So today my dog died...

[MonkeyGH]

Just a short disclaimer, I'm just sort of writing this for the sake of writing about it. Not really trying to prove a point here, so forgive me if this topic seems pointless.

10 years ago my family and I bought a dog named Ruby from the animal shelter. Her previous owners had been abusive, and she was found lying on the side of the road. The lady who found her nursed her back to health against (seemingly) all odds, and gave her to the shelter that we got her from. She was about a year old.

When we first got her she was so timid only my mother could go near her without her cowering. Slowly but surely she got used to us. After about 2 years (give or take), she trusted us. She was part of the family. She was the friendliest dog I've ever met, as well as the first dog I've ever had. We had come close to losing her, while my dad was out in the country and she got scared of his bow. We found her the next day in the snow, caught in one of his bobcat traps, totally unharmed. I have no idea how.

About two days ago she seemed more tired than usual. Old age had given her a grey muzzle and some aches in her joints, but this was different. She was prone to tonsillitis, so we gave her medicine. For a while she seemed to perk back up.

The next morning my mother woke me up and told me that she was going to take her to the vet. Her stomach was swollen and she was having trouble eating. At this point, I'll admit I had a gut feeling something bad was going to happen.

Later that day I got a call. The vet said she had a tumor in her spleen, and internal bleeding was inevitable. Surgery was possible to remove it, but she wouldn't be the same dog and it was possible once they opened her up they would find it spread all across her body, resulting in them putting her down. I was told they were going to put her down.

I guess what I'm getting at here with this long story is that to those who have lost something in your lives; I think I understand your pain, if only a small portion of it. I don't wish it on anybody.

R.I.P. Ruby. I'll miss you buddy.

 

[davidmc1158_v1legacy]

Please accept my condolences for Rudy's passing.

A pet truly becomes a member of the family and when they're gone the loss is very real.

In the course of my life, I've watched well over a dozen animals join our family and then be gone. (For the record, I'm both that old and come from a family that never had less than 8 pets at any point in time.) While the loss does fade over time, each time is as emotional as the first.

Good luck to you.

 

[NightmareWarden]

I would like to offer my condolences to you as well as your family. If it is not too intrusive of me to ask, are you planning a burial/funeral of sorts?

 

[Fiz_The_Toaster]

I'm so sorry about that OP.

My very first dog that I had I had to put down after three days since he had parvo and he was super sick. He was only a puppy and he was an awesome puppy but it was hard putting him down.

The dog I have right now that is about 7 years old and I don't even want to think about the day I have to put him down, but I will probably bawl like a baby. There is a video I would link, but I don't feel like crying right now.

 

[Little Woodsman]

My condolences. I hope you take some comfort in the knowledge that she obviously had a much better life than she would have without you and your family.

 

[Dr. Pepper Unlimited]

Aww, sorry to hear that. I lost my dog about a year or so ago, and I will agree it hurts. We had him four about 14 years. Sorry for you loss *virtual hug*.

 

[Andy Shandy]

My condolences, I know that pain all too well, had a few dogs put down over the years. Worst one was the last one that was put down, not only because I was really sad because of how close I was to my dog but I was the one trying to explain that said dog wasn't ever coming back, to my youngest brother. Bawled like a motherfucking baby after it, and was depressed for a while.

But the pain you feel at moments like this is worth it compared to the memories you'll have of Ruby and the happiness I'm sure you'll have experienced with her down the years.

RIP Ruby.

 

[EeveeElectro]

Really sorry to hear that, friend.
I have been fairly fortunate but both unfortunate with pets. I haven't had long with any of them to make a terrible impact but the times I did have them and had to say goodbye has been hard. I can't imagine what it's like having a pet for 14 or so years.

Spoiler: Spoilered because long story which people probably aren't interested in

When I was born my family had an Alsatian called Prince, I used to ride on his back and when I was in my bouncer he would put his paw on it and rock me to sleep. He was put to sleep when I was about 4 so I don't remember him. He had developed Arthritis and was going blind, poor boy. I got a cat called Sindy when I was about 5 and another Alsatian called Max a year later. I don't think the cat liked me (probably cos I was a kid, although I loved her) cos she went to lie with the neighbours after about 4 years of living with me. When my parents divorced, some lady came and took Max away because my mum couldn't handle him and dad couldn't have dogs. I only got about 5 years with him but I remember being at my garden gate with Max and the lady who was taking him and I was hugging him tightly and crying my eyes out. I kept saying I was gonna tie myself to him, lol. My brother had to eventually come over and get to my level to pull me off Max and put my arms around him instead. We were both crying but he said Max would be happier because he had big fields to play in with this lady. I was only 9ish and hadn't had long with him, but goddam was I upset. He was in the papers a few months later for pulling her out of a burning building.

I don't know what happened to my other cats growing up which worries me :s I had a ginger one called Stick when I was a baby and a black and white one called Felix. I don't know where they went and was too young to remember much.
We took in a stray who we called Chester for a couple of years. He came in one day and collapsed, his body limp and foaming (?) at the mouth. We had to get him put down because he apparently got cat AIDS. Only got a couple of years with him.
I later got a cat called Charlie when I went to live with mum permanently. Again I only got a few years with him because I had to move suddenly and couldn't find him whenever I went back to the house to look. I hope he's found a home now, he was a wonderful cat.
We also had a little Chihuahua dog who went to live with my brother after a few years.

When I moved I got a lovely cat called Lulu who I think didn't want to be domesticated. She ran away after about 5 months and never came back. I'm sure I saw her sometime after but she didn't belong to anyone.

Now I have two cats who are little bastards sometimes but I love them. Ziggy's been with me since he was 14 weeks old and he's nearly 3 now. Lola has been with me for a year and she's 4. I hope I actually have more years to spend with them, I couldn't imagine not having a pet. It would make me so depressed.

At least you can say Ruby had a better life than what she could have. She could have stayed with that horrible owner and lived a short abusive life. You made her very happy by the sounds of it and I'm sure she was more than grateful for it.

I know how hard it is to befriend a pet that has suffered abuse but how rewarding it is too. I had to look after my neighbours dog Jessie and she was abused by a previous owner. I tried taking her for a walk and she planted her arse down and would not move. Second time she ran upstairs and hide under the bed barking at me. I stayed with her and tried to soothe her, gently stroking her paw and playing with her and her favourite toy. She held it in her mouth as I took her for her first walk so she felt secure. It took a few weeks but she loved me soon enough and would jump on my lap and lick me all over my face. She was an Alsatian too so having her crawl on me was quite painful.
Anyone who says animals don't have feelings, I tell them about Jessie. She had to be put down earlier this year and I went round on her last night to spend a few hours with her, giving her big hugs goodbye.

Getting a previously abused animal to love and trust you is possibly one of the most noblest things you can do and you should be happy you gave her a good life. It's so sad that pets don't get as long as us but I suppose it makes their time with us more special.

RIP Ruby ♥

 

[Colour Scientist]

That sucks, I'm sorry.

My dog is 14 years old now and pretty sickly so I think I'm going to be in your shoes shortly.
Still, 14 years is a long life for a dog and I like to think it's been a happy one.

 

[Calibanbutcher]

This seems appropriate:

Spoiler: Warning, sad

 

[Mitsozuka]

My regrets for your loss. Hopefully, the pain will not linger.

Also, slightly off-topic, I'm glad to see nobody trolling this thread. Restores my faith in humanity at large a little bit.

 

[Loethlin]

Oh, OP, I'm so sorry.
From what you said, Ruby sounded like a wonderful companion, and you, and your family, sound like you've been a great family for her.
I realise that nothing I'll say will make it better right now, but please accept my condolences and know that I understand how you feel.

 

[Eclipse Dragon]

Just a short disclaimer, I'm just sort of writing this for the sake of writing about it. Not really trying to prove a point here, so forgive me if this topic seems pointless.

I'm sorry for your loss. Just so you know, this topic isn't pointless, telling others about our pets is a good way for us to work through the loss. It's a much better solution than keeping it all bottled up. We mourn their death, but we also celebrate the life they lived. You gave Ruby a better life than she had before and I'm sure she loved you for it. I lost both of my old dogs last year, the oldest of the two went first and the second didn't last long without her. It's sad to put them down, but it's a horrible feeling to see them suffer. Just in case you do, don't feel guilty about it.

 

[CrazyGirl17]

My condolence, I know how that feels. We used to have two cats, named Arthur and Merlin (after the characters of the Athurian lore- I was at least 4 at the time). But Arthur grew old and eventually developed tumors in his mouth and stomach. However, he lived longer than expected, and when he eventually passed away, he died in place where he was loved... my neighbor's house. Long story.

Eventually, we got a new pet from a rescue shelter, a pitbull mix (who, coincidentally, also happened to be named Ruby... albeit spelled with two o's instead of a u.)

 

[CpT_x_Killsteal]

I've had a shit ton of animals because my mum was too lazy to get the only female dog neutered and my sister and her boyfriend keep bringing them home. My sister and her BF were lazy irresponsible ass-holes so my mum and I had to take care of them 95% of the time. Then they kept on dying one by one and... it's like a torture method and it's fucked.

 

[Z of the Na'vi]

*snip*

I am so sorry for your loss OP. Really, I am. Losing a dog is not something I have experienced, but I know it will be soon. I've been trying to prepare myself for the inevitable and I know it will be hard.

My poor beagle, bless his soul, is going on 15 years old this Christmas. I have had him since we moved here in 1999, when I was 9 years old. The people at the pound said he was 3 years old and they found him wandering the streets with his twin sister. He's been in relatively good health all these years, with only a few hiccups here and there. He has completely lost his hearing in his old age, though.

[sub]His name is Skip. I often call him my little Skippers.[/sub]

This dog has been my entire life. You and Ruby may or may not have shared that special bond between dog and human, you know how some dogs become attached to some people more than others. This is how Skip is with me. I love him so much and I know it will tear me apart to see him go.

For now, he's ok, but I truly do feel for you, OP. I hope it didn't put too much of a damper on your holiday spirit.

 

[Shinsei-J]

The same thing happened to my first dog, Jimmy.
We had him from the first day I was born, our ages only being 6 months apart.
I never had a day where he wasn't by my side and I loved him more than any human.
One morning he wasn't moving to much so I told my mum to take him to the vet as soon as possible, latter that day I got called out of school to say my final goodbyes. He had a tumor on his spleen and any attempt to save him would just put him in more pain.
I'll never forget him and you will never forget Ruby ether.
You'll love and remember her till the day you die.

I'm so sorry, I know you won't but I hope you will feel a bit better with our condolence.
Just remember that you feel this much pain because you loved her that much, and she probably felt the same.

[sub]I'm crying so much right now. ;_;[/sub]

 

[Guffe]

Never lost a Dog, I had a pet Rat when I was 14-16 and they only live for about 2 years and that passing was painful, can't imagine a Dog who's been a friend and a family member for 10 years.
My condolences!