Brythen

[bunn]

Someone out searching for Brythen found his body this morning.  He was in a field we had searched but in the middle where the long grass hid him.  I think he must have jumped into the field after a deer and had a heart attack almost immediately.

At least I know.   I've been out searching basically since Sunday and so have huge numbers of other people who all turned out to help.  People came from all around and drove up from Plymouth to help search and his poster was shared all over the country in case someone had stolen him.  I just wish, I wish they had found him alive.  

I'm trying to tell myself that it is better to know, and better to go quickly.  I should have done better keeping him safe. 

Comments

[chainmailmaiden]

I'm so sorry to hear this, I'd really hoped you'd get good news. Please don't beat yourself up over this (though I know telling someone not to do that is easier than not actually doing it when it's you it's happened to.) You looked after Brythen very well and you could in no way have predicted something like this would happen to him. You gave him a very happy, secure and safe home and he was lucky to have had you as his owner. It's sad he had a short life, but the life he did have with you was lovely. Wish there was anything that could be said to make it better, but I know this will have been devastating for you and I know how much you'll miss him :-( I will miss having to dodge his very wet nose :-(

[bunn.livejournal.com]

Thanks. I'm trying to come to terms with it still. I thought he'd be with us for many years to come.

[thesmallhobbit.livejournal.com]

You are right, it is better to know, and better he went quickly. But that doesn't make it any easier for you. And the only way to have kept him safe would have been to stop him doing everything he loved, which you would never have done.

None of which will help, I know, so here are *hugs* instead.

[bunn.livejournal.com]

Thank you. He did love to run. I just can't help wondering if I'd walked him earlier in the day when it was cooller... no point in that though.

[parrot-knight.livejournal.com]

chainmailmaiden is right. You cared for him superbly. His was a great heart, but even great hearts give out.

[bunn.livejournal.com]

Thanks. I'm going to miss him so much.

[ladyzi.livejournal.com]

I am so very, very sorry for your loss. My heart goes out to you.

[bunn.livejournal.com]

Thank you.

[timetiger.livejournal.com]

I am so very sorry to hear this. I burst into tears when I read your post.

You have no reason whatever to reproach yourself. Thanks to you he was a happy boy. You gave him a wonderful life.

[bunn.livejournal.com]

Thanks. I have done my fair bit of bursting into tears but at least I know that he is not lost and cold or hungry.

[puddleshark.livejournal.com]

I am so very sorry.

He couldn't have had a better owner, or a happier life that the one he led with you.

[bunn.livejournal.com]

Thank you. I suppose he died doing what he loved, but my god, far too soon. :-(

[sineala.livejournal.com]

I am very sorry for your loss.

[bunn.livejournal.com]

Thanks. I thought he would have the time to get old and tired... It has been a shock.

[ladyofastolat.livejournal.com]

Oh no! I'm dreadfully sorry to hear this. I was offline all day today, but spent yesterday obsessively refreshing Facebook hoping for good news. We were just talking about Brythen over lunch this weekend, when I said that Brythen was pretty much the perfect dog, and if I ever did get a dog, I would want one just like him. He was such a happy dog, and he obviously loved you and loved the life you gave him. I can't see any way on earth how this could be remotely your fault in any way. If his body failed him unexpectedly, it could have happened at any time. It happened to happen when he was haring around happily in a place he loved.

[bunn.livejournal.com]

One of those situations when you keep thinking of all the things you could have done just a bit differently. But you're right, it wasn't a bad way to go, if he had to. It was just too soon.

[wosny.livejournal.com]

This is really sad news... I am so sorry for all of you.

[bunn.livejournal.com]

Thanks.

[sally_maria]

I am so very sorry to hear this. It was obvious he was a happy and much loved dog - you gave him a good life.

[bunn.livejournal.com]

It was a good life, but over far too soon, my poor happy dog.

[jane-somebody.livejournal.com]

Oh no, I am so so sorry to hear this. I don't see how you could possibly have done better for him, either keeping him safe or giving him the happy loving home you did. He really was a lovely fellow. I hope Rosie isn't too distressed as well. Please try to be kind to yourself.

[bunn.livejournal.com]

I keep thinking of things I could have done a little differently, but it's silly really. It's just he was not old, and I wasn't expecting it.

[angelica-ramses.livejournal.com]

A real nightmare. I'm so sorry for your loss. The upside is seeing that a lot of people turned out to help but the gaping hole left in our hearts when pets go doesn't fade away.
*Hugs*

[bunn.livejournal.com]

It was very sweet of them all to try to help.

[huinare.livejournal.com]

I'm so sorry to hear this.
I'm with everyone who has said there's no cause to reproach yourself.

[bunn.livejournal.com]

Thanks. It's so easy to think of lists of 'if only'. Probably not productive, but hey.

[penichops.livejournal.com]

He had the very best life any hound could ask for, please don't blame yourself in any way. I hope all of he love everyone is sending you reaches you. Xxxx

[bunn.livejournal.com]

Thanks. He did love to run and at least he got to do that. He was so young still. I'm glad I don't have to imagine him cold and hurt tonight though.

[hhimring]

Oh, such a terrible loss.
But really there is nothing you could have done.
And at least he is not hurting or afraid, as you feared.

[bunn.livejournal.com]

It is better, knowing he has not been stolen and is not wandering somewhere with a broken leg etc. But I can't thinking of 'if only'. I so very nearly took a shorter walk and turned back to the car before that point. I suppose it might have happened at another time anyway, but it's hard to keep logic in mind.

[clairehawthorn.livejournal.com]

I'm so sorry for your loss.

[bunn.livejournal.com]

Thank you.

[mcmurphy79.livejournal.com]

This is awful. I'm so sorry to read this. You did look after him. You can't have known this would have happened and he must have been so happy with you and likely so happy in his last moments.

I truly sorry for your loss

[bunn.livejournal.com]

Thanks. I thought he would have so many years ahead... I chose a photo of him inside for this, because although he loved to run, he loved having his own house and toys and people so much, having come from a typical horrible lurcher situation and not having any of that. I still remember how amazing he thought it was to have a house to get out of the rain in, when he first came to us.

[the-marquis.livejournal.com]

I can't add anything that chainmailmaiden hasn't already said better. I'm sorry for all of you but you gave him the love and exercise he needed, you couldn't keep him indoors or just in the garden and so ...

[bunn.livejournal.com]

Thanks. I miss him.

[calzephyr77.livejournal.com]

I am sorry to hear about the loss of your dog <3

[bunn.livejournal.com]

Thanks. :-(

[topum.livejournal.com]

This is definitely Valhalla. A hunting dog died chasing a deer, doing what he loved from a heart too full. Way better than becoming too ill to walk, being stuck at home and eventually having to be put down because of pain, cancers, etc. Glorious death for a hunter. Valhalla for Brythen!

[bunn.livejournal.com]

Oh! That is the perfect way to think about it! Thank you so much. It made me cry but in a better way.

Brythen would like Valhalla, he'd be rummaging through the hall demanding attention and scraps from all the feasting warriors and valkyries.

[freebyrd1979.livejournal.com]

I'm so sorry! *hugs*

[bunn.livejournal.com]

Thanks! At least I know, but it's taking a little while to come to terms with it.

[howlin-wolf-66.livejournal.com]

Hey, don't beat yourself up. *hugs* That is one beautiful, happy, contented and well cared for dog, there. I wish you'd gotten more time together, but that photo is proof that you did right by him, in the time that you did have. Nobody can know everything that's going to happen, and if he could, he would tell you not to blame yourself.

[bunn.livejournal.com]

I'm lucky to have had the time I did with him, I know. Starting to get the hang of the fact that he's gone now, but it is not easy. I suppose it's always too soon but specially so this time.

[pixel39.livejournal.com]

I'm so sorry. At least he is in Valhalla, where he is undoubtedly conning everyone out of sossidges and cuddles.

[bunn.livejournal.com]

That made me smile. Yes, I'm sure he is.

[ylla.livejournal.com]

I don't really think it's possible to keep someone you love *safe* - only to try to help them to be happier while they're with you, and be happier because you're with them. And there's no doubt that you did all that.

I'm sitting here crying for him, though, because I fell in love with him from a distance. And that's a lovely photo, one ear up and one ear down.

[bunn.livejournal.com]

He was a dog worth crying for, he really was. I suppose they all are, in a way, but he was a very easy dog to love.

[alitheapipkin.livejournal.com]

Oh I am so very sorry for your loss, I'm sitting here crying too, I was so hoping that I'd check in and find you sharing good news. I'll miss reading about his antics and your lovely photos of him so I can't imagine what a huge hole he's left in your life. Wishing you comfort x

[bunn.livejournal.com]

Thank you. It's taken me a while to get my head around it. It was so sudden.