I am sitting here in shock.
This time 24 hours ago, we had two perfectly healthy dogs.
Now only BeAnne sits at my feet.
I don’t know where to begin really. Everything was normal. Loki had his usual normal day – breakfast, loafing about, a good long walk, and then in the late afternoon Daisy found him lying by my desk (unusual for him) while I was out.
Loki refused his tea at 17:00 – something not right but he eats everything around outside and in so we weren’t too worried.
While we ate our supper (19:00), he walked into the kitchen to be with us but by 10:00 when I wanted the dogs to go out, he couldn’t stand at all. We phoned the on-call vet and took him straight in to the surgery.
The vet examined Loki and said he thought he was anaemic (but the blood results came back fine) and stuck a needle into Loki’s abdomen. The first time he drew out blood, the second nothing and the third, again, blood.
A drip was set up and Loki just lay there. They x-rayed and operated on Loki. I was phoned at 02:30 and told Loki didn’t make it. A small tumour had been removed from his spleen but he died while he was being sewn up. Loki felt no pain and I believe this because he never reacted to anything. He was the type of dog that would.
I just don’t understand what happened. I can’t get my head around it. It is sort of the same thing that happened to Wussums. What am I doing wrong? Is there a connection? We are all very numb.
Loki was 6 years old. It is not fair.
Goodnight Loki. Run free. You were loved.
Goodnight Loki. Run free. You were loved.
we have the LAW.. principle….Loved …Adored …and Wanted and Loki had that …………..
Big hugs… nothing helps at this time….
So sad. The unexpected passings of our pets are the hardest, I think.
Condolences to all
RIP Loki
You only did your best for Loki and Wu. It’s just awful that it comes so quickly after Wu.
So sorry Frances you are in my thoughts.
The Power of the Dog
THERE is sorrow enough in the natural way
From men and women to fill our day;
And when we are certain of sorrow in store,
Why do we always arrange for more?
Brothers and sisters, I bid you beware
Of giving your heart to a dog to tear.
Buy a pup and your money will buy
Love unflinching that cannot lie
Perfect passion and worship fed
By a kick in the ribs or a pat on the head.
Nevertheless it is hardly fair
To risk your heart for a dog to tear.
When the fourteen years which Nature permits
Are closing in asthma, or tumour, or fits,
And the vet’s unspoken prescription runs
To lethal chambers or loaded guns,
Then you will find – it’s your own affair, –
But … you’ve given your heart to a dog to tear.
When the body that lived at your single will,
With its whimper of welcome, is stilled (how still!),
When the spirit that answered your every mood
Is gone – wherever it goes – for good,
You will discover how much you care,
And will give your heart to a dog to tear!
We’ve sorrow enough in the natural way,
When it comes to burying Christian clay.
Our loves are not given, but only lent,
At compound interest of cent per cent,
Though it is not always the case, I believe,
That the longer we’ve kept ’em, the more do we grieve;
For, when debts are payable, right or wrong,
A short-time loan is as bad as a long –
So why in – Heaven (before we are there)
Should we give our hearts to a dog to tear?
Rudyard Kipling
I didn’t know this poem but glad I do now. I hope Frances finds some comfort from it.
I am so sorry. No it is not fair! And you did nothing wrong, few animals get the level of loving care that yours do. He had a wonderful life, just way too short.
Peter
Oh Frances how sorry I am for you and that dear boy. I really can empathize – 2 cats in three months died of identical heart conditions and now my best boy suffering from a horrible stomach disorder after being so healthy. No, you have done nothing wrong, it is just chance and extreme bad luck. He, like Wussums had a wonderful life with you after you rescued him from goodness knows what. He had his best years with you I am sure. Much love to you xx
So very sorry Frances and family to hear this sad news. It is not fair to lose them at such a young age and you must all be so upset and shell shocked. BUT it is absolutely nothing you have done wrong. There are no words of comfort at these sad times. All you can do is know how lucky he was to have a loving family and a good home. Take care.
So so sorry
Run free Loki, you were so loved. So sorry for your loss, losing a beloved family member is so heartbreaking and you have lost two in a short period of time. Love and hugs to you and your family.
Oh Frances, I am so sorry for your loss. Sometimes the inexplicable happens when we least expect it. You did such a wonderful job teaching Loki to be a part of your family, and I know he will be sorely missed. Loki knew how much he was and always will be loved and appreciated.
Oh no, poor Loki. He is lucky to have been so loved, and in the end he left you quickly and didn’t suffer. He had such a lovely life with you. Treasure that lovely picture of him running on the beach.
So very sorry
So deeply sorry, what a terrible shock for you all. Poor Loki, try to get comfort in that he ddn’t suffer and had a wonderful life with lots of love. X
i am so sorry for your loss
Oh Frances I’m so very sorry. RIP Loki xx
It is not you. You have done everything right. What a grand life Loki had with you on Shetland. Exactly the sort of life that dog should have. These things happen. When we get animals we give them our hearts, making us vulnerable but oh so richer. Condolences.
Frances, I am so sorry for your loss. I know that Loki’s demise had nothing to do with you…you gave him such a great life. Stuff just happens, and it hurts. I am sorry for your pain.
Oh Frances. I am heartbroken for you. I’m so sorry. Too much loss.
I know it was nothing you have done. You are the best mother in the world.
Oh Frances, I’m so sorry to hear that, Awful. Much love and sympathy to you and Richard, Daisy and Floss. You must miss him so much. <3
Oh Frances. I am so very sorry about Loki. I also had a dog tragedy yesterday and am also in shock so I feel your pain. So very, very sad. I will be giving many many hugs to my remaining pupper, I know you will do the same with BeAnne. Hugs Frances.
So sorry to hear this. Loki has a great life.
Frances, I don’t know you, but I read many of your posts. I’m so sorry for the loss of your fur family member Loki, it hurts so bad. Hold onto those happy times during the six years he was with you and don’t be hard on yourself, he wouldn’t want that. He was well loved and taken care of. Take care of yourself during this time of grief. Hugs from afar.
Francis, Loki had so much love in your family. God bless you all.
So shocked by this news, Frances. Loki seemed to be a quiet character but so appealing. You’ve had more than your fair share of bereavements in the last few months. Sending sympathy and cyber hugs. xx
Heartbroken for you, these sudden deaths are so unbearably painful
Oh Frances. I’m so sorry.
He was certainly loved and knew he was loved. It’s still heart breaking. My heart goes out to you.
So sorry for your loss.
I just feel terrible about this. I can’t believe it! I am very, very sorry for your loss. I do love that last picture of Loki running like the wind.
So sorry Frances, too soon for both you and him, big hugs xx
I’m so sorry, Frances. This is just too much. And the suddenness. So not fair. Beautiful Loki did run free, all because of you. You gave him the home he needed. xo
PS I just went back and reread all your posts featuring Loki. Such a heart-warming story. He was so happy at Thordale with you and your family. One sentence particularly struck me: “He has boundless enthusiasm for life.” Indeed.
He had a wonderful life because he lived on your beautiful farm and had you for his Person. Now he is truly roaming free. I am so sorry:(
What an awful shock; I am so sorry! He was beautiful, and came such a long way in the time you loved him.
so, so sorry to hear this. and that he was only 6, really the prime of life. I imagine how awful you feel but there was nothing you could do, he was so loved and had such a great life. what can I say, s— happens. wish i could hug you all or say something to make it better.
So sorry for your lose. {{{{{{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}}
So sorry for your lose {{{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}}
So very sorry for your loss Frances, Richard, Daisy and Floss. Loki had a full and beautiful life with you. It is heartbreaking to say goodbye to a beloved family member like a faithful dog and that is why we all feel the pain of your grief. Loki was dearly loved and you did nothing wrong, so please be kind to yourself Frances. xx
Wow Frances, what a shock to hear about your Loki. I’m so sorry. It’s so hard to lose a pet.
So very hard. My deepest sympathy to you and your family. No, it’s nothing that you did. Forget that thought.
Thought of something else (after I had posted and on the way to work) that I think you’ve seen, having worked in health care like me. When it’s your time to go there is nothing, just nothing, that will cause you to stay. And the opposite too, if it’s not your time to go then nothing will make you go. I’m reminding you of this because its not your fault, please don’t blame yourself. You took him in and gave him a home and he became family. Everything you did was faultless. Please remember that.
Francis, I am so very sorry for your loss. Loki was a great dog and you did so much to bring him along. This was nothing you could have helped. There is nothing you have done wrong. Just know that you loved him and gave him a great life.
I am so sorry to hear about Loki!
He was very lucky to have you as his family.
*hugs*
Frances, I am so very sorry. What a wonderful dog. What a wonderful life Loki had as part of your family. There’s been so much for you to deal with lately. I wish I could give you a hug. You give so much love. I wish life was fairer.
Heartbroken for you 🙁 so sad xx
Sometimes life really sucks. I am so sorry. He was a happy dog who had the most wonderful life with you. As much as any dog could wish for. You always did your very best for him and he knew he was loved.
Loki was loved. And he knew it. So very sorry for the family’s loss of this dear dog. I hate how well our cats and dogs hide their illnesses. You took a chance on him, gave hm time to learn to trust and love. No animal can ask for more.
So very sorry. He was a beautiful boy.
I am late in chiming in. I also am dealing with a loss. We give our hearts to these furry and feathered friends and that is the risk we take for loving them. You did nothing wrong. Sometimes Mother is a cruel biddy. Loki is now free to run the beaches and join those shetland friends who have crossed over the rainbow bridge before him.
Warmest wishes to all. Be kind to yourselves.