The Day After Our Family Pet Suddenly Died: A Lighter Look At Lessons Learned

Our Cockapoo, Annie was only 6 months and died unexpectedly. I was shocked. For those who don’t know me well, my close friends make fun of me for my inability to cry. Some think I have defective tear ducts. I recognize when I should cry, I just don’t. After yesterday, I can assure you, these ducts work! And, I know why I don’t cry more often. It is exhausting!

So today, I will look back on my adventures yesterday with some humor in mind. I like to consider myself witty. Perhaps this is what I do to get thru tough times.

When you wake your children up at 4:30 in the morning, tell them that the family dog might be dying and demand that they put on shoes, don’t forget all the kids. I already had Annie in the car. Unfortunately, she was not going anywhere! The 7 and 5 year olds did exactly as I instructed. I got the 2 year old out of bed and right to the car. When I brought the kids into the 24 hour Animal Hospital, I realized the 2 year old was not even wearing shoes. Not only did I probably have some crazy hair and tired eyes, I had a barefoot toddler! Nice! At this point I could care less. But, next time I rush last minute out the door, I need to double check everyone’s feet! I need 10 shoes on my kid’s feet!

I went to the gym first this morning to work off some stress. Then I followed up with the breeder and vet. After discussions with both, I reconsidered getting an autopsy. She had been otherwise healthy up to this point. She did just have a spay surgery. I followed up with the 24 Hour Hospital to verify they had not already done a speedy cremation. They had not but she was in the freezer. I am not a cremation expert. I was afraid that she was on fire. Instead, she was freezing cold! They commented if she was too frozen, the autopsy results could be skewed. I asked them to take her out and put her on the counter while I decide. Apparently, you can’t let your dog freeze, nor can you let it sit at room temperature too long if you want an autopsy.

When I got Annie from the 24 Hour Hospital, they put her in the back of my car in a white cardboard coffin. We needed to take her to the University Hospital for the autopsy. I walked in with 3 kids and 1 white cardboard box. This lobby was packed full of people and their dogs. Boy they did not enjoy looking at the white box of doom. I have never been whisked out of a crowded waiting room so quickly in my life. The white box alert must have gone off because I was taken to what appeared to be another bereavement room, 2^nd one for the day. But, if you want quick service, carry a big white box!

Our lop-eared rabbit passed away in early November 2011. I noticed the lifeless body in her cage. My husband was in Brazil. I texted him and he was shocked. I took care of the disposal. 3 of the kids were with me at the time. We talked about more when the older 2 came home from school.

We decided that our next pet would be a dog. Annie arrived at our house at the end of November 2011. In Mid April 2012, she passed away unexpectedly. My husband was in Brazil. I texted him and he was shocked.

We need to break this pattern! This is getting too tough for me to handle! Our next family pet is going to be on 24-7 watch next time my husband is in Brazil!

I share these less emotional thoughts a day after our Annie has passed. This time yesterday, I was still in a state of shock. We went thru our normal day, with a few extra ‘Annie’ errands and phone calls.

After prayers at dinner, we went around the table and said what we loved most about Annie. Then we decided on the name for our next dog. We will definitely get a new dog. Our kids loved Annie. Naming our next dog will give us a chance to talk about the new dog, instead of only being sad about Annie!

I look back at yesterday and I was so ready for it to be over.

Yesterday was physically tiring.

Yesterday was emotionally exhausting.

We are still sad. We will continue to miss Annie.We loved Annie!

But, there were a few times that I laughed on the inside.

There were times that yesterday was just plain crazy!

Maybe today we will laugh on the outside!