Yorkie's final reaching out at the time of his death
 

I lost my dear Yorkie few days ago. He was 17 and 1/2 so I think that was old ripe age for Yorkie, but his expiring was so sudden and unexpected. I still have an unfinished bag of dog food in my refrigerator he had for his final dinner. I regret not feeding him the whole bag, but I was planning on feeding the remainder for breakfast which he didn't get to eat.

The after before his passing, I took him outside to pee, and after doing his thing he collapsed. I immediately caught him. His head was tilting back, and his gaze very dim. When I brought him back inside and he came back with head erect and gazing at me vibrantly. At evening, the breathing became labored and hard. The next morning at about 3am he barked to wake me up, which he usually does to let me know that he wetted his diaper/needs to pee or poop. I took him outside and when I opened his diaper. The urine dripped down, and he groaned like a sick human, and all his 4 limbs and head became completely strength-less. When I picked him up, his head tilted back with dim gaze like during the afternoon. I laid him down inside on his blanket, and laborious breathing continued. I knew that the end could be within few hours or at the longest within few days. About 2 hours passed with him lying down breathing hard and labored. After that he began to lift up his head, and then lifted himself up on his front legs only. I lifted him up, and I knew that the final dying process has begun as his facial expression became rather "surprised, and very unfocused", and his eyes were rolling back and his nostrils foaming. I laid him down again. Breathing became weaker, and within about an hour, the breathing stopped. I miss him dearly as I'm typing this.

My question - Why did he lift himself up on his front leg after going totally limp on all four limbs during his final hours. I was next to him during this. Was that his final attempt to reach out to me which is what I'm hoping it was. Was that his final sign of loyalty or affection toward me?
I heard that even humans right before death gather up final strength to attempts something dear to his/her heart..... What do you think?

Oh I'm so sorry for your loss. My heart goes out to you. Maybe it was his way of letting you know it was time and it'll be alright.

😂 Sorry for your loss.

I am sure he was letting you know it was time. This is so hard for me to right this.....my girl did the same thing when it was time for her to go.

It was around 6 in the morning and she cried and woke me. I looked at her and she was looking at me and I knew she wanted me to just hold her. I cried and held her for the next hour. I wrapped her in her blanket and rocked and cried. She held on until, I said it was ok to go. Then she convulsed until she was gone.

I am crying and sobbing as I write this. It is so fresh in my mind. She passed in August of 2012. I love her so much and will never forget her last hour with me.

Sorry, but I need to sign off for now......I know how you feel and you have my deepest sympathy.

How heartbreaking! RIP to your yorkie-friend. So very sorry for your loss :cry:

ETA:Thank you for sharing that... I'm sorry for your loss as well. I can't begin to imagine what this loss must feel like for you both!

dog
 

I work with hospice patients and I do believe your sweet Yorkie was saying it was time to go. The love of a dog for an owner is so deep just like your love for your dog. That dog was using her last bit of strength to lovingly say it is time to go to my heavenly home. People will do the same thing when they near death. They will rally back with a little strength and then go home. It is their way of saying it is time, I must go. Your Yorkie loved you so much she had to reach up at the end of her life on this earth. You are blessed to have such a wonderful friend. Forever in your heart. Just away until you meet someday.

Thank you for all your condolences, and my condolence to Deb1. I was blessed to have a loving, intelligent Yorkie for 17 and 1/2 years who cared loved enough for me to let me know that it's time during his final hour. He has now returned to his Creator who is the source of all love and caring. I trust that my Yorkie is in better Hands, and life goes on. Thank you all.

:cry8: sorry for your loss. I lost my little one less then a month ago. My heart goes out to you.

OP: I'm so sorry for the loss of your beloved Yorkie. I can only pray I'm able to have Peanut for as many blessed years you had your baby.

I know this is a hard time for you, and there is not much any of us can say for your heart to stop breaking, just know that he is still in your heart and soul and will always be around you.

Im sorry for your loss

Minnie also did that when she was near death from her kidney failure after dropping the same way when I took her out to pee. I'm so sorry for your loss. That's beautiful that he got up to tell you goodbye; to tell you that you meant the world to him.

I'm so sorry for your loss. RIP Little One.

So sorry for your loss/ I think that he was just saying goodbye

So very sorry

My heart goes out to you as I type this through my tears. What love the 2 of you shared. I can only hope my babies live a long full life like yours did. Take care.