In memory of Emily - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

elau · #1 12-29-2007, 12:31 AM

My dog, Emily who had been my companion for 11 years, passed away this afternoon after two weeks fighting pancreatitis. She was the most important thing in my life for the last 4 years after my divorce. I was with her last night till 1:00 in the morning, called the doctor this morning and all her vitals were good. The doctor even said she will be coming home New Year's Eve. Then at noon, the doctor called that she went into a cardiac attack. They were doing everything they could but she was not responding. She passed away before I got to the hospital.

I am totally lost. I feel guilty that I was not there this morning. I planned on visiting her first thing in the morning like I have been doing everyday since she was hospitalized but I over slept. I did not even have a chance to say good-bye. And the worse thing is that she died in a strange place with strangers. I am not sure I can live with those guilt.

Brian Carlton · #2 12-29-2007, 12:44 AM

My sincere condolonces. It's never easy to lose a pet that's been with you for a long time. My dear cat, "Mr. Teddie", passed away three years ago and I was distraught for several weeks.

Try not to beat yourself up for not being with her. It was really impossible to foresee a sudden reversal in her health..........a common occurrence in older animals.

Time does heal all wounds...........after three years, I now have the courage to take in another cat..........."Annabelle"..........and she's a darling.

mwood · #3 12-29-2007, 12:48 AM

Really sorry to hear about your loss. Don't beat your self up for not being there, I'm sure she was comforted by the vets and techs. I too am an animal lover and dread the day I will lose my dogs. Keep your chin up and as soon as you feel up to it get a new dog who needs a loving home; there are plenty of them out there.

The Swede · #4 12-29-2007, 12:52 AM

Sorry to read this, tough situation. Think of the time you spent with her last night. Even though her passing was unexpected, you were able to take time to comfort her towards the end. It sounds like you put in great effort to comfort your pup while hospitalized, so no need to beat yourself up too much.

She's alive in memory and everyone she touched, that's her legacy.

Gurkha · #5 12-29-2007, 01:57 AM

My condolences, having lost few pets over years I know what you are going through. Don't worry, Emily will always be there for you as my departed pets are for me and my family.

rickg · #6 12-29-2007, 02:04 AM

I took the loss of our Dalmation so hard, I don't want another dog. Don't want to ever go thru that again.
You have my sympathy.

Benzadmiral · #7 12-29-2007, 05:31 AM

Hello, Elau,

I still miss my late red tabby-with-white Maine Coon, Arizona, who passed on at 16.5 years, of which he lived all but the first six weeks with me. He too was a steadfast companion after my divorce (he never liked her anyway -- I guess he was smarter than I was).

If you don't want to keep Emily's ashes, you could scatter or bury them someplace she loved. Arizona, for example, never saw the Colorado mountains. But in his cat heart, I think, he believed he should have been a bobcat (clearly somebody made a mistake at the cat factory, gave him a tail, and sent him to me). So I scattered his ashes under the trees near Winter Park, CO, where bobcats are known to roam.

In return for a small donation, my local Denver no-kill shelter would inscribe a lucite plaque with any message up to 75 characters, and they'd mount it on their entry hall. Arizona's reads, "Arizona, His Lordship, 1983-1999: I handled quarters and rations, you handled the rest." Maybe one of your animal shelters does something like that?

It was true, I had Linda's cat, Marie-Antoinette, to keep me company, and she made it much easier, as did a few sessions with a pet-loss coping group. But I miss him yet.

You'll get through it. You won't forget her, but you'll get through it. Be strong.
.

BCSD · #8 12-29-2007, 10:23 AM

Elau: I am with you in spirit. We lost our Molly on the 11th of this month. She was nine. She'd only had a few "off" days and was fine on our morning walk then suddenly was very ill. Turns out she had a tumor that ruptured at her spleen and was bleeding internally. Three hours later we'd lost her.

It hurts SO much. And the hurt keeps coming. And it stops both of us dead in our tracks. But it is getting easier. The return of her ashes to us made a huge difference. They are currently comforting us in a way we can't understand.

Eventually we'll take them to her favourite places.

Remember the great times, cry and talk about her with those that understand. Don't try to deny your feelings. And please don't think that you can do anything important today.

davestlouis · #9 12-30-2007, 12:49 AM

I feel your pain...I cried like a baby when Turner, my black lab got killed, I laid in bed for 3 days. MY grandmother died the same year and I didn't even go to the funeral, but that's another story altogether.

elau · #10 12-30-2007, 02:20 AM

Guys, I truly appreciate everybody's kind words.

The techs at the hospital took great care of her. One of them even braided her hair. Her doctor was kind enough to cut that braid off and also made a paw print for me yesterday. Both items are sitting next to me right now.

She will be remembered fondly for many years to come. I am not sure I will have another dog any time soon, but I will when I am ready.

Again, I thank you to all.

aklim · #11 12-30-2007, 09:41 AM

My condolences. Just lost our Rott to Lymphoma..

Mistress · #12 12-30-2007, 09:59 AM

Elau- My thoughts are with you and I am sorry you have to go through this. Two years ago I had to have Mr. Furr Pants ( a heinz 57 feline) put to sleep and I hated doing that.

aklim · #13 12-30-2007, 10:12 AM

My old shar pei died when I was on vacation. Came back 3 days after she passed. Was real sad since I didn't get to say goodbye to her. Managed to say goodbye to my Pit Bull and Rott tho.

elau · #14 12-30-2007, 09:33 PM

I think that is what I am beating myself up with. I did not have a chance to say good-bye to her. Something I have never done in the last 11 years. Whenever I would leave and go somewhere, I made sure that I said good-bye and let her know that I would be "right back".

I would rather had her home to die had I known that she was going to. I would give up 10 years of my life just to have another minute with her hold her paws in her last moments.

These fur babies are just killing us. I miss coming home and not hearing all the paws clicking on the hardwood floor. I used to call this house "Emily's house", now I don't even know what to call it any more. For that matter, it does not even feel like home any more.

powerpig · #15 12-30-2007, 10:24 PM

I wish I could say I know how you feel, but I can't. Our two dogs, Sam and Charlie are still around. The wife and I have discussed how we would react when they pass. I just blow it off and tell her that they will outlive us. Sam is the most expensive "free" dog ever. $7000 worth of vet bills in two years but well worth it. Our thoughts are with you and if you would like another "furry person" to love sometime in the future, please let me know and I can put you in touch with some great rescue places.