NWR: Family Dog - Sad (Long)

MissAmeliaPond

So, I talked to my mom on the phone last night and she said the older one of our family dogs became very ill in the last few days and was being held over at the vet last night. She is 14.5 yrs old, which is 2.5 years older than the top life expectancy for her breed, but it's still sad. Lilie (the dog) stopped eating and has been throwing up and has lost two pounds since I saw her at Thanksgiving. Her body temperature was 5 degrees lower than it should have been at the vet yesterday afternoon. The vet said she thought Lilie's organs were shutting down. They were going to put her on an IV and force feed her if she wouldn't eat.

I'm sorry for all the depressing details, but I'm just so sad. My family got Lilie when I was in 5th grade and she's lived a nice and spoiled life -- so this wasn't completely unexpected. She looked so old when I saw her at Thanksgiving and I was kind of perparing myself in thinking that would be the last time I would get to see her.

FI and I have our own pups at our house now, but it's still sad to lose a family dog. I'm hoping she'll pull through, but it doesn't sound very good for that. I won't hear anything from my mom about Lilie until later today, as she's 2 hours behind me. Sorry for all this, I just didn't know who else to talk to. FI tries to be comforting, but I'm still sad. Ugh, I don't want to go to work today.

Shelly527IN

I completely understand!  My Chow, Ginger, was put to sleep on 11/9 because she stopped eating and could barely walk.  It was just 4 days after Vince proposed so it was a very emotional week.  It broke my heart to put her to sleep, but she was miserable.  Her heallth had been declining since September.  I told myself that as long as she enjoyed eating, taking walks and car rides she was okay.  After we returned from our weekend away (engagment), we were told she wasn't eating.  By Wednesday, she wouldn't even eat canned cat food---her favorite food.  I couldn't stand to see her like that.  She would have been 13 this month. 

What breed is Lilie?  The day I decided I had to put Ginger to sleep, I stayed home from work to spend time with her.  I took tons of pictures and told her how much I loved her.   If you can do that, it's my best advice. 

MissAmeliaPond

I wish I was going to be able to see her again soon, but my parents live in Hawaii and I live in California, so it looks like Thanksgiving was my last opportunity. I am kicking myself for not taking pictures with her.

Lilie is a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. It's a silly name for a tiny breed, but they are the sweetest couch potato dogs ever!

HarperBargo

I'm so sorry. I know the special bond that you can have and always will have with a dog. Hugs!

L&J2012

aww im so sorry to hear that. with our old dog i found out thanksgiving day 2 years ago that my parents were going to put her down that monday. she wasnt an old dog. but she had been getting too aggressive and terretorial and had already bit the mailman. i was heartbroken because she was my puppy and she was the sweetest dog ever around us. i spent as much time as i could with her. i wish i could have gone to the vet that monday but i had to go back to school. itis never any easy thing losing a dog but i like to think that they become our little guardian angels and wait for us to join them.

we got another dog a few months later and he is such a sweetheart. im still sad when i think about our old dog. but our new dog lights up our lives.

Kfudge0714

so sorry to hear this! you are not alone my family dog is 13 and heading down hill very fast. I was in 6th grade when we got her and even though I have 3 dogs of my own it will definitely be hard when her time does come. Hang in there!

P.S. I'd love to see a pic of Lillie

Ash61612

I'm sorry to hear this. It's never losing a family pet because they hold such a special place in our heart. We are always here for you. ((hugs))

sleblanc72

I'm so sorry Ash.  *big hugs* to you and your family, losing a pet is never easy even if they have had a long life with a loving family.

kelsey+brandon

I'm so sorry!! Our family dog is going to be 12 in May and I get so sad thinking about her getting older because I don't want to lose her! Lillie will always be a part of your family no matter what! I hope she gets better. Will you be able to see her in the next couple of days?

WEEZIE918

I'm so sorry to hear this.  Today is my fur-kid's b-day.  He's 11.  My mom has a lab that is 12 and every time I see him he looks older and older.  I can cry anytime I think about eithr Blake (my mom's dog) or Bailey (my fur-kid) not being here anymore.  Try to think of the joy she's brought to your life and be thankful that she did have a nice, long, spoiled life.  My thoughts are with you and your family.

midgetthemighty

I'm sorry Ash! *hugs* to you and your family. Remember, all dogs go to heaven.

MMRoberts11

I'm SO sorry Ash!  Can you talk to your boss about leaving early?  I couldn't imagine trying to be productive with that in my head. 

MMRoberts11

I'm sorry.  Losing a pet is always very difficult.  At least she had a happy, long life. 

MissAmeliaPond

Thanks for all the kind words, everyone. I really appreciate it, and this is why I love this board.

I just found out that Lilie passed away during the night while at the vet. How am I supposed to keep working now?

Shelly527IN

(((HUGS)))  I'm so sorry! I can't imagine how you're going to stay at work...I'm crying just reading these posts.  Ask and see if you can leave early.  I tried to work the day I decided to put Ginger to work and ono ly lasted about 20 minutes before breaking down in front of my principal.  I just couldn't work all day knowing I'd have to go home that afternoon to put her to sleep.  Take the rest of the day off and go home and love on your furbabies!

hlzander

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. I grew up with my lab Simba, who was 14 when we had to put him to sleep in January 2010. I had such a difficult time with it because I got him in 1st grade, and being an only child, he was like a sibling to me. It is still hard for me at times, but time does help. I look forward to getting a dog with FI when we get our home.
Please take comfort in the fact that you and your family gave her a long and happy life. I read a Sylvia Browne book about deceased pets which was a little out there but helped in my healing.