My little guy Rocky, A boxer mix we rescued 6 1/2 yrs ago passed away suddenly last night. My Beagle, Princess, started barking after I fed and took both dogs out. I went to check on them and he was lethargic laid out. I thought maybe he had to use the bathroom again and we went back outside. Once we got to a soft spot he just laid down and looked at me.
The look he gave me, I instantly knew. Princess must have known. Rocky didnt want her to see him pass away. I walked onto the deck and he followed me and laid back down. I called my wife outside and told her Rocky is dying. She didnt believe it at first thinking he is just sick and/or tired. He was so active earlier barking for over an hour at the people working on the house. She gave them snacks to quiet them down and they were both vibrant earlier in the day. He walked inside, tail wagging but laid right back down. The kids played with him and he wagged his tail. I tried to give him snacks/water and he refused. I started thinking maybe he is just tired/prolly has a tummy ache. We were all going to bed and called him to follow us upstairs. He got up and started up the stairs and collapsed. I carried him back down the few stairs. He couldnt get back up and peed where he laid. I looked up an all night pet hospital by us and had the wife call. They said bring him in. Wife pulled the car around and Rocky wouldnt move just breathing slow and heavy. He pooped where he laid. I cleaned it real quick.
We got him in the car. He was a big dog so it took me and my wife and i sped off. He was breathing very very slowly and howled 2 or 3 times. Once I got to the hospital they said he was dying and it seemed that a tumor the size of a ball ruptured in his tummy. They quickly Euthanized him.
Rocky never showed signs and was A-OK in the morning. Now I lost my friend that would jump in front of a bullet for me. I am so sad.
Full Version: Lost My Best Friend Rocky
Hi, wlassalle, please permit me to offer you my sincerest sympathies in the physical loss of your beloved Rocky. Losing a beloved companion is never easy regardless of the circumstances or how long we are blessed with the privilege of their company. Euthanasia is the last gift of love we can give to our companions at great sacrifice to ourselves so that they can be restored to their former youthfulness in the company of the angels. When we are faced with coping with their physical absence so suddenly our grief is intensified.
Wlassalle, our companions are masters at disguising how they are feeling when it comes to their health. This is a genetic link to their wild cousins. If our companions were in the wild - - including being homeless in the local neighborhood - - any indication of illness or injury would make them prey for other wildlife or other predators. So, their genetic survival mechanism is to disguise how badly they are feeling for as long as they can until they can't do this anymore. Unfortunately, for us as their caregivers, by the time our companions begin to exhibit symptoms the disease has already taken a foothold on their bodies. Depending on the nature of the illness sometimes the veterinary professionals can help our companions have a good recovery with a good quality of life, and - - sometimes - - in the case of your beloved Rocky the only thing they can do is to help ease their suffering so that they can have a peaceful transition to the angels.
Wlassalle, this grief journey is one of the hardest experiences we will ever have on this side of eternity. This journey is one of adjustment to the physical absence of our companion, and it is a very painful adjustment -- both emotionally and physically. When our companions come into our hearts and homes our lives are changed for the better. When they precede us to the angels our lives are changed again. This time, however, we are blessed with being their heir to their eternal love. We are blessed with the many treasured memories of their earthly journey with us. The love bond we share with them is eternal - - it is not limited to the physical laws of time and space. So, I wish to reassure you, Wlassalle, that your beloved Rocky's sweet Living Spirit will always be with you as you continue in your earthly journey. He is forever in your heart and memories - - he is forever a heartbeat close to you.
I know there are no adequate words in any language that can soothe the seering pain in your heart right now. This grief journey can only be traveled in your own way and in your own time. It is filled with so many emotions that can consume us all at once to the point sometimes when we think we are going insane. It is frequently referred to as a horror roller coaster ride. One of the many important things for you to remember is that you are not alone in your journey. Each of us here do understand what you are going through, and we are here for you for as long and as often as you need us. You are among friends.
Wlassalle, thank you so much for sharing your beloved Rocky with us. Perhaps sometime you will feel up to sharing a picture(s) of him with us - - but only when / if you are ready. Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers, Wlassalle, and that I look forward to knowing how you're doing whenever possible.
Peace and blessings,
moon_beam
Wlassalle, our companions are masters at disguising how they are feeling when it comes to their health. This is a genetic link to their wild cousins. If our companions were in the wild - - including being homeless in the local neighborhood - - any indication of illness or injury would make them prey for other wildlife or other predators. So, their genetic survival mechanism is to disguise how badly they are feeling for as long as they can until they can't do this anymore. Unfortunately, for us as their caregivers, by the time our companions begin to exhibit symptoms the disease has already taken a foothold on their bodies. Depending on the nature of the illness sometimes the veterinary professionals can help our companions have a good recovery with a good quality of life, and - - sometimes - - in the case of your beloved Rocky the only thing they can do is to help ease their suffering so that they can have a peaceful transition to the angels.
Wlassalle, this grief journey is one of the hardest experiences we will ever have on this side of eternity. This journey is one of adjustment to the physical absence of our companion, and it is a very painful adjustment -- both emotionally and physically. When our companions come into our hearts and homes our lives are changed for the better. When they precede us to the angels our lives are changed again. This time, however, we are blessed with being their heir to their eternal love. We are blessed with the many treasured memories of their earthly journey with us. The love bond we share with them is eternal - - it is not limited to the physical laws of time and space. So, I wish to reassure you, Wlassalle, that your beloved Rocky's sweet Living Spirit will always be with you as you continue in your earthly journey. He is forever in your heart and memories - - he is forever a heartbeat close to you.
I know there are no adequate words in any language that can soothe the seering pain in your heart right now. This grief journey can only be traveled in your own way and in your own time. It is filled with so many emotions that can consume us all at once to the point sometimes when we think we are going insane. It is frequently referred to as a horror roller coaster ride. One of the many important things for you to remember is that you are not alone in your journey. Each of us here do understand what you are going through, and we are here for you for as long and as often as you need us. You are among friends.
Wlassalle, thank you so much for sharing your beloved Rocky with us. Perhaps sometime you will feel up to sharing a picture(s) of him with us - - but only when / if you are ready. Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers, Wlassalle, and that I look forward to knowing how you're doing whenever possible.
Peace and blessings,
moon_beam
Dear wlassalle......I just want to add my condolences to the beautiful words moon_beam wrote. I am so sorry for your loss of Rocky. I saw his pic in your profile. He is so cute.
I hope you feel better day by day and remember the fun and good times you all had with Rocky.....May God Bless you and your wife.
Hugs,
LoveMyMickey
I hope you feel better day by day and remember the fun and good times you all had with Rocky.....May God Bless you and your wife.
Hugs,
LoveMyMickey
QUOTE (wlassalle @ Nov 4 2011, 02:41 PM) 
My little guy Rocky, A boxer mix we rescued 6 1/2 yrs ago passed away suddenly last night. My Beagle, Princess, started barking after I fed and took both dogs out. I went to check on them and he was lethargic laid out. I thought maybe he had to use the bathroom again and we went back outside. Once we got to a soft spot he just laid down and looked at me.
The look he gave me, I instantly knew. Princess must have known. Rocky didnt want her to see him pass away. I walked onto the deck and he followed me and laid back down. I called my wife outside and told her Rocky is dying. She didnt believe it at first thinking he is just sick and/or tired. He was so active earlier barking for over an hour at the people working on the house. She gave them snacks to quiet them down and they were both vibrant earlier in the day. He walked inside, tail wagging but laid right back down. The kids played with him and he wagged his tail. I tried to give him snacks/water and he refused. I started thinking maybe he is just tired/prolly has a tummy ache. We were all going to bed and called him to follow us upstairs. He got up and started up the stairs and collapsed. I carried him back down the few stairs. He couldnt get back up and peed where he laid. I looked up an all night pet hospital by us and had the wife call. They said bring him in. Wife pulled the car around and Rocky wouldnt move just breathing slow and heavy. He pooped where he laid. I cleaned it real quick.
We got him in the car. He was a big dog so it took me and my wife and i sped off. He was breathing very very slowly and howled 2 or 3 times. Once I got to the hospital they said he was dying and it seemed that a tumor the size of a ball ruptured in his tummy. They quickly Euthanized him.
Rocky never showed signs and was A-OK in the morning. Now I lost my friend that would jump in front of a bullet for me. I am so sad.
The look he gave me, I instantly knew. Princess must have known. Rocky didnt want her to see him pass away. I walked onto the deck and he followed me and laid back down. I called my wife outside and told her Rocky is dying. She didnt believe it at first thinking he is just sick and/or tired. He was so active earlier barking for over an hour at the people working on the house. She gave them snacks to quiet them down and they were both vibrant earlier in the day. He walked inside, tail wagging but laid right back down. The kids played with him and he wagged his tail. I tried to give him snacks/water and he refused. I started thinking maybe he is just tired/prolly has a tummy ache. We were all going to bed and called him to follow us upstairs. He got up and started up the stairs and collapsed. I carried him back down the few stairs. He couldnt get back up and peed where he laid. I looked up an all night pet hospital by us and had the wife call. They said bring him in. Wife pulled the car around and Rocky wouldnt move just breathing slow and heavy. He pooped where he laid. I cleaned it real quick.
We got him in the car. He was a big dog so it took me and my wife and i sped off. He was breathing very very slowly and howled 2 or 3 times. Once I got to the hospital they said he was dying and it seemed that a tumor the size of a ball ruptured in his tummy. They quickly Euthanized him.
Rocky never showed signs and was A-OK in the morning. Now I lost my friend that would jump in front of a bullet for me. I am so sad.
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