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Grief - My Precious Hound Is Gone...


Guest Alysmom

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Guest Alysmom

Hi --

 

I came here when I first adopted my precious Homer 7 1/2 years ago for greyhound advice. He became the most precious friend and companion, I cannot even begin to explain. He's been with me thru so much. We were like appendages of each other...always together.

 

He started panting a lot about a year ago. Many trips to the vet, x-rays, etc. I was told it wasnt his heart, lungs look clear, etc. "He's just getting old". The past couple of weeks, it got really bad. He was panting a lot day and night. We stepped up the vet visits - started on antibiotics, prednisone, etc. Nothing helped. Finally on Thursday I took him to a different vet. Long story short, sent on the next day (Friday) to a specialist, spent about six hours there going thru all the testing, etc. It came down to 95% or better accuracy he had lung cancer. The kind of carcenoma that grows like mold in the bronchials that you cannot see thru x-rays or ultra sounds. The defining moment was when the vet found tumors in his retinas. He said lung cancer always mastisizes in the brain or eyes. He had tumors in *both* eyes - big and significant. The specialist they consulted for the eyes said she was 95% sure it was cancer - slight thought it might be another very serious form of lung disease. The specialist told me that it was highly unlikely he would survive, regardless of what I did. He let me decide, but told me he thought putting him down was the best choice. I did. A piece of me died. I have a hound-sized hole in my heart. The clinic was great, the doctor compassionate, the room was darkened softly and quiet. Really, they did it right. My boy struggled, they had to sedate him first. He cried, I can still hear his final cries. He was sooooo sensitive - always cried for shots. I cannot lay down to sleep without hearing his final cries. He passed with his head in my lap and me kissing him over and over and telling him how much I love him. My final words to him was "Go find Aunt Phyllis" - my beloved aunt that died last year who loved him a lot. I toldl him to find her in heaven and wait for me.

 

My heart is so broken. I have a husband and a daughter and we have 4 cats, but it just isnt the same. Coming home to a house without him is scary, wierd and feels so wrong. I know with my brain I did the right thing. My heart feels like a betrayer. I miss my beloved hound so. I just need some advice from others. Hounds are sooooooo different than other dogs - almost human. I called him my hairy little boy in a dog suit.

 

I have tried to email the rescue group I got him from but havent heard anything back. I guess I just need some "hound people" to relate to.

 

Thanks for your time,

Julie

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I'm so very sorry for your loss. You've come to the right place. Many of us have all been through it, some several times. It's hard when the head and heart are not in sync. Just know that you did what you thought was best for your baby and that's all any of us can do. My heart goes out to you.

Judy, mom to Darth Vader, Bandita, And Angel

Forever in our hearts, DeeYoGee, Dani, Emmy, Andy, Heart, Saint, Valentino, Arrow, Gee, Bebe, Jilly Bean, Bullitt, Pistol, Junior, Sammie, Joey, Gizmo, Do Bee

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(((hugs))) I'm so sorry :(

gallery_12867_3348_20333.jpg
~Beth, with a crazy mixed crew of misfits.
~ Forever and Always missing and loving Steak, Carmen, Ivy, Isis, and Madi.
Don't cry because it's ended, Smile because it happened.
Before you judge me, try to keep an open mind, not everyone likes your taste.

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I am so very sorry for the Homer-sized hole in your heart. It is so hard to say "See you later" to such a good friend. Someone once told me that missing someone is a way of keeping them with us, even when they are not. I hope you can find some comfort in that, and trust that in time your sad tears will give way to smiles and happy tears as you are reminded of your special boy. I'm so sorry. :grouphug

 

Godspeed Homer, most-loved boy.

Old Dogs are the Best Dogs. :heartThank you, campers. Current enrollees:  Punkin. AnnIE Oooh M

Angels: Pal :heart. Segugio. Sorella (TPGIT). LadyBug. Zeke-aroni. MiMi Sizzle Pants. Gracie. Seamie :heart:brokenheart. (Foster)Sweet. Andy. PaddyALVIN!Mayhem. Bosco. Bruno. Dottie B. Trevor Double-Heart. Bea. Cletus, KLTO. Aiden 1-4.

:paw Upon reflection, our lives are often referenced in parts defined by the all-too-short lives of our dogs.

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Guest patterpaws

Oh no, I'm so so sorry. :( Homer sounds like a truly wonderful hound, and you two were so close. It is devastating to lose them so quickly. I really hope he is with your Aunt Phyllis now, out of pain. My deepest condolences to you. I hope you can find some comfort with your kitties and family. We are here for you too. :grouphug:f_pink

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I'm so sorry :cry1 :cry1

Kim and Bruce - with Rick (Rick Roufus 6/30/16) and missing my sweet greyhound Angels Rainey (LG's Rainey 10/4/2000 - 3/8/2011), Anubis (RJ's Saint Nick 12/25/2001 - 9/12/12) and Zeke (Hey Who Whiz It 4/6/2009 - 7/20/2020) and Larry (PTL Laroach 2/24/2007 - 8/2/2020) -- and Chester (Lab) (8/31/1990 - 5/3/2005), Captain (Schipperke) (10/12/1992 - 6/13/2005) and Remy (GSP) (?/?/1998 - 1/6/2005) at the bridge
"Always do sober what you said you'd do drunk. That will teach you to keep your mouth shut." -- Ernest Hemmingway

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Guest CFPWonder

I am so very sorry - I know that pain you're feeling. I lost my "heart-dog" to osteo in February.

There are just no words that are adequate, but know you've come to the right place for support.

Your story brought tears to my eyes - as our greyhounds are truly a unique breed.

 

Hugs to you as you grieve the loss of your precious boy.

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Guest Alysmom

Thank you so much -- all your comfort means more than I can say. I have been sitting here crying all weekend... I better get outside and try to stop for awhile. My eyes will be in bad shape for work tomorrow. I appreciate all your stories and support so very much. Cant....stop....crying.... This hurts soooooo bad. It's been two days, I haven't been able to stop.

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I'm so sorry for the loss of your beloved Homer. You are right, it is miserably hard to say goodbye to a hound, even when you know you must. Gentle hugs to yourself, and your husband and daughter.

 

Godspeed, sweet boy.

Star aka Starz Ovation (Ronco x Oneco Maggie*, litter #48538), Coco aka Low Key (Kiowa Mon Manny x Party Hardy, litter # 59881), and mom in Illinois
We miss Reko Batman (Trouper Zeke x Marque Louisiana), 11/15/95-6/29/06, Rocco the thistledown whippet, 04/29/93-10/14/08, Reko Zema (Mo Kick x Reko Princess), 8/16/98-4/18/10, the most beautiful girl in the whole USA, my good egg Joseph aka Won by a Nose (Oneco Cufflink x Buy Back), 09/22/2003-03/01/2013, and our gentle sweet Gidget (Digitizer, Dodgem by Design x Sobe Mulberry), 1/29/2006-11/22/2014, gone much too soon. Never forgetting CJC's Buckshot, 1/2/07-10/25/10.

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Julie - Sigh. I am so very sorry for your loss of Homer. It's so hard, isn't it?

 

I lost my heartdog two years ago - then lost three between December and May. Totally makes your heart hurt.

 

You did right by Homer. My heartdog had nasal cancer. Tumors in the head - not a good thing. You loved Homer enough to free him from the pain and not allow him to suffer further. You will see him again. Have faith. Be brave during these dark hours.

 

Hugs to you.

Edited by IndyandHollyluv
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I'm so sorry. I totally understand what you mean about hounds being different. I've had dogs all my life, but nothing hurt like losing my first hound - the furry love of my life - to Osteo in March. I was overwhelmed by how hard it hit me - harder than losing close relatives, even.

 

I still cry when I think or talk about him, but I think at some point I'll be able to focus on the good stuff. I hope you get there, too.

Valerie w/ Cash (CashforClunkers) & Lucy (Racing School Dropout)
Missing our gorgeous Miss
Diamond (Shorty's Diamond), sweet boy Gabe (Zared) and Holly (ByGollyItsHolly), who never made it home.

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Guest MyCody

My heart breaks for you, having had to say goodbye, see you again four times, I know how you are feeling. That was greys, not all the loving pets I've had in my lifetime. It never gets easy, remember the good times.

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I heart breaks for you. May you find peace and solace in knowing that you loved your Homer well and made the right decision for him.

Irene ~ Owned and Operated by Jenny (Jenny Rocks ~ 11/24/17) ~ JRo, Jenny from the Track

Lola (AMF Won't Forget ~ 04/29/15 -07/22/19) - My girl. I'll always love you.

Wendy (Lost Footing ~ 12/11/05 - 08/18/17) ~ Forever in our hearts. "I am yours, you are mine".

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Guest IrskasMom

Julie, a huge Hug for you and I am so sorry for your Loss. You came to the right Place . We just about all have been there and lost one of our Beloved Hounds. We understand your Pain . :f_red

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I'm so sorry you are without your Homer. Despite your pain, please know that you did what you had to do, not for you, but for him. That is the most selfless kind of love, and I know he felt that.

Wendy with Twiggy, fosterless while Twiggy's fighting the good fight, and Donnie & Aiden the kitties

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Guest DeniseL

Im so very very sorry. I know exactly how you feel. I went thru it last month, my love of 15 years. Like you, I cried for days. 3 non stop. But it does get better, and you will remember the wonderful, good times and those last moments in the vet will fade. My heart and head were definitely not on the same page. But it has gotten easier as the days go on. Blessings and love to you.

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I am so, so sorry for what you are going through. Just focus on the love you have for him and let yourself cry your eyes out. I, like so many other here, have walked in your shoes. It is so very hard and you have loads of others here who understand and send you caring thoughts. Hugs to you.

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So very sorry for the loss of your Homer.

:bighug

Remember the good times...

 

Nancy...Mom to Sid (Peteles Tiger), Kibo (112 Carlota Galgos) and Joshi.  Missing Casey, Gomer, Mona, Penelope, BillieJean, Bandit, Nixon (Starz Sammie),  Ruby (Watch Me Dash) Nigel (Nigel), and especially little Mario, waiting at the Bridge.

 

 

SKJ-summer.jpg.31e290e1b8b0d604d47a8be586ae7361.jpg

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Guest Liz_in_PA

Grief doesn't pass in a day. Please make sure that your daughter knows that grief will lessen as the days pass and that memories of joy will start to fight their way back through the blackness.

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