My heart broke this morning
 

This morning at 3:20am I awoke to my doorbell ringing and my two furbutts going crazy because of it. I went to the door and it was one of my neighbors on my floor ( i live in a tower ). She started freaking out when I opened the door. Crying that she had just woke up to check on her dog and he wasnt breathing. My instinct was to run to her apartment and beging CPR and try to resuscitate the dog. Well , here goes... I ran all the way to her apartment and threw open the door and ran over to the dog cage. He seemed to be sleeping so peacfully. I had a bad feeling, so I reached into the kennel that had a blue blanket covering the bottom of it. He was as stiff as could be. I took my hand back quickly, I have never really felt death before and it was overwhelming for me. I told her " Ma'am , without being too descriptive, your dog has been gone for some time now, there is nothing I can do or a vet."

She started to bawl again more than what she already was. I felt so bad for this family. The husband was at work. He had been called in for an exercise ( remember that we are military ) and he would not be home until 6am. She was hopeless to say the least. She did not know how to dial off base ( We live in Japan ) she did not know her husbands office symbol so I called his supervisor off base for her and spoke to him and told him the emergency.

She then told me she was worried about the smell?!?! I am sorry but if my dog just died I would not be worried about the smell. I assured her it would be some time before that happened. But, if she wanted me to , I would drag the kennel onto the porch and drape a sheet over it so her small child would not see the dog. She agreed and I did just that.

I asked her what could have possibly happened. She told me that he had doggy asthma and that he hated his kennel. He was a male black pug, about 4 years old and from when I saw him , he did have some sort of trachial problem or asthma. This is the same lady who kept him on the balcony that I posted about ( Another Stupid Owner ).

I don't want to believe that her neglect could have caused this. But when I asked her what could have happened she told me that she put him in his kennel because he kept trying to eat her toddlers food. I asked if he could have gotten into any household chemicals or anything else and she said no. I was doubting that she knew for certain because, without adding insult to injury, the house was disgusting, crap all over the floor and the air had a sour milk smell to it.

I told her that I am a part of a dog forum and I have heard of dogs that are susceptible to breathing problems like pugs dying from asthma. I told her she did'nt do anything wrong. Whether she did or did not, I was not going to sit there and crucify her at a time like this.

So to sum this up, I am heartbroken for this animal and this family. I went home and gave my 2 hugs and kisses and so much lovins'. I picked them both up and felt how warm they were and their wet tongues on my cheeks. And then I thought about how cold and stiff that pug was, it gave me chills to ever even think something like that could happen to my two.

The husband did not seem too upset when I met him outside to tell him what had happened. ( I was outside with mine for pottytime when he finally got home ). His only concern was that they had just paid for him and that he spent money on asthma medicine. I feel like he did not even really care. Maybe men are not as sensitive.

Soooo, I am just so broken hearted, I really wish I could have done something, anything! I am not having a good morning. Sorry if this gets anyone down. I just needed to vent and I know I can do that here.

How sad. That had to be very hard for you to see that poor baby,

Awe, poor little dog. Makes us love and appreciate our little ones more when we see things like this.

There was nothing you could have done but be there for her.
Obviously the dog seems to be in a better place at this time.
Very sad. Pug's do have breathing problems to begin with so to
add yet another problem, asthma, life must have been difficult for
this pup. May he R.I.P. Sorry you went threw that.

So sorry for you, but you did all that you could.

Wow, this sure puts my morning in perspective. I was complaining about a plumbing leak - then I read your post and it made me stop and just be thankful for my healthy dogs. I'm so sorry for the dog, and sorry you had to go through this.

Wow how awful! Poor thing...that must have been hard to deal with. I don't believe there was anything that you could have down at that time..Poor pug! :confused:
It's hard, I know. When I was a vet tech I would assit the Dr in sx and we had to de-claw this little kitty from the pound that just got adpoted..she was about 9 months old. Well..the Dr didn't want to tube her he said it will take a second we will just put the mask on her..:( I did not fell that was right. I hated when he did things like that! ( thats why I no longer work there) anyways I was watching her breath...she was doing fine. We were on the last paw, she stopped breathing. We started to try to bring her back, but it was too late, We lost her. He said that she had a weak heart thats what happened! :confused: I felt so bad! I felt for the longest time that it was my fault. It was really hard for me to assit him in further sx. I told him if he isnt going to do the correct protocol with the next sx I wouldn't help him. I had to tell the people that we lost their kitty..That was the hardest thing I ever had to do in my life!! The worse thing about it, they didnt care! They said that they just got her a day ago!!!! I was shocked!! I didn't even know what I say, I went to the back room and just cried. I know how you feel!!! The best thing you can do is vent!

poor dog it seems it took her awhile to notice it take them awhile to get stiff and cold!! bad to say but the pug may be better off .

That was sad, so terribly sad.

Still thinking about it as the day goes on....
 

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Originally Posted by Peters (Post 2759968) poor dog it seems it took her awhile to notice it take them awhile to get stiff and cold!! bad to say but the pug may be better off .

I know , I know. I might be being a big baby about this or overreacting but I can not get that image of him or the "feeling" of touching his body out of my mind. It is making me nauseous. Like I said I have never really felt death before, like the rigormortis part of death, and I think I have really scarred myself mentally. I know it is something that I am going to have to face eventually in life, but I was definitely not prepared. I had expected to go in and start giving CPR or unlodge something that he was choking on. I cannot for the life of me figure out why she did not feel him first :confused: Maybe she isn't too bright? Maybe she was too scared or freaked out? Maybe it didn't even occur to her to check him first before getting help. I don't know. What I do know is this will be with me for the rest of my life I think.

Awe...you helped that lady out when she needed someone. You did the best you could. I feel bad for the dog. Sounds like he wasn't living in the best situation although I have no idea if he was loved or not. That's one of the most important things. Don't be too hard on yourself.

Rest in Peace now dear Pug doggie. :dogprints

They stiffen up pretty quickly. I can't forget the feeling either. Stormy was really stiff feeling after about 15-20 mins. I couldn't believe the "heaviness" feeling the box felt I couldn't even pick it up I was so heartbroken :(

I don't think you're being a big baby or overreacting. If you have never felt death, that in itself is traumatic. Then you went in there with the mindset of giving first aid and the shock of realizing the poor dog was already dead was just more trauma. I think that given time you will find a way to come to terms with this, but I think you need to allow yourself to feel whatever emotions come right now.
As far as why she didn't check the dog, there are many possible answers. I think you may be right, she might not have been the brightest bulb just considering the way she "cared" for the dog, but who knows. You went in with the very best intentions and you did what you could. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers that you find a way to resolve the turmoil you're feeling. Hang in there, and please keep us posted as to how you're doing.

That is soo sad, even though it was something you did not want to ever have to see or deal with, I am sure this family is grateful for what you have done. All good deeds never go unnoticed!

Thats such a sad story. lts was really nice of you to assist her. With you being who you are is the reason you feel so upset. You did as much as you
could for the pup and her. You can feel good about your fast reaction and compassion.

Wow just seeing this now. You are a good neighbor. Soo sad about the pug. I agree she probably was not the best owner. I remember your post about the balcony. Pugs need a lot of attention just like yorkies, they are not the healthiest breed out there.

What really bothers me is how she was worried about him starting to smell, when you said the whole house reeked anyway. :confused:

Sad... VERY sad! I know the "stiff feeling" you are talking about! I bought my son a puppy (10 years ago) and brought the puppy home. My husband and I both worked. When we arrived home the next day, the puppy was laying in a rolled up sleeping position. I noticed vomit and diareha all over the large area we had him gated off in. I called the puppy's name but he did not wake up. My son was excited to play with him and said "Mommy why doesn't (I forget the name) wake up? I went over to gently poke the puppy and OMG I pulled my hand back so quick. I said "Let the puppy sleep... he is very tired". I know my voice quivered! When my husband got home, I told him the puppy had passed away and was hard". He removed the puppy and I had to go to the bathroom and cry cry cry I could not get over the "feeling". The sad part is the puppy had a vet check up scheduled the very next day. I called the breeder and she diidn't care! I had my hubby take the puppy to the vet and he said the puppy had Parvo. He also told me that if I ever get another pet that he/she would end up with Parvo too more than likely because even clorox would not kill the disease on my floor!!! I do not live in that house and refused to get another dog unil we moved! The vet said it had to come from the breeder since we had never had a dog in that house before and the house was new when we bought it.

OMG that is so sad. You are a good mommy to be able to be strong and say that to your child. Shame on that breeder!

about that pug
 

It takes them longer than 15 or 20 minutes,we stayed with ours at least 45 min. after having to put them down,we didn't want to leave them so I know it's longer than that.You did a good job,but it is hard to see that. You are a good person to stay with her.

I agree. We did the same when we had one of our dogs put down, stayed for close to an hour and she was still feeling just the same.

Thanks so much
 

I really appreciate all your kind words. Even though this wasn't my dog I still am so heartbroken. I have such a love for animals of every kind. And I think the fact that I deal so horribly with death in itself is not helping. I still keep getting teared up throughout the day when I think about it. Bless his little heart. He was such a sweet heart. I would laugh when I saw him potty outside because after he was done he would kick with his back legs like crazy and grass and dirt would go flying :p I will try to think happy thoughts but it is really hard. I've never lost a cat or dog, and the death of a pet is so new to me, even if it isn't mine, to have known the animal and interacted with it, breaks my heart to know hes not here anymore. :(

Poor little pug. So nice of you to not only be there to comfort your neighbor but to care so much for her little dog. As sad as this is to read, it is also reassuring in a way to know that there are such good hearted people as yourself out there. Sometimes we read so much of people who do not care, people who maybe shouldn't even have pets, if gets a person down. Then a long comes a post like yours so full of compassion and genuine caring about a living creature not even your own. Says maybe the human race has still got a chance!

You just brought on the waterfalls :cry2: Thank you so much for your kind words. I am too much of a soft hearted person at times, but animals is what does it for me. They are so innocent to me. And dogs, where they seem to want to only please you and be there for you no matter what. And listen to you and sulk with you at your darkest moments and jump up and down and celebrate with you at your happiest moments. They are emotional creatures. I' m sorry I have to stop, I am getting the biggest knot in my throat. Thank you again.

Don't beat yourself up,you did what any caring person would have done! In fact you should be proud...after all you're doing something for that baby that his owners didn't bother doing...you're mourning him. Big ((HUGS))!!

Just my .02...

:eek: I had chills just reading it. its so sad i had to pick Denzel up (which he was sleeping) I don't know what i would ever do if something would happen to my little man. I hope this lady didn't do anything to cause this i don't want to blame anybody.

Just as there are stages throughout life, also there are stages in death. It is very shocking to be thinking you will be able to help an animal, only to discover you have arrived much too late to be of any assistance in sustaining it's life. Or even to be expecting something warm and vibrant with life, only to be found cold and unmoving in death. I firmly believe that when an animal dies, it's spirit moves on. So the last breath it takes, the last sight it sees, the last words it hears, the last beat of it's heart, and the last thing it can do is to move on and go with God. What you found in the cage was not the pug you saw on the balcony that day, but the body he lived in. His physical body failed him and his spiritual body had moved on by the time you got there. He is okay with God, and has many friends there. He no longer feels pain, nor neglect, and can breathe freely. Thank God you kept your presence of mind to hide the fact of his passing from the couple's young child. As for the woman's husband, I believe men feel things, but are not keen on showing their softer side. And some people who own pets never have a rewarding relationship (like we know is possible) with their pets, and I too feel bad for those pets, because their full potential is never known. I think you were chosen more to protect the child, than to help the dog, in this instance, by fate or destiny. You need to find a way to think about it so it is no longer an insult to your psyche, but an experience you can learn and benefit from, and maybe add the skills and strength of this knowledge to be available to you in the future, should the need arise. God never gives us more than we can handle.

:bravo: Great post.

I stayed with my last dog for 1hr and 45mins after she was put down. She felt the same to me as when she was sleeping. It makes me wonder how long that poor pug was in that crate. :confused:

To the OP - I'm so sorry that you've had this experience. I know that I would be equally as traumatized as you are. You are a good person going out of your way for that neighbour. I hope that she appreciates it.