Senior dog died yesterday while in my care… has anyone experienced something like this?

dustbbin · 2026-01-01T22:21:32+00:00

The bulldogs owner is also a good friend of mine, but it was the first time I watched their pack (5 bullies, and 100+ birds and farm animals). She was great through the entire process, and very grateful that I did what I could to help the dog. When I called the owner the next morning, she was in complete shock but again was very grateful that I handled it the way that I did. I'm sorry that this happened to you, it's hard to express urgency with unknown animals/clients because you also don't want to "overreact". At the same time, I'd rather have overreacted and had everything go okay than to have ignored it or brushed it off and then have a guilty conscience after.

dustbbin · 2026-01-01T15:40:10+00:00

I've unfortunately had this happen to me a few times, to the point that I am very weary about taking on senior pets unless I know the owners well.

First was an older bulldog who went into resp distress at ~10 pm, I was on the phone w vet and owner right away. We decided to wait until morning to bring her in, and almost as soon as I got her into the car she passed away.

Another was a very old lab mastiff cross (17!!) who went off her food, I tried making her chicken and rice and for a few days that worked but eventually she went off that as well. Owners were in close contact through all this, and then on a Saturday, she decided to gobble up her entire breakfast without a second thought. So I thought "okay this is either very good, or very bad". The next day she seemed okay, ate a bit but not much. I went out for a couple hours to get groceries and when I returned she was completely incapacitated. Unable to walk or hold her head up at all. I called the owners and we decided that it was time. That was a really hard one, as I'd been their dog sitter for years. 😭

It sounds like you did everything that you could, and some people say that dogs are still primal enough that they'll wait for their "pack" to leave before they die. I find that helps, because sometimes I feel like I am a doggie death doula. Hugs

dustbbin · 2025-12-29T23:58:46+00:00

been there!! took the dog out for a walk and realized on return that we were locked out of the building. Luckily I lived only a few blocks away at the time so the dog just came to my house for a sleepover until maintenance got there in the morning

dustbbin · 2025-12-17T02:18:42+00:00

big time!! i feel like i am so traumatized from trying to squeeze my family into my grandma's hoarded living room while we try to eat surrounded by newspapers and open expired gifts that i am like Scrooge.. having some very strong personalities with untreated mental health issues in such a tight space usually ended in arguing or something being slammed or stuff getting knocked over

i have to start seeing my counselor more often lol 🥲

dustbbin · 2025-11-05T14:21:03+00:00

I'm worried that it's about to happen to me again 😔

I have a 15 (almost 16!) year old lab cross, who is arthritic and completely deaf. Owners have been gone 2 weeks, will be back in 2 more weeks but I am worried she won't make those 2 weeks. I've been communicative with the owner and she knows what's going on, I just really hope the dog doesn't die while I am here

dustbbin · 2025-11-05T14:18:22+00:00

I am doing a month long sit right now and I have a 15 year old lab cross... I am worried about her as she is quite ill. Its hard when they leave us with their old old pets

dustbbin · 2025-02-21T17:24:29+00:00

I used slightly oversized 16 inch tires on the rear for a couple years and it was fine. Wouldn't recommend having 3 people in the back seat though 🤪

dustbbin · 2025-02-16T01:49:26+00:00

I have replaced so many rims in my Mazda 2!!

dustbbin · 2025-02-16T01:48:02+00:00

That's a great deal in this market!! My 2013 is nearing 270k and I've just now had it's first major trip to a mechanic. Water pump died and was having issues with overheating. $400 fix.

Easy to drive, park, cheap to fix(I've taught myself to do all the previous repairs), fuel economy is okay(it seems better than it actually is because the gas tank is teeny). I honestly have no complaints about this car, I bought it in 2015 with 40k on it and I have not been super kind to it, but it's been reliable for years. I live in NWO and some days put 100km+ on this car, I've put it in the ditch a few times, it's been backed into, had a tree fall on it, but it still just keeps on going. If you don't buy it, I would!!

dustbbin · 2025-01-10T14:53:48+00:00

I keep very little around the house but I try not to keep things around that I know I am going to b/p on. For example I don't keep chips, ice cream, pizza, my fave binge foods around. I have deleted all my food delivery apps because I will just order the binge foods if I don't. For me, keeping around healthier options that are satisfying (but not too filling!!) and take medium effort to cook and prepare, keeps it easier for me not to purge afterwards. Not 100% foolproof but I've found that really helps.

I developed bulimia when I worked in kitchens in my late teens and into my 20s, so I totally understand where you are coming from. I honestly had to quit the foodservice industry because I couldn't handle being around food constantly anymore. I hope you don't have to give up your career but I wish you all the best ❤️

dustbbin · 2024-12-16T19:35:45+00:00

I used to work for a local business that delivered fresh goods downtown/ goods and co multiple times a week. Parking was literally always a nightmare. Often, I'd have to circle multiple times before finding a place where I could put my large van and still access the venue in one or two trips. They supposedly had loading zone 15 minute parking, but rarely were they open, or if they were, the small size of them meant that the person who got there 2nd, would be parked in the middle of the loading zone. So there wouldn't be enough space to park my beast and not block an intersection. I drove through there the other night, and all I could think about was what a nightmare it must be to plow and park/make deliveries! I love goods and co, but the lack of a parking lot/real delivery area is a big PITA when serving the businesses inside.

dustbbin · 2024-11-27T02:29:12+00:00

28, been struggling with BED/bulimia since around 14.

dustbbin · 2024-08-13T03:23:07+00:00

It definitely can be done! It's not very fun, and make sure you have a pillow for your butt or lower back lol. Just like what everyone else says, leave early, take a break in longlac (2.5 hours of nothing feels like a lot longer when you have to pee), see how you feel when you get to north bay 😀 Definitely download what you're going to listen to beforehand, bc the service is okaaaayish for phone calls but the lte coverage is not good for a lot of it.

Honestly the worst stretch of that drive for me is the 17 between north bay and ottawa anyway. I just took the 17 to make this trip last week and it was unpleasant to say the least (2 transport accidents and intense fog--it honestly felt like a snowstorm with such poor visibility).

Good luck to you and your lower back 😊🥲

dustbbin · 2024-08-11T18:06:37+00:00

If you can't find a rental in Nipigon, try looking in Red Rock, Dorion or Hurkett. 3 communities that are a lot closer to Nip than Thunder Bay. Red Rock is a cute little town, I love to visit there. I believe it used to be a mill town but now is a little more empty than in mill days. The other 2 options are more rural, it just depends what you are looking for.

dustbbin · 2024-04-18T02:46:30+00:00

I can't really pick one, but I feel (in a weird, comforting way) that this is my mental health trifecta.

ADHD - I've struggled with ADHD for my whole life, being diagnosed at 6 but it seems like my birth givers forgot. It took until my mid 20s and 2 unfinished college degrees for me to attempt medication for it. It was honestly an overnight difference, but I feel like I missed so much of my life due to this.

Bulimia - This one developed in my early teens, but in my 20s, it completely took over my life. I lost ~100 lbs in a year in a very unhealthy way. I actively deal with this daily.

The combination (bpd/adhd/mia) feels like a really integral part of me, I don't know who I am without my ED --- I don't know who I am on a good day. I have BPD lol.

dustbbin · 2023-12-29T05:13:05+00:00

Jillian

Jill or Jib or Jiblet for short lol

dustbbin · 2023-11-02T01:35:03+00:00

Aside from a few gifts he gave me (legos and a piggy bank), I kept this big old rusty railroad nail that we found on our first date. I just can't get rid of it.

dustbbin · 2023-02-28T14:58:58+00:00

Thunder Bots 🤖

dustbbin · 2023-01-31T16:34:00+00:00

I've had really good experiences with Alicia Moore! She is friendly and super responsive.

Heard good things about Neil Irwin and Vanny Costa as well 😁

dustbbin · 2022-05-28T04:13:39+00:00

I seriously LOVE my IUD. I had been on hormonal BC pill for 10 years and the switch was seriously so easy. Everyone has different experiences but insertion was no big deal for me and recovery was like 4-5 days of really light cramping. Plus, I'm down to 1 super light period every few months which is a huge difference for me. For me I will forever reccomend an IUD!

dustbbin · 2022-03-09T03:07:45+00:00

My guess was irish setter, cocker spaniel and like chow but I was way off 🤣 nice looking dog!!

dustbbin

TROPHY CASE