I'm so sorry for your loss, miamorgana
There are cancers of the blood vessels that result in very vascular tumors that often rupture and result in the dog bleeding out. Perhaps your sweet girl had something like that--perhaps more than one. They often form on the spleen and then metastasize--so the primary one on her spleen could have burst when she died, and a secondary one in her snout or GI tract then burst shortly after. But of course it's just a guess...
13 years! That's wonderful longevity for a mastiff cross! I can tell from the way you write about her that she was well-loved. I know how difficult it is to lose them, but she passed so quickly and peacefully with you at her side! What a blessing that is!
I wish you heart's ease and happy memories to bolster you through this difficult time.
When you're ready, we do have a Rainbow Bridge forum where you can post a memorial of your sweet girl. We'd love to hear about her!
