Grief

[NinaA]

I was becoming concerned about the appearance of so many posts about beloved Newfs crossing the rainbow bridge. It seemed like just one after another, including my Moonlight, who I somehow accepted as getting old but never thought about her leaving me, or at least she would leave me when I was ready. Then, suddenly, something fatal came up and I didn't have near enough time to prepare for it. After thinking about this for a good while I began to realize that almost all the dogs we were losing were elderly seniors. When I got my first Newf it was an accomplishment to get one to live to ten. I have now had a twelve and a thirteen year old, and I recently heard of a sixteen year old. I think that as we learn more about care and feeding they are living longer. For instance, about 12 or so years ago we learned not to feed puppy food and that exercise helped prevent knee and hip problems. Since, we've learned about proper screening and asking proper questions about breeding, etc, we are also better buyers. We've learned about allergies, joint development and so much more. This is why the generations from now on will be living longer, happier lives, but it's also why losing them is so much more crushing than when we simply didn't expect them to live past eight or nine.

 

[lmfoltyn]

Our boy Dex lived to 13 also...and although I was preparing myself for a couple of years...it didn't help...when the time comes it is just devastating with these loves. No one wants to loose their babies no matter the age...whether it is 3, 5, 8 or 15. It is so hard...I am just glad mine lived to 13 and was happy as a clam until that age.

 

[victoria1140]

All l can say is 4 1/2 years is the most we have managed so far but hopefully my girls will smash through that barrier.

It's hard looking them whatever age but l just hope that they have enjoyed their time with us.

 

[BoundlessNewfs]

Our Lucy had heart problems and we knew she wouldn't have long...but she surprised us and lived 7-1/2 years. Maggie and Brenna were each 12-1/2 when we helped them cross the bridge. No matter how you prepare for it, their deaths were each a shock to us. Like being hit by a truck. There are still days when I forget that they are gone, and come home expecting a happy Newfy greeting. It's lonely without our girls.

 

[NKlein]

This is a struggle for me because Byron nearly made it to 11 years, but the last 5 years of his life he struggled with varying stages of paralysis. Bosun only made it a couple of weeks past his 7th birthday, though for his last year we were fighting cancer. Also, they both died in the same year (2015), so it was very, very difficult for us.

I personally have a hard time coming to grips with the possibility of getting another. I miss having the boys so much. The house feels empty and our family doesn't feel "complete". Also, our kids miss the boys as well (they are nearly 5 and 3 years old). I just don't know how to face the idea of losing another dog, especially if we have to suffer through another long battle with a terminal illness.

 

[MelD]

NKlein- First, I'm so sorry for your loss. I can imagine that losing the 2 dogs that were 4 years apart in the same year must have been so unexpected and heartbreaking. My condolences. My husband feels the same way you do. We lost our girl pretty suddenly at the age of 6 this summer due to health complications and we are both still devastated. My husband is simply not ready for another and I know that he can't bear the thought of the heartache again. I feel that the empty house makes is so much harder and would like to talk about getting another (not immediately, maybe next year). I see you are also from Massachusetts. It helps me to know that there are other people struggling with the same feelings and hope it helps you as well.

 

[NinaA]

We picked up Daisy (Kentucky Porch Dog) from our local shelter, because we simply could not stand being without a dog. She is wonderful, but she is not a Newf. Nothing can replace a Newf, but we are getting too old to tackle a pup, and I'm thinking a rehome or a rescue will be our next one. We still haven't gotten over losing Moonlight, and I think it will be a while yet before we're ready, but sure as I say that the perfect Newfy girl will somehow make it to us, and she will need us like we will need her. . . . I hope . . .

 

[fall3n-ang3l]

I've lost other pets, rabbits, guinea pigs, cat, even a very close relative who was like my second mom but nothing has even come close to the pain I felt losing Bernie, a bit of me died with him! It will be 18 months next month and I've only just starting to feel ok. We feel the same NKlein, we don't feel complete without a Newfie, there is something missing, I read a saying the other day " if it's not a Newfie, it's just a dog" and how true that is

 

[victoria1140]

Nklein after loosing Beau and then 3 dogs in 10 months it was hard and like you we fought illness with ours to the best of our ability.

However even though its painful l am glad wegot our two girls and then Bodie our gsd.
They make us laugh as they are so full of life and to the ones we lost we gave them the best we could with the quality of life we want for all of our tribes

 

[NKlein]

It's nice to have a place to talk about this. It's also nice to read stories of others who've gone on to have other dogs and are very happy with that decision.

I'm so sorry for all of your losses. I truly feel like the boys made me a better person. I'm incredibly thankful to have had them in my life.

MelD, six months ago I would have said there is no way I could ever have another dog. But as time passes I feel the weight of the grief decreasing while the weight of the empty house is starting to increase. I've started to say "maybe a couple of years from now".

Nina and fall, I feel the same way as you about Newfs. I've actually started researching other breeds in the working group (namely portuguese water dogs), but I just can't see myself with a dog other than a Newf. I keep telling my husband that they are my spirit animal (and he feels the same).

Victoria, I can't imagine losing 3 in 10 months, but I am so glad that you have your girls and Bodie. I hope that in a few years I will feel the same!

 

[mrs big dogs]

I lost Belle is April, she had just turned 10 in March and she had developed a fast growing Osteosarcoma, she had started to limp and I took her to the Vet (an ortho vet) and he could not find anything on an xray, one week later I noticed a huge lump on her shoulder and back to the vet where he confirmed it and he was a little surprised how big it got in one week, 5 days later I helped her over the bridge. She took a big part of my heart with her.
I still have Bentley who just turned 10 in September who had developed Glaucoma in one of his eyes and went blind very fast in August, we took him to Madison to the animal hospital and had a opthomologist look at his eye, she said he had to have it removed as it was very painful so he had the surgery to remove his eye. It is healed up now but there is still a chance that he could get it in the other eye, the vet researched it and Bentley gets eye drops now that are suppose to prevent the other eye from getting the Glaucoma.
I have had Newfies for 23 years and we were going to be done with dogs as we are getting old too, I am 65 and my Husband is 73 especially a puppy, but one week after we lost Belle a friend from a rescue called me and asked if she could bring a "Smile" to us and we said sure, so in comes this 7 week old lab/great pyr that went to my husband and gave him kisses and then fell asleep on his lap well we were gonners so we now have this pup who is now almost 8 months old and I forgot how much work it was to have a pup.
I still am a newf person at heart, hopefully Bentley will be with us for a few more years but I think I will do a rescue Newf next time, i can't imagine my life with out a Newf in it.