My 13 year old Boxer Murphy died. She was at the vet office because of a bad seizure Sunday nite; my wife and I hurried to get there about 6:30 pm yesterday, as the vet called to say she had a cardiac arrest and was on a ventilator until we got there. When we arrived 5 minutes later, she was breathing on her own, barely. When she heard and smelled us enter the O.R., though she was basically gone, her heart rate spiked to 200bpm. She was hooked to a monitor. It stayed that way as we rubbed her and talked to her for about 20-30 seconds. Then her HR slowly came down, and at about 50 bpm, the vet gave her a shot and she passed quietly.
Her HR spike let us know she was excited that we were there, and she was thanking us for her good life. I’m a 43 year old clear thinker who really believes that her response to us, even when her tank was basically empty, was her way of saying thanks and goodbye. Anyone else have something like that from a pet?
She was a great friend and companion. I have an 11-year old Boxer that gets everything now. Dogs are great, and it’s heartbreaking when they leave. Their love is pure. No complications. Food, water, walks, treats, a warm bed and some ice cream now and then. I miss her today.
Oh man. That’s a terrific story. I’m sorry for your loss, but it sounds as if Murphy had a wonderful 13 years. We have aging dogs, too (a 9 year old mutt and a 6 year old great dane), and no less than three of our friends and family have lost beloved older pets this month. It’s really made me think how much I’ll miss our pups when they have to go. I only hope I get the chance to say goodbye, too. Best of luck.
Her HR spike let us know she was excited that we were there, and she was thanking us for her good life. I’m a 43 year old clear thinker who really believes that her response to us, even when her tank was basically empty, was her way of saying thanks and goodbye. Anyone else have something like that from a pet?
Our cat died last week. He was about 13, too. He was pretty much gone all day, so we made an appointment for 5:15 to have him put down. As I was carrying him to the car at 5:08pm, he died. Weird how he went at that moment (just had gotten him outside).
Nice story, thanks for sharing. Damn, I love doggies.
We have a two year old Boxer, Gracie, and we had quite a scare last night. We were at a local park, and she saw and chased a deer. We couldn’t find her for over an hour … I was assuming the worst. We finally found her, she was basically okay, but had a number of cuts and scrapes. She was so happy to see us. I didn’t even notice her injuries until we got home and I gave her a bath. Dogs really do hide their injuries – I think it’s a pack thing, don’t want to be seen as being weak.
About nine months ago, the same thing happened, but that time she stepped on something and badly sliced her paw. When we found her, she was covered in blood and we had to go to the emergency vet.
I’m still unsure what to do in the future, as she loves that park, and loves to run around with me.
My condolences on your loss. I put down my beloved Lab (whose name is the source of my id here) last summer after 12 wonderful years. The pain will fade but the memories never will. RIP, Murphy.
A few years back, I had to take my dog into the vets for a serious case of the bloats.
He made it through surgery (albeit he was never the same and only lasted another year), but was very stressed out by the incident.
He had to stay at the vets for a few days for observation. Since I had to work and my wife had to travel we couldn’t really stay with him.
Anyway I showed up for a visit after he had been there for more than a day. The vet informed me that he had been panting and wimpering the entire night and had not slept a wink. He had also been very disagreeable to the vet techs.
Anyway, I entered the room where they were keeping him (a makeshift cage, since he was too big for all the standard ones) and heard his winpers and panting. When he saw me, he immediately calmed down. I sat down and put his head on my leg. He was asleep in about 10 seconds. I stayed for another hour (well past visiting hours) just stroking him. I left to come back and visit the next morning. The vets said he slept all throught the night after my visit.
The whole incident touched me a great deal and it reinforced how important I was to him in his eyes. I felt quite humbled and awed.
Dogs are the best. They really bring otherwise big, strong men and women to their knees. Very unique bonds. My wife is in misery. Dog slept on our bed for 12 years, we discovered a brain tumor via MRI and her habits changed a little.
We have a large home w/a big master bedroom, no kids. We slept on the livingroom floor with both dogs and a twin mattress - one of us on the couch or once in a while up in our bed - just to stay close to her becasue she wanted us close to her or she wouldn’t sleep well. 7 months we did that. Our home is an historical landmark in our community, and our first floor was turned into a dog-with-tumor friendly sleeping room!! We paid thousands to care for her. Like, over $5k in the last 7 months. We kept saying “man this is getting crazy”, but when her rate rate went up as we entered the room, it could have been $25k (well, maybe not that much) and would have been worth it.
When Tyler Hamilton had trouble in 2004 TDF, especially after his dog died, people didn’t give that incident enough credit for helping to bring him down. It tears up strong people.
Thanks to all for sharing their thoughts. Here’s to dog lovers and to their dogs!!!
Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable. All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.
You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
Sounds like Murphy had a good life , Try and remember happy times / stories . Get another one when your ready , Talk to them about Uncle - cousin 'Murphy " use to like " eat -sleep -run - dig -" over here.
We had an old cat that had nerves of steel , shampoo her in the shower water running - Vacuum hair off her - run the mower 2 feet from her , un-flinching . She was comfortable but could only walk 10 -20 feet the last 4 months , It was the first warm day , Cathy found her warming in the sun outside on her favorite flat rock ,as she had done so many times over the 14 years we had her , about 100 ft from her inside bed . Kinda like see ya guys , Just needed one last day in the sun. She is under the tall red rose bush , we still have great stories of her life.
That’s a great story. Isn’t the bond cool? Everyone who has a dog and pays a lot of attention to it, and has a recipricating emotion from the pet, knows that our voices, our smells, our touches are unique to the dog. I can just imagine how your’s felt when you came in. The vet techs probably appreciated it, too.
When we went to see her for her last minutes, there were a couple other older dogs in kennels, some looking like they needed a shoulder to lean on!!
Sorry for your loss. I am glad you got to see Murphy one last time. As hard as those final moments are they are priceless. I have been through this a number of times and it never gets better. The only time I have ever seen my father cry were at the funeral of his mom and while putting our dogs down.
Sorry for your loss. My dog, the one true love in my life that is with out fault is my pride and joy, and I hers. I fear the day that go through what you are, I only hope she out lives me. I know that at times there are no words. And that is all I can say “there are no words” that can make anything any better.
Sorry for you loss, my deepest sympathy…as soon as I hit send I am going to go pet my dog, and think of yours.
Though I don’t believe in dogs going to heaven, my Chocolate Lab, Ginger, died a few years ago, and it was tough on me. I adopted her from the pound and she was so skinny when I got her people thought she was a greyhound. I built her a brand new dog house because she wouldn’t go in to any of the “used” ones we had. I spent a lot of time training her to be a retriever/game dog, and she was really starting to catch on. One winter evening I put her in to her kennel in the garage and she was whimpering. I thought only briefly that something must be wrong, but went on to bed. The next morning, she was unconscious had had a bloody froth around her lips. We took her to the vet and she was convulsing. According to the vet, she had gotten into some pesticide somehow. The doc gave her some very expensive antitdotes, but after three days unconscious and convulsing, she died. A horrible way to go. I eliminated every possibility that she could have accidentally gotten into pesticide somewhere in our garage or yard. The only conclusion I could come to is that someone deliberately poisoned her. I had been having some trouble with some JD kids in the neighborhood, but I couldn’t prove anything. If I ever find out who did it to her I will horsewhip them.
We have another dog now, Mac, a Cairn Terrier my wife adopted from the pound. He’s cute and fun, but I still miss Ginger.
Tom–Thanks for posting that. I have seen it once before, but not since, yet when the main theme comes to my memory, it triggers the same emotions as when I read it. I am saving it.
How great it would be to have all the dogs that have touched my life run in a field with me.
“How great it would be to have all the dogs that have touched my life run in a field with me.”
I hear ya. I’ve had three dogs in my life and I’ve loved them all. My wife and I currently have a Collie. She’s five now and due to health reasons we’re hoping to get another 3-4 years with her. I can’t explain how much I love this dog and I dread the day I have to put her down. Who knows what heaven really is but, man I would love it if that story comes true. I swear I’ve read it 20 times and it brings tears to my eyes every other time I read it.
Dogs are great, cherish them while they’re a part of your life.
Man, I hurt for you. I have several dogs who are my heart and soul. If/when they go it is going to be difficult for me. I came across a poem a while back and I’m going to C & P it for you.
Rainbow Bridge
Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.
All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.
You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
Great stuff. You’re the second one to post that poem, I’d never read it before. The more I read it, the better it gets. I’m not ready to join her yet, but when the time comes, I know she’ll have her butt wiggling and doing the dance that boxers do!!!
We’re a little more than a week removed from her passing, and things are pretty much back to normal. My 11-year-old boxer is getting smothered with walks, rides, etc. People are very generous with their comments, too. Pets are great, and people who own pets are great.