A sad story.

[Raven]

Two weeks ago, my lovely 3 year old Newfoundland died. I have not said anything here because Will has been in Europe and I did not want him to know until he got back from his trip. Her name was Raven. My father named her after the Edgar Allen Poe poem "The Raven" because she was completely black with a little touch of white on her nose, chest and the tip of her tail.

Two weeks ago tomorrow Raven seemed to have a stomach ache. She wasn't in pain, just off her game and more quiet than usual. She had had stomach aches before and the vet (not my regular vet but the one on call) told me to give her Pepcid AC and Pepto Bismol. I did that this time and she seemed better by Friday evening. I went to bed and, as usual, Raven and my 13 year old black lab/collie, Gypsy, took up their posts on either side of my bed. I woke at about 7am Saturday morning and looked down at Raven. She was not moving. She was stretched out very peacefully like a big stuffed animal. I called to her but there was no response. I touched her, then shook her, then yelled at her. Nothing.

I called a friend who lives up the road and he came down. He got poor Raven into his truck...how he managed her 125 pounds I don't know because he sent me away while he did it. We took her down to my vet and I asked him to do an autopsy. The vet called me later in the day and said that he had found a whole corn cop lodged in Raven's intestine. It had swiftly blocked circulation and she died of sepsis. He said that corn cobs and tampons are the most common killers of large dogs because they can be swallowed whole and get stuck. They kill very quickly with very few symptoms.

I am very careful with my trash up here, both because of my animals and because I don't want to attract wild animals. However, the people near me up the road are not. I am pretty sure it was their trash that she got into.

Raven was a large presence in this house both because of her size and her personality. She was devoted to me and she loved the country. When I moved up here I thought it would be a wonderful place for her. In the end, it killed her.

[GOPisEvil]

1. I'm so sorry for your loss.

You have my sincere condolences. :-(

[madmax]

6. Oh Raven, so sorry

You have my heart felt sympathy. I know how hard it is to lose a beloved furry family member. (((((Raven)))) and (((((Will)))).

[nini]

2. Sorry... I Just lost my cat a few weeks ago too..

It is so hard to have them leave us. You have my deepest sympathies.

:hug:

[Bertha Venation]

3. no

I'm so sorry.

[THUNDER HANDS]

4. awww

My aunt has two Newfy's - they are unbelievably warm and affectionate giants. And they can swim like it's nobody's business.

[Raven]

15. Raven loved to swim.

She would follow me in my kayak. I got nervous that she would get tired so I got her a life vest. She would just paddle along beside me. It must have been a pretty funny sight.

[Kathy in Cambridge]

5. I'm so sorry-poor Raven

She must have been in pain, poor thing.

My condolences!

:hug:

[Rowdyboy]

7. How heartbreaking....

I'd never heard a dog being able to eat a whole cob of corn but it makes total sense for a large dog. I lost a puppy several years ago because I foolishly left a cupboard door open and he discovered a pound of bakers chocolate. It stopped his heart. Now, when I bake, I buy the chocolate I need and when I'm finished, I throw the rest away.

[bearfan454]

8. God bless you and your family.

So sorry to hear this.

[realFedUp]

9. I am sorry about Raven

:-(

[Skittles]

10. Raven

I am so very, very sorry. *sniff*

[Beetwasher]

11. I am so sorry

That is absolutely awful...Don't blame yourself in any way, please. This was a horrible accident and there's really no way you could have foreseen it...

[matcom]

12. oh NO!

DAMN!

so so sorry hon.

i'm just so sorry x(

[SOteric]

13. My heartfelt sympathies on the loss of your dear little companion

They fill our hearts so completely with love. It's hard to believe that they can contain so much in their fragile beings.

[MaineDem]

14. Oh, Raven

I'm so sorry. HUG

And to have to keep it quiet must have been horrid for you.

My sister's dog was just diagnosed with a malignant tumor in her chest and they're deciding now what to do. These animals become such real parts of our families, don't they.

Again, I'm sorry for you - and Will. HUG

[catpower2000]

16. Oh my gosh, I'm so very sorry...

What a terrible way to lose her. My heartfelt sympathies go out to you.

Cat :hug:

[soleft]

17. Sorry for your loss

Pets are people. Most times better than people.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

18. I am SO sorry

I don't know what to say but ((((((((((((((HUG)))))))))))))

[JitterbugPerfume]

22. Poor Raven

Poor Wills mom
I am sorry I could tell by your posts how much you loved her

[MuseRider]

19. ((((HUGS))))

I am so sorry to hear about your sweet doggie. I will think of you often and send good, comforting thoughts.

[pansypoo53219]

20. damn

so sorry. 3 is just too young. i lost my dear Cosmo this april and he was 10. way to young for our family. and thank for the warning. there is a dog in the family.

[Coventina]

21. crying in sympathy

I'm so sorry to hear this.

(((((((hugs)))))))

[demgurl]

23. I am so sorry to hear this.

I lost my Shotz earlier this year and it was very hard for me. During that time, I found a board over at ivillage. It is for pet bereavement. Here is the url:

http://messageboards.ivillage.com/n/mb/listsf.asp?webtag=iv-ptbereavemen&nav=start&redirCnt=1

They are all friendly and know exactly what you are going through. Take care of yourself and allow yourself time to grieve.

Hugs,

Christina

[GCP]

24. Raven, I'm so sorry

Animals are family. We're all thinking of you

:grouphug:

[hlthe2b]

25. ohhh, this brings tears to my eyes, as it probably does for all dog lovers

Raven, I hope that you and Will and all your family may be comforted by the wonderful memories of your wonderful dog. I take some comfort as I think of my departed "babies," that there surely must be dogs in heaven, for there could be no heaven without them.

Best wishes!