I have a weird pet problem

[trixie]

Awww Mo, I'm so sorry. I think I would want to figure out what happened too. After a rough start, he found his forever family and had 10 good years with you.

I think saving another shelter dog would be the best way to honor him.

[kittylady]

I'm so very, very sorry Mo xxx

[burnt_toast]

Oh shit Mo, I'm so very very sorry

[imnotbitter]

I'm so sorry, Mo

[czb]

i am just seeing this now. how terrible!

i wasn't going to get a new pup after we had to put down our beloved pound dog in 2020, i just needed a break. but the house was too quiet and too sad, so i found us a new puppy just a few weekss later. your family will decide when the time is right.

[no1novice]

Mo. I am so sorry.
What you have described is basically what happened to Holly (which is why I subsequently thought my neighbours poisoned her). Same age too - 10.

My thoughts are with your family. It can be so hard.

[MsDark]

I'll admit we would not have Elvira if ExMrD (and Jr, but really ExMrD) had not been looking and pushed for getting another dog. It had only been about 6 weeks. I was still upset over losing our previous dog. But getting her really did help this. He'd found someone with puppies and said we need to do this now! Got Jr on board since I was reluctant.

And I'm so glad now I didn't protest much! I'm the one who actually picked her out of the pile (she sort of came to me) but when I was holding her I didn't want to put her down because she was the sweetest.

Of course, she eventually became way more my dog than his. Especially after the divorce. I don't want to think about the inevitable.

[mostroop]

Oh Mo, I'm so sorry to hear this.

[notoriousmkg]

Hi, everyone. Just an update. Mrs Mo did take him in for a necropsy yesterday. We won't have tissue results back yet, but Mrs Mo stayed for the examination of his organs. She said his liver was really unusual/yellow. In retrospect, we are starting to think he was not overmedicated, but was suffering from a long-term illness. He had been diagnosed with Cushing's Disease 3 years ago, but seemed to have gotten over it and was acting normal and healthy after his original bout. Lately, he has been acting itchy all over - scratching his neck, midsection, sides of his mouth, and other areas. Losing hair.  We thought it was an allergic reaction but now think it might have been excess bilirubin or something.

Anyway, I had to be at work physically all day yesterday because of a network issue and was really not looking forward to coming home and digging a grave in the dark. I was shocked to find out that Mrs Mo and our son had already dug 2 feet before I even got home.

I had made him a casket (with a hinge, too) on Sunday night. Last night, our daughter put together the most incredible casket presentation I'd ever seen. He was on his favorite blanket, wearing his first sweater, curled up like he was sleeping. She had his favorite snacks in there. His favorite toy was between his paws. We had family pictures in there. Too much stuff to remember but it looked great.

We sealed the casket and brought it to the back yard. Our son and I had dug another 8 inches or so down. We placed the casket and then surrounded it down there with paver pads so that other animals would never be able to dig and get to it. Basically, a vault. Then covered it with dirt, some plywood, and more dirt. Then temporary paver pads on top. I know it sounds crazy, but we had animals get to the body of one of our daughter's birds (I re-buried that one), and that is never going to happen again.

Our daughter read the saddest, most beautiful, goodbye note I had ever heard. It made "The Notebook" seem like a light comedy by comparison. Tears were running off our faces and splashing onto the grave. It was a beautiful, hot mess. Then, we went inside and drank. It was a pretty amazing experience.

I didn't think it was possible to respect Mrs Mo any more than I already do, but she dug half that grave, and some of the dirt was like 15 feet from the hole. While we were filling it back up, I was like "What the hell were you doing?" Our son said, "Mom was basically furiously fling shovels of dirt as fast as she could." Mrs Mo was also the one to see the necropsy the whole way through. The vet kept asking if she was prepared and that it wouldn't be pleasant, but Mrs Mo could not bear passing up a chance to know what happened. Our daughter and I have been sleeping on opposite couches in the living room - I think it's part of her mourning process, but it's been a great time to bond. Our son has been great, too - strong, sensitive - and great digging skills, LOL.

[beeyotch]

Sorry about your dog Mo. I'm glad you were able to get a necropsy done. It will help your family's peace of mind for sure.

[kittylady]

My MIL's previous dog, the one Bloke always said was his 'Heart Dog', passed very much the same way because of liver problems. She suddenly became ill out of nowhere, despite being a previously robust pupper, and went downhill fast. I swear that she only got through her last couple of weeks on the strength and determination of her love for her people. Bloke still gets a wobbly lip when pictures of her pop up in his FB memories.

I wish so much that someone would invent something that meant our pets could tell us when they first start feeling like something isn't right so maybe we could catch it early enough to fight it with them or save them from at least a little of their suffering. Instead they keep ploughing on, giving their all to us every single day, with barely a hint until it's time to go. I sometimes think that we don't deserve them.

Again, I'm so sorry Mo. x

[misrule]

Sorry to hear about your loss, it's such a hard goodbye.
That was a beautiful farewell you gave him, and a beautiful life he had with your family.

[mrsfawlty]

notoriousmkg 
Awww, Mo, I'm so sorry to hear of the sad loss of a much-loved family member. I was deeply moved by your comments, the strength that flows through your family is quite frankly a force of nature. I know that you will all help each other to manage your grief and loss. I know that the time will come, sooner or later, when your arms will start aching for a new fur baby to cuddle, but you will never forget the little fellah who gave you and your family so much love. Sending you and everyone at home a big Welsh 'cwtch'(Welsh for a 'hug'). xx

[krisnine]

Mo, I’m so sorry. Losing these guys is never easy. Sounds like you and your family were able to give him a wonderful send off. 

When we lost our dog way back in 2010, I never thought I could love another dog. But after a month, I couldn’t stand the emptiness of not having a dog. So, we adopted my old guy. He’s about to turn 14 next spring. And, then we decided that he and my daughter needed a puppy. That dingbat just turned 4. When you guys are ready, the right dog will be waiting for you

[notoriousmkg]

Thanks, everyone. I have to admit, I was one of those people who kind of felt a little mystified by just how attached people are to their companion animals.

It wasn't until our daughter read her letter to him that I was absolutely floored (bordering on traumatized) by the bond/love people have for a beloved pet. The way she captured details and small moments, and the joy she found in them, that was a revelation to me.