I cannot believe I just lost my dog.
 

It makes absolutely no sense.

She was perfectly fine two days ago. As she's always been.

Greeted me at the door, tugged on her rope, leashed her up and took her on a huge walk at a local park.

Read some, her curled up at my feet. Watched some TV. Just like any other Wednesday.

She sits perched at my window, watching (and barking at) people that go by. I have an ottoman that I put a blanket on specifically for her, so she can sit there and put her head down, and look out the window.

She was only a Shetland Sheepdog (a "sheltie"), but she was incredibly athletic. Just this past weekend I took her to Busiek here in the Ozarks and she was on my heel the entire time.

In the past 6.5 years I've known her, I've taken her canoing, I've taken her to class, I've taken her pretty much everywhere. If you know me and my family, you almost certainly knew Gracie.

We had our entire line of communication streamlined. We knew each other's moves like figure skaters. With just a whistle, snap of the finger, or monosyllabic command, I could tell her exactly what to do and when. She was so low-maintenance and so well trained it wasn't even funny.

I never worried about her with other dogs, or children (she hated babies, who yanked her fur). I took her to Thanksgiving dinner with an extended family of about 15 people, four of them kids, in a small, crowded house. I'd lose her for a few hours in the crowd, but she'd emerge always towards the end of the night when it was time to go home and feed her.

Yesterday, we wake up and she's walking around, but won't eat, won't drink, won't jump or bark or interact other than sleeping at my feet.

I figure she just ate some bad shit, and it's working its way through her system. S'had happened before.

By the time 8pm rolled along, she was limp. Wasn't hardly moving at all. We take her to the vet, totally perplexed -- WTF. She was fine ONE DAY AGO. What is upsetting her?

A goddamn tumor in her liver, that's what. At least so they think. Something's ruptured. Her stomach is packed full of blood.

I can shell out $2,000 for "exploratory surgery" -- literally where they open her up and simply try to figure out WTF it is and how removeable it might be. But I've had many dogs before. The cancer will always come back.

We had no idea. She never gave any hints. Then yesterday, she flatlines.

And we put her down.

I still have all her shit. I just bought this big bag of dog food. Basket of toys. Her ottoman sits by the window, totally vacated. Seems totally pointless to have all this shit around now. What am I going to do now, go for walks? Go to the park? What the **** for? She was my inspiration and my motivation. Now she's gone.

She was 6. Only 6. She was supposed to give me a whole 'nother lifetime.

And in one day, that was ripped away from her.

I cannot even process how I feel.

She was only six.

http://www.chiefsplanet.com/BB/pictu...pictureid=1417

I know how it feels. Very, very sorry for your loss.

She was a fine dog. The very worst thing about dogs is how short a time they are with us. I offer my sincere condolences.

Damn man.....that's rough. Sorry for your loss.

:(

damn. my sis had a sheltie, great dog. go get another one.

Sorry, buddy. I know how that feels and it sucks.

Terribly sorry for your loss. She sounded like a great dog!

Sorry, buddy.

Sorry to hear it, i always recommend a new puppy in these situations, nothing like a puppy to put a lil cheer back in things.

Condolences for your loss.
Been there, it sucks.

So sorry for your loss.

Damn Dude.

Sorry for your loss.

Go to the pound or pet store and hug someone who needs a friend.

Very sorry for your loss.

Sorry for your loss, Direckshun.

Aw man, sorry to hear that. Dogs rule.

Sorry for your loss man.

Chief dog is 4 in a couple months. That's not that far behind. I have however, informed him that he must live at least as long as I do.

We've got a Lab/Beagle mix that is 6-7 years old. My wife has had her since she was a puppy. Actually gave a homeless guy a pack of cigarettes for her. I'm not looking forward to that dog passing. Not only because I love her....but because my wife is going to lose it.

Sorry to read about this. I have been on a good run of bad luck with dogs over the last year myself and it always sucks to have to put one down.

Oh... damn.

Sorry my friend.

Wow. This is the 2nd one recently, no? I'm so sorry, bro. Jesus. Mine is 8 and I will break down and lose it if she leaves me anytime in the next 4 years. I expect to have her at least until she's 12. At least. You just never know though. We'll get together and toast a beer to her honor. If you need anything, just let me know. :(

Yeah, it's pretty devastating. Lost my best friend in October. He was only 7.

The best thing I did was get a puppy. It doesn't replace them, but it helps fill the dog sized hole in your heart. And it's a lot of work ... keeps you busy, and gives you a reason to go on walks and to the park.

After putting down Phoebe the Jeep dog I didn’t want another dog at all but after about 6 months Mrs. Radar shoved a dog we adopted from a shelter off on me. At first I was a bit pissed because all I saw when I looked at Rhetta the Jeep dog was having to put her down in 10 years. So it took a bit but when that goofy little malnourished twig we brought home worked her way into my heart I realized that I can’t dwell on how she will end, just enjoy her while she’s here. Now that I get it, I won’t be that long without a dog again. Dogs rule.

I went through the same thing with a 3 year old dog recently. Fine at 4pm, nearly dead by 8pm. 600 bucks later and it looks like he's perking up and he is going to be fine. He makes it overnight with the vet but didn't last the next day.

Dogs are the best kind of people. I feel for ya bro.

Really sorry for you. I lost my good friend Rocky the Cat about six weeks ago. I miss him very much and think about him a lot.

Sorry man. That's a tough one.

That's awful. Same exact thing happened to my boss's dog (completely undetected liver tumor). So sudden you can barely process it. Sounds like you had a great run with your dog, and it's a shame it ended so soon.
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shit man. I'm sorry. Dogs are the best. I heard something once that hopefully with help me when my dogs 'check-out'

"as bad as you feel now, you would never trade a moment of all the good times and love she gave to you in an order to ease your pain now".

RIP Dog.

So sorry to hear this, as dogs are the best. If only we could be so good.

so sorry man. I've been there and it's a bitch.
and you know what....I will be there again.... my current big bubba won't be around forever. he's gonna go too, just like my last big bubba. so I'll have to deal with it again, but it's worth it.

the love she gave you was worth the pain you feel now. you wouldn't trade it for anything.

my dad told me this almost verbatim when my Tank died. I said I'd never have another dog cause it hurts too damn much. and that was his response.
great words of advice.

I have never once taken my dog to the vet. Not once in 8 years. I got her vaccinated and fixed at some mobile clinic when she was young. Let her have a batch of puppies first. Why I don't know, but it worked out. She had a skin condition when she was 3 and the vet wanted $600 to do some "exploratory" work to try and find out how much it would cost from there. Yeah, no. Did some homework and found the solution. She just couldn't eat wheat based products. Have to buy special food for her that costs a **** ton of money, but it's cheaper than all the human food I was feeding her.

This is pretty much why. I'm not going to pay hundreds just to have it not work, or lose her the next day anyways. I've been lucky with her. She's 8. Clearly I take good care of her as far as her diet and whatnot go. I clean her teeth myself. I trim her nails, and do what she needs done. As much as I love her, I'm not shelling out thousands of dollars, or even hundreds if it's not something that's going to fix her.

I'm sorry for your loss. Some would say I'm a shitty dog owner after reading this, but she's healthy, happy, and I don't really know what I'd do if it came down to life or death. In that instance, and I hope it never comes, I'd probably shell out the money. It's just money. I can go make more of that. The time I have with her is limited, and I'll remember her for the rest of my life. She is my first dog. And since I have chosen to not have children, she is the closest thing I have. I even let my wife buy stupid jackets, sweaters, and God forbid it, boots for her. She means a lot more to me than just some average pet for a lot of people, and I don't care what anyone thinks of that.

Very sorry for your loss. I know all too well how it feels to make that decision and have to suddenly say g'bye to a loved one that falls prematurely ill. Just try to focus on the time you did have, and know that you gave her those years of comfort and love she needed. The feelings of loss and pain will diminish in time, I promise.

http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-basic/rip.gif

I paid $3000 in vet bills for one of my dogs....and he still died 3 days later.

I don't mind going to the vet for shots, but that's the first time I have needed emergency service.

I knew there was a chance that he wouldn't make it but he was my best friend and I had to try :( It was a local country vet so he charged less than most, and wasn't out to rack me up a huge bill. Still, I lost both my money and my friend.

Just sucks ass all around.

Sorry to hear that Bro! It sure sucks when we lose em.

My condolences. :deevee:

Which ****ing sucks. All the way around. Happily paid the money, and it couldn't save him.

I'm the bad guy with that post, not you. I commend you for it. And frankly, if it really came up I'd have a hard time looking my little girl in the eyes and saying "I'll miss you, you're just not worth the money". Believe me, if it came down to it, I probably write that check 10 times out of 10. I'm really sorry you lost your friend.

I am very sorry for your loss... But do you have to put GD in a post about losing your best friend?

This.

Yeah....mine was more of a "shit went down over the 4th of July weekend" and I had to take him to an emergency vet. I'd do it again if I had the money....it's just ****ing paper.

That sucks man.

2nd one in three weeks.

This was "her" dog. Toby (the late, great boxer) was mine.

He passed away -- but we had two seasons to anticipate it. He had visible tumors, we just waited until it affected his quality of life.

Then we put him down. We had 6 months to say goodbye.

This one was a flash. Gracie was perfectly fine one day, terminally ill the next. No prep time. None.

I do want to thank everybody for their kind words. It has helped tremendously.

Dude that is awful. At least it wasn't prolonged for her. You don't deserve something like that (no one does) you are one of the good guys.

Just remember the good times and give another doggie that kind of love when you are ready.

That's tough. All the best.
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Stay strong dude

There are plenty of people I haven't gotten six and a half years of good feelings from. I'm sorry you're dealing with it, man.

so sorry for the loss man, i have had that type of dog (border collie,very similar)
very very smart dogs, wish there was something more to say.......

Yeah. That's pretty much it. Paper. I can't see myself picking paper over my dog. She's getting to the age where those things are more and more possible. I just hope it doesn't ever happen, even though I know it's something I can't control.

I'm so sorry. Losing a dog is so hard. It's just not fair you get them for such a short time.

It will get better with time.

Agreed, with the people who say to get another Best Friend when time is right, it does help a lot.

I went through this a couple of years ago with both my puppies.

I feel for you, so sorry.

sorry man, our dog is family too, so I know it hurts. you did the right thing, if that is still bothering you...

That's just horrible. Are you guys down to no dogs? How long do you think you'll wait before getting another one? I've had this conversation with my wife and I told her that we wouldn't wait long. While Kaila can't handle living with another dog, I don't think I can handle having no dog at this point. I'm hooked on the 4 legged little critters.

My wife and I decided we would go with out Dogs for a while after we lost our 2 a couple of years ago.

We lasted less than a month, just can't stand not hearing the jingle,jingle of dog tags in our house.

I have been looking for a new dog since October when we put my dog down and haven't found the right one yet.

My last dog (Chief) died about 3 years ago and I am just now getting another dog next week. I am pretty excited.

I didn't want another dog for a long time, its like replacing a family member.

We're down to 0 dogs.

Went from two dogs, both aged about the same, to 0.

I woke up right on the dot this morning to go feed them, too. They're built into my physiology at this point.

I don't know. She wants to get another dog here in a couple months. She's already contacting breeders.

I've told her to stop talking to me about it. She keeps asking me for preferences and for choices.

I don't have any preferences or choices, right now. My dogs are gone. With Toby I could bounce back and talk puppies.

With how yesterday went down, I can't even think about it. I'm just going to limp through my Friday, be competent enough to survive it, and take a weekend to sulk. Maybe some Christmas decorations will help.

Or a beer with Flop. You never know.

We need to get together. We can Toby, and Gracie, Chiefs football, whatever you want. I'm locked down with this snow right now. RWD, and a bunch of hills are no bueno. But we'll find a way to make it happen, my friend. Whenever the time is right, I'm not far away. Be well, my friend. I'm really sorry this all happened. Especially the way it did. :(

I love ya.

Oh damn...we had a Sheltie when I was kid, he passed pretty suddenly as well, but he was 10 at the time. They are great dogs, very smart and friendly. Sorry for the loss man. :(

This is for Mr. & Mrs. Direckshun this holiday season, hang in there bud!
 

Sorry, man. Dogs are awesome. So hard to say goodbye, plus the shock of her being fine just a couple days ago--that's rough.

Man what a cute dog. I am so sorry Direck. Losing a pet sucks.

Did it commit suicide after your Obamacare pitch post Thanksgiving dinner?





















j/k Sorry for your loss.

:(

You are such a POS

Love dogs, sorry for your loss

Thanks for your input.

I'm so sorry Direckshun.

Terrible man. So very sorry to hear.

So sorry to hear Direckshun, I grew up with shelties and now have two mini-aussies. I am only a few years in and already dread the day that I have to say goodbye. Once you have owned a fantastic herding breed it is hard to go anywhere else. Try to focus on the good times and I would recommend maybe stashing all the dog stuff until you are ready to get a new one. For me, it would be too hard to look at all that on a daily basis for a while. I also feel for all the people recommending "get a puppy" tomorrow, it seems disrespectful to me to do it that soon (weird I know).

Best wishes in getting through what is an extremely difficult time.

So sorry to hear of your loss. As a dog person myself, I respect your decision to give your buddy "peace". It's not a easy decision and you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. Condolences from Bronco nation.

Sorry for your loss.

I had a buddy just lose his dog in a similar way, fine one day, then sick as hell. She had an enlarged heart and only made it another week with meds.

We have a 13 year old German Shepard, we rescued her at around age 3 we think. She is the greatest dog I've known. We have had some health scares, but in the last 2 years she's been doing awesome. I still know that she's pretty old for a GSD, but she doesn't act like it. One vet said she could make it to 18, but that would be rare IMO. Still at the end of the day I take time to lay down with her rub her belly and tell her what a great dog she is. I fear the day that we lose her. Again, sorry for your loss.

Here are my two dogs.

Damn dude WTF. That is out of line.

So sorry for your loss...
What a beautiful girl....
RIP Gracie

T&P's for you DS

Sorry to hear it, Direckshun. Been there and it really sucks.

I was hoping that a quick moment of obvious levity would give Direckshun a small smile. If I was wrong, so be it.

Yeesh man.

Sorry for your loss-that really sucks. Still miss my dog after 7 years.