It was a very rough day and night yesterday. It started yesterday morning. My wife let our almost 8 year old labrador retriever outside to do her duties in the middle of the night and then I let her back in about 7 AM. (pretty much every day routene). The diference was she was having difficulties breathing and her right eye was bloodshot. I didn't think too much of it and figured she just got into one of the neighbors trash and ate something bad. I left her in the garage most of the day and early in the afternoon she didn't get better so I and my 4 year old took her to the vet.

 

They took X-Rays and showed them to me and said she got hit by a car and her windpipe was damaged, they said that since she survived that long that she was probably out of danger. She walked just fine and so I didn't dream she was hit by a car, she was very scared of cars and shyed away from them.

 

The vet said she was going to give her a steroid to reduce the swelling and would probably be OK. About 5 minutes later our dog was back in the work area and my son and I were waiting in the exam room and a tech came back and told me that they need help giving her a shot. When I got back there the vet was giving her Oxygen and giving her CPR. Within minutes she died.

 

The hardest thing was telling my son that she died, so I waited until we got home and told the whole family together. It was very difficult. We talked quite a bit and I thought everyone was OK, until we went to bed and my youngest son cried himself to sleep. Obviously I didn't sleep very well either. I keep thinking that if I took her earlier to the vet she would have been OK.

 

Not sure why I'm telling everyone, but I felt a need to get it off my chest. First pet we've ever owned and she was a dandy. We couldn't have had a better, more loyal, and loving dog.

I am so sorry for the loss of your four-legged family member. Those of us that love animals understand how tough this is for you. Grieving is a normal process.

I am so sorry for the loss of your four-legged family member. Those of us that love animals understand how tough this is for you. Grieving is a normal process.

I agree, animals are apart of the family. A loss of a pet can be very hard on those that loved them.

I am so sorry, BucksFan.

 

Prayers sent for your family.

I hate here that the family pet passed away, it is always rough. Family pets are closer to you then most people think. Time will heal the wound, for the most part. You, and your children, have to remember all the good times with her, unfortunately death is a part of life, and your children will learn and grow from having their pet. Good luck.

We have 3 cats and 2 dogs. It hurts so much when a pet dies because pets are an extension of the family. So sorry for your loss.

It's always tough when this happens. All members of the mcpapa family are animal lovers. You and your family will rebound quicker than you think.

 

A DOG'S PRAYER

 

Treat me kindly , my beloved master,

for no heart in all the world is more

grateful for kindness than the loving

heart of me.

 

Do not break my spirit with a stick,

for although I should lick your hand between blows, your patience and

understanding will more quickly teach

me the things you would have be do.

 

Speak to me often, for your voice is

world’s sweetest music, as you must know

by the fierce wagging of my tail when your

footstep falls upon my waiting ear.

 

When it is cold and wet, please take me

inside, for I am now a domesticated animal,

no longer used to bitter elements.

And I ask no greater glory than the

privilege of sitting at your feet beside

the hearth. Though had you no home,

I would rather follow you through ice and

snow than rest upon the softest pillow in

the warmest home in the land, for you are

my god and I am your devoted worshipper.

 

Keep my pan filled with fresh water,

for although I should not reproach you

were it dry, I cannot tell you when I

suffer thirst. Feed me clean food so

that I may stay well to romp and play

and do your bidding, to walk by your

side, and stand ready willing and able

to protect you with my life should your

life be in danger.

 

And beloved master, should the Great Master

see fit to deprive me of my health or sight,

do not turn me away from you. Rather,

hold me gently in your arms as skilled hands

grant me the merciful boon of eternal rest...

and I will leave you knowing with the last

breath I draw, my fate was every safest

in your hands.

 

--- Beth Norman Harris ---

I'm so sorry for your family. We had much the same thing happen to our 9 year old lab mix about 3 years ago. He had been "bumped" by cars several times in his life and always recovered fine. He ran out in front of someone else that fateful day and was hit again. He didn't even fall down and we thought he was fine. The next day my (then) five year old daughter said "Mommy, Samson is peeing red." We rushed him to the vet's and his abdomen was full of blood. Apparently the hit had opened up one of his vital organs and he was bleeding internally. The vet said even if we had brought him immediately after the accident, he probably couldn't have been saved because of his age and the extensive surgery. So I held his big head in my lap while he passed away. It was so so sad and I'm so sorry for your family.

I am sorry for your loss Bucksfan. Losing a family pet is tough.

So sorry for your loss. My little Angel means the world to me.

I'm sorry to hear about this, and I know how you feel. I just put down my 10 year old lab on Monday. He was the first dog that was truly mine as he was a graduation gift from my parents. Unfortunately, he occassionally had an aggressive temperment towards women as he's snapped at my sisters and my wife. He actually got the wife pretty good. With a 2 year old little girl wanting to play with him and pounce on him, I just couldn't take the chance of what he'd do to her. We were constantly on edge with them, and even though he had never done anything to her, that thought was always there. So, for the safety of my daughter, we decided to put him down and start over. He lived a full, healthy life, and knowing his temperment, I couldn't justify giving him to someone. Therefore, we think we made the right decision. Going to sleep Monday was hard, but getting up Tuesday was the hardest. My daughter would always wake up and call for him, and this Tuesday was no different. I had to tell her he wasn't home anymore. Coming home Tuesday was hard too as he wasn't at the door waiting for me. We got a new pup to help ease the pain, but there's really nothing that will help but time.

So Sorry, when my daughter was 4 she lost her dog, the one that use to put here to sleep every night - it was hard. She use to suck her thumb and hold the dog's ear. Worst thing was she found her when she died. 20 years later we still hang an ornament on the tree for her dog. I feel for you and your family at your time of loss.

That is awful...very sorry for your loss...BGPland is thinking of your family

Thanks for all your prayers and thoughts. Today was really tough, especially when we came home our dog wasn't there wagging its tail and greeting us as she usually does.

Once again thanks for all of your prayers.

 

MC- thanks for that pet prayer!

My thoughts are with you. I feel your pain as my family had to have our 18 year old cat put to sleep on Tuesday.