RIP Sundance the Westie

Calibos

We lost one of our Westies to Pancreatitus tonight. His name was Sundance, his westie brother is called Butch and their younger Shih-Tsu sisters' name was going to be obvious the moment we got her. Cassidy.

Sundance or as we called him, Sing Sing Song Song Sun Sun because he was always singing was only Nine years old. He developed pancreatitus a few months ago but while he didn't seem to have any further painful episodes for the last 2 months he was loosing weight by the day and was very skinny. He stopped eating the other day and the vet booked him in for an ultrasound for this morning. We were very concerned yeasterday as he couldn't settle and brought him to the vet. His temperature was fine as was his colour and gums were nice and pink etc. We worried for him and knew he might have to be admitted if he got worse to help ifght off whatever bug he had gotten because it still didn't look like another bought of acute pancreatitus to us. He had a bad night at home and we brought him to the vet first thing this morning beven before the ultrsound appointment. His temperature had shot up, his heart rate was racing, he was groaning in pain. He was admitted and though the pain meds, drip and whatever else they gave him was bringing the temp and heart rate down a bit, we were told it was touch and go and should have him overnighted in UCD.

We went down at 7 to collect him and bring him in but he had detiorated again in the previous hour. He was brought out to us in an examination room and was in obvious pain. There was a slim chance we were told but UCD do not let you stay with the dog so we risked not being there for him with the high probability he would go during the night. We were going to give him that last chance even if it was selfish of us.However he gave us all present a sign with the loudest moan yet which prompted the lovely Vet lady to check his eyes. He was having a seizure. Every bump on the road into UCD would be agony and he likely would pass away on the way there.

We had to make the agonising decision to let him go with myself and my mum there with him. Telling him how much we loved him, letting him hear all the lovely pet names we had for him. Stroking him, kissing him.

It was the right thing to do but I don't think I have ever been this distraught in my life.

RIP poor SunSun man. You were the most amazing little fella we ever knew.....

monkeysnapper

I'm not even going to read that to be honest because I have 2 brown westies in my utility that I just walked and I just can't bare the thought that one day one of em will leave me .

Rip sundance x

Stheno

Fantastic picture of a Westie Pestie boy! He looks like he's dancing there!

So very very sorry for you and your families loss OP, it was a tough decision, but the right one. Take care of each other over the next few days

RIP Sundance I'm sure you're singing and dancing wherever you are now

Pumpkinseeds

I'm so sorry, losing a beloved animal is one of the hardest things in the world. But at least you were able to give the final kindness of ending his suffering and you were there with him at the end.

westies4ever

I am so so sorry, they are the greatest dogs with hearts like lions. You did the right thing by him, poor little guy. Take care if yourself, hugs and thoughts

Calibos

You don't know how much your kind words mean to me. Its nearly 5am and I am up bawling again and while on the one hand its painful to read again what I wrote last night, it gives me comfort that others understand what its like and appreciate the joy these little guys and gals bring to our lives.

Most of his life another pet name we had for him was Little Prince SunSun man. God we gave him so many pet names he was probably confused half the time, "[Looks around]You talkin to me??"

How apt then, that phrase....

Goodnight Sweet Prince......

westies4ever

Calibos wrote: »

You don't know how much your kind words mean to me. Its nearly 5am and I am up bawling again and while on the one hand its painful to read again what I wrote last night, it gives me comfort that others understand what its like and appreciate the joy these little guys and gals bring to our lives.

Most of his life another pet name we had for him was Little Prince SunSun man. God we gave him so many pet names he was probably confused half the time, "[Looks around]You talkin to me??"

How apt then, that phrase....

Goodnight Sweet Prince......

oh dear, crying again at work , my heart is sore for you.

I know what you mean about the nick names - I have loads of little nicknames for my two westies. maggie gets bridie all the time because shes such a fussy old woman (shes only 6) and scamp gets buster because hes so bold!

I dread the day it comes to my door but console yourself with the fact that although short, he had a brilliant life, and was loved and spoiled.

he looks so happy in the picture. RIP wee pet

Mr. Manager

So sorry for you loss Calibos. Couldn't bear the thought of losing either of my dogs..

Bannasidhe

Calibos wrote: »

You don't know how much your kind words mean to me. Its nearly 5am and I am up bawling again and while on the one hand its painful to read again what I wrote last night, it gives me comfort that others understand what its like and appreciate the joy these little guys and gals bring to our lives.

Most of his life another pet name we had for him was Little Prince SunSun man. God we gave him so many pet names he was probably confused half the time, "[Looks around]You talkin to me??"

How apt then, that phrase....

Goodnight Sweet Prince......

When I lost my beloved JRT Gráinne (The Mighty/GD/Boss/Scrum Pumpkin/My Love) last Sept after 16 years together I posted in this forum and it helped knowing I wasn't alone in feeling such horrendous grief at the loss of my best friend and constant companion. People were so kind and understanding - no one here thinks 'just a dog' - and everyone understood that guilt we feel following the decision to have a one's best mate PTS, even when we know it was the kindest thing we could do as they were in constant pain with no hope of recovery (GD had a liver tumor)..still we question...still we think 'what if'... or 'if only I had'...or the most heartbreaking of all 'was it really time? Maybe we could have had a while longer...'

I still miss her terribly and would give anything to see her little face peer around the corner at me to complain that the back door wasn't opened immediately for her but as my granddaughter pointed out last week - now we can talk about her without me crying every time (tears are welling again .)

With time OP you will be able to see past your pain and loss and the remberance of little things your Sun Prince did will make you smile even as you cry.

You are not alone.

ABajaninCork

Run free, little guy.

JustRoss23

Such a huge write up for the death of dog wow bit ott?

westies4ever

JustRoss23 wrote: »

Such a huge write up for the death of dog wow bit ott?

you're being cruel. losing a pet is awful. its comforting to get the support of like minded pet owners by posting here. there will be enough people with the 'its only a dog' attitude. I see you posting recently you were hoping to get a puppy. maybe if you do, you'll come to realise how important our pets become to us and you'll have a bit more empathy.

and did no one ever tell you that if you have nothing nice to say, then dont say anything.

Whispered

JustRoss23 wrote: »

Such a huge write up for the death of dog wow bit ott?

I know I shouldn't respond to this and accept an infraction for it, but I wanted to leave this in response

From time to time, people tell me, "lighten up, it's just a dog" or "that's a lot of money for just a dog." They don't understand the distance travelled, the time spent, or the costs involved for "just a dog." Some of my proudest moments have come about with "just a dog." Many hours have passed and my only company was "just a dog," but I did not once feel slighted. Some of my saddest moments have been brought about by "just a dog", and in those days of darkness, the gentle touch of "just a dog" gave me comfort and reason to overcome the day. If you, too, think it's "just a dog," then you probably understand phrases like "just a friend," "just a sunrise," or "just a promise." "Just a dog" brings into my life the very essence of friendship, trust, and pure unbridled joy. "Just a dog" brings ...out the compassion and patience that make me a better person. Because of "just a dog" I will rise early, take long walks and look longingly to the future. So for me and folks like me, it's not "just a dog", but an embodiment of all the hopes and dreams of the future, the fond memories of the past, and the pure joy of the moment. "Just a dog" brings out what's good in me and diverts my thoughts away from myself and the worries of the day. I hope that someday they can understand that its' not "just a dog" but the thing that gives me humanity and keeps me from being "just a man" or "just a woman." So the next time you hear the phrase "just a dog" just smile, because they "just don't understand."

I'm sorry for your loss OP. Please ignore anybody who tries to play down your grief. True dog lovers understand.

I cannot fathom the mentality of somebody who feels the need to troll a thread like this. Disgusting.

JustRoss23

i am not a troll how dare you try to say i am.

Whispered

JustRoss23 wrote: »

i am not a troll how dare you try to say i am.

I also called your mentality into question. Perhaps you should report the post?

Please stop derailing the thread. It's unnecessary.

Calibos

Wow. Just Wow :rolleyes:

juniord

R.I.P SUNDANCE , anyone who ever had a pet and loved and lost him/ her knows exactly how you feel and empathize with you op

Whispered

OP how are you feeling today? Did you manage to get any sleep?

westies4ever

Calibos wrote: »

Wow. Just Wow :rolleyes:

so sorry OP. I dont understand whats happening in this forum lately. thread after thread derailed and its usually by people who only check in occasionally.

its depressing to say the least.

JustRoss23

i am sorry for the ops loss god damn i simply asked a question sorry if it offended
No point in reporting your nasty post towards me the mods will only side with you:(

Calibos

Whispered wrote: »

OP how are you feeling today? Did you manage to get any sleep?

Knocked myself out with panadol night and a another when I woke back up about 5 hours later. So I got plenty of sleep in the end, but I just want to go back to sleep again even now. I've never felt this distraught in my life. I want to go back to sleep and hope tomorrow is better. Butch and Cassidy are realising somethings up and Sunny isn't coming back and now they are depressed too. Thinking about Sunny breaks my heart. Thinking about them thinking about Sunny breaks my heart. Thinking about how the rest of the family are feeling is breaking my heart. Thinking about having to go through this another two times with Butch and Cassidy in the next few years even if we never get another dog is breaking my heart.

I miss my Baba SunSun so much I just cant stop crying.

westies4ever

i wish i knew what to say to make you feel better but theres nothing. i can barely go away for the bloody weekend because I miss mine so much never mind losing them like sundance.

Its just going to take time. Hug your other fur babies close and enjoy every minute with them. Be kind to yourself. Look at pictures and videos of sundance and relive all the fun times. Remind yourself how lucky you were to have such a special dog.

Will certainly be hugging my two very close tonight.

Whispered

Dogs are much more accepting of death than a human is. They will miss their buddy, of course, but they will be absolutely fine in the long run. Try not be too upset for them, watch them, you'll see them still enjoying life even now when they're confused about what is happening. It might be a momentary game, or a happy little tail wag but it will help make you feel better.

As for how you're feeling, that is totally normal and a sign of what a loving caring owner you are. Lucky dogs! He has had a good life and looks like a happy fella. You did the right thing for him, it's not much comfort now, but hopefully in time it will be.

Tranceypoo

I'm so sorry OP, I've been through it myself, absolutely devastating and heartbreaking, I cried many many nights (and sometimes still do and it was almost 6 years ago), let yourself grieve, go with it and ignore the ignorance of those who don't understand.

Take care of yourself and your family.
TP

SillyMangoX

I know it seems hard at the moment but trust me, it does get easier, soon you will be looking back on your time with your beloved dog and smiling at the memories rather than bring reduced to tears. I know with my dog who died 2 years ago this April I was distraught but now I can laugh at memories with her and they bring me happiness. I still shed the occasional tear but it gets so much easier. You did the right thing though it is one of the hardest decisions but I feel it as a privilege to be able to help a long term friend slip into the next life with ease, it really is one of the kindest things to do in the end. Hope you feel better soon OP

Hellrazer

JustRoss23 wrote: »

Such a huge write up for the death of dog wow bit ott?

JustRoss23 wrote: »

i am not a troll how dare you try to say i am.

JustRoss23 wrote: »

i am sorry for the ops loss god damn i simply asked a question sorry if it offended
No point in reporting your nasty post towards me the mods will only side with you:(

You are a troll.
Have an infraction for these posts.

JustRoss23

Dont argue with a mod on thread.

boodlesdoodles

Calibos I'm so sorry for your loss, but you did so much to make his life amazing fair play to you. I have a Westie too and they are the most tenacious, spirited and crazy dogs ever. I was crying reading your posts and looking at my own little fella. I feel we only get the loan of our dogs and as long as they are loved and happy that's all that matters. Take care of yourselves xx

westies4ever

JustRoss23 wrote: »

I am not a troll i don't like you accusing me of that. i simply gave my opinion since when is that banned on boards. i would like to discuss this infraction with another mod who is neutral as you are not.

This is not an 'opinion's thread, its a condolences thread. now for the loving honour of god will you go away and take your whinging to PM. you've ruined this thread for the rest of us. :mad:

fatmammycat

Such a beautiful charming little sweetheart. Of course you miss him, but he was a loved and lucky little dog to have had you.

Hellrazer

westies4ever wrote: »

This is not an 'opinion's thread, its a condolences thread. now for the loving honour of god will you go away and take your whinging to PM. you've ruined this thread for the rest of us. :mad:

Westie--Id already dealt with this and yet you still had to respond.
Please dont respond after a mod has already dealt with the issue.And be thankful Im not issuing you an infraction for this post.

notlongleft

lost my old lady nearly 19 a week ago yesterday. it gets easier but it's still awful you ll feel like you see and hear them still for a while to come but it gets better:-(

Calibos

Feeling a bit better today. I feel like I'll be able to function. Certainly I anticipate plenty of triggers today and over the next few days and weeks, but if this morning is anything to go by I'll either be able to hold back the sobbing and torrents of tears till I have some private or alone time to let them out, or if I can't quite hold back it'll be short-lived till I can recompose myself.

Twas to be expected though that a phone call from the VET this morning would be a trigger. This was the Vet who saw Sunny on Monday afternoon and had been the one who had seen Sunny the most over the last few months for his Pacreatitus and resultant weight loss. He was away at a conference Tuesday and Wednesday and was shocked when he arrived in work this morning and pulled Sunnys file to look at the Ultrasound scan results from Tuesday and found the other final additions to the little mans file. He immediatly consulted with the lovely treating Vet from Tuesday to fill him in on what had happened. He had expected to find the Ultrasound would point towards a pancreatic cancer which is why he was mooting an MRI in UCD over the last few visits with Tuesdays Ultrasound to be the final indicator on whether to book the MRI for full confirmation. An operation to remove the suspected tumour would hopefully give him a few more years and give him back digestive function and he could put some weight back on.

However, as Sunnys' rapid detioration in the early hours of Tuesday and throughout the day showed it was not a tumour it as a horribly acute pancreatic attack that massively inflamed his pancreas and Liver and he had terrible Jaundice.

I asked if we did the right thing and he assures me that there was no coming back from this and the poor wee man was in pain and we did the kindest thing off all by not putting him through a painful bumpy journey to UCD and have him likely pass away on the way or alone in UCD.

We we kissing him and hugging him and telling him how much we loved him as he left us.

Of course typing this has me bawling again but I do have a sense that it will get better and easier to bare as the days go on whereas yesterday I felt like I'd never feel normal ever again.

I miss you Baba SunSun Man, the little SunSun Prince.....

Ms Tootsie

RIP SunDance. Know you gave him a great 9 years OP

Eastcoastryan

Calibos wrote: »

Feeling a bit better today. I feel like I'll be able to function. Certainly I anticipate plenty of triggers today and over the next few days and weeks, but if this morning is anything to go by I'll either be able to hold back the sobbing and torrents of tears till I have some private or alone time to let them out, or if I can't quite hold back it'll be short-lived till I can recompose myself.

Twas to be expected though that a phone call from the VET this morning would be a trigger. This was the Vet who saw Sunny on Monday afternoon and had been the one who had seen Sunny the most over the last few months for his Pacreatitus and resultant weight loss. He was away at a conference Tuesday and Wednesday and was shocked when he arrived in work this morning and pulled Sunnys file to look at the Ultrasound scan results from Tuesday and found the other final additions to the little mans file. He immediatly consulted with the lovely treating Vet from Tuesday to fill him in on what had happened. He had expected to find the Ultrasound would point towards a pancreatic cancer which is why he was mooting an MRI in UCD over the last few visits with Tuesdays Ultrasound to be the final indicator on whether to book the MRI for full confirmation. An operation to remove the suspected tumour would hopefully give him a few more years and give him back digestive function and he could put some weight back on.

However, as Sunnys' rapid detioration in the early hours of Tuesday and throughout the day showed it was not a tumour it as a horribly acute pancreatic attack that massively inflamed his pancreas and Liver and he had terrible Jaundice.

I asked if we did the right thing and he assures me that there was no coming back from this and the poor wee man was in pain and we did the kindest thing off all by not putting him through a painful bumpy journey to UCD and have him likely pass away on the way or alone in UCD.

We we kissing him and hugging him and telling him how much we loved him as he left us.

Of course typing this has me bawling again but I do have a sense that it will get better and easier to bare as the days go on whereas yesterday I felt like I'd never feel normal ever again.

I miss you Baba SunSun Man, the little SunSun Prince.....

Hey Calibos,

So sorry to hear about your westie. I know what you are going through. I had to put my best buddy to sleep just before Christmas and it was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do. She had cancer. Firstly, its ok to cry. I put a thread here when I had to put Mitsy to sleep and people were so supportive. The next few weeks will be very tough for you but try to remember the good times you spent with your friend. You can tell by your posts that you were a great owner and Sundance was very lucky to have someone like you.

Best of luck,

Ryan

candy69

really sorry for your loss thinking about you

Calibos

Can I just say that I have genuinely taken great solace (if I am using the right word) from all the kind words from everyone here. Its been hard to write, its been hard to read and re-read my own posts and everyones replies but I feel it has definately been theraputic. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart.