My Best Friend in the Whole Wide World - YorkieTalk.com Forums

gramorgirl · 05-29-2009, 05:58 AM

Hi there,

I just found this site today. This will be quite along post, but I feel it is important for me to write as I'm sure it will help me. I lost my wonderful little Yorkshire Terrier, Timmy in October 2008. It will be 8 months soon since he went away and I still talk to him everyday and think of him all the time. He left us just under 3 weeks before his 16th birthday.
I've been crying alot this past few weeks about him. I am pregnant and think my hormones are playing a part with that too. We have been trying for a baby for almost 5 years and our only option was ICSI/IVF and we got pregnant after our 2nd attempt in Feb/March this year.
I was also very unhappy in my job which was causing me alot of stress and ill health and I had the courage to leave the job last year and train to do something else. I passed my course with flying colours in February this year.
I remember my brother saying to me that day, before we had to take Timmy to the vets for the last time, that he was ready to go because he had helped me and been with me for many years, and now I was getting stronger and things were going to work out for me. He felt that Timmy knew and saw this and decided to leave.
He was so poorly. I saw him deteriorate over his last year. He had had cataracts for a number of years and had become deaf in his final 2 years and could only hear me if I shouted to him or sent my younger Yorkie to tell him to come.
He had this enormous stomach and wanted to eat all the time in his last year. He had lost all but 2 teeth over the years but in the past year, we had to feed him and he had lost power in his jaws, so the food used to fall out of his mouth. The vet had said his stomach was probably tumour and since it was there for quite a while, he wouldn't operate and we had to monitor him. He also had a heart murmur for a number of years.
Even despite his frailty, he didn't soil in the house often until his last week.
In his final week, I remember being up all night as he was vomiting and having diarrhoea constantly. It was everywhere and he kept collapsing. I called in sick to work as I feared the worst and took him straight to the vet first thing on the Saturday morning. The vet said it was probably due to this mass in his abdomen and gave him antibiotics, rehydration and medicine for his stomach and nausea and diarrhoea. I fed him fluids every hour and willed him to take them and he did. He kept asking to go outside and when he did, he just lay shivering on the grass in the pouring rain. That night he rallied a bit and ate a small piece of chicken. Next day I went to work and when I got home, my husband said he was not too bad but had slept alot. He was quite confused and could see even less than before and tried to take a drink from one of my husband's slippers.
That evening, my Mum came round and I was making dinner and he vomited again and collapsed. His tongue went blue and he was really vague so we took him straight to the emergency vet where she seemed unconcerned and gave him afew injections. He rallied again for afew hours, ate a small amount and wanted to play a bit. The next day, he was subdued again. Our own vet wanted to seem him that Monday night and as I was working, my husband took him. The vet told him that if he didn't improve, then it was time. He gave him more meds and sent him home.
The following 2 days, he was quiet but had gone himself to get a drink, still wouldn't eat very much but the vomiting had stopped and he seemed ok. That Wednesday night, we went back to see the vet as planned and he gave me meds for his heart murmur and said to me just to watch how he was. I got the impression that he didn't have much hope but I think he knew what Timmy meant to me and so wasn't up front with it.
Thursday he wasn't so good and I blamed it on these new meds and called the vet, who said he thought that he was just deteriorating and if he got worse, bring him back.
Friday he was no better, he would hardly drink and he ate very little.
On the Saturday, I was at work again and my husband said he was no different until the evening where he refused to eat even a bit of his favourite minced beef and my husband said he knew things weren't good.
That night when I went to bed, Timmy was sitting at my bedside when I went into the room, just staring at the wall. I picked him up and cuddled him and I cried, I knew it was time and that we had done everything we could for him.
The worst thing was when I had just drifted off to sleep and I heard Timmy crying. He slept in our room and I could hear him pacing about, whimpering. I lifted him onto the bed and held him but he didn't want it.
I got up and went through to the lounge with him and tried to hold him again but he just wanted down and kept crying. I know it wouldn't have normally been the right thing to do but I gave him a quarter dose of Paracetamol and he seemed to settle. At 11am the next day, he still lay in the same position that he had settled in..........I phoned the vets. I also called my Mum, Dad and brother and other close family. My Mum and brother came over and he just lay in their arms as they said goodbye to him.
We then took him to the vets and I signed the papers. I held him in my arms when he died and felt him leaving, at peace.
I still beat myself up over having him put to sleep but it was the only thing I could do, the last act of kindness and love that I could show him. At times I think that I should have held on one more day to see but I couldn't do that to him.
We took him to my Dad's house in the countryside to bury him, where our other childhood pets are and we bought a statue to sit on his grave.
I took alot of comfort from the Rainbow Bridge poem, my heart was broken.
Afew days after, my husband drove past my Dad's house and the end of the biggest, brightest rainbow seemed to be at the back of the garden, where Timmy is.
On days like today, where the weather is sunny, or at Christmas, I miss him when I remember all the nice things we used to do with Timmy on those days.
I have a younger Yorkie called Alfie who is 3 years old. He has copied alot of Timmy's mannerisms and makes us laugh and yet he is unique in his own way, just like Timmy was.
We grew up together and shared many hard and good times and he helped me get through those. I shall never forget him and he will always have a place in my heart,x

Patti · 05-29-2009, 06:39 AM

Welcome to YT. We all understand the impossible grief of losingone of our babies. I am so sorry for your loss. It sounds like he had a great life and was incredibly loved. I am so glad you have Alfie to help you through.

TOY · 05-29-2009, 07:03 AM

Oh, my goodness, I am sitting here with tears streaming down my face after reading your loving tribute to your Yorkie.

I think your brother had wise words for you about Timmy waiting until things were going smoothly for you. I think he probably did hang around until he knew you could cope so don't feel bad about your decision. You made a hard decision out of love and I'm sure Timmy knew that. I think he was telling you that by his whimpering.

What wonderful, loving memories you have of Timmy! Hold on to those, enjoy them, and embrace them even as you create new ones with Alfie and the child you are awaiting.

God bless.

TLC · 05-29-2009, 07:12 AM

Welcome to YT and Thank you for sharing Timmy with us.

I lost a Tim (human though) in October 99 ~ so your story was extra special to me

YorkichonBella · 05-29-2009, 07:54 AM

Hi & Welcome to YT! Timmy's story brought tears to my eyes too. If anyone understands yr Love for yr furbaby, everyone here @YT truly does. They are part of our family & u couldn't have said it better about them being yr Best Friend in the Whole Wide World! It is so hard to see them suffer & to lose them in our lives. So glad to hear u have another yorkie in yr life now & a baby on the way! Wishing u the very best!

Lexi Rae · 05-29-2009, 10:56 AM

im crying my eyes out reading your thread..im so sorry for your loss.
cant imagine your pain.

KJLive · 05-29-2009, 11:02 AM

I'm sitting here with tears streaming down my face too. I'm so sorry for you loss but I can see that there was much joy and love he brought to you also.
Welcome to YT! You will have friends here...

chandracz · 05-29-2009, 01:29 PM

I'm so sorry about little Timmy. RIP little guy and watch over your mama!!!!

Juliealfies mum · 05-29-2009, 01:40 PM

I'm so sorry for your loss of Timmy, I know how you feel we had the same experience with our 1st little yorkie Max it is such a difficult time for you but you know that he will allways be in your heart and your little Alfie will help you with your loss.

Welcome to Yt.

YorkieShadow · 05-29-2009, 03:42 PM

Im so sorry and I know exactly how you feel. We lost our little female 1-9-09 and theres not a day that goes by that Im not thinking about her. she was my baby. we only had her for 4 short years. The ER vet sent her home with me after he gave her a shot, I know now that he knew she was not going to make it and she was better off with me in her last hours. WE too seen the biggest double rainbow over Minnies grave , I took pictures. We have her little buddy Mickey they grew up together. I know he misses her so much. hes been sneaking off to go sit at her grave and he makes sure he marks all around it before coming back in. at first I wondered why he was doing this, did he know she was there. Now Im thinking he knows and hes marking it to keep other animals away, still protecting her.
RIP Timmy & Minnie

ltret0294 · 05-29-2009, 11:56 PM

It is never easy to make that decision and the last act of kindness and compassion for our little friend/s. I had to do the same 3 times Jan/Feb 2008. Take peace in knowing that your Timmy is well again, romping around and waiting for you at the rainbow bridge.

(It's about 4am, my last night shift and on a break, choking back a lump in my throat. The supvr wouldn't understand.)

tinyterriers · 05-30-2009, 05:42 AM

I think most of us walked in your shoes,I ost 6, but the last e were New years day, Feb. 23th and July yr.2007,2003 to 2007 lost 6,how hard it is,I know what you are going thru, its such a heartbreak. My dgt. just lost her Scottie 6 months ago and she will not get another furbaby, she said its to heartbreaking,I dont know if she is right, they are so much joy for as long as we have them.I sympathize with you and your story made me cry, but think of that little newborn you will have, how lucky you are. Sorry for your loss.

RitaNBoobear · 05-30-2009, 06:07 AM

Wow -- I too find myslef choked up reading your tale. I have been so impressed with the people here, their genuineness, kindness, generosity, helpfulness -- extraordianry.

I am so sorry. I can't imagine your pain and the loss of your little guy. Sounds like you are a great Mommy and friend.

Thank you for your share. I have my best pal, my cat Puddin' and we know he won't be w/us much longer. I think it does help cut the pain to share about it.

I am so glad I came across YT.

05-29-2009, 05:58 AM	#1
gramorgirl YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: May 2009 Location: Scotland Posts: 2	My Best Friend in the Whole Wide World Hi there, I just found this site today. This will be quite along post, but I feel it is important for me to write as I'm sure it will help me. I lost my wonderful little Yorkshire Terrier, Timmy in October 2008. It will be 8 months soon since he went away and I still talk to him everyday and think of him all the time. He left us just under 3 weeks before his 16th birthday. I've been crying alot this past few weeks about him. I am pregnant and think my hormones are playing a part with that too. We have been trying for a baby for almost 5 years and our only option was ICSI/IVF and we got pregnant after our 2nd attempt in Feb/March this year. I was also very unhappy in my job which was causing me alot of stress and ill health and I had the courage to leave the job last year and train to do something else. I passed my course with flying colours in February this year. I remember my brother saying to me that day, before we had to take Timmy to the vets for the last time, that he was ready to go because he had helped me and been with me for many years, and now I was getting stronger and things were going to work out for me. He felt that Timmy knew and saw this and decided to leave. He was so poorly. I saw him deteriorate over his last year. He had had cataracts for a number of years and had become deaf in his final 2 years and could only hear me if I shouted to him or sent my younger Yorkie to tell him to come. He had this enormous stomach and wanted to eat all the time in his last year. He had lost all but 2 teeth over the years but in the past year, we had to feed him and he had lost power in his jaws, so the food used to fall out of his mouth. The vet had said his stomach was probably tumour and since it was there for quite a while, he wouldn't operate and we had to monitor him. He also had a heart murmur for a number of years. Even despite his frailty, he didn't soil in the house often until his last week. In his final week, I remember being up all night as he was vomiting and having diarrhoea constantly. It was everywhere and he kept collapsing. I called in sick to work as I feared the worst and took him straight to the vet first thing on the Saturday morning. The vet said it was probably due to this mass in his abdomen and gave him antibiotics, rehydration and medicine for his stomach and nausea and diarrhoea. I fed him fluids every hour and willed him to take them and he did. He kept asking to go outside and when he did, he just lay shivering on the grass in the pouring rain. That night he rallied a bit and ate a small piece of chicken. Next day I went to work and when I got home, my husband said he was not too bad but had slept alot. He was quite confused and could see even less than before and tried to take a drink from one of my husband's slippers. That evening, my Mum came round and I was making dinner and he vomited again and collapsed. His tongue went blue and he was really vague so we took him straight to the emergency vet where she seemed unconcerned and gave him afew injections. He rallied again for afew hours, ate a small amount and wanted to play a bit. The next day, he was subdued again. Our own vet wanted to seem him that Monday night and as I was working, my husband took him. The vet told him that if he didn't improve, then it was time. He gave him more meds and sent him home. The following 2 days, he was quiet but had gone himself to get a drink, still wouldn't eat very much but the vomiting had stopped and he seemed ok. That Wednesday night, we went back to see the vet as planned and he gave me meds for his heart murmur and said to me just to watch how he was. I got the impression that he didn't have much hope but I think he knew what Timmy meant to me and so wasn't up front with it. Thursday he wasn't so good and I blamed it on these new meds and called the vet, who said he thought that he was just deteriorating and if he got worse, bring him back. Friday he was no better, he would hardly drink and he ate very little. On the Saturday, I was at work again and my husband said he was no different until the evening where he refused to eat even a bit of his favourite minced beef and my husband said he knew things weren't good. That night when I went to bed, Timmy was sitting at my bedside when I went into the room, just staring at the wall. I picked him up and cuddled him and I cried, I knew it was time and that we had done everything we could for him. The worst thing was when I had just drifted off to sleep and I heard Timmy crying. He slept in our room and I could hear him pacing about, whimpering. I lifted him onto the bed and held him but he didn't want it. I got up and went through to the lounge with him and tried to hold him again but he just wanted down and kept crying. I know it wouldn't have normally been the right thing to do but I gave him a quarter dose of Paracetamol and he seemed to settle. At 11am the next day, he still lay in the same position that he had settled in..........I phoned the vets. I also called my Mum, Dad and brother and other close family. My Mum and brother came over and he just lay in their arms as they said goodbye to him. We then took him to the vets and I signed the papers. I held him in my arms when he died and felt him leaving, at peace. I still beat myself up over having him put to sleep but it was the only thing I could do, the last act of kindness and love that I could show him. At times I think that I should have held on one more day to see but I couldn't do that to him. We took him to my Dad's house in the countryside to bury him, where our other childhood pets are and we bought a statue to sit on his grave. I took alot of comfort from the Rainbow Bridge poem, my heart was broken. Afew days after, my husband drove past my Dad's house and the end of the biggest, brightest rainbow seemed to be at the back of the garden, where Timmy is. On days like today, where the weather is sunny, or at Christmas, I miss him when I remember all the nice things we used to do with Timmy on those days. I have a younger Yorkie called Alfie who is 3 years old. He has copied alot of Timmy's mannerisms and makes us laugh and yet he is unique in his own way, just like Timmy was. We grew up together and shared many hard and good times and he helped me get through those. I shall never forget him and he will always have a place in my heart,x

05-29-2009, 06:39 AM	#2
Patti Donating YT 30K Club Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Illinois Posts: 35,509 Blog Entries: 6	Welcome to YT. We all understand the impossible grief of losingone of our babies. I am so sorry for your loss. It sounds like he had a great life and was incredibly loved. I am so glad you have Alfie to help you through. __________________ Cali Pixie Roxie : RIP Nikki; RIP Maya;RIP my sweet Dixie girl 1/17/08 http://callipuppyscastle.bravehost.com/index.html

05-29-2009, 07:12 AM	#4
TLC Slave to My Rug-Rats Donating Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Long Island Posts: 7,247	Welcome to YT and Thank you for sharing Timmy with us. I lost a Tim (human though) in October 99 ~ so your story was extra special to me __________________ Adopt Donate Foster www.yorkie911rescue.com

05-29-2009, 07:54 AM	#5
YorkichonBella My little Shadow Donating YT Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: NC Posts: 4,132 Blog Entries: 2	Hi & Welcome to YT! Timmy's story brought tears to my eyes too. If anyone understands yr Love for yr furbaby, everyone here @YT truly does. They are part of our family & u couldn't have said it better about them being yr Best Friend in the Whole Wide World! It is so hard to see them suffer & to lose them in our lives. So glad to hear u have another yorkie in yr life now & a baby on the way! Wishing u the very best! __________________ Bella Ganma-ma to ColeRIPNoahRIP

05-29-2009, 10:56 AM	#6
Lexi Rae Gina, (Lexi's Mommy) Donating Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: LONG ISLAND,NY Posts: 10,455	im crying my eyes out reading your thread..im so sorry for your loss. cant imagine your pain. __________________ Gina & Lexi CLICK HERE for our Photo Album ...

05-29-2009, 07:03 AM	#3
TOY Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Tennessee Posts: 1,094 Blog Entries: 4	Oh, my goodness, I am sitting here with tears streaming down my face after reading your loving tribute to your Yorkie. I think your brother had wise words for you about Timmy waiting until things were going smoothly for you. I think he probably did hang around until he knew you could cope so don't feel bad about your decision. You made a hard decision out of love and I'm sure Timmy knew that. I think he was telling you that by his whimpering. What wonderful, loving memories you have of Timmy! Hold on to those, enjoy them, and embrace them even as you create new ones with Alfie and the child you are awaiting. God bless.

05-29-2009, 11:02 AM	#7
KJLive Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Lebanon, PA, USA Posts: 1,162	I'm sitting here with tears streaming down my face too. I'm so sorry for you loss but I can see that there was much joy and love he brought to you also. Welcome to YT! You will have friends here...

05-29-2009, 01:29 PM	#8
chandracz ♥I Luv my BaileyBlue♥ Donating Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Illinois Posts: 1,855	I'm so sorry about little Timmy. RIP little guy and watch over your mama!!!! __________________ Chandra, Bailey Blue's mama

05-29-2009, 01:40 PM	#9
Juliealfies mum YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: scotland Posts: 2,224	I'm so sorry for your loss of Timmy, I know how you feel we had the same experience with our 1st little yorkie Max it is such a difficult time for you but you know that he will allways be in your heart and your little Alfie will help you with your loss. Welcome to Yt. __________________ From Julie Alfie & Lottie

05-29-2009, 03:42 PM	#10
YorkieShadow BANNED! Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: USA Posts: 9,999	Im so sorry and I know exactly how you feel. We lost our little female 1-9-09 and theres not a day that goes by that Im not thinking about her. she was my baby. we only had her for 4 short years. The ER vet sent her home with me after he gave her a shot, I know now that he knew she was not going to make it and she was better off with me in her last hours. WE too seen the biggest double rainbow over Minnies grave , I took pictures. We have her little buddy Mickey they grew up together. I know he misses her so much. hes been sneaking off to go sit at her grave and he makes sure he marks all around it before coming back in. at first I wondered why he was doing this, did he know she was there. Now Im thinking he knows and hes marking it to keep other animals away, still protecting her. RIP Timmy & Minnie

05-29-2009, 11:56 PM	#11
ltret0294 Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Satellite Beach, FL Posts: 838	It is never easy to make that decision and the last act of kindness and compassion for our little friend/s. I had to do the same 3 times Jan/Feb 2008. Take peace in knowing that your Timmy is well again, romping around and waiting for you at the rainbow bridge. (It's about 4am, my last night shift and on a break, choking back a lump in my throat. The supvr wouldn't understand.) __________________ Zack, Zeke, Zoey, Zipp RIP 6/28/12

05-30-2009, 05:42 AM	#12
tinyterriers Donating YT Addict Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Tewksbury, MA Posts: 280	your story I think most of us walked in your shoes,I ost 6, but the last e were New years day, Feb. 23th and July yr.2007,2003 to 2007 lost 6,how hard it is,I know what you are going thru, its such a heartbreak. My dgt. just lost her Scottie 6 months ago and she will not get another furbaby, she said its to heartbreaking,I dont know if she is right, they are so much joy for as long as we have them.I sympathize with you and your story made me cry, but think of that little newborn you will have, how lucky you are. Sorry for your loss.

05-30-2009, 06:07 AM	#13
RitaNBoobear Yorkie Yakker Join Date: May 2009 Location: Fairfax VA Posts: 33	Incredible group here Wow -- I too find myslef choked up reading your tale. I have been so impressed with the people here, their genuineness, kindness, generosity, helpfulness -- extraordianry. I am so sorry. I can't imagine your pain and the loss of your little guy. Sounds like you are a great Mommy and friend. Thank you for your share. I have my best pal, my cat Puddin' and we know he won't be w/us much longer. I think it does help cut the pain to share about it. I am so glad I came across YT.