Posted on 01/05/2022 10:09:28 AM PST by MountainWalker
We lost our dear dog, Sully, yesterday, and I'm absolutely heartbroken. He was our second recuse dog - the older one is strangely still alive and well. So, this was our first time going through the process. I expected it to be terrible, and it's worse than expected.
He was about 13 and getting pretty rickety, falling down a lot, had trouble going up and down stairs, had poor bladder and bowel control anymore and had some dementia - staring off into walls at times. But, he was still as sweet as he was the day that we decided to keep him after fostering him through the rescue organization that my wife has volunteered for.
He had cancer surgery right before Labor Day when he was starting to get a little wobbly and the surgeon estimated that we might have bought him another year or so. It was eye-wateringly expensive, but we did it anyway without a second thought.
His arthritis accelerated quickly, however. Toward the end of his life, his lower back would slouch down because his hind legs were too weak to hold him up, especially near the end of the day, and had trouble getting comfortable even laying down. We tried some pain killers, but that made him even more clumsy.
It makes no sense, but the sharpness of pain is as much as I remember feeling when we got my father's terminal illness diagnosis. Maybe time has only softened my memory of the pain compared to now, but it's definitely in the same ballpark. Watching a helpless creature whose life revolved around you and was by your side constantly pass away based upon your call is indescribably painful. He was sleeping wedged against me with his head on my pillow next to mine on Monday night and now he's gone.
Any prayers or suggestions for how to manage the pain are appreciated. Thanks, FRiends.
*pausing to pray for your painful loss*
It really is like a family relationship. When my mother died, a cruel co-worker found it in her to write something on the sympathy card that sometimes took the edge off the pain for a little while, as God healed my broken heart. My cruel co-worker wrote “Remember the good times.” It was so simple it sounds flip, but it reminded me to pause and remember good things for awhile.
Your dog was blessed with rescue and a forever home, and a family that loved and appreciated him. This is extreme good fortunate for any pet - a life well-lived, when it could have turned out so much worse. I’m sorry you’re going through this.
Also want to say that when my beloved Andy Cat died far too young, I was absolutely devastated. Three weeks later, I went to a street fair in an upscale neighborhood to find some fresh tomatoes. First thing we came to was a cage of kittens from a very reliable no-kill shelter. Loved one little girl, the alpha of the litter, but I said it was too soon after Andy died. Three days later, I was on the phone asking whether she was available. Got her, love her to pieces, and she’s my reason for needing to live a very long time to see her through her life because not everyone would put up with a bossy alpha girl.
Everyone is different of course, but I just wanted to mention this to you.
Fully understand your pain. Prayers for you and your family. Someday you and Sully will be reunited.
Goldie is on the lower left in this band photo...
^..^
You and your pup found each other and spent 11 years together. We hope your happy memories will help as time passes.
Been where you are and my heart breaks for you. You did good rescuing Sully and providing a loving home. Please take comfort in that.
May our Great God Comfort your heart. May He give your family Peace in their hearts. I lost my Beloved Sammie 8/7/2021
I worked like crazy so I would not have to deal with the greif, Guess what? I am dealing with the greif NOW. It does not go away.
My baby was 20 when he died, Good Ole Sammie the Schnoodle, I think he was living on Love. He was reasonable healthy until the end. I was Blessed and so was he.
The older dog will provide some comfort, but loss of a dog is always heartbreaking to anyone with a heart. You never get completely over it, but time helps.
My daughter lost her beagle rescue a few months ago. She was about 15 we think. She just texted me this morning “last night as I was falling asleep i heard her breathing the way she used to. It woke me up.” I told her that her spirit is probably still around. So much we don’t know.
I'm truly sorry for your loss. :(
This is a terrible thing to lose a pet. Sorry about this.
It always helps me to know that if I make it to Heaven God will want me to know so much joy he may very well give my pets back to me.
It sounds like your dog had a wonderful life with you and his life was a complete, happy, doggy life. It doesn’t take away the sadness but hopefully it can give comfort you to know that you cared for him well.
I lost my dad last year and then my SWEET little cat this year and yes, that pet death just brought everything back and made everything harder. I think being more sensitive to others’ pain though has been another result of my recent losses. So, that’s a bonus. Good can always come from the pain. I’ll pray for you!
Don’t be sad that he’s gone. Be happy that you had him and gave him love, when he was here. He’s in a much better place now, than we are.
You have my condolences. It is hard to lose a beloved pet. When thy are gone, you realize just how much you interacted with them. I would find myself entering the room and saying “how’s my buddy!” without even realizing how often I automatically did that until they were gone. Our current dog will be 13 in March and is getting a bit stiff and cannot walk as far and as fast as he used to.
Losing your four-legged friend is so heart-wrenching. My wife and I have gone through it several times and it’s always hard. Here’s a link to some poems that have helped us through those rough days. Warning: you’ll cry like a baby as you read them, but the tears are cathartic.
http://prayersforpets.org/poems1.htm
Very sad. Our dogs are family. We have adapted with them for thousands of years and have a strong bond to each other. It took a long time to get over it just as it does a loved one. In fact, it is worse. Most of us are closer to our dogs then any one else in our lives.
So sorry for you loss. It hurts like heck when you have to say goodbye to a pet. It will take lots of time for that hurt to ease up.
My heart breaks for you. It’s so hard losing our 4 legged friends :(
My prayers are with you!
Lost my jack russell Shorty after 12 years this last month.
He was having a hard time staying on his feet and dementia
so it was time but it was hard.
My heart goes out to you.
t.
“...he guards the sleep of his pauper master as though
he were a prince...”
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.