Had to put my 10 year old great dane mix Cole to sleep today

[dawnph]

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I had to put my 10 year old great dane mix Cole to sleep today. he had health issues all his life but we would get him some medication and he would be happy and well taken care of. his stomach flipped last sunday (also known as the bloat). he had overnight emergency surgery. he was doing great until early this afternoon. by the time my husband and i got him to the vet today he was in severe shock. his stomach flipped again and we had to put him down, i just think he had had enough. we loved him so much and God gave us 5 more days to love him. i am ok one minute , start crying the next. we have 3 other dogs and they know something is wrong, they will help us get through this. Cole lived with us for 10 years and we were very lucky to have him choose us. Cole was born with hip problems and couldn't run as well as he would have liked, but i know that he is running his heart out in heaven like he couldn't here on earth. mommy and daddy love you Cole!

[*LabLoverKEB*]

Oh, I am so sorry to hear about your dear Cole... he's in a better place now. :(

[Karen]

Bloat is such a heartbreaker, but at least you got those few extra days with him.

Cole is, I am quite sure, running beside my Gracie up there at the Rainbow Bridge, she was a 3/4 Great Dane, 1/4 Lab who loved to run like the wind.

[Ginger's Mom]

My heartfelt sympathy to you on the loss of Cole. Many of us understand what it is like to lose a furbaby (the alright one minute and crying the next). He was a lucky boy to have been so loved, and I am sure that he is smiling down at you with love in his eyes right now. Hugs to you and your family.

[lizbud]

I am very sorry for your loss. :( Rest In Peace Cole.

[luvofallhorses]

I'm so sorry for your loss. :( may he rest in peace.

[Sudilar]

I am so sorry for your great loss of Cole. Bloat is so devastating.
I am glad Cole had a wonderful ten years with you. Hugs to you and your family.

[Daisy and Delilah]

Cole was very loved by you while he was on this earth. You gave him a wonderful life. My heart breaks for you. Rest in Peace Cole and play hard at the bridge :( (((((HUGS)))))

[dawnph]

:( thank you all for your support. last night was so quiet, too quiet. no snoring, Cole snored louder than my husband. Cole was also a sleep runner, he slept facing the wall and his feet click clacked all night on the wall while he was running in his sleep. then he would get up in the middle of the night flapping his ears and run around on the hard wood floors click clacking until i got up to let him out for a tinkle. the house is so quiet this morning, my other 3 dogs are very mellow today. our neighbors have a great dane that looks just like Cole and my little boxer girl Roxie keeps going up to the fence and crying, she thinks Cole is next door and wonders why he is ignoring her and not coming home. this is so hard.

[anna_66]

How heartbreaking:(

I know how devistating bloat is (my Keisha died from the same thing about 5 years ago). I'm just glad to hear that you had those 5 extra days with him.

R.I.P. Cole

Many {{{hugs}}}
Anna

[Dorothy39]

I feel your heavy heart. Poor Roxie :(

Even though Cole was 10 years old,(in dog years that is) losing him is so much like losing a part of your own body.

When a beloved Pet dies, we have to adapt to sudden and unexpected change, and the work that our grief requires of us-- is so demanding of our attentiveness. We have to tend to our daily lives, that are not at all the same anymore. We have to witness the grieving of others who share our loss, as you have mentioned with the solemn emotions displayed by the other dogs. I am so very , very sorry that you too must strive to make it through this transition.

The photo of Cole brought tears to my eyes, because I dearly love animals, especially DOGS!!!! Keep a part of him alive for yourself, forever. He is actually a part of you anyway. He did not really die---- completely. He left you something valuable that you can always tap onto for your personal source of courage, tenderness, knowledge and above all, your place of origin.

Remember your beloved Cole in this way for the rest of your life!!!! And, you will love another dog, I promise you that.

Rest In Peace COLE!!!

[dawnph]

:( this is still so hard. i have been Coles mom for 10 years. he had various medical problems, nothing serious til he got sick a week ago. but everyday he got his pills twice a day, ears cleaned, cleaned his face and head cause he drooled like crazy ,made sure back legs were ok (he was born with no hip joints) but could still run like the wind with a stumble now and then. a large part of my life was spent caring for him ,now this has all come to a screeching halt. i feel like i lost my identity. i have 3 other furbabies Sally, Argyle and Roxie. i love them to death but i feel so lost.

[shihtzulover850]

Awwww what a beautiful boy! I am sorry for your loss! Rest in Peace Cole!

[Dorothy39]

Oh yes, yes , yes,

You do feel lost indeed. Cole's picture really hit me hard. He was born with no hip joints? Oh my goodness. You have been a savior for this dog. You tended to his every need, and now, that he is gone, you feel so displaced.

Cole reached the end of his rope. And I am so sorry that you must tend to your daily life , without him . I especially feel your anguish during this tender time. His snoring, his wild runs during sleep, the sound of his toes on your hardwood floors, his presense in your life, all have come to a halt.


This is hard for me to type, okay?

You have touched upon my own "displacement", with Coles' story.

I will continue to find your thread, and look at Cole over and over for atonement. You were there for Cole, God Bless You for that.

I am so sorry that you have to feel such heartache, I feel your sorrow, your despair, your loss. Please talk more about this beloved animal. I found Pet Talk strictly by accident. By registering on this forum, I am on the right road now. when I read about Cole, Mandy, Bella, Savannah, Dixie , and so many other dogs, The pain that I feel can be shared, nurtured and acknowledged.

This site is wholesome. healing, and informative all at the same time.

I am rambling--------------------- but, I understand how you feel.

[beeniesmom]

I am so sorry for your loss.
Cole was certainly a wonderful dog and you and your family will have many great memories of him. :( hugs

[dawnph]

i think i am so stunned by Cole's death because our vet always stressed that Cole's back legs would give out one day, and then we would have to make a very hard decision. his back hip joints never formed because he did not gestate long enough. his back legs were hooked on by tendons and muscles. his powerful front end propelled him on and his back legs kept him upright. cole never let this stop him from living a full life. so, when he got bloat , i was totally blindsided. when he made it through surgery (vet said 25% chance of making it through the surgery because of his age) i thought ok we made it through and everything will be all right. i did not know that those last 5 days were going to be the last 5 days. he always made it through so many things, he was so strong and my husband said he had lived so long because i took such good care of him. but i couldnt keep him alive this time, and it hurts so bad, i feel like a failure, and my baby is gone. i wish this feeling would go away. i just want happy thoughts of Cole, not sad, but i keep reliving the ride to the vet on friday when he was in severe shock and slipping away. he was gone, except his heart was beating still. i feel like i failed him.

[beeniesmom]

Dawn,
Please don't feel like you failed him. That is absolutely not true. You saved his life by taking him in, disability and all. I hope you find the strength to get through this. It will be hard but you will. Cole is in no pain now. He is running and playing with other Rainbow Bridge doggies. He is looking down on you and thanking you for loving him unconditionally.

[abbersmom]

So sorry to hear of your loss...Cole must be running & playing at the Bridge & making all sorts of new friends...

[dawnph]

here is a picture of cole about 3 1/2 years ago.

[Dorothy39]

Thank-You for that picture of Cole.

I truely KNOW about unpleasant rides to the Vet because whether I like it or not, I experience such unwanted memories myself. I too know what you mean while saying "I feel like a failure".


these memories are quite intrusive at times.So un -wanted, and so haunting.

Again, I am so sorry about his "blout" condition . Hind sight is always 20/20, so, after the fact, we relive the trama with all the right answers to all the questions, but alas, death is all too final.

He knew you were trying to help him, I sense this . You were up against such an obtacle during those last 5 days. Never ever feel that you actually failed , NEVER!!! The fact that you cared, and you helped Cole overcome so much adversity, represents your character. In time, you will realize this . You were there for Cole, no matter what.!!!!! You did not lose, you did not fail, you were simply THERE for Cole. His life was so full of love and adoration. I can see that in his eyes!!!!!


His passing symbolizes your love and your courage. Never let go of these virtues. Cry, because we will cry, all of us. But never underestimate your blessed virtues!!!!

[dawnph]

Here are photos of Cole's brother and two sisters. it is so easy to get caught up in the grief that we forget our other "children".i will miss Cole all of my days, he is forever in my heart and soul. Roxie is first, Sally second and Argyle third. Good night all, sleep tight.

[Dorothy39]

OH, Oh, Oh My Goodness, Those pictures are so darned beautiful

When I clicked onto the thumb nails, the photo was so CLOSE :eek: , so wonderful to behold, as though I were down on the floor , looking into each of their faces. I sure did enjoy seeing them , honest!!!!

I can't figure out how to attach thumb nails from "My Pictures" onto a reply.

Each time I click onto the icon that is used to " insert image", another window pops up, promting me to type in something. I've done it before, when I posted a
the thread on Foxy Jean :confused:


Oh, Sally's ears were so close, I felt as though I could kiss her!!!! Pet her!!!

You are so lucky to have these beautiful animals in your home.!!!!

Hugs to you, and to your Dogs of the Day.

[Dorothy39]

Those pictures will download real close, then, they will downsize afterwards.

I had to tell my Husband to come out into the dining room and take a look at "Roxie"..Oh, Roxie , so glad to meet you my dear.

I sure do think she is so sweet. Especially the dark marking around her left eye!!! She will be ok in time. Thank-you for posting those thumb nails.!!

Good Night to you too, and sleep well.

[dawnph]

Dorothy, thank you so much for your kindness, you are truly a wonderful person. tomorrow will be one week since Cole has been gone, hope to get his ashes tomorrow. i miss him so much. good night all.

Cole's mom

[Lori Jordan]

That's too bad.I'm truly sorry for your loss,there are alot of kind people here that you can turn too when you are in need.May he Rest In Peace.He is withought any health problems now and is looking down on you every moment,and he will until you meet again,Animals are the most loyal creatures of all he is now patiently waiting until you two can be together again,meanwhile he is having the time of his life,all animals and my Bandit have welcomed him with open arms.We are here for you!

[dawnph]

Picked up Cole's cremated remains today. still miss him so bad, but i feel better now that he is at home again. my other 3 furbabies are starting to adjust to Cole not being here. we all are, slowly but surely.

[Sudilar]

Hugs.

[Dorothy39]

Picked up Cole's cremated remains today. still miss him so bad, but i feel better now that he is at home again. my other 3 furbabies are starting to adjust to Cole not being here. we all are, slowly but surely.
Oh, I will never forget the day we picked up the "remains" of our beloved Katie Lynn!!!!

she was the dog of all dogs to me.


and, just yesterday, I remembered that moment all over again. It has been 3 years now, but that memory stings so hard!!!!

the memorial section on Pet Talk is the hardest forum for me to click onto, but, that forum helped me more than words can tell.


Thank-you, all of you, those of us who have lost a beloved friend, as well as those of us who post wonderful moments with our dogs, our cats, our fish, etc.


this forum is so healing!!!!

[Danegirl2208]

oh i am so sorry to hear about your loss :( cole had a sweet face, i just recently lost my beloved Doby, so i know how you are feeling, just remember that hes in a better place now, and stay strong for him.

[DrKym]

I am sorry, Danes by general dont live as long as we like, my mother has raised them for 45 yrs now, Cole was a blessing as were you to him. Please know that. A candle in his honor for his grace and gentleness and his devotion to a special human.

[Catty1]

If Cole had been adopted by some humans...he wouldn't have made it to two years, I bet you anything.

His life was longer and WAAAY better with you than it possibly could have been anywhere else!

This is success - this is LOVE!

hugs
Catty1