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Related: About this forumSad news
My poor Hudson passed away this afternoon. I was not expecting that, but deep down I was feeling like it might be in the next few days. I was holding out hope for a holistic miracle, but we didn't make it to that treatment--which was slated to start Tuesday morning. He was not eating and I was force-feeding him pureed food and his nights were becoming increasingly difficult. Last night was very difficult, but we went for a ride this morning (which he had been enjoying) and it started out OK but he was clearly becoming uncomfortable. Came back home and sat on the floor in front of the couch with him and held him across my lap. He seemed to calm down (he had been panting) and looked up at me. His paw was shaking a little, so I held that as I rubbed his head. He looked up at me, newly relaxed, and seemed happy for a minute. I told him that it was OK if he was ready to go see his first person, my mom, and some of his friends that had passed and that I'd see him again before he knew it. I thought he was just resting so I went into the kitchen to do something and, when I came back about 2 minutes later, he was gone. Now I'm a wreck---looking at his stuff (his beloved teddy bear, the pharmacy that I was developing here, his bed, his water bowl). This is horrible
I am so sorry for your loss. It goes to show death is everywhere.My condolences are with you.I hope you find peace you need to get through this.
tblue37
(65,340 posts)with several old cats. It hurts so much to lose our beloved companions.
Thekaspervote
(32,762 posts)SheltieLover
(57,073 posts)I'm so saddened at your loss. 💗💗💗
cayugafalls
(5,640 posts)Hudson was just waiting for you to be OK. I hope you can get through this and know that he has found his rainbow bridge.
BlueDawn
(892 posts)I am so sorry about the loss of your precious companion. They bring such joy to our lives. Hudson loved you and you loved Hudson. It has to hurt a lot. Please accept a warm virtual hug from me.
irisblue
(32,969 posts)I am glad his last memories were of your loving him.
Gothmog
(145,168 posts)It is hard to say goodbye to a family member
BlueJac
(7,838 posts)Bayard
(22,062 posts)I'm so sorry, but glad you were able to say goodbye.
livetohike
(22,140 posts)every good memory you have of Hudson help ease the sadness of his final days. Grieving with you .
Delarage
(2,186 posts)This is horrible--he was my pandemic work-from-home buddy, my travelling buddy, and an all-around great dog. I have really appreciated the ideas and support from this group, though.
Skittles
(153,150 posts)they take a piece of our heart with them
Grieve not,
nor speak of me with tears,
but laugh and talk of me
as if I were beside you -
I loved you so -
'twas Heaven here with you
~Isla Paschal Richardson
The Velveteen Ocelot
(115,681 posts)You did everything you could; you loved him and cared for him and now he isn't sick any more. Just went through this with two elderly cats in the last couple of months and it's awfully hard, but I try to think of all the good years and the fact that now they aren't suffering. And I think of these comforting words of Irving Townsend: "We who choose to surround ourselves with lives even more temporary than our own, live within a fragile circle; easily and often breached. Unable to accept its awful gaps, we would still live no other way. We cherish memory as the only certain immortality, never fully understanding the necessary plan."
Delarage
(2,186 posts)The house is very different now--definitely an awful gap. But it is true that we know what we're getting ourselves into...and it doesn't stop us.
Dem2theMax
(9,651 posts)I've read your posts about your beloved Hudson, and I know how hard you were trying to keep him here with you.
Hold on to the knowledge that you loved him with all of your heart. I am sure that love was returned tenfold.
When we give our furry family members the best of ourselves, we can always hold on to that fact and know that they had the best life possible.
I wish you didn't have to feel the sorrow. Unfortunately, that is the cost we pay for great love.
Delarage
(2,186 posts)I had never interacted with a Norwegian Elkhound before, but his previous person passed away and he ended up at a shelter and my previous pup passed away and I ended up at the same shelter and there we were. I think he had been well cared for before I came along and I would say he had a pretty good time after.
shenmue
(38,506 posts)BigmanPigman
(51,588 posts)My baby died two months ago and everything is dead and empty without her. It happened pretty quickly...about 10 days. After spending 17 years together, just the two of us, it is beyond misery now. I hope you do better than I am doing. I feel empty and dead inside. I miss everything about her and everything reminds me of her 24/7.
I hope you get through this better than I am. I knew it would be like this, but that doesn't make it any easier.
Delarage
(2,186 posts)After my yellow lab passed to feel OK again and I waited WAY too long to consider bringing in another dog. I knew I couldn't replace her, so I didn't want to try. So it took me well over a year. Looking back, not having a dog = dark days. As with people, though, I don't think they want us to be miserable when they go. They're OK now and I'm sure they'd want us to be OK, too. I remember my mom really encouraging me to take in another shelter dog for that reason. So I went looking for a female black lab (b/c I couldn't get another yellow lab just yet) and ended up coming home with a male Norwegian Elkhound (Hudson) whose owner had passed. I had to try to not compare him to her, and I often wondered if he was comparing me to his previous person. But after our adjustment period, we were tight for the 8 years he was here.
My head is spinning right now, but I've tried life without a dog and it is not a good life. So, eventually, I will find a pup in need of love. But I'm going to feel this pain for a while and then think about it.
BigmanPigman
(51,588 posts)I would take in another dog like I have done since a dog needs a home and a home needs a dog to feel whole. I got my baby after about 5 months after my first one died but I can't do that now since I won't outlive the dog this time (a fact). All I wanted was to take care of my baby and make sure she had a happy and healthy life and she did. We were very, very close and I were to adopt a new dog after I die I know the dog would be very sad and I can't do that to a dog....sort of like what happened to Hudson's first person. I'm leaving most of my assets to an animal shelter and local Humane Society as a "thank you" to the dogs who gave me soooooo much love during my lifetime.
I need to get a lot more tissues, that's for sure.
Delarage
(2,186 posts)A very old Pomeranian named Honey with maybe 2 teeth left and very poor hearing and vision. But that dog INSTANTLY bonded to my mom, trotted along behind her everywhere, and they were a perfect fit for each other---took frequent naps, weren't extremely active, just took their time and enjoyed life and each other's company. Maybe adopting an older pet would work for you? Or fostering an older pet? Just a couple thoughts--I don't mean to be pushy and know you're in the same rough place I am right now--but you sound like a great pet-parent.
I've been sitting around here, kinda numb, periodically distracted by the news, and frequently interrupted by tears. I've been finding pictures of Hudson everywhere---from the day I saw him at the shelter to last week. I know it will get better and Hudson's OK, but it is tough.
BigmanPigman
(51,588 posts)Keith Olbermann posts about dogs needing homes a lot (he loves dogs a lot!). I considered getting an older dog just as you mentioned. But if I get attached , which I will, and it dies before I do I will be in the same boat again. That would have me out on a ledge. I think I love dogs too much, if that's possible. I fostered adult dogs and puppies when I was in college and I loved it, especially the puppies. I was able to give them up fairly easily since I only had them a few weeks or a couple of months, I also had hard wood floors which made cleaning up after them easier. This was at the shelter in Phila that I am donating money to. It is The Morris and is the first animal shelter in the US (1874).
Every time I hear a dog bark or see a dog on TV or out for a walk I want to crawl into a hole. Mostly I just want to pull a cover over my head and stay in bed so I am not thinking about my little girl. I miss how she smelled, sounded, felt, looked, walked, etc. Pretty much everything. You know what I mean. It hurts a lot....and there I go, crying again/still.
phylny
(8,380 posts)I know you gave him a life better than many people on Earth have. I'm so sorry.
littlemissmartypants
(22,634 posts)For Hudson
❤ lmsp
Duppers
(28,120 posts)Just sending
They are our loving children and there's no way to stop the pain immediately. You did everything right, everything you could, and he *knew* he was loved.
for Hudson.
Chili
(1,725 posts)Been there, had my beloved Dalmatian Scooter pass in my arms (liver disease) - plus those on the vet table. It's horrific to your heart. I'm on dogs 7 & 8 now, so... I know how you feel. Big hug and condolences to you.
peacebuzzard
(5,170 posts)You did so well with the end care of giving nutrition, rides, spending time.
It is so hard when they finally let go. He loved you. What a great person you are.
I am so sorry for this terrible loss.
My heart is heavy again, I had a similar loss in April with my 18 year old kitty.
I am so sorry for your loss.