Guest Allyson Posted December 7, 2014 Share Posted December 7, 2014 After becoming ill a week after his 11th birthday on October 14, we finally made the heart-breaking decision last night to put Gilby to sleep. It never gets easier. The only solace I have is that he is no longer in pain and unable to do anything that he loved. He also seemed to just let go last night when I held his face in my hands while the vet was doing the medical part. I feel like there was a moment of Gilby just finally getting the rest he so needed. Enough became enough of pills throughout the day, being sad and scared to take him outside because he was supposed to be on strict rest, and I was afraid he'd hurt himself more. Yesterday, the medication didn't work and Gilby was just pacing around the house, and like the initial episode that brought things on in the first place, would not lie down. This had started in the wee hours of the morning, and just went on and on. Additionally, he barked every now and then, but we'd try to figure out what he wanted and it was clear that it wasn't food, water, to go outside, etc. It was uncharacteristic of him to do this. We gave him a bit of prednisone, which had "worked" a bit before, but it did nothing. My husband finally noticed that Gilby seemed to look like he was melting when he was standing....his front legs were spread apart, his neck and head sunken down, and his back hollowed like you see with an old, uncared-for horse. His back end was weaker. We'd taken Gilby in the day before for his neurology check up, and regret it so much. He hated to ride in the car, was unstable and one of us had to hold him the entire way, and he was completely stressed. While at the vets, she pushed and poked around, and I think it just was so painful for him along with the stress. We should not have taken him in....we know better, but were "folllowing up" as recommended. I feel like I brought on the end. He did eat a tiny bit yesterday -- a couple of plain McDonald's hamburgers. We've never fed him this kind of thing, and he ate them with gusto. I think the barking was his way of letting us know that something was more wrong than IVDD or whatever. We'll never know. I just know that Gilby was a dog I could not have loved more. And I don't think that I've ever felt more loved by a dog. He was a true blessing and treasure to us. It's certainly hard right now and hard to know how to get through this. I know a lot of you "know." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4My2Greys Posted December 7, 2014 Share Posted December 7, 2014 I'm so sorry for your loss. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teri_d Posted December 7, 2014 Share Posted December 7, 2014 I'm so sorry .....the walk is truly never long enough Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ramonaghan Posted December 7, 2014 Share Posted December 7, 2014 I'm so sorry for the loss of your precious boy. Rest well, Gilby. Quote Rachel with littermates Doolin and Willa, boss cat Tootie, and feline squatters Crumpet and Fezziwig. Missing gentlemen kitties Mud, Henry, and Richard and our beautiful, feisty, silly Sweep. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
msnikkerdoodle Posted December 7, 2014 Share Posted December 7, 2014 I'm so sorry. Run free Gilby. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Allyson Posted December 7, 2014 Share Posted December 7, 2014 I'm so sorry .....the walk is truly never long enough Oh, you are not kidding. They are happy and healthy one minute, then it's over. I feel like I can't bear it again. I am sitting here like a crazy person with his two favorite toys and his coat on my lap. I keep seeing him at the end, and I hate that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beachbum1 Posted December 7, 2014 Share Posted December 7, 2014 So very sorry for your loss Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hawthorn Posted December 7, 2014 Share Posted December 7, 2014 I'm so sorry for your loss. Quote When a relationship of love is disrupted, the relationship does not cease. The love continues; therefore, the relationship continues. The work of grief is to reconcile and redeem life to a different love relationship. ~ W Scott Lineberry Always Greyhounds Home Boarding and Greyhounds With Love House Sitting Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnF Posted December 7, 2014 Share Posted December 7, 2014 Total sympathy with your loss, it never gets easier but we do get better at being able to help them out of pain and into the light at Rainbow Bridge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
45MPHK9 Posted December 7, 2014 Share Posted December 7, 2014 I'm so sorry for your loss. I wish you peace. Quote Tricia with Kyle, our senior mutt dog Always missing Murray Maldives, Bee Wiseman, River, Hopper, Kaia, and Holly Oaks Holly“You don't need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows.“ -Bob Dylan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
galgrey Posted December 7, 2014 Share Posted December 7, 2014 I'm so very sorry. I lost one less than 90 days ago and the grief is still very fresh. It gets better but we never stop loving or missing them. Quote Cynthia, & Cristiano, galgoAlways in my heart: Frostman Newdawn Frost, Keno Jet Action & Chloe (NGA racing name unknown), Irys (galgo), Hannah (weim), Cruz (galgo), & Carly CW Your Charming Princess http://www.greyhound-data.com/d?i=1018857 "It came to me that every time I lose a dog they take a piece of my heart with them. And every new dog who comes into my life, gifts me with a piece of their heart. If I live long enough, all the components of my heart will be dog, and I will become as generous and loving as they are." -- Unknown Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest elizabeth7418 Posted December 7, 2014 Share Posted December 7, 2014 I'm so sorry for your loss. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EllenEveBaz Posted December 7, 2014 Share Posted December 7, 2014 I am so sorry. And you are not a crazy person, you are grieving over the loss of a loved one. It seems impossible now, but eventually your pain over his death will be overtaken by loving memories of his life. Quote Ellen, with brindle Milo and the blonde ballerina, Gelsey remembering Eve, Baz, Scout, Romie, Nutmeg, and Jeter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MP_the4pack Posted December 7, 2014 Share Posted December 7, 2014 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Feisty49 Posted December 7, 2014 Share Posted December 7, 2014 I'm so sorry. Run free, sweet Gilby. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neighsayer Posted December 7, 2014 Share Posted December 7, 2014 Hugs! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robinw Posted December 7, 2014 Share Posted December 7, 2014 I'm so very sorry Quote Xavi the galgo and Peter the cat. Missing Iker the galgo ?-Feb.9/19, Treasure (USS Treasure) April 12/01-May 6/13, Phoenix (Hallo Top Son) Dec.14/99-June 4/11 and Loca (Reko Swahili) Oct.9/95 - June 1/09, Allen the boss cat, died late November, 2021, age 19. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbhounds Posted December 7, 2014 Share Posted December 7, 2014 I'm sorry it hurts so much--you released him from the burden of his ailing body it was the final unselfish act of love. Do not dwell over his death but, celebrate his life. He will always remain close to you within your heart. Please allow yourself to smile when remembering him-he would want you to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FiveRoooooers Posted December 7, 2014 Share Posted December 7, 2014 Gilby was so loved and boy did he know it. Don't ever, ever forget how much he loved you - he was simply returning the love you gave him. I am so very sorry for your loss. Missing someone is a way of keeping them with us, even when they are not. Quote Old Dogs are the Best Dogs. Thank you, campers. Current enrollees: Punkin. AnnIE Oooh M Angels: Pal . Segugio. Sorella (TPGIT). LadyBug. Zeke-aroni. MiMi Sizzle Pants. Gracie. Seamie . (Foster)Sweet. Andy. PaddyALVIN!Mayhem. Bosco. Bruno. Dottie B. Trevor Double-Heart. Bea. Cletus, KLTO. Aiden 1-4. Upon reflection, our lives are often referenced in parts defined by the all-too-short lives of our dogs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Remolacha Posted December 7, 2014 Share Posted December 7, 2014 I am so sorry, I wish I didn't know exactly how you feel Try not to dwell on the "if I had done this, or hadn't done that" You did what you thought was best for him at the time, that is all you can do. After awhile, you will stop seeing only his last few days and be able to remember all the good times. I lost my girl Charley just before Thanksgiving, so I am going through all of this too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Busderpuddle Posted December 7, 2014 Share Posted December 7, 2014 I am so sorry to hear about your loss of Gilby. May the happy memories overtake the sad ones quickly. Quote Karen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Allyson Posted December 7, 2014 Share Posted December 7, 2014 Hi all, thank you for your lovely words and support. It helps being in the company of others who love and have loved special Greyhounds. They are a soulful breed, unlike any other. I know that for dog lovers, any dog will burrow into our hearts, but there is something I can't explain about the love of a Greyhound. And, boy did my Gilby have my heart. Unfortunately, this is the price we must pay for loving our fur kids. I took a nap with our other Greyhound (who has never been apart from Gilby since we got her), and our little mutt, and just tried to think about the wonderful things about Gilby. Wasn't too successful at holding back the tears, and definitely going down the "should have, could have, wish we would have" path. But, the way his face felt in my hands, and the way he looked at me at one point, told me that the time was right. Again, thank you. I value your kindness and support. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
schultzlc Posted December 7, 2014 Share Posted December 7, 2014 I am very sorry for your loss. Quote Laura, mom to Luna (Boc's Duchess) and Nova (Atascocita Venus).Forever in my heart, Phantom (Tequila Nights) and Zippy (Iruska Monte). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DesiRayMom Posted December 7, 2014 Share Posted December 7, 2014 I'm so sorry.......doing what you know is best for someone you love beyond measure is truly heartbreaking. We've all been there done that. Quote Blessed is the person who has earned the love of an old dog. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hubcitypam Posted December 7, 2014 Share Posted December 7, 2014 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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