Our dog died

by **notlongtogo** » Thu Apr 12, 2022 7:32 pm

Our dog was 14 years old and he died yesterday morning. I never considered myself an animal lover and no offence to anyone who does this but I dont get people who treat their pets like babies but im so devasted over him dying. TBH I never thought id feel like this, I thought id just miss him and shed a tear but im crying all the time over it.
rHe is a big dog - half sheepdog half Keery Blue and myself and my da dug a grave for him yesterday and mam, dad and myself buried him. He lives with them, I moved out 6 yrs ago.

My mam and dad are so upset, he was a great dog, very gentle and a great watchdog. I drove over to them this morning and I got so upset when I drove in the gate as he is usually straight over to me. My kids are afraid of dogs but loved him as he was so gentle. Im wary of dogs myself and dont like the kids getting too close to other dogs but I never minded them around him, I would have trusted him completely.

We dont know what happened him, he had been out of sorts the last two weeks, but nothing in particular, just didnt seem to have as much energy. He was eating fine, not in pain so we didnt bring him to the vets. My dad had a vet out for one of his horses and he said to him about Ben not being himself and the vet - saw him running around- and said he looks fine to me now- so we didnt worry about it. Now of course we are all blaming ourselves for not bringing him. He ate a full dinner in the evening and dad tied him outside at his kennel as usual and the next morning he found him in the hedge (where he had crawled in) dead.
I cant stop thinking about it, and how much we will all miss him around.

The worst thing is my parents live out the country and really need a watchdog so they have already had to start thinking about getting another dog, though no one really wants to.

Where is the best place to go, I was thinking the pound? We need him to be used to horses, kids, busy road, sheep, being outside and a good guard dog, it all seems too much to ask for in one dog. Are the pounds good for matching you up with the right dog?

Thanks.

Mrs W · by **Mrs W** » Thu Apr 12, 2022 10:14 pm

You poor thing, our Labrador died 12 years ago and we were completely heartbroken. He was part of the family.
I have no advice for you really but I didn't want to not reply. It will get easier with time

by **mobmar** » Thu Apr 12, 2022 11:17 pm

Sorry to hear about the death of your dog.We recently got a beautifull 4 year old collie from Ash Rescue Animal Centre in Kiltegn, Wicklow. They have so many dogs there needing homes it would just break your heart. They do wonderful work as do all dog rescues around Ireland. Take your time and check out the many websites that rescue have and some dog might just catch your eye.

BusyDee · by **BusyDee** » Fri Apr 13, 2022 1:02 pm

Very sorry to hear that. Don't be ashamed to be upset, its a long time to have a dog - I don't know anyone who wouldnt be sorry or miss a pet that they had that lenght even if they claimed to not be an animal lover!

notlongtogo wrote:Where is the best place to go, I was thinking the pound? We need him to be used to horses, kids, busy road, sheep, being outside and a good guard dog, it all seems too much to ask for in one dog. Are the pounds good for matching you up with the right dog?
Thanks.

Pounds won't really be able to match you up with the right dog, you will just go in and see the dogs and decide for yourself. You usually just have to buy a dog licence and they will give you the dog. You would be better going to a rescue where they will have spent time with the dogs and will know a bit more about them, what they like and don't like. But sorry to say but yeah you are asking for a bit much!!! It would be great if we could all get the perfect dog to match our lifestyles perfect there would be less of them being sent back coz things didnt work out.

But you never know you might just be lucky! Ring around a few rescues and tell them what you are looking for. Re: the busy road - is the property fenced in? If not the rescues will have a problem with this for obvious reasons.

babyhopesanddreams12 · by **babyhopesanddreams12** » Fri Apr 13, 2022 4:20 pm

awh im so sorry to hear about your dog. They really become part of the family and its devasting when anything happens to them.

As Busydee says you would be better off going to a shelter where they would be spending more time with the dog getting to know their personality etc. Its very important to have a securly fenced in area for the dog and that would be the number one rehoming condition.

by **notlongtogo** » Fri Apr 13, 2022 6:35 pm

Thanks for the replies girls.I really do feel like I have lost a family member.
I have been thinking more about getting a rescue dog and I really don't think it would work. We don't have a securely fenced area, my parents live out the country and the dog would easily be able to get into the surrounding fields some which contain sheep. They have a fence and gate but he could get through the fence onto the road no problem.

I'm worried about him being knocked down or straying, the farmer would shoot him if he thought he was worrying the sheep.

If we got a pup either a lab or collie how long before they are big enough to be effective as a guard/watch dog?

BusyDee · by **BusyDee** » Fri Apr 13, 2022 7:14 pm

They have pups in shelters too though. TBH they could still grow up to worry sheep, just coz your last guy didnt, theres nothing to say another dog (raised the same) won't. 2 of ours are great they don''t venture from the back garden but our last one we got he is a divil for going off hunting by himself even though he is the same breed as one of our others but they are not alike personality wise at all. But I think you will find it hard to pass a home check tbh. Most rescues require a well fenced in garden.

Where abouts are you?

SorrentoWife · by **SorrentoWife** » Sat Apr 14, 2022 10:46 am

BusyDee wrote:Most rescues require a well fenced in garden

When we were looking at loads of different rescues before we got Buddy that was a prerequisite for them all. A lot of them ask how high the fence is as that determines the breed you can get.

Sorry to hear about your dog. Can't imagine how that feels. :o(

alex2012 · by **alex2012** » Sat Apr 14, 2022 11:05 am

very sorry about your dog :o(

I dont know how that fees personally but h2b grew up with dogs and he never forgot a single one. His family also needed a watchdog so as cruel as they might sound they had to get another one shortly after. Donedeal would be a good lace to look there is many dogs to be given away free to good home and Im sure that some of these dogs will end up in shelters if owners dont "get rid" of them quick enough...

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