Well, I don't have good news. The vet said he had another stroke which has damaged his brain in such a way that he no longer thinks he can or doesn't want to eat. Either it damaged the appetite centre so that he no longer thinks he needs food or it damaged the mood centre so that he is so depressed that he no longer feels inclined to stay alive. My personal opinion is that it was the latter because of the way he has been acting the past couple of days. He has been so lethargic and depressed that he literally was laying in one spot all day and not even bothering to move. He actually seems to have recovered quite well from the last stroke; his head is hardly tilted, his eyes focus normally, and his face is much less droopy, but the vet last time did warn me that he would likely continue to have strokes until one of them either killed him or ruined his quality of life. We were just hoping he wouldn't have another one for a while and that he'd at least have a chance to recover from this one first.
Either way, this vet said that Loki wasn't going to recover and basically, our choices were to take him home and watch him die over the next couple days, or have him put to sleep now. I called my mom and sister so they could come, since he's their dog, too. They left us alone with Loki for a while so we could make our decision and even as we were deciding, Loki fell on his side and started convulsing. We decided to have him put to sleep. I've had the feeling all day that he was dying and that he was ready to go, I was just hoping I was wrong.
Heidi you and your family have my sincerest condolences. Loki was lucky to be surrounded by the people he loved as he left this world, every dog should be so lucky. The hardest part of owning pets is truly when they are at the end of their lives, they just aren't meant to out live us. I take solace in the fact that animals do not fear death so they do not have to agonize over the thought of it happening to them someday, they get to live life without that worry.
Two other friends have recently lost their dogs, one to old age and one to a tragic accident. They both did something very similar where they got together with family and people who loved the dog and shared their favorite stories and moments, even wrote them down into a journal. They celebrated the life that was while they mourned the loss with tears.
I never met Loki, but I have shed some tears for him while typing this.
I don't have words that are anywhere near as eloquent as Brandon's nor as comforting, but I do want to send you and your family my condolences. I can't imagine what you are going through right now. Be thankful that you could be there to see him off. It sounds like it was his time. Cry a little or a lot, be with family and friends, and celebrate Loki's life and what he gave to your's.
He knows he was loved and had wonderful owners that were able to make the decision that it was time for his suffering to end before it really began. It sounds like he didn't have any pain. He's thanking you now, I know, my cat thanked me a few years ago. We should all be so lucky to have lived a life without suffering. I'm sorry Heidi! Never doubt you did the right thing.
Thank you so much, everyone, for all of your support. This is one reason I love this forum.
Noah and I are still getting used to not having Loki around. Noah took Rakka and Tojo on a walk and told me afterward that when he came to the spot where he normally stepped on a fence so Loki could get over, he stood there for a while, holding the fence and thought of Loki, cried, and said goodbye. I've been feeling off and on all day.
Something neat I found out while at the vet was that his first owner also took him to the same vet (he's adopted from the animal shelter) and we discovered that they had his actual birthday on file. We had always guessed at December 1999, but we found out that his exact birthdate was November 6, 1999. I think we will celebrate it this year.
Kurt and I are so sorry for your loss. I cannot imagine what you're going through. From the short time I've been on this forum, I
can see what great animal parent's you are. Loki was a terribly lucky pup to have had you and your family in his life. We all here mourn for Loki and wish you all the best in the coming months. I am happy we were here for support and please, know that we continue to be here however far down the road you need us.
Oh Heidi, im so sorry for you and your family. Loki was a beautiful and happy dog. He was really lucky to get such a loving happy family to live out his life with. Its never easy going through these kinds of things. If you need anything, you know we are all here for you and your family.
I am so sorry. I too am actually shedding tears right now. It is never easy to say goodbye. Just know that you and your family have another guardian angel to watch over you.
You guys are so wonderful and supportive. It really helps to know that there are people who understand what I'm going through and who will even shed a few tears with me. I keep wondering if I did the right thing, or if I wasn't nice enough to Loki or didn't spend enough time with him. Then I imagine Loki running free without the pains of mortality and I feel at peace, even though I miss him so much.
Heidi, be sure you did the right thing, and form what we get form you here, there's no way I would believe you didn't love Loki enough, or were nice enough to him! I understand what you're going through, we always wonder if there's anything better or different we could have done.
Heidi, here is a poem that someone sent me when I had to make the decision to put my Cody kitty to eternal sleep. It really is a lovely poem. I hope it comforts you in some way too.
Comments
Im so sorry Heidi! Any update or news yet???
HUG!
Well, I don't have good news. The vet said he had another stroke which has damaged his brain in such a way that he no longer thinks he can or doesn't want to eat. Either it damaged the appetite centre so that he no longer thinks he needs food or it damaged the mood centre so that he is so depressed that he no longer feels inclined to stay alive. My personal opinion is that it was the latter because of the way he has been acting the past couple of days. He has been so lethargic and depressed that he literally was laying in one spot all day and not even bothering to move. He actually seems to have recovered quite well from the last stroke; his head is hardly tilted, his eyes focus normally, and his face is much less droopy, but the vet last time did warn me that he would likely continue to have strokes until one of them either killed him or ruined his quality of life. We were just hoping he wouldn't have another one for a while and that he'd at least have a chance to recover from this one first.
Either way, this vet said that Loki wasn't going to recover and basically, our choices were to take him home and watch him die over the next couple days, or have him put to sleep now. I called my mom and sister so they could come, since he's their dog, too. They left us alone with Loki for a while so we could make our decision and even as we were deciding, Loki fell on his side and started convulsing. We decided to have him put to sleep. I've had the feeling all day that he was dying and that he was ready to go, I was just hoping I was wrong.
So... hug your dogs everyone.
Heidi you and your family have my sincerest condolences. Loki was lucky to be surrounded by the people he loved as he left this world, every dog should be so lucky. The hardest part of owning pets is truly when they are at the end of their lives, they just aren't meant to out live us. I take solace in the fact that animals do not fear death so they do not have to agonize over the thought of it happening to them someday, they get to live life without that worry.
Two other friends have recently lost their dogs, one to old age and one to a tragic accident. They both did something very similar where they got together with family and people who loved the dog and shared their favorite stories and moments, even wrote them down into a journal. They celebrated the life that was while they mourned the loss with tears.
I never met Loki, but I have shed some tears for him while typing this.
I'm very sorry Heidi. It's always a very hard choice to make, we all hope we never have to make it. It's very hard watching a friend go.
There's nothing I or anyone can write here to make you feel better, but just know I'm very sorry for your and your family's loss.
Thank you so much, everyone, for all of your support. This is one reason I love this forum.
Noah and I are still getting used to not having Loki around. Noah took Rakka and Tojo on a walk and told me afterward that when he came to the spot where he normally stepped on a fence so Loki could get over, he stood there for a while, holding the fence and thought of Loki, cried, and said goodbye. I've been feeling off and on all day.
can see what great animal parent's you are. Loki was a terribly lucky pup to have had you and your family in his life. We all here mourn for Loki and wish you all the best in the coming months. I am happy we were here for support and please, know that we continue to be here however far down the road you need us.
I am so sorry. I too am actually shedding tears right now. It is never easy to say goodbye. Just know that you and your family have another guardian angel to watch over you.
I am so so sorry.
Heidi, here is a poem that someone sent me when I had to make the decision to put my Cody kitty to eternal sleep. It really is a lovely poem. I hope it comforts you in some way too.
http://www.indigo.org/rainbowbridge_ver2.html
The Rainbow Bridge
By the edge of a woods, at the foot of a hill,
Is a lush, green meadow where time stands still.
Where the friends of man and woman do run,
When their time on earth is over and done.
For here, between this world and the next,
Is a place where each beloved creature finds rest.
On this golden land, they wait and they play,
Till the Rainbow Bridge they cross over one day.
No more do they suffer, in pain or in sadness,
For here they are whole, their lives filled with gladness.
Their limbs are restored, their health renewed,
Their bodies have healed, with strength imbued.
They romp through the grass, without even a care,
Until one day they start, and sniff at the air.
All ears prick forward, eyes dart front and back,
Then all of a sudden, one breaks from the pack.
For just at that instant, their eyes have met;
Together again, both person and pet.
So they run to each other, these friends from long past,
The time of their parting is over at last.
The sadness they felt while they were apart,
Has turned into joy once more in each heart.
They embrace with a love that will last forever,
And then, side-by-side, they cross over… together.
© 1998 Steve and Diane Bodofsky. All Rights Reserved
I just got an email this morning that a few of you have probably seen, but it's worth sharing again.
Subject: A Dog's Purpose
>
> A Dog's Purpose (from a 6-year-old)
>
> Being a veterinarian, I had been called to examine a ten-year-old Irish
> Wolfhound named Belker. The dog's owners, Ron, his wife Lisa, and their
> little boy Shane, were all very attached to Belker, and they were hoping
> for
> a miracle.
>
> I examined Belker and found he was dying of cancer. I told the family we
> couldn't do anything for Belker, and offered to perform the euthanasia
> procedure for the old dog in their home.
>
> As we made arrangements, Ron and Lisa told me they thought it would be
> good
> for six-year-old Shane to observe the procedure. They felt as though
> Shane
> might learn something from the experience.
>
> The next day, I felt the familiar catch in my throat as Belker's family
> surrounded him. Shane seemed so calm, petting the old dog for the last
> time,
> that I wondered if he understood what was going on. Within a few
> minutes,
> Belker slipped peacefully away.
>
>
> The little boy seemed to accept Belker's transition without any
> difficulty
> or confusion. We sat together for a while after Belker's Death,
> wondering
> aloud about the sad fact that animal lives are Shorter than human lives.
> Shane, who had been listening quietly, piped up, "I know why."
>
> Startled, we all turned to him. What came out of his mouth next stunned
> me.
> I'd never heard a more comforting explanation.
>
> He said, "People are born so that they can learn how to live a good life
> - -
> like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right?" The
> Six-year-old
> continued, "Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they don't have
> to
> stay as long."
>
>
> Remember, if a dog was the teacher you would learn things like:
>
> When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.
>
> Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.
>
> Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be
> pure ecstasy.
>
> Take naps.
>
> Stretch before rising.
>
> Run, romp, and play daily.
>
> Thrive on attention and let people touch you.
>
> Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.
>
> On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.
>
> On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.
>
> When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body.
>
> Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.
>
> Be loyal.
>
> Never pretend to be something you're not.
>
> If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.
>
> When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by, and
> nuzzle them gently.
>
>
> Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly.