingly, perfectly healthy, 5 year old beautiful frisky, albiet limping dog ...for ONE day.....just die? I was inconsolable.

I didn't have a chance to say goodbye, I didn't have the chance to tell her how much she meant to me, I didn't have the chance to hold her one last time in my arms. To this day....some 15 years later.....tears still come to my eyes as I recall that day, that dog, that horrible loss that I felt....that I still feel to this day.

I know without a shadow of a doubt.....that my sweetheart looks down on me with love....and is playing catch with her friends, is cuddling with my grandmother, and thinks that my cat is one spoiled rotter!!
(((((Irishlass))))) I feel your pain and I share in your heartbreak. You have my most deepest of sympathies during this most difficult time.

In My Heart
Dottie

Irishlass

Everyone here have made some good comments........don't beat yourself up. Your little dog, was happy, playful and most of all glad you were his owner. I know first hand what its like to lose a pet......... mine died in my arms & I had my little "Muffin" (her name) for 16 years. I cried buckets of tears & your story brings back those awful memories. However, I had some wonderful memories and in time you will cherish those as well.

Remember, our pets provide us with "unconditional love" that is so wonderful. They are always there for us........ never judge us. Take care and let yourself weep.........as we love our pets. Sending you hugs.

Logan

Irishlass,
I agree with everyone here too. Don't come down hard on yourself your dog sounded like he had a good life. I too had a dog for 16 years and she had to be put to sleep, the worst moment of my life. I actually put the memory of her having the injection and going to sleep out of my mind for a few years. I can only just think of it now and that was 11 years ago. I also cried for a week, my DD had to have her dog put to sleep a few months ago and cried for a week. Don't worry the feeling guilty, we all do, I guess it's our nature, we feel like we could have done more when it's really out of our hands. (((HUGS))) for you.

choco

I am so very sorry to hear about your precious doggie. It's so painful to lose a furbaby. Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you. Take care.

((((((((((((((((IrishLass)))))))))))))))))))))))
I'm so sorry about the loss of your dog. Pets are so much a part of the family and bring such joy to us.

Hugs,
Karen

Irishlass,

So sorry to hear about your dog. I know it's particularly hard since he was so young, but don't beat yourself up over the what ifs.

I lost a sweet little kitty about a year and a half ago, he was only 3 years old. It was a shock and I started down the "what if" road too. It's a lonely, sad place. We can't read their minds or know how they're feeling. You did what was best for your dog and I doubt taking him in earlier would have made any difference from the sounds of it.

Take care of yourself. Time will help heal your heart.

Irishlass


So sorry to hear about the lost of your little dog, I lost my precious little Chihuahua Joey December 29th.
Maybe it just the state of peri-menopause but I also took it very very hard. I still miss him daily!

If you think it will help I have a pet lost link I can send you > it helped me to understand what I was feeling was ok!

One day at a time!

I am very sorry to read your sad news. My dog is my rock. The loss of such pets as these is devastating.

(((IrishLass))))
It's truly dreadful to loose a pet. I feel for you.
Many hugs, Jonie

The Rainbow Bridge has another angel today. I am so, so sorry for your loss.
Many thoughts and hugs are with you now.
Kleeo

Thank you so, so much for all your loving support. It means so much to me. May each of you be richly blessed, IrishLass

Dear IrishLass:
So sorry about your doggie..I have had dogs/horses/cats/birds all my life..all big dogs which eventually passed on..until now.. I have two long-haired chihuahuas that I absolutely couldn't live without..Aslan and Lucy..Aslan is my absolute heart (Lucy is my husband's favorite)..I really don't think I could live without him..and my heart goes out to anybody that has to lose their best buddy.
In sympathy,
Avi

Dear IrishLass, I am so sorry for your loss. I know how hard it is to lose a furbaby. Prayers and hugs going out to you!! Please be easy on yourself and let the surge sisters carry you through this time.

In sympathy,
CG

IrishLass, I so hope that you are doing better. I just lost my walking buddy of 9 years. He was the most beautiful dog in body and spirit-he loved everyone and was the picture of joy. I came home from work last week to find him gone in the tall grass of the backyard. The vet thinks that he may have had an autoimmune disease that caused him to bleed from within. No signs whats so ever, was playing with his toys and eating the night before. My husband and I were shocked. Today, my husband came home with his cremated remains and placed them on his pad. I had been doing better today, but could have just died all over again when he did that. This whole peri=menopausal thing has me bawling over the slightest thing anyway. Snowmoon, if you have a link, I would appreciate it. I would love to believe in the Native American saying too.

I too lost my lab on the operating table Friday. She had a tumor which had spread to surrounding tissue. The vet called us on holiday and we decided with his advice to let her remain asleep. I am racked by guilt. I wish I had walked her or taken her to the beach or at least given one final hug before I dropped her off. I did not expect this outcome as she had 2 other surgeries in the past year and it was a non malignant tumor . I am so saddened by the loss of our best friend and constant companion. I feel your pain. Now I know I can come her and see how you are doing and maybe we can help each other.
Louisa

I too lost my lab on the operating table Friday. She had a tumor which had spread to surrounding tissue. The vet called us on holiday and we decided with his advice to let her remain asleep. I am racked by guilt. I wish I had walked her or taken her to the beach or at least given one final hug before I dropped her off. I did not expect this outcome as she had 2 other surgeries in the past year and it was a non malignant tumor . I am so saddened by the loss of our best friend and constant companion. I feel your pain. Now I know I can come her and see how you are doing and maybe we can help each other.
Louisa

{{{{Dakotalady}}}} and {{{{Provobabe}}}}, My heart just breaks for both of you. Even though it's been nearly two months for me, I still miss my doggie so, so much. In some ways, it does get easier each day, but then I'll forget he's not here for a moment and then it hits me again like a ton of bricks. We're just so lucky to have them for as long as they are ours...and I do believe we'll be reunited some day. I'll remember both of you in my prayers, that the happy memories will help you through this sad time. Hugs to you both, IrishLass

Thank you IrishLass. I do truly believe that time does ease pain. And we were very lucky to have had him for nine plus years. We plan on planting a tree where he died. I sure hope animals are allowed in heaven, because they have given me so much simple joy throughout life. I shall remember you too in thoughts and prayers.