Devastating News about My Theo

5 years ago

Some of you may remember that we rescued Theo in early September, about five months after losing my nearly eighteen-year-old kitty, Kenzie. He brought such life to our home, and truly helped me begin to get over my grief.

Unbelievable, we've now just lost Theo. I can truly only barely type those words. I had taken him for his usual walk in the park near our house, a loop of about 3 miles, which we did pretty much every morning. We were about twenty minutes into our walk, having a wonderful time. It was a clear, sunny day, about 45 degrees -just beautiful. He noticed a group of three ducks about fifteen feet off the trail and I let him lead me off the trail 3 or 4 feet to get a better look. He glimpsed back at me with such a happy smile. And then I turned him slights, said, "Okay, let's go," and he turned to step back onto the trail. Before he could get his foot on the trail, he collapsed, screaming in pain. The loudest screaming I've ever heard from a dog. It went on for a minute, and people came running to find out what was wrong. I was frantically searching him all over, trying to find out what was hurting him, but couldn't find anything. Finally, he stopped, and seemed ok. He was laying on the ground at the point with his front half kind of erect. After a few minutes, he tried to get up, and it was then that I realized his hind legs seemed completely paralyzed, just dangling uselessly under him. I immediately thought he must have injured his back (we knew he had an old injury on his lower back, which we'd treated with steroid when we first got him). I settled him, petting him and calming him, and called my husband to bring our wheelbarrow in the car so that we could rush him to the vet. About 5-7 minutes later, he attempted to rise again (because a man had stopped to offer help, and Theo is a little afraid of men), and this time he stood on his hind legs, quite normally. I was shocked, and the women helping me and I decided to try to lead him to where my husband was bringing the car. He walked, slowly, but not alarming slowly, quite normally really. Still thinking it was a back issue, this seemed in keeping, because I suffer back pain myself, and unpinching something can suddenly make you mobile. He walked roughly 500 feet, when I decided to call our oldest daughter who is a veterinarian out of state to find out if I should encourage him to walk to the car, or would it be better to lift him into the wheelbarrow. Almost immediately after I got her on the phone, he suddenly sat down and began frantically digging with his teeth and nose all over his hind end, and then within a few seconds, kind of threw his body down so he was laying prone on his left side. His two front legs suddenly shot out straight and rigid in the air. Of course, I was completely frantic at this point. I instinctively put my palm on his chest and felt his heart beat 4 or 5 times. And then it just stopped. His heart just stopped. My beloved boy, not quite two years old, died in my arms....

The vet says her best guess is that he threw a blood clot. It was probably in the groin area when he first started screaming, and then traveled, which gave him relief, until it hit his heart. If it was a blood clot, there would had to have been an underlying cause, such as an undiagnosed heart condition. I'd always been concerned about his low energy for such a young dog, and we had pursued a certain amount of testing, but nothing had ever shown up except the back issue, which we felt might explain his quiet nature.

Our boy had come so far, from a shy, fearful guy to a fun loving devoted companion. He was my shadow, never more than two feet away, and delirious to see us every morning. I don't understand why this had to happen.

Featured Answer

Ally De

5 years ago

I was thinking about you this morning and wondered how you were doing.

Sounds like the poor boy had a congenital condition. Whatever happened was not of your doing. He was destined for a short life. But because of you, he had a good life. He had a safe warm home and he knew he was loved. It's all any dog wants.

Every time I fall in love with a dog I know there is heartbreak waiting down the road. You go into it hoping for a decade or more....but one never really knows.

From one dog-lover to another, thank you for giving him the kind of life every dog dreams of. We don't get to choose when they go, all we can do is love them while we have them. Sounds like you did that exceptionally well.

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Comments (83)

jmck_nc
5 years ago
I am so sorry. No words, but you gave him a great life for the time he had. He knew he was loved.
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mtnrdredux_gw
5 years ago
What a wonderful dog. I'm so sorry, that sounds incredibly difficult. You did all you could.
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eandhl2
5 years ago
I am so sorry for your loss. I hope you find some comfort knowing you gave a rescue dog the love of a family.
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salonva
5 years ago
I am so sorry.
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rubyclaire
5 years ago
I am so sorry - what a heartbreaking experience and loss.
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Yayagal
5 years ago
There are no words, my heart goes out to you and your family. Know that your boy is at peace and you gave him all your love. God bless you.
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aok27502
5 years ago
(((Theo's family)))

He was a beautiful boy. I'm so sorry.
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beaglesdoitbetter
5 years ago
I am so so sorry. There are no words. He was such a beautiful dog.
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User
5 years ago
I am so sorry. Thank goodness he had y'all. You made his life happy.
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Springroz
5 years ago
My heart is broken for you. ((Hugs)) There is an angel child up there with her new best bud, Theo.
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westsider40
5 years ago
Theo was so adorable and he was certainly adoring and adored. I am so sorry for your loss.
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Funkyart
5 years ago
I am so sorry for your loss.. so devastating.
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1929Spanish-GW
5 years ago
I'm so sorry....we're grieving a similar loss so I know how shattered you are. Sending hugs.
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jrb451
5 years ago
So very sorry this happened to Theo. I witnessed something very similar happen to our dog 10 years ago.
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Bestyears
Original Author
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
Thank you all so much for your messages. I woke up this morning, the second morning I've woken up since Theo's death, and realized the shock is beginning to wear off, and instead I'm facing the realization that this is permanent. My two young adult kids have been incredibly kind, just instantly left their home and made work arrangements, and drove here, along with their two dogs. Their presence, with all of its kindness, energy and distraction, is the only thing getting me through right now. They've offered to leave the two dogs for a week or two, which I think will help keep me from completely plunging into despair. I know so many of you who have responded here have suffered similar losses, and I'm sorry for you too... this just stinks.
carolb_w_fl_coastal_9b
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
Oh I'm so sorry for your loss!

What you described does seem very similar to what happened to our little elderly cat. The vet warned us that the clot would not be the first and could travel to the heart, and recommended euthanasia because of that. She told us they are horribly painful to the animal.

FWIW, the emergency vet had a sign on their wall that said we must face up to the sad reality that we usually outlive our pets, and we must learn to fully appreciate the short time we have.
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texanjana
5 years ago
I’m so very sorry. What a terrible, traumatic experience for you. Sending comfort and strength.
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maire_cate
5 years ago
I am so sorry this happened, it is indeed a sad but thankful that your children came so quickly.
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3katz4me
5 years ago
Every time we lose one of our cats it is so difficult. We have to remind ourselves all the joy they bring to our lives far outweighs the pain of losing them. We have never had just one pet so when we lose one there are always one or two more around for us to shower with love. I can't imagine the void in your life when you have one pet that is suddenly gone. It is all so hard.
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User
5 years ago
We got our MinPin in March of 2013. Our lab died of old age in Sept of 2012. We thought he would be around for a long time as he was only 11 months when we adopted. He had a massive seizure Christmas morning 2016 at 1AM and died 6 days later in spite of everything we did. My husband said later that he wished he had just passed the first time. It had to be congenital. He had not been sick at all.

I do not regret getting him from the pound. He was a very special dog, just as Theo was.
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Bonnie
5 years ago
So very sorry about the loss of your precious Theo. Brought tears to my eyes. How awful for you.
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mojomom
5 years ago
So sorry. I read this last night and couldn't even respond then. Years ago we lost a pup suddenly like that and it really is a crushing blow. You're in my heart and thoughts.
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blfenton
5 years ago
I am so sorry for Theo and for you. ((((hugs))))
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neetsiepie
5 years ago
My heart breaks for you.
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pudgeder
5 years ago
Theo had a good life with you. I am sorry it was cut short.

((hugs))
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daisychain Zn3b
5 years ago
I'm so sorry for your traumatic loss. It's nice you have family you can lean on. (((hugs)))
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whistle_gw
5 years ago
I am sooooo sorry.
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Bluebell66
5 years ago
How traumatic. Theo was such a beautiful dog. I’m so sorry.

Condolences, too, to cat_mom. I’m sorry for your loss, also.
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jill302
5 years ago
So so sorry, very heartbreaking. Thankful he was able to spend much of his short life with you and your family.
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Bethpen
5 years ago
Bestyears, I'm so very sorry the loss of your beloved Theo. I can't imagine how awful it must have been for you. My thoughts are with you tonight.
raphaellathespanishwaterdog
5 years ago
So sorry for the loss of your beautiful boy, Theo. (((Hugs)))
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just_terrilynn
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
What a sad and traumatic turn of events. I’m so very sorry! You gave Theo a very good life full of love and that is what should be remembered. His pain was short and he passed knowing your love. You gave him much happiness.
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User
5 years ago
Oh my goodness! I can't imagine how horrific seeing that must have been and now the pain of him not being here. I am so sorry!!
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User
5 years ago
I'm so tremendously sorry...do what you need to do for yourself now...whatever that is.
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yeonassky
5 years ago
My message has disappeared. Hopefully I didn't say something wrong.

((((((Bestyears))))))

Just wanted to express my sorrow that you lost your Theo. I'm relieved that you have your family around you being supportive.
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ravencajun Zone 8b TX
5 years ago
Oh my goodness how terrible. I am in tears reading this tragedy. I can't even imagine how badly your heart is aching. I would be useless crying and hurting. My deepest sympathy for you and your family. I had one of my Great Danes die suddenly totally unexpected, the picture of health. My vet said it had to be something immediate and catastrophic, stroke, heart attack, blood clot or aneurysm would all fit in that category. I thought I was going to die of sadness of loss. I know how much it hurts the heart. Big hugs. Remember the good times. Visiting petloss.com can help. There's a candle ceremony.
Annie Deighnaugh
5 years ago
I'm so sorry. Sending you comfort and condolences in your time of grief for your sudden loss.
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westsider40
5 years ago
My message disappeared too. I am so sorry for your loss. Theo was an adorable sweetie pie. .
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lascatx
5 years ago
I am so sorry for your loss. I cannot read this or respond without reflecting back on my own pet losses or looking across the room at my 13 yr old lab. Theo was adorable and probably enjoyed the best months of his life with you -- what a gift you shared with him! Witnessing his pain had to be traumatic, but know that even if it happened in a vet's office, there might have been nothing that could have saved him. But you gave him love and walks and ducks and he wasn't alone in a kennel at a shelter. You DID help him.
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Bestyears
Original Author
5 years ago
Thank you all again so much. The kids left this morning but left their dogs here. I'm just going to have to find a way to move on with all this sadness. I just can't believe I've lost my Thee-Thee....
User
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
Bestyears, it’s obvious that like many of us, you love your dogs with all your heart and that you still have a lot of that love to give. With as painful as these two losses have been, I’m hopeful that when the time is right for you, you will be able to open your heart to another dog in need of a loving home.
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Rita / Bring Back Sophie 4 Real
5 years ago
Oh, Bestyears, I am so sorry to hear this terrible news. I cannot imagine how traumatic this was for you. Beloved pets leave big, gaping holes in our hearts when they leave. When the time is right, I am sure there will be another puppy waiting to join your loving family. He won't replace Theo, of course, but he will bring his own brand of joy and happiness to the mix.
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robo (z6a)
5 years ago
That is so terrible to lose your companion at such a young age and so suddenly :( my condolences on your loss.
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Sandplum1
5 years ago
Bestyears, I'm so very sorry for the loss of your sweet Theo. I wish you had more time with him, but find comfort in knowing you made that short time very happy for him and he felt the love you gave him.
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nini804
5 years ago
I just saw this...my heart is broken for you. What a horrible thing for you to have to go through. (((Hugs)))
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lascatx
5 years ago
Thinking about you this morning.
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arkansas girl
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
Will there be any sort of an "autopsy" to see just what happened? This is so scary that something like this could happen to, essentially, a puppy! I'd wonder if perhaps he could have swallowed a sharp object...I know that some dogs can be little Hoovers!
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Bestyears
Original Author
5 years ago
arkansas girl -we opted not to go with an autopsy. Initially, I was determined to get to the bottom of this, but it would have been $850, and it wouldn't have brought our boy back.... I don't think it could have been something sharp simply because he showed not a single second of discomfort, and he was running and jumping all per usual, literally until the second he collapsed.
arkansas girl
5 years ago
I was thinking that it would be probably cost prohibitive! Love your update thread and good luck with finding the prefect dog to rescue!
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