I just got a call my dog has died

[sosurreal09]

I am so upset right now! Earlier this year we had to move due to financial problems and I had no choice but to send my dog to live with my dad until we could find a reasonably priced place that accepted dogs..or we made more money.

Anyways he's been living there for 3 months now. He was a rescue dog that was abused and when we got him it was so sad to see how he acted. We loved him so much and we rehabilitated him emotionally to a point where he was no longer afraid of people.

He was the most loving little dog...my whole pregnancy he would lay around my belly right on my lap curled around the baby.

He was terrified of the bathroom, but when I was in labor he came running in while I was in the bath and stood up and put his paws on the side of the tub...it was like he was trying to tell me it was ok or something. IDK I just loved him so much. He was a Boston Terrier, but he was the runt and he had a long tail he was so unbelievably cute.

So my dad called me and said he let him out of the house not on his lead and didn't stand out there with him...and he ran into the street apparently and got hit and killed by the neighbor. He found out when the neighbor came knocking at the door.

Seriously who does that?! Then his wife gets on the phone and is like "I specifically remember everything and you never said we couldn't just let him out by himself" and I'm like you don't even have a fence! There is no way I said that was ok!

My dad actually stuck up for me...which is good I guess

He was only 4 years old! I am so upset I had to give him up for a while but seriously I though he was in very capable hands here. I know they loved him but come on that is common freaking sense!

I can't stop crying anyway. They offered to have him cremated..I'm going to spread his ashes at the park we always went to.

What's really ironic is DH got him for me for x-mas 3 years ago. My poor puppy

[stardogs]

((((BIG hugs))))  I'm so sorry!

The Rainbow Bridge poem helped me when I lost my heart dog to cancer this year: http://www.petloss.com/rainbowbridge.htm

[BelovedK]

I'm soo sorry for your loss

[Mirzam]

I am so very sorry. 

[ElliesMomma]

RIP puppy. you gave him a good life. i'm sorry this was his end, and so soon, too.

[sosurreal09]

thanks t just so horrible. He went through so much before we got him and then once he's happy and loved this happens. I am so heartbroken. I am so angry that this happened to him when it absolutely could have been avoided. i just keep blaming myself.

I really had no choice in the matter we had to move and we absolutely could not afford a place that accepted dogs. When we rescued him we both worked and money was great...

he was so young. They said he died on impact......at least he didn't suffer. i miss him so much.

I feel so stupid b/c "it's only a dog" but he really was family and he was such an amazing dog, so gentle and caring. He used to just want to cuddle all day.

[stardogs]

Please don't feel stupid, and don't let *anyone* try and tell you he was "just a dog" - he was a beloved family member and you have a right to grieve as you need to without anyone minimizing it.  I was lucky enough to be surrounded by people who understood the dog-human relationship when I lost my girl, but if anyone had tried to tell me she was "just a dog" and I had two others so I should get over it, I would've beaten them into pulp I think.  You did the best you could, you gave your pup a wonderful few years, and while his life was cut short, he knew you loved him, of that I am sure!

A favorite piece on the topic:

Just a Dog

From time to time, people tell me, "lighten up, it's just a dog," or, "that's a lot of money for just a dog." They don't understand the distance traveled, the time spent, or the costs involved for "just a dog."

Some of my proudest moments have come about with "just a dog." Many hours have passed and my only company was "just a dog," but I did not once feel slighted.

Some of my saddest moments have been brought about by "just a dog," and in those days of darkness, the gentle touch of "just a dog" gave me comfort and reason to overcome the day.

If you, too, think it's "just a dog," then you will probably understand phases like "just a friend," "just a sunrise," or "just a promise." "Just a dog" brings into my life the very essence of friendship, trust, and pure unbridled joy. "Just a dog" brings out the compassion and patience that make me a better person.

Because of "just a dog" I will rise early, take long walks and look longingly to the future. So for me and folks like me, it's not "just a dog" but an embodiment of all the hopes and dreams of the future, the fond memories of the past, and the pure joy of the moment.

"Just a dog" brings out what's good in me and diverts my thoughts away from myself and the worries of the day.   

I hope that someday they can understand that it's not "just a dog" but the thing that gives me humanity and keeps me from being "just a human."

So the next time you hear the phrase "just a dog." just smile, because they "just don't understand."

Authored by Richard A. Biby

[elsie]

I'm so sorry. I hope someday you can take some comfort in knowing how much you gave him while he was with you. For now, have a cup of tea, warm bath and a good cry. 

[BCFD]

Oh, my heart is just breaking for you. :(  I have a very similar story that I thought I'd share.  I TOTALLY feel your pain. :(

We had a Boxer and we will have a Boxer/Whippet/something mix.  We were fostering our children's 17 year old birthsister who also just happened to have a newborn baby. I think due to all the chaos in the house (7 people, one who is a crying newborn, and three cats) the dogs were seriously stressed out.  The dogs were getting into fights and about the 4th time, our youngest child (who was 2 at the time) got caught in the middle and our Boxer bit her face and drew blood.  So *NOT* his nature, but we thought it would be best if we let him stay with my sister-in-law for a few months.  He was there for about a week and my sister-in-law decided that it was "cruel" to crate him during the day when she went to work, so she left the slider door open for him to be able to go outside.  The reason he was crated is because he had *SEVERE* separation anxiety. Anyway, he immediately started scratching at the gate, got out, roamed the neighborhood all day (several mom's at my dd's school saw him!) and by midnight that night I found him on the main street....hit by a car.  We were out posting signs at midnight and that's when I found him.  I still can't shake that vision of him.  That was a year ago and I miss him every single day.  We had him cremated and have his ashes and I still talk to him almost every day.

I blame myself for entrusting somebody else with my pet, but at the same time my children were more important so everybody tells me I can't blame myself for keeping them safe.  People tell me I made the right choice, but it just breaks my heart that it ended with such tragedy.  :(  My heart really goes out to you.  But just take comfort in knowing that you loved him and gave him a good life while he was with you.  ((HUGS))

Here is my Roscoe...

[sosurreal09]

aww thanks for the support guys, and for sharing you're stories. It is so hard to lose a pet. My sister was even hysterical when I told her, everyone loved him so much.

my dad and his wife decided to come over x-mas morning to give us gifts (after they told us they had other plans when we invited them...) and guess what his wife bought me? A Boston Terrier ornament...oh man I could have killed her. I was instantly hysterical after being up since 5am and not going to sleep until midnight b/c I was so distraught, she brings me this? seriously. she said "oh I bought it when he was alive" oh gee thanks...rub it in some more. Then she fake cries about how it's all her fault and she shouldn't have blamed me ect ect, even though when they walked in I instantly said "It's x-mas morning I do not want to talk about it"

[stardogs]

Oooooh that's awful! You're a better woman than I for not smacking her on the spot... (((biiiig hugs)))

[tonttu]

@stardogs , that was beautiful , I couldn´t have put it better myself

[ReadingMama]

I'm just so sorry for you. I can't imagine.  :(  Sending you healing thoughts.

[sosurreal09]

thank you they "brought him home" the other day and she just takes the ashes out of the bag and takes out his collar right as I am nursing DD I said very aggressively "I can not look at that right now" and burst into tears. WTF?!?! she is so out of line like every second she can be!

I still havent looked in the bag. I am in complete denial.

omfg forgot to mention do you know what she said to me?!

she got the nice wood box b/c it was the same price or w/e (I said nothing fancy since I am spreading his ashes) and it has his name inscribed in it, on the bottom you put the owners I guess b/c she said to "We had you and michael's names put on it INSTEAD of ours, you know so you could feel better about it" YOU HAD HIM FOR 2 FREAKING MONTHS LADY!!! i HAD HIM 3 YEARS AND REHABILITATED HIM - NOT YOU!

[laohaire]

I'm so sorry for your loss.

Your father's wife is a real piece of work.

[HollyBearsMom]

I am so sorru for you loss.  May this hopefulle bring you some confort

 Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown...
 

 

http://rainbowsbridge.com/