I keep expecting to see him every time I turn a corner and, while sitting in my recliner, I keep starting to reach over to scratch his head or pet him.

We had to put our dog down on monday too. Our 8 year old was always a bit temperamental specially with new people and there was few cases where he tried to bite strangers who got too close for his comfort but we let that slide, just thought that he didn't like those persons and nothing serious happened. And these cases have been more and more frequent lately and he showed aggressive responses even towards myself and my wife few times if he didn't immediately recognize who was holding him back or touching on a 'wrong moment'.

At sunday we had a family party and he was really angry right from the start. Growling to people, showing teeth and even managed to bite my sister and sister-in-law during the party (only small scratch but still). At first we thought that it was just a stress from a lot of people around, hot weather and being held on a running rope but even after a party and a multi-hour break he was still unpredictable. Our kids was always been "protected" by him, but now there was growling, showing teeth and generally unpredictable behavior.

So, we did the shittiest (but correct) decision in ages and decided to put him down. The trust was gone and we didn't want to wait until something more than few scratches happened. I guess it's a part of owning a pet, but it still was a sad day and now he's gone. We suspect that maybe he had a tumor or ilness or something which caused the sudden change in behavior since the dog we used to have would've never been angry to our 'pack'. We didn't bother to make any tests, as in the end it doesn't really matter.

And the whole family sees him around the corner all the time and checks if the water bowl is filled or if he needs to get to outside. And we listen for familiar sounds of paws and claws wandering around the house, hopping on the couch, drinking water and making a mess around the bowl and so on. And the whole house feels a bit empty.

It sucks. I'm sorry for your loss and I know what you're feeling. All of the feelings are valid, specially after just few days. Even if they are not humans they're still a part of family and have been around for years and years, of course their absense leaves an empty space.

It's good he got to be with you at the end. Sorry for your loss. You will miss him for a long time and that's ok

I'm sorry for your loss. It's so hard! We still catch glimpses of our old furry friends months or years later - beside the couch, under the table, in dreams, ...

Sorry for your loss, OP. What was his name?

I hate it. Its just the worst. He looked like a good boy.

My puppy is 14 years old and this possibility terrifies me. I don't have enough PTO to cover the time I feel like I'll be broken. I'm sorry for your loss :(

I'm so sorry

The pain we feel from the death of a pet is the blood price we pay for the joy they bring in life.

It is always too soon, and there's always regrets. Not sure if you've lost a family or close friend yet, but it's similar for humans. It's harder for pets in some ways because, as you're feeling now, there are things we might miss due to the lack of communication.

You may blame yourself forever, but you shouldn't. Instead, it's a lesson in care for a future pet. I've learned over the years to be very aware of things and be overly cautious with taking them to the vet, and I also am an advocate for pet insurance. I'm lucky to have the means now that I don't have to worry about vet bills, but it wasn't always that way.

My pets now get the best care and the best quality of life because I want them to have a better life than how some of my pets lived when I was younger. I've learned, and I hate myself for how I was, but all I can do is learn and be better now. My pets deserve it.

If you felt like you gave your dog had a good life two week ago, then that's all that matters, not that you didn't recognize the symptoms.

I'm so sorry for your loss. It's an awful thing, and I can't imagine the guilt you're feeling even if I don't personally think you should be feeling guilty, for what it's worth. Those feelings are normal, know that. It's part of the grief. It's part of the price we pay.

When my pets die I will feel the same things again just like you are now, but it won't be my fault then even though I will feel it, it's death. It's the other side of the coin of life - all things die, it's part of the process.

Good luck stranger

Sorry for your loss. We had the same thing happen a few months ago, and I even posted here as well. I was a wreck for the first week. First dog and had her for her entire life of 10 years. A few months in, and I still get sad. All the things you just did without even noticing are the things that keep making me remember.

That is awful. My condolences to you. I hope you can heal and grieve comfortably over time. He looks like the bestest boy even if he was weird.

I'm so sorry for your loss. I know all too well the pain. I lost my 15 year old pup last month and I still struggle some days. For her age she was in good health so it was unbelievable going for a nice walk in the park early morning to driving to the vet hours later and then driving home alone. I'm still in a bit of shock.

Who tf down voted this?