LIFE'S BETTER IN THE MOUNTAINS

Monday, November 11, 2013

Rest in Peace, Sweet Ellie


With a broken heart I need to tell you that our dear Ellie died quite suddenly yesterday.  She seemed so healthy and happy and had a great day.

My husband took Ellie and Lucy out for a short walk around 2:00.  Both were frisky and playful.  As they approached the house, Ellie collapsed and could not get up.  She did not even try to get up, simply lay quietly looking at us.  She was not in pain, not struggling to breathe and was not unconscious but very lethargic.  We rushed her over to the animal hospital.  Tests showed that she was bleeding internally and had fluid in the sac surrounding her heart.





They prepared her for aspiration of the fluid but she had a cardiac arrest before they could attempt it.  She died on the operating table.





Ellie died of hemangiosarcoma in her heart.  She had collapsed when it started to bleed.  She had no previous symptoms and we had no reason to believe she was anything other than the picture of health she appeared to be.

Our house is unbelievably sad and quiet today.  So many little things trigger the tears again.  I won't be posting for a while.  We need to grieve...my heart dog.  Ellie had a wonderful life and gave us more joy than you can possibly imagine.  We will always hold her in our hearts.


43 comments:

Anonymous said...

I'm so sorry. And heartbroken.

Your beautiful doggies brighten up a lot of lives (especially on Fridays).

It's too soon now to read this: http://preview.tinyurl.com/knaxbe But, pay attention over the next few days ... Ellie will find a way to let you know that she's arrived safely.

You're not alone ... a lot of us understand the pain of losing a furbaby.

Barb

Barbara Rogers said...

I am so sorry for your loss. I'm ending comforting energies to surround you as you adjust to having just one golden girl. What a sudden and sad thing to happen. Ellie has been a source of joy to all of us who have read your blog every Friday for years. May you carry her memory forward as she is no longer part of your outings, but held in your hearts forever.

YD, sometimes with ♥June and ♥Angel Samantha said...

I am so sorry for your loss. They are a great big part of our lives and will always hold a special place in our hearts. We lost our Sammie last year and it happened very sudden as well. I can certainly feel your pain and your loss.

Rae said...

My heart aches for you. I can only imagine your sadness. I am so very sorry. Although I never met your sweet Ellie in person, I feel like I knew her. She will be missed. Hugs and prayers dear friend.

Jill said...

Oh my goodness...I am so very sorry for your loss.. Our sweet Gus the Labrador had the exact same condition. We had no idea he was even sick. It all happened so quickly. Big hugs to you guys....Thinking of you. RIP sweet Ellie.

Dog_geek said...

Oh, I am so very sorry. I know how much it hurts to lose a dog so suddenly and unexpectedly. My thoughts are with you and your family - I wish there was more I could offer.

Cheryl said...

My heart breaks for you.....there are no words.

RIP golden girl.....tku for the smiles you have given me over these last few years XX

~Kim at Golden Pines~ said...

I am so, so sorry about the loss of your beautiful and precious girl Ellie--And I know that nothing I can say will take away the ache you are feeling at her loss. But I am sharing the loss with you because I feel like I knew her through you. I hope you find comfort in your beautiful memories that can never be taken away and in knowing that she had a wonderful life where she was so loved and I know will be so missed. Take care and know that I am sending virtual hugs from my corner of Virginia....

Ms. ~K said...

I'm sorry for the sudden loss of beautiful Ellie.
Please know you are in my thoughts.
Kit

KGMom said...

OH NO--no no no.
This is too painful--and if I feel that way, you (and your husband) must be deeply grieving. How's Lucy?

I will be thinking of you...and praying for comfort.

Ms. A said...

Oh no... I'm so terribly sorry. I know you are heartbroken and you are in my thoughts and prayers. *tear

My Mind's Eye said...

Madi and I are so very sorry to read about your precious Ellie.....what a shock for such a healthy golden girl. One of my friends lost her golden the very same way in 2010.
One minute romping on the beach the next minute he collapsed in the sand. As you said no warning.

Many hugs and purrs to you all
Madi and Mom

Arkansas Patti said...

The tears started when I read the title of your post. I am so very sorry. Your golden girls were the highlight of my week.
She had such a wonderful life full of love, fun, good health and companionship. The suddenness had to be brutal for you didn't get a long goodbye but at least she did not suffer.
My heart goes out to you but also to Lucy. She will be lost and will need extra love.

kks said...

I am soooo sorry for your loss. I knew immediately when you said collapse that it was either her spleen or heart…..damn hemangiosarcoma….have peace in your heart remembering all the joy she brought….and that she was happy and healthy(outwardly) till the end. Hugs to lucy.
thinking of you…
xoxo

NanaNor's said...

My friend, My heart breaks for you; how sudden for you and your husband. It is even harder when there is no time to prepare-but how do we say goodbye to our "heart dogs"? When we lost my Sadie girl four years ago, I was so shocked-especially since it was Christmas night. I'm so sorry for you; I know in the coming months that her memory will bring you smiles, amidst the tears, but for now know that many are sending you love and hugs.
Noreen

Busy Bee Suz said...

My heart is breaking for you and your family. I know how special Ellie is to your sweet family.
Thinking of you all.
XOXO

Cheryl said...

I know I have already left a comment but I just had to come by and let you know you are very much in my thoughts. Dear sweet Ellie has become part of our lives through you. Indeed I feel I have lost a friend.....I can imagine your pain, I lost a heart dog many many years ago, she is always with me.

I lost my father this year, and am still trying to come to terms with it.

Blessings to you........you are in my thoughts and prayers.

Regenia said...

Unless someone has loved a dog s/he simply cannot understand the impact your loss. My sympathies to you. And I feel for your Lucy!

Peruby said...

Oh,how very, very sad. A while back I searched for and gathered as many blogs that I could find about others who loved their dogs as much as I do.

Almost each one has lost one of their heart dogs and it seems so many this year.

I hurt for each one as I read their posts and their need to take a break. You take as long as you like, you grieve. We will be out here ready to offer a warm hug, or a pat on the hand (cyberly) or a kind word.

Please know that we care and are thinking of you. <3

Cicero Sings said...

Oh my, how very sad. Ellie was such a sweet girl ... it is like we got to know her here and will miss her too.

Glenda Beall said...

My heart breaks for you. I only recently met Ellie and you on this blog, but I will miss her lovely face. I have grieved over four precious dogs that were part of our family and I know your pain. Deepest sympathy,

KB said...

Oh no, no, no. That's what my mind keeps saying.

Ellie was one of the sweetest girls ever... and your heart dog. My heart breaks for you, my friend. I send you my deepest sympathy, for I have some idea how hard it is.

Ellie was blessed to be your heart dog. May she rest in peace.

Dream Valley Ranch said...

Oh my goodness this is such sad sad news...I am so sorry :( I have never commented before but I have popped by to see your adorable pictures of Ellie and Lucy on your Fridays are Golden posts-I just adore seeing the two girls living such happy lives! I am really so sorry. We have lost two of our wonderful pack to hemangio-it is so devastating...You, your husband, and sweet Lucy are in my thoughts...please give Lucy an extra hug from all of us at Dream Valley Ranch

Dawn Rae said...

It is so sad when a beloved dog dies. Thoughts are with you.

Brent Kryda said...

They just don't live long enough. I lost my lady beagle last February and I still grieve.

Anonymous said...

Oh no. I am so sorry and sad to read this news. If I feel this way, I can only imagine what you must be feeling with this heart-breaking loss. Your writings helped us fall in love with Ellie. Your golden girls are a part of my Friday readings. I will miss your beautiful Ellie. I send you my deepest sympathy.

The Bug said...

Oh my heart is broken for you! I've been really behind on reading blogs & just read this today. So sad. I'll be praying for you guys.

troutbirder said...

Oh my Carolyn. I'm so sorry to read this. At least she didn't linger and suffer. It is so hard so very hard. When we lost both Baron and Simba this year I keep wondering if I can do this again....;(

JeanMac said...

I'm shocked and very saddened for you. This lovely animal will never know how much pleasure I got reading about her. rest in peace, dear doggie, romp in the fields of
heaven! Sending love and hugs an hope you take all the time you need.

Tara said...

Extremely saddened to read of dear Ellie's passing. What a shock. We all fell in love with her through your photos and stories. My heart aches for you, your husband and your dear Lucy. I hope you find peace, soon.

Vicki Lane said...

I am so sorry for all of you, not least, Lucy. Such a lovely girl, your Ellie was.

Nat and Baileys the Goldie said...

My heart goes out to you for your loss. I have read about your beautiful girls for years now.

Anonymous said...

So so sorry. My heart dog's been gone physically for over ten years. In lots of ways it was harder to get over her loss than losing my parents. But now my favorite picture of her sits nearby and I never doubt I carry her spirit, or that the world is a better place becauseof her. And because of Ellie and all the heart dogs.

To paraphrase the last line of the Jane Hirshfield poem The Love of Aged Horses:

No luck is as boundless as ours.

LauraHinNJ said...

I'm so sorry to read this and sorry for the loss of your sweet dog. I lost my first dog Buddy to a hemangiosarcoma, too. Just came out of the blue.

How Sam Sees It said...

Oh no. I'm so so sorry. Sending love and hugs to all of you. RIP sweet Ellie.

Monty and Harlow

Folkways Note Book said...

My thoughts are with you -- losing a best friend is so difficult -- barbara

Janet, The Queen of Seaford said...

Oh Carolyn, I am so sorry. How heartbreaking. She was a sweet girl and brought you lots of joy. I am sorry.

Ginnie said...

What a horrendous shock. I can't imagine how this must feel to your other "golden girl". Please stay with us with hopes that our love will comfort you, if only a little bit.

Beatrice P. Boyd said...

So saddened and sorry to read of your loss, Carolyn. Those of us who have also lost beloved pets, and there are doubtless many, also grieve with you.

KB said...

Still thinking of you. Your loss has hit me hard. We are in Utah with a broken down van, but my mind keeps wandering to you and sweet Ellie.

Jayne said...

Oh (((Carolyn)))... no words, just warm hugs and prayers for peace being sent your way.

wildcatwoods said...

I just saw this and am so very sorry I missed this post. She was loved so much and gave it back in return. Ellie lives forever in your heart. It will get easier but it takes time. Keeping you both and Lucy in our thoughts as you heal from your great loss.

With Deepest sympathy,
Cheri
Carolina Mts

Lise said...

I'm so very sorry for you loss...I have tears for you all.