Too Many Losses And Now Clyde Is Gone Also, German Shepherd Died Thursday Aug.22. Options

[Chief]

Hi, I am new to this forum. I lost my big beautiful male 9 yr old German Shepherd suddenly Thursday night. He was playing, ate a good supper and then wanted his evening truck ride. My friend, myself, and my two other German Shepherds went for a ride. He was fine and even had a treat while out for his ride. We arrived home. He hopped out of the truck, made it about 15 feet, keeled over and was gone. I tried to bring him back and he took his last breath while I was doing mouth to mouth on him. He had been healthy and I did not know he was sick. My dogs have the best medical care available.

His autopsy done on Friday showed he had dilated cardiomyopathy. Sometimes with this there are no symptoms.

I watched my Mom die the same way just 5 years ago on September 28. She keeled over and there was nothing I could do to help her either. Died in a very similar way. My Dad died the following day on September 29. This is not a joke. It really did happen.

A few short months after the deaths of my parents I lost my entire family due to estate fights. My 3 German Shepherds were all I had. I don't think I can go on. I can't take any more loss.

Chief

[Gretta's Mom]

Dear Chief

How can the human heart endure so many losses in such a short time. Your nother and father - how much they must have loved each other to pass into heaven together. and just reading your post about your beloved Clyde tells me that they taught you to have a hugely loving heart like theirs. It sounds like some family members didn't quite learn the lesson. do not worry about them. Every family has some and it's their loss not to go through life with that great love in their hearts.

You filled your life with your beautiful shepherds - no more wonderful and understanding a family can be found. One thing about animals, though, some of them don't show any symptoms except a sudden death. Last spring I lost my beautiful half lab/half Newfie named Rufus. I had to go half a continent away to help care for my sister with cancer so I left Rufus in the care of his loving foster mother (he was a rescue). One day i got a call from her that Rufus had thrown up the night before and wouldn't eat his breakfast.. Long, painful story short, he had a huge tumor on his spleen which had spread to his heart. These tumors are not solid but are masses of newly (mal)formed blood vessels. Even a fall can cause them to rupture and the animal to bleed to death. At supper time I got a call from the Vet School to which my wonderful vet had taken him asking me what I wanted to do. There was only one answer and my heart is still broken.

Chief and Rufus are now in the Perfect World. They have shed their physical bodies and become spirits. Spirits can be in two places at once, so they are also where they ever were - right by our sides, guiding us, protecting us, and, most important, loving and being loved by us. Sometimes you can feel their presence, especially right after they have gone home. The only thing that has changed is that we can no longer "sense" them by sight, hearing, smell or touch. But that does NOT mean they are NOT. They are. And they waiting for us in the perfect World, where we will join them never to be parted. Meanwhile, the heartache - that never gose away - is there because we have exchanged parts of each others' souls. You are carrying a piece of Clyde's soul and he is carrying a piece of yours. The missing piece will ache until you are reunited. Then eternal happines will be yours.

Remember this: that the pain we feel when someone departs is in proportion to the love we have for them. Clyde loves you beyond measure. And you love him beyond measure. This bod of love will sustain both of you until you see each other again.

Gretta and Rufus's mom