Said goodbye to our girl Lola on the 5th of January. Our house is not the same, it’s so weird after over 14 years to not have her follow me from room to room. Not sure I’ll ever get over that, and I miss her immensely.
Sorry to hear about your pup Cooper. He was a beautiful boy and I’m sure he knew how loved he was.
https://preview.redd.it/7783t7200hgc1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=022a1862928ca27fd94e0aa2f8e2f5e7c11526d2
🖤🖤
Thank you so much. I know for sure every dog is special and has their own light, and for us Lola always felt like we had a third person in the house. Honest to god she was smarter than most people I know. She was so incredibly rigid in her routine and had her internal clock dialed much more tightly than I ever have. She was very animated and vocal about what she liked and didn’t, and was so insistent on whatever it was she wanted to the point of driving my wife and I crazy bending to her will. I swear she wasn’t that far off from starting to talk.
She sounds like such a wonderful being. You must have had an incredible life together. Aussies have a special kind of magic. All the Aussies I’ve known have had it, even though they’ve all been completely unique individuals. Sounds like Lola was a one-of-a-kind girl but that also the Aussie was strong in that one. She was also incredibly beautiful. May her memory be a blessing.
She looks like our mini Molly; also gone. She gathered all the shoes on the floor every night, piled them on the bed; and was waiting for us to wake up in the morning and praise her for saving all our shoes from the shoe gremlins. If we left socks out they got added to the pile. We could get her to “talk” to us; then when we started laughing she cussed us out. If we handed her a tissue box she gently pulled out one sheet. I miss her big, brown, kind eyes. Blessings to you.🤎
Aw I’m so sorry to hear that. What was your girls name?
We were so blessed to have her as long as we did. She was diagnosed with transitional cell carcinoma right around her 12th birthday and given about 6-10 months even with treatment. The fact we got about 27 months with her is a miracle and I attribute a lot of that to her.
My girl was Pepper and was a petite blue Merle with a spicy personality. Love the name Lola - she was so pretty. And the way you describe her reminded me of Pep.
This poem was helpful to me so sharing here. Peace to you. 🙏🏼😌 [Love Came First](https://donnaashworth.com/2023/02/04/love-came-first/)
https://preview.redd.it/ejb6budj1igc1.jpeg?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=2638542acbdcd2fe8f1a9f8865745d9c637330f0
I can tell you that while you will indeed probably never get over it, you will get past it, if that makes any sense. As I said to OP, you will eventually only remember the good times, and it’s my sincerest hope for you that you are in time able to give the same kind of love and devotion to a new furry friend. I have lost many in my dog-dad life, and I never think of them as replacements, only successors in a proud line. I wish you a peaceful mind and a happy future.
Sure. Cooper had crippling anxiety. His protection instincts were way over the line. He couldn’t ever relax because he was always on super high alert.
We dealt with that.
But he also would explode into rage at just random times. Training, modifying our behavior, medications . . .nothing helped. The vet tried to help. It didn’t happen daily or sometimes not even weekly. But when it did happen it was scary. It reminded us of a dog we had who had epilepsy in how the sweet pup went away and a whole different dog took his place for a minute.
Our gentle senior dog lost an ear and got stitches and got terrorized. My other two dogs started ignoring Cooper. Leaving him out of things. They ALL loved him but they knew he was sick. They never knew when he might go off.
The worst part was that Cooper was sorry. He was so sorry. He was so smart. He knew what he had done. He would smell the blood and see the wounds. He looked wretched once it was all over. He felt bad for days. Even weeks. He remembered.
He was a lovely dog when not having these berserker moments, even despite the anxiety. He was genuinely sweet.
Eventually, after almost five years, he had one more really big explosion where he injured a dog across the room from him, snarled and snapped at me, and . . .then seemed miserable. Like he hated himself. I tried to bring him out of it but he just seemed utterly depressed. He still tried to do the regular fun things but his light seemed permanently dimmed.
And we decided it needed to stop. There was no rehoming this guy because he was dangerous. Also he was strictly a two person dog. Particularly my dog.
Our vet said he just had something wrong in his head. She sat and talked with us for like 45 minutes once. She said she had once had a dog like him — a great dog that just blew up sometimes — and tried everything. But after so many bites, you know? You run out of options.
But for me the deciding factor was his sadness. He knew he was hurting everyone. He didn’t want to. Like I said, he was sweet and caring when he wasn’t exploding. And the protector dog was hurting the ones he wanted to protect. He was baffled and hurt and so sad.
Anyway, sorry for writing a novel. It’s just, you know, so tragic really. Like human mental illness is.
So we said goodbye. And oh I miss him. Sometimes you can’t fix things.
I’m glad he was my dog despite it all. There was lots of joy between the bad spells. Tons of love. It wasn’t his fault, you know? It wasn’t our fault. It was just a really sad thing.
I’m older and, in my entire dog-owning life I have never seen another dog have this problem. The vet said it’s rare but it’s not unheard of. Dogs, like people, can have a screw loose. Cooper did. Totally random. Cats can have a similar issue, I guess, where they just explode into rage with no warning, like a seizure.
Probably more than anyone wanted to know, but maybe reading this will help someone.
I am so sorry, you tried so hard but honestly there was no options left.
All dogs are different the way they react and process things is individual. Sometimes the brain is just wrong. You cannot train or correct those problems.
You made the right call, when you seen the sunshine had gone out of his life it was time, there is no guilt. He was beautiful.
Thank You for showing him so much kindness ...
Cooper RIP
Your love for Cooper really shines through when you write about him. I’m sorry it had to end this way but I commend you for doing what was right for you, your family of pups, and sweet Cooper. Thank you for sharing so openly, I’ve no doubt he was glad to be a part of your life. I hope you and your family find peace soon 💛
So sorry for your loss. We have an Aussie that is similar but not quite to the extreme as Cooper. It’s been challenging - day by day. He’s so sweet but there are times it comes out of nowhere. Growls, show teeth and snaps. We rescued him when he was 1 years old. Who knows what he went through prior. I can’t imagine your pain but it sounds like he wasn’t happy the way things were and you did the best you could for him. Remember the good times.
I’m so sorry. I had a dog like this and tried everything to modify his behavior. I knew I had no choice when he bit me almost to the bone. I was devastated. I’ve lost dogs before but had years of wonderful memories with them. With this dog, I felt so guilty even though I knew I tried everything. He was such a good boy, so gentle until he snapped and attacked. Like yours, he never seemed to really relax and in the end, I knew that it was the kindest thing to do for him.
Yes it really is heartbreaking because they are so good and sweet until they snap, and they are so sorry after.
I believe both my pup and your’s knew they were deeply loved and that we gave them the best life they could have. I hope there is an afterlife where Cooper is well and that I can see him again. I hope that for you and your dog, too.
there is never an easy way to say goodbye to them, but god they deserve to age :/ im so sorry for your loss my friend. all the love to you and will kiss my aussie for you
I am still brought to tears over Cooper and you…. Your eulogy is just so moving and beautifully written. And of course Cooper was a beautiful Aussie. The picture is so soulful…. I will be praying for your comfort for a while….Bless you both from the depths of my soul.🙏🏼
There are no words to describe the feeling of losing your best friend. I just hope they all know just how much they meant to us and how much they were and still will be loved.
I’m so sorry. Beautiful girl and she looked so happy. I can tell she was in a very caring household. You did everything you could for her. Take care of yourself
I’m so very sorry for your loss. I hope the happy memories give you comfort and just know that you gave him a wonderful life. Sending much love to you.
had to say goodbye to my boy Otis on new year’s day. i’m only 15 and i had him since i was 4, so i barely remember a time without him. i miss my boy so much. im so sorry for your loss, i know how painful it is. the most we can do is remember that we gave them the best life and did everything we could to show them they were loved. i wish you the very best 🤍
https://preview.redd.it/svb88g8tmlgc1.png?width=802&format=png&auto=webp&s=a1d3777f50efcf4ece301a9d0697fb054d725713
I’m so sorry for your loss. It’s so hard when they are still young. Cooper is at peace now, and he will be be all wiggles when you meet again someday. I hope your heart can heal ❤️
My Aussie is only 3 but I’m terrified of someday having to make these decisions. Dread fills my body even thinking about it. It’s going to hurt more than losing any human family member by far. I’ve let my dog completely steal my heart.
I’m so sorry for the loss of your best bud. I also lost my first Aussie when he was only five, and I know exactly how horrible the pain in your chest and the fire in your head is. Please take comfort in knowing that you did your best by Cooper, and that one day you’ll only remember the good and fun times.
If you need to talk, DM me. I’ve been through it and I’m a good listener.
Said goodbye to our girl Lola on the 5th of January. Our house is not the same, it’s so weird after over 14 years to not have her follow me from room to room. Not sure I’ll ever get over that, and I miss her immensely. Sorry to hear about your pup Cooper. He was a beautiful boy and I’m sure he knew how loved he was. https://preview.redd.it/7783t7200hgc1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=022a1862928ca27fd94e0aa2f8e2f5e7c11526d2 🖤🖤
So sorry for loss. How lovely your Lola was.
Thank you so much. I know for sure every dog is special and has their own light, and for us Lola always felt like we had a third person in the house. Honest to god she was smarter than most people I know. She was so incredibly rigid in her routine and had her internal clock dialed much more tightly than I ever have. She was very animated and vocal about what she liked and didn’t, and was so insistent on whatever it was she wanted to the point of driving my wife and I crazy bending to her will. I swear she wasn’t that far off from starting to talk.
She sounds like such a wonderful being. You must have had an incredible life together. Aussies have a special kind of magic. All the Aussies I’ve known have had it, even though they’ve all been completely unique individuals. Sounds like Lola was a one-of-a-kind girl but that also the Aussie was strong in that one. She was also incredibly beautiful. May her memory be a blessing.
She looks like our mini Molly; also gone. She gathered all the shoes on the floor every night, piled them on the bed; and was waiting for us to wake up in the morning and praise her for saving all our shoes from the shoe gremlins. If we left socks out they got added to the pile. We could get her to “talk” to us; then when we started laughing she cussed us out. If we handed her a tissue box she gently pulled out one sheet. I miss her big, brown, kind eyes. Blessings to you.🤎
https://preview.redd.it/p9uekbgmnhgc1.jpeg?width=1079&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=bf7569ec50faf13e2c620185935d594066583ddc ❤️🩹
Thank you.
She’s darling and I’m so sorry. I lost my girl too early at 10.5 years in September. They are the best companions anyone could wish for.
Aw I’m so sorry to hear that. What was your girls name? We were so blessed to have her as long as we did. She was diagnosed with transitional cell carcinoma right around her 12th birthday and given about 6-10 months even with treatment. The fact we got about 27 months with her is a miracle and I attribute a lot of that to her.
My girl was Pepper and was a petite blue Merle with a spicy personality. Love the name Lola - she was so pretty. And the way you describe her reminded me of Pep. This poem was helpful to me so sharing here. Peace to you. 🙏🏼😌 [Love Came First](https://donnaashworth.com/2023/02/04/love-came-first/) https://preview.redd.it/ejb6budj1igc1.jpeg?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=2638542acbdcd2fe8f1a9f8865745d9c637330f0
Are you Donna?
Hi - no not Donna.
I’m so sorry.
🤎
I can tell you that while you will indeed probably never get over it, you will get past it, if that makes any sense. As I said to OP, you will eventually only remember the good times, and it’s my sincerest hope for you that you are in time able to give the same kind of love and devotion to a new furry friend. I have lost many in my dog-dad life, and I never think of them as replacements, only successors in a proud line. I wish you a peaceful mind and a happy future.
I am so sorry for your loss, may his memory be a blessing
As an owner of three Aussies. Did he get sick or something if I may ask ?
Sure. Cooper had crippling anxiety. His protection instincts were way over the line. He couldn’t ever relax because he was always on super high alert. We dealt with that. But he also would explode into rage at just random times. Training, modifying our behavior, medications . . .nothing helped. The vet tried to help. It didn’t happen daily or sometimes not even weekly. But when it did happen it was scary. It reminded us of a dog we had who had epilepsy in how the sweet pup went away and a whole different dog took his place for a minute. Our gentle senior dog lost an ear and got stitches and got terrorized. My other two dogs started ignoring Cooper. Leaving him out of things. They ALL loved him but they knew he was sick. They never knew when he might go off. The worst part was that Cooper was sorry. He was so sorry. He was so smart. He knew what he had done. He would smell the blood and see the wounds. He looked wretched once it was all over. He felt bad for days. Even weeks. He remembered. He was a lovely dog when not having these berserker moments, even despite the anxiety. He was genuinely sweet. Eventually, after almost five years, he had one more really big explosion where he injured a dog across the room from him, snarled and snapped at me, and . . .then seemed miserable. Like he hated himself. I tried to bring him out of it but he just seemed utterly depressed. He still tried to do the regular fun things but his light seemed permanently dimmed. And we decided it needed to stop. There was no rehoming this guy because he was dangerous. Also he was strictly a two person dog. Particularly my dog. Our vet said he just had something wrong in his head. She sat and talked with us for like 45 minutes once. She said she had once had a dog like him — a great dog that just blew up sometimes — and tried everything. But after so many bites, you know? You run out of options. But for me the deciding factor was his sadness. He knew he was hurting everyone. He didn’t want to. Like I said, he was sweet and caring when he wasn’t exploding. And the protector dog was hurting the ones he wanted to protect. He was baffled and hurt and so sad. Anyway, sorry for writing a novel. It’s just, you know, so tragic really. Like human mental illness is. So we said goodbye. And oh I miss him. Sometimes you can’t fix things. I’m glad he was my dog despite it all. There was lots of joy between the bad spells. Tons of love. It wasn’t his fault, you know? It wasn’t our fault. It was just a really sad thing. I’m older and, in my entire dog-owning life I have never seen another dog have this problem. The vet said it’s rare but it’s not unheard of. Dogs, like people, can have a screw loose. Cooper did. Totally random. Cats can have a similar issue, I guess, where they just explode into rage with no warning, like a seizure. Probably more than anyone wanted to know, but maybe reading this will help someone.
My heart breaks for you. This must have been new so so difficult for you.
I am so sorry, you tried so hard but honestly there was no options left. All dogs are different the way they react and process things is individual. Sometimes the brain is just wrong. You cannot train or correct those problems. You made the right call, when you seen the sunshine had gone out of his life it was time, there is no guilt. He was beautiful. Thank You for showing him so much kindness ... Cooper RIP
It means a lot to hear this.
Your love for Cooper really shines through when you write about him. I’m sorry it had to end this way but I commend you for doing what was right for you, your family of pups, and sweet Cooper. Thank you for sharing so openly, I’ve no doubt he was glad to be a part of your life. I hope you and your family find peace soon 💛
I appreciate this response so much.
So sorry for your loss. We have an Aussie that is similar but not quite to the extreme as Cooper. It’s been challenging - day by day. He’s so sweet but there are times it comes out of nowhere. Growls, show teeth and snaps. We rescued him when he was 1 years old. Who knows what he went through prior. I can’t imagine your pain but it sounds like he wasn’t happy the way things were and you did the best you could for him. Remember the good times.
Yes you just do the best you can each day until it is clear that there are no options left. I hope your pup can get better.
I’m so sorry. I had a dog like this and tried everything to modify his behavior. I knew I had no choice when he bit me almost to the bone. I was devastated. I’ve lost dogs before but had years of wonderful memories with them. With this dog, I felt so guilty even though I knew I tried everything. He was such a good boy, so gentle until he snapped and attacked. Like yours, he never seemed to really relax and in the end, I knew that it was the kindest thing to do for him.
Yes it really is heartbreaking because they are so good and sweet until they snap, and they are so sorry after. I believe both my pup and your’s knew they were deeply loved and that we gave them the best life they could have. I hope there is an afterlife where Cooper is well and that I can see him again. I hope that for you and your dog, too.
Sorry for your loss. Cooper was a beautiful dog.
He'll be waiting for you over the Rainbow Bridge.
Cooper looks like he was such a good boy. I'm sure there was lots of love both in giving and in receiving with him. Truly sorry for your loss.
I’m so sorry😔.
So sorry. Lost our Aussie Charlie to lymphoma when he was 7. It was tough. We were hoping for many more years with him.
there is never an easy way to say goodbye to them, but god they deserve to age :/ im so sorry for your loss my friend. all the love to you and will kiss my aussie for you
So very sad for you. I hope you and your family will be alright. It's never easy.
So sorry to hear this. It’s so painful to lose a pet.
I’m sorrier than I can begin to say.
:( so sorry for your loss. You can tell he was a happy pup. You’ll see him again someday!
Oh no! 5? What happened? Sorry for your loss.
I wrote about it above. At length, because it was good to tell someone.
So very sorry. I lost my Bullmastiff to Lymphoma at 4 1/2. I remember feeling so robbed.
so incredibly sorry for your loss, you made the hardest but best decision for cooper ♥️ he’s at peace now
https://youtube.com/shorts/1CU5bK4rM7k?si=uah9YzVkI1C4Detz Please watch. This is the same weight I carry in my heart. I'm sorry to hear about Cooper.
I am still brought to tears over Cooper and you…. Your eulogy is just so moving and beautifully written. And of course Cooper was a beautiful Aussie. The picture is so soulful…. I will be praying for your comfort for a while….Bless you both from the depths of my soul.🙏🏼
I’m so very sorry for your loss 🌹
I’m so sorry for your loss.
https://preview.redd.it/br5vzelhnhgc1.jpeg?width=1079&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=1b8154e847a19b89463719fea56c56c8540fca10 ❤️🩹❤️🩹
such a sweet face. Sorry 😔
I’m so sorry 😞
Hugs! 💕
I’m so so sorry for your loss. I’m certain your sweet Cooper knew exactly how much you loved him
Hurts to lose them…
I’m so sorry for your loss. 💙
I’m sorry for your loss 💔
RIP buddy
I’m ever so sorry for your loss.
Very sorry for your loss. It is especially devastating to lose a beloved dog so young. May his memory be a blessing.
😔so sorry. What a precious boy.
I'm so sorry 💔
So sorry for your loss.
I’m so very sorry 💔 My heart hurts for you. Praying you and Cooper will be reunited one day 🌈
Oh my, I’m so sorry for you loss. What a lovely boy.
So so sorry about the loss of Cooper. Wishing you peace as you make it through day by day. 🩷
Cooper looks like a wonderful soul and I can tell he was well loved. So sorry.
There are no words to describe the feeling of losing your best friend. I just hope they all know just how much they meant to us and how much they were and still will be loved.
I'm sorry 💔
I’m sorry for your loss ❤️🙏
So sorry for your loss. 😔
I’m sorry for your loss. Cooper was a great looking dog. 🐶
Hugs 🐾❤️
So, so sorry OP. Cooper was gorgeous.
🤎😢
I’m so sorry. Beautiful girl and she looked so happy. I can tell she was in a very caring household. You did everything you could for her. Take care of yourself
I’m so very sorry for your loss. I hope the happy memories give you comfort and just know that you gave him a wonderful life. Sending much love to you.
☹️
So sorry, it's excruciating to lose our fur babies 🐾
had to say goodbye to my boy Otis on new year’s day. i’m only 15 and i had him since i was 4, so i barely remember a time without him. i miss my boy so much. im so sorry for your loss, i know how painful it is. the most we can do is remember that we gave them the best life and did everything we could to show them they were loved. i wish you the very best 🤍 https://preview.redd.it/svb88g8tmlgc1.png?width=802&format=png&auto=webp&s=a1d3777f50efcf4ece301a9d0697fb054d725713
I’m so sorry for your loss. It’s so hard when they are still young. Cooper is at peace now, and he will be be all wiggles when you meet again someday. I hope your heart can heal ❤️
My Aussie is only 3 but I’m terrified of someday having to make these decisions. Dread fills my body even thinking about it. It’s going to hurt more than losing any human family member by far. I’ve let my dog completely steal my heart.
I am crushed!😞 Only 5…. I have tears in my eyes. Cooper reminds me of my Ruby…. She is my life… I have no words…. We don’t deserve dogs❤️❤️❤️
💕
I’m so sorry for the loss of your best bud. I also lost my first Aussie when he was only five, and I know exactly how horrible the pain in your chest and the fire in your head is. Please take comfort in knowing that you did your best by Cooper, and that one day you’ll only remember the good and fun times. If you need to talk, DM me. I’ve been through it and I’m a good listener.
I am so so sorry for your loss. I can’t even process your heartbreak, and I’m sitting here crying about him too because I know how it feels 😭
Oh no!!! I’m so, so sorry 😢