Heartbroken - we've lost Shawnee

[VladTepes]

My heart is broken. My best mate is gone.

173909

On Tuesday night I took Shawnee for a run in the park which she loved, as usual. She was doing 'zoomies' as dogs are fond of doing in the prevailing strong wind conditions. She was off leash as usual as she is (generally speaking) a well behaved doglet.

Later that evening I noted that she wouldn't settle, she'd only sit down or lie down for a few seconds then get up and wander around - just wouldn't settle anywhere. She seemed to be carrying her right rear leg a bit so i assumed maybe she'd pulled something and that was leading to discomfort.. I examined her and when I applied even mild pressure to her abdomen she screamed.

I still wasn't hugely concerned but decided to err on the side of caution and take her to the 24 hour vet at Stafford.

Once there they had me filling in medical history forms etc while they checked her out. Apparently they pumped her with morphine for what was evidently severe pain and did an ultrasound. Evidently there was some sort of 'mass' involved (I can't remember the term) and they'd checked and noted significant internal bleeding). From what I can remember they said that best case the spleen had ruptured and it would require a more detailed ultrasound in prep for necessary surgery. Worse case it could be the liver not the spleen. Best cased scenario with of course no guarantees whatever would be $3K in surgery costs etc. Liver would be $10K or something silly. I can't recall exact numbers as I was pretty upset by that stage.

What was clear is that despite the morphine she was still very uncomfortable and still in some pain. Taking further with the vet I think she was also of the opinion that it was really a lost cause and would most likely be fatal in any event.

So i had to make that heart-rending decision to have her put down. Knowing it was the kindest thing for her made it no easier for me, The vets/nurses at the clinic were really good - I spent some time alone with Shawnee beforehand, and was there to hold her as she went to sleep forever. I was crying but held it together to some extent during all this. Once I'd left at got out into my car I absolutely lost it. That was around 2am. Once I'd pulled myself together I managed to drive home. I eventually managed to get to sleep and slept to about mid-day.

The house is missing that 'presence' that dogs have, and cleaning up some of her things like water bowls and bedding was really difficult.

Then when I woke up this morning without thinking I called her for breakfast - then realised she'd never come again.

She was my best mate - seen me through cancer scares, hospitalisations, a divorce, etc. She was 13 1/2 years old, Staffy x Bull Arab, and I'd had her since she was a tiny pup.

[SPROVER]

Sorry to hear that. Dogs really are man's best friend. When I lost my dog after 15 years I was a bit of a mess as well. It's hard at first and will take awhile but there will be another great mate that will come along.

[incisor]

sad news Michael

thoughts are with you...

[Saitch]

My sincere condolences. I've had to have 3 best friends put down and it never improves.

[Slunnie]

I'm so sorry to hear this. Words cant describe how gutting it is.

[scarry]

I'm so sorry to hear this. Words cant describe how gutting it is.

Yes,what Slunnie said,i have done it three times,and the one we have now isnt that far away,i dread having to do it again.

Friends of ours lost one recently,he was 17yrs.[bigsad]

[JDNSW]

No good! But it happens. Fortunately(?) I have not had to go through that. My last one disappeared, but she was eighteen, and I am certain her body is somewhere in the bush close to the house, even though I have not found her yet. Her predecessor had a sudden fit, and by the time I got to the vet she was gone.

[cripesamighty]

It's gut wrenching when you lose a loved one, both two legs and four. The four legged variety are family members too and it's such a shame they don't hang around longer. I reckon animals really do make the best people. My condolences Michael.

[1950landy]

I do feel for you . We had to make this discussion just last month with our Pip. I still think he is there & go to talk to him , it is like loosing one of your kids . There is always something somewhere that reminds me of him . I have been trying to put all his water dishes , beds ect away but keep finding something. Our vet said that dogs are really good at hiding there pain & we didn't want Pip to suffer any longer. We are going to scatter Pip's ashes under a large tree in his favourite garden where he liked hunting for lizards.

[loanrangie]

We aren't far off having to make the hard decision with our 14yo labstaff Lucy, took her the vet last week and they said she may have diabetes or Cushing's and it will be about $1100 to find out [emoji17].

[I Love My Landy!]

Wishing you strength during this time VladTepes.

[RHS58]

Mate, I know your pain. Twice for me last year…

[BradC]

I feel your pain. Sorry for your loss.

[Jeffoir]

Dear Michael,
I am so sorry for your loss. The pain is palpable.
I trust that in time, your sadness will lessen and that the void will be filled with the wonderful memories that you have shared.
The bond between a man and dog is many thousands of years old. Those who have known that bond, are amongst the blessed.
With love and best wishes in your sad time.
Jeffoir

[Don 130]

Sorry to hear your pal has gone. We’ve got two Jack russels here that we’ve ‘ inherited ‘ from the kids, one 16 and one 15, so our time will no doubt come soon. Time will heal Vlad Tepes
Don

[Fattima]

So sorry to hear, they really can break your heart :(

You did the right thing by her. Hope you are going OK, it is such a tough time.

[incisor]

We aren't far off having to make the hard decision with our 14yo labstaff Lucy, took her the vet last week and they said she may have diabetes or Cushing's and it will be about $1100 to find out [emoji17].

the diabetes they tell with a $600 blood test....

my 10kg dog gets 2 needles a day and 7cc of insulin with a controlled diet of food i cook for him

[scarry]

We aren't far off having to make the hard decision with our 14yo labstaff Lucy, took her the vet last week and they said she may have diabetes or Cushing's and it will be about $1100 to find out [emoji17].

Ours was $5K to get a fish hook and tangled piece of line out of her stomach...[bigsad]

And they didnt really want to do it because of her age.

Got through it no worries,was itching to go for a run the next day.Dogs are certainly bloody tuff.

[d2dave]

I have been through this so I fully understand the grief that you are going through.

I even teared up reading your post.

If it is any consolation, you will get through it. It can be very hard though.

Have a look at this. Rainbow Bridge Video Tribute to our beloved pets - YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5GurFKhK34U)

But be warned before you watch it. I watched just after I lost my beloved dog. Don't regret watching it but I balled my eyes out when I did.

I found it very good therapy.

[Tote]

I haven't posted so far because I feel that I can't add anything meaningful to the thoughts and wisdom already here, thinking of you and I'm sorry for your loss.

Regards,
Tote

[ramblingboy42]

looks like I'm in a queue.

Ellie , my 13yo Australian Red Kelpie , has just about had enough.

I took her to the vet last week and they did a biopsy on her lymph glands.

They showed me the photos from the biopsy and pointed out the cancer cells dividing.....bloody heaps of them

the verdict.....one month left.....they said she isn't in pain and gave me a course of tablets to just boost her demeanour until the inevitable.

it really is an awful feeling , just waiting........

[Slunnie]

They say losing your dog is no less painful that losing a loved one. Thats exactly what it is. I was always worried that I wouldn't know when was the right time to make the call for my Simba, my soul dog, but when the time came I knew and Simba already knew. To say it left a hole in me would be the grandest of understatments but I wont go on about that. It was the darkest period I've ever had. I didn't know how long to grieve or when would be the right time to get another dog. Can I just say, don't leave it too long, a new pup will give you the ****s, but it will also bring the light back, but in a different way to how Shawnee did, and I think that is really important.

[d2dave]

They say losing your dog is no less painful that losing a loved one.

Slunnie, I respectively do not agree here, although every one is different.

Myself and SWMBO was as shattered as anyone can be when we lost our beloved Sheppard about 8 years ago.

And although she will never be forgotten and is in our hearts forever, we both found after time and now having another dog the pain is no longer.

Where as if I lost one of my children I don't think I would ever get over it.

Please don't take this the wrong way as I fully respect your views and as I said, every one is different.

And Rambling boy, my condolences to you. It is a horrible time as I went through similar.

Cherish every day you have left.

[loanrangie]

the diabetes they tell with a $600 blood test....

my 10kg dog gets 2 needles a day and 7cc of insulin with a controlled diet of food i cook for himThey did a blood test but want her in for more tests for the $1100, should push one of my kids to be a vet.

[Epic_Dragon]

Im so so sorry for your loss [emoji24][emoji24]
Rest peacefully Shawnee [emoji173][emoji174]

[Slunnie]

Slunnie, I respectively do not agree here, although every one is different.

Myself and SWMBO was as shattered as anyone can be when we lost our beloved Sheppard about 8 years ago.

And although she will never be forgotten and is in our hearts forever, we both found after time and now having another dog the pain is no longer.

Where as if I lost one of my children I don't think I would ever get over it.

Please don't take this the wrong way as I fully respect your views and as I said, every one is different.

And Rambling boy, my condolences to you. It is a horrible time as I went through similar.

Cherish every day you have left.

All's good. YMMV. The editorial on the Scientific research article says most people, not all people.

[BradC]

Where as if I lost one of my children I don't think I would ever get over it.

While everyone is different in my experience there is no comparison. Thankfully most people will never get that experience.

[JDNSW]

......
Where as if I lost one of my children I don't think I would ever get over it.
.......

Interestingly, this is very much a modern, western feeling. As can be realised if you peruse the mortality records for any period of history prior to about 1920 in this neck of the woods (dates vary between countries, but none are earlier than about 1900 anywhere).

Before about 1920 in Australia, roughly half of all children died before they reached adulthood, mainly from infectious diseases, but also from accidents and abuse. The numbers gradually decreased into the 1950s, when there was quite a sharp drop with a lot more vaccines, antibiotics, and improvements in medical procedures and treatments. And child mortality continues to drop, so that it is fairly rare today to lose a child, especially young children (teenagers are prone to risk taking, and suicide is a major cause of death in this age group.

Even in recent times though, there are ongoing losses - just over thirteen years ago I lost a newborn grandchild.

[VladTepes]

Thanks for your kind words everyone, they are really apprecitaed.

I still look for her sometimes and called her to eat some pizza crusts...

I need to get my **** together.



I would love another dog sometime but the missus has declared "we are never getting another dog".


So I may need a new missus first.

[67hardtop]

It's very hard to deal with losing the best mate you'll ever have. I lost mine in Feb last year and it still hurts. I call for him still sometimes. Silly I think, but that's how it is. I have another very old dog now who is almost 16. Was given to me a year ago when her owner died. She's growing on me but never the same as my Snoopy. I really don't know if I want another puppy now as I don't want to watch it go either. Take care and it does get a little easier, just remember all the great times you had together.

[1950landy]

It's very hard to deal with losing the best mate you'll ever have. I lost mine in Feb last year and it still hurts. I call for him still sometimes. Silly I think, but that's how it is. I have another very old dog now who is almost 16. Was given to me a year ago when her owner died. She's growing on me but never the same as my Snoopy. I really don't know if I want another puppy now as I don't want to watch it go either. Take care and it does get a little easier, just remember all the great times you had together.
Do feel for you , It has been just over a month now since we lost Pip& I find when we have dinner & my wife dose not eat all her meat & I am clearing the dishes , "O " I will just give that bit of chicken or fish to Pip, then remember he is no longer there . The only time Pip wanted to come in side is when we had storms , Last night we had a few storms go through , with the 1st sign of thunder I thought I best get things ready for Pip. We are not quite ready to replace him but when we do it will be a small dog this time that can be a inside dog to keep my sick wife company.

[Trav Man]

My sincere condolences mate on your loss.
I know how it feels right now for you as it will take time to greave but just do it in your own time.


Trav Man

[d2dave]

It sucks how short a dogs life can be, especially if like me you like larger ones.

I am a lover of German Sheppard's which have an average life of 12(human)years.

It doesn't seem that long ago that we lost our last and our current one is now 8.

So in reality, we are going to be going through it again 3 to 4 years.:(

[rijidij]

I just saw this thread Mike. I feel your pain mate.
It’s one of the hardest decisions you have to make, but the right one.
I went through the same thing earlier this year with my 17 yo Staffy, I’ve never experienced a sadder day, our dogs are considered family members.
We had the advantage of having two other dogs to distract from some of the grief. I can imagine how difficult it’s been for you losing your only one.

All the best mate.

One last ride on the quad, then we said goodbye 🥲
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20211004/abfb48a02922a7efc5792d965a4ca948.jpg

[RANDLOVER]

Thanks for your kind words everyone, they are really apprecitaed.

I still look for her sometimes and called her to eat some pizza crusts...

I need to get my **** together.



I would love another dog sometime but the missus has declared "we are never getting another dog".


So I may need a new missus first.

Reminds me of a joke.....
Q: If your ,missus is yelling at the front door and your dog is barking at the back door, which one do you let inside?

A: The dog as at least he shuts up once he gets inside.

[Homestar]

It sucks how short a dogs life can be, especially if like me you like larger ones.

I am a lover of German Sheppard's which have an average life of 12(human)years.

It doesn't seem that long ago that we lost our last and our current one is now 8.

So in reality, we are going to be going through it again 3 to 4 years.:(

Wow - 8 already - time flies...

I remember when she tried to clean me up with a broom she was running around with when she was young. [biggrin]

[scarry]

It sucks how short a dogs life can be, especially if like me you like larger ones.

I am a lover of German Sheppard's which have an average life of 12(human)years.

It doesn't seem that long ago that we lost our last and our current one is now 8.

So in reality, we are going to be going through it again 3 to 4 years.:(

Springer Spaniels are the same,around 12 is about it.
Two people we know have lost them at that age.

Ours is 11 and 4 months[bigsad][bigsad]

I am dreading going through it again[bigsad]

And SWMBO will be absolutely devistated[bigsad]

Anyway she is still going Ok ATM,the dog that is,chasing Bush turkeys,flushing quail down at the park,does a 12K run(i am on the MB ) with me through the forest most Saturdays...

[VladTepes]

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