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Thread: The Day After

  1. #1
    Senior Dog MontananDakota's Avatar
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    The Day After

    I hope its ok to have started a new thread. Today is the first of everything without him and I am fighting my way through this. I have the cry hangover-swollen eyes |headache and my stomach is just messed up. My eyes burn with every attempt to hold back another round of crying.
    Dakota has been jockeying for position with Montana at the dinner & breakfast table for all of her life. They were never the lovey dovey pair, she mostly tolerated his attempts to steal my attention, but she is clearly upset and not just out of balance, but missing him. She stands near his bowls and looks at me ... For trips outside she just stands there looking at me. She smells his spots in the yard.
    He kissed my face and wagged in the office...he was happy. I cant remember if I told you all this or not-my mind is crazy now but I took him to the park yesterday. Gave him blueberry muffins & sang happy birthday to him since he will not be here for his 12th birthday in April. He ate all 6 muffins and tried to eat the wrappers too (that was probably the prednisone but I Was happy to see him eat with gusto as always). I asked him if he wanted a drink and to go to the stream. He got right in, I took a video :beautiful sweet handsome boy standing in his spot, cooling his legs, feeling the warmth of the sunshine & soft breeze blowing...I only stopped filming when I started to cry again.
    I have to say-his breathing in his last moments was perfect once again, no more strain from the sinus tumor. None at all, he breathed so calmly and peacefully and for that I was thankful. Montana gave me everything he had in him until his very last moments when he slipped away from this life and into the other-where there is no more pain. I felt him start to go-wild and free....

    And I am thankful for you guys here for being on this journey with us. My friends in real life-not many understand the bond. Its hard to be friends with someone who doesn't get this... anyway--my family does. Thank you though-so very much.

  2. The Following User Says Thank You to MontananDakota For This Useful Post:

    kelsyg (03-05-2016)

  3. #2
    Senior Dog Sue-Ram's Avatar
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    Thanks for sharing that. Very sorry.
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    Ram - Adopted @ 6 y/o - 7/18/2011 - 7/4/2019
    CGN - 6/10/2013


  4. #3
    Best Friend Retriever SoapySophie's Avatar
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    Big hugs to you - I'm so sorry. I feel your pain.
    Sophie: Born July 28, 2014
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  5. #4
    Senior Dog ChoppersDad's Avatar
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    I'm so very sorry. We get it. Losing your baby is so hard to deal with... God bless!

  6. #5
    Senior Dog smartrock's Avatar
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    Now we're crying along with you. Glad to know Montana's last day was joyful and peaceful.
    Sue

    Chase 9/29/2006- 6/30/2017 Always in our hearts
    Lark 12/25/2012- 2/2/22
    Henry 7/14/18
    Joey 5/14/2022

    “Because of the dog's joyfulness, our own is increased. It is no small gift. It is not the least reason why we should honor as well as love the dog of our own life, and the dog down the street, and all the dogs not yet born. What would the world be like without music or rivers or the green and tender grass? What would this world be like without dogs?”

    Mary Oliver, Hidden Content

  7. #6
    Senior Dog POPTOP's Avatar
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    Feel your pain of loss and tears are flowing. Thank you so much for sharing with us Montana's amazing life. Along with loving to hear about him, it helps you to express your feelings especially with a group of people who understand.

    Hugs to you
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    Kissing Bandit

  8. #7
    Senior Dog
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    It always amazes me when I hear someone indicate that they don't take advantage of our ability to make things as peaceful/pain free as possible for their four-legged family members. "Oh, I hope he just dies at home" is something I have heard so many times...and my utterances about pain or whatever fall on deaf ears.

    This board is definitely the place to be for anyone who cares about their pets...and cares about others who care about their pets.

    Montana had a wonderful last day...starting with being able to spend it with his favorite human and ending with the release from pain and fear.


  9. #8
    Senior Dog zd262's Avatar
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    This is a beautiful last memory, thank you for sharing it with us.
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    Bubba's instagram: @thebubbinator

  10. #9
    Best Friend Retriever outrag's Avatar
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    It sounds like Montana had a peaceful and serene last day. You are to be thanked for that as it is so much better than a chaotic emergency in the middle of the night with the dog writhing in pain, etc...

    Also, as you indicated, the members here truly do understand the pain this type of loss brings. That empathy can be hard to find with people in our daily lives...
    Griffin growing up!

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    Griffin Male Black Lab 03/14/16 -

    Yukon My Wonderful Yellow Lab 11/20/06 - 03/12/19 Will cherish the memories!!!!
    My Precious Tanner Boy 11/25/02 - 6/25/15 Will miss you always!!!!

  11. #10
    Senior Dog Snowshoe's Avatar
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    This is always the hardest time for me, after. I keep my stuff together when they are here, I don't want them to sense my distress and feel badly. Then I fall apart, I dream, little things set me off sometimes years later, I forget they're not here then reality hits and I fall apart again. And every time someone loses one of their own I remember the ones I lost. Memories last forever and they are welcome, even if they bring tears. Good boy Montana for the memories you leave with us all.
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    Castilleja's Dubhgall Oban, the Black Stranger of The Little Bay
    Oct. 15, 2007 - June 13, 2021
    Oxtongue Rapids Park. Oct. 2019 Hidden Content

  12. The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to Snowshoe For This Useful Post:

    MontananDakota (03-02-2016), ronmcq (03-04-2016)

 



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