I lost my first dog :(
Last monday I had to say goodbye to my first dog, whom I shared with my parents.
She was 11 years old, so I guess it really wasn't a big surprise, but the way it ended made if feel so much more awful!
Tulle was a mix breed, very similar to a britany spaniel, and we got her on april 15th 2002. She was supposed to be PTS because her former owners didn't want her. She had lived her first 1½ years shut inside the pig barn. She had never been in a house when we got her, and we are pretty sure she had been beaten too. She never got fully over her past. My parents are not exactly dog trainers, but Tulle had a great life and never needed anything.
The last couple of years she started to get old. She would not be as active and she would sometimes be a bit stiff in the wintermonths. We had actually talked about getting some glucosamine for her, to see if that would help her. She also appeared to loose her hearing, since she stopped barking at cars arriving, something she's always done fervently!
But no major issues really, though we knew it would not be too long before we had to say goodbye.
Last sunday evening Tulle was fine, but monday morning she was laying on the floor, and suddenly I became aware of the fact that she was clawing to get up. The floor is a bit slippery, so initially I thought she just had to have a bit of help, but when I reached her, it was much more severe. She could not use her backlegs properly. It was like she has lost the connection to them. I supported her, and she got up, but kept leaning to the side. She tried to walk forward, but only took a few steps and then toppled over onto her side. Her head was sort of turned a little up and to one side, and her neck was kinda rigid. She again started pawing on the floor trying to get up. I held her down and shouted at my mother to call my father and tell him to get a hold of the vet immediately! Then Tulle insisted on getting up and scurried towards the door. My mother ran along and helped her down the stairs to the yard. I was behind them and I would've told my mother not to let go, but she did. Tulle staggered out on the grass and peed, after which she vomited and toppled over again! I ran to her and tried to comfort her, gently holding her down, when she clawed, trying to get up again. Meanwhile my father had called the vet and she dropped all she had and came racing. My father came home, I was still holding Tulle and talking to her calmly. I was crying already at that point, I knew where this was heading. My father loved that dog so much and when he came home (he was in the far end of our plantation) he totally broke down, seeing her like that. I've only ever seen my father cry once more in my entire life, and that was when I returned Eo to Poland (my old akita for those of you who don't know).
Shortly after the vet arrived, and Tulle was given peace. I truly hope there is a dog heaven, for she deserves to have a happy afterlife with no pain and no worries.
She was a real special dog, with many quirks and strange habits, and that makes her even more unique in my heart. I will love her forever!
A few pics:
With my father:
11 years old:
She was 11 years old, so I guess it really wasn't a big surprise, but the way it ended made if feel so much more awful!
Tulle was a mix breed, very similar to a britany spaniel, and we got her on april 15th 2002. She was supposed to be PTS because her former owners didn't want her. She had lived her first 1½ years shut inside the pig barn. She had never been in a house when we got her, and we are pretty sure she had been beaten too. She never got fully over her past. My parents are not exactly dog trainers, but Tulle had a great life and never needed anything.
The last couple of years she started to get old. She would not be as active and she would sometimes be a bit stiff in the wintermonths. We had actually talked about getting some glucosamine for her, to see if that would help her. She also appeared to loose her hearing, since she stopped barking at cars arriving, something she's always done fervently!
But no major issues really, though we knew it would not be too long before we had to say goodbye.
Last sunday evening Tulle was fine, but monday morning she was laying on the floor, and suddenly I became aware of the fact that she was clawing to get up. The floor is a bit slippery, so initially I thought she just had to have a bit of help, but when I reached her, it was much more severe. She could not use her backlegs properly. It was like she has lost the connection to them. I supported her, and she got up, but kept leaning to the side. She tried to walk forward, but only took a few steps and then toppled over onto her side. Her head was sort of turned a little up and to one side, and her neck was kinda rigid. She again started pawing on the floor trying to get up. I held her down and shouted at my mother to call my father and tell him to get a hold of the vet immediately! Then Tulle insisted on getting up and scurried towards the door. My mother ran along and helped her down the stairs to the yard. I was behind them and I would've told my mother not to let go, but she did. Tulle staggered out on the grass and peed, after which she vomited and toppled over again! I ran to her and tried to comfort her, gently holding her down, when she clawed, trying to get up again. Meanwhile my father had called the vet and she dropped all she had and came racing. My father came home, I was still holding Tulle and talking to her calmly. I was crying already at that point, I knew where this was heading. My father loved that dog so much and when he came home (he was in the far end of our plantation) he totally broke down, seeing her like that. I've only ever seen my father cry once more in my entire life, and that was when I returned Eo to Poland (my old akita for those of you who don't know).
Shortly after the vet arrived, and Tulle was given peace. I truly hope there is a dog heaven, for she deserves to have a happy afterlife with no pain and no worries.
She was a real special dog, with many quirks and strange habits, and that makes her even more unique in my heart. I will love her forever!
A few pics:
With my father:
11 years old:
Comments
The feeling is probably raw now, but I hope that with time, you and your family will be able to remember how she was before and how so much better she and happier she was because of you guys taking her in all those years ago.
You have my condolences and you will be in my thoughts.
I'm sorry .
Tulle, run, run. Swift passage.
I am so glad that we got the chance to give her a good life. Apart from her total lack of socialization, she was a healthy dog, and it would have been such a shame if her previous owners had euthanized her.
It's hard for first few weeks. It's better now though.
Loosing a pet is always hard, but it happens. Try to remember the good times.
I hope your family handle it well too.
It sounds like she had a wonderful life with you guys.