Winston T. Puppy, RIP Options

[wchamilton]

We have three dogs... Winston (the one who died), Miya and Takoda. Our morning routine is when they get up we hook Miya outside on a run to go to the bathroom, then Takoda, then Winston. When we hooked Takoda out the door didn't close all the way and when she was ready to come in her lead was long enough that it let her push the door open and as soon as she did that Winston took off.

He couldn't have been outside for more than a couple of minutes; all three of us were in the kitchen when my son saw the front door open and Winston gone. We got our shoes on, grabbed a couple of biscuits and went to get him when we saw Takoda on her lead staring up the road and not moving. We looked where she was looking and Winston was lying on the side of the road.

We we got to him he was still breathing but not answering to his name or looking around. The person who hit him, as well as the people who lived in the house whose yard he was in were all outside when we got there. I picked Winston up and told my son to get a blanket in the car. The person who hit him came up to me and said he was sorry... when I asked if he hit him he very quietly said yes. I told him it was an accident and carried Winston to the car. When I got there I put him in the car, left a message with my vet's emergency number and got ready to go when the person who hit him came up to me, gave me his home and cell number and told me if there was any vet bill that he would pay it. I told him I appreciated that, got in the card and headed to the vet while Johnathan sat in the back seat with Winston.

He seemed to perk up a bit on the way there... he looked around a bit, would perk his ears a bit when you called his name but after a couple of minutes of that he put his head in my sons lap and, as my son pet him and told him what a good dog he was, he died before we got to the vet. I called the vet and told them that Winston didn't make it and brought him home. We buried him in our back yard, lying on his dog bed, covered with the blanket he was lying on and the t-shirt my son covered him in, a rawhide chew and biscuit under his paws. We lined his grave with a small picket fence and made a grave marker for him.

We're all torn up about this, but especially my wife. That dog was her soul-mate. When we adopted him in 2006 we had just bought our house and we found out after we adopted him that he had pneumonia in both lungs and was severely dehydrated and undernourished from being so sick. The vet said she couldn't even promise he'd live through the night, but Sue stayed up with him all night, thumping his chest to keep the phlegm loose. He recovered and turned into the best damned dog we EVER had. He was protective of us but would let people approach him, as long as it was apparent it was okay with us. He would come into wherever we were sometimes and kind of make a little grunting noise at us, tail wagging, and we'd say "show me what you want" and he'd lead you to whatever it was, be it a slice of leftover pizza on the counter or to snitch on one of the cats or other dogs for being in the garbage. My son and I taught him Hawk Dog... you could hold your forearm out, as if you were waiting for a trained hawk to land on it and say "Hawk Dog, Winston!" and he'd stand on his back legs and put his front legs on your forearm.

He was an incredible dog and even with the two girls still here the house is just empty without him. My wife told me last night the only thing for her that could've been worse than losing Winston would have been losing me or our son.

RIP, buddy. We gave you four of the happiest, most love-filled, spoiled years that any dog could ever hope for.

I also have a question I hope I can get an objective answer to... to those of you that have lost an animal companion in this manner, how long did it take you to come to terms with your grief? I've read a bunch of websites that say things like "everyone is different" and what-not but I'm hoping for some real-world answers from real people. I know that only 48 hours removed from Winston's death I can't expect to be over this but I'd like to know what people's experiences are.

[John S]

I am so sorry your loss of your beloved Winston. To loose him so suddenly and tragically can only magnify the pain. With old age or illness at least there is some expectation and preparation. However, as I found out, nothing can prepare us for the reality of the grief that hits us when the time finally arrives. Each one's journey through the process of grief is personal; but I have found here that there are amazing simalarities to the emotions we go through. Pain, guilt, lonliness, bad days and somewhat better days; these are all part of the process that we all have gone through and are still going through. As far as time goes there is no answer. It has been seven weeks since I lost my beloved cat Nikita and although the days are for the most part better there is still an emptiness that I feel may never be filled. Just the other night I laid in bed and thought about not feeling her near me, at my feet or snuggled up next to me and I started to cry. When we have a certain pet that becomes that special pet the loss is indescribable, at times unbearable. It's good that you work with people who understand, so many don't; that's why this site is so important. You can come here and express you feelings without shame or fear. Those of us on here understand and feel your pain.

Winston looks like he was such a special friend. One day the memories will be sweet and bring you joy. I know right now the pain and sorrow are still raw and the adjustment seems impossible. Try to stay strong, love your two girls and take each day as it comes. Remember you can come here to share and to grieve with others as you go this this time of sorrow.

Again I am so so sorry.
John