NikkiandKane

Snook you have been such a beautiful support to me throughout my bumpy journey with Kane and I really appreciate it.

I think I have decided I want another puppy. I can’t stop thinking about it. The only way I can describe it is to say I feel ripped off that I never got to see Kane grow to an adult, to spend all that time loving him. It came to a very premature end and no matter how much I loved him (and I did, so very very much) I want the chance to raise a baby to adulthood. Kane taught me so much, being with him ALL the time, I spent so much time learning about dog behaviour and training. I went from a person who had dogs inside only on their bed so as not to get fur everywhere, to a person whose every item of clothing was garnished with fur , Whose floors needed washing three times a week and whose car was also full of fur and I loved it! I learned that no one loves you like a dog. Scout is very much my husbands dog, she loves me but she’s a Daddy’s girl, Kane was a Mummy’s boy and I loved it. Im not sure Kane’s sibling will be our next puppy. I just don’t know yet but I do know there will be another puppy in our home and our hearts. I simply don’t want to start wearing clothes which aren’t covered in fur, Kane taught me that.

Oh I know and that’s why I said I don’t think it’s their fault, that they couldn’t have known what was going on inside, not until it was too late anyway. what I’m referring to is the day it all went wrong, when they told me he had septicaemia and the ultrasounds showed unusual gas patterns and perhaps a rupture. I don’t know where my head was but I didn’t think of his previous surgical site but I’m sure they did, they didn’t mention it though. I’m sure it would’ve made no difference but in my mind honesty goes a long way in trust building. i am trying to just focus on the good times for sure. Laughing over his funny little antics. It’s very raw still though and last Thursday keeps running through my mind.

I am back and forth through these emotions constantly. since finding out the cause of death, I feel like I need to find a new vet. I don’t believe his death was their fault because they couldn’t have known what was going on inside of him but I feel like they would have known when he came back into the vet what may have been happening but they never mentioned it, even when septicaemia was confirmed they were still saying he must have eaten something else, I was sure he hadn’t. So they were either quiet to avoid any question of liability or they were not good enough vets to consider that option as possible.

They told me that once they have a confirmed pregnancy they will be in touch, they don’t expect that to be for 9 months, so I don’t need to think about it. I keep pushing it out of my mind but it keeps coming back in. It feels nicer to think about than dwelling on my loss I guess. This time last week was a day like any other until about 30 minutes from now..... then it all changed and I’ve never cried so much since.

I discovered in my research last night that even when both parents are free from atopy or the contributing genes which cause issues with skin barrier, they still have an 11% chance of having a pup with atopy. we aren’t sure that’s what Kane had, in fact his may have been food allergy. We never got the chance to challenge the chicken, we were literally just about to. i think mostly, before I am ready to do anything, either way, I need to deal with my new anxieties. My daughter got her puppy (who is just lovely) and I find myself being unreasonably worried about him picking up things and eating them. I was looking back at old photos today and one was of Scout when I caught her ripping up a door mat, back then I just thought she was naughty but when I looked at it today I wondered how I didn’t freak out about her eating some of it. so basically, the skin issues are a risk I think I am prepared to take. They can be managed and the changes are relatively low we would have a pup with those issues but my fear of another obstruction is off the charts. Not sure how to deal with that, maybe it’s just time? also someone mentioned getting a different sex to make pup her own person instead of too similar to Kane. I like that idea but would you get a female pup when you have a 6 year old desexed female (she would be 7 by then), she has no dog issues and loves everyone but does that just increase the risk of there being issues? Scout fretted for Kane for a day or two, lots of crying but looking at the picture below, I think she doesn’t mind having her whole bed back thanks again for all the support and just helping my brain work through all of this.

I think whichever way you look at it, it is intended to be a kind offer.

Yes, I have the same concerns. They have invited me to visit their dogs, even Kane’s sister that they kept and see their skin. They promise me no allergies. also I would have definitely dealt with his allergies, no matter the cost for my boy. It would’ve been a small price to pay (even if it was a high price) for the beautiful nature. I read the genetic testing certificates of his parents and a lot of info on breed specific genetic testing and cannot see allergies listed. anyhow, I’m a researcher and there is no rush.

These are the exact questions running through my mind. I think with time the answer will become clearer to me. Right now I’m not sure. I mean yesterday I never wanted another puppy at all! definitely all good for thought. It’s so helpful to hear your thoughts

Not for probably 12 months. Thanks for the advice

Firstly, I have plenty of time to think about this but I would love to hear some other dog lovers points of view on this. for those of you who know my journey, I lost my 5 month old boy Kane last Thursday, turns out his death was a result of post surgery complications of his bowel obstruction surgery he had in May. i loved him with all of my heart. I feel like there could never be another dog like him. He was so smart and sweet and gentle. the breeder we got him from, who does have genetic testing certificates etc for Kane’s parents has offered me pick of their next litter free of charge. it is a beautiful gesture and I am very tempted. I have to be honest and say that I am somewhat scared by the issues I dealt with with Kane but even more so for having lost him. there is a hole in my heart and I’m not sure if it’s possible to fill with another dog, even Kane’s sibling. His parents have beautiful temperaments and his sister from his same litter also has a gorgeous nature. is this my best chance to have another dog as wonderful as Kane in around a years time or would this set me up for heartbreak when this dog obviously isn’t Kane? i guess no one can know the answer and there is no pressure to make a choice right now, I’m wondering though, if it were you, would you accept the offer and why? thanks everyone, the support here has been magnificent.

We have a cause of death. Secondary peritonitis caused by dehiscence of his surgical wound from bowel obstruction surgery. i also had the beautiful offer from his breeder to give me pick of litter from his parents next litter at no cost. its nice to have answers. I just wish those answers could have helped before we lost him.

The morning Kane got sick, he still had his coat on from the night before. When we got to the vet, the vet took it off him and handed it to me. he loved that coat, it was so funny how we dangled it and showed him at the end of the hall each night to get him to run to our room for bedtime. We would put it on him and he would hop into his crate and go to sleep. i haven’t been anywhere the past few days but yesterday got into my car to go to the shops and there was Kane’s little coat on the seat, still there from when he was last in the car. I held it and smelled it and sobbed. that coat doesn’t fit Scout but I think I will always keep it, it reminds me so much of my boy. here he is, only days before he died, in his little coat he loved so much.

Thank you all so very much. Today has been harder than yesterday. I feel so sad that Kane never got to reach his potential. We loved him so very much and you’re all right, we went through so much and that built such an enormous bond. Eventually ending with me holding him as he slipped away. It’s too much to endure and I am very great full for all of your support xxx

I havent even managed to get out of bed yet this morning and I’ve already cried a river. I wish I could rewind time and have my boy here to cuddle. I might just go back to sleep. how do people deal with this pain and loss. I’m ashamed to say that this feels as bad as losing my own brother did.

Thanks everyone, I needed to share with some dog lovers, I feel so so empty and sad. He was so very special, he had learned so many tricks lately and was progressing so well. Forever a beautiful puppy. I miss him so much

Today, we said goodbye to my precious little Kane. His life was so short, he was 5 months old yesterday and his little life was riddled with health issues but it was also filled with love and security. i never knew a puppy so self contained, so sweet with all animals. He was truly a ray of sunshine in my life. it all happened so fast, this morning he ate breakfast and started having zoomies like always, he laid on his bed while I worked. All normal and then suddenly he vomited twice, he started shaking violently and we rushed off to the vet. Since he had previously had an Obstruction we suspected the same, even though he is literally never out of my sight but the xray and ultrasound showed nothing, we gave him markers for the xray and took bloods and put him on fluids. The bloods showed he was anaemic and his stomach was filling with fluid. We just don’t know what happened but he went into shock and downhill fast. He was moaning in pain even after opiates. the vet said we should be kind and say goodbye, so I held him and kissed him until he slipped away. Now I’m am empty and exhausted. i am glad he came to us, even though he cost such a lot in such a short time. I have no regrets, we gave him the absolute best life he could’ve had anywhere and he gave us so much love in return.

We have progressed and added turkey to his diet these last few weeks. No reaction. In fact his skin looks the best it ever has. Not much longer and we will challenge with chicken again. the vet very calmly told me that he will get flare ups and probably seasonal allergies but we will need to see how he goes over the next 12 months. so far I am very happy with his progress and totally prepared for a life of managing his skin issues. he is very worth it

Just an update. We have decided that it is not separation anxiety but normal puppy behaviour after talking to a behaviourist. We try not to leave him alone for any length of time until he feels more independent and are working on games etc which achieve this. He regularly goes in the laundry crate for up to 40 minutes while I do housework like vacuuming or mopping and he is very relaxed about it. I let him out before he shows any signs of distress. He loves having a Kong in there. he is slowly becoming more confident, happy to wander off to another room to sleep in a patch of sunshine and not having to follow me everywhere. also he hasn’t even attempted to eat a rock since his surgery. there’s lots of things we are working on but he seems quite happy and well adjusted. he now knows not to walk through doors to the outside without sitting and meeting my eyes, that’s the magic trick for anything he wants, meet my eyes. he also knows sit, drop, roll over, shake, high five, speak and touch. I love doing “touch” with him, it has taught him good self control to just gently touch a target without biting. He knows the meaning of a bunch of words too. i just realised there’s no rush to leave him alone for very long. We can get there on his timetable since I work from home anyway.

Hi everyone, I thought I would just let you know that my Daughter is getting a Lowchen x bichon. She spent some time with the parents and it didn’t trigger her allergies and they were sweet lovely dogs. her little black puppy will be coming home with her on Thursday. thanks for all the advice

I haven’t but thanks for the tip. I will look into it and thank you. training yesterday was a bit discouraging. I don’t think we found the trainer for us, so that is nice to hear

Yay, big step forward today. I took my daughter to school while leaving Kane with his Kong in the small crate in our study (it’s where we spend much of our time, so he’s comfortable here). I came home after around 10 minutes and he glanced up at me from his Kong and went back to happily munching on it. the secret was wedging a whole carrot in the end!

Ah good to know, I thought he wanted to be a dentist because he gets right in there. Scout does sometimes tell him off for it. She’s very tolerant though.

Ah good to know, I thought he wanted to be a dentist because he gets right in there. Scout does sometimes tell him off for it. She’s very tolerant though.

His suture line is looking great! Back to the vet tomorrow but we will be using the appointment to finally get Kane’s third vaccination needle!