My dog just passed in my living room right in front of everyone. My kids and wife are a mess... so am I. And I have no idea what to do with my poor dog...
Why am I posting this here? I have no idea. Holy CRAP.
Sounds like it was totally unexpected. That's the worst. I've lost a dog before and it's not easy. If it was your first, just try to remember and remind them that you gave the dog a good home. That's the important thing.
grieve some more...then the pain slowly fades away...but you will always remember the good times...occasionally, you will shed a tear when nobody is looking.
For your kids, read to them "The Rainbow Bridge":
"Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.
All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.
You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
We just had to put our 12 year old dog down this afternoon after 6 months of her fighting a tumor in her chest. This dog helped raise our kids and played with all their friends that are grown up. heart rending to deal with and i am sorry you had to go through this.
I just can't even imagine it. All you can really do is remember all the good times and happiness she brought to you and your family and be thankful for those years and know that you gave her a good life and a loving home.
I recommend letting your kids understand that it's all right to grieve the loss of a family pet and then it does hurt to lose something you love. There's certainly no shame in that. Time helps to heal most all wounds and you should talk about the dog and remember the good times you had with him and take satisfaction in the loving home you provided for him and the good care you gave him. Losing a pet is not unlike losing a family member and for me it is the same. I always found it helps to talk about the person/pet and remember the good times and fun you had together. Good luck, you will all get through this and I hope at some point when the timing is right you will welcome another dog into your family and give it a loving home.
If it was a young dog, the vet can do an autopsy to find out what happened. One of our cats had some kind of attack and died in my arms on the way to the vet. It was pretty traumatic. We found out he had cancer and it ruptured his spleen and he bled out.
..into a good.. Go adapt a homeless dog from a shelter, NOT A BREEDER OR A PET SHOP...... Preferably an older dog since they are mostly passed by...We did it and believe me it's the best thing you can do...
I am sorry for your loss johnny. My girl had been with our family for 13 years. It was very shocking but try to remember that your dog was with loved one when he or she passed away. That is the perfect way to go. I have told my daughter that it was a blessing to be able to comfort the dog and for the dog to be able to pass with loved ones around. Celebrate its life and let the grieving process happen.
When the time is right rescue another dog. Paying it forward is not only good for the dog that you rescue but also is for the humans involved. "Rainbow Bridge" is a great read for not only the children but for the adults as well. It puts ones ight in the right place. Again i am sorry for your loss.
It hit me harder than I thought it would when I lost my last dog after 16 years. It's not easy, but the worst part was driving her to the vet to be put down, knowing I was making the decision to do it. She was looking at me the whole way in the car and I was imagining she knew. And now I will be facing it again in the not too distant future as my Lab is now at the age of the average life expectancy for her breed. Inevitable, but its tough.
she was back with my parents to get a procedure done on her knee and they let her outside for a second and my dad went outside to find her lying on the ground. It's a really sad event in our lives, the loss of a pet. You get such little time with them and they tend to go so quickly. Give yourself a chance to say goodbye and then remember all the good things.
We lost our dog of 16yrs, 5 yrs ago and it was tough on our family. She was a great family member. two years later we've welcomed a new pup into our lives and she will be 3 this January. I hope that as time goes by you will be able to deal with this and maybe make another dog happy by welcoming he/she into your loving family.
It was a long night. So some background... we are working it out but it's been rough on my little one as we have had a tough year for pets. We started the year with 3 dogs and a bunny... the freaking bunny literally - LITERALLY - died on Easter day, in her cage in my dining room. My 15 year old Samoyed I had to put down in June. And then - Chloe - who we rescued 8 years ago, started acting strangely about a week ago. She looked like she was all freaked out about something, so I took her to the vet. $1200 later they tell me she has an inoperable 8cm mass in her abdomen, and there was really nothing they could do based on her age and where it was. So for the past week she'd have 2 good days and 1/2 of a bad day. The doc said once you get more bad then good... well, you know. But yesterday she crashed hard. And literally, get this, right before she lay down for good at about 10:30 in front of us she went up to my wife, and then to each of my kids one by one. She clearly knew, which is still freaking me out. She was such a damn sweet dog.
Normally I wouldn't start a thread here about that... but I literally was in shock (and was sitting at my dining room table blubbering) and based on the time of night I had no idea what I could do with my dog's body, as she was not small. (Not huge but not small either). As I said she had literally started to die on my living room floor and I had to basically kick everyone out of the room so they didn't have to watch, and then I just laid on the floor with her while she went. I sat with her for a while and called my breeder because I didn't want to leave her in the house for the kids to keep looking at. She is amazing... she literally met me at the vet around 12:30am so that I could leave her body to be cremated.
My kids are taking it hard and my little Aussie Shepherd who loved Chloe is walking around in a weird state, sorta looking for her and sorta not.
Losing your dogs absolutely SUCKS. Thanks again everyone for all the sentiments.
I'm sorry you and your family had to go through this last night. She sounds like a great dog and you sound like a great dog owner. Really sucks. Take care pal
3) sorry, man
4) play your guitar
For your kids, read to them "The Rainbow Bridge":
"Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.
All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.
You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together...."
breaks your heart when you go through this.
Again, sorry for your loss.
When the time is right rescue another dog. Paying it forward is not only good for the dog that you rescue but also is for the humans involved. "Rainbow Bridge" is a great read for not only the children but for the adults as well. It puts ones ight in the right place. Again i am sorry for your loss.
As some have stated, vets do offer cremation services. Unfortunately, we've had to use our local services twice in the past year.
Normally I wouldn't start a thread here about that... but I literally was in shock (and was sitting at my dining room table blubbering) and based on the time of night I had no idea what I could do with my dog's body, as she was not small. (Not huge but not small either). As I said she had literally started to die on my living room floor and I had to basically kick everyone out of the room so they didn't have to watch, and then I just laid on the floor with her while she went. I sat with her for a while and called my breeder because I didn't want to leave her in the house for the kids to keep looking at. She is amazing... she literally met me at the vet around 12:30am so that I could leave her body to be cremated.
My kids are taking it hard and my little Aussie Shepherd who loved Chloe is walking around in a weird state, sorta looking for her and sorta not.
Losing your dogs absolutely SUCKS. Thanks again everyone for all the sentiments.
I'm sorry for your family and especially your kids for having such a rough year pets-wise.