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Need Advice on doggies.

Alicia Leonard avatar
SoWal Insider
5,470 views1
Monday afternoon, my Border Collie, Sarge, passed away suddenly. I came home. let him and his little sis out back for about ten minutes and then went to call them in and he had a massive seizure in front of me and passed away right when I turned my truck off in front of Freeport Pet Clinic. It all happened in under an hour and his little sis and I are still in shock.

I would first like to thank Dr. Barr and his staff at the Freeport Pet Clinic. They intubated him and gave him a shot directly in his heart and tried to resuscitate him, but his heart would not start back. I know they did everything a Doc would do for a human to try and save him, but we believe he threw a clot and had a massive stroke/seaziure. He had just had a clean bill of health almost a month before. He was 84 in Doggie years and played like a puppy right up untill the moment he seizied. We miss him terribly and our house is way too quite without him.

First, I'd like to say, hug your pets, friends and family today. Make those phone calls you have been putting off cuz you're too busy. Life can change in a matter of moments. Shyann is grieveing, just like me. She has never been without him, save for the three weeks she stayed at the vets and even then I took Sarge to visit her. I really don't know what to do for her right now except give her lots of love, but she just wants to sleep, and it's worring me.

She is not the most sociable pup and does not suffer fools easily, but I am thinking about trying to find her a companion, so she will not grieve herself to death. I really don't want to make things worse, either. If you have been in this situation, what did you do?

Please say a prayer for Sarge and us and please no sympathy rep for this post.
Sarge was in my mind, what every dog should be. He was a compainon, protector, jester and full time family member. May he rest in peace and may all dogs be as loved and cared for as he was.

Sarge RIP 9-28-96---8-18-08




Replies

30
scooterbug44 avatar
SoWal Expert
#2
I would give Laurie a call at the Alaqua Animal Refuge.

Maybe a doggie play date could be arranged to help perk Shyann up and find her a new buddy.
seagrovegirl avatar
Beach Fanatic
#3
RIP Sarge. aleonard, Sarge was blessed to have a wonderful life with you and he passed quickly without suffering. Time will heal your grief and probably Shyann's too. Give it some time before you get another dog, unless God drops one in your lap. I'm thinking and praying for you, Shyann and Sarge.
scooterbug44 avatar
SoWal Expert
#4
My aunt always had 2 dogs and when one died we would lend her our dog to keep the remaining dog company. It's hard for them to go from a fur buddy 24/7 to no buddy so time w/ a dog they know can help.
Jdarg avatar
SoWal Expert
#5
I am so sorry to hear about Sarge-your love for him came out in your post, and thanks for the words that we all need to hear more often.
Cork On the Ocean avatar
directionally challenged
#6
I lost my cat Gizmo last year while at my parents who had other dogs. Sunshine (my avatar) is a rescue with severe anxiety that got worse after we got back home and I would leave her alone when I went out. I've been wrestling with it for months because I take the adoption of a pet seriously and it's lifetime committment that I'm not sure I can make right now. ( I'm hoping to do a couple of years of full time sailing and 2 dogs on a boat would be tough.)

My gameplan is to foster a pup until a forever home is found. My concerns there are the attachment and then detachment for Sunshine when the foster finds a home. In your position, if you are able to be the forever home for another dog, maybe the foster arrangement can help you find the right fit for Shyann.

Thank you for your reminder to savor the love while we have it. I wish everyone would do that. All my best Aleonard, you're a good soul.
hnooe avatar
Beach Fanatic
#7
For the reasons that only YOU can understand, and due to the increased frequency of my 13 yr old Border Collie Mamie's onslaught of recent seizures, you cannot see me right now but I am absolutely immobolized and moved with emotion by your thread. I have never cried over a post, this is the first. Thanks for sharing.

And just remember aleo, in Doggie Heaven, Border Collies, are the one organizing the queue to get in!!!!!!:wave:
Alicia Leonard avatar
SoWal InsiderAuthor
#8
For the reasons that only YOU can understand, and due to the increased frequency of my 13 yr old Border Collie Mamie's onslaught of recent seizures, you cannot see me right now but I am absolutely immobolized and moved with emotion by your thread. I have never cried over a post, this is the first. Thanks for sharing.

And just remember aleo, in Doggie Heaven, Border Collies, are the one organizing the queue to get in!!!!!!:wave:

You just made me laugh and cry and the same time, over your last sentance. Thank you, hon.:wub:
sunspotbaby avatar
SoWal Insider
#9
Oh, A- I'm so so sorry for your loss. :(
I was wondering where you were this week as I had not seen you post. I would let your puppy grieve a little bit and give yourself some time too. Take her to the bark park for some funn with other dogs and when you're both ready, I'll bet your Sarge will send you another buddy to love. When my rott died last year, a week later a friend we had not seen in a while stopped by (he didn't know about our dog dying) and he was looking for someone to take a Rott that was going to be displaced. I was not ready but I look at it like T-bone sent him to us. :blush:

Take care, girl. All dogs go to Heaven...
Cheering472 avatar
SoWal Insider
#10
I'm so very sorry. I know exactly how you feel. I still tear up thinking about my border collie Lucy. Sarge sounded wonderful. :wub: You are in my thoughts.

I'd give Shyann some extra attention (for you as well as her), and some dog park visits before I brought another animal in. Increase her walks if you can. Time will help, keep your heart open to another dog. You'll know when it's right.
aggieb avatar
Beach Fanatic
#11
OMG! no! i'm so sorry aleo. this breaks my heart.:(
ktschris avatar
Beach Fanatic
#12
I am sorry to hear about your loss. Sending prayers and hugs your way :wub:
RiverOtter avatar
got any pics?
#13
I am sooooo sad to hear this :confused:
DD avatar
SoWal Expert
#14
Oh sweetie. I am so sorry. I know how much you loved that dog. I also know how much he loved you. Now, you've got a black and white guardian angel watching out for you. I will say extra prayers for you all tonight. :wub:
Franny avatar
Beach Fanatic
#15
My heart is breaking for you and I certainly know how you feel.:wub: Everyone is different, but when we lost our George my heart did not begin to heal until we brought home our two pups. They could never replace George but they sure helped with our pain. Wish you both the very best.
Beachbummette avatar
SoWal Insider
#16
:cry:

I'm so very sorry Aleonard. I know what a very special furbaby he was. You and Shyann are in my thoughts and prayers.

I know Shyann is not very social with other dogs, but perhaps next week you could bring her to our doggie park and see if she likes Sweetie who is a VERY laid back dog...ok...ok...she is flat out lazy, but she likes to go to the park. Perhaps hnoooo(whatever) could bring his social border collie to play. Let me know we will arrange a play date.

Love ya! :wub:{{{{{{BIG OLE' HUG}}}}}}
hnooe avatar
Beach Fanatic
#17
:cry:

I'm so very sorry Aleonard. I know what a very special furbaby he was. You and Shyann are in my thoughts and prayers.

I know Shyann is not very social with other dogs, but perhaps next week you could bring her to our doggie park and see if she likes Sweetie who is a VERY laid back dog...ok...ok...she is flat out lazy, but she likes to go to the park. Perhaps hnoooo(whatever) could bring his social border collie to play. Let me know we will arrange a play date.

Love ya! :wub:{{{{{{BIG OLE' HUG}}}}}}

Mamie is ready..woof!
SoWal Insider
#18
oh Aleonard, I am so sorry. I am heartbroken for you and for Shyann.

I would give Shyann just a little bit more time. She is sad and confused. My Rudy was too when our little John died a few years ago.

Just give her lots and lots of hugs and cuddling and reassurance. Like others have said, maybe a little socializing will help. but I would hold off on another pup just yet. I have no training in the area but it's just my gut feeling.

BIG hugs from me and a wet kiss from Rudy. :wub:
Beach Runner avatar
beats on hood
#19
Oh, Aleo, I am so sorry to hear this. Our Weim was in seemingly perfect health, and one morning I went out to feed her and she was smiling and wagging her tail, but could not move her legs due to a stroke. Auburn did everything they could, but three weeks later we had to put her down. Never had to do that before. I kept praying that God would take the decision out of ours hands, but it didn't happen that way.

As far as getting a new dog, part of it depends on how you think Shyann will respond. Would she be jealous of another dog? Probably so if it's a female. But if she starts searching around for Sarge, I'd say she needs another brother or sister.

We've never been more than six months without a dog, and that's just because we moved a couple of months after our first poodle died. A few months later we got two poodles.

Now if something happens to Pepper, because she is just the best dog we've ever had, I don't think we'll ever get another one.

Again, so sorry for you. You must just be in shock.:(
Alicia Leonard avatar
SoWal InsiderAuthor
#20
Thank you everyone for your post. We will try very hard to make a play date BB and HN. I think, as many posters said, we are going to wait awhile, and let her enjoy the attention of being an only child right now. We had a doggie/mom spa day today. She got her hair and nails did and got a bubble bath before getting some grilled chicken tenders and is now napping.

I'm not going to wash his bedding, because I want her to be able to still smell him. I, like Cork, believe adoption is a life long thing and if we do decide to do it later, it will be a pup in her age range that needs a home. Thank you all for the suggestions. They helped balance me right now in this time, and I needed that.

Love you guys.

AL.
SoWal Insider
#21
Definitely don't wash Sarge's bedding. We never washed John's and it's still out. Rudy will many times go over to it, sniff it and even lay down on it. It's so sweet.

He even assumed some of John's favorite sleeping spots, where as before, he had never attempted to.

When a little beige pup walks by outside, Rudy yips and whines at the window, comes to get me, thinking that it might possibly be John. :( Even after 2 1/2 years. But in all honesty, he has enjoyed being an "only dog." He gets ALL of the attention.

See how Shyann does after a few weeks. If she's still mopey, start thinking about another little friend for her.
Miss Critter avatar
Beach Fanatic
#22
My poor dear wonderful doggie mommy. I am so sorry for you and Shyann. :cry: But I know without a doubt that Sarge had the best, most loving and happy doggie life that any pup could have.

My .02 on another dog: We have a 9 year old shepherd mix (the original Miss Critter), who was raised with my then-geriatric cat, and was most definitely anti-social with other dogs. Once Max went to kitty heaven at age 18, I thought we were done. Miss Critter was semi-old and grumpy and I thought the last thing she would appreciate would be another dog. Well, last September Mr. Critter had a lab puppy sort of dumped in his lap. He was at a gas station when this young guy comes in the store and asks if anyone wants a lab puppy because he's moving and can't take it with him. My husband, the softie, made the ultimate mistake of "taking a look" (for God's sake, who can resist a puppy, especially one who's future looks grim?) and as they say, the rest is history. And here's the totally unexpected part. After a few days of feigning disinterest and dislike, Miss Critter has "adopted" her little brother and loves him. They roll around together, chase each other, he nibbles her neck. They are, to quote Forrest Gump, like peas and carrots. Take all the time you need to heal, but know that when the time is right, Sarge will send his successor to you and Shyann.

Sending healing thoughts go out to you both.
Minnie avatar
Beach Fanatic
#23
I do advise you to wait. She is missing Sarge but alot with dogs is about what we are doing. As you begin to heal so will Shyann. A new dog might be more stress than either of you need right now.

The play dates sound like a great idea. That way she gets to socialize with other dogs she is not familiar with, which if you ever do decide to bring a new dog into your family, she will be more accepting.

Just continue as you are, surrounding her with lots of attention and love.

Hugs to both of you.
DD avatar
SoWal Expert
#24
My poor dear wonderful doggie mommy. I am so sorry for you and Shyann. :cry: But I know without a doubt that Sarge had the best, most loving and happy doggie life that any pup could have.

My .02 on another dog: We have a 9 year old shepherd mix (the original Miss Critter), who was raised with my then-geriatric cat, and was most definitely anti-social with other dogs. Once Max went to kitty heaven at age 18, I thought we were done. Miss Critter was semi-old and grumpy and I thought the last thing she would appreciate would be another dog. Well, last September Mr. Critter had a lab puppy sort of dumped in his lap. He was at a gas station when this young guy comes in the store and asks if anyone wants a lab puppy because he's moving and can't take it with him. My husband, the softie, made the ultimate mistake of "taking a look" (for God's sake, who can resist a puppy, especially one who's future looks grim?) and as they say, the rest is history. And here's the totally unexpected part. After a few days of feigning disinterest and dislike, Miss Critter has "adopted" her little brother and loves him. They roll around together, chase each other, he nibbles her neck. They are, to quote Forrest Gump, like peas and carrots. Take all the time you need to heal, but know that when the time is right, Sarge will send his successor to you and Shyann.

Sending healing thoughts go out to you both.

Oh my! This is about the sweetest post I've read in a long time! :wub:
beachyteachy avatar
Beach Fanatic
#25
Aleo, I'm sorry about your loss. We are thinking of you.

Edited

Mango avatar
SoWal Insider
#26
Oh my! This is about the sweetest post I've read in a long time! :wub:

Yes, I thought so as well. It's funny how things work out at times.
AL, so sorry for your loss. Sarge looked like one cool dog and I'm glad y'all had the time you did together.

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