Coping With Pet Loss

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Nikole
by: Jennifer on Mon, Jul 02 2007

The first dog I ever had was a pitbull and boxer mix. I loved her so much. She went every where with me, and was my best friend for 3 years. I had an ex-boyfriend who chewed tobacco. One night I put her in the car and we went for a ride. When I looked in the center console, there was a styrofoam cup full of spit. I didn’t want to litter by throwing it out, so I thought I would throw it away when we got to our destination. When we got there, I was in a hurry and forgot to throw the cup out.

When I got back in the car Nikole was in the back seat on the floor, and I knew something was wrong. I got her some water, but she wouldn’t touch it. I had a 45minute drive back to our house. I assumed she was over heated. I noticed the cup was half empty, and she had also stepped in it and crushed the cup. I always took her with me traveling, and always had a cup of water for her to drink.

She drank the tobacco spit! I had no idea how lethal nicotine is to an animal, nor how quickly it gets in their bloodstream. All I knew was their was something terribly wrong. She could’nt move, she could’nt respond. So I rushed her to the vet. He asked what happend. I told him what I knew. But he didn’t seem to think that was what was wrong. He called around to some other vets and described what I told him. The other vets confirmed how lethal nicotine is to animals, and how concentrated it is in chewing tobacco. Nikole had a major stroke.

They ran an IV and put a catheter in her. I was there every day for a week with her. I then told the vet I was taking her home. I thought that if she was going to get better, she would do it at home. I had to turn her every 2 hrs to keep her skin from breaking down. I had to hold her head up to drink. I massaged her side and I PRAYED every day that she would get better. One day she was looking pretty good, and then the next day her face would be drooping, and I knew she was having mini strokes. She was paralyzed on her right side.

After 2 weeks of doing everything I could for her, I decided to put her to sleep. The veterinarian who had taken care of her was on vacation. So one of the vet techs came out to the jeep. Nikole licked her hand, and she started to administer the dose. Nikole started howling and crying in pain. I had no idea that was going to happen. All I could do was hold her and cry. I felt so bad. I felt like I didn’t give her enough time to recover. I thought if maybe I would have given her a few more weeks, maybe she would have shown some signs of improvement.

Anyway, I drove her lifeless body back home. I wanted to bury her under that oak tree. The one that I knew would always be there. It would never be cut down. Letting her go was the hardest thing I have ever had to do in my life. I would give anything to undo the harm I caused her. Harm, that I had no idea I was putting her in.

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July 2007

My girl Zara - may she be happy in doggie heaven! - by Petalyn - (Sun, Jul 29 2007)
On the 30th June 2007 I sadly had to lay Zara to rest. I tried with all my resources and an overflowing heart to save my girl but over the last week of her life she deteriorated to such a degree it was unbearable to watch. [more..]
My pup died from distemper - by J - (Sun, Jul 29 2007)
I bought an akita pup and when we went to collect him the owner said he had an ifi tummy as she changed his food. So we didn’t think much of it, when we got him home then he seemed ok, but as the evening drew he was layed outside and didn’t want to move. [more..]
Our little babies - by jenn72 - (Sat, Jul 28 2007)
4 weeks ago we lost our 3 yr old Jack Russell Terrier after complications from a stillbirth. She left 3 baby girls for us to care for. Everything was going good until 5 days ago when we came home and the biggest and most active one was yelping. After really watching her, we noticed she wasn’t able to walk properly and apparently having seizures. [more..]
Old King - by Dale - (Tue, Jul 24 2007)
King is my amazing Maine Coon. I just found out today he has FIV and has just a few days to live, if that. I was given the option to euthenize [euthanize] him today, but could not do it. I have brought him home, and hope that he can have a few days in peace before he goes. [more..]
my heart - by cathy mcalister - (Tue, Jul 24 2007)
i found out this morning that 17 cats, even little babies, had to be euthanized. my body went week and i was in shock: i think i still am. [more..]
sick Puppy - by Katie - (Mon, Jul 23 2007)
We got our puppy and he was 6 weeks old. he was a healthy puppy when we got him then we had found out my mom had ovarian cancer. Well while we were gone to chemo for my mom we were called by the person who was caring for our dog that he was not doing well. [more..]
My Gizmo - by Sarah - (Sun, Jul 22 2007)
I begin my story with my new puppy Gizmo! I got him when he was 5 weeks old. He got two shots the day before I purchased him. He was a full-blooded schnauzer. A week after I got him I took him for his first puppy check-up. I was so excited! I was told that he had a little skin rash and a little case of the worms. This was all supposed to be cureable. Well, I took my puppy home and gave him his medicine and he seemed fine. [more..]
my dog died from distemper - by Zoe - (Fri, Jul 13 2007)
I got a gift of a female 6 week old yorkshire terrier miniature. I had it 11 days and then spotted diarrhea and vomit in her box. I was worried but thought it was a bug that would pass soon.The next day it was as bad she wasnt eating or drinking so i took her to the vet. [more..]
My friend Pookie passed away today - by Christina - (Tue, Jul 03 2007)
My kitty passed away today. The feline leukemia virus in her blood was too much for her furry little body to handle. I could sense something was wrong for a while, ever since she stopped being so spunky and was instead more sleepy. [more..]
My tomb raider - by Lee - (Tue, Jul 03 2007)
Lara is 6 & 1/2 years old a german shepard crossed with a collie. last week wednesday she was very pale,walking slowly,hardly eating. when i fed her she used her paw and pushed my hand away,i knew soemthing was wrong. [more..]
Smokey The King - by John - (Mon, Jul 02 2007)
Smokey was an American Short Haired Tudexo Cat. He was brilliant and really laid back. He loved humans, but didn’t care for other cats. The entire time he was alive, we never saw another cat in our neighorhood. [more..]
My baby Dylan has FIP - by Val - (Mon, Jul 02 2007)
My partner and I adopted Dylan September 2006. We fell in love with him when we first saw him, and we knew he would be a good sibling for my cat Bronx (female). [more..]
Nikole - by Jennifer - (Mon, Jul 02 2007)
The first dog I ever had was a pitbull and boxer mix. I loved her so much. She went every where with me, and was my best friend for 3 years. I had an ex-boyfriend who chewed tobacco. [more..]

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