Unwell Dog

MrWalsh · 15-04-2015 02:32PM

Im really sorry to hear this. Stay well.

angeldaisy · 15-04-2015 02:37PM

So sorry Kylith

Frigga_92 · 15-04-2015 02:46PM

Very sorry for your loss Kylith xox

cocker5 · 15-04-2015 02:46PM

Run free Tegan XX

So sorry for your loss kylith

chanelfreak · 15-04-2015 02:50PM

Kylith, I am so, so sorry to hear of your sad loss. I am thinking of you at this time and sending you love and strength to be able to get through this. You definitely made the right decision, but sometimes that hurts more. Hugs xxx

borderlinemeath · 15-04-2015 02:51PM

kylith wrote: »

Thanks for your kind words everyone. Tegan passed in the vet's at lunchtime. It took longer for the sedative to take effect than it should have because her abdomen was so swollen she couldn't lie down. She went very quickly and with no pain or struggle once the needle was in. We wrapped her in her blanket and have buried her in the back garden.

God love you Kylith

You made the right decision for her, as hard as it feels right now. She's no longer in pain or discomfort and you were with her at the end. Take care of yourself and Rani. xx
RIP Tegan.

jimf · 15-04-2015 03:04PM

so sorry to hear this kylith

tears here again thinking of the times I too had to make this decision but she is free now and you should feel proud of yourself to have the courage to make this decision and to be there with her at the end when she needed you most

morgana · 15-04-2015 03:21PM

So very sorry. Heartbreaking having to make the decision, something most of us pet lovers will face at some stage.
Focus on the good, at least her suffering was short.

Tranceypoo · 15-04-2015 03:21PM

Oh no, I'm so very sorry Kylith, so sorry.

andreac · 15-04-2015 04:34PM

So sorry for your loss Kylith. The hardest part of owning a pet is letting them go. Run free sweet girl.

muddypaws · 15-04-2015 04:39PM

I'm so sorry kylith. Well done for being strong enough to do what was right for her at the end. Take care of yourself x

DBB · 15-04-2015 07:00PM

I've a lump in my throat reading your news kylith, it's such a tough choice that can't produce a happy resolution, but I think you picked the best choice for her. I hope you can seek solace from that.
Good girl Tegan, sleep soundly

Autosport · 15-04-2015 09:29PM

Have been following this story and was hoping to hear better news. all I can add to the rest of the comments is Rest in Peace and run free over rainbow bridge xxxxx

kylith · 15-04-2015 10:43PM

Thanks for all the kind words everyone. I'm heartbroken to be without the sweetest dog I've ever met. I hate thinking of her in the ground but I have to remember that if Tee is anywhere she's not there. The best thing I can do now is focus on Rani, she needs me to keep it together.

DBB · 15-04-2015 10:58PM

How is Rani managing Kylith?
I've hesitated to say this, but there are a number of posters here whose pets kinda define them in one way or another... In my world at least.
When I think of certain posters I actually envisage their dogs

I know ye won't be offended by that

When I think of Kylith I see the two little Cairny ladies whose lives we've had glimpses of through kylith's posts for years.
It really feels like the end of an era that Tegan has passed.
Hope you're okay as you can be, and that Rani is coping okay.

mojesius · 15-04-2015 10:58PM

Very sorry for your loss. Take care of yourself. Sleep well Tegan

cotton · 15-04-2015 11:07PM

So so sorry for your loss Kylith.
Been through the same myself recently, I know how devastated you must feel right now.
Sleep well Tegan, you sounded like such a special girl.xxxxxx

kylith · 16-04-2015 12:09AM

DBB wrote: »

How is Rani managing Kylith?
I've hesitated to say this, but there are a number of posters here whose pets kinda define them in one way or another... In my world at least.
When I think of certain posters I actually envisage their dogs I know ye won't be offended by that When I think of Kylith I see the two little Cairny ladies whose lives we've had glimpses of through kylith's posts for years.
It really feels like the end of an era that Tegan has passed.
Hope you're okay as you can be, and that Rani is coping okay.

Rani's been curled up next to me all night. I think that getting to see Tegan after I'd brought her home helped her a lot, even though she didn't appear to pay much notice she'll have known it was Tegan and known she was gone. I have a lovely neighbour who will look in on her when she can to make sure she's ok during the day.

It probably helps too that they were never that dependent on each other. They seemed to have avoided the inter-bitch bitchiness that you hear about by sharing their space but never being in each others pockets, so to speak. Due to their crappy starts in life they both just wanted a quiet life so they gave each other companionship without demands.

I'm doing ok. I'm very teary when I think about her and I constantly expect to see her at the top of the kitchen steps, or for her to scratch on the back door to be let back in, or for her to emerge from under the table give a good shake and trot to the water bowl. Twice today I've found myself scooping out food for her. I've spent a while sorting through photos of her and my ex has sent more (I think he's even more cut up than me, but I at least got to say goodbye, and seeing how bad she was last night made letting her go today so much easier). I know a lovely lady on Facebook who does the most amazingly beautiful pet portraits so I'm trying to choose a picture that captures her Teegie-ness to be made into a portrait that I can frame with her collar. It's brought back some lovely, bittersweet, memories.

01980ca08491c8510c7a7f0a4fe1538b69b8a11fb0_zpse6eygqgs.jpg

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And my favourite: Sleepy Tegan

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boomerang · 16-04-2015 03:25AM

Kylith, when I lost my heart dog, I created a pinterest page, and anything I found on boards/facebook etc. about pet loss that captured how I was feeling, or gave me some comfort, I pinned it. I still do, and I still visit it when I'm feeling grief-stricken. I'm not into cheesy stuff but the things I've found and liked have really helped. You could create your own for Tegan, maybe. There are a couple of verses I always come back to.

sdp · 16-04-2015 05:35AM

Very sorry for your loss Kylith, Rest well Tegan

kylith · 16-04-2015 08:03AM

After having a good evening last night Rani began to keen during the night; howling on and off from about 2am until about 5am. I went down and distracted her with stuffed Kongs which certainly helps. I'd happily bring her into my room at night but that won't help her during the day. A friend who lives nearby will drop in to her during the day, but can't stay with her and can't take her to her house because Ra and her dog don't get along. I work too early to bring her to 'day care' and even if I could she'd hate to be surrounded by so many strange dogs. I couldn't bring her to work even if they'd let me because it's not a safe site; lots of forklifts going round.

I left her this morning with a treat ball, a stuffed Kong, the radio on for some company, and my near-neighbour calling in around lunch time with another Kong for her. I can't check on her during the day because Skype won't do video over cellular and I have no wifi in work that I could connect to. I don't know what to do for her. I'll look into a treat ball that's a bit more work to keep her occupied longer. I'll try getting up earlier to bring her out for a short walk in the morning to see if that helps.

Frigga_92 · 16-04-2015 08:20AM

Poor Rani.
Our male GSD, Duke, who Henry treated like his baby, was heartbroken after we had Henry put to sleep. For months when we said Henry's name, Duke would set off looking for him.
It's a hard time for them because they can't talk about how they're feeling, their thoughts are just in their head.
Duke changed a lot after we had Henry put to sleep, he matured and calmed down a lot, like he became "man of the house".

Poor Rani. As you say, day care doesn't suit her, it might also be a bit overwhelming for her at the moment, until she settles back into life. It's good that you have a friend nearby to check on her. She'll miss her friend, just like you.

kylith · 16-04-2015 08:30AM

Thanks Frigga. As you say, it's so hard because we can't talk to them and they can't talk to us. All she can do is call for Tegan, she hasn't been without her for a night in more than 7 years.

I just feel so helpless because I can't explain to her and I don't know what I can do to help her. I'm trying to keep everything as normal as possible, but being alone obviously isn't normal for her. I'd get another dog as company for her, but I don't know if that would be the right thing to do either, and she's so old and cranky I don't know how she'd take to it.

Does anyone have a Kong Wobbler? How do they find it? The treat ball she keeps her busy, but I'd prefer something she has to work a bit harder at.

Frigga_92 · 16-04-2015 09:00AM

kylith wrote: »

Thanks Frigga. As you say, it's so hard because we can't talk to them and they can't talk to us. All she can do is call for Tegan, she hasn't been without her for a night in more than 7 years.

I just feel so helpless because I can't explain to her and I don't know what I can do to help her. I'm trying to keep everything as normal as possible, but being alone obviously isn't normal for her. I'd get another dog as company for her, but I don't know if that would be the right thing to do either, and she's so old and cranky I don't know how she'd take to it.

Does anyone have a Kong Wobbler? How do they find it? The treat ball she keeps her busy, but I'd prefer something she has to work a bit harder at.

It'll be a confusing time for Rani. I'm sure they were great friends. Dogs are resilient though. She still has you and she will sense that you are going through the same emotions as her, that will give her some comfort and she'll probably want to be closer to you because of that.
Also, there are no rules about bringing in another dog, only you know how Rani will cope and adapt. If you think she would benefit more from having another dog around or not, you know her best. Would you have any friends with dogs who Rani gets on well with who might be able to call around for her to play with?

I have the wobbler, I find it keeps them occupied for longer, they'll all chase it around the kitchen. I just put the dry food I give to the GSDs into it and take that away from their bowl when I'm feeding them.

DBB · 16-04-2015 09:04AM

The wobblers are pretty big, maybe 8 inches high and substantially built, and made of hard plastic which makes a bit of noise and can't be picked up by anything other than a big dog. They take a fair bit of confidence and initiative for the dog to learn what they do, I find. So if you've a dog who's not inclined to really go at every toy they see, the Wobbler isn't an easy toy. So it depends on Rani... If she's food mad and loves to launch herself on new toys, it could be just the ticket.

kylith · 16-04-2015 09:22AM

If it's quite big it'd probably be too big for her. She's food mad, but not particularly interested in toys. I might give her a Kong and a treat ball in the morning and see if I can rig something to drop another treat ball in the afternoon.

I'll have a look around pet shops and see what I can find. I really like the Fish For Dogs square sea jerky, it's good for her to get the fish oils and they're just the right shape that I can cram one in the kong and it's not easy to get out. She loves the Lidl treat ball but I think it'd be good to have something she has to work a bit harder at, but not so difficult that she gives up on it, so she's kept stimulated and distracted during the day. I'm looking at a proper web cam too so I can keep an eye on her.

Ms Tootsie · 16-04-2015 09:24AM

Kylith I am so sorry to hear about Tegan. I was following the post but with no advice to give I stayed quiet. I honestly think you are so brave and strong for being able to do the right thing for your girl and I hope you take some comfort in that. RIP wee Tegan.

16-04-2015 09:26AM

just read this thread this morning.
Sorry you just lost your lovely dog Kyleith.... it must be so sad.

I have a 12 year old recsue dog..... a collie/lurcher mix who is fit and healthy but I know I will probably have to face similar over the next few years. She is getting much slower and stiffer and someday I will probably wake up to a similar situation as you did.

She has been with me through thick and thin. I got her after one of my daughters died. She was a comfort for my other 2 girls to cuddle when they were sad. Now those 2 girls have both emigrated. I moved house 4 times, moving to different counties, and back. She came too! I am now divorced - so everyone is gone but the dog is still here!! and 2 cats, (plus 2 new strays!)

She is my constant companion and is always there wagging her tail when I get in from work. She gets her 2 walks a day on the beach, in fields, and sleeps some nights on my bed.

But I know that day will come and I will just have to deal with it and put it in perspective in the bigger picture of life. Dogs are beautiful, loyal, our best friends. Thankfully we have the comfort of being able to replace them with another needy little soul that has been abandoned and that helps when they die. Unfortunately we cant do that with people.

I wouldn't replace your little dog too soon - take time to say goodbye in your heart. You will have so many memories - all good. Take care :-)

tk123 · 16-04-2015 09:52AM

kylith wrote: »

If it's quite big it'd probably be too big for her. She's food mad, but not particularly interested in toys. I might give her a Kong and a treat ball in the morning and see if I can rig something to drop another treat ball in the afternoon.

I'll have a look around pet shops and see what I can find. I really like the Fish For Dogs square sea jerky, it's good for her to get the fish oils and they're just the right shape that I can cram one in the kong and it's not easy to get out. She loves the Lidl treat ball but I think it'd be good to have something she has to work a bit harder at, but not so difficult that she gives up on it, so she's kept stimulated and distracted during the day. I'm looking at a proper web cam too so I can keep an eye on her.

I had the wobbler...and gave it away because it was so noisy going across the wooden floors and into the skirting

Premier linkables are quite good if the dog isn't a chewer - you can put them together in different shapes and when you connect them there's 2 ridges to make it easier/harder for them to come apart. Even when they do eventually get them apart each one is separate treat dispenser so still lots of work.

Post op Bailey with his shaved bum playing with his a few years ago

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IbW5k8cEdbs

kylith · 16-04-2015 10:00AM

Ms Tootsie wrote: »

Kylith I am so sorry to hear about Tegan. I was following the post but with no advice to give I stayed quiet. I honestly think you are so brave and strong for being able to do the right thing for your girl and I hope you take some comfort in that. RIP wee Tegan.

What a coincidence! Her name was actually Tootsie when she came to me!

There were a couple of thoughts that helped me come to the decision I did - one was the advice that it's better to go a day too early than a day too late. The other was that, for her, the consequences of me deciding to put her to sleep and being wrong were better than the consequences of me putting her through surgery and being wrong. All the time I expected the vet to say they'd found that she'd swallowed something she shouldn't have and, if that were the case, it would have been surgery without a moment's hesitation, but the idea of putting her through a surgery and giving her only a few months more (and a lot of that spent recovering from surgery) was too much.

It really helps having her in the back garden. I said goodnight to her last night and good morning to her this morning and in a little while I'll put up a memorial stone and plant something over her.

Deleted User wrote: »

just read this thread this morning.
Sorry you just lost your lovely dog Kyleith.... it must be so sad.

I have a 12 year old recsue dog..... a collie/lurcher mix who is fit and healthy but I know I will probably have to face similar over the next few years. She is getting much slower and stiffer and someday I will probably wake up to a similar situation as you did.

She has been with me through thick and thin. I got her after one of my daughters died. She was a comfort for my other 2 girls to cuddle when they were sad. Now those 2 girls have both emigrated. I moved house 4 times, moving to different counties, and back. She came too! I am now divorced - so everyone is gone but the dog is still here!! and 2 cats, (plus 2 new strays!)

She is my constant companion and is always there wagging her tail when I get in from work. She gets her 2 walks a day on the beach, in fields, and sleeps some nights on my bed.

But I know that day will come and I will just have to deal with it and put it in perspective in the bigger picture of life. Dogs are beautiful, loyal, our best friends. Thankfully we have the comfort of being able to replace them with another needy little soul that has been abandoned and that helps when they die. Unfortunately we cant do that with people.

I wouldn't replace your little dog too soon - take time to say goodbye in your heart. You will have so many memories - all good. Take care :-)

That's why dogs are so great; they're always there for you and ready to go for a walk, or just to chill out on the sofa. They don't care if you eat an entire easter egg on the sofa while watching Masterchef in your pyjamas; they still think you're the best person in the world.

It's so hard to see them age, but that way you can prepare yourself a little. Rani is about 15 now and every time she gets a sniffle I prepare myself for the worst. It'll be hard when she goes, but at least I'll have gotten the chance to prepare. With Tegan it was so sudden. I suppose in a way that was good too, she didn't suffer a long illness; these tumours grow quickly and, I hope, she wasn't in much pain or for long. But it was hard on me to see her go from menacing Yorkies who looked at her funny to so weak in only two days.

Unwell Dog

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