I lost my boy Parker yesterday. He just had his eleventh birthday last month. He was a beautiful gentle Golden Retreiver. I happened so suddenly. He walked up to me at the kitchen table and acted like he was ashamed. I looked down and saw he had had an accident on the floor. I knew something was wrong as this had never happened before. I took him outside and he was walking a little slow. He laid down on the rug outside and I made an appointment to see the Vet later that day. His breathing was not normal. Later he came back inside and walked up to me while I was on the computer. I figured lets try a walk. He wanted to go but we never made it out of the yard. He could barely stand and his breathing became worse. We called the Vet and told him we were coming in immediately as an emergency. We got him in the car and to the Vet but he barely made it inside. The Vet looked at him and said it did not look good. We took him to the back and they started an IV. We had to leave while they worked him up. The Vet called us a little later and told us he was gone. They had done an EKG and found his heart was throwing out a lot of Premature Ventricular Contractions. An X Ray and ultra sound showed a greatly enlarged heart that filled his chest cavity. There was possibly a tumour next to the heart. He got yearly exams and blood work but nothing showed up. He had slowed down some in the last few years but we thought it was just old age. We are not doing well and are hearts are broken. It happened so fast and without warning. My wife and I are in such great pain. I know he was lucky it was not a long drawn out painful disease. Hug your pets as you never know when the time may come.

Hi,

So sorry for your lost. My thoughts and prayers are with you tonight.....


Take Care/Spooky's Mom
Rubie

I am so sorry for your loss. At least you know that he did not suffer. It has been about one week since I put my dog Dolly to sleep. We had been agonizing over when to put her down for months. She would have a few really bad days, and then she would perk up. We hoped that she would pass on in her sleep naturally (she was 18), that we would not have to make the decision.
I now how hard today and the next week will be. But, everyday does get a little better. Although, the whole in your heart remains. I have found that remembering the good times helps. Also, knowing that your dog is no longer feeling any pain or is scared is comforting. Vsiting this website really helps me when I am feeling sad.
Take care of yourself and remember it will get better. Stephanie

I'm really sorry for your loss. You guys must be in total shock. I know few words can console at the moment but I want to let you know my thoughts are with you. Take care of each other and reach out for support.

Luna

im so sorry for your loss, i lost my boy in sept 04, he was only a year old, although i know it does not help, just try to value the amount of time you had with your boy . it also helps to do something as a memorial, i adopt little dogs, ive saved 3 in the last year , some people donate time or money to shelters, the key is wait until your ready and take your time

again sorry for your loss

amber

My heart breaks for your loss. Nothing we can say will make the hurt go away, but rest assured that we all feel your sadness. Our Bailey, a Sheltie, passed away two weeks ago in cir%%stances that appear to mirror yours. She was getting older and slowing down, but had regular vet visits and blood work that told us she was ok. Then one day after doing all the things she regularly did, she lay down and couldn't stand. The vet tried, but she was gone. Tomorrow I will pick up her ashes and spread them where she liked to romp and play. Take comfort in the fact that you did everything humanly possible to help your best friend. And you never had to make that heartbreaking, but humane, decision to end his life. He decided that for you. We both wanted our pets for a few more years, but they had other plans. Take care and report back. You have friends here.

I am so very sorry for your loss. My family and I had to put down Casey, our beagle of 5 years in July, due to prostate cancer and I still feel the pain, but not as intense. I just started tearing up so bad when I read your post b/c I know what it's like to lose a pet. It's the most horrible feeling in the world, but we get through it. You and your wife will get through it too in time. My thoughts and prayers are with you both.

May time heal the grief and leave happy memories. Know that you did all you could do under the cir%%stances.

Take care,
Ken Albn

Thanks to everyone. You just don't realize how much your life revolves around your pet. Get up in the morning and he is lying next to your bed. Pet dog, take for potty run, fix his breakfast, he begs at table while you eat, take for morning walk, say goodby at front door when you go to work, come home from work, met at front door by Parker, feed, potty run and play fetch, Evening walk, go to bed with dog lying on floor next to your bed. Almost every day for eleven years. Now its all gone. No wonder we are in such grief. Does it ever get better?????

I am going through this right now. I am s sorry tor ead of beautiful APrker's passing. There are no words to help...The ONLY thing that is bringing me some sanity (not comofrt--sanity to function) is knowing I am not alone. talking to friends and family who understand and being able to speak freely baout your feelings and your loss here are the only bits of sanity...time does help us but I think you are so right--the world is not the same...it can be good again but never the same...Praying for you.

Hi Parker's Dad,

Basically, yes. It does get better. But it takes time, and a surprising lot of it.

I've bumped Steph's Journey Through Grief thread to the top for you. She's done a wonderful job of chronicling her experience after losing her Luba.

Take care, and don't forget to eat and sleep. You'll need the energy.

Tim

I wish I could say it get's better quickly, I haven't found that yet. I lost my Parker one month ago. I am so sorry for what you are feeling right now. I can say that the horrible wanting to lay in bed and scream grief does relent somewhat. I only feel that occasionally now. I am assuming you are feeling it constantly right now. It changes slowly to grief whenever you are alone and whenever you picture him. I am trying to replace that with just good memories. I read a few books about it and they suggested to create a ritual (we light a candle every night in his memory) and just letting yourself cry. Maybe have a memorial to say goodbye. I still talk to him every day and that seems to help as well. I picture him with me. Anything you can try, try it. All babies are special but of course "Parkers" have a special place in my heart. I pray for your healing and my own.

Forever Parker's Mommy,
Kerry

Parkersdad,
I am so sorry for your loss. I can't imagine losing a loving pet so suddenly, without warning. I lost my "Misty" one week ago, today. The pain of her death is still fresh in my mind. However, my family had known that Misty was going to die sometime in the near future, we just didn't know when. She was a 15 year old yellow labrador and she grew up with me.. It still pains me when I think of all the good times that i had with her, but I think back on what it was like in the last few years of her life, and her quality of life, her zest for life was not as great in the end. I think of all the good times that I had with her...taking her down to the lake, going boating, playing with her in the snow, and I am saddened that she didn't get to enjoy those favorite activities in the end, but at the same time, I am happy that I can carry on the tradition with my new puppy, Lucky...who reminds me very much of Misty..lol..cause, he too is a yellow labrador, and is embracing much of the same mannerisms that Misty had... I feel your pain, and you and your family and "parker" are in my thoughts...