Retriever Died Suddenly - What Happened?

[buddy710]

My family is deeply saddened by the death of our 71/2 year old golder retriever - "Buddy".  There are no words to say how wonderful and beautiful Buddy was.  Yesterday started to be a normal day for Buddy.  I was on the couch and he came up to me looking fine and then his eyes started to shift, he began to sway and finally fell to the ground.  He was awake, but he could not move.   We rushed him to the animal hospital were the doctor gave him oxygen and began to ask us questions.  The doctor did not know were to began, because Buddy was in such bad shape..  He asked if Buddy had ate some medicine or sniffed some poison, which the answer was no.  The doctor could not tell us what happened to Buddy.  Everything happened so fast!  Within an hour he went from fine to gone..
We have three children who are also mourning the loss of their dog and all I keep wondering is why?

[ginger899]

This does sound rather like a massive stroke or fatal seizure. The one merciful thing was he was taken while he was still enjoying life, so quickly he probably didn't feel any pain (may have been unconscious through most of it) and like Jaybay said, he didn't linger with a long painful illness. It is so hard for the ones left behind when a loved one is taken like this. There is no time to prepare for their death, to get used to the idea. The only possible comfort is that there was no suffering involved.
I am so sorry this happened.

[ElGreco869]

My heart goes out to you and your family.I too just lost my Golden Retriever but under different circumstances.I loved my little Bailie so much-we had such a bond.Think of the fond memories you had together and that she did not suffer very long.I know words mean little but find comfort in knowing others care and share your pain.

[adduthie]

I know this is an older thread, but whether the original poster sees this or not, my thoughts are with you. My girlfriend and I just today experienced something similar; which is why I am posting right now. Our 10 year old Golden Retriever, Sarah, just passed away today. Literally, she was her normal excited self, and minutes later, when she didn't show up to the call to go outside, my girlfriend found her already passed on. She was the sweetest dog I have ever met, and the grieving process is just beginning. I don't know for sure what the cause of death was, but she will certainly be missed. It is still sinking in, and fits of emotion are still coming up at random. The only solace I can find is in the fact that she did pass quickly and apparently with no pain, as there was no indication of pain prior. As sad as it is, she enriched our lives so much and will be missed greatly. My heart goes out to all who have experienced such a loss, and hope that everyone that knows this kind of loss believes in the fact that our companions both enrich our lives and know that we enrich theirs and are aware that they are loved.

[Sonrisa2003]

Our pups know that they are loved, an indication of that is clear when I see posts of this kind.  Sarah was our girl, and however sudden, she passed when she was ready to.   With one of us home to love her and to greet her.  

We will love her forever, and keep the wonderful lessons that she taught us close at heart.  Dogs are a blessing to our lives, and cannot be replaced; and yet, I know that she knew that she was loved, and I know that I will love her unconditionally.... forever.

Good girl Sarah! You are such a GOOD DOG!

[dylanmom]

I had to put my 7 1/2 year old golden Dylan to sleep this past Tuesday.  I miss him so much.  About 3 weeks ago he was about to jump up on the couch, like he normally does. But halfway up, he backed back down, and looked at me like "what just happened".  Then I noticed he wasn't feeling his normal self, but was only very mildly lethargic.  Two days later he refused to eat his favorite food, peanut butter. I took him to the vet and found that he had tumors in his spleen that had ruptured into this belly.  The tumors were isolated in his spleen, so his spleen was removed.  But three weeks later the cancer had spread to his lungs and he was coughing and was starting to have trouble breathing.  I took him in to be put to sleep.  I miss him so much, and it was so unexpected at only 7 1/2.  I've since read cancer in Goldens is very common.  It breaks my heart.

[heidz5]

our 7 year old golden retriever died yesterday but i am not sure what happened we had a 13 year old maltese die around a month ago and then she wimpered and wimpered for the past 3 weeks due to her mate not being with her and she became really really upset when thunderstorms hit and we had one the night before and she just died, not sure if she has died of a heart attack due to fear or from heart ache from losing her best friend has anyone heard of this before. if you could give me some advice on what you think has gone on , i would love to hear from you, we are totally heart broken our brandy has left us especially just a month after our other maltese buffy !