Sheba, Our 12YO Lab-Shepherd, Had a Stroke

[Wiredawg]

So sad about this! Going to go hug our dog. Our son lost his wonderful yellow lab a few months ago. Just the worst thing to go through. Somehow it's almost worse in a different way than when people die.

You're exactly right, a pet can have a special relationship of unconditional love, precious innocence, and complete devotion. Sheba brought so much happiness to Vivian and I every day we had her. And to prove how intutive a pet can be, Cleo is grieving also, cues from Vivian and I, but also from her own personal loss of Sheba. Despite their age differences, they both played and had affection for each other, just like the did for us. Its very likely in a few weeks, we'll get another dog, not to replace Sheba, but to be a new family member. A few years ago, we lost Bella that had a huge affect on us and Sheba. There is no doubt that getting Cleo helped Sheba live a longer and happier life.

Grief and associated anxiety can have a serious impact on your health. On my second day with stress headache, got no sleep Tuesday and about 2 hours sleep Wednesday, even after taking sleep aid. It'll be another day or too before I can cycle down from this. Almost if not the same as losing a child.

Thanks for the thoughts and Cheers, Ron

 

[Blu-meanie]

I know exactly how you feel. I've been through this probably 18 times over 50 years of at least two dogs running around here. Each one broke my heart. Very sad. Things like this are hard for me to read about. I like dogs more than most people.

 

[BSeyler]

Ron,
Sorry to hear of your loss. Our veterinarian daughter lives in a small house here on the farm and had to put down our 16 year old mixed breed dog early last summer. Then, she had to do the same for both of her labs later in the year. They sure leave an empty hole. I'm glad you are able to look ahead to getting a new companion and hope it brings some joy. As Will Rogers famously said, "If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die, I want to go where they went."
Bud

 

[mwilson]

Ron, sorry for the loss of your dog...

It's rough, each time it happens the wife and I say "No more".....and then we rescue another one....

 

[Jim W]

Ron I am sorry for your loss! I know it is hard when you loose a pet they are just like family and sometimes better than family can be to you. They have unconditional love for you and your wife.

I know what it is like to put down a family pet unexpectedly and it hurts for a long time.

 

[BoeingDiesel]

Ron, I'm truly sorry for your loss and I know how it weighs on the family. I lost my best buddy border collie, Chriisy Girl, and till' this day I miss her setting in front of me with that look of unconditional love, the lick on the cheek, and the out streached paw. I truly believe that dogs were put on this earth as a companion to mankind.
Blessings to you and your family
gregg

 

[bcbender]

I like dogs more than most people.

I couldn't agree more....

I wish you well.,, takes awhile for the wounds of the heart to heal........

 

[RUSSELL5000]

Ron, I am so sorry for your loss. I have always had dogs, and understand.

It is only my opinion, but I do not think it is just chance that Dog is God spelled backwards.

 

[VLopresti]

So sorry for your loss.....keeping you and your family in my thoughts and prayers...

 

[Wiredawg]

Sheba's grave stone came in today... gonna put it up Friday or Saturday, depending on the weather.

Played fetch with Cleo today total 3 non-consecutive hours... nothing like the love of a dog to make things better. Anxiety headache almost gone.

Thanks, Ron

 

[DavidC]

Very nice Ron, I'm sure Sheba approves.

 

[crispyboy]

So sorry for your loss. When my first border collie died at the age of 16 years it took us over 1.5 years to get another dog. Our new border collie is wonderful in so many ways but I often think about the 1st one.

 

[Tuesdak]

Cleo needs their 'service human' as well. I am sure the 3 hours of fetch helped.

I have learned the worst thing we ever did was wait (way too long) to get another dog. With that we got a couple of rescues in 2011. Terriers they said. (One 4 YO and the other 8 months.) No, No, one wasn't. All white and 15 pounds of pure "NUTS" even by Marine standards. Yeah, figured out he is a 8 month old high energy all white Jack Russell. The Energizer Bunny would be a "squeak toy" to him and after an hour I would have to return the parts, the ones I could find that is, in a diplomatic bag for a refund. The other dog was a mutt 20 lbs and she needed a little rehab. 6 years later her immune system turned on her red blood cells. Gave a transfusion a try and it didn't help.

The Jack Russell took the loss very badly. So we let him sleep on the foot of the bed now and that helped. Always had just one dog prior and never seen how bad the other dog's grief was before.

Then we got a Giant Newfoundland about 3 months later, also a rescue. "Does this truck make this Giant Dog look small?" Anyway they are best friends now. Dogs really don't have a concept of their size. Another dog sure cheered the Jack Russell up. He waits for her to finish eating before he starts eating...

 

[Christopherwin]

Ron, so sorry for your loss. Google “A dogs purpose (from a six year old)”

 

[Mark31]

For you fellow animal lovers. As Paul Harvey might say: "Tomorrow, I'll share Page 2."

 

[Mark31]

https://stacywestfall.com/how-do-you-get-over-the-grief-of-losing-your-beloved-horses/ #1 If you don't want to read the whole story, look at Roxy's tombstone--the reason for these 2 posts. #2 We need to remember who animals really belong to---the One who breathed life into them and gave them to us to enjoy for a time. #3 A God-fearing man from my town, Mr Bundy Rogers, came home to find his house burned to the ground. His first words were from Job1:21. "The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord."

 

[Wiredawg]

Friends,

Yesterday, DW pulled some information out from our calendar that showed Sheba passed away exactly 12 years to the day since we got her. Brought a whole bunch of tears, both sadness and joy. My BIL and neice were so grief stricken that they weren't able to respond until they came over Saturday following her passing. She was our family greeter, welcoming everyone with true affection. We are better for having and loving her. Here's some pics of her when she adopted US.

Wonderful posts of support, pet stories, and happy memories. Sheba's Vet since a few days after adopting her apologized for not being able to save her and I thanked him and his tech for the great care and caring.

I pray that I can be so loving, so energetic, and so full of life right up to the end. just like my Sheba.

Cheers My Friends! Ron

 

[SnoKing]

For you fellow animal lovers. As Paul Harvey might say: "Tomorrow, I'll share Page 2."

We are in the 7 season of watching, well binging actually, the Netflix series Heartland, which is centered around a Canadian horse ranch, Amy who becomes a horse whisper in her mothers foot steps and an extended family. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1094229/

Ron, sorry for your loss of Sheba.

 

[Wiredawg]

Friends,

Hard to not smile and get better with Cleo... her first snow.

9° here, so for SW TX, we're hunkered down. Just like when I was a kid, gonna hop in the Kowasaki Mule and play, til the cold gets the better of me.

Stay warm and Cheers, Ron

 

[BSeyler]

Our daughter says the worst part of being a vet is when she loses a patient, especially when she has to euthanize one. She always sends a sympathy card and her clients appreciate it - just a little gesture to help with their loss.