Lost my fur kid this morning......

[Lakedog]

My old lab Coal passed this morning. Something happened during the night - he was breathing but unresponsive when I woke early this morning. Although I thought I was prepared for this time due to his age (15+ yrs), I guess you really can't be prepared.

Coal was a great companion. Being a former detection dog, I did not have him as a pup but he was my constant companion for almost 10 years. This one seems to hurt a bit more than with my previous lab (which I had from a pup until death at over 13 yrs), probably due to Coal being with me 24/7 as I was already retired when I brought him home. He traveled the country with me throughout the years and adapted readily to whatever I threw at him (RVs, boats, kayaks, paddle boards, long hikes, etc).

Dogs are great comfort..... but so tough to lose them.

 

[pacergal]

So sorry for the loss. Our fur babies always hold a special place in our hearts!

 

[Dreamer]

I am very sorry for your loss. It is so very hard when we lose our fur babies. They give us unconditional love. I am sure that you have priceless memories. Hugs.

 

[powerplay]

Sorry for your loss. He was a beautiful dog.

 

[daylatedollarshort]

So sorry to hear about Coal's passing. Our dog is also with us almost 24 X 7 and he is getting pretty gray so we're cherishing whatever time we have left with him.

 

[splitwdw]

So sorry for your loss. I cry more for the animals than the people.

 

[4legsgood]

So sorry you lost your friend. Sounds like you gave him a super retirement!

 

[MissMolly]

So very sorry. This is so sad to hear and I know how hard it is to deal with.
((((HUGS))))

 

[travelover]

It is akin to losing a family member. My sympathies, as our pup is 12 and every new day is appreciated.

 

[Nemo2]

Bummer. Lost my Border 15 1/2 years ago - still miss him.

 

[Mo Money]

Been there. One pug put down in 2016. Another is 15 and frail. But I would not trade my time with them for anything.

Hang in there.

 

[RAE]

Very sorry to hear this. Sounds like you gave him a great life. My yellow lab Toby is now nearly 13, and still hanging in there. He goes everywhere with us, as your pal Coal did with you. I hope to have him at least a few more years.

 

[Dawg52]

Lakedog I am so sorry for your loss. It really hurts losing a good friend. You can take pride in knowing you gave him a great life.

 

[UnrealizedPotential]

I'm sorry for your loss. I've been there. I know it's hard, and you're right, no one is ever really prepared. You just hang in there and do the best you can.

 

[samclem]

Best wishes in the coming days, it's tough. It sounds like he had a great life, and added a lot of joy to yours. I think that's all they ask for.

I have often thought of the final cause of dogs having such short lives and I am quite satisfied it is in compassion to the human race; for if we suffer so much in losing a dog after an acquaintance of ten or twelve years, what would it be if they were to live double that time?

Sir Walter Scott

 

[MRG]

I'm sorry. Dogs are like people only better.

 

[Ginny]

We have 2 dogs that are 12, one a black (and now grey lab). I dread the day.

Have you read the Rainbow bridge poem? It will make you cry.
http://furryfriendzy.org/PDFs/RainbowBridge.pdf

I have had a lot of dogs, so I bet there will be a pack waiting for me WHEN I get to heaven.

 

[KB]

I'm so sorry about the loss of your dog.

I lost one of my dogs a couple of months and it still makes me so sad. However, I just got a new puppy two weeks ago and that helps a lot. My other dog loves the puppy too, and she seems much happier now.

 

[kcowan]

Lost 2 cats and a dog: 18, 16 and 14. Still think of them fondly with a smile and a tear. My sympathy to you. Remember the joy!

 

[grasshopper]

Best friends are hard to lose, I know I have lost a few. We are adopting more senior critters, but that's not working. We took in a 16 yo cat whose guardian had died. That cat is now 22.

 

[Red Badger]

I'm sorry. Dogs are like people only better.

+1.

Years ago, I was listening to a talk show (I know ) where the host had lost his fur kid and folks were calling in with stories, condolences, etc.

Anyway, this young kid calls in.... He'd lost his fur brother. He told the talk show host that his gramps explained why dogs don't live very long. Gramps told the kid, "dogs don't live very long because they don't have to learn how to be nice."

Yeah, brought tears to my eyes.

(My moniker here is my ~11 YO adopted peke. Best. Friend. Ever. Not sure who adopted who?)

[hugs] and condolences, lakedog

 

[steady saver]

What a beautiful dog Coal was. And what a special relationship you must have had with him. We lost both our cats this past year and I still feel like I see one of them passing by out of the corner of my eye now and then...My sweet dog turns 13 next month and I cherish each day with that good friend.

 

[Lakedog]

Thanks everyone for the thoughts and condolences. Being single, I guess I may become overly attached to my pups. Coal had not spent a single night away from me during the almost ten years. I know from losing my previous lab (Smokes) that it takes time for the pain to ease a bit.

 

[Teacher Terry]

It is so painful to lose a pet. We lost 2 dogs last summer and our big dog is 12 and having problems walking. We also have a 14 yo Maltese and a year old one. One reason I got the puppy is because with the 4 dogs being old I figured it would help with the losses and it did. I have a friend that goes right to the humane society to adopt when she loses a dog. Even though she is sad she wants to pay the love forward with helping another dog.

 

[kimcdougc]

Lakedog, I am so sorry for your loss of your precious friend and companion. I had never been a dog lover until we rescued our current black lab named Pepper. She is our companion and best friend on our travels and our daily life. Remember all the good times. Keep them in your heart and know you made your precious dogs life so worth living.