Losing a Pet

[Jecs]

late last year my dog, chester, passed away. i never really dealt with anyone close to me dying. so up until then i never knew how hard it was, even if he was just a dog.

i still remember when my mum brought him home. laying on the front lawn, he was running back and forth behind the trees. young, and beautiful pup, full of energy and a spark of life. we were just drawn to each other.

at that stage of my life, i was the happiest kid in the world. he didnt pull me out from a burning building or help me get over a girl or help me deal with early teenage life, but he was my best friend just by sitting with me, and being there always to listen, even if he did just sit there with his head on my lap.

we had an unbreakable bond. where ever i went, he followed me. if i was watching tv, he'd jump on the couch next to me. when id go to bed, he'd know where his spot was on my bed. even when i had a shower he'd wait outside the shower door. he was the last one to see me leave in the mornings and the love and excitement he gave as soon as i walked through the door again... made me want to be no where else in the world.

one night, i was woken by his heavy panting/breathing. i tried to calm him down, thought maybe he was hot. so i picked him up and laid him on the tiles, and put a bowl of water next to him. i felt so powerless, i didnt know what to do. by this time my mum had woken up and we both managed to slow him down and thought it would be best to leave him there for the rest of the night.

next morning i woke up to my mum crying, quickly jumped outta bed and i remember just repeating in my head saying 'no, no, no, no' over and over. he was still alive but the look of fear in his eye just brought this cold feeling over me. not wasting anytime me and mum quickly drove to the vet. i remember sitting there, holding him, and not once did he break eye contact with me.

his lungs had fluid in them and were failing to function. they had him hooked up to a oxygen and it felt good to see him breathe normally again, but i couldnt bare to see the look of exhaustion in his face. it was tearing me apart knowin he was feeling pain.

later that night, my parents went to see the vet. and i remember my dad walking inside, a man ive never seen cry, had tears coming from his face. and my mum struggling to hold her self together. he passed away that night.

i remember sitting in the maloo for around 3 hours, by myself. time has passed, and nothing has filled the unconditional love he gave me.

when we brought him home, i had him buried on the front lawn. the first spot i saw him, and the last spot id ever hold him. not a day doesnt go by that i dont miss him, and i hope to see him on the other side.

RIP Chester







loved and lost a pet? i wanna hear your story

[88GreenVN]

Our Harvey made 17 before his time was up. The photo is of him at 16 - almost blind by then

We still miss him

[UFO]

oh man.... just thinking about the thought of my dogs dying gets me upset. they are family... i cant imagine them not being there

i know you cant replace Chester... but getting another dog allows that love you have 'just sitting there' to be put to good use.
go get a RSPCA rescue dog.... i think website is adoptapet or something. thats where mine came from.

i love dogs

cats on the other hand....

[vscalais951]

We lost our dog early last year and i never knew how attached i was till he was gone, i still have a tear well up in the corner of my eye when i think about him and i dont think i will ever not miss him. Here's to ya Dog .

[Calaber]

I've seen a few of our pets go over the years. We had a Pekingese during the 70's who got out of our yard one day and we found him the next morning, laying in the gutter down the road. He was alive but had been attacked by another dog and was blinded. We took him home and he survived for a few years, but was always very quiet as you might imagine. He managed to work his way around the yard, so I guess he still had some residual sight. He had a favourite spot under a lemon tree where he used to lay each day.

One day, he just laid down in his favourite spot and never got up again. We didn't know until we called him for his supper and he didn't respond. Poor little bugger had been dead for some time, but he never gave any indication that his time was near. Like Jecs we placed him in his favourite spot.

My daughter bought a strange little furry chap from the pound when she was fourteen. He only lasted a month when he was hit by a car outside our house one night. I found him on the road, still alive but bleeding heavily from the mouth. I carried him inside and laid him down on a mat in the garage. I knew he was a goner and trying to rush him to the vet was pointless due to the time of night. He took about ten minutes to finally stop breathing and I felt utterly helpless. The worst part was having to tell my daughter that her pet had just gone. She was deeply attached to him and he was a lively, affectionate little chap who had found his place in our home in a very short time.

[MasterOfReality]

I remember my parents bringing home a Border Collie pup when I was around 12. Pretty much grew up with this dog. Was devastated when he died 3 years ago and its only now that I'm thinking about another dog.

When he was 12, someone either poisoned him or he was bitten by something in the backyard. Several thousand dollars later, he was given the all clear but it was very touch and go. He was in the vets version of intensive care for a week, and suffered permanent damage to his liver. After that he aged very quickly. Ended up with severe arthritis, went totally deaf and lost his voice.

It was a stroke that got him at the end, he was 16. My dad found him in the garage one morning, still alive but unresponsive, eyes rolled up, shallow fast breathing. After the vet was called and the whole thing was over, my dad recalled a few days earlier he saw the dog just fall over and the pick himself up again. That was the initial stroke before the big one.

I had moved up to Brisbane by that stage and remember the phone call like it was yesterday. I was at the pub having a few drinks with collegues.

[HamaTime™]

I've never had a dog die, our current pup Tansy (Golden Cocker Spaniel) is only 3 years old and I love her to death, it sounds cliche but a dog really gives you the meaning of unconditional love and no matter what has happened in the day, they are just happy to see you and sit with you....little champions.

I have had a couple of very domesticated guinea pigs which had a very friendly and intelligent personality/attitude towards myself and my family, and it was quite hard seeing them dying...

Only real hurt I've had though is having a mate die and having my grandad (who I was very close to) die earlier this year. Been very tough.

[Jecs]

i know you cant replace Chester... but getting another dog allows that love you have 'just sitting there' to be put to good use.
go get a RSPCA rescue dog.... i think website is adoptapet or something. thats where mine came from.

we have another dog in the family that was around when chester was, and at times shes does somethin or move the same way he used to do. it gets a smile out of me.

[Garth]

shit dude, this thread is bringing tears to my eyes, god help the callas bastards who come on here and do their trolling stuff.


we had a german short hair shepheard. his name was rolf. mum and dad got him for me when i was 6. this dog and i were inseperable, little turd use to follow me to school and have lunch with me, he was a well known dog at school.

very similar story, he woke me up one morning early with this god all mighty horible howl. his nose was dry, he couldnt stand up, and he looked terified. mum and i raced him to the vet, the vet said he had a heart attack, and there was nothing that could be done for him medicaly, best option was to let him go. i remember dad comming down to the vet not long after we got there, and that was the first time i saw him cry. the put him to sleep that day, rolfie was 11 yrs old. took me years to get over that day/night, we took him home and burried him in the back yard under his fravorite tree. i havnt had a german shepeard since him. he realy was a awesum dog. he ate what i ate, and slept in my bed with me. was very cramped. ill get a photo of him scanned, (this was before the day of digital cameras)

[oska]

1. My life is likely to last 10 to 15 years. Any
separation from you will be painful remember
that before you get me.

2. Give me time to understand what you want of me.

3. Place your trust in me- it is crucial to my well
being.

4. Do not be angry at me for long, and do not lock
me up as punishment.

5. You have your work, your entertainment,and your friends.
I only have you.

6. Talk to me sometimes. Even if I don't understands your words,
I understand your voice when it is speaking to me.

7. Be aware that how ever you treat me, I will never forget.

8. Remember before you hit me that I have teeth that could
easily hurt you, but I choose not to bite you because I
love you.

9. Before you scold me for being uncooperative,obstinate,or lazy,
ask yourself if something might be bothering me. Perhaps I
might not be getting the right food, or I have been out to
long, or my heart is getting to old and weak.

10. Take care of me when I get old; you too will grow old. Go
with me on difficult journeys. Never say: "I cannot bear to
watch" or "Let it happen in my absence." Everything
is easier for me if you are there, even my death.
Remember that I love you.


i promised my dog the last one

[elmaso]

jeez some heavy stuff in here, my border collie died late last year, was terrible having to call around to vets seeing if they would put down my slowly dying dog, last hours i spent with the poor old girl where when i had to carry her into my room and put here on a been bag, she had no energy to even move.

[Trayner]

Ive had many cats and dogs and over various pets over the years . Its hard to see them go, makes a grown man break down .

[Liberator]

Agreed 100% mate nothing like a best mate thats a dog =)

[wraith]

Yeah I don't think people will last long trolling in this thread.

I guess I don't really have a story about losing a pet as such but then again it is in a round about way. Story goes like this had a dog named Simpson. Had him for a while about 4 years I think it was. Any way dad moved us into a no dog's allowed unit so had to give him away to dad's friend. About a year later I found out he had escaped and never was found. Turned out a couple months later by pure coincidence I moved into the same suburb. Walked out to get the bin out one night and I spotted a dog exactly like him. Got close enough to verify it was him (got tattooed when he was de-sexed). Poor bugger was obviously long gone and was nothing more then a street dog by that stage. He recognised me when I called his name but feral instincts seemed to kick in and he ran. I was upset for days thinking about what he was and what he had become.

[MikesCalais]

I feel for ya jecs,

I've never lost a pet, but I have a 2 yo ridgeback, he's my first do, and it gives me serious anxiety to think of anything happening to him. I knew I'd be attached to my dog, I had no idea that I'd love him so much though. He's much more than a pet, as others have said, they're family members, it's hard for someone who hasn't felt that bond to understand.

[tim005]

Wow, reading this has nearly brought a tear to me eye.
I remember when I first lost a Pet. I had grown up with my adorable red heeler zac. Was my dad's dog who he used to take in his truck with him when my dad was a truckie. Naturally as a heeler is this dog was bloody smart. This one time my young brother got caught in between the garage and the fence fetching his footy, zac went and barked at my mum for ages trying to get her to follow, I shit you not zac took her to my brother. Bloody smart dog he was. I remember clear as crystal when he died, I was in grade 3 and I cried the whole car ride home from school and for the next two nights. Old bugger lived to 18, was a soldier. I still miss him, every single day.

[crazyspoon05]

Losing a pet certainly hurts just like losing any other family member or friend

Most of those who don't understand people grieving over pets have probably never experienced pet ownership themselves

I don't mind admitting I've shed tears over lost pets

[Kikki]

I have lost a few pets.

The most traumatic was my horse. I was 11 and he was having a heart attack and was slamming his head against the staw/concrete floor in the stable, I had to shoot him myself while my step father tried to steady his head, I didn't want to hold his head and be covered in any blood etc, and I wasn't strong enough to steady him either, a sight and experience I will never forget.

I had a dog put down also when I was 8 because she ate a chicken and got busted so they called and dobbed her in, I cried for the whole day when i found out then ran away with her, we lasted 2 nights in a rusty old shed lol, she was put to sleep.

I have 2 dogs and when I think of anything happening to them I feel sick. Adam stresses about the girls too, Jazzy got stung by a bee and had a bit of a reaction, she was down the vet within 15 minutes, they are part of our family.

Some sad stories here

[Darcon666]

Here is something I was given when we lost our last dog...

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, never to be separated again.

R.I.P to all of them.

[Tim Smtih]

We had a cat that was about fifteen or so years old when we had to put her down. I grew up with that cat, we were nearly as old as eachother. It's strange but she felt like any other member of my family, she was with us for so long it was as if she would always be there. And i can understand where you are coming from with the loss of your dog, my little labrador/retreiver girl is like a furry shadow and is always there when i need her. She's gotten me through some tough times and i will be very sad the day she leaves the family.

[calais24/7]

Shitt, i have a 6 year old dog at the moment, and i love it. After seeing this thread im so scared of her dying

[Sharoo]

I'm trying o find a photo of my other dog, but here is Beau, he died a few tears ago when he was 12. He was an awesome dog..

While I was away with my Grandad my dad called really upset.
Beau collapsed at home and was rushing him to the vets (near midnight) The vets took him overnight and called dad the next morning. His kidneys were failing.
The vet said they would keep him for observation and try to help him.

Dad went into visit him (Beau suffers extreme separation anxiety from my dad, he didn't eat for a whole week once when my dad was in hospital)
Dad said he looked like death, he was in a lot of pain but the vet seemed hopeful.
I wanted to see him so bad. I knew it was really serious but I had to stay where I was (grandad was having triple bypass)

Mum called me the day I was leaving to see when I'd get home. I told her I wasn't far off.
I was going to go straight to the vets but thought I'd stop at home and see if anyone wanted to come, however I was too late

He had been put down 3 hours earlier. Mum knew I wouldn't be able to drive back if she told me.
The vet had called and asked dad to come in as Beau was getting worse and worse. Dad saw him and asked for him to be put to sleep straight away as he was so sick.
Dad said he cuddled him and he was really tense, then as they started he could see and feel all his pain disappear.
They buried him in the garden where he used to lay while dad was working in the shed.
I just sat out at his grave and cried for hours..I never got to say goodbye to him, RiP Beau xox

[Jecs]

^^ that last part got me. its funny how attached a dog can get to a person aswell, it will starve it self from depression from not seein his master.

[TinSnips]

I had a dog, Priest, before the one I have now (Tyson) who died when he was only 7 months old. I picked him up when he was 9 weeks as an underweight runt, but he was such an amazing dog. He was a Beagle x Mastiff of all things. I hadn't seen a combo like that before, but it really worked (somehow). I walked him all the time, but every Sunday, we'd go and grab the paper - I'd hook his lead around the pole at the shop and take 3 steps in the door, pay for the paper and go straight back to him. There were some big plastic storage containers stacked up which got knocked over in the wind and scared the crap out of him, he pulled out of his harness and tore off up the road. I went after him, but the front end of a camry caught him before I did. The last thing he did was look back at me over his shoulder, seconds before impact. I would have sat with him on the side of the road for around an hour until the girlfriend was able to get there with my ute. He didn't deserve to go like that.

I only have one photo of Priest. Didn't occur to me to take more. A mistake that won't happen again. He was a such a good dog and understood way more than his young age would suggest.

I think the big lesson learned, for me at least, is to not fear losing a pet, friend or family member, but to absolutely cherish every moment you have with them.

And I think that everyone who has a pet should take a photo of them now and just spend a little time with them. They'll love you for it.


Priest @ 9 weeks.

[somefool]

We had a German Shepard - Neggie her name was. We got her when we moved out further from the city, from my uncle who had her as a pup. She was a loyal dog, incredibly happy to see us come home, following me out to the bus stop every morning to my dismay. She didnt know that many tricks, she hated water; as soon as i picked up the hose pipe she did some ninja action and BAM disappeared lol, she guarded the chickens and goats (except for the one time she killed a goat-dad gave a real booting up the arse for that), and kept away the rabbits.

I remember laying in bed listening to her patter around the house, her all mighty bark: a message to any foxes trying to sneak into the chook yard and rabbits sneaking into the oachard. Christ i remember having a movie night with mates- after watching 28 days later i glanced out the window and got the living shit scared out of me. She was just sitting outside the window looking in at us, the reflection from her eyes was enough to make me jump out of me seat.

One week i noticed the was becoming fairly quiet and a bit less energetic, just a bit - but i didnt think much of it. By this time she would have been around 13-14 years old.
I came home from school and she wasnt there. anywhere. I asked my parents but they didnt notice she was missing. She would normally park herself under a tree, a bush, in one of the 6 gardens weve got, or in the orchard. i went up and down the property searching, calling her name out- to no avail. We always left the front gate open, but she never left the property unless she followed me out to the flamin bus stop.

I broadened my search to the street, doorknocking every house- no body had seen her. I gave up and walked home- called the council, left a missing dog report[thing]. They said they would let us know if somebody turns her up.

3 days later i come home from school. "Neggie's back" my mum says - but her expression wasnt right. She directed me out the back to where my dad, and she was. She was under a table, on her side, panting. Her body looked sunken, sick. No life in any of her muscles - her leg just dropped as i lifted it up. She didnt respond to any action; verbal or not. Dad tells me that a man nearly hit her as she lay on Hayman road (the road that crosses perpendicular to our street) the night before. Apparently she was just lying there. He took her home and kept her as best he could, called the council and as she fitted the description i gave them a few days before, brought her home. "She was just like this the whole time", dad relays to me.

Dad stayed with her that whole afternoon. We shoved her foam mattress under her, had a blanket and water, ect. I went in and out ofthe house, cycling between the PC and her. "How is she?" "just the same". Her panting got fainter and fainter. The last time i went outside again to see how she was, drilled and still drills me to the bone today. "She's gone" sobs dad.
She was just stiff. Still warm. In the exact stance she lay in when she slept, except her head wasnt laying quite right. Her tongue was poking out slightly, eyes still open. I closed them as per the movies dictate, blinking back tears at 598 blinks per second - not that it made any difference. My stupid ego told to not lose it in front of dad- shit that was hard. Harder was watching dad cry. properly cry. Seeing the bloke you grew up to, then- at the ripe young age of 68, break down because his one real true friend had left was another level of heart tearing rusty razor blades. We stayed there with her for some time, holding her, feeling her last warmth drain away to yield a cold rigor mortis.

As small talk begins I learn that every one of dads many dogs were German Shepards. Some had diabetes, arthritis, blindness and deafness. He trained them all to live practically normal healthy lives. Lived the same way, on real chicken parts- hardly any canned food.
He told me that every one of his dogs seemed to have waited until he was there until they finally packed it in.

The next day when i came home from school she was buried, on 'the island' -one her many chillin spots.
The next few weeks just sucked. the house was so quiet. dead. No more barking, no more coming home to her wild yelps of ecstasy, no more of that 'click click click' of her paws/toenails on the concrete as she seemingly paraded around the house. Weve had a few fox attacks-lost some prized chickens. rabbits love the place now, whenever i come home at night there is always one to be seen. The Other animals were different. The chooks made hardly any noise, the goats seemed to lose some life- their heads were always down, the ducks- well they were just ducks, and continued with their quacking and shitting all over the concrete.. that was before they were swiftly massacred by f****n foxes. All 13 of them and 3 chooks.

It's been about 2-3 years since, and i cant imagine getting another dog to replace Neggie. I don't think dad can either. She was something special. <3