Lalla

Yesterday was a truly hard day; my Coton de Tulear, Tycho, who was fourteen, suddenly deteriorated very swiftly and we had to take him to the vets here in Hong Kong. His bloods came back with terrifyingly poor kidney function and we took the always devastating decision to let him go. Tycho died in my arms. I am totally heartbroken. Anyway. I know many of you will have been through something similar. Fourteen years of mutual devotion is better than many marriages can boast! How our precious animals do break our hearts, don’t they. I know how absolutely worth it the whole thing is, but in the immediate aftermath of shock and grief it’s awfully hard to think of all the wonderful times without weeping some more.
I am helped through it all by a wonderful husband, and by my Havanese, Cuba, who you can see here in my little photo of us both.

sewbizgirl

So very sorry for your heartbreak! At least your other furry friend can be a comfort to you, tho he is probably grieving too.

Lalla

Thank you so much, sewbizgirl. How supportive and kind the quiltingboarders are on so many levels.
Lalla

wishfulthinking

Sorry about your little friend. Dogs are the best.

WMUTeach

Losing a precious friend of the four footed variety is painful and grieving is real. I am so sorry you had to make this hard decision. Hold tight to the dear memories of your Tycho. For now, they bring tears but eventually they will bring sweet smiles.

Tartan

So sorry your little friend is gone(hugs)

pocoellie

My deepest sympathy to you on the loss of your dear fur baby. It's very hard to lose them, but we can't let them suffer either. I've been through it several times and will again. That doesn't mean that you forget about them, just the pain subsides as the years go on.

Iceblossom

So sorry for your loss. Even knowing that our pets lives are short it doesn't seem to really be any easier to deal with the grief, but you are most definitely allowed the grief. I think for the pets, suddenly is the way to go but it is so hard on the humans. You already know the happy memories so outweigh the past week. Over the years and many pets I've learned that you never forget the good ones and even the bad ones seem better in hindsight. But the initial loss is heartbreaking and you have my virtual hug.

Joset

so sorry for your loss i know how it is to lose a pet.

Lalla

Everyone is so kind, it makes such a difference. The students here in the college at the Chinese University of Hong Kong where I live have been so sweet - our two dogs, and the Alaskan Malamute who belongs to a colleague of my husband’s (Nick is master of a college here) are sort of honorary college mascots, and Tycho and Cuba ‘write’ a ‘dog blog’ every week that goes into their weekly notices. They are all devastated, too, and one of them has just brought me a little card to say how much Tycho meant to all of them. Goodness, how kind people can be. Thank you all so very much. I wish I could stop crying...