Well, my 'puppy', Gus (we didn't name him!) died today.  He was only 4 years old.  We really have no idea what happened, he threw up last night and dry heaved for awhile, went inside and went to bed.  My dad went to feed him this morning and he died in his sleep.  

It's heart breaking to lose a pet that has become such a part of your family.  He started out as my dog - my friend gave him to me after rescuing him from an abusive home.  My dad wasn't necessarily happy with getting him at the time, but he soon grew to love him, despite when we first got him, Gus was about to rip his arm off when he went to give me a hug because he was scared of men and protective of women.  My dad eventually fell in love.  They'd sit on the deck for hours and watch him push his toys down the hill then leap down and run after them.  When I'd stop by he'd come running at full speed and greet me.  We got many laughs from him.

It's a very sad day here today, he was loved very much.  We've been blessed to have a dog like him and would be lucky to have another one like him.

It'd be nice to have some kind of idea what caused it though since I have a cat here and my parents have one at their house and there's other dogs in the neighborhood.  

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As a big dog lover, you have my sympathy.... I know how hard it is to lose a member of the family like this. There's not much I can say to help right now, but I do feel for you and your loss.

Hugs BD

I am so sorry! Our animals are so much a part of our life and happiness that the loss is so very hard, especially when he's so young. Tony, another CH person lost his boxer at 4 yrs old with a similar situation. I'm not sure what it ended up being although it may have been a heart issue. Unfortuantly even if you knew, it wouldn't bring him back :(

Charlotte

I'm sorry for your loss of Gus.  I hope that you heal with time.

Ray

I'm so sorry.  The loss of a beloved pet is hard.... :'(

Jackie

So very sorry for your loss. [smiley=hug.gif]

Real sorry about your dog, it sucks to be human sometimes!  :'(

L :'(ost a dog the same way earlier this year. Vet sez there's a million different things that cause it. Hurts like hell. :'(

Guiseppi

Sorry too. Gus looks like a great friend. He was lucky too.

Charlie

From one dog lover to another - I hope you find peace soon!

It is one of the worst inequities the world has to offer - the long life span of man and the considerably shorter life span of his best friend.

The other day it hit me as to why puppies are so stinkin cute - because they probably have to help ease the anguish of someone who recently lost their best friend!

Peace.

It's definitely hard losing a pet.  What was harder for me was going to my parents' house this morning, not knowing what happened, walking in and seeing tears in my dad's eyes and my mom crying.  It's one of those things that makes you sit back and remember how precious life, friends and family are.  

It's surreal to me for a healthy dog to go from running around playing to throwing up within seconds then a few hours later dying.  Like I said, it would be nice to have some kind of an idea as to what caused it.  I'd hate for it to be something that could be taken care of and another pet to get sick too, whether it be ours or someone else's.  

I am so sorry for you... It's always so hard to lose a pet so suddenly. I lost my 10 year old cat Zip in August (We'd known it was coming, kidney failure, he lived for a year which was more than we expected...) And it was scary how fast he got bad...

We asked the vet if we should go ahead and bring him in, he said no, let's wait a day.. We wished we didn't. He wound up vomiting, seizing, and crying from the pain during the night. We took turns holding and comforting him, and he passed away while we were getting ready to take and have him put down... I still cry over him sometimes. I'm just thankful he's not suffering anymore. (crap, I'm crying a little now.)

He always thought he was a dog, I bet he's hanging out with Gus and playing with him. :)

Mystina

All dogs go to heaven.
Sorry for the loss
thebb

Thebbz, your post reminded me of something... something I found when my first dog died...

Audre, I don't know if this will help you any, but the thought of it helped me some while grieving... I've read it every time I've lost a pet since I found it...

The Rainbow Bridge

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge. When an animal dies 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. 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. Then together you and your special pet(s) cross  the Rainbow Bridge.

There are several poems about grieving for dogs here. I don't know if it will help you any, but I wanted to give you the link..

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Mystina

Audre, I'm so sorry for your loss... Pets are important part of the family and losing one is terrible... [smiley=hug.gif]

Sanna

So sorry for your loss. Losing a pet is one of the hardest things to deal with. RIP Gus. :'(

Audre, Gus was a beautiful dog. I'm so sorry for your loss, it's so hard to lose a pet.  :'(

It could be that he ate something with some chemical in it, or maybe someone sprayed something. I had walked my dogs at the large cemetery near my house, and that night they both started puking, Maggi did all night. I got her to the vet when they opened, and that's what they thought. They kept her for awhile, and gave her some medication by IV. Thing was, we were in an area they hadn't mowed in some time, and I couldn't figure out what they would have sprayed. They were ok after a day or so, but it worried the hell out of me.

He was lucky to have such a good home.

Sorry to hear of the loss of your beloved pet.

Hugs,

Jen

I am so sorry.  

Carolyn

I'm so sorry for your loss of Gus, Audre.  Losing a pet that is a member of the family, hurts like hell and takes a long time to heal.  When I lost my first dog, Bandit, it was another 18 years before I would even consider another dog because it hurt so much to lose him.  Now Cisco puppy is my sucky puppy, and the cats even tolerate him ;)

May time ease your pain and heal your heart.

With Sympathy,
Cat