Losing an older litter mate - any suggestions for helping my poor boy cope?

[Kyrabee]

I had two beagle litter mates. Peanut went first from heart failure and I was very worried about Turbo because they basically had never been apart. I took Peanut to the vet so she never came home. Amazingly, Turbo did not seem upset at all. He ate well was happy to go for walks and actually perked up some. I suppose he knew how sick Peanut was?

Alas, he wasn’t with me long after she was gone. She died from heart failure and he had had a murmur for years. So, not wanting that insidious disease creep up on him, I had an echocardiogram done on him. We added enalapril and he seemed to do fabulously.
I had a lot of time wrapped up in getting Peanut diagnosed and attempting to treat her but she was very treatment resistant and the decision was made to euthanize. He was doing very well on his enalapril so I decided to get his nasty teeth cleaned. Alas, he had an aggressive fibrosarcoma covering the entire posterior roof of his mouth. Within 2-3 weeks post diagnosis, it was invading his nasal cavity. So, 10 weeks after Peanut died, Turbo was gone too:grief:.

I guess bottom line…emotionally, he did not seem to miss Peanut. He didn’t look for her or seem to grieve for her. He was a blissfully, stupidly happy dog. But, his time was short too. Bummer for me. They were about 13 1/2 years old.

I will not ever get litter mates again.

So sorry for your impending loss. Just keep an eye on Smokey. He may be fine. Hopefully between the cat and family, you can keep him on an even keel.

Susan

[KnKShowmom]

Our wonderful equine vet has agreed to come to the farm on Friday morning - this is not only comfort for DD who really likes her but will be for Maggie too as it is the same vet who does her acupuncture and Maggie adores her.

DD sees that her Maggie is “gone” and this is the right thing to do, but it is tearing her up as Maggie is her first dog - I told her she should stay with her while the vet sedates her and then say her good byes and leave for the final injection. Thankfully this will be over before she has to go back to school on Monday.

Now as long as the winter weather in NY doesn’t delay my husband getting home so he can prepare the final resting spot…

[Zu_Zu]

Just ((hugs)) for all ~

just ((hugs)) for all ~

[BellaLuna]

I’m thinking of you today.

[vxf111]

hugs

[JanM]

Hugs.

[KnKShowmom]

Thank you all for your thoughts yesterday - last week was probably the longest of my life. I knew we were doing the only thing that was right but it didn’t make it any easier. Thursday was especially hard because, for the first time ever, Maggie didn’t want to go to the barn and really wasn’t eating much - I did bring home a banana at lunch which she happily ate and fixed her some salmon for dinner but she ate that on her bed while I held the bowl. I fixed their banana bread and while she enjoyed eating it, she just wasn’t the same.

Friday morning she wouldn’t eat anything at all and wouldn’t take her pain meds so I was thankful when the vet arrived around 10:30. We had planned on doing this in the barn because Maggie loved it there but it was too cold so we just let her lay on her bed in the den. DD stayed with Maggie until she was asleep and then went to her room for the final injection. I sat with Smokey nearby until Maggie was gone and when I let him see the body, he laid down next to her. He walked out with us when we took the body to the truck and then whined a bit when we went back inside but once DD came out of her room he quieted down.

After I came back from taking the body to be cremated, DD and I took Smokey for ride and when he came back he was quiet, ate his dinner later and then slept through the night. Today we took him to Petsmart, which he seemed to enjoy and went by my office. He was happy so sleep while I did some work so I am hopeful my plan for next week will work out.

The house seems empty and the barn is lonely without my buddy but I hope Smokey will start coming down more - the barn really isn’t his thing but he did sleep on Maggie’s bed in the feed room while I fed this morning. Our cat, who was Maggie’s barn buddy, was walking around calling tonight while I was feeding - she and Maggie were a mouse’s worst nightmare and I am sad for her too.

Thank you all for your thoughts and encouraging words. Many of us can say we have had that one special dog - my family has been blessed with two who gave us love, comfort, companionship and laughter which we will always be grateful for - RIP sweet Maggie, you were the best and we will miss you more than you can know.

[shea_smom]

Hugs. So very sorry.

[Zu_Zu]

Thoughts and prayer and tears and ((hugs)) for the family Maggie leaves behind ~

Thoughts and prayers and tears and ((hugs)) for the family Maggie leaves behind ~ house and barn ~ :sadsmile:[I]

RIP ~ beloved Maggie ~ knowing you will always be loved and remembered ~

I’m So sorry for the heartbreak ~ [/I]

[KnKShowmom]

Just a quick update -

It has been a week without Maggie and I have been so proud of Smokey - I can see he is sad/quiet at home but has been enjoying his outings. Most of all I am so proud of what a good citizen he has been at work. I took one of the beds to the office and he basically spends the day sleeping next to me while I work. Everyone has been very kind to him and I think he really enjoys it. The first day he followed me whenever I got out of my chair but by Thursday he let me leave my room and waited on his bed for me to return.

For the first couple of days we were only there until after lunch but Thursday we stayed until 4 and he did fine so this is a huge relief. He has also stayed in the house by himself while I was spreading the manure and I didn’t hear him barking or howling so that is a good step in the right direction. Not sure I will be able to leave him home alone for a while but truthfully, I am enjoying his company as much as he is.

I think keeping Smokey happy has been good for DD too - she really misses Maggie but knows that she would never have been able to deal with the 10" of snow we just got. We are grateful for the warm fall/winter we have had this year, it probably bought us a bit more time than we should have had but we are glad that we planned things the way we did.

Thank you all again for you kind words and messages - we will okay in time and are appreciating whatever time we have left with Smokey.

[Zu_Zu]

Continuing thoughts and prayers and ((hugs)) for All during this difficult transition.

Glad Smokey is pushing everyone along with his needs ~ and everyone is wrapping him up in extra ‘home love’ ~

Again ((hugs)) for ALL !

[KnKShowmom]

Thank you Zu Zu!

Even the cat has been giving Smokey some extra loving - it’s been very sweet.