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My world has caved in

(172 Posts)
Goose Mon 15-Apr-13 15:34:23

This morning I took my beloved 12yr old collie to the vets believing she had a tooth problem. The vet did a thorough inspection of her mouth and discovered the 'bleeding tooth' was in fact a huge tumour, too big to be operated on, an hour later my best friend was put down, without the opportunity for me to say goodbye. I'm in such shock, it's all happened so quickly and I'm sitting in the kitchen surrounded by her full dog bowl and her lead on the floor.
I'm sure some of you GN's will understand when I say I have never felt so alone in my life

Deedaa Mon 15-Apr-13 23:01:37

I am so sorry Goose how horrible for you! It's over seven years since we lost our two collies and we had known they were ill for a while. I still miss having them around though. You must be feeling absolutely bereft at the moment. Try to get strength from the happy memories you have, I'm sure that she had a lovely life with you and as Florence has said she won't have realised anything was amiss.

Grannyknot Mon 15-Apr-13 22:48:28

goose flowers and a hug.

HUNTERF Mon 15-Apr-13 22:45:52

Gracemum

You are correct. Dogs are family.
We have never had to have a dog put to sleep but we tended to think we were giving another dog a home and in return the new dog helped us through the grief and became part of the family.

Frank

specki4eyes Mon 15-Apr-13 22:43:43

Goose there are those whose hearts are big and generous enough to give love to a dumb animal and receive it in return. You are one of those special people. You loved and cared for your dog for all those years and gave her a wonderful life..then when all that was left for her was suffering and pain, your love eased her gently away. That was the final precious gift you gave to her. Now you are hurting, of course. Just focus on what a wonderful time you shared and treat yourself to something which will cheer you. Sometimes a little holiday is good to break that empty house feeling. flowers

nanaej Mon 15-Apr-13 22:12:30

Sorry goose just re-read your later post and you say you don't have anyone near.. hope GN friends & support will carry you through a sad time.

nanaej Mon 15-Apr-13 22:05:42

Oh goose how very sad for you. I hope you have some family or friends who can support you. It is a shock for you and you will need time to come to terms with it. flowers

Tegan Mon 15-Apr-13 21:49:34

I think poor Goose has to make sense of what's happened first of all, as she'll be in a state of shock at the moment.

HUNTERF Mon 15-Apr-13 20:52:48

Goose

I know people react in different ways. About 2 years ago my doctor was in a pub obviously upset so I went to find our what had happened and her dog had died.
It seemed strange a patient trying to sort a doctor out.
In our family the way we get over the loss of a dog is to get another dog.
You never totally get over the loss of a dog but a new dog does take you 99% there.
We know he does not really understand but we tell the new dog about the old dog and I think they pick up some signals that there is a problem and they do their best to sort the problem out.
After telling her this she phoned the next day saying she had reserved a dog and she got it a few days later.

Frank

Mishap Mon 15-Apr-13 20:36:23

That is very sad. You will miss your pet. But I am sure the decision is right - I know you would not have wanted any suffering.

baubles Mon 15-Apr-13 20:27:54

Goose that is so sad. I do know how distressing it is to lose a pet so unexpectedly. I've experienced something similar.

{{{hugs}}}

Florence56 Mon 15-Apr-13 20:27:17

Hello Goose,
Treasure that memory of her running after the cat. For all sorts of reasons the Vet might well have been trying to do both you and your pet a kindness. Far better that you had no idea what was the problem, you were not too distressed when you took her to the vets and she would not have picked that up from you. I do hope you can just think of all the good times. I wish you all the best and I hope you can find some comfort in knowing you did your best.

grannyactivist Mon 15-Apr-13 20:10:13

Nothing much will help right now, Goose, but perhaps in the future you might find this of some use. www.pet-loss.net/

merlotgran Mon 15-Apr-13 20:04:19

I wouldn't be very happy if my vet did that, Goose. It sounds as though he was just trying to save time.

Having said that, at least you know your dog didn't suffer and you have a lovely last memory of her in the garden.

It's an awful feeling when you lose a dog. I redecorated the kitchen because it wasn't the same in there without her lying in her basket. flowers

Zengran Mon 15-Apr-13 19:48:53

Goose flowers
So sorry x

Goose Mon 15-Apr-13 19:37:44

Thank you all for your support, it means so much to me as I am totally on my own and have no one else to talk to.
The reason I wasn't with her to say goodbye is because my vet was very busy (the other vet was off ill) and he took Mystery (my dog) off to take x-rays and do other tests, so I walked home and he said he'd phone me with the results, which he did about an hour later, and said he thought it would be kindest to put her down whilst she was 'out' anyway. My last memories of her are running down the end of the garden this morning to tell next doors cat off:-)

Ariadne Mon 15-Apr-13 19:36:18

So hard to say goodbye so quickly ((hugs))

cathy Mon 15-Apr-13 19:28:35

Oh Goose that's so sad, why did he have to be put down sooo quick like that its awful.

Can I suggest something---how about getting a puppy of the same breed.

I don't have a dog and don't really understand but do understand that they do become loyal companions and understand that that is important.

Dear Goose wish I could do something to help x

johanna Mon 15-Apr-13 19:01:37

Thinking of you Goose
Been there.
Take care
Best Wishes.

celebgran Mon 15-Apr-13 18:12:07

Oh my god how my heart goes out to you! Will pm you big hugs x x

Tegan Mon 15-Apr-13 17:56:51

Oh Goose; that happened with a cat of mine [the best cat I ever had]. I can still remember the conversation with the vet which went 'is it operable'; 'yes'; 'but will it come back'; 'yes, very quickly'..and that was that. Years ago but still feel the shock and disbelief as if it were yesterday. Hugs and kisses to you xxx

Galen Mon 15-Apr-13 17:43:40

Sorry!flowers

shysal Mon 15-Apr-13 17:36:58

So sorry, Goose, it is awful to lose a pet with no warning. Look after yourself. flowers

kittylester Mon 15-Apr-13 17:32:30

Goose (((hugs))) flowers

gracesmum Mon 15-Apr-13 17:17:48

I am so sorry, Goose - my heart has always broken when we have lost our various dogs. As somebody said, she was not to know and while it will be of no consolation to you whatsoever, you made the trip NOT knowing it would only be one way. For me, the night before and the drive over have been every bit as bad as having them go to sleep in my arms. However for your sake, I am truly sorry you were not there at the end. What can I say - these animals are family and the true test of our love is to love them enough to let them go when the time comes. {{hug}}

Anne58 Mon 15-Apr-13 17:12:24

Oh goose I do feel for you.