We lost our dog Wed. night unexpectedly. She has had an ongoing battle with Addison's disease, but it's been under control for at least a year. She was showing no signs of any crisis and ate fine that day. She even played for most of the day. At around 9:30 that night she looked a little confused when I called her...almost like she didn't know who was calling her. At 10:30 my husband heard something and saw Diggers convulsing and then she fell over and became unresponsive. I rushed her to the emergency vet but she had already died in my arms by the time we got her there. She went so fast. I talked to my vet and he said that she may have had a blood clot that caused a stroke or hear attack.

She was only 3 years old. She was a great dog and I can't get over this happening. I never got to say goodbye to her. I can't stop feeling guilty. I feel bad because she had really wanted to go with us for a ride and we left the dogs here instead. I feel bad because for the past year she hasdn't gotten the attention she wanted because we had a new baby who is extremely needy. We did get her a friend to play with and for the past two years they have been best friends. I'm not sure how my other dog is going to take this. I think she thinks she is coming back. I am really, really angry right now. I am having a hard time functioning. I know I need to snap out of this for my family's sake but it feels like I have lost another child.

How long am I going to feel like this? What can I do in the meantime to help me through?

Jaimie, Sasha, and angel Digweed

What a beautiful dog! If you feel you didn't get a proper chance to say good-bye, say it to her now. I am so sorry for your loss and wish I could say some magic words that would make it better, but grieving is a process that you have to go through in your own way and in your own time. Everyone here on this site understands how you feel. We all think about what more we could have done, should I have noticed something earlier, did I make the right decision. We also think about those times when we didn't have the time to give our furries the attention they wanted, or the time we pushed them away when we were feeling bad....it goes on and on.

You can honor her by sending a donation to an animal shelter in her name, make a photo collage, planting a little garden for her, make a bookmark with her picture on it and a little poem--anything that brings you a little bit of comfort. Be kind to yourself, and let yourself cry. You are going to have some tough days ahead. It's been 20 days for me and I'm still grieving, although it is a little easier most of the time. I still get those sudden waves of sadness that hit without warning and I just accept them, let them wash over me, have a little cry, take a deep breath, and it eventually passes.

Please come back and let us know how you are doing.

Love,
Christine

I am so sorry for the loss of your beautiful, beautiful girl. I totally understand how you are feeling. I lost Allie in a similar way -very quickly and at only 2 yrs. old from a rare intestinal condition. She died March 10 with no warning signs and I still miss her. But I have been able to find some peace just through talking to people here. As for an answer of how long it will take to stop feeling this way, I don't know, because it's different for everyone. Part of me feels blessed that Allie had such a wonderful, short life because I know that over the years I would have continued to grow more and more attached to her and my love for her would have grown, and it might have been even harder to say goodbye. (Not to say that I didn't love her with all of my heart when she died.)

Please know that you are cared about here and you can come and tell us about your girl any time you want to. I know how they are like our children and it is just such a devastating loss.

I will say that in a couple of months or so, it might help you to consider taking another dog into your home. When we found Lucy, she brought us a lot of peace and comfort. She wasn't a replacement for Allie, but it almost gave us a sense of purpose, knowing that we never would have been able to take Lucy if Allie were still alive. And Lucy really needed us. But we probably needed her more! She has become such a joy to us and reminds us of Allie every day.

God bless you as you begin your journey of grief. Remember that your love of Diggers was felt by her in every way, every day of her life, including her last. Even though she may not have gotten as much attention as she wanted, you did the right thing in getting her another doggie friend to play with. She was one loved girl, and you provided her with a wonderful home.

It will be normal for your other dog to mourn the loss of her friend. You may notice lethargy or loss of appetite. A little extra attention and love will pull her through.

Love,
Jenny

Diggers was such a cute girl with big brown eyes and adorable ears. I'm so sorry for your loss.

Even though you didn't get to say goodbye to Diggers, the love and kindness she got from you throughout her whole life is what she carried with her when she started her journey to the bridge. I also agree with Christine...you can still say your goodbyes now...Diggers' spirit will hear you.

You're in my thoughts.
Kathleen

What a pretty dog, that is so sad. My puppy Bear died of a heart problem when he was just 7 weeks old.I know it seems hard now, but it will get better I promise! Thsi board is really good for support,so you found a good place, my doggie Herbie went kind of unexpectedly, he was diagnosed with bonecancer on a friday, hurt his cancerous and unoperable leg horribly on sunday, and then was put to sleep monday morning. It will take a while to heal, but it is a process, and just think now your beautiful puppy is free of illness and can run and play all she wants all day long.

-Tori-