We've had a rough last 9 months....

[NRaleighLiberal]

Last November, we had to say goodbye to our magnificent chocolate lab Buddy - he was 14, was a rescue from a local vet - they found him running in a field, sick, starving. My wife saw a sign driving down the road - "free chocolate lab". We got our daughter, the three of us went to check him out. What? Chocolate lab? he looked like a pathetic mutt - no eye contact. Poor fellow was just sick and dispirited. Our daughter pleaded with us to take him and we did.

He thrived - but mostly, HE saved US - our daughter was having some big time problems that nearly did Sue and I in, but Buddy was the stabilizing force - helps the three of us heal. He graced us with his presence until last November - but it was his time.

Two months ago our 8 year old Maine Coon had to be put down - he was king of the house, ringleader and general trouble maker that cajoled our other two cats into mischief. He was too young - he is so missed.

Two days ago Sue and I were walking Mocha (our 13 year old chocolate) and Holly, who was owned by three families - my daughter and her hubby (who had to give her up when they moved to TX), our son in laws' parents (who became Holly's owners), and us - we watch Holly when they are away and they watch Mocha.

Holly, an 8 year old Boxer Ridgeback mix, had a rough start - used for breeding, found tied to a dumpster chewing through her leash. Once she found her good home, she thrived - just such a sweet dog.

Only a short way into our walk, Holly just stopped, laid down in the road - I went to get the car. By the time I got back, she was gone. Like that. In doing some research and talking to the vet, we presume she had aortic stenosis - in boxer and boxer breeds, can lead to sudden death.

So - hurting here, dealing with it - where there were three dogs and three cats, are now one dog (slowing down, she is my baby) and two cats. how can this happen so fast? Time does fly when involved joyously with one's pets.

This is the blurb I wrote about Holly on Facebook if anyone wants to take a peek - the first main post on my front page - for those that are on or can see FB.

https://www.facebook.com/nctomatoman

[uppityperson]

1. I am sorry, my first thought was "not again".' You guys have had a tough time of this.

[NRaleighLiberal]

2. well, it is not something to get used to for sure - hard to describe the feelings about it

kind of going inward - then again, as you can see, I am also sharing it. My extrovert self in conflict with an introvert desire - or...who knows, I am just weird!

[Bradshaw3]

5. Nothing weird about loving an animal and feeling their loss

Or sharing with others those feelings. Shows what kind of person you are.

Opposite is true too. You know who doesn't have a dog.

[uppityperson]

6. There is nothing weird about being inward and sharing outward

It's difficult, to be sure.

[Stonepounder]

3. So sorry to hear about Holly. And Buddy and your Maine Coon.

No matter how long we have them with us, it is never long enough. But to lose 3 in such a short time must be devastating. My heart goes out to you and Sue. I'll make sure to give my dogs a special hug tonight. There really are no words that help, only time can take the sharp edges off. Just know that even though they take a piece of your heart when they go, they leave a little piece of their hearts tucked into yours as well. And know, in time, you will be able to think of those who have left and remember the good times and the times they made you laugh and you will be able to smile when you think of then instead of trying not to cry.

[Botany]

4. No good or smart words from me but please remember the more you hurt ....

.... the more you loved or were loved by your now gone person or pet.

Although 8 is a short run for a dog but to just lay down and die vs a long
and maybe paiful decline after which you have to take the last ride to the
vet might be a good thing.

[lunasun]

7. So much loss in such short time -my condolences to you all . Take care

[peacebuzzard]

8. I know what you are feeling all too well.

I had a family, my crew, I would say. And within two years I lost all 4. This was just months ago that my house went silent.

My beagle-basset mix Mikey went like your Holly. He had cancer, but on his last day on earth Mikey went, as usual, for a car ride. How he loved that! On our arrival home, I knew something was terribly wrong. I carried him to the kitchen, he got better for a moment, howled like only bassets and beagles do, then collapsed again. In my arms. He went on his own terms, like Holly.

My other 3 fur kids had fatal diseases, and I had to make the dreadful, final sacrifice decision for them. Each one tore my heart, they were all special, and had lived very long wonderful lives in my home. All of my crew had been rescued from horrific circumstances. I am single with no close family members, so the gradual emptying of the home was unbearable at times. The silence grew so loud where there once was fun, play, howls and barks.

I still have a 15 yr old cat remaining from the bunch. I also adopted another shelter dog at her 11th hour. Both of them are very low key and quiet.

I am so sorry for your loss, your story touched my heart. I know it so well. Your post brought tears and sadness as I long for times passed. I know how you feel.

[NRaleighLiberal]

9. .

[pnwmom]

10. Aw. I'm so sorry. I know that must really hurt.

It's never easy to lose a beloved pet, but when it's this unexpected it's that much worse.

[peacebuzzard]

13. Most certainly.

It is the gradual loss of the life and silence that I can relate to with the OP.

Decades ago, while working overseas, I came home from work and found my beloved 100 lb female companion dog dead by poisoning. Someone wished me harm and killed her, she had traveled with me to the foreign assignment. I was so devastated when I came home to that. It took a very long time to recover from that shock and guilt. I felt bad, so bad, because the object of the ill intent was for me. Instead this beautiful innocent to the world baby had to suffer a personal vengeance and wrath about me.

Gosh, this evening is bringing back so many of my own memories.

[pnwmom]

14. Decades later, it still hurts. Yes, I can surely see that.

What a horrible experience. I'm sorry.

I have trouble dealing with the thought that my dog (who died a few years ago) had pain for some months before we realized it (the doctor didn't diagnose the cancer). Your grief must have been that much worse.

[peacebuzzard]

17. All of us are grieving

This evening and coming to terms on lives lost.
Holly is helping us all, to deal with how to live on, it seems.

[BigmanPigman]

11. I am in tears for you and for me since I know I will be there "any day " too.

The worse day of my life was when I lost my little girl. My current baby is 14 and still running and playing but I know that what happened to you will happen to me too soon. At the time I found so much comfort from total strangers who I shared my loss with (like the AT&T service person and many, many others). Everyone had such kind words, understood, and listened to me cry. I am not going to live too much longer either but I am glad that I will be with my little girl and we won't be without each other for very long (it's sort of the silver lining of my diagnosis).

This is a huge loss in a series of losses. Hang in there and be sure to pamper yourself, get rest, eat right, be careful and stay focused on routine tasks (people often aren't concentrating and make simple mistakes easily), try to stay busy, and make sure you appreciate your memories every day!

[peacebuzzard]

15. Oh my,

[Laffy Kat]

12. Cannot imagine that much loss in such a short time.

Sending strengthening thoughts your way.

[KT2000]

16. Oh - I am so sorry

it is so heartbreaking to lose our loved friends like that. And for you it has been too many. Peace to you. I will read your facebook post.

[Granny M]

18. So sorry.

Too much loss in such a short time. Our animals are family.

[shenmue]

19. Hugs

[sinkingfeeling]

20. I'm so sorry for your losses. I've been in that awful fog of hurt and

loss. In 2004 I lost 4 dogs in 4 months.

[femmocrat]

21. I'm very sorry for your loss, NRL.

We lost two of our corgis in the past seven months. It's a terrible thing to go through. I don't think I ever want to go through it again.

So sad and shocking about your Boxer.

[Hekate]

22. Only this...

[Judi Lynn]

23. Each one was a special character. The silence must be overwhelming, not to mention your concern

for the fur friends left, and their confusion about what the heck has happened.

It seems you couldn't have found better furry companions. How you must miss each one's presence.

Very best wishes for your inner healing ahead.

[catbyte]

24. Oh, I'm so very sorry. Something similar happened to me a few years ago--we lost 4 cats

within 6 months. All of them were elderly (19-24 yrs), but it was devastating nevertheless. They're family, sometimes more. They had a wonderful life with you. Again, I'm so very sorry.

[Boomer]

25. They're never with us long enough

In the 25 years of my marriage we've taken in so many animals, and we also went through a year -- actually just a few months -- just like yours, in which we lost our beloved dog and two cats. We were left reeling by how quickly our family changed. Sooner than we expected, however, we pulled in new rescues in need of a home. You can't replace the lost ones, but you can move on to keep loving.

[Guilded Lilly]

26. My heart is with you. They all bring such incredible love to our lives.

[Freddie]

27. We lose a piece of our heart when we lose a pet

In 2015 we lost all 4 of our cats. Samantha was elderly, not really a surprise but we still miss her. Then Jake, our grandcat who we took in when he couldn't adjust to the new baby at my daughter's house, was found dead by DH. He was just starting to settle down here. Probably a congenital heart defect, he was only 5. 2 months later our son found Riley - same thing, no symptoms, only 4. Leaving us with our beloved oversized orange tabby, Freddie, my DU alias. Freddie missed his pals and we were going to find a kitten for him after the holidays.
Then Freddie got sick with FHP - a horrible fatal virus - and we lost him right before Christmas. He was only 10. A sad Christmas indeed without our fur family.
We have our boys Charlie and Andy now but we still miss all the ones we lost.

[Fla Dem]

28. Lump in my throat, tears in my eyes. They'll always be with you in your heart.

So sorry.

[NRaleighLiberal]

29. This thread got kicked this morning with some lovely responses.

Thanks to all of you, my wonderful DU friends, for your heart felt responses.

We are all healing - the two remaining cats are now running, wrestling, playing - and have changed their interaction patterns with not only us, but our dog Mocha. We are seeing more of Mocha near us constantly.

Life finds a way to help us heal - and our pets are the main players in this most mysterious waltz of life and death.

[TreasonousBastard]

30. Sorry I missed this first time around. There is that huge gaping hole in your life when...

any of them go, but so many in so short a time is especially rough.

No doubt there will be new arrivals, but they never really replace those who passed.