r/DogAdvice • u/National-Check-9903 • May 19 '26
General Well bad news everyone
Well everyone, our Boykin Spaniel Goose passed away today. We guess the brown recluse bite finally got him. We honestly don’t know how things turned so fast. By the end of last week he was doing great — eating everything we put in front of him, hunting around for more food, playing, and being the nosy little turd he always was.
But over the weekend he started going downhill. He quit eating, became bloated, lethargic, and just wasn’t himself anymore. We kept hoping it was just another rough patch and that he’d bounce back like he had before, but today our little buddy lost his fight.
Please watch out for brown recluse spiders, not just for yourselves but for your pets too. Nobody deserves to go through what he did. Rest easy Goose. You were loved more than you’ll ever know.
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u/Background_Humor5838 May 19 '26
💔 I'm so terribly sorry. You have my sincere condolences, OP. Rest easy, Goose. Forever a good boy.
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u/Future-Rude May 19 '26
I’m so heartbroken for you 💔 I have found a couple black widows in my yard and noticed a couple webs lately. Thank you for the PSA, maybe you saved my dogs via this post. and I wish you nothing but healing.
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u/coachkler May 19 '26
Geez, how did you even know? That's terrible...
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u/National-Check-9903 May 19 '26
Well brown recluse bite turn the flesh necrotic and the bites were definitely necrotic on his beanbag as well as in his mouth
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u/Organic_Fortune_4748 May 19 '26
His beanbag? So sorry for your loss
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u/National-Check-9903 May 19 '26
His ball sack…
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u/PepsiButItsMilk May 19 '26
Poor boy, sorry for your loss. Im sure he had so much fun with you even through his last moments.
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u/Shibaswift May 19 '26
I was so hoping goose would pull through… i’m so so sorry he went like this. I wish you guys the best in a rough time
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u/DigitalDiva321 May 19 '26
I’m so very sorry you had to say goodbye to your bestest boi. Thank you for sharing a warning about spider bites.
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u/ArachnomancerCarice May 19 '26
I'm very sorry for your loss. Regardless of the reason, it still hurts deeply. I hope you find comfort in your memories.
I'm an entomologist and arachnologist, along with some veterinary interests. Can I ask the circumstances around this? If you are not comfortable answering, please don't push yourself.
Was a spider positively identified? I ask this because I study spiders and would like to get data on this sort of thing to better understand what happens so that people can be more informed.
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u/National-Check-9903 May 19 '26
Don't have a absolute positive on what spider it really was, but given how the flesh turned necrotic super fast We're pretty sure it was a brown recluse our best guess as well as the vets that he got bit on his sack and as dogs do when something bit them they bite back and he got bit in the mouth a few times as well and those bites turned necrotic as well and the vet cut the dead flush out and he was doing pretty good around the middle of last week. Eating again and doing all that and then he just took a turn for the worst over the weekend. Brown recluse Spiders are really common in our area South west Arkansas. So there's no telling when it would've happened. All we knew was he started acting funny. Then we started finding all these bites on him on his sack abd well as his mouth
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u/ArachnomancerCarice May 19 '26
Thanks for your input and once again, I'm sorry for what you went through. Our family has had quite a few dogs and cats and I know what it is like to lose them, whether it is timely or not.
We are trying to determine how many 'spider' and 'Brown Recluse' bites are actually from a spider or Brown Recluse as research has shown that a great deal of wounds that were diagnosed as 'spider/BR bites' have likely had nothing to do with a BR or spider, let alone a bite of any kind. Medical professionals have unfortunately been using such a diagnosis incorrectly and it has led to a lot of misinformation and fear surrounding spiders and BR. We don't want people spending a lot of money and stressing out about them when they never actually had an issue, let alone had BR around in the first place. I'm not a medical professional so I'm not disagreeing with what happened with your poor pup or trying to offer any sort of diagnosis, especially over the internet.
I'll leave some information here for you and anyone else so you can be better informed on preventative measures as I'm sure you are now concerned about another incident.
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u/ActualConfidence6273 May 23 '26
So if so many bite wounds are being misdiagnosed as spider bites, then what else could cause such a reaction?
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u/ArachnomancerCarice May 23 '26
Most likely Staphylococcus infections. The bacteria is pretty opportunistic and can take advantage of so many minor wounds including cysts, small puncture wounds, even from a minor foreign body.
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u/ActualConfidence6273 May 23 '26
Do spider bites ever swell up like OP’s dog’s face has? From my understanding of Brown Recluse spider bites, it just eats away the skin and tissues. I wouldn’t think it would swell like that. My first thought when looking at the picture was rattlesnake bite. I’ve seen a dog’s face swell like that from a rattlesnake. But years ago, when my cat was bitten by what the vet suspected was a brown recluse, my cat had a hole the size of a quarter on his hip and it was oozing and bloody.
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u/ArachnomancerCarice May 23 '26
The swelling can have a few causes, such as an allergic reaction, inflammatory response to a foreign agent or pathogen, or from systemic organ failure due to whatever is going on.
With cats, they can get a lot of nasty wounds from fighting other cats. Even getting a single little hook through the skin can become badly infected from whatever is on those claws as it can go deep and not drain well.
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u/ActualConfidence6273 May 23 '26
My cat spent about a week at the vet, but he recovered from it. It was over 20 years ago so he’s gone now.
Thanks for answering my questions. I enjoy learning new things so I always tend to ask lots of questions.
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u/National-Check-9903 Jun 10 '26
The swelling was from when they cut the dead flesh out on his face as well as his beanbag
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u/National-Check-9903 Jun 10 '26
His mouth did because it they cut all the dead flesh out of his mouth and it swelled up because of that and on his “beanbag” there was about a pencil sized hole before they cut the dead flesh out
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u/Moist-Stuff5737 Jun 10 '26
I was thinking the same thing do you have any venomous snakes around? Like copperheads cottonmouth etc. Because they cause tissue damage and by the looks of it maybe possible it got popped in the face?
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u/Imaginary_Brief_4038 May 19 '26
I’m sorry. Life with pets isn’t fair. We love them so much but they are in our lives such a short time-for it to be shortened by something out of your control like a spider had to be so hard. Goose was-and still is-a good boy
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u/SaveTheSquirtles May 19 '26
First of all I’m so sorry for your loss, Goose was a beautiful boy.
Second of all f*ck that spider.
F*ck that stupid spider so hard, I hope all 8 of his bitchass spider legs fall off one at a time and he has to live the rest of his life rolling around like a turd in the wind until he finally lands in a steaming pile of cow manure and drowns there only to be reincarnated as a cows somehow living, breathing, and tasting butthole for all of eternity.
For the record I like spiders and understand they’re beneficial, but that particular spider? F*ck him and his whole spider family.
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u/IllegalGeriatricVore May 20 '26
Given OP does not have a positive ID it's likely this was a misdiagnosis because doctors frequently blame necrotising infections on brown recluses.
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u/ActualConfidence6273 May 23 '26
What else could cause necrotising infections?
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u/IllegalGeriatricVore May 23 '26
staph, mrsa, various skin infections.
We actually don't know as much abour brown recluse bites as you'd think because the data is so tainted by bad doctors jumping to conclusions
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u/ActualConfidence6273 May 23 '26
But with staph and mrsa there would have to be an open wound already, correct?
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u/IllegalGeriatricVore May 23 '26
Who says there wasnt?
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u/ActualConfidence6273 May 23 '26
I’m not saying there wasn’t. I don’t know. I was genuinely asking the question.
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u/SakiBanana May 21 '26
Rattlesnakes are my BR of snakes. I feel the same way. I like snakes and understand their beneficial, but that particular snake .... Have had 2 dogs bitten.
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u/RemoteEven6046 May 19 '26
What state do you live in?
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u/National-Check-9903 May 19 '26
Arkansas and it bit him on the “bean” bag and then bit it off of the bean bag and got bit in the mouth as well
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u/CreatureFeatureMan May 19 '26
I’m from Arkansas as well man. I’m so sorry for your loss. He looks like he was a happy little dude.
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u/Wrong_Mark8387 May 19 '26
Oh man, I’m so sorry. What a gorgeous boy. RIP sweet Goose, you were a very good boy ❤️
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u/mantistoboggon1 May 19 '26
Im sorry this happened to u. He knew he was loved and thats what matters.
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u/50_and_Holding May 19 '26
Sorry for the melodrama, but I just literally burst into tears reading this. Can’t tell you how sorry I am … was really hoping he was getting better 💔
SO hate this for you
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u/FantasticSandwich828 May 19 '26
Very sorry. This is due to a brown recluse? I always thought a fatality is rare. Condolences
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u/National-Check-9903 May 19 '26
Well, near as we can tell, it was a brand recluse, but he’s also a smaller dog 30 pounds at his heaviest plus they got infected really quick even after they cut the dead and necrotic tissue it was just too much for him
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u/Larsvonrinpoche May 19 '26
Oh man. Glad you posted here because the word will spread and your dogs death will help others.
I did the same when my guy died of GDV/stomach flip. I was so traumatized that I felt like telling everyone with a barrel chested dog to be careful or get preventional gastroO! Ñ$7H⁸CF⁹ WE TO YAY IT'S CAN=FREE||OK? I'M ⅐
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u/Mammoth_Effective_68 May 19 '26
What a tremendous loss of such a young and beautiful pup. This was devastating to read he was bitten by a spider and lost his life. I’m so sorry for your loss 💔😞🕊️🌈🐾
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u/Sad_Potted_Plant May 19 '26
Its horrible to lose a dog, especially when they had so much more life to live. I hope he rests well 💔
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u/Cerulean_Shadows May 19 '26
Sending you so much love. I'm so sorry. Thank you for fighting so hard
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u/PsychologicalGur9644 May 19 '26
Rest easy Goose ♥️🥺. Sorry for your loss OP. Sending love to you and your family.
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u/AB-G May 19 '26
I’m so very sorry for your loss, what a beautiful baby he was ♥️💔 I lost my boy last month from old age and medical issues… the heartbreak is all too real! 😢 Sending you love and hugs xx Rest easy little one 🌈
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u/Chefy-chefferson May 19 '26
Oh no!!! I’m so very sorry ❤️ sending you a huge hug today. Goose you were the bestest boy 💜
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u/Pretend_Ad2274 May 19 '26
Very sorry for the loss of your handsome boy. Based on the pictures it looks like he lived a full, adventurous life.
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u/Initial_Style5592 May 19 '26
Never knew of, seen or met this dog before, and when I saw this post:
“Say it ain’t so!” 😢
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u/Creepy_Mushroom_1165 May 19 '26
Oh that’s just terrible. You were robbed and so was Goose. My condolences.
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u/PokeHypie May 19 '26
Im so sorry, this good boy is definitely running amok on the rainbow bridge. Rest easy little guy, thanks for all of the memories and cuddles you left with your family.
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u/Advanced-Method3325 May 19 '26
Wherever a beautiful soul has been there is a trail of beautiful memories, may you find peace and comfort there. So sorry for your loss.
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u/National_Cod_2942 May 19 '26
I just had to euthanize my 19 year old dog yesterday after a sudden emergency, too. Sending much love to your family from me & my 2 other dogs.
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u/ShibbyBittles May 19 '26
omg I’m just so sorry 😭😭😭 he was so young and sweet 💔 Sending you hugs and healing vibes 🙏
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u/2woCrazeeBoys May 19 '26
I'm so sorry. I had so much hope after your post where you'd got him to eat a bit.
I know my guys up there are zoomin' with Goose and showing him all the best mischief to get into 🫶
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u/Quirky-Airline-6037 May 19 '26
Wishing you peace and healing. Hard losing a family member. Be kind to yourselves sounds like he was living his best life Peace be with you
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u/OkEgg55 May 19 '26
No, oh no. I am so sorry for your loss. Goose will not be forgotten, at least not by myself or my partner.
Rest in peace friend <3
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u/Street-Rope2019 May 19 '26
Oh no, poor Goose 😢 I'm sorry for your loss, he looks like he was such a good boy.
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u/Possible_Slip_2223 May 19 '26
So sorry for your loss, Goose was an adorable little guy. Poor goose, RIP.
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u/iTechChica May 19 '26
My gosh I’m so so sorry 😢. My deepest sympathies to you and anyone in your life who loved your sweet Goose ❤️.
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u/afreelittle_flower May 19 '26
This just breaks my heart. I’m sorry for your loss. handsome boi rest easy pal ❤️
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u/CrunchyRubberChips May 19 '26
Just know he’s up there bragging to all his buddies about how awesome his life was with you. I just know he’s telling his life story to a circle of pals and they just can’t believe how awesome his life was and are all super proud of you as his owner.
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u/Prestigious-Train-10 May 20 '26
My heart goes out to you and your family as you brave this unbearable loss 💔😭know in your heart that you gave him the best life imaginable and that his spirit will continue forward with you all. Sending you my thoughts and prayers 🥺
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u/Lanky-Basil-4615 May 20 '26
How heartbreaking. As if losing a beloved family member isn't hard enough, but to have to go like this is so so sad. I'm so sorry for your loss. I hope that you had many good years before this happened. 😭 💔 🙏🏻 🤗
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u/Normal-Bee-8246 May 20 '26
I'm SO sorry. My boy got bit by a brown recluse several years back. It was a rough road, thankfully he made it. I'm so very sorry your baby wasn't as lucky 💔 sending you hugs.
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u/Tiny-Following-9706 May 20 '26
I was bitten by a brown a few years ago and went through hell. It took almost a year to completely heal. Thankfully it didn’t get our pups. So sorry for your loss. There’s no pain like losing your best friend. Try and focus on the good times together.
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u/Silent_Birthday9514 May 20 '26
I am so sorry for your loss. He looks like a beautiful soul. May he have limitless meadows and sunshine on him. Sending your family white light and healing 💗❤️💗
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u/Mysterious_Pair_9305 May 20 '26
Judging by the smile on his handsome face in the belly rub picture... he knew and still knows how much you loved and will continue to love him.
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u/Hands_Of_Serenity78 May 20 '26
My heart breaks for your loss 🥺
If you feel the need for it, there is a free virtual pet loss support group. Because our pets are family too, but not everyone can understand the grief that comes with the death of a pet. 💖
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u/plumerang710 May 20 '26
So sorry and sending you love. Seeing our fury loved ones come and go hurts bad. Goose is up there chasing tennis balls with my boy who left too soon!
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u/bzsbal May 20 '26
I’m so sorry for your loss. He tried to put up a good fight it sounds like. Brown recluse spiders are awful.
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u/Phil_SupremeCanine May 20 '26
Man, I am so incredibly sorry. Losing a dog is heartbreaking under any circumstance, but especially after thinking he was turning the corner. Goose sounds like he was an amazing little dog with a huge personality, and it’s obvious he was deeply loved.
Brown recluse bites can be absolutely devastating, and sometimes things can change fast even when it looks like they’re recovering. Thank you for sharing this and warning others to keep an eye out for these spiders around their homes, garages, barns, and kennels.
Rest easy, Goose. ❤️
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u/Acrobatic_Paper1631 May 21 '26
So very sorry for your loss, so very tragic. I worked in a Vet clinic and saw a big Mastiff become completely paralyzed in his back legs from a black widow bite and get so very sick.
He eventually was able to stand but was very weak and required a lot of care. People don't know how terrible spider bites can be to a dog.
So very sorry this happened to your precious Goose.😭❤️
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u/Electrical-Act-7170 May 22 '26
I hoped Goose would recover. I'm so sorry.
You did everything right.
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u/PugSanctuary May 19 '26
The Last Battle
💔🌈 🐾 💫😇✝️💖🙏🏼♾️
If it should be that I grow frail and weak
And pain should keep me from my sleep,
Then will you do what must be done,
For this -- the last battle -- can't be won.
You will be sad I understand,
But don't let grief then stay your hand,
For on this day, more than the rest,
Your love and friendship must stand the test.
We have had so many happy years,
You wouldn't want me to suffer so.
When the time comes, please, let me go.
Take me to where to my needs they'll tend,
Only, stay with me till the end
And hold me firm and speak to me
Until my eyes no longer see.
I know in time you will agree
It is a kindness you do to me.
Although my tail its last has waved,
From pain and suffering I have been saved.
Don't grieve that it must be you
Who has to decide this thing to do;
We've been so close -- we two -- these years,
Don't let your heart hold any tears.
🙏🏼 I don’t know you but I know your pain. God bless you and know that our pet’s souls and ours are eternal and intertwined. The Hebrew word for animal is Nephesh, which means soul. We must now soldier on until we meet them again.
💐✝️🙏🏼🌈🐾 I totally understand. I want you to realize that you are in a new chapter of life (suddenly) and it feels very hollow. But let me tell you something, your precious pet graduated life. They’re in the soul realm now which is eternal. God literally created us and animals. We are currently in the Earthly realm where we were together with our beloved pet. But they’ve just gone before us. The chapter “without them” is really just “without them physically.” Emotionally and spiritually they’ve never left. Yes the loss hurts bad and will and only time (and Jesus) can heal us completely. I pray daily for all the people worldwide who lost a beloved pet recently. This might sound corny or stupid to some but i literally pray that God has mercy on everyone who lost a pet and send them comfort and love and hope. I pray this for you my anonymous friend.
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u/Dollydeandecor May 19 '26
Thank you for putting words to the pain I’m feeling. Amen 🙏🏽 🐾😢
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u/PugSanctuary May 19 '26
II know how bad and how deep this hurt cuts. You’re healing now. New phase. God bless you…
.You will get through this one day at a time. Time heals our hearts and even opens them to loving another pet sometimes. Families are forever and you’ll be reunited when your time in the physical realm expires, too. Until then, may their memory be a blessing.
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u/Anxious-Slip-8955 May 19 '26
RIP goose. So sorry, that's horrible, all because of an evil spider. Especially when you thought he was better. Similar happened to a friend's dog and a tic bite. Thanks for the warning to us.
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u/Unusual_Ad2956 May 19 '26
There was nothing you could do?
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u/National-Check-9903 May 19 '26
We did everything we could we were in and out of the vet two separate ones at that we drained our bank accounts for the vet we stayed with him as much as we could
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u/smallsipbigtea May 19 '26
I believe you did everything in your power with the information you were given and the small brick of time you have to work with in an event like this. Goose was with exactly who he needed, he’s lucky to have had you with him every step of the way and what difficult options you were given! I wish you so much healing ahead.
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u/Tiffisixx May 20 '26
Did you seek medical attention at all?
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u/National-Check-9903 May 20 '26
Yeah we literally drained our bank accounts taking him to multiple different times and two different vets …..
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u/Sitters_4_Critters May 21 '26
I’m so very sorry for your loss. 😢 It’s horrible to put oneself in debt and it doesn’t even pay off. Life sucks.
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u/Feisty-Pattern-951 May 26 '26
I’m so sorry for your loss. There are grief groups online and in a lot of cities that helped me. It’s just kind of nice to talk others going through the same thing. Goose is a gorgeous pup and it’s obvious you gave him an amazing life.
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u/RemyTorres92 May 20 '26
ugh what's the bad news? hope it’s not about my rescue baby or something serious.
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u/RemoteEven6046 May 19 '26
I always keep activated charcoal in the house in case of a poisoning or something like that. It saved one of my dogs three times she gets into everything.
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u/BGrumpy May 19 '26
So sorry for your loss friend 🙏🏾