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Post by maryland on Aug 18, 2022 13:37:15 GMT
We had to say goodbye to our sweet 10 yr. old German Shepherd, Sadie, yesterday.
She was diagnosed with Degenerative Mylopathy last Sept. and it's a very cruel disease. The life expectancy upon diagnosis is 55 days without treatment. She started immediately with weekly underwater treadmill/laser treatments until Feb., then just weekly laser treatments until July 23rd. The dogs start losing use of their back legs and eventually can't use them at all. It eventually moves to the front legs, then diaphragm (and affects breathing).
We started using a special harness so we could "lift" her back legs and she could still walk with her front. She also had a dog wheelchair so she could go on walks every day. The dogs also become incontinent but we just worked with it and expressed her. The disease is not supposed to be painful so we wanted to keep her as long as she was happy and had a lot of life in her.
She started to get weak in her front legs in June. The past week she was very weak, had a horrible bed sore (her bladder was constantly leaking) and the vet was extremely concerned about the diaphragm muscle being weak and hurting her breathing. My oldest came home last week and we spent time giving her so much love. The only thing that brought us comfort was that the past 2 days she was really tired and weak, so we knew it was time. And we were fortunate that we were able to take care her as long as she was happy and not in pain.
We are all so sad and feel so lost. She brought us so much love and joy. Does anyone have any advice on what helped them after losing their pet? Or a way to honor their pet? It's so hard to try to move forward without her. We love her so much.
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MDscrapaholic
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,345
Location: Down by the bay....
Jun 25, 2014 20:49:07 GMT
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Post by MDscrapaholic on Aug 18, 2022 13:40:41 GMT
I am so sorry you lost your beloved pup. ((HUGS)) You took such good care of her. ❤️
No advice except allow yourself time to grieve. She knew she was loved and that means a lot.
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Gennifer
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,991 
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Post by Gennifer on Aug 18, 2022 13:41:00 GMT
I’m so very sorry.
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hutchfan
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,104
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Post by hutchfan on Aug 18, 2022 13:51:35 GMT
I am so sorry for the loss of your sweet dog. Sending hugs.
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Post by originalvanillabean on Aug 18, 2022 13:54:14 GMT
I'm so very sorry! We lost our 15yo in May and it was tough!
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Post by sabrinae on Aug 18, 2022 14:09:01 GMT
I’m so sorry
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Post by gramasue on Aug 18, 2022 14:20:34 GMT
I'm so sorry for your loss. It's never easy saying goodbye to a special pet. Only time will help you adjust to the loss. If you're a scrap booker, maybe you could make a few pages about her, with pictures and journaling about some of her funny habits, favourite toys, things she liked to do, etc.
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Post by epeanymous on Aug 18, 2022 14:21:57 GMT
I am so sorry. It is just very hard.
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bethany102399
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,521
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Post by bethany102399 on Aug 18, 2022 14:32:48 GMT
"'Tis a fearful thing to love what death can touch."
This was posted to FB after a friend had to let a beloved dog go when it was their time. it's so true and I'm sorry. We're experiencing middle age with our Pyr and I am reminded their time with us can be very short.
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Post by malibou on Aug 18, 2022 14:34:59 GMT
I'm so sorry for your family's loss.
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Post by Bridget in MD on Aug 18, 2022 14:36:49 GMT
maryland I am SO sorry - you worked so hard to keep her happy and cared for. She loved you all so much. I am in tears for you. Take time to cry and mourn her. Love to you all....
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Post by **GypsyGirl** on Aug 18, 2022 14:43:25 GMT
I'm so sorry. It's obvious you loved her very much.
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Post by mnmloveli on Aug 18, 2022 14:43:54 GMT
I’m so so sorry for the loss of your beloved Sadie. It’s just awful losing a beloved member of your family.
Know she’s at peace, free of pain and back to her puppy-self. She loves you for doing what was best for her. Thinking of Sadie first was one of the greatest selfless acts you will do in your life.
I hope holding tight to all the great memories will bring you peace and help you grieve.
💔
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gsquaredmom
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,078
Jun 26, 2014 17:43:22 GMT
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Post by gsquaredmom on Aug 18, 2022 14:44:27 GMT
I am so sorry. I still miss the dogs we have lost over the years. Each is special. Yours will always hold a wonderful, warm place in your heart.
I think it’s even harder when you lose one after working so hard to support them. That happened with our first. We are not only sad, but disappointed and frustrated that all that hard work really changed little. Selfish, I know, but it was harder to lose him after trying to save him.
Take care.
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Post by crimsoncat05 on Aug 18, 2022 14:45:45 GMT
I am so, so, sorry to hear about the loss of your beloved Sadie. You gave her the best care and so much love, for as long as you could, and I am sure she knew just how much you loved her.
It hurts. It hurts bad. Time will dull the pain and make the memories easier to bear... with our first dog, it actually took me seeing a counselor to get over the immense pain. I will say that only you and your family know what is 'right' for you, moving forward. When we lost our first dog, we knew immediately - like, the very next day - that we wanted to get another one. Not because we wanted to "replace" her (no dog can ever be replaced), but because we had another dog who needed a companion and we wanted to do what was best for her-- and because we enjoy having dogs as part of our family. There is no correct timeframe for grief, or for bringing another dog into your life and hearts (if that is a decision you end up making).
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Post by tealpaperowl on Aug 18, 2022 14:53:13 GMT
I'm so sorry. It is a terrible pain to lose a furry child. How loved she was! Big Hugs!
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Post by Skellinton on Aug 18, 2022 14:54:16 GMT
I am so very sorry. It is so hard to say goodbye to a beloved family member. You were a good momma to her, I am glad Sadie was so loved, she was a lucky pup. Hugs to you.
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J u l e e
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,531
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Jun 28, 2014 2:50:47 GMT
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Post by J u l e e on Aug 18, 2022 14:59:55 GMT
I am so sorry to hear this. I know you loved her and went to great lengths to take good care of her.
Time, sister. That’s the only thing that has ever helped me be able to not feel the loss of a pet so sharply. I still miss and grieve pets I’ve lost, but it does feel less painful over time.
(((Hugs)))
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anniebeth24
Pearl Clutcher
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Post by anniebeth24 on Aug 18, 2022 15:04:45 GMT
So sorry! May good memories help to heal your heart.
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Deleted
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May 4, 2024 16:16:25 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Aug 18, 2022 15:14:54 GMT
I'm SO very sorry about your dear Sadie. My dad had many German Shepherd's when we were growing up, and one stood out as SO very sweet and kind. His painful passing left an impression on our memories. He had hip dysplasia and it was a painful and very sad ending to his life.
DD and I had to put down 4 of our cats this year, so I can tell you that what eased our pain was knowing that they each were out of pain when the time came. It became so routine to have to make the decision to put them down. It's a gut-wrenching decision (and process). If they seemed to be at ease with their passing, it did make it much easier on us.
After that we got their remains and made a memorial on a shelf for each of them. They're not ever forgotten. We think of the loving times, the happy times, the times they happily got into trouble, etc. It's even harder when it's a larger pet (I don't know why), but really the age and size don't make the pain in your heart easier.
Give yourself a little while to mourn their loss, but I promise you that you will begin to remember the sweet times soon. I also feel that *if* you got another pet, you might see some similarities of your Sadie. We've found this to be true. It's as though our special pets live on in a newer generation of pets that we adopt, and their traits can be very similar. It's a comforting thing.
My heart goes out to you. I'll light my pet candle for you and know that Sadie has made it over the Rainbow Bridge. Hugs to you during this time. You might instintively look for her or think you hear her. It's all normal. She's there, in your heart, always. xo
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valincal
Drama Llama
Southern Alberta
Posts: 5,626
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Post by valincal on Aug 18, 2022 15:16:27 GMT
I’m so sorry for your loss. 😢
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luckyjune
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Post by luckyjune on Aug 18, 2022 15:37:36 GMT
I'm so sorry.
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used2scrap
Drama Llama
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Post by used2scrap on Aug 18, 2022 15:42:42 GMT
I’m sorry. Dogs are so special. ❤️🐾
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Post by tamiq on Aug 18, 2022 15:52:29 GMT
I'm so very sorry!
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Post by crimsoncat05 on Aug 18, 2022 15:53:23 GMT
we also have pawprints and ashes of the pets we have lost... and each one of our dogs (and one of our cats) seemed to have a special toy or item that was 'theirs' that I've kept separate as a memento of them.
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Post by monklady123 on Aug 18, 2022 15:59:11 GMT
awww...  Our 14-year-old had the same thing and we put her down last October. It's so hard even though we know we're doing the right thing. It helps to think what a good life we gave them, and we are lucky that we could choose their end. A friend of mine had her dog get sick suddenly and die almost overnight. I always felt especially sad for her because she couldn't really say goodbye. The only thing that makes is "easier" is time. If you're on Facebook your heart will break a little every day that you look at the daily Memories. |
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Deleted
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May 4, 2024 16:16:25 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Aug 18, 2022 16:14:37 GMT
I am so sorry. The effort you all made for her is a testament to the love you had for her.
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casii
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,461
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Post by casii on Aug 18, 2022 16:18:08 GMT
I'm so so sorry. Sending lots of love to you and your family.
I have a Sadie. She's 13 and has dementia. Gonna go squeeze her with some extra love now.
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luvnlifelady
Pearl Clutcher
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Post by luvnlifelady on Aug 18, 2022 16:21:38 GMT
You did the right thing. Hopefully in time the sadness will fade and you can smile at the memories of your beloved pup.
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Post by mollycoddle on Aug 18, 2022 16:28:50 GMT
I’m so sorry for your loss.
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_on_the_beach.jpg)
Our 14-year-old had the same thing and we put her down last October. It's so hard even though we know we're doing the right thing. It helps to think what a good life we gave them, and we are lucky that we could choose their end. A friend of mine had her dog get sick suddenly and die almost overnight. I always felt especially sad for her because she couldn't really say goodbye. 
