We are dogless now

[wdfifteen]

We took our boy Owen to the vet yesterday. Came home without him.

For the first time in over 40 years, I do not have a dog in my life. Only memories and photos.

Owen had been diagnosed with congestive heart failure last September and we were told he could have a few months to a year to live. Lately he has been making coughing and choking sounds at night and sometimes during the day. The vet said his chest is so full of fluid he isn’t getting enough oxygen. He is basically being strangled by his own body. There were things that could have been done to put off the inevitable, but we all knew he was going to die, and soon. The only question was how much we all would suffer in the meantime.

Vicki is heartbroken.

I’m not.

I feel like crap because I should be heartbroken too. I’m sad, but I’m also relieved. This brings up the memory of losing Maddie two years ago. Losing her broke my heart. Honestly I don't feel the same heartbreak over Owen's passing. Owen was always a problem child, and his health and behavior issues are behind us now.

The house feels eerily empty today. This is going to take some getting used to.




Vicki got Owen after our 7 year old grandson died. I guess she though he could to fill the hole in her heart. I was never fully on board with that decision; I had Maddie.

Maddie was a bit skeptical about having a new baby in the house, but she quickly accepted him. He always knew she was the alpha dog.





He liked to take rides in the truck.



An old shoe was his favorite toy.



When Ownen (yes we called him Ownen a lot) was a puppy we weighed him by putting him in a salad bowl on a food scale. He was 2.5 pounds when we got him.



Owen always had health problems. He spent a week at the Ohio State University veterinarian school. $$$$$$$$$!!




Gracie died last July. We've lost 3 dogs and a cat in the past 22 months. Repetition doesn't make it any easier.



Maddie was and remains the love of my life. I lost her almost two years ago. I'm crying today, but mostly over the memory of Maddie.

[Rodsrsr]

Really sorry to hear this brother.

[LWJ]

I have had three dogs as an adult. They are clearly family. I have said (quietly) that I love them all more than my brother. And, I love my brother.

I get it. You have been wounded with your losses. I feel for you.

[RM512]

Sorry for your loss, They break your heart Lost 2 of our cats in the past 6 months

[herr_oberst]

Oh, man, I'm sorry for the loss and I'm sorry about the conflicting emotions.

There are days when compassion is not welcome.

[Scott Douglas]

Sorry for your loss, even if he wasn't your favorite.

[Bugsinrugs]

I hope I go before my dog goes. I just am not looking forward to that day. Sorry for your loss.

[pwd72s]

No more pets for Cindy & I, figuring that a kitten would probably outlive us. However, the empty gap is partially filled by a frequent visitor..."Rascal". He's actually a neighbor's cat, but with their knowledge & consent, he'll spend time here. They both work, so whenever Racal gets bored or hungry, he'll visit us. Mostly just a snack and some brief lap time, but sometimes when he's tired, he'll sleep for hours on a chair. No set schedule...sometimes days, sometimes every day.

Definitely not like it was with our much loved pets who died, but it helps...

[Rot 911]

I think I take the loss of a pet harder than I take the loss of a human. Even when my daughter’s guinea pigs died. It’s easy to get attached, and hard to take the loss, of an animal that loves you unconditionally.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

I'm sorry to see this Patrick, please give Vicki my condolences.

[wdfifteen]

It is strange here. For 15 years we have had to keep doors closed and gates closed so the dogs wouldn't get out. Owen in particular was a runner whenever he got the chance. I thought I hated the damn gates. I don't know how many times I've had my hands full and cursed these damn gates because I had put everything down in order to open them. The possibility that the gates were open was always on our minds.

Now. It's so different. I thought it would feel great to be able to leave the gates open. I took a couple of them down this morning but now I think I'm going to put them back up. Vicki wants them back. Seeing the gates open brings on sadness. The holes in the fence feel like holes in our hearts. It is just too soon to start life without dogs.

[Baz]

Sorry for your loss but also can appreciate the big picture of things - which will be very different for everyone - thus should be respected.

I've been without a dog now for two long years....and then lost the last of my cats just over a year ago.

While a break was needed and the timing wasn't right to resume being owned by a fur child again - this past week I had a cat come into my life and so far it's been a positive.

Timing really is everything Patrick so give yourself some time to reset and something good will happen - maybe when least expected.

[GH85Carrera]

Sorry for your loss. The simple cure is go get a rescue dog or two. There are many that need a home like yous, and many like you to adopt them.

[rcooled]

Originally Posted by wdfifteen

We took our boy Owen to the vet yesterday. Came home without him.

Reading posts like this always makes me a bit misty. My dog will turn 14 this year...and the time is fast approaching when he too will be going for his last ride.

So very sorry for your loss. RIP Owen...

I posted this ↓ in a similar thread a while back, but I think it fits here as well.

[VINMAN]

Damn. So sorry to hear this Pat. Tearing up here reading this. Still badly grieving my Bella from a couple weeks ago

Not much I can say. Its horrible. The emptiness is indescribable to non dog people.

My deepest condolences to you and Vicki.

Hang in there brother.

.

[Skytrooper]

Patrick, I am very sorry to hear of Owen’s passing. I know your pain all too well. You can message me if you would like to chat.

[rfuerst911sc]

Sorry for your loss . It's never easy .

[Zeke]

I remember when you got Owen. He was a handful. You did well and he did better.

[Cairo94507]

My sincere condolences on your loss. We do all we can to make their lives as enjoyable and pleasant as possible. I lost my Maddie, my miniature Dachshund, when she was 13.5 years old to essentially the same thing. We still have her sister from the same litter, Roxanne, who will be 17 in September. I know she is on borrowed time and I tell my wife to enjoy every day she has with her. I miss my Maddie ever single day and she was definitely the love of my life. May they all be enjoying a freshly mowed lawn, sunshine and bottomless food and water bowls in Heaven.

[berettafan]

Dammit rcooled that put me in tears.


WD sorry for your loss. Our dogs mean so much to us because they are perfect beings.