CSNbbs

I've never experienced the pain that I've seen several of you describe until this past week. It's a week we've known would come but never expected it to happen as it did. Eight years ago we were given a pup that was a few months old. He was a rat terrier and just didn't act right for a rat terrier. He slept a lot, drank a lot, and peed a lot. We didn't know what was wrong...he didn't act like a puppy. Well, he was diabetic.

Dr told us we should put him down....that he'd only survive 1 year, but we wanted to try. We gave him insulin and after 5 days he still wasn't better. I had made up my mind to put him down the next morning. I woke up and the little guy was on my chest, tail wagging, biting my nose. Memphis was a fighter. He had his health issues going forward, but always was happy. The happiest dog I've ever seen. He got his shots of insulin every day, but he didn't mind one bit. He knew we were keeping him alive.

Sunday night, in about the course of an hour Memphis really started to seem to feel bad. We had taken him to get ice cream (because we were bad/good parents) and he felt awful. We thought maybe it was his sugars. When he still was sick Monday I took him to the vet and was told his kidneys were failing. We were given 4 months. I thought I would get my full 4 months, if not longer....remember, he's a fighter.

Against our better judgment, we wanted a second opinion...that and fluids. So we took him to another vet Thursday morning. We were hopeful fluids would make him pep up and, if he had only 4 months, give him a happy 4 months. The vet was concerned about his liver levels...so she did an x-ray. Tumor...everywhere. The most humane option was to put him down. They brought him back to us and he was happy. Almost like he didn't want to go anywhere....I caught his head as he left the earth. In the past 10 years I've not cried as much as in the last 48 hours. From Sunday to Thursday I went from "he's normal" to "he's feels bad" to "he's has 4 months" to "he's gone".

I'm not sure what to think or how to act. I know he was a dog and this is the progression of life, I get that. I know we did the right thing...even though I've questioned it countless times. I've lost loved ones and it hurt...but this just feels different. I don't know how exactly to cope. Sure, time will make everything feel a little better...but, odd as it sounds...I feel like I lost of piece of me Thursday. I think the deeper connection is from us literally keeping the little fella alive through his shots daily...I don't know.

My apologies for voicing this here...I had hoped it would be therapeutic. I don't know if anything will be therapeutic. The world is just different now.

Sorry to hear about your loss. I know how you feel.

I have lost aunts and uncles that did not affect me to the core as much as losing a pet. As your sig says, you lost a constant in your life. That is very hard. Hang tough. Go Tigers

Hey man, don't apologize. it's a terrible loss. I won't go into the details but one of my minpins suffered a horrible death about 6 years ago and I cried inconsolably for a week and I still get choked up when I think of him. I lost my Lab - best buddy I've ever had - in January and I'm still not over it. I have one remaining minpin and he's going on 14, not sure how I'll survive losing him.

These aren't merely animals we own, they are faithful companions, trusted best friends and beloved family members and losing them is incredibly painful.

You have my sincerest condolences.

Prayers for you and man's best friend.

Thanks all. I'm trying anything I can that could possibly therapeutic. Our other dog is wonderful but nothing can replace little Memphis. Hoping the next few weeks and months pass quickly.

Condolences and strength-prayers to you and anyone who loses a pet. People get through it is all I can say. Some even get another dog because it helps to love again.

I held my terrier when they gave her that shot. Didn't want her to get scared when her heart stopped. She did anyway, though. shrug. panic in her face I can still see that.

Finding something to take your mind off it helps. The mind will jump back there--you just gotta jump out really fast. Don't get stuck grieving for long periods.

sorry for your loss

Very sorry for your loss. I've been there...one of the hardest things I have ever had to do.

You can get as mopey about your loss as you want and I'll still understand...it's hard, very hard. The only solace I've ever found is believing that it was God's way of saying there was another pup out there I was supposed to rescue and the one I lost would be waiting for me when my turn came.

(09-02-2017 01:54 PM)TigerBill Wrote: [ -> ]You can get as mopey about your loss as you want and I'll still understand...it's hard, very hard. The only solace I've ever found is believing that it was God's way of saying there was another pup out there I was supposed to rescue and the one I lost would be waiting for me when my turn came.

Yep

Exactly

Man, i'm out of town and without my dogs, and i just wanna hug them right now. Sorry for your loss.

member with ASPCA

no need to ever apologize

Some of us have been through this...it's never easy, but snowtiger's post above rings true

You did lose a piece of yourself. They come into our lives and grow into our hearts, intertwine in our lives. Especially when you have to physically keep them alive every day.

My beloved lab and best friend, who is 12 years old, got very ill a few years ago with pancreatitis, and within a day of her walking into the vet clinic, I was told they were going to "try to save her." It was a shock, and I cried constantly the four days she was on the edge. I could hardly even go into a store without tearing up. Thank God, she survived, but it really surprised me how it shook me to the very core. I have had many dog and cat companions over all my years, and I always thought I would grieve for her like I have all my other precious animals and then move on to adopting and loving another homeless animal. But during Mary Jane's illness, there was no comfort in the thought of having another animal. No one could take her place. She may have even saved my life one night at 4:00 a.m. when a stranger knocked on my door and she scared him away. I was literally devastated to think of life without her.

I understand the depth of your grief, and I am so very sorry to hear of your loss. The thing that has helped me the most through losing so many animals over the years is to just keep talking about them with friends who understand. Eventually, as you know, the pain will subside, and you may find a right time to adopt another dog, but you will always miss your Memphis. Hugs and prayers. And btw, what a wonderful name your dog had.

I thought I was gonna be alright until they put her down then I cried like a baby in that vets office and the whole time I was putting her in the ground. Don't be ashamed of feeling anyway you feel, I don't know what it is, maybe that unconditional love they give.

Sorry for your loss man. It's always hard to lose a loved one but he had the best possible life with you and your family.

The day after my dog was gone, I read a book aloud to my partner,
till I could barely talk and my tongue got swollen.

Very good read: Mostly Mississippi,Harold Speakman (1927)
360 pgs.

True story in the travel book genre written and illustrated by the author --he and his wife canoed and house-boated 2450 miles from the headwaters of the Mississippi to the Gulf.

"But Memphis, high on its bluff overlooking the little Wolf River and the Mississippi beyond, has become a very attractive city. After the manner of Tennessee, its theaters and moving pictures are closed on the Sabbath. A few months preceding our arrival it had been impossible to buy gasoline there on Sunday. On the other hand, alcohol was at all times to be had. The islands across from the city were 'jammed with stills. No one in Memphis would rent a boat to a government prohibition agent, for very shortly the boat would be sunk or disappear. I had it direct from several newspaper men, who always tell the exact truth when they are not speaking officially, that the holiday supply had flooded the market with corn whiskey until it could be had at the still---or F.O.B., if you had a boat for 2.25 a gallon."

Thanks for the replies and understanding. Each day has been a bit better, but I have broke down at least twice a day since Thursday, if not more.

I want y'all to see my Memphis...he deserves to be seen



Miss you buddy

My little dog died a year and a half ago and it affected my wife and me more than I previously thought. We grieved.

My condolences for your loss.

So sorry for your loss. We have 3 mutts, and they are my grandbabies.
Not even ready to think about the inevitable.
Prayers sent. It is so sad to lose a pet that has been a part of your life.

When ready for another, please consider adopting one of the countless pets left behind from Harvey.