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Dog Died Suddenly with No Signs of Anything Particularly Wrong to Cause Death.

My family and I just lost our dog out of the blue around 6pm on August 22nd.

He was 8 years of age, approximately 80lbs, and showed no signs of being sick before he passed.

The night before he played like he always had and ate his dog food as usual. On the morning of his passing he was with me in my room most of the morning. He slept most of the time (which was normal for him) and I gave him crust from a sandwich I was eating. Before that my mother had put him outside before she went to work and he came in after a short time and ate some dog food then proceeded to my room. Around 1pm my father put him out and he urinated and came back in. My father saw him the whole time and he didn't do anything but his "business." My mother came home from work around 4pm. She cooked dinner approximately 30 minutes later and our dog was fine walking around the house observing everybody as he had always done. While my parents were eating in the living room around 5pm, my dog laid down on the floor as usual and went to sleep. This was a normal routine for him and nothing was out of the ordinary all day. After dinner around 5:30pm, I asked my mother to help me in my room.

We didn't notice anything wrong with our dog and stepped over him like we normally do when he's sleeping. There were no signs of death at the time.

We were in my room for 5 or 10 minutes. Mom left to go into the kitchen to get some water and noticed our dog was laying oddly with his back legs sprawled out like his front paws which was pretty unusual. My father looked at him and told my mother our dog was dead after noticing feces and vomit on the floor. My mother didn't believe it because our dog was absolutely fine all day and showed no symptoms/signs at any point. She thought my father was joking which was not a normal joke for him to say. He repeated our dog's passing after touching him. Our dog was still warm and felt life-like but he was limp with no breathing. My father believes it was a heart-attack.

The only thing we know was a week or less prior to his passing, our dog was having smelly gas which he's had many times before with no problems. He's had a benign tumor removed from between his toes on a front paw about a year or two years ago. The doctors told us we had nothing to worry about after that and our dog acted completely fine so we don't think that had anything to do with his passing. But the vomit was dark green with a long blade of grass in it but that's all we know.

It was so out of the blue and sudden that it's hit our family really hard because he wasn't just a family pet; he WAS family.

We just would like to know exactly what could of happened. Thank you.
Best Answer
441382 tn?1452810569
I am so sorry to hear of your loss.  It's never easy to lose a beloved family member, no matter how old they are.  No matter how long we have them with us, it's never long enough.  :(

From your description of what happened, it does sound like it could have been either a cardiac or cerebral event, but the only way to tell for sure what it was would be to have your vet perform a necropsy (autopsy).  Many people don't want to put their pet through this, after all it won't bring them back and it does cost money to have done.  If you feel it would give you closure, however, contact your vet and arrange to have it done.  

Again, my most sincere sympathies to you on your loss.

Ghilly
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Avatar universal
On 3/16/18...I lost my beloved puggle. We had been to the vet the day before and he saw a mass on his xray. Before I could get the blood test results my Maxie passed. He passed right in front of me. He got up from a laying down and tried to walk but his legs wouldn't work. I kept picking him up and trying to help him stand. He fell to the floor and urinated, then took two breaths and he was gone. My heart is so broken and It was so traumatic that I can barely breathe. Four months ago there was no mass and he was fine....then he just dies unexpectedly so sudden. I can't get his death out of my head. I want to remember the good times but i can't right now. Oh how i miss my faithful baby....i just keep walking the house and it is just so empty without him. God Bless all of you that have gone through this. May we one day join our beloved pets again.
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Friday May 26th 2023 I lost my minature pinscher mix with Chihuahua at the age of 9.,He had a mass close to his private area. I was planning to take him to the vet as soon as I got paidwh8ch was Saturday. He was fine all day. I went to my neighbors to play a few games of dominoes and when I came home Davidson was in kitchen bark8ng like he usually does when I come home. I said want to go out and let him and my other dog outside to do their business.  After coming in I gave them both a treat and then Davidson and I played a bit then wanted to look out window. I was looking at flowers on my tablet. I felt Davidson trying to step down off back of couch knowing he wants to get under the blanket. All I heard was a thump and Davidson was on floor tongue hanging out side of his mouth no response.  I picked him up calling his name and then ran out the door screaming Vicky my friends name. Vicky held him while I locked up my home and grabbed my purse. She said he took 2 breaths while in her arms. As she was driving I felt mistress near his private area and one of his brown eyes turned grey. I cried asking God please don't take him home but God did. He is now with his sibling of a different breed that was killed by a loose Pitbull 11-11-16. I lost 2 dogs both dying on a Friday within 6 1/2 years.
This may help you with closure. I came across it trying to find closure why my baby died unexpectedly.  https://fidoseofreality.com/hemangiosarcoma-in-dogs-my-dog-died-without-warning/
Avatar universal
My dog died today. I have no idea how or why this happened. I remember playing with him just last night, and everything​ was normal, but when I woke up this morning my aunt told me he died. I don't know what might have caused this, but I just miss him so much...
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Avatar universal
I truly do feel your pain. My husband and I lost our precious baby maltipoo on Christmas Day just before sitting down to dinner with our family. Everything was fine and normal, my husband was holding her and she was her usual alert loving self, but all of a sudden she went a bit limp in his arms; he took our outside and put her in the grass to pee and she couldn't get up and looked very disoriented. Our vet told us to take her to the emergency vet, but before we could get there, she died in my husband's arms. It's been heartbreaking for both of, especially my poor husband, who feels guilty and is extremely depressed about the loss of our little girl. She was only eight years old and we expected to have her company for a much longer time. Our vet theorized that suffered a severe allergic reaction to something, maybe a bug bite, but we don't know if that is really the case, as we don't have any idea how it could have happened as my husband was holding her when she first showed symptoms. We will never know.
It helps to share these stories with other who are going through what we are.
My comment also is that most pet lovers who have lost a beloved pet suddenly at a young age do NOT have the means to have an autopsy done on their dogs. It also seems to me that even if an autopsy is done, most of the time there's no good reason given for the death. So it occurs to me that there may be something else going on that DVM science has not discovered, probably because of the lack of post mortem examinations. Is it the food? Medicines given for fleas or heart worms or ticks? Treats (discounting Chinese-produced stuff, which just about everyone knows about)?
Is there any research that can prevent these tragic untimely deaths of our babies?
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Thank you for sharing. I lost my 3 year old australian shepherd today for no known reason. I was gone for  couple of hours and have no idea what happened. Breaks my heart that I was not with him and he was alone. I wish I could have held him or tried to help him. Sorry for your loss.
675347 tn?1365460645
COMMUNITY LEADER
I am so sorry for your loss....everyone here who has lost a dear dog, a loved one.
They do live on in Spirit. My own sweet girl Misty showed me that.
But we miss them here with all our hearts anyway.
God bless you all.
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Avatar universal
I found this chat today after googling my dog died suddenly - I lost my wee Alfie a 5 year old shih Tzu 1 week today (28th December 2018) my family are devastated :-( We had left him in earlier that day to get him neutered and he never came round from the anesthetic - the vet told us it was a underlying heart problem :-(  I miss my wee man everyday and still fill his water bowl up every day :-( please tell me it gets easier.....
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Avatar universal
I’m so sorry to hear your stories, but they do help in a way. I found my nearly 13 year old girl this morning, laying partially on her bed, partially off. I feel she may have went I her sleep but I don’t know for certain. She wasn’t exhibiting any alarming signs. There were some things that I thought was just from age. In hindsight, I feel she knew. I cannot forgive myself, as I feel I should’ve done more. Idk why she died but I’m trying to take solice that it was in her bed, in our home (although we recently moved from her home of 10yrs). I wish I knew what happened or had some time to prepare and give her a whole slice of pizza instead of the occasional crust and to take her for one last car ride. I miss my sweet angel and do t know what I’m going to do.
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Avatar universal
I do feel everyone's pain. We just lost our "Baby" girl yesterday. We have no idea why or how. Baby was doing fine in the morning. She saw me off to work as did her little buddy Jackson, our mini Aussie. She was fine. No signs of anything before she passed. Then when we came home from work, we found her in our shed dead. She had looked like she had been struggling before she died which makes it harder to take this...she had dirt all over her and dirt that had turned to mud in her mouth, most of the dirt was on her front paws which shows me she was struggling. I cried my eyes out all last night. And I have cried reading all your stories of your sweet family pets passing. Baby was 8. I will miss you so. It hurts so bad!
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Baby81817...
I am so sorry about your dog Baby, and what happened. You must be in dreadful shock about it. Without a necropsy there is no way you can tell what happened to her. But you may not want to go down that route, and instead let her rest in peace.
Bless your dear Baby's Soul. She will always love you and will wait for you. And my kindest thoughts to you and your family.
Avatar universal
Hi my dog a German Shepard aged 2 years died two days back. He was healthy and fit dog without any illness. He was fine and was eating well. In the afternoon he was playing with my kids while laying upside down so tht kids wud cuddle him. Suddenly his all four paws folded inside and he started breathing heavily and his eye suddenly changed into big black eye balls. And he cried loud with pain and moved in circle with which his excrete and urine passed out and his mouth was filled with foam. We were terrified  to see him. We tried to come near him bt he wud not allow anyone to come near him. Then he crawled himself to the balcony of the house which was at short distance and later down there and in seconds he ws behaving such as someone is giving him electric shocks. I immediately called the vet and when he arrived he was also clueless abut  dog's condition. Bt it was not rebies for sure. And within half an hour he died. I'm  still in search of the answer tht wht exactly happened to him. So plz if anyone knew do tell. Thank u
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Avatar universal
am sorry for everyone's  loss what can i tell you about my dog samo he was 15 years old jackrussel  a bundle of joy he was fine and happy today i really dont know what happened he was playing with a box i had given him at my mums i went out to do some jobs for my mum and i as got in i nipped upstairs then i was coming back down the stairs i hurd my mum crying calling his name he was just laid there we didn't know what to do we was heart broken he was are family ill miss him very much it was just so sudden such a sock  i just wish i knew what happened there is a walk he used to go on its were his last resting place will be ill miss him so much
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hello everyone and I do wish all a better day.  as for me and my family we are also mourning the sudden lost of our dog tiny.  tiny was a 2 and 1/2 year old cane corso and weighed between 125 and 135 lbs.  just like everyone else he was the glue that held me together each and everyday of his short life and I am truly grateful for each and every minute.  our day started out much like everyone else and doing all the usual things we do with our little buddies.  well around 8:45 pm me and tiny returned from our walk and feeding time done we played with the ball in the yard.  suddenly he just collapsed and was just lying there while I begin chest compressions.  he passed within 1 to 2 mins with a tear coming down his eye.  no blood, vomit or stool.  the days and nights now seem empty and I just will never understand why he left us so sudden.  I use to tell him how much my father would of loved him had he had the opportunity to meet him but my father passed away 27 march 2010.  tiny passed away 27 march 2017 the same day as my father.  so I do believe he just wanted to go meet this man I use to talk about so much.  so I know that he is fine in heaven chasing the ball with my dad which is the only comfort to my family.   but it hurts really really bad.
Avatar universal
I lost my dog .... The story ... She was fine all day jumping in around all happy normal self .. And then 8 oclock in the night she started being sick and having th runs I knew it was something else  ... I phoned the Pdsa and they said its just sickness and the runs so theres no point bringing her down just leave it till the morning and she should be fine thats what they told me  ... 2 hours go by and she stood up and a lot of blood come from her bottom .. I knew then I had to rush her to the closes vets as it wasnt what the Pdsa had said it was worse ... I got her there and she wasnt moveing her eyes she was breathing very weak they took her off me straight away .... ... 10 mins go by and they tell me she had started to throw up blood .. They needed to run some blood test and other test to see what was going on in the mean time stick her on a drip and give her pain killers ... They did that and they said it will take 2 hours for the test results of her blood I waited out side then in the car .. 2 hours went by I went in and they told me her white blood cells where 1.1 and she has a lot of acid in her blood due to losing so much of it ... The nurse runs out telling the vet that something has gone wrong and then they run down 2 mins later they come Up and tell me she has taken a turn for the worse ... I run down there to see her see what was going on ... It was horrible the amount of blood coming from her mouth and she wasnt moveing or anything .. I knew she was going ... So the vet asked me to out her down and I couldnt see my dog suffer like that so I said do it ... I was holding her paw telling her I love her as they done it ... My life has never been the same and till this day I dont know what coursed it .. The next day I paid off the bill and then paid to get her cremated ... She turned bad so fast in such a short time I just cant believe it and she was such a lovely dog my baby girl she didnt deserve to go that way ... ... Thats my story so I ask people who have dogs or cats if they throw up and have the runs take them down the vets as soon as you can because its not always the case that it is just the runs and sickness ..
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Natashamizzi, I am very sorry about the sudden loss of your dog.
It's possible that what she had was haemorrhagic gastroenteritis....but that's just a guess.

Bless her lovely Soul.
It's been over a year since we lost our Rufus and I wrote to  this website as a comfort to all of us whose dog died a suddenly.  I'm still teary-eyed as I write this and am so sorry for all who have experienced a sudden death of a pet.  I still think of my boy daily and how wonderful a companion he was.  He was one of our babies.

A year later, we have a new one, Rogan, who is now almost 9 months old to keep our Franky company.  I don't think that I would have gotten another dog but Franky, our Schnoodle, was inconsolable.  Four months after Rufus' death he still would lie on the couch and just stare off into space.  I was getting very worried for him since I've heard of the pet left behind dying from loneliness and depression.

Our new boy, a Whoodle, Wheaten Poodle, is a happy, healthy and mischievous pup.  He has helped fill the gap for all of the family and Franky has come back to life but that does not mean that we have forgotten the pain of the loss of Rufus.  For all of you who have experienced a sudden loss of a pet, my advice is to get a new one in your own time but this will not eliminate the pain of the loss but it will help.

All the best to all of you and my sympathies in your grief.

Peter In Toronto
Avatar universal
My best friend and loyal companion of 10 years died suddenly this morning.  He was a beautiful labradoodle of standard size, weighing about 60 pounds.  I am looking for answers.  We had just moved from Ohio to Arizona and we're staying with my son's family.  He had a complete check up before we left Ohio and had no problems.  We had a great trip and spent more time together in these past three weeks than ever before.  He was loving living in the desert and exploring the walled yard area.  My grandsons loved him.  Yesterday he ate well and seemed like he was really adjusting well.  He no longer was having eye drainage problems in this climate.  He went out to do pee around 11 pm.  He went to sleep in his bed next to my bed as normal.  At around 3 or 4 am, I woke to use the bathroom and he was sleeping on the bathroom floor which may have been cooler for him.  He got up when I called his name and went into the living room.  Then at 5;45 am when I woke up, I could hear heavy breathing.  He was lying on the floor, breathing heavy and lethargic.  He could not get up.  He looked so sad and tired and worried.  My son and I took him to the emergency vet hospital.  Within 5 minutes of arriving he went into cardiac arrest.  They performed CPR , gave him oxygen and medicines.  He was not responding.  I wondered if he had been bitten by a venomous animal but he had no signs of a bite anywhere.  The Doctor did an ultrasound and said that there was an enlarged heart and fluid.  She was going to try to remove the fluid but would have to stop compressions.  She came back 10 minutes later and said that it could be an enlarged heart which was hard to tell the difference between fluid and an enlarged heart with an ultrasound.  She advised me that he probably had heart disease that had progressed and that dogs don't often show symptoms and never complain.  I had to decide to stop the resuscitation as his heart would not start beating on its own.  I am devastated by this.  It is so sad and I keep wondering if there were signs that I had missed.  But he was his normal self.  He played an ran around with my son's dog in the morning yesterday and layed around or followed me around like he always does.  I am at a loss and wish he was still here.  I can't believe he is gone.  I want to look into his eyes and hug him again.  We had a great three weeks together.  This forum is helpful to know that I am not alone in dealing with my darling Harley's sudden death.  
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I am joining this because it has helped me so much to read all of the comments from before even if they were years ago.  I hope my comments can make people feel not alone. We lost our wheaten six days ago. He was a month shy of eight years old and was my 2-year-old daughter's best friend.  I got him when I was completely alone in the world, and we just kept adding to our little family, first my hubby then daughter. We are all grief-stricken. It's hard to even find joy every day.  But I just try to remember that he would want me to be happy, and I still feel his spirit everywhere in the house and when we go on runs.  I'm going to keep telling my daughter about him so she doesn't forget him.  His death was so similar to the above ones. He was happy and playing at the dog park the morning of, and he was his normal self an hour before he died.  He was panting a little bit more than usual.   After taking him outside to go P, I left with my daughter for an errand. My husband found him an hour later having pooped on the floor, and he couldn't even get up. He walked a couple steps finally and collapsed. My husband gave him chest compressions all the way to the hospital, and Bela took his last breath as my husband carried him into the vet's.  The vet told us an autopsy wouldn't really reveal a definitive cause but it was probably heart related like all of the above posts mention.  We just had no idea this could happen with dogs. It sounds like it's not all that uncommon.  We just have to remember how fragile this life is and every day how important it is to spend time with the people and animals we love. And show them our affection. I was in a hurry to go do my errand, and I still feel bad about that. But I have to feel like there was a divine purpose and having my daughter away from that.  And I know Bela I had a great last day.  My daughter and I actually got to snuggle with him in our bed that morning because my daughter slept with us the night before, a rare occasion. Hopefully I will meet his spirit again. And I pray that he never really leaves us. I miss him every day.
Avatar universal
Know this is an older post but I am joining all of you as I was looking for answers . My 9 year old Sheltie died Thursday night . He was perfectly fine we had been taking walks every night he was happy chasing squirrels and meeting other dogs in the park. I got home from work he was perfectly normal barked and told me about his day I asked why he didnt vacuum.he ate his dinner pooed and peed normal . I kissed him and told him I would be back in 2 hours as. I was meeting a friend for dinner it was still light when I got home so I got a poopy bag and was getting ready to take him for a walk and he wasnt coming to me like he normally would I went down the stairs and he was gone it totally freaked me out he was my baby reading all these posts shows me I am not a lone it helped to read I am so sad
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I lost my dog on Saturday as well. I had been at a dog show with my other pup and my partner had taken him to the park. When I got home he was happy to see us and brought me one of his toys to have a play. About half an hour later we went to do some grocery shopping, we were only an hour, when we got home he was laying at the back gate and we thought he was asleep...but unfortunately he had passed away. I am struggling to understand it. He had not been ill, he was only 23 months old, to the day. I miss him terribly, he was my shadow and best buddy.
Avatar universal
This has happened to me my dog was only 6 years old, when we were about to go to school my second dog was barking but the 6 year old dog didn't but they both get up and bark but one only got up and bark and was very excited, I asked my mom for money to have a snack after school so she gave me it the day before the death the dog was healthy and like a normal dog and the day he died it was out of nowhere that was only when I was 10 and this still hits me up we need to know why this happen.
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Avatar universal
This morning I lost my baby girl doggie, Dixie.  She's one of three we have; a black lab/golden retriever mix, copper colored and short hair like a regular lab.  Very beautiful and so sweet.  
Last night we went out for pizza, not gone very long.  She was her usual self, happy to see us when we got home, wagging tail and jumping around. Nothing seems out of the ordinary.  The last thing before my husband came to bed, he usually walks around the house and just looking around, checked the back door, flipped on the light and she was in 'her spot' on the deck, alert with her head up, just laying down checking out the woods to our west.  Very calm and not upset about anything.  He pecked on the glass in the door, and she turned her head as if to say, "I got this" and when he saw she was ok, he flipped off the light and came to bed.  Even in cool weather it's not unusual for her to sleep all night on the deck and come inside for breakfast in the morning.  When my alarm went off this morning, the other two girls were jockeying for position at the bedside like, Come on!  It's time for breakfast.  So I got up and went to the kitchen, and i didn't see her  or hear her come in.  I called for her but she didn't come.  Went to the back door, flipped on the light and she was laying down in her spot with her head down.
I pecked on the glass and called her name, but she didn't move.  I opened the door and went to her, and she was cold and her leg was stiff.  
She was nearly 9 and a half.  I cannot imagine what it could have been.  All the girls eat the same food; the same treats, and nothing out of the ordinary had happened the day or the evening before.  I'm so heart broken, I cannot stand it.
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It's horrible isn't it I'm heart is in bits after losing my dog today
Avatar universal
My beautiful boy, Joey, died Sunday, Dec. 27.  He was 8 and a half, and I thought he would be around for several more years.  He was fine one day and gone the next.  For a couple of nights, he had been chewing on some Christmas tree ornaments.  Must have been bored during the night!  I didn't think too much of it, because he would usually chew stuff and spit it out.  The morning started with him not eating, not even his treat, which was very unusual.  He just drank water, and as the day went on, got more lethargic.  When we got home in the evening after a family Christmas dinner, I noticed dark streaks of blood on the rug, and quite a mess under his tail. I knew then we had to rush him in.  His back legs buckled as he tried to pull himself along.  The vet said either he had internal bleeding caused by eating rat poison, or some other auto-immune illness that would come on quickly.  My feeling is he must have eaten the ornaments, which cut him on his insides;  He was my first dog ever, a Maltese mix, white with big brown eyes, my companion.  He was always there beside me, and happy to see me come home.  It was absolutely horrible allowing the euthanasia, but I didn't want him to suffer.  The vet said he wouldn't have survived the night.  The next day I thought I would collapse when grocery shopping, I miss him so much!  I had no idea this would be such a heart-wrenching experience to say good-bye to a beloved pet, and so fast.  What I would give for just another day with him!!
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675347 tn?1365460645
COMMUNITY LEADER
I am so sorry to hear your friend lost their dog. That was a very sad start to the New Year.
When you say he was "straining for something", and "His body was so tensed"...was he very very stiff, with his neck and head arched backwards?
If so, that could be a sign of Strychnine poisoning. In some places, Strychnine -so I have heard -is still used in poisons for some pests such as moles. I thought it had been outlawed years ago as it is such a terrible poison to use.

(P.S. I am sorry if this posts twice. I can not get used to the new format on the forum.)
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Avatar universal
My friends dog died at 12:20am yesterday.   Right after the New Year began.  

Was coming in from peeing.   Fell at the door.  A bit of poop.   Couldn't move his back end.    We got him inside on the couch.    He cried a little, whined a little.   Straining for something.  Breathed hard a bit.  Pooping, no vomiting.   His body was so tensed, I thought he seemed in pain.   Within 5 minutes he was dead.    

Massive stroke or heart attack?   I'm off to find more answers.  
I found you guys through a search for answers.   Sorry we are all here, but glad I'm not alone.  
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I am so sorry to hear your friend lost their dog. That was a very sad start to the New Year.
When you say he was "straining for something", and "His body was so tensed"...was he very very stiff, with his neck and head arched backwards?
If so, that could be a sign of Strychnine poisoning. In some places, Strychnine -so I have heard -is still used in poisons for some pests such as moles. I thought it had been outlawed years ago as it is such a terrible poison to use.
Avatar universal
Hi. First of all I would like to say how sorry I am for your loss. I truly understand what you are going through, as my black lab Molly died 6 weeks ago! She was my first dog & I miss her so much. She went with me everywhere, when I went for a shower she would follow me in the bathroom and lay down and wait for me, she loved being in the car with me & she would get so excited when we went for our daily walk. I now feel like a big part of me is missing. We still have 2 much younger labs but molly was my first dog , although I adore the 2 boys  things will never be the same without her &  I mostly keep it to myself  but I am struggling to come to terms with the loss. everyday is a constant reminder of how things were.
I also have the guilt of deciding  to have to put  her to sleep even though we know we did the right thing for her, its the hardest decision I have ever had to make. I do take some comfort knowing Im in the same position as many other pet lovers & I know you good people will also understand how horrible it is.....
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Avatar universal
My dog, Gill, died suddenly also.  He was fine and had been to the vet a few weeks earlier. I went for a walk with him earlier in the morning. I sat down with him at noon and fell asleep. I have never taken a nap in my life.  I woke up around 3:00 PM and Gill was not beside me.  I called him and he didn't come to me. I looked around and he looked like he was sleeping on the floor.  I went over and petted him.  His eyes were open and looking back at me like he does most of the time.  I felt his nose and it was cool and moist, but he was not breathing.  I turned him over to do CPR.  He had a huge amount of clear fluid coming out of his mouth, but no dark or blood fluid.  Gill was a blue merle Australian Shepherd and had blue eyes, so I could see his pupils easily.  He was gone.  I am devastated without him.  He was my best friend and my family.  Gill was my proof that there is unconditional love.  I will miss him for the rest of my life.  I had a dream a few days ago though that was very calming.  I dreamed that I was walking and came to the end of a road.  There was a man there with so many dogs of all kinds and all sizes.  I asked where? He said, "This is Heaven."  I said, "I am looking for a dog named Gill."  The man told me that Gill was still working and was watching over me as usual.  He said that I would need him to be there for some future
event-watching from up high.  He said some people aren't people and some dogs aren't dogs.  Some are  angles unaware. Gill is your angel and he still has work to do, but he will be here when he is finished  with his job..
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Avatar universal
Hi Theresa, I'm sorry for your loss and have difficulty in responding since it all is too raw for me.  Franky is still very quiet but at times shows more energy than before. I spend as much time with him as possible and take him with me in the car whenever possible.  

We are thinking of a new companion for all of us, perhaps another Wheaten.  Rufus was special to all of us.  He was his own personality, a bit domineering but that's what made him loveable.  We'll pursue this in the spring of 16 but won't right now because of other commitments.  Take heart and I hope things become easier for you and Lynda too.  

PeterinToronto
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Avatar universal
I just lost my beautiful giant Chihuahua, Flash this Monday.  He was just 7 years old. We also have a giant chihuahua, Peanut, who is 10.  The reason I call them giant is because they are the size of a little beagle, and about 22 pounds each of muscle, not fat. At least, Flash was all muscle!  Every morning it was the same routine, I would get up around 4:30 AM and let Peanut out in the pen to pee.  Flash didn't always get up then; he liked his sleep.  Then Peanut would get a cookie and lay down in the kitchen, while I went back to bed for 1/2 hour more of sleep.  That was Flash's time to snuggle under the covers, and rub his head in my hair!  I got up and put the coffee on, fed and walked them both, and went to work at 7:15.  i would normally leave the dog run door open, but it was only 45 degrees out and I thought it was too cold for them.  They had the run of the house.  When I got home at about 1:45, I heard no barks from the house.  I opened the kitchen door and Flash was lying on the floor like he was asleep.  He didn't move when I called him.  Peanut ran in the hallway.  i started screaming, and my son ran in the room.  He had just gotten home from school. (I am so glad that he didn't find him first, it was his puppy.)  I dropped to the floor and tried to shake him, but he was cool to the touch already, and his legs were getting stiff.  When I picked him up, I noticed he was damp underneath where he was laying on the tile.  I thought that it was sweat (forgetting that dogs don't sweat like we do), but realized later that he must have urinated on himself, even though it didn't smell.  We grabbed both dogs and rushed to the vet, but she said he was definitely gone. She said that it was probably a heart attack or stroke, but we had gotten his teeth cleaned a few times and his heart seemed fine on their charts. I asked about an autopsy, but it was $1700.00, and my son said it wouldn't bring Flash back.  It is just killing me because I don't know what happened.  He threw up a little Saturday, but ate, pooped and etc. fine. He had a sensitive stomach,, so we fed him and Peanut prescription dog food. He was also very high strung;  I always called him my "typical Chihuahua" because he was a bundle of energy, and he never wanted to sit still until it was time for bed.  Then he would sit in front of you and stare, until you went to bed with him and Peanut.
                                                                        
   I wish he wasn't alone when he died, he hated being without people.  I worry about Peanut being truly alone now that Flash is gone,.  All I want to do is hug and hold Flash again, and give him kisses on his head.
This morning I took Peanut out for a ride in the car just to get out.  He has been looking for Flash for 2 days now.  He has started to sleep on Flash's bed.  I don't want to leave him alone, he is so sad.  I can't stop crying either.  I have been kicking myself wondering if it was something I could have done OR if it was something that i had done.

Lynda, I too wonder if it is something I could have done.  I took bot dogs to the vet at least 2x a year.  Flash had allergies and I sometimes gave him benadry when he was itchy or sneezing.  . I gave him one Saturday or Sunday night, i can't remember which, it is all a blur.  What if i gave him an ibuprofen by mistake?  They both look the same, but one is orange and one is pink, and I took both that night b/c I had a headache. Would one tablet have killed him? i can't believe I am even thinking these crazy things.  Then I thought well, maybe he choked on something or ate something outside that poisoned him, but I know that is unlikely.  the vet said he didn't look like a dog that had been poisoned. He had no blood or vomit around his mouth.  His tongue was between his teeth but he hadn't  bitten it.  Even his eyes were a little opened, just like they were when he slept. He looked so peaceful and calm, it is hard to believe he is gone.

Peter, you may have to think about a new dog for Franky.  I know that I will too, so Peanut will not be so lonely.
I miss the howl that Flash gave every time the phone rang, and Peanut's barking at him for it!  Now he is just laying on the dog bed.

I am so sorry for all of your losses.  Thank you for liste.ning to me. I feel like I lost a child.  I know because I have had many losses in the family these past 2 years I don't know what to do.
Theresa in New York
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Avatar universal
I just lost my beautiful giant Chihuahua, Flash this Monday.  He was just 7 years old. We also have a giant chihuahua, Peanut, who is 10.  The reason I call them giant is because they are the size of a little beagle, and about 22 pounds each of muscle, not fat. At least, Flash was all muscle!  Every morning it was the same routine, I would get up around 4:30 AM and let Peanut out in the pen to pee.  Flash didn't always get up then; he liked his sleep.  Then Peanut would get a cookie and lay down in the kitchen, while I went back to bed for 1/2 hour more of sleep.  That was Flash's time to snuggle under the covers, and rub his head in my hair!  I got up and put the coffee on, fed and walked them both, and went to work at 7:15.  i would normally leave the dog run door open, but it was only 45 degrees out and I thought it was too cold for them.  They had the run of the house.  When I got home at about 1:45, I heard no barks from the house.  I opened the kitchen door and Flash was lying on the floor like he was asleep.  He didn't move when I called him.  Peanut ran in the hallway.  i started screaming, and my son ran in the room.  He had just gotten home from school. (I am so glad that he didn't find him first, it was his puppy.)  I dropped to the floor and tried to shake him, but he was cool to the touch already, and his legs were getting stiff.  When I picked him up, I noticed he was damp underneath where he was laying on the tile.  I thought that it was sweat (forgetting that dogs don't sweat like we do), but realized later that he must have urinated on himself, even though it didn't smell.  We grabbed both dogs and rushed to the vet, but she said he was definitely gone. She said that it was probably a heart attack or stroke, but we had gotten his teeth cleaned a few times and his heart seemed fine on their charts. I asked about an autopsy, but it was $1700.00, and my son said it wouldn't bring Flash back.  It is just killing me because I don't know what happened.  He threw up a little Saturday, but ate, pooped and etc. fine. He had a sensitive stomach,, so we fed him and Peanut prescription dog food. He was also very high strung;  I always called him my "typical Chihuahua" because he was a bundle of energy, and he never wanted to sit still until it was time for bed.  Then he would sit in front of you and stare, until you went to bed with him and Peanut.
                                                                        
   I wish he wasn't alone when he died, he hated being without people.  I worry about Peanut being truly alone now that Flash is gone,.  All I want to do is hug and hold Flash again, and give him kisses on his head.
This morning I took Peanut out for a ride in the car just to get out.  He has been looking for Flash for 2 days now.  He has started to sleep on Flash's bed.  I don't want to leave him alone, he is so sad.  I can't stop crying either.  I have been kicking myself wondering if it was something I could have done OR if it was something that i had done.

Lynda, I too wonder if it is something I could have done.  I took bot dogs to the vet at least 2x a year.  Flash had allergies and I sometimes gave him benadry when he was itchy or sneezing.  . I gave him one Saturday or Sunday night, i can't remember which, it is all a blur.  What if i gave him an ibuprofen by mistake?  They both look the same, but one is orange and one is pink, and I took both that night b/c I had a headache. Would one tablet have killed him? i can't believe I am even thinking these crazy things.  Then I thought well, maybe he choked on something or ate something outside that poisoned him, but I know that is unlikely.  the vet said he didn't look like a dog that had been poisoned. He had no blood or vomit around his mouth.  His tongue was between his teeth but he hadn't  bitten it.  Even his eyes were a little opened, just like they were when he slept. He looked so peaceful and calm, it is hard to believe he is gone.

Peter, you may have to think about a new dog for Franky.  I know that I will too, so Peanut will not be so lonely.
I miss the howl that Flash gave every time the phone rang, and Peanut's barking at him for it!  Now he is just laying on the dog bed.

I am so sorry for all of your losses.  Thank you for liste.ning to me. I feel like I lost a child.  I know because I have had many losses in the family these past 2 years I don't know what to do.
Theresa in New York
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Avatar universal
Don't beat yourself up.  I know how difficult it is with all the "What ifs? and If I had or hadn't done this".  I believe it is a very normal part of the experience of caring that much.  It is just over one week now for me and I'm still terribly sad.   I'll never be able to forget Rufus.  He was my first dog and I'm 67 years old.  I'm wondering if I should get another to keep Franky and Oli company and join our family.  What saddens me too is that our cat, Oli has been sleeping in Rufus' bed.  I believe it's her way of saying goodbye.  Franky, our Schnoodle, at times just lies there, eyes opened, very quietly and stares off into space with a very sad look in his eyes.  I know they are both sharing in this experience.  

Life really does suck right now but there is no way of backtracking to undo what has been done.  Also, just feel what you have to and accept it.  I believe that is part of the grieving process.  I've had many other losses, people and other pets, and eventually the depth of the bad feelings lessen.  

I'm very sorry for your loss also.

Peter in Toronto
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Avatar universal
I also just lost my sweet, sweet girl, my Honey Bunny.  She had a bacterial infection that she got from my foster dog (who had whipworms).  They were both being treated, but Honey was still lethargic and not herself.  I had called the vet and asked to bring her in on Friday, but he said to give the meds over the weekend to work and if she still wasn't herself by Monday, he'd see her in the morning.  Saturday night (really early Sunday morning), she just collapsed and died.  I did do a necropsy and the doctor just called me this afternoon.  It seems she had Adisons disease.  I had never heard of it and I don't know why she wasn't diagnosed although the doctor tried to tell me that my vet would have had difficulty diagnosing it with the bacterial infection.  Either way, I'm devastated.  If I wouldn't have fostered the other dog, Honey would not have had the bacterial infection and the Adisions would have been caught (it is a disease they can live with along with medicine) or I'm pissed at my vet because he didn't catch this.  Life really ***** right now.
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