Cooper was 4 months old and had been having seizures for the past week, last night he had one that ended his life. If things could get any worse, I’m signed up for Ironman Louisville. I can’t see myself getting out and doing much training and I don’t have any desire to race. Has anyone else had a loss like this before a race and gone ahead and raced? Did it help or were you miserable AND tired?
That is brutal and I am so sorry for your loss. My family always had a dog or two and a cat or two when I was growing up. Each passing was like losing a best friend; these are some of the reasons I have not had any pets as an adult, the loss is just too hard. Hang in there.
Thanks, it’s been tough. It doesn’t seem real. Yesterday morning I was at the park throwing his ball for him to chase and then he came to the bike shop with me. I packed up all his toys this morning so hopefully when I get home today it will be a bit easier…but I doubt it.
I am so sorry to hear about your loss. That totally broke my heart. I have no good words of advice, but I will pray for you. I have three dogs, and two have had seizures, and I can imagine the fear, and the loss. Hang in there.
Sorry to hear that. My wife and I had a similar situation earlier this year and we had to put our 7 year old Yellow Lab to sleep. The only consolation I can give you is that you did the right thing. I’m not racing at the moment, but I’d do it. I’d take a small picture with you or a collar or something, since he’d be wagging his tail when he saw you at the finish line. It’s a funny symbiotic relationship: dogs are happy when we’re happy, and we’re happy because they’re happy.
If you’ve never read the rainbow bridge, here goes (please ignore the Sept. 11th version…)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rainbow_Bridge_(pets)
In Feb. I put my 1 1/2 old balck lab down. he had some of same problems, he had one walking downstairs and broke his hip. I put the neddle in myself and cried so hard for 2 straight days. I have never cried like that before. I carry his tags with me and just suck it up. I was training him to be a bird dog, so I spent as much with him in training that I do in tri training. I know it sucks, but everyday gets better. The worst thing to do is get another one right away. give it some time. I was just thinking yesterday about getting another one. So its been 6 months now. It WILL get better
I know how you feel. 4 weeks ago I had to put to sleep one of my best friends for the past 16 years. A shepherd / chow mix, and without a doubt my favorite dog ever. She evidently suffered a stroke and couldn’t hardly stand and couldn’t walk. It was a boo hoo fest for both my wife and I. I thought I would be alot tougher, but I wasn’t. It’s been said that pets are here to show us unconditional love, and thats very hard to loose. Good luck with your greaving. My suggestion,…after a couple of weeks, get another dog.
Mitch
I’m so, so sorry to read this. What a beautiful pup. I wish I could post something that would relieve the pain you’re going through at this time. Training is often times an escape for me.
As someone else posted, use a dog tag or something similar as a keepsake to train and race with.
You have my deepest sympathies.
scott
You have my sincere sympathy. I have lost two older dogs overnight, one to a seizure and another to a sudden hemorage caused by an undiscovered tumor. In a way, it is a blessing when they go quickly, so you don’t have to agonize for weeks or months about if it “is time” as I did with another dog who had a battle with bone cancer that lasted for years. I can’t imagine what it feels like to lose such a young pup so suddenly. But no matter what, it is never easy. Unfortunately on this earth, joy and pain are linked as long as we have life and death. Losing a dog is hard, but it would be much harder to go through life without experiencing the love and loyalty of a good dog. Years after my dogs left for the rainbow bridge, there is no way I would trade the happy memories I have of them for not having to go through the pain. The emotional cost of pet ownership is high, but to me it is worth every tear. Nothing will ever take Cooper’s place in your heart, but know that there is another pup out there that will fill your heart with joy again when you are ready.
I think it would be good if you can move forward with your training and racing, even if it is half-hearted. I think it helps the grieving process if we try to maintain our routine as much as possible.
i am so sorry…that is just horrible. with these 2 pugs, i already rue the day that we’re in a similar situation.
honestly, what worked for me in the past was to get a new pet–another little creature to love and love me back; one that needs a good mom. these little guys, pets that is, have a way of wriggling their way into our hearts and soothing any kind of pain. the love they give, and the joy from that, is worth it.
as for your training, it’s time to taper anyway, i wouldn’t pressure myself too much. FWIW, i think your dog would want you to follow through, so maybe you could do it for your pup.
good luck, hang in there, kitty
PS–it won’t feel this bad forever.
I’m so sorry. I had to put my old dog down a week and a half ago. I was sobbing as I walked into the vet’s office with him and it only got worse; being with him to the very end was brutal. The grief I felt for the few days afterwards was piercing, but as the days go by, it gets better. Give yourself a little bit of time; my bet is that you’ll be able to race when the time comes.
So sorry to hear about Cooper.
I remember when Tyler Hamilton lost Tugboat during the TdF. He wrote a very touching Tribute. Here it is if you haven’t read it before:
http://www.velonews.com/diaries/rider/articles/6639.0.html
Hang in there.
Chris
My wife and I have been in your position a number of times and I truly am sorry for your loss. Go race. You’re going to be sad for a long time regardless of what you do. Racing will be good for you; it will be a diversion and something positive during a crappy time.
Good luck. Putting them down is the high price we pay for all that love they provide, whether it’s 4 months or 16 years.
I have two cats and these are the first pets that are MINE. I had pets growing up, but my demanding sister who always got her way would steal them from me. So, we had family pets, but I have never had any pets personally. These cats are mine and I already get upset when I think about them dying. I don’t know if it helps, but I hope to be in your situation where I make a decision to put them out of their misery and I’m with them to the end instead of coming home and finding them dead on the floor or something like that. Your puppy didn’t die alone and you should be thankful of that.
I had to stop and think, I think it has been four years now since I took my dog to the vet. The time had been coming for several years, and most likely, had in reality passed. But, that morning, I woke up to find him in severe distress. The vet thought that it was likely that he was bleeding out somewhere in his abdomin from a wornout blood vessel letting go.
I had years to prepare, and it didn’t help. I think for most of us, there is no real preparation that helps.
My dog was my immediate family for most of his life. He was a stray who clearly had been abused and only had the simplest of wants. He was also quite the flirt and charmed girlfriends and kennel employees alike with ease.
He was cremated, with the intention of being placed in the raised rose ring I built for my wife. But he and I have been a bit of wandering duo, and I can’t see ever leaving him behind. So, his little wooden box sits on a shelf behind me in my office. And I know he is okay.
The only cure is time. Distractions help, though. You won’t feel like it, but the workouts will help with the distractions. Life does goes on.
I’m so sorry to hear that you had to put your puppy sleep. It is never easy and always hurts a lot. However, just think of the good times and know that it will get a little easier over time. I think that racing might be good to keep you occupied…maybe bring something that reminds you of him? sorry again for your loss.
I can hardly see the keyboard for crying after reading your post and the others. What a precious pup Cooper was. i can relate to your grief as we have had to put down one dog that had been part of our lives for 16 years. we still have 5 more. ( yes, i am a collector) I love my dogs as family. Your sadness will lessen but never be gone. I still look at Tyke’s photo on her box of ashes and cry after 3+ years. There is no love like the love of your best friend and my dogs are my best friends.
Try to race though. You need the distraction. Jana
As the “parent” of 4 cats and a dog, I feel for and empathize with you. As others have stated, the best course of action is to grieve but then move on with another little pup…it won’t replace Cooper, but will certainly help.
Keep training, and think of your little guy playing around in puppy Heaven, having the time of his life with endless kibbles to munch on and a neverending supply of toys to play with.
Hang in there. It is tough, especially with a face like that!
That’s a great idea and the first thing to put a smile on my face today. I love the idea of racing with Cooper. We got him with plans of having him as a running buddie. He never got that chance. I’ll see how training goes this weekend and make my decision next week. Thank you everyone for all your kind words, they have lifted my spirit!
I told my wife if I had known how short our time with him was going to be I would have let him chew on all the furniture, eat whatever he could get a hold of and sleep in our bed!
Sorry to hear about your big bummer with the puppy. I’ve had dogs all my life and their end is always heart breaking. I just lost a human friend yesterday, and the absence is eerie. With dogs, I’ve been able to savor their memories, and love a new dog sooner than later. Dogs are non judgmental, and loving, so if you get a new one, you will have a win-win situation, you get to be selfish and receive the dog’s love, and the dog gets a loving home. Even if you are sad the new dog will force you to smile.
Go and race! Don’t let the memory of Cooper sadden you more. Training is taking the edge off for me, on the death I am dealing with.