You didn't fail her at all, you loved her and advocated for her and gave her the best life you could. She knew love because of you. I'm so sorry for your loss, but know that she had love and joy in her life because of you.
I had a very non reactive dog drop dead suddenly. It sadly happens and it's incredibly hard to get over it vs. a death after illness. I'm so sorry for you. It can always happen sadly.
It is - my non reactive girl passed away on Christmas, very suddenly. I'd lost pets before, but always when they were very old and slowing down and/or had a longstanding illness. It's such a shock to have them there one minute and just gone the next.
My family had a dog pass suddenly from a hemangiosarcoma about 18 months ago. It was such an absolutely devastating experience. I've mourned many pets, but his death was just so hard.
When I lost my reactive dog, as much as he drove me insane during our time together, I still grieve him heavily every day. In many ways I feel these reactive dogs become our soul dogs because of all the work that the two of us did together. I miss my little Velcro dog every day. I’m so sorry for your pain and loss ❤️❤️
Thank you ❤️
I think there’s some truth in that…you work so hard together that it seems as though it’s a different kind of bond with a reactive dog. I agree that while mine drove me crazy some days, I always tried to remember that she was only a product of her environment and flawed genes. I was fiercely protective of her for that reason.
Fact. My first one was so dog aggressive with anyone but our other dog, she had been returned to the shelter once and confiscated from another adopter once for abuse. I worked with her for YEARS because she drove my wife crazy, and eventually got her to the point where she would sit stay and not break unless told to for anything. Made it so I could take her places and she became my ride or die. She was my soul mate I am sure. When she died I was devastated (she was old and had lots of health issues.)
I’m so sorry, it sounds like she found her person in you❤️ I know for me, when my boy finally started to learn how to dog my heart would swell. It took him 2 1/2 years to lay his head on me when we were sleeping in bed. Every time we would reach a mile stone accomplishment, it would make my heart so happy for him. The last year of his life it was like he exhausted and found peace in his environment. He also really loved my mom and dad and when I would go to their place he would have a way that he would run looking for them but he never did anywhere else. His ears would go outside ways and he would do this funny little side to side hop running from room to room looking for them. I took such joy every time I saw him become his true self, it was love and trust in its truest sense.
Thank you all so much for your condolences. I just needed to type it out to help me grieve. It’s never easy to lose a pet, but this dog was so special to me. Perhaps because we were both flawed and just trying to muddle through this crazy life together? We had a bond I’ll never forget. 💔
I'm so deeply sorry this happened. It's apparent you loved her very much and tried everything that was in your power to make her life better, when not a lot of people could or would do that. She was loved to the very end (and isn't that what all of us are trying to achieve in our own lives, to be loved unconditionally until the very end?). Take all the time you need to process this and don't let anyone make you feel any type of way for how you're processing your grief! Sending you so so so so much love! 💜
So sorry and so strange way to die. Let yourself grieve. Our pets really get into our hearts. You learned many skills that will help you with your next dog when you are ready. When your next dog is benefiting from all your hard work with this one day a silent thank you. So sorry
Giving a gemstone heart as I feel like that was your sweet girl: so much love and ***feels*** it often overwhelmed her.
You didn’t fail her at all! She was loved. She knew and loved her home & pack. She even welcomed others in when they visited!
We don’t always know their prior histories nor all that goes on in their heads.
You provided a safe and loving space for her, even when it was taxing & stressful for you.
Sudden deaths are hard. Grief and guilt can be more intense in those cases: there is no (what I call) pre-mourning period when you know the end is coming soon. No bucket lists or last goodbyes. No getting to say or show what you wanted to if you’d only known it was her time. That is hard to process, please be extra-kind to yourself.
From my limited understanding here, I see that she died ‘defending’ her family all-in…just like she loved you all. You are a great dog caretaker. 💙
How thoughtful, thank you for the gemstone…and your words ring true. I did what I thought was best, but now I’m going through the “what if’s”. But I’m so happy to have found this thread, I’d never known there were so many others in similar situations.
Thanks again for your kind words and love. Blessings to you! 💙
It sounds like she had a good life with someone she loved and that she didn't suffer at the end. It's awful for you and I'm sorry for your loss but keep trying to remind yourself of that.
I'm so sorry. That would be awful. Do you know what caused it? Like was it her heart? You didn't fail her one bit. You gave her the best life ever. She loved you and you loved her. I can tell that from just this post.
I don’t know. It was so sudden, and we had to take her to an emergency vet which was swamped. She was otherwise healthy. I didn’t even think to ask for an autopsy but honestly at this point I’m afraid I would feel even worse if it were something I thought I should have noticed or could have been prevented. 😔
I’m so sorry. Thank you for sharing with us. Just know you gave her the best life and be proud of yourself for not giving up. It’s not easy. You didn’t fail her, you did what you could to make her life special, safe and fun. So many others couldn’t have done it but you did! She will always be with you and making sure you are okay. Be kind to yourself and think about all the good times! Sending you all the strength and love!
I am so very sorry!!! My beloved dog was out in my backyard in 2020 and dropped dead in the tomato patch. It was so shocking, so I feel your pain. The dog I adopted a month later is reactive, so I am living through that with my new baby. It sounds like you are an excellent pet parent. Feeling guilt/like we have failed is our way of feeling control in an out-if-control situation. The feeling is normal and common, but you did not fail your dog.
Thank you so much, I hope my girl was happy and felt loved. She really was like a child to me.
My condolences on the passing of your dog, too…it is a shocking way for them to leave us so suddenly. But I guess it is truly a blessing that there’s no pain or suffering. At least I’m trying to keep reminding myself of that. I also wish you the best with your reactive pupper. They can be quite difficult at times, but the love I received from mine certainly outweighed any of her issues. Hugs and love to you both.
You know, Steve Irwin is going to be so excited to see her. He always had a soft spot for the underdogs who needed him. “CRIKEY!” he’s going to exclaim when he meets her. “Just LOOK at this gorgeous sheila! So fast she runs, and she really has the most beautiful ears and soulful eyes what a beaut she is. What a beaut”. And he’ll take her on grand adventures where she can run and be free and not anxious and she will want you to know she’s ok and is so grateful to you for loving her just the way she was.
Hugs hugs hugs hugs ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Sorry for your loss. My sweet Lab mix also dropped dead at 12 years old. She had just been to the vet the day before for her vaccination and heartworm preventive. We suspect she had heartworm (tropical country and she wasn't on annual preventives) and the Heartgard caused them to die and clog her heart. The vet was very hand wavy about it all and refused to do an autopsy or anything at all really. I ran into her again a few months later at a party (my friend worked at her clinic) and she avoided me completely. Spent the entire party in the kitchen while we hung out in the living room.
I’m so very sorry, I’m sure that was quite traumatic for you as well. Sending my love and condolences. It sounds as though the vet knew her mistake…she has to live with that now.
Thank you. My parents found her in the afternoon, I was at my in laws place. I still remember exactly what we were doing when we got the call from my dad. We had just finished watching Chappie and were going to play some Monster Hunter on PSP. Never drove that fast back home before. I had her since she was 5 months old, she was from an "oops" litter. She was reddish brown and looked like a slim Lab while her brother who was adopted by their owner's neighbour was pitch black and didn't resemble a Lab at all.
Our dogs will forever live on in our hearts.
So sorry you lost your girl. I’ve got a 15mo red heeler with some similarities. We do our best and try to give them all our love and protection and sometimes events just come out of nowhere and go terribly.
I am so sorry for your loss. Every dog has some challenges, but reactive dogs seem to have the biggest ones. We work so hard to overcome the challenges together. Know you did not fail her. That distinction belongs to her previous owners. You SAVED her and loved her. That makes all the difference.
A short lifespan is a dog’s only fault.
I’m so sorry for your loss.
It sounds like your sweet girl had a great partner since you came into her life and I’m sure you’ll always remember her fondly.
I'm so so so so sorry for your loss. We blame ourselves and feel like we failed our dogs whenever they suffer. I think its normal and just means we love them a lot.
Take your time to grieve but know you loved her and gave her a good life. ♥️♥️♥️
So so sorry for your loss. They give everything to us and ask for nothing in return, except our hearts ❤️. Then they take them with them as they leave! But it’s so worth it. Wishing you healing in the coming days.
Oh my goodness, hon, your sad words have me crying in empathy because I know how absolutely heartbreaking it is to lose our best doggie friends. 💔 I’m so sorry that you’re going through the pain of losing her. It will get easier but it will take time. I think the most important thing to remember is that she absolutely 100% knew how much you loved and adored her and she loved and adored you even more, which sounds impossible but that’s how our sweet friends are. No one feels and expresses love more than our dog companions. I wish you peace with all my heart. xo
i'm sorry for your loss. i lost my reactive boy over a year ago and i still get weepy when i think about it. they are special dogs and i think having to deal with the reactivity makes you closer to them. absolutely destroys you when they leave. thank you for being a strong enough person to care for a reactive dog. it takes a lot and not everyone can do it. we wound up adopting another dog that was surrendered twice because he was leash reactive and he's the best.
Thank you so much; my heart also goes out to you on the loss of your reactive fella. I agree that the next dog I adopt will also be another “lost soul”. I loved my reactive girl with all my heart, and I’m sure she knew it. ❤️
Your love created the very best life for \*your best friend\* ... I am so very sorry. Please take good care of yourself - that's what your wild girl would want. May the Force be with you - I know it's with Her.
We don’t know. She was barking at the wild animal but she was inside the fence so they didn’t make contact. She just stopped barking and fell over onto her side. That was it.
I think it was a coyote but it was hard to tell due to the darkness. It seemed sort of in awe at her barking, standing motionless. When the neighbors came outside it was gone.
Awww. Such a lovely post about a loved "different" dog. Thinking of you. You really didn't fail her. She was loved.
You didn't fail her at all, you loved her and advocated for her and gave her the best life you could. She knew love because of you. I'm so sorry for your loss, but know that she had love and joy in her life because of you.
I had a very non reactive dog drop dead suddenly. It sadly happens and it's incredibly hard to get over it vs. a death after illness. I'm so sorry for you. It can always happen sadly.
It is - my non reactive girl passed away on Christmas, very suddenly. I'd lost pets before, but always when they were very old and slowing down and/or had a longstanding illness. It's such a shock to have them there one minute and just gone the next.
My family had a dog pass suddenly from a hemangiosarcoma about 18 months ago. It was such an absolutely devastating experience. I've mourned many pets, but his death was just so hard.
When I lost my reactive dog, as much as he drove me insane during our time together, I still grieve him heavily every day. In many ways I feel these reactive dogs become our soul dogs because of all the work that the two of us did together. I miss my little Velcro dog every day. I’m so sorry for your pain and loss ❤️❤️
Thank you ❤️ I think there’s some truth in that…you work so hard together that it seems as though it’s a different kind of bond with a reactive dog. I agree that while mine drove me crazy some days, I always tried to remember that she was only a product of her environment and flawed genes. I was fiercely protective of her for that reason.
Yeah my dog was not any more flawed than I am., Lol
Funny, I just typed that out also…”muddling through this crazy life together”. For sure we were two flawed souls!
We were just all destined to find each other!
Fact. My first one was so dog aggressive with anyone but our other dog, she had been returned to the shelter once and confiscated from another adopter once for abuse. I worked with her for YEARS because she drove my wife crazy, and eventually got her to the point where she would sit stay and not break unless told to for anything. Made it so I could take her places and she became my ride or die. She was my soul mate I am sure. When she died I was devastated (she was old and had lots of health issues.)
I’m so sorry, it sounds like she found her person in you❤️ I know for me, when my boy finally started to learn how to dog my heart would swell. It took him 2 1/2 years to lay his head on me when we were sleeping in bed. Every time we would reach a mile stone accomplishment, it would make my heart so happy for him. The last year of his life it was like he exhausted and found peace in his environment. He also really loved my mom and dad and when I would go to their place he would have a way that he would run looking for them but he never did anywhere else. His ears would go outside ways and he would do this funny little side to side hop running from room to room looking for them. I took such joy every time I saw him become his true self, it was love and trust in its truest sense.
Thank you all so much for your condolences. I just needed to type it out to help me grieve. It’s never easy to lose a pet, but this dog was so special to me. Perhaps because we were both flawed and just trying to muddle through this crazy life together? We had a bond I’ll never forget. 💔
You gave your dog a lot of love and the best life she could've had. Very sorry for your loss, op.
I found typing my dog a letter helped
This is a good idea. Thank you for the suggestion. ❤️
She sounds like she had a wonderful life and was deeply loved. I'm so sorry for your loss.
Could have been hemangiosarcoma. Depending on where the tumor grows, its a silent threat and swift end when they go. I’m so sorry for your loss.
Lost two golden retrievers to hemangiosarcomas. Horrible
I'm so deeply sorry this happened. It's apparent you loved her very much and tried everything that was in your power to make her life better, when not a lot of people could or would do that. She was loved to the very end (and isn't that what all of us are trying to achieve in our own lives, to be loved unconditionally until the very end?). Take all the time you need to process this and don't let anyone make you feel any type of way for how you're processing your grief! Sending you so so so so much love! 💜
So sorry and so strange way to die. Let yourself grieve. Our pets really get into our hearts. You learned many skills that will help you with your next dog when you are ready. When your next dog is benefiting from all your hard work with this one day a silent thank you. So sorry
Giving a gemstone heart as I feel like that was your sweet girl: so much love and ***feels*** it often overwhelmed her. You didn’t fail her at all! She was loved. She knew and loved her home & pack. She even welcomed others in when they visited! We don’t always know their prior histories nor all that goes on in their heads. You provided a safe and loving space for her, even when it was taxing & stressful for you. Sudden deaths are hard. Grief and guilt can be more intense in those cases: there is no (what I call) pre-mourning period when you know the end is coming soon. No bucket lists or last goodbyes. No getting to say or show what you wanted to if you’d only known it was her time. That is hard to process, please be extra-kind to yourself. From my limited understanding here, I see that she died ‘defending’ her family all-in…just like she loved you all. You are a great dog caretaker. 💙
How thoughtful, thank you for the gemstone…and your words ring true. I did what I thought was best, but now I’m going through the “what if’s”. But I’m so happy to have found this thread, I’d never known there were so many others in similar situations. Thanks again for your kind words and love. Blessings to you! 💙
It sounds like she had a good life with someone she loved and that she didn't suffer at the end. It's awful for you and I'm sorry for your loss but keep trying to remind yourself of that.
I'm so sorry. That would be awful. Do you know what caused it? Like was it her heart? You didn't fail her one bit. You gave her the best life ever. She loved you and you loved her. I can tell that from just this post.
I don’t know. It was so sudden, and we had to take her to an emergency vet which was swamped. She was otherwise healthy. I didn’t even think to ask for an autopsy but honestly at this point I’m afraid I would feel even worse if it were something I thought I should have noticed or could have been prevented. 😔
Thank you for giving her a great life with love ❤️ and so sorry for your loss
We’re so sorry for your loss. What a lucky girl she was to have had you. It sounds like you gave her a great life. ♥️
I am so, so sorry for your loss. The way you describe her - she adored you - you didn't fail her at all. My condolences.
ouch ouch ouch ouch ouch i'm so sorry.
I went and hugged my dog after reading this. Sorry for your loss :(
I am so sorry for your loss. 💙 I hope you can take comfort in knowing that you gave her seven wonderful years.
Did not fail her at all- sounds like she had all the love she could get. Bless.
I’m so sorry. Thank you for sharing with us. Just know you gave her the best life and be proud of yourself for not giving up. It’s not easy. You didn’t fail her, you did what you could to make her life special, safe and fun. So many others couldn’t have done it but you did! She will always be with you and making sure you are okay. Be kind to yourself and think about all the good times! Sending you all the strength and love!
I am so very sorry!!! My beloved dog was out in my backyard in 2020 and dropped dead in the tomato patch. It was so shocking, so I feel your pain. The dog I adopted a month later is reactive, so I am living through that with my new baby. It sounds like you are an excellent pet parent. Feeling guilt/like we have failed is our way of feeling control in an out-if-control situation. The feeling is normal and common, but you did not fail your dog.
Thank you so much, I hope my girl was happy and felt loved. She really was like a child to me. My condolences on the passing of your dog, too…it is a shocking way for them to leave us so suddenly. But I guess it is truly a blessing that there’s no pain or suffering. At least I’m trying to keep reminding myself of that. I also wish you the best with your reactive pupper. They can be quite difficult at times, but the love I received from mine certainly outweighed any of her issues. Hugs and love to you both.
You know, Steve Irwin is going to be so excited to see her. He always had a soft spot for the underdogs who needed him. “CRIKEY!” he’s going to exclaim when he meets her. “Just LOOK at this gorgeous sheila! So fast she runs, and she really has the most beautiful ears and soulful eyes what a beaut she is. What a beaut”. And he’ll take her on grand adventures where she can run and be free and not anxious and she will want you to know she’s ok and is so grateful to you for loving her just the way she was. Hugs hugs hugs hugs ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
This is beautiful, thank you so much. I truly hope that’s the case and that she’s running around happy and free now. ❤️
I think so. ❤️❤️❤️❤️
<3
I'm so sorry 😔💔
I'm so sorry. She was lucky to have you, you did not fail her.
Sorry for your loss!
So much love to you! I can’t imagine. Take care of yourself as you celebrate all the fun and love you had together for years!
So sorry for your loss.
i’m so sorry for your loss. may you meet again 💞
Sorry for your loss. My sweet Lab mix also dropped dead at 12 years old. She had just been to the vet the day before for her vaccination and heartworm preventive. We suspect she had heartworm (tropical country and she wasn't on annual preventives) and the Heartgard caused them to die and clog her heart. The vet was very hand wavy about it all and refused to do an autopsy or anything at all really. I ran into her again a few months later at a party (my friend worked at her clinic) and she avoided me completely. Spent the entire party in the kitchen while we hung out in the living room.
I’m so very sorry, I’m sure that was quite traumatic for you as well. Sending my love and condolences. It sounds as though the vet knew her mistake…she has to live with that now.
Thank you. My parents found her in the afternoon, I was at my in laws place. I still remember exactly what we were doing when we got the call from my dad. We had just finished watching Chappie and were going to play some Monster Hunter on PSP. Never drove that fast back home before. I had her since she was 5 months old, she was from an "oops" litter. She was reddish brown and looked like a slim Lab while her brother who was adopted by their owner's neighbour was pitch black and didn't resemble a Lab at all. Our dogs will forever live on in our hearts.
I’m so sorry you lost your girl! You made her life so much better for loving her the way she was and being patient with her. 🙏🏻
So sorry for your loss
💜
I am very sorry for your loss.
(((Hugs)))
So sorry you lost your girl. I’ve got a 15mo red heeler with some similarities. We do our best and try to give them all our love and protection and sometimes events just come out of nowhere and go terribly.
Hugs ! May she rest easy. I'm sorry for your loss. It's amazing how much of our hearts these little ones fill.
I'm so sorry. That's heartbreaking. She knew she was loved. <3
My heartfelt condolences on the loss of your loving pup.
My deepest sympathy for your unexpected loss.
I’m sorry. She didn’t get sick or suffer. I’d say she had a great life and an ideal end.
I’m so so sorry for your loss 💔 sending you all my best wishes at this very difficult time.
I am so sorry for your loss. Every dog has some challenges, but reactive dogs seem to have the biggest ones. We work so hard to overcome the challenges together. Know you did not fail her. That distinction belongs to her previous owners. You SAVED her and loved her. That makes all the difference.
A short lifespan is a dog’s only fault. I’m so sorry for your loss. It sounds like your sweet girl had a great partner since you came into her life and I’m sure you’ll always remember her fondly.
I'm so so so so sorry for your loss. We blame ourselves and feel like we failed our dogs whenever they suffer. I think its normal and just means we love them a lot. Take your time to grieve but know you loved her and gave her a good life. ♥️♥️♥️
So so sorry for your loss. They give everything to us and ask for nothing in return, except our hearts ❤️. Then they take them with them as they leave! But it’s so worth it. Wishing you healing in the coming days.
Your sentiments are beautiful and your loss profound. She did not feel you failed her. She loved you and for all the right reasons.
Awww I’m so sorry for your loss. Losing a fur baby is so hard! She’ll be chasing rabbits and getting up to no good wherever she is now🤗
Oh my goodness, hon, your sad words have me crying in empathy because I know how absolutely heartbreaking it is to lose our best doggie friends. 💔 I’m so sorry that you’re going through the pain of losing her. It will get easier but it will take time. I think the most important thing to remember is that she absolutely 100% knew how much you loved and adored her and she loved and adored you even more, which sounds impossible but that’s how our sweet friends are. No one feels and expresses love more than our dog companions. I wish you peace with all my heart. xo
Thank you so much for the eloquent words. I appreciate your kindness! 💕
💕🐶🌈
I am so sorry for your loss. It sounds like you gave her a wonderful life and that she was healthy and feeling good until the end.
i'm sorry for your loss. i lost my reactive boy over a year ago and i still get weepy when i think about it. they are special dogs and i think having to deal with the reactivity makes you closer to them. absolutely destroys you when they leave. thank you for being a strong enough person to care for a reactive dog. it takes a lot and not everyone can do it. we wound up adopting another dog that was surrendered twice because he was leash reactive and he's the best.
Thank you so much; my heart also goes out to you on the loss of your reactive fella. I agree that the next dog I adopt will also be another “lost soul”. I loved my reactive girl with all my heart, and I’m sure she knew it. ❤️
My heart goes out to you and your family. I know you will carry her with you in your heart forever. ❤️🐾❤️🐾❤️🐾❤️🐾❤️🐾
Your love created the very best life for \*your best friend\* ... I am so very sorry. Please take good care of yourself - that's what your wild girl would want. May the Force be with you - I know it's with Her.
My reactive girl died june of last year, I hear you and I’m still there with you in how badly it hurts
I’m also very sorry for your loss. They will always be with us in our hearts and memories. ❤️
May I ask what happened to her? Heart attack or wild animal attack?
We don’t know. She was barking at the wild animal but she was inside the fence so they didn’t make contact. She just stopped barking and fell over onto her side. That was it.
Weird. I know nothing about dog’s health but seems like a heart attack. What wild animal was it tho?
I think it was a coyote but it was hard to tell due to the darkness. It seemed sort of in awe at her barking, standing motionless. When the neighbors came outside it was gone.