jenzaar
Active member
- Aug 24, 2013
- 956
- 50
- Country
- USA
- Bulldog(s) Names
- Winslow
Winslow is FINE, just want to start off with that.
This is about my neighbor's bull mastiff.
I'm having a really hard time with this.
On Thursday, my neighbor called me to borrow a hose to wash off King, who they found covered in his own vomit and feces. They carried him down in a sheet, he couldn't even walk. His lethargy was enough for me to urge them to take him to the vet, but they insisted he was sick because of a sudden food change. His breathing and his gum colors really got to me, and even though they were coming around to seeing that he needed a doctor, they were dragging their feet. I asked my husband to get my car, he and the owner got him in, and I took them to Red Bank Veterinary Hospital.
King had heat stroke. It was serious, it was advanced. Had I KNOWN that he had been on such a long walk earlier that day (which of course I have feelings about, I'm sure you do all do too), and was left all afternoon in their apartment like that, I would have brought him the second he came outside.
Of course they wanted to keep him overnight, but it was more than they could afford. He was given some fluids and meds, and had to be sent home with us. I wanted so badly to make the deposit to keep him, but for so many reasons, it just wasn't right.
We got him back into the car and his owner had to run back inside. I stayed with him, wanting to give him some space and rest though. I sat beside his head for a few moments, just talking to him and petting him. He lifted his head, sniffed my face (something he's never done to me before), and gave me one of those looks.... those looks that go so far past your eyes, that go way deep down, and say something to you. He put his head back down after that, I gave him a few more pets, and a few moments later his owner came back. We took him home.
In the morning I saw him just as they were bringing King back to the same vet. Of course I was sad that he hadn't improved tenfold, but was relieved to see that they were taking action.
Few hours later I was walking out the door, and the owner called me over. He had just returned. Told me there wasn't anything they could do for King, and that he had to be put to sleep. He was just a puppy.
and my heart's so broken.
I spent a lot of time yesterday crying and blaming myself. I know that I'm last in line of who should bare any blame, but now I'm here wishing that I had held on just a little longer. Sat beside him a little earlier, talked to him just a little more, stroked that wonderful part of his forehead a few more times. Wishing that it had been MY place to hold him as he left the earth, because his owner didn't have it in him to stay. I would have stayed, I would have known he didn't feel abandoned, he would have gone knowing somebody tried. But I don't know if that is the case and it's tearing me apart.
My sob story aside, PLEASE, I'm sure you are all aware of the signs of heat stroke, but look for it everywhere!
I did not ask if he had been out in the heat, and maybe that could have made a difference for King. I hope none of you will ever have to go through or witness this.
This is about my neighbor's bull mastiff.
I'm having a really hard time with this.
On Thursday, my neighbor called me to borrow a hose to wash off King, who they found covered in his own vomit and feces. They carried him down in a sheet, he couldn't even walk. His lethargy was enough for me to urge them to take him to the vet, but they insisted he was sick because of a sudden food change. His breathing and his gum colors really got to me, and even though they were coming around to seeing that he needed a doctor, they were dragging their feet. I asked my husband to get my car, he and the owner got him in, and I took them to Red Bank Veterinary Hospital.
King had heat stroke. It was serious, it was advanced. Had I KNOWN that he had been on such a long walk earlier that day (which of course I have feelings about, I'm sure you do all do too), and was left all afternoon in their apartment like that, I would have brought him the second he came outside.
Of course they wanted to keep him overnight, but it was more than they could afford. He was given some fluids and meds, and had to be sent home with us. I wanted so badly to make the deposit to keep him, but for so many reasons, it just wasn't right.
We got him back into the car and his owner had to run back inside. I stayed with him, wanting to give him some space and rest though. I sat beside his head for a few moments, just talking to him and petting him. He lifted his head, sniffed my face (something he's never done to me before), and gave me one of those looks.... those looks that go so far past your eyes, that go way deep down, and say something to you. He put his head back down after that, I gave him a few more pets, and a few moments later his owner came back. We took him home.
In the morning I saw him just as they were bringing King back to the same vet. Of course I was sad that he hadn't improved tenfold, but was relieved to see that they were taking action.
Few hours later I was walking out the door, and the owner called me over. He had just returned. Told me there wasn't anything they could do for King, and that he had to be put to sleep. He was just a puppy.
and my heart's so broken.
I spent a lot of time yesterday crying and blaming myself. I know that I'm last in line of who should bare any blame, but now I'm here wishing that I had held on just a little longer. Sat beside him a little earlier, talked to him just a little more, stroked that wonderful part of his forehead a few more times. Wishing that it had been MY place to hold him as he left the earth, because his owner didn't have it in him to stay. I would have stayed, I would have known he didn't feel abandoned, he would have gone knowing somebody tried. But I don't know if that is the case and it's tearing me apart.
My sob story aside, PLEASE, I'm sure you are all aware of the signs of heat stroke, but look for it everywhere!
I did not ask if he had been out in the heat, and maybe that could have made a difference for King. I hope none of you will ever have to go through or witness this.
Rest in Peace King<3
