Sudden Death of "Healthy" Dog...

This is similar to other posts but slightly detailed so I'll post it:  Two weeks ago the day after Xmas, I came home and my 12yo Shepherd/mix was fine.  She was at least outwardly, a perfectly healthy and energetic dog for her age, and passed her yearly exam only two months earlier.

She went out and used the bathroom normally and came to the back door acting normally.  Then, I saw her lay upright on the ground and start a very very slow, deep, breathing.  She was not choking.  She would not drink water or look directly at me.  She then tried to stand and wobbled up, very unsteady, took a few steps, and her bowels emptied a large amount of stool (not watery, normal), onto the ground.  She walked a few feet more, laid down, rolled over, and breathed the deep, slow, heavy breathing for 3-4 minutes, and then, she died.  She did not seem to be in any apparent pain or panic/distress during the entire thing.  Once she passed, she was just staring forward, and her tongue was "twisted" slightly and hanging out.

We're devastated, as this was completely unexpected and sudden.  Now, on one board I saw one vet say that other vets that say it's a heart attack are "lazy", and that nothing can be even remotely concluded unless a necropsy is done - and even then maybe nothing will be known.   I find it hard to believe with decades of modern veterinary medicine behind us now, that there are no semi-conclusive answers out there since this is happening to quite a few people (?).   I realize without a necropsy there's no way to know 100%, but with the description I gave is it "reasonably safe" to assume this was some sort of sudden and powerful cardiac event, or, does it sound more like a stroke?    Thank you

[lindapalm]

I don't have any knowledge of what could have happened to your dog, but would like to say I'm sorry to hear of her death.  My dog is also twelve, and at the vet last week I read on a chart that she is beyond being a senior, she is in the geriatric stage, which yours would have been too.  Its hard to believe their that old, you can at the very least be comforted that she didn't have a disease that you would have to watch her suffer with, or have to euthanize her.

[ginger899]

I am so sorry to hear of your dog's death. The one comfort was that you were there with her when she passed. On some level, no matter how 'out of it' she was, she would know that.

A necropsy is the only way you could know for sure what she died of, but my thoughts on that are, let her be at rest. There's a time and a place for a necropsy, but it might be something you don't want to go through right now.

My condolences to you, and I hope you are coping with this, because it did come as such a shock. It is a very hard thing for you.

[greg30127]

Thank you for your comments.   Actually, no, I'm not doing very well with this to be honest.   Lucy was long ago by a trainer determined to be a "prodigy dog", meaning, one that leans certain things almost instantly by observation.  The slang many use would be a "Lassie dog" type of dog.  On her own, simply by watching people over time, she learned how to open doors when she wanted to go from room to room, turn on the TV (yes, really), and communicate with people via a series of elaborate actions that were like a language.  Not to belittle my other two remaining dogs, but they are "dogs", and Lucy was more like a little human with extra hair and legs.  Even people who were not typically dog people would come to my house and spend time around her and say things like, "Wow, she is so cool, I'd own a dog if I could have one like her!".

So while losing a pet is a very hard thing for folks, when you are one of those lucky 1-in-100,000 or so people to actually find and adopt a "prodigy dog", it hits especially extra hard (this is not at ALL to belittle those who have lost any other pet - I'm just saying of all I've ever had, she was just an exceptionally hard loss for me).

I know there are no defined answers here without the necropsy.  She's buried in the back yard now and there's no way to do it now anyway, plus I simply could not afford the costs of up to $900 quoted to me here for that and cremation, etc.   I know that at least it was a "natural" death and not a result of anything we or anyone else did to her, and for that it's a comfort of sorts, but I guess I'm still in a search to at least narrow down the "most likely" cause of it.    Right now, I'm just trying to make it through one day where I can go more than 30 minutes without thinking about it, two weeks later.

[chasha33]

Judging from what you have said in my opinion it does sound more like a heart issue.I am truly so sorry for you losing your baby .I lost my little girl Peke 6 months ago and i still cry everyday.She was only 7 years old and in perfect health and my vet ruled it as Cardiac even though like your little girl she was fine before that.I have tried for months now to really understand why i lost her .But i am still at a loss can no one can truly explain a definite reason of how it suddenly appeared and why there where no previous signs.She was getting her nails done and then she was gone.Did Lucy have any health issues at all?And what about heart worm and flea preventive.Was there anything odd about her behavior other than what you described within those few mins?I will keep you in my prayers.May God Bless You.
                                                                 Chan

[greg30127]

chasha33,

No - she did not show signs of illness beforehand.   She had her yearly checkup two months prior, and the Vet even commented on how very strong and healthy she was for a 12 year old dog.  Of course, I know, without MRIs or Xrays you don't see what might be lurking on the inside that may become a serious problem, but at least outwardly, she had been showing no signs of having illnesses or complications before this happened.

Even when we got home that day, initially she acted like her normal excited to see us energetic self.  She went outside and used the bathroom with the other two dogs just fine - but within a couple of minutes the attack or whatever it was began.  She was not choking or anything like that.  I actually thought at first she was having an epileptic seizure as the first signs of it seemed like that (my 3rd dog has those so I know what those are like when you see them).  While Lucy didn't have epilepsy, dogs have been known to develop it later in life, so I thought that was it, until I saw her stagger into the middle of the yard and just collapse.  Then I knew deep down I think, it was much more serious - but I didn't accept it, and kept trying to reach emergency vets on the phone to see if they could tell me what to do (they could or would not).

I'm kicking myself for not just getting off the phone and running out there and just being with her the last minutes of her life.  But at least my roommate who she's known a long time and cares about too was out there with her while this was happening, so she did not pass alone in the yard.  Still, it should have been me.   I know I'll never know 100%% for sure what happened, but it's just the sheer suddenness of it all, and her seeming so healthy, that still has me in a state of shock.  My other two dogs are up in years and they are not in great health - if this had happened to either one of them we would be grieving, but we expect it due to their health issues - but this was a completely unexpected thing with this particular dog, who I fully expected to live another 2-3 years (at least) the way she looked/acted.  

And yes, they always got their heartworm meds and all of that every month on time, and ate premium dog food that had no fillers or foreign fluff fill agents in it, and had Glucosamine in it, too.  

[ginger899]

Things like this leave us baffled and shocked, and don't seem to make sense. My other dog was strong and fit for his age (14) he enjoyed exercise, play, ate well, had no health issues. Then all of a sudden he started showing pain, and had prostate cancer diagnosed. He lived 10 days after that. I had time to adjust, and face it, but it was still such a shock because he seemed in perfect health for his age.

The dog I have now is 12. She is well and fit, everything fine. Her senior bloodwork (done in August) was all normal and the vet said she's in really good shape.
But every day I know is a gift from God, and at any time, any of us can be taken.....
"There, but for the Grace of God, go we"....(including our fur-families)
Things, and those we love, can be snatched away from us without even a moment's notice. Life is cruel.

[greg30127]

Someone passed on a phrase to me today .....

"The depth of your love, will equal the depth of your grief".

Oh - swell.  At least I know I realllllly loved this dog, 'cause if I could afford it, I'd already be on a shrink's sofa by now!

[chasha33]

I wish there was something that i could say or do for you,I really can understand what you are going through though.When i took my little girl Chloe and her brother in that day to have there nails done,I never would have thought that i would be leaving there that day with her gone.Her brother is 7 years old as well and he has some special little issues.Kind of like how you describe your other 2 babies. It was just to hard to imagine that her being in perfect health that she would go that way,I still cry everyday and it has been 6 months.I have tried to understand what went wrong,But no one can give me a definate answer.My vet said it was her heart,But i wonder if that is just a way of him trying to help me deal better with all this.Please try not to blame yourself or beat yourself up with the What If"s and If only's.I have been doing that to myself every since i lost her and believe me it is a terrible feeling.As far as you being on the phone when she passed away,You were trying to help her and she knew that.There is not a doubt in my mind that she knew how much you loved her.Just from the way you speak of her ,I can tell she was one lucky little girl to have you.The reason why i asked you about Heartworm preventive and frontline is because there had been some problems with some newer meds and i was just wondering if you had made any recent changes?If you ever need to talk i am here.I will keep you in my prayers.     May God Bless You,Chan

[chasha33]

One more thing,They did take a small piece of Chloe's heart and sent it off and it came back showing that she had had a previous heartattack.But i was told that it wouldnt show if she had one when we lost her.And as you had previously said some vets say that using that term for dogs is just other vets being lazy and then some say that it is possible.But extremly rare.So it is very hard to say one way or the other.Cause if your baby passed away due to her heart it wouldnt show any scarring unless she had a previous episode.I know that this is not alot of help for you,But i just wanted to share with you the info that i have been given.

[greg30127]

thanks for your comments.

[sbzall]

Though I am crying as I write this, your post was very comforting to me. Just 2 days ago, my shepherd-husky mix Emmy (10 yr.5 mo.old) died exactly as you described.  Same story of being extremely healthy, active, up to date on all meds, etc.  As soon as she collapsed, we rushed her to the Animal Emergency Hospital, but she was gone by the time we arrived.  We also did not choose to do a necropsy and were told that it may have been a "heart-related event".  She was a very intelligent, loyal dog who spent more day-to-day time with me than anyone else in my family.  My grief (as yours) is overwhelming and every small detail of my day-to-day routine reminds me of her and adds to my emptiness and sense of loss.  I hope each day that you feel a little better able to cope.  Please comment with an update. Thanks. Sara

[sbzall]

Though I am crying as I write this, your post was very comforting to me. Just 2 days ago, my shepherd-husky mix Emmy (10 yr.5 mo.old) died exactly as you described.  Same story of being extremely healthy, active, up to date on all meds, etc.  As soon as she collapsed, we rushed her to the Animal Emergency Hospital, but she was gone by the time we arrived.  We also did not choose to do a necropsy and were told that it may have been a "heart-related event".  She was a very intelligent, loyal dog who spent more day-to-day time with me than anyone else in my family.  My grief (as yours) is overwhelming and every small detail of my day-to-day routine reminds me of her and adds to my emptiness and sense of loss.  I hope each day that you feel a little better able to cope.  Please comment with an update. Thanks. Sara

[cyberjunk]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hemorrhagic_gastroenteritis
HGE killed my dog.
My dog died in three hours.  A dachshund/beagle mix named Ginger.
She threw up 1AM then began urinating and defecating diarrhea with dark blood. While I was trying to locate a 24 hour vet in this back water (Bluffton, SC) she then begun to hemorrhage bright red blood and passed away on the way to the VET.
Note: She had a bit of diarrhea earlier in day but no sign of blood – I know as I used white paper towels to pick it up – no blood.  
I am writing to warn all pet owners of this disease HGE.  Learn about it.

[coogie383]

4 days ago my Pit mix was a strong healthy and happy 9month old puppy. After coming in from playing she refused to eat. She only wanted to drink water after the first two days. In a matter of 4 days she lost a considerable amount of weight barely moved onlyl drank a small amount of water. On the fourth day she did not get up at all and she bled profusely from rectom and died. The vet thought it was somethimg called parvo But it turned out to be some kind of poisoning. We won't know for sure until we get the results from the autopsy report. I loved my dog dearly and it cost $236.00 to have her cremated so i could keep her ashes with me always. Ince she was kept on my property at all time God only knows how she got poisoned. Someone had to  come on my property to do thlis.
Ignorant people are under the mis conception that all pits are violent. Mline was'nt. She was the sweetest and most gentle dog i have ever owened. I will never stop missing her. May God have mercy on who ever hurt.

[ginger899]

You poor thing! I am so so sorry your girl died like this.
But the first thing I thought when I was reading what you wrote was "Rat or mouse poison"
Now if she caught a mouse while playing, and ate it, you might, or might not even notice! Dogs can get hold of some tiny critter and eat it so quickly, you might not even know if your back was turned. It is just possible this happened, as rats and mice can run everywhere, through peoples fences, yards, property etc.
It may not have been a deliberate poisoning...

I know all Pit bulls are not violent! I knew one a few years ago. (Before they became one of the 'banned breeds' here in Britain) He was a lovely dog, playful and good. And very gentle.

Anyway, I am sorry this happened to her. It's very sad. God bless.

[lindapalm]

You're absolutely right, pits are the nicest dogs, and always look like their smiling.  I hope you find out that your dog ate a poisoned mouse, like ginger899 suggested, cause it would be a lot easier than knowing someone was sick enough to poison a dog on purpose.  I'm sorry you didn't have many more years with your puppy.

[linusintense199]

I too feel like I am reading a script. My 10.5 year old German Shepard (from a rescue since she was 18 months) died this morning... we had a great labor day with family.  Then when we were cleanining up at night, she didn't go up stairs... I went down to find her eating grass. She was trying to throw up...
She kept getting up and down for about 20 minutes, she then threw up and went inside ... she fell asleep on her pillow after some stroking, I heard her get up at 4, but lay back down...
I woke at 6:30 and she was dead, puffy, eyes open... she must hae died around 4:00.. no yelping no nothing...
She didn't do anything different from before.. and she was not distended or anything..

It doesn't matter if it was the heart or gut, but it strike so hard.. my best to those who greive tonight..

Linus

[seeana]

Hi Greg I feel I must just put down my thoughts.Its 99% she had a heart attack,because if it is any comfort they do not feel anything at all in fact she would not have even realised  it right from the start.
In another post where someone had lost her dog yesterday I put my experience down in detail.
Its the best way to go for her  so many of us die in great pain dragging on  for such a long time she knew nothing, died happy and content.
I also have a dog like her, he is a Golden retriever 9yrs old who is convinced he is human and acts as such, I also have two other dogs and yes I understand what you are saying.Just think how blessed you are to have had her in your life.
If there is a heaven! you know she will be waiting patiently for you....you were her life and always will be.

[Kimber51]

I'm so sorry for your loss.  Even though it's been three months, I'm sure you think about her daily.  I lost my beloved Rosie two days ago and it's like a member of the family died.  I can't stop thinking about all the things that she would do and how faithful and good-natured she was.  She died suddenly in the yard around 10:00 at night.  She barked for about 15 seconds and then let out a whimper and just layed down and died.  The whole family is in shock.  She was 8 years old but had the energy of a puppy.  I just happened to go home at lunch that day and then walked her after work, so for that I'm thankful.  I got to have some quality time with her up to the very end.  It still seems so unreal - like I'll go home and she'll be waiting by her food bowl for the next serving.  Memories of her are everywhere.  We had an older cat that we had to put to sleep about five years ago, but this is 100 times harder.  Dogs are just such a presence in your lives when you own one.

[lovedogs2]

My dog recently passed away ... normal one day and dead within 36 hours of any symptom.

You mentioend that you dog had been to the vet within 2 months prior.

Diod he get vaccines and did yougive hi heartworm treatment.

My dog dies fro an illness called Evans Syndrome which is a autoimune illness.  The dogs imune system attacks its own red blood cells and platlets.  A dog can has this illness or something called IMHA or ITP.  There are many triggers that can make the imune system act this way but one of the triggers is thought to be vaccines.  There is consensus among many veterian's that dogs are being over vaccinated.  There are tests that can be done in advance to a dog being given a vaccine to determine if the dogs system is already carrying the required antibodies which we are immunizing the animel for.  This is called checking the Titers.

The shock of my dogs death is still very hard to take along with the change in my lifestyle.  I am planning to get another dog but that will not be for likely another 6 months.  During this time I plan to find a veterinarian whom will do their due diligence during the dogs annual checkup to do bloodwork on the dog to make sure that everything is noral and also to check for titers before putting something unnatural into my pet  I have started my look for a vet who beleives in this and surprisingly there are many vets whom will only follow the old school theory of jabbing the dog with vaccines, checking his ears, eyes, heartbeat  and temperature,  It seems  regular annual checkup just seems to be a money grab rather than a care or concern for the pets health.  
Wouldn't we have the same concern if we went for our physical exam and all our doctor did was take ou blood pressure and jab us with a flu shot and say see you next year.  

[ginger899]

I am terribly sorry you lost your dog, and so suddenly. It is very sad.

But well said. I think similar about that annual checkup. I spoke at length to my vet about the Titer test. There is one of the vaccines which doesn't show well on a Titer test -Leptosirosis- so I did decide to have it done ...the others the vet told me, at that particular practice, are done 4-yearly, not every year as I thought.
The Lepto shot I thought was a good call for my dog who is a country dog and in contact with conditions which could put her at risk.
But I understand that even that one CAN have some negative side effects.

However, I agree, that this "Annual Health Check" is not good enough. I think after a certain age -say 7 or 8...a full blood count and urinalysis should be done every year.

[dolores312001]

I just returned home from a business trip and learned that this very thing had happened 4 days earlier to my seemingly healthy 10-year-old chocolate Lab, Dolores,  who was the light of our lives. My neighbor let her out to potty in the morning, she was frisking around like always, fetching her kong, etc. When he came back to let her inside 15 minutes later, she was lying dead on the patio with her tongue blue and hanging out. My kids kept the news from me until I returned from my trip, knowing I would be a wreck and not wanting to compromise my work.  I am heartbroken and cannot stop crying.  The only small comfort I can take is that she did not suffer and now we will never have to watch her slowly fail and make that other horrible decision about if/when to have a beloved pet euthanized.  It just still feels like it was way to soon.  She came into our lives just a few weeks after my husband died and has been the huge heart that soaked up all my kids' hurts and sorrows along with mine.  I guess after 9 years her job was done and now her beautiful spirit has moved on to show up in another needful place. I am crying as I type this and will no doubt being crying  off and on for a very long time.  I miss you and always will, my Dolores ....

[haley689]

I am so sorry for the loss. My boyfriend and I also just had a similar situation. We had a Shepherd/husky mix and she was beautiful and completely healthy. We woke up and she showed no abnormal signs. Then a few hours later we were laying watching t.v in bed with her and she threw her head back and started a loud crying moan. We've never heard her do this before and after about  20 sec. of her crying she was silent and she wasn't breathing. We tried CPR non stop and finally finding an open Vet (it was a sunday unfortunately) they couldn't revive her. We were devastated and didn't know what else we could have done. Koda was only 8 months old.

[ginger899]

I am really sorry to hear about your Koda.
It's always so sad when a beloved dog dies, but especially so when there appear to be no causes that can be understood. And so suddenly too.
You did all you could to try and help her.
I am very very sorry

[351cleve]

I am so sorry that Angel had to leave us so unexpectedly. Like that of an angel, she was so beautiful and kind. We will always remember all the fun times we had together. Angel will always be in our hearts.You should take comfort in knowing that you loved her with all your heart and should never blame yourself in any way for her death because as you said, it was her time. Keep her deep inside your heart, but let go of the guilty feelings toward yourself. No one could have cared for her dog as much as you did AND there will never be another dog like Angel!! We thank her for 11 long years of joy not to mention bringing 9 of the cutest puppies into this world! We love you and we will always miss you!

[CB28]

It is so sad and emotional to read these posts about sudden dog death.  I just lost my 11 yr. old boxer mix.  Rocky was just fine in the morning as I let him out before work.  He did his normal duty and came happily back inside.  I returned from work and he did not seem himself, although he still wagged his tail and was happy I was home.  We went outside together to do lawn work.  He mostly rested on the patio as he usually always followed me around outside.  He got progressively worse as the night went on and could not walk well so I picked him up and took him outside around 9 PM.  He could not hold his head up around 2 AM, started very labored breathing around 3 AM and was gone by 4:45 AM.  I did speak with emergency vet around 3 AM and we decided to keep him comfortable and get him into my personal vet at 8 AM that morning.  He seemed in perfect health one moment only to pass less then 24 hrs. later.  He was my best friend, my companion, my shadow, my protector.  I loved him and miss him so much and am thinking about selling my home as everywhere I look I see him.  I chose to have personal creamation and just got his ashes back yesterday.   I hope time will heal all of us who have faced this sudden loss.  It is the most pain I have every felt since my mother passed many years ago.

Craig

[IJB69]

So sad indeed to read all this stories of sudden and unexplained deaths. I feel it acutely because my lovely greyhound passed away today very suddenly.  A fit 5 year old, he liked nothing better than walking and running in the woods.  He ran on a little ahead of me whilst I was greeting another dog and chatting to his owner.  We then all walked on expecting to see Mickey round the next bend.  When we didn't, I called him but I had in fact walked past where he laid dead.  The other dog found him.  Less than 5 minutes from fit, lively, bouncy dog to... corpse.  He was an ex-racing greyhound whom we adopted only two years ago and ABSOLUTELY the best dog in the world.  I am missing him dreadfully.  I don't understand what has happened but I guess I'll have to accept it.  He had the best food (fresh raw food), 2 hours' exercise a day, a glossy coat and well-toned muscles and people used to comment on how well and fit he looked.  He was truly a spendid creature... and I can't believe he is gone.

[dajetigabe]

I'm going through this right now too.  Our sweet 12 year old dog Ginger, a small Australian shepherd mix, passed away suddenly two weeks ago.  I let her out to do her thing about 8 pm on Tuesday evening and she seemed fine.  Two hours later when my husband got home from picking up our daughter at the airport for her Christmas break from college, Ginger wouldn't get up to greet her (she always barked hysterically to welcome anyone who came in the door - especially when she hadn't seen them in some time).  She just lied there and cried pitifully because she was so happy to see our daughter but couldn't get up to do it properly.  We tried to coax her up by saying her favorite words: treat, walk, ride - but nothing worked.  She did eventually get up to walk the two feet over to her bed in the living room and then stayed there the remainder of the night.  There was no vomiting, diarrhea, or labored breathing.  My husband felt her over and she never showed any sign that anything hurt when touched.  We decided to take her to the vet in the morning if she didn't seem any better.  My son knocked on the door at 5:15 a.m. and said "You need to come out here."  And there she was, lifeless in the hall, midway between all of our bedroom doors.  She hadn't been gone long and it was to clear to us that she wanted to be near those she loved when she died. I kick myself that I didn't leave the bedroom door open that night.  When Jeff picked her up to move her, we found a small spot of very bloody stool, about the size of a nickel.  That is the only evidence we have of whatever happened to her.  She was such a beautiful, fun loving mutt.  She was perfect for our family and the eleven years we had with her are cherished.  It's been so hard to give her things away.  I cry anew each time someone expresses their condolences.  I'm crying now, but I needed to write this.  I just wish we knew what happened to her.  We buried her in a wild area that she loved near our home, asleep in the cat's bed that she claimed for her own (much to the cat's chagrin) a number of years ago, and wrapped in her favorite sofa throw.  I though losing a pet wouldn't be as hard since I'm so much older now.  I was wrong.

[lindapalm]

I sorry to hear about Ginger.  I think the older you get the harder is it to lose a pet because you get closer to them.  Your kids get older, and they take their place.  She was in her late seventies, so you did a good job of keeping her healthy and happy.  Try to find some peace in knowing she didn't suffer, and that you gave her a great life, which by reading your post, it is obvious.  Take Care.

[Puravidamae]

Life is so fragile.  It's been almost 4 months since I left my German Shepherd mix Mickey who died at the age of almost 13 years old, which is a complete life for such a dog (although he looked like he had another 1-2 years left).  He looked amazing and had hardly any grey in his muzzle and had a brilliant black & tan coat.  He recently survived Ehrlichiosis and had a follow-up exam just 6 weeks earlier.  That morning he made me proud walking so strong and graceful.  After lunch, his stance and look was something I deep down knew was death, but denial kicks in to protect us from our fears and I felt scared.  I tried walking him and he diligently and reluctantly got up.  He eventually died that night after labored breathing and I did not sleep or eat for days.  He is buried in my yard and I speak to him every day at his grave.  I wrote a letter to him because I felt guilty for not taking him to the vet earlier that day, or when I noticed a longer recovery time after a few walks in the morning.  He was my life, my family, my true best friend.  I will always love him in my heart and day by day I seem to dwell less on his death and cherish his "human" qualities that you too have expressed of your dog.  

He was way cooler than I could ever hope to be and I know he would forgive me for not taking him to the vet earlier and he would want me to be happy for the times we spent together.  Mickey's sudden death reinforces one to live more for the moment, be more compassionate and realize that life is so short.  He at least died in his home and I was there only at the last moments and he looked up at me and then he was gone.  It was the saddest moment in my life, but he seemed so cool about it like he was saying thanks and not to worry.  There is a saying here in Costa Rica, "un perro es 10 años de amor y 1 año de dolor" ("a dog is 10 years of love and 1 year of pain").

[Yogi2000]

I too just lost my 11 yr old male German Shepherd "Yogi" extremely suddenly on March 16, 2012. He would have been 12 on June 13, 2012. I am devastated. On Tues. he seemed his regular self and was pooping and eating fine. On Wed. he had what I thought was just a mild case of the runs. I thought it was from too many milk bones that day which happened before. He would go out to go potty and crouch to poop but nothing really was coming out except a small bit of moosh every four hours or so. He showed no signs of illness really until late Thurs. afternoon. He seemed like he didn't feel well and I planned to call his vet first thing Fri. morning just to be safe. By Thurs. night I could tell he wasn't feeling very well and noticed his stomach felt really flubbery and looked bigger. Still he really didn't show me he was in any pain but I was really worried. He laid beside me and I rubbed his head and comforted him until I went to bed. About 2 AM Fri. I noticed he was breathing a little heavy and I checked his gums and they were pink and normal. He laid back down and we both went to sleep. I got up at 4 AM to go babysit my grandbabies as usual and asked my roommate to watch him closely and give me a call if he noticed him getting any worse. I called his vet about 8:30 AM Fri. and they said bring him in at 11AM. I got the kids fed and ready and went back to pick him up. By the time I got to my house, he wasn't doing well at all and when we tried to put him in the car his back feet buckled and I lost it. I checked his gums and they were pure white and so was his tongue. I rushed him to the vets. My roommate brought him in while I grabbed the kids. By the time I got down the stairs to see him the vet was drawing a huge vile of blood out of his chest. She told me his whole chest was filled with blood and he was sufficating to death and she should give him the first sedation shot before the second one to put him to sleep. WTF?? I was SHOCKED!! I just had to put his Mom (13) down 5 months prior but I had time for that decision. (They were both very healthy and had all their shots and were taken care of very well). The vet really had no idea how he could be perfectly fine just less then 24 hrs before and then be on deaths door and had to be put down. I don't have the money for an autopsy so I'm just left shocked, bewildered, totally heart broken, and I'm basically freaking out. He was the best dog in the world that anyone could ever ask for and I guess he protected me and my feelings until his very last breath. My sister said it may have been hemangiosarcoma. Not knowing is really killing me because I'll always wonder if there was something that I could have done differently.

[jaycat369]

I just lost my beuatiful 9 year old black lab, Maggie. She had a person's soul. She talked when she wanted your attention. Dinner was always at 5PM and she would come find me and talk to me if I was even 5 miutes late. She would talk if visitors were spending a little too much time petting our younger Bernese, Rocco, who adored her. She was much more interested in people than dogs. It took her a long time to decide she'd accept Rocco as a friend and allow him to worship her. She was healthier than ever now that she had a younger friend. She was chewing on bones agan and playing with toys again and loving her daily walks in the woods with Rocco, She was perfectly fine and she had her vet check up not 6 months ago. The vet said she looked terrific. I fell asleep at 11:30 Saturday night (3/24) and Maggie was right where she always was, laying in the hall in between my bedroom and our daughter's bedroom. Once my husband and I fell asleep she'd sleep in my daughter's room. My husband couldn't sleep that night and said Maggie came to him at 1:30 to go out. He let her out and waited for her. She pooped and peed normally and then just lay down in the grass,. My husband coaxed her up the deck stairs and back into the house. She went to rest in the living room with Rocco.  Half hour later she came to get my husband again. She was panting heavy and he was a bit worried. She was drooling a little. This has happened before when she has eaten some sort of human food morsel that may not agree with her. She may or may not eat grass and usually a Pecpcid AC works well so he gave her one. he put it on the back of her tongue and was worried because her tongue felt cold. He woke me and I went to her. She was laying in our bedroom. I took her head in my hands and she stopped panting. She was not drooling anymore. She looked at me and closed her eyes like she was ready for bed. I stroked her belly and listened for any gurgling noises--none. she didn't seem to be in any pain. She looked like she was feeling better. I kissed her and told her it was bedtime now. I climbed back into bed and my husband did too. Sometime that night she left our room. neither of us heard her and she was 90 lbs on a hard wood floor. How did we not hear her leave?? My dog Rocco came to get me at 3:30AM. I thought he had to go pee and told him to go back to bed. He turned around and left but a couple minutes later I decided to get up and let him outside. I couldn't find him in his normal spot. He heard me call him and bounded upstairs from the downstairs. He never sleeps there. I thought maybe he had an accident and I went down. There was Maggie, on her side, her back to me, on the carpet. I thought she was sleeping down here because she did sometimes when she was a bit hot and it was a lot cooler down there. But she was not sleeping. Her eyes were open and so was her mouth. My sweet, sweet Maggie was dead. If I had known she was dying my God we would have done something. Even if it was too late, we would have stayed up with her.  I am beyond grief--my heart physically hurts. I thank God Rocco was with her at least but I am dying on the inside. The Vet said it was a blood clot and the stress of the car ride would have probably killed her. I would't have wanted her to die in the car or on some cold table. I want a sign from her that she is okay. I am a stay at home mom so it was just me and the two dogs all day long. I am so devestated. Everyone in the family is stunned and sad but this is really hitting me the hardest. I simply cannot believe she's gone. Feeding Rocco and walking him and his bedtime rituals-I still have to do them but it's so hard when Maggie's missing .I keep expecting to see her in all her favorite spots... Rocco knows she's dead since he was with her, and he's eating but he's much calmer and seems sad. Not as depressed as I thought but I think he's just watching me all day. I cannot stop sobbing.

[MontanaDogLover1998]

I can't even believe how hard this is. My first dog(Bernie) died last night at around 5:00 pm. The day before he passed our second dog(Riggins) wasn't himself. He's normally a spaz and he wasn't moving. We thought he might have eaten something, and decided to keep a close watch on him. About 8 hours later he got worse. His tongue and gums were dark grey and he looked drunk when he walked and vomited constantly. We made plans to take him to the vet early the next morning. When we got up he was almost back to normal so we figured he had a doggie cold. Then Bernie got worse. Since he was about 8 hours behind Riggins, we made him comfortable and thought by the next day he would also be better. The next morning, he seemed better and it looked like things were looking up. My mom and I left for softball practice and after that we rushed home. My dad and sister walked out of the house crying and I knew he was gone. (Even writing about it is making me cry) I ran inside and he was on the floor, dead. I cried for hours and I didn't sleep last night. I kept thinking that if only we took him to the vet he'd still be here. We took both dogs to the vet so they could get blood work done. We wanted to know so we could make sure it (whatever 'it' was) never killed Riggins. We buried Bernie in his favorite kind of blanket in our yard. I made a cross and put his collar and tag on it. We just got the blood work back. They both ate death cap mushrooms, but Bernie ate a larger quantity. I cry on his grave everyday and I keep feeling guilty about the times when I yelled at him or while I pet Riggins and he looked at me with his huge eyes like "Do you still love me?". Now I can't even think about anything because I have so many memories of him that make me cry just thinking about them. I can't even pet Riggins because I keep picturing him in heaven looking at me with his sad eyes thinking "Do you still love me?". Whenever I try to get over him I feel like I'm not honoring his memory. And when I try to honor him I end up sobbing the rest of the day. He always tried to cheer me up, so I know he doesn't want me to be sad. But he always wanted more attention, so I know he doesn't want me to get over him. I don't want to get over him. I'm a total mess and I feel so confused. I look up how to get over a pet and I feel like I'm jumping all over the stages of grief. I wake up and I'm like "Here Bernie!". He can't be dead. Denial. Then I go to "STUPID,STUPID,STUPID MUSHROOMS". Anger. After that I get stuck on "On that horse game I play, you can revive a horse for $3. I'd give anything to use that in real life." Bargaining. Pretty soon I'm in my room bawling in my pillow and not wanting to live. Depression.  Then I realize that Bernie wouldn't want me to be sad and I start thinking about the good things about him. Healing. Then I can't believe he's gone and I go back to denial and start all over again.

I'm trying for Bernie's sake and writing this this really helped. I'm very sorry for everyone's losses. But it's good to know he'll have playmates in doggie heaven.


I'll always love you forever, Bernie. Rest in peace.

[ginger899]

This is really tragic, and I am so very sorry about what happened to your Bernie.
Dogs get into things they shouldn't, sometimes it just makes them throw up, sometimes it can kill them. It wasn't anyone's fault. I love my dog so much, and take really good care of her, and watch as far as is humanly possible, everything she eats....but even she managed to eat something in a field one day a couple of years back which made her sick for 2 days. She was lucky.

You do not have to "get over" anything at record speed. You know -you probably never will "get over" this. You'll remember Bernie, and the tragedy all your life, no doubt. But as time passes you'll probably find yourself remembering the essential "Bernie" more than the poison mushrooms.

It's been -how many hours? -since he died? You are still in shock over this, you wil need to cry, feel angry, everything else. And not sleeping, and probably not wanting to eat either....that's quite natural, even though it hurts so much.
The same happened to me after my last dog died. Eventually survival kicked in and I ate. I think that took two days I recall. Everyone copes in different ways, and there is nothing unusual in NOT being able to cope emotionally at first. That's what grieving is like.
I promise you though (you might not be able to see it now, and if it upsets you don't think about it, just live for the moment) -but as time goes by you will slowly be able to get on with living. Even through your sadness you will be able to do that.
Riggins is by you. I know it doesn't stop the pain, but he's with you, you're not alone. Give him a huge hug, and one from me too. He'll be grieving too.
God bless.
Rest in Peace Bernie XX

[MontanaDogLover1998]

Thank you so much... I really appreciate it. Bernie died at about 4:00 so it's been about 28 hours. I've been keeping Riggins within my sight the whole time. I'm still worried about him but his blood work came back clean. Yay... I'm trying to think of ways to get over Bernie  without forgetting him.
He was always there for me. He went through my knee surgery with me. He would always snuggle with me whenever anything was wrong. There was something about him where he always knew if something was wrong and exactly how to help me get through it. Unfortunately this is the hardest thing I've ever been through,and he isn't here to help me through it.  I just keep thinking that when I come home he'll be asleep on the couch or looking through the window at me.

I gave Riggins a hug and a pig ear from you and he did his special Riggins thank you dance (aka spinning in circles). He appreciates it and I do too. Thanks so much. Xoxo

Love you Bernie

[ginger899]

Thanks for the dance Riggins! I used to have a dog who did that. When I played the Irish Tin Whistle (which I wasn't very good at, but could manage a tune or two) then he would up and dance, round and round in a circle one way, then a bark and a leap, and round and round the other way.

He broke my heart when he passed over too. But I had a deam of him, running happily, playing with other dogs in some beautiful place, countryside with hills and fields. And he was the happiest dog I'd ever seen. He caught sight of me watching, raced over to greet me, wriggled and barked, and wagged like crazy, then glanced at me grinning, and took off again running about with the other dogs. That dream felt SO realistic.
And I dreamed that WAY before I had ever heard anything about "The Rainbow Bridge"

[MontanaDogLover1998]

Thanks a lot. I hope I have a dream like that soon... I'm sure he would be at the beach chasing sand flies. He always loved that. I know he's in a better place but it is still hard. It seems like I can't believe he's gone but whenever I feel like I'm doing better, someone says "Wow, you're doing really well!". I think that I'm just forgetting about him and then I cry and the rest of the day I'm a complete mess. I'm getting through it though and thank god I still have Riggins. And my cat who has always been there for me. I think she's a dog at heart.

Thanks again for all your support.


R.I.P. Bernie. We will miss you and love you forever and ever.

[ginger899]

That's one of the things about grief. We feel scared somehow that we are going to forget them. They meant so much to us when they were with us, and it feels terrible to do any kind of "moving on" because it seems our life journey is taking us further and further away from them.
Well in a way it does. In an everyday sort of way. But not in Spirit. That is impossible because love can NEVER be cancelled out by any event.
Even if we find ourselves forgetting little things about the deceased as time goes by, which we all do, that's just because they are not in the forefront of our everyday consciousness. But deep down they are there, just as much as they ever were.

[MontanaDogLover1998]

Ok I was worried about that. Before whenever I didn't cry whenever I thought about him, I felt guilty that I was forgetting him. Now I won't though thanks to you.

I feel better already. But I still go see his grave every day.

R.I.P. Bernie

[priscilla535]

MY  "Ginger": had a seizure April 02,2012 in the evening tried desperatly to get in contact with a Vet. clinic, when I did my neighbor went with me to help with Ginger, on the way, Jane said"she is gone" there has not been one day I have not cried as I am doing now.  Ginger had a good day  earlier, her walk,  treats and of course love.  All the talk in this world has not helped the missing and the terrible grief. All I wanted was for Ginger and Callie(my other dog) to be mine for a long time, my only family was Ginger and Callie now I am alone and sick at heart.  Priscilla

[Labradora]

I just read your note/s, and even though it was a while back, I'm sure that you still miss your dog and wonder about her death.  My reason to write you is because only 2 weeks ago I lost my baby (a yellow lab) 14 months old "Sand" - in perfect/healthy condition and I was not with him when it happened.  I left the house for less than an hour, and when I came home he was dead in the Florida room - right on his bed - We did have an autopsy, they could find nothing wrong with him, he was very well fed, taken care of, 60 lbs at 14 months and the breeder/vet as a newborn was my sister who had 8 different litters by the same parents!~ Blood work only showed he wasn't poisoned but every organ was perfect!  The vets here believe that it was either a stroke or an aneurysm.  I just wan to you to know that even if you had a necropsy.........it is very possible that you wouldn't find the answer!  We are devastated and his litter-mate Maya even more.......My condolences, Norma  

[ginger899]

I am very sorry to hear of your loss. To lose a healthy young dog lke this is shocking for you, and difficult to understand.
There is only one consolation and that is that he mustn't have suffered. A fatal stroke or aneurysm would have taken him so quickly, probably as he was sleeping or dozing. He most likely wouldn't have known a thing about it.

But I feel for you because this must be very hard. Please accept my condolences.