Saying Goodbye..Win A Memorial Blanket Contest
If you’ve ever suffered through the heartbreak of losing a pet you know how devastating it is. The terrible void it leaves in your life. It’s not just the loss of a dog, it’s the loss of a family member, a friend.
For those that aren’t dog lovers, they will never understand the importance of being able to say a proper goodbye. Being able to grieve without being criticized, share your feelings without anyone saying it was just a dog. There’s an online site Peternity, where you can go to connect with others that are going through the grieving process. They have a place where you can post free online memorials, a wonderful way to honor your dear friend.
Peternity also has an online store where you can purchase a vast array of memorial products. You can get everything from custom blankets to urns. They also have a terrific new service for children, Kidoodlyrock, to help them deal with the loss. It includes a stone memorial marker with your child’s drawing, and a place for them to post a picture and share some special words on their Kidoodlyrocks gallery page.
We created Kidoodlyrocks, right here at Peternity, because we wanted to figure out a way to help children through the difficult experience of loss. A Kidoodlyrock is a pet memorial marker that is engraved with your child’s drawing of their pet. These precious stones are very near and dear to my heart, as I experienced loss at the tender young age of 4 when I lost my mother to breast cancer. Through Kidoodlyrocks, I feel that I can give back, by helping children to find their way through the first loss that most of them experience, the loss of a pet.
For any Dogsters that have lost a pet, thanks to Peternity’s generosity, you are going to have a chance to win a personalized blanket. It’s a cozy chenille blanket, pictured above, with words of affection discreetly embroidered in the corner.
To enter the contest all you need to do is leave a comment in the comment section sharing the name of the pet you lost, and a story if you like. The contest will run today through Monday, March 23, when I will choose one winner.
If you’ve lost a pet or know someone who has keep Peternity in mind for all your memorial needs. It’s a great place to order yourself a special keepsake, or to buy a gift for the dog lover in your life who has suffered a loss.
We lost our dachshund named Amos 8 years ago next month.
He was my love. He took care of me while I was in an abusive marriage and then left with me when I finally found the strength.
We found my wonderful husband of forever and the thing I told him from the get go “Amos will always come first”.
We were a happy family of three until one day Amos came out of the bed room twitching his head. It was odd. We took him to the vet and finally figured out he had ruptured disks in his neck.
We went to the surgery center and had his neck fixed, or we tried anyway. We got him home on Friday and he looked just horrible. That weekend he , well lets just say it was horrible. Still very vivid in my mind.
That Monday we got him back up to the surgery center where they said something was surely not right and they had to go back in. They did. We waited by the phone . They called:
“You need to get here right away. We have Amos on life support. He is not going to wake up. You need to come see him and say good bye”.
What?
It took a long time for me to let go. Some days I think maybe I still hold on.
It was a bad mix of meds that killed him. He was a stubborn, hard headed love of my life. I miss him but am grateful for the short time I had with him.
He was 7 years old when he died.
xoxoxoxoxo Amos. Mommy and daddy still think of you always. And I know you come visit the other dogs and teach them silly things.
OMD! This couldn’t have come at a better time. Thank you for posting this link. As much as I’m hurting right now it helps. Sheba, my beloved companion for 13 years crossed Rainbow Bridge last Wednesday after a sudden illness. I’m heartbroken and lost. I posted the following blog and am copying & pasting it here:
I’m having a hard time understanding why Sheba decided to eat the other dog’s stuffed toys. Sheba ate a stuffed dog toy leg on March 3rd. She took the toy from Bella and ran to her bed with it chewing away. It didn’t take her long at all because once I realized what she was doing I took it away then noticed the leg missing. I searched under the furniture and the dog beds, but it was no where. I knew she swallowed it at that point. That upset and worried me because it had a large part on the bottom that I didn’t think she’d be able to pass. The vet and I talked about it during our regular visit last Thursday, but because Sheba was still acting normal and not throwing up we decided she’d passed it already. I scheduled her for a dental because her breath was smelling really bad. She actually passed the toy on Friday morning. I saw it in her feces….it was the leopard coloring which I have no doubts at what I saw. She may have actually eaten a Loofa dog too because the feces I located and took to the vet’s office on Tuesday contained the face of a Loofa dog toy, but that puzzles me.
On Sunday morning I gave her medication in soft dog food as always (2 Benadryls,1 Vitamin E UI200, and Pilocarpine drops), but she threw it up and refused to eat. She vomited throughout the day. I kept giving her water to keep her from getting dehydrated. She refused to eat in the afternoon also and would not sleep Sunday night, but she wasn’t stumbling or acting real weak so I decided to wait to get her into her regular vet’s office on Monday because she knows Sheba’s background and meds she was taking. I got two hours sleep Sunday night and was contemplating taking her to the emergency vet.
Monday she had a fever, high white blood cell count, was mildly dehydrated and was moving very slow. She was doing much better each day, but was still fighting a bad infection. All the tests came back good and there was no signs of any obstructions. I was scared something from the toys were caught in her system somewhere.
Tuesday she was doing even better at the vet’s office, barking at the staff and getting around good. At home Tuesday evening she only wanted to stay on her bed, but did move around a little. She looked so tired, but was more alert and would watch me closely. She appeared to sleep good that night.
Wednesday she was doing good too, but took a turn for the worse just as the vet was about to call me to say they were going to release her and put her on oral anti-biotics. I am so thankful I was able to make it over there and hold her paws, pet her and kiss her head before she crossed Rainbow Bridge. I’m not sure if she knew I was nearby, but if there is truly a place called Rainbow Bridge she knows.
I’m having problems dealing with this and keep beating myself up with guilt. What in the world would possess her to start swallowing toys?? In all these years she has never eaten anything strange; only dog food and treats. She was 13 years old and doing better with her allergies, but had arthritis. I stopped giving her treats and she’s been on a special anti-allergen diet since December ‘08 and I wonder if she was doing that because she was still hungry. Or was she jealous of the new dogs who are very active and play most of the day. I think the toys contributed to her problems and probably put toxins throughout her body. That is my fault for having those toys around for her to get hold of. I have no idea how or when she got hold of another Loofa toy because I’ve accounted for all the ones we have. I took the pink one to the vet’s office to let them know I located it. I also have orange, green and red ones. I had a blue one which was six inches long, but caught Sheba eating that one a couple months ago and pulled it out of her throat before she completely swallowed it.
My husband wanted a necropsy done at LSU and I also wanted to know what happened to my baby because I just knew she had some remnants of a toy still stuck inside somewhere so I drove her to LSU Wednesday afternoon. I left her there, but went back to get her yesterday morning because the Pathologist called to let me know they cannot release the body for private cremation if the necropsy is performed there. I couldn’t bear the thought of my baby being thrown in a pile with other dogs, horses and cattle for a mass cremation. I wish someone could change this policy because it is ridiculous. I took Sheba back to the vet’s office here so she can have a private cremation.
Thank God for my Dogster friends especially Sandi in CA for all her support. She reached out to me after Miracle’s passing and I just had to call her about Sheba. We talked almost all my way back home from LSU Wednesday night. She was so kind to contact Melanie whom I’d also received a tremendous amount of support during Miracle’s crossing. Melanie called me a few minutes after I arrived home around 10 p.m. It helped a whole lot to speak with two caring and loving friends whom I’ve never met. It also helped me yesterday morning when I spoke with two ladies at LSU. We talked about dog’s problems as they age, etc. It probably was Sheba’s liver shutting down, but I still can’t help but wonder if I caused it to exacerbate by allowing her access to the dog’s toys.
I was thinking of bringing her home to bury next to Miracle, but with my husband talking about us possibly moving I couldn’t stomach the thought of putting her in the ground then digging her up to take her with us. I’ve already been having problems over that about Miracle lately. Sheba will have her private cremation. She’ll come back in a nice little box which I plan to keep at the head of my bed because that is where Sheba.slept at night right there on my right side next to my pillow. I’m missing her so much. I updated her Dogster page today to reflect a memorial tribute to my special angel. http://www.dogster.com/dogs/706858.
Last night Spike slept in Sheba’s spot on the bed right next to me. He didn’t leave my side all night long. It’s the first night I could sleep a little, but I woke up at Midnight then a couple times in the early a.m. I plan to read the book “Cold Noses at the Pearly Gates” again for extra comfort. Sheba is in God’s hands now waiting with my other fur babies for me to join them at the Rainbow Bridge.
Thanks so much for sharing your story. Amos sounds like he was extra special. It’s amazing the friendship that animals offer us so generously, isn’t it? It’s okay, to still hold onto the love he shared with you. He will always be with you in spirit.
What a neat idea, thank you for sharing.
I lost my Pappi on September 8, 2007 on his 4th birthday. He was killed when the people who lived upstairs let their Chocolate lab into the yard. I had went to the store and since it was a nice day and I knew I wasn’t going to be gone long I let him outside in the fenced yard. By the time I got back and called him to come in and he didn’t come I knew something was wrong. His sister Casey was cowered near the door and ran inside and soon and she could. She refused to come back outside and I knew something was wrong. I didn’t want to go outside so my husband did and found Pappi dead with the other person dog standing over him. The last time I saw my baby was when I let him outside as I went to the store. I never wanted to see him any other way. I’ve never fully gotton over his death and still cry if someone speaks his name.
A couple of days ago my husband was talking about a papillon he saw at the petstore and he said it was like Mickey(blk and white) not Pappi (red and white sable). My 5 yr old son spoke up and said “Pappi flew away because him became a fairy” I started to cry and he told me “its ok you just can’t see fairys because them are invisible”
My Cocker Spaniel, Danny, was blind and deaf, but he was a faithful companion to the end!! He would know when it was time to eat, and knew his way around the house and the neighborhood by his sense of recall and smell!! At age 15, he showed me he was finally ready to say goodbye!! I miss my little “Danny Dog”, but know he is in a happier place!!!
I lost my dog Snoopy last July 23, 2008. She was a good boston terrier doggie. I tryed so hard to take care of her two puppies she had left and they eventually died. I took them to the vet and fed them on time . Kept them warm by using a heating pad under their padding. It was so devastating when the vets office called me and told me my Snoopy didnt make it. I will never forget that sad day. I have artificial flowers on Snoopys grave and i also have artificial flowers over Little Snoopy & Blossoms grave. I loved them all. I will never forget them. They were so precious to me.
Our family had discussed getting the “perfect” family dog, but we had no plans at the time. I happened to look at the local shelter website one day and saw Skyler, a yellow lab/hound mix. There was something in her eyes, even in a photo, that called out to me. I called the shelter and they told me they were closed that day for euthanizing. I asked if Skyler was still alive and she said yes. I begged her to let me come and get her. On my way there, I wondered what had gotten into me. I hadn’t discussed it with my husband or children, but time was of the essence. When I got there, I found a scared, dirty, skinny senior dog who, I later found out, had serious heartworm among the other worms. She looked at me with big yellow eyes, almost pleading with me not to leave her there.
Skyler moved into our lives like there had been a vacant spot just for her that we weren’t aware of before she arrived. She loved to play fetch and attack the water coming from the end of the hose. No one had anything to fear from Skyler, everyone was a friend. Her bond with my husband, Jim, formed within moments of her walking in the door. Where he was, she was.
We had her heartworm treated, but were told that she may not live through it. Our veterinarian estimated that Skyler was between 8 and 10 years old and she had a heavy heartworm load. She made it through the treatments, but not without significant heart and lung damage. For a few months, she thrived. But, soon, she was losing weight and began having trouble breathing. Skyler’s heart was failing, but it didn’t stop her from giving the last pieces to us.
On December 1, 2008 my husband deployed to Iraq. (I spent days crying into her fur.) Everyone talks about how hard it is on military families to be away from the family. But, no one talks specifically about how hard it is to leave your pets. Jim had to say goodbye to Skyler, knowing she would not be there when he came home. It was heartwrenching.
One morning just three weeks later, I woke up and Skyler couldn’t stand up. She gasped for every breath she took. The medication was no longer having any effect. We went to the vet, where everyone knew her, and the vet cried with me as I said goodbye. I said goodbye for Jim and myself and thanked her for being such a wonderful, loving dog. Jim called that evening and we cried together. We choose to have her cremated and intend to spread her ashes on the trail around the lake she loved so much.
We had only had her for 15 months. But, she gave us so much. She taught me that what someone can give isn’t about what they look like or what they own, it’s not about their size or their age, or if they have a pedigree. It’s about the size of their heart.
What a great idea!
This is about my little dog Cooper. We also have another dog, Trax, but she is more my kids’ dog.
Cooper was my little guy. When my mom unexpectedly passed away two years ago, I fell into a deep depression. I had suffered with dep. for years, but was doing much better until this happened. A few months later, my husband’s grandfather committed suicide. Then, several more months later, my best friends fiance was killed in a motorcycle accident. It was a lot of loss in a relatively short amount of time.
Cooper came to us after my brother in laws two dogs had puppies. I was a bit apprehensive when my husband decided we were taking one, but at the time for our little guy drew closer, I was more and more excited.
I read about puppy care. I set up a vet. I bought toys. Then little Cooper came to stay with us.And I say little relatively, he was a Rott/St Bernard mix and weighed 21 lbs at 8 weeks! It took us almost a full week to come up with a name that fit him.
I spent every evening on the floor with my guy, playing and petting him. after only one week, I came home to find my husband cradling Cooper. It turns out, he had climbed the temporary gate and fallen into the pool. The neighbor pulled him out and my husband had been working to get his temp back up.
I sat with little Cooper and determined that he needed to go to the vet. Well, he was admitted immediately. The vets kept telling us that they expected him to get better, but he didn’t. After a few days, I decided that I needed to go see Cooper on my prep period.
When I arrived the vet told me that Cooper was either going to have to go on a ventilator or be put to sleep. I was stunned. I thought he was getting better.
After a few minutes, I gave Cooper a kiss from each of us and told him how much I loved him. Even though we only had him for a short time, he made a huge impact on my life.
I miss him dearly. Sorry it’s so long winded, but it feels good to get it off my chest.
GOOD -BYE MY BELOVED FRIEND
February 19th 2007 12:11 pm [link to this entry]
PUPPIE WAS MY BELOVED BEST FRIEND IN THIS LIFE TIME, SHE CAME TO ME WHEN I WAS LIVING THRU
THE DARKEST DEEPEST DESPAIRE ONE CAN GO THRU ALONE ,AND HER LOVEBROUGHT ME TO THE LIGHT.
HOW CAN YOU THANK ANYONE FOR THAT ,. SHE LIVED TO BE 19.5 YRS OLD .AND LEFT TO LIVE WITH
GOD. ON APRIL 17 2003.AND EVEN THE SKIES POURED TEARS THAT DAY AND FOR MANY DAYS AFTER.
THE DREADED DAY CAME AND SHE TWISTED HER BACK, AND BROKE HER DISK, AT HER AGE AND WITH HER
HEART THERE WAS LITTLE WE COULD DO, SO WE MADE HER AS COMFY AS WE COULD WITH INJECTIONS
GIVEN US BY THE VET, OF MORPHINE & ANTI IMFLAMATORY DRUGS, BUT SHE COULD NOT GROW STRONG, SO
WE DID THE HARDEST THING A PET OWNER AND LOVER MUST DO ,WE HELD HER AS CLOSE AS I COULD AND
WATCHED HER TAKE HER LAST BREATH, SAFELY IN MY ARMS, RIGHT WHERE I ALWAYS PROMISED HER SHE
WOULD BE TILL THE END. AND BELIEVE ME SHE NEW IT TOO.PUPPIE DIED 3 YRS AGO THE DAY BEFORE
EASTER. , TO MY DISBELIEF HER ASHES WERE BROUGHT TO OUR HOUSE (EASTER SUNDAY) I COULDN’T
HAVE ASKED FOR A MORE BEAUTIFUL GIFT FROM GOD. I WROTE A POEM IN HONOR OF HER ,BEFORE SHE
DIED ,I WORKED ON IT FOR ABOUT 1 YEAR BEFORE HER DEATH ,AS I KNEW IT WAS COMING SOON, IT IS
VERY SPECIAL TO ME, AND IF YOU LIKE IT PLEASE LET ME KNOW, IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE IT …
good speed my angel
till we meet again.
momma
OR SO OK,
YOU CAME INTO MY LIFE SO MANY YEARS AGO,
WE WERE BOTH STRUGGLING TO SURVIVE IN A WORLD THAT HAD BEAT US DOWN. YET SOME HOW WE FOUND ONE ANOTHER. AND OUR LIVES CHANGED, IT WAS AS IF THE WORLD HAD STOPPED TO BRING OUR BROKEN SPIRITS TOGETHER.
OVER THE YEARS WE SHARED EVERYTHING,LAUGHTER,JOY,SADDNESS,HEARTACHES.YOU WOULD GENTLY LICK MY FACE WHEN MY TEARS WOULD FALL THEN YOU WOULD CUDDLE IN CLOSELY TO ME AND WE WOULD FALL ASLEEP.
THE YEARS PASSED AND YOU BEGIN TO SLOW,YET YOU WOULD ALWAYS GREET ME AT THE DOOR WITH A HOWL AND A SILLY LITTLE DANCE, THE DANCE OF LOVE, YOU BEGAN TO SLEEP ,AT TIMES IT SEEMED YOU’D NEVER WAKE AND THE REALITY THAT YOU WERE SO MUCH OLDER THAN I WAS WILLING TO ACCEPT HIT HOME HARD.
SO WE WENT TO THE PARKS AND WATCHED YOU SMILE AS YOU PAINFULLY WADDLED ALONG THE WATERS EDGE, STOPPING TO STARE AT A GOOSE OR A DUCK, THEN AS IF YOU HAD RUN OUT OF STEAM YOU WOULD LAY DOWN AND WATCH THE WORLD PASSING BY. EVERYONE WHO SAW YOU WOULD STOP AND SAY HOW CUTE YOU WERE AND IN AMAZEMENT TO YOUR AGE THEY WOULD SMILE ,STATING THAT YOU SURE ARE WELL TAKEN CARE OF,BUT THAN THE DAY CAME WHEN WE TOOK YOU TO YOUR VETS KNOWING IT WAS YOUR LAST RIDE, WHAT AMAZED ME PUPPIE IS HOW YOU SAT UP TO LOOK OUT THE WINDOW WITH A INJURED BACK FROM A FALL ,OR PERHAPS A TWIST OR A COUGH. THE POINT IS, IT WAS AS IF YOU KNEW THAT THIS WAS OUR LAST DAY TOGETHER.
I PROMISED YOU THAT I WOULD STAY WITH YOU TO THE BITTER END THROUGH THICK AND THIN GOOD OR BAD TILL DEATH DO WE PART. SO I DID,
ON THURSDAY MOURNING APRIL 17TH ,2003 ON A COLD AND RAINY DAY YOU DIED IN MY ARMS WRAPPED SAFELY IN YOUR ELMO BLANKET, AN IN A DROP OF A TEAR MY BEST FRIEND IN THIS LIFE TIME WAS GONE FROM MY LIFE. AND OH HOW I CRIED,AND CRIED.
IT HAS BEEN 2WEEKS NOW AND THE PAIN SEEMS AS THOUGH IT WILL NEVER END. I NOW HAVE YOUR ASHES HERE WITH ME AND PHOTO’S EVERYWHERE TO HELP TO EASE MY PAIN,I WILL BE HERE MY PRECIOUS GIRL WAITING FOR YOU TO COME BACK TO ME, IN THE FORM OF A NEW PUP BUT UNTILL THEN MY HEART BREAKS IN PIECES WAITING FOR YOU.
THANK YOU LORD FOR THIS BEAUTIFUL BEING THAT YOU ALLOWED ME TO LOVE FOR SO LONG. IF YOU HAD ASKED ME TO LOVE HER ANOTHER LIFE TIME ,IT STILL WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ENOUGH TIME FOR ME TO LOVE HER.GOD SPEED MY FRIEND TILL WE MEET AGAIN, WE WILL HOLD YOU NEAR AND DEAR TO OUR HEARTS. MY DEAREST FRIEND OH HOW WE LOVE YOU AND MISS YOU SO,
LOVE HUGS AND KISSES TO THE BEST DOG IN THE WORLD,AND MY DEAREST FRIEND IN THIS LIFE TIME,
MOMMY DADDY
Again, good timing here-
we lost our little Cockatiel, Biscuit…
He passed away the day before my Birthday, so that kind of took care of my celebrating this year.
Biscuit was a true little sweetie.
He enjoyed all the dogs here- made friends with them by tossing out bits of bird food to them, ( it was very funny to watch. He also has a special bond w/ my 85# Lurcher, Tir. Tir would press his nose to the cage and Biscuit would groom it!
They taught this to out newest family member, Anubis, a retired Greyhound…
very funny and sweet to watch.
I put little Biscuit out under a wisteria bush and will miss him for a long time…
this poem was written for me by momma.
i love to share it with you..
OUR TIME IS SLIPPING AWAY
HOW DO I HOLD ON TO YOU
AND STILL LOVE YOU ENOUGH TO LET YOU GO?
HOW WILL I PUT OUT THE LIGHT
WHEN INSIDE MY HEART THE FIRES GROW?
HOW DO I TURN BACK THE TIME
AND TURN DEATH FROM THE DOOR?
HOW WILL I FILL MY EMPTY ARMS
WHEN I CAN’T HOLD YOU ANYMORE?
HOW WILL I JUST STEP BACK AND LET THINGS BE AS THEY MUST!!
HOW CAN I SAY GOOD -BYE
WHEN I LOVE YOU SO VERY MUCH.
AND HOW WILL I STAY WARM AT NIGHT,
WHEN YOUR NOT CUDDLED BY MY SIDE?
HOW DO I PREPARE FOR THIS ?
LORD KNOWS HOW HARD I’VE TRIED.
HOW WILL I GIVE YOU BACK TO GOD
WHEN I FEEL THAT YOU ARE MINE,!!
HOW WILL I EVER ACCEPT THE FACT
WE’RE RUNNING OUT OF TIME….
WRITTEN BY AUDREY W. (AKA MOMMA)
DEDICATED TO MY MOST BELOVED FRIEND IN THIS LIFETIME
MY DOG PUPPIE BUBBA WILMOT
PLEASE IF YOU LIKE THIS POEM ASK AND I WILL GLADLY LET YOU HAVE IT,
JUST ASK THAT YOU LEAVE MOMS NAME ON IT AS IT IS NOT COPYRIGHTED WE DONT HAVE THE MONEY FOR THAT,AND SHE WORKED HARD ON WRITING THIS FOR HER ANGEL PUPPIE.
THANKYOU SO MUCH
GOD BLESS
Goodbye our little Cotton. You were one of a kind and we love you forever.
Your little and big sibs and your Mama.
You still run through our dreams!
I lost four of my Chi babies within the span of four days in Novemeber 2007. Bear was diagnosed with pancreaitis on November 9 and passed on Novemeber 13. By that time 2 others were sick , Lickity and Bambi. The vet said to continue the meds…Lickity passed on the 15th. Bambi passed on on the 16 along with their sis Daisy. This was absolutely devastating…to lose four in four days put me into a state of shock, I honestly do not remember much of November after that. I went about the motions as we have to and eventually was able to “function”. In February I decided Iwas ready for another Chi….so I purchased Baloo on Feb. 17, 2008. He was born Dec 23, 2007..and just the cutest little thing. I did what any good furparent does and got all his shots, spoiled him and loved him….only to lose him on April 29, 2008. He had parvo…even after all his shots and seeming as healthy as could be, he stayed in the vetspital for 4 days and just couldn’t hold on any longer. I later found out that the lady Ipurchsed him from had a strain of parvo with her Chi’s and I suppose she was hoping the pups would not catch it. My vet thought maybe he had the virus all along and the shots were keeping it at bay, then when he had all his shots it kicked in. The loss of furbabies is one of the hardest things a person has to go through…I miss my babies very much and thanks to Dogster I am able to honor and “visit” them everyday!!!
I lost my first dog Nelson in 2002 of old age. He was a god sent. My parents own their own lawn & garden buisness and many years back they had this young airdale mix dog that kept running through one of their sprinkler systems.They thought as time went on he would go find his way home but “Bud” as they started calling him continued to stay and used his super begging powers to get some of the workers to throw him food. My parents finally decided to take him, they thought since he had recently been groomed (though his ears where badly matted) and was in some what OK shape that he had a home. After all they had a dog that was fine as a only child and did not want another pooch.They posted thousands of posters called hundreds of people, but nobody wanted “Bud”. So my parents kept him and started calling him Nelson (naming him after the sprinkler system he rompted through). As time went on Nelson showed how grateful he was to have a home, he became the best doggy nanny anybody could ask for. He lived for babies & children.He was always gentle, and would protect them from people he felt might harm “his” babies. He also always alerted my parents to a crying baby by going to them and howling llike crazy until the baby stopped (he also howled to cries that came from the TV).He became my best friend, always there to give me his goofy smile after a long day, or drop a tennis ball at my feet when he knew I was bored or to serve as my pillow when I watched Rugrats or The Angry Beavers on Saturday mornings.He was always there as my friend, insporation & protection until his wise old years finally caught up with him.He became weaker and more tired and soon the tables turned, instead of him taking care of me I was now taking care of him. On his final night my mom slept on the floor with him because he could not will his tired old bones to make it onto my parent’s large bed.In the morning my mom tried to get on with the morning like everyday but tears still graced her face.Finally the time came on that early spring day and my dad lifted his old friend into the back of my mom’s minivan. He left the trunk door open and told all of us kids to go up to our old babysitter and give him one last kiss. I went first and last. I wrapped my arms around him and gave him a tearful last kiss and he returned the favor with one more of his lettuce breath kisses.My twin brother was next and told Nelson how he would miss their games of fetch and my younger brother was afer him. He wasn’t sure what was going on but gave his old friend a large loving hug. My 2year old little sister giggled in my dad’s arms, because she always got happy when she saw Nelson. My brothers and myselfy shuffled to our neigbor’s house while my parent’s & little sister headed off to the vets one last time. I waited by the window wishing that when my parent’s returned Nelson would jump out of the car young and healthy again ready to play in the backyard again once more.But of course my wish was not granted. Nelson was my first dog and was my inspiration for my years of animal loving. I am a complete animal-holic and my life depends on animals and cannot see life without them. And I can thank it all to my beloved Sprinkler Dog Nelson.
My Mom had a yorkie named Abby. She developed a skin problem about 3 years into her life. My mom who is 78, spent a great deal of time and money to find out the problem.She had her to 6 or 7 different vets. As she got worse she would have to bath her once every other day to keep the oils from causing her to itch. She made her white coats to keep her from rubbing the skin raw. She sent skin samples to canada for testing and still had no answers. Abby was the most dedicated dog, which she got for a companion after my father passed away.She would sit with my mom and mom would tap her skin to sooth it. She was heartbroken to finally have to give up. I had to take her to the vet and have her put to sleep. I’m sure Abby, at 13yrs old,is free of the itch, but we miss her . PS she came to visit me and a rat had somehow gotten in the house. She teased for me to move a cabinet and she chased that creature until she caught it and killed it. We are forever grateful.My mom doesn’t know , but she would love to win.
I am involved with animal rescue so I have had many in my care cross over the Rainbow Bridge.
The one that hit me the hardest was my little Mouse. She was a Whippet mix that I aquired when she was about 3 weeks old and found nearly drowning in a mud puddle one rainy night.
Mouse was 5 years old before I ever was away from her for even a night.
When she was 13 she developed liver issues. I had to let her go on 11/08/90.
I spent the next year beating myself up wondering what I didn’t do that I should have and grieving horribly for her.
I found a hotline for the UC Davis facility and spoke with one of the interns there who assured me my grieving was normal and that I did all I could to save her.
I had her cremated and keep her with me here at home along with my favorite picture of her.
I have lost many animals (horses, dogs, cats, Guinea Pigs, Hampsters) since then along with my two other very beloved dogs Binky and Mookie.
Mouse will always be the one very special angel in my life.
What a beautiful way to remember our beloved friends that have gone on to the Bridge.
In June, it will be 5 years since I lost my heart dog, Bowser. Every day I still think about him, and he still brings a smile to my face when I tell stories of the trouble he used to get into. I love my little gray guy. He came to me as a surprise, and the two of us were inseparable. He was helped to the Bridge with me holding him and telling him that I loved him. I have a little memorial to him on my desk.
One of my other dogs that is also at the Bridge, is Charlie. He was a puppy when I got him, but was already in kidney failure. He was never expected to make it even the three days right after I took him in. Charlie was a determined fighter though. His puppy will and tenacity gave him the fight. Oh, and could that boy have fun! He and Roswell were best buddies! Charlie was an awesome dog. Unfortunately, despite treatment, his kidneys continued to fail him. He would bounce back after being on fluids for a few days, but each time, he would get a little sicker and more difficult to maintain. He left for the bridge a few days after Thanksgiving in 2007. He was even honored as Dog of the Day shortly afterwards.
I’m so sorry for everyone’s lost. I too have loved and lost a pet. Brutus to me was more then a pet, more like my child. After living on my own and having a steady relationship, I decide to seek a dog. Well I was conducting my search my mom manage to hit my car in her drive way. The damage was costly but honestly not all that noticable so I decided to upgrade the dog I was looking for. I decided on an English Bulldog. I found Brutus in the paper for a flea market with local breeders. I actually want the female all white sister but I basically got out voted. And then out voted again on his name. For a dog that was mine I allowed my boyfriend at the time to have a lot of the say. He was our dog after all. Well after a year and a half me and my ex broke up. He wanted to keep Brutus but I of course took him. He was my dog after all. After that Brutus never like or trusted another guy. When Brutus was three the vet told me he had a slight tear in his CCL. Then 6 months later I found out it was in both back legs. Brutus never went hiking again but still lived a very spoiled life. I treated him with a change in diet, activity level, meds, supplements and holistic methods. He still seemed the same dog but after a couple years he moved slower and had more bad nights of stiffness after long days. Well this last January I moved in with my brother who also has a pitt with hip issues. The week of the move was choas. Everything was moved into the house on the first day but the change in life was a shock to both of us. Jada (the pitt) and Brutus got along until the day Brutus and I moved in. Most of the time they were ok but never got close enough or alone to really have a problem. Well, a week to the day I moved in I was getting off work and came home. My mom was there to get my brother’s dog and take her over to her house for the weekend. I came into the house and Jada somehow locked herself in Jeff’s bedroom. After letting her out and outside, I started to show my mom what my move did to my brothers house…
I went to go open my bedroom door and was stopped. I found my Brutus obivously gone in front of me. I just know I lost it. After running to the kitchen my mom was trying to figure everything out. I told her I’m 26 and know what I saw after she try to say he was just sleeping and maybe sick. I know she was just trying to calm me but that didn’t help. I soon ran out of the house and didn’t go back until Brutus was in my mom’s suv to go to the vet. I do reget not being able to tell him goodbye. People try to say I should, but I just couldn’t bring myself to do it until he was already gone to the vet. And that probably what hurts the worst. Knowing that the last thing I said was to shut up…from his barking that I could hear outside when I was leaving for work. He was stressed from the move so I didn’t notice anything out of the normal to cause great concern. The pain eased after I got his remains back. Brutus always selpt with me and now I have him under my bed. He will forever be in my room to protect me. After the vet could only tell he it happen 2-4 hours before I found him and of natural causes, the wondering of that day and week can haunt me if I allow. I have come to terms with his passing as he chose this time because I wold no longer be alone and he knew if I was around I would of reacted. He chose the most peaceful death he knew I would allow. I never got my goodbye, so I hope that one day, I’ll get a where have you been.
I will love you forever, my brutus, forever my baby you’ll be.
I was 26 and ready for my first dog, I knew I wanted it to be a senior rescue/shelter dog because I wanted to give someone a second chance that probably would never get it.
I submitted applications to numerous rescues, visited shelters and when Furry Friends Rescue suggested Griffen, I thought I may as well take a look. It was instantaneous, the bond that sprang up between us. I was waiting for him and watched him walk up to his adoption showcase friends, greet them and ask for a treat. I called out his name, only to find out later he was deaf.
When I knelt down in front of him, he put his paws on my knees and gave me the silliest grin ever and a wag of his funny, skinny tail. It was meant to be, I loved him so much then and there I didn’t even notice that he didn’t have any teeth! That didn’t take away from his love for food though!
From the moment he entered the house, he acted like he was home. He was perfectly content to be near me, my buddy, not intrusive in anyway, just sharing space. Even when he was grumpy it would never be with me. I had lost my mother, grandfather and grandmother in three years before I adopted Griffy and he stepped in and helped ease the pain. He was 11 years old when I adopted him and the best dog ever, always smiling with his tongue sticking out to the left. His silly grin and gentle demeanor captured people’s hearts before they even realized it.
He was there the day I got the call that my best friend had been shot and killed. He curled up in a ball in my lap (even though he didn’t like sitting in anyone’s lap) and stayed there for hours until the numbness started to wear off. He made it easier to bear the loss.
I thought we would have had at least a few years together, but he had contracted kidney issues from his life as a stray. I told him the first day I got him that I would give him the best life I could, comfy beds, good food, and most of all love, lots and lots of love.
I had a short seven months with him, but it felt like a lifetime. I’m thankful for everything he taught me, for all the lives he touched (he even turned my father into a dog lover), and for all his happy grins and love. No matter what, I’ll remember him forever as my very first doggie love.
I lost my best friend last year. His name was Billie. The people at the pet shop named him Billie after Billy the Kid because he was always in trouble. He was a fat pug weighing almost 30 lbs! He was returned to the pet shop twice when I decided to give him a forever home. He wasn’t the smartest dog in the pack, but we all loved him like he was family. It is hard to put in words how much he is missed. He came down with diabetes just like myself. He understood what his “booboo” shot was because I took mine first, then he would bend his head down for his. He went on for about a year before he became blind and very sick. We would carry him outside, but he just wanted to feel better. When he stopped eatting we knew it was time to say goodbye. Our vet even cried when he was put to sleep. I said to myself, never again……until last Christmas eve we saw a baby Dogue de Bordeaux in the same store. We fell in love with him, and our family has never been the same since! I just want to let everone know that time helps but you never will forget your best friend! So long Billie until we meet at the rainbow bridge!
Romeo(11yrs),Mijo(10yrs),and Gordy(10yrs) They are the three Chihuahua’s I have lost and they are all related Romeo was the dad and Mijo and Gordy were half brothers. Romeo and Mijo died a week apart from each other. Romeo died on a Tuesday we think it was kidney failure he went in about two days of showing any signs of something being wrong. Mijo died of heart failure the following Wednesday, we rushed him to the vet at six in the morning but he died by eight. That was about a year and a half ago. Gordy, the last of the three past away at home while we were gone,from an apparent seizure (which he was prone to).We found him at the foot of our bed this last October right after the passing of my Dad from cancer. They will all be missed greatly…each one had his own personality. Rest in peace my dear little pup’s!!!
I never had a dog before I had Baxter. My kids were heading out of the house, and I was cruising the local humane society. Not really knowing why. There he was, a big yellow guy. What? No one wanted him? Owner turn in? So I headed out, hoping the place was still open. This was in Feb 2001, I met him, and as soon as the staff let the leash go, it was over! Belly up, down on his front legs, so as to sneak up and not bowl me over. What a guy. “Maam, we have walked, fed, played with this guy for about a month…and right now, he doesnt even know we are here”. Im sure they say that to everyone, but I bit, and we headed home. Alot to learn about each other. All I knew about him was he was between 4-7 years old, but heavier on the 7. No problem. He never met anyone he didnt like. Very protective of all of us! What a champ. I had to have a hip replaced a couple of years ago. He never left my side once I got home. Instead of our usual run/walk, he would walk my pace, on my crutches, stop for rests, and would kinda hold me up on my good side. We were never able to run again, but man, we walked! About a month ago, he headed outside for his usual morning ritual. While I got ready for work. When he was done, he would wait at the back door for me to let him back in. I went to let him in and he wasnt there. I called him, and he was laying in the very back of our yard. He heard me, but couldnt get up to come to me. Now this guy would have jumped thru fire if I asked him to, but he couldnt get up to come to me. I hollered for my husband and we brought him inside where it was warm. He was breathing very shallow. I knew what was happening, just didnt want to believe it. He was with us 8 awesome years, and I got him when he was probably closer to 7 from the pound…I got to the floor, put his head in my lap, sobbed, and told him if he needed to go, he could go. Always the giver, he waited for me to give him permission to go. A couple more breaths, and he was gone…I kissed him on the forehead, told him I loved him, asked him to save me a place when I get there. I still believe dogs dont live long enough…Im honored that he gave me 8 more years. Im honored that he picked me to share the rest of his life with. It just wasnt long enough.
Rest in Peace Big Yellow Dog…
Many years earlier…I was divorced, my 2 daughters and I purchased our first home and we were looking forward to starting a new chapter of our lives. The one thing missing was a dog. It was to be our first dog. We went to our local shelter and adopted a beautiful lab/shephard cross we named Bear. It’s amazing how quickly a pup can became part of the family. I loved him like a child and I was such a proud Mom when he finally got what I was trying so hard to teach him.
Days turned into months and too quickly the months turned into years. I noticed him starting to show his age. The once black hair was turning gray and the once so energtic beauty was slowing down.
I noticed he was having problems getting up so we took Bear into the vet to see about possible treatments to make him feel a bit better. Pain medication, anti-inflammatories and lots of love is what he recommended. We made him a ramp to go outside, because stairs became too difficult for him to climb. He was a old boy but when he wagged his tail, you knew he was a happy boy.
It was a cool Fall morning, I woke like every morning but something wasn’t right. Bear always greeted me but this morning there was no greeting. I went into the livingroom and Bear was trying to stand but wasn’t able to without my assistance. He would stand for only a bit, then lay back down. I could tell by the look in his eyes, he was confused, in pain and a bit scared. I knew this day was quite possibly the day I have be dreading for months now. It was up to me to make the choice. Would today be my last day with him?
I phoned our vet and made an appointment for the same morning. The vet said he was in a great deal of pain and the coming winter would not make things easier for him, only worse. I needed one more night with him? Was it a selfish need, maybe, but I needed one more night. We went home and I made him a huge steak. He usually only got bits and pieces but this was a special night and he enjoyed every ounce of that steak. I loved every last second I had with him. I was happy and thankful to be able to have one more night.
We arrived at the vets early the next morning and I just sat in my car. Dreading the walk in but knowing it was the right thing to do. I promised myself not to let him see me cry. I wanted his last memories of me as happy, his last image to be my face, his Mom’s face. I believe dogs can feel your energy and I didn’t want him feeling sad energy, it might make him upset, worried or anxious.
It took everything in me not to break down, not to completely lose it but it wasn’t time, not yet, I needed to be strong for him. I needed him to be calm and relaxed. I held his face in my hands, looked into his eyes and told him just how much I loved him and he was such a good boy. Only when we laid him down and I knew he had crossed the bridge, only then did I break down. I have never cried so hard in my life. I laid beside him and stroked his head just how he always liked it when we cuddled.
It has been 5 years since a lost my beloved Bear. His pictures are still and always will be displayed around our home. His collar and leash still hang by the door along with Deogies. He may be gone but we think of him often. I have even called Deogie Bear on a number of occasions.
Bear, was never just a dog. He was my family and I miss him everyday.
This poem helped me when it was time for our Makia to go to the Bridge. As humans that live so much longer then our beloved pets, many times we have to make the decision to end their suffering and each time its so very hard.
The Last Battle
If it should be that I grow frail and weak
and pain should keep me from my sleep,
Then you must do what must be done,
For this–the last battle–can’t be won.
You will be sad I understand,
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,
What is to come can hold no fears
You’d not 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 til 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.
-Author Unknown
Lassie Forever in our Hearts
September 10, 2004 – February 22, 2009
4 years 5 months and 12 days
It’s a beautiful day in heaven at the rainbow bridge and all the angels are feeling very happy. They have a new companion to play with and of course adore. Lassie crossed over to the rainbow bridge at 12:20pm Dogster time (PST) on February 22, 2009.
I am happy that she is with the angels and Jesus is watching over her as always. I am happy to be Lassie’s mommy as she made me proud even in her very last moment.
We had taken Lassie to the vet in morning yesterday as she was increasingly getting weak and was having trouble walking. She was not eating nor drinking. When we reach the clinic the normal occurrence is that she can’t wait for the car door to be opened. But this day was different. She could barely move. We had to call the nurse to help us carry her into the clinic. The vet advised us to let her go but I guess that was not a very easy decision for us to make.
The vet however agreed to give us a couple of days for observing Lassie and said after that Lassie will be needed to be put to sleep if she doesn’t get better. She administered antibiotics and fluids and said that it would be a good idea for Lassie to be at home. As we were getting out of the vet clinic Lassie saw the black cat that usually hangs around the clinic. She immediately tried to pull on the leash and chase the cat. This was really great in a way because she seemed to be full of energy and vigor.
Back at home Lassie was still not consuming any food or drink and finding it oh so very difficult to walk. Lassie is a fighter and she tried very hard to move around the house, resting at all her favorite spots. But evidently it was taking a great toll on her. But not once did she whimper or cry. She was very uncomfortable, but she didn’t show it. We were positive that she will fight on. At one point she tried to pull on her Dada’s socks but she can’t reached it no more. This made me really happy as she was trying to be mischievous and heartbroken.
But come evening nothing really changed much. Lassie’s dada and I decided to take her to the vet in the morning so that she could receive some fluids. Dada tried to administer some meds to Lassie but without any success. Even water was not appealing to Lassie. We decided to pray for her. So we sat beside her on her bed. She hugged me and rested oh so sweetly on my chest. I wish that moment will last forever. I lay her down on her bed and we began to pray asking Jesus for a miracle and also to help Lassie.
In the middle of our prayer Lassie gave out a loud sigh and it was the beginning of the end. She tried to grasp for air, but her long fight had taken its toll on her. Dada immediately called the vet to let her know what was happening, I on the other hand couldn’t control my emotions any more. The tears rolled down and the anxiety increased. In a few moments she was so very quiet and had breathed her very last breath. It was all over. And just like that Lassie was gone from this world. We couldn’t believe it. We refused to believe it. The reality of the whole thing was so intense that it just knocked us off our feet.
A few moments passed and we still hoped for a tail wag or her eyes to open. But that was not to happen. Dada called the vet again to make arrangements for her final journey. We then cleaned her up.
We took Lassie to the vet and left her there so that she could be taken to the crematorium in the morning. She was so peaceful laying there. The last good bye was truly overwhelming.
We kissed her and said our goodbyes. She looked so beautiful; it was as if she was asleep blissfully. This morning we went to the crematorium. The drive seemed very long and never ending. We left her there. It is still so unbelievable. She was so young and had so many more years in her. But Jesus had other plans.
Our baby is gone, our special baby is gone, but she will be forever in our hearts, in our minds and will be part of our soul. In the short time Lassie was with us, she gave us lots of joy, love and happiness. Every part of home, every site outdoors reminds us of her. The emptiness is unbearable but I know with time we will be able to cope with it.
Lassie is blessed and I know that Jesus wanted her with him. I know she is happy with him and some day we will be united again. Lassie was a very bright girl. She knew that it would be hard for us to take the decision to put her down if the time comes, so she gave us the easy way out. She answered the call of Jesus herself and now she is watching over us at the rainbow bridge.
Only time and love will help us bear this loss. Lassie will forever be missed and forever in our hearts.
Rest in peace my pretty little Angel.
Love always,
Madeline( Lassie’s mom)
My dear puppy, Snowee, died at a young age,
He died at only 6 or 7 months old, a very short story to explain the loss of my beloved dog,
For the last few weeks, he was not eating well. We leave him food everyday but if he does eat it, he leaves out a lot in his food bowl, but finally, one day, it’s supposed to be a very special day, ’cause he’s going to be seeing his first eclipse, but to our surprise, we found him dead on the ground, outside the house but inside the gate. His mouth was open, knowing not, it couldn’t be poison, ’cause if it was, his mouth would’ve bubbled, and we still didn’t know what caused his death.
Until now, I watch the only videos I took of him, on my cellphone, sometimes, I would cry remembering his sweet face..,
:’(
Louie, Angel Dog
Louie came to us off of Death Row at our local animal control shelter. Mom went there to renew Gracie’s tag & decided to “take the walk” She found Louie leaping & barking at the fence. She told him to sit & hush. He did! When she went back up front to inquire they told her it was his last day for adopion. She told them to “wrap him up” & get him ready to go home. He soon became a healthy boy in his new home. Mom always called him a “Prize”. He never fully forgot all the previous abuse he had suffered but he had a full happy life with us. He was taken in 10 too short years to the Bridge by Lymphoma in April 2005. Our brother Mozart recently ran in a NADAC Lance Memorial Canine Cancer fundraiser in Louie’s honor. Louie was a very special Heart Dog & will always be with us. He is loved & missed & running free on the Bridge.
It has been a month today that we had to put our babue down, she was 7 years old,and as we all know that it is always to soon to have our loves leave us. She was getting thinner and we didn’t know why, the vet told us her liver was failing, of sourse we did what we could do but in the end we knew she wanted to go home. It hurts every day that she is not here. Brandi was the dog everyone said “I wish I had a dog like her” you just loved her at first sight. My husband was out hunting in 2001 and found her on our property that we had just purchased, we always joked that we built the most expensive dog house for our girl. SHe lived life to the fullest, even in the end we didn’t know she was in alot of pain, she walked around our property taking in all the smells and sights onemore time. We miss you Brandi and you live in our hearts.
Four years ago, on August 6, my nearly 8 year old dog was taken from me. Her name was Tazzie and she was a border collie/lab/husky mix. I was 12 when i got her and had just turned 20 when she passed away.
I am an only child and she was with me through some of the roughest years of my life. When my parents were getting a divorced, she was there to listen to me and really be my best friend. She was the only person i told when another extremely traumatizing event happened in my life–she kept my secret for years and years before i had the strength to tell a human of the event. She was also with me the first night my mom and i moved out of my dad’s house.
I had lots of awesome friends–she was a lot more like a sibling than anything else. We did lots of things together–she was the first dog i ever used R+ marker training with and we had a blast teaching well over 100 commands, about 20 hand signals, and about 10 different whistle commands.
When i became extremely into photography, she was the subject of MANY MANY rolls of film. She tolerated being posed, being set up for action shots… even dressed up (only once…her face said it all LOL).
When i went away to college she stayed home with my mom and had an excellent time with her little brother (a shih tzu). When i came home for my summer break, Tazzie and i spent almost all my time together. We went hiking, we went swimming, we played ball, we just hung out together whenever i wasn’t working.
On August 3rd tazzie went to the park and ran and ran and ran and played and had an awesome time! When we got home, i noticed she was having a lot of trouble breathing, she could only lay on her side comfortably. We went to the vet first thing on august 5 when she hadn’t gotten any better on the 4th. They took xrays and couldn’t even see her heart because there was SOOO much stuff in her chest. They tried THREE different times to tap her chest cavity to try and drain what was in there but neither of the two different awesome vets could tap her chest…nothing would come out. I took her home that night to say our goodbyes because the vets said since they couldn’t tap the chest, chances were her heart was being compressed by some sort of more solid tissue all in her chest–i cried in the office for near an hour… i was too upset to drive and had to call a friend to pick me up. On aug sixth we went to the dog park for one more romp in the park and i took her to the vet for her to be put down.
I had, until that point, lost my closest grandparent … that didn’t even begin to compare to losing tazzie. Not two weeks after i had to put her to sleep i had to leave for college again… it was, perhaps the most difficult year in my career because i was constantly distracted.
This dog meant the world to me and was like losing a sibling…. still 4 years later i find myself, ever now and again in tears thinking about her and really missing her.
Snowball was the wild child of the house. She was a Lab/Weimarner mix that we rescued from the city kennels. She was a sister for our German Shepherd Toby who had separation anxiety. Once we brought Snowball home, Toby immediately stopped destroying things around the house. He had a friend to keep him company when we were at work.
Two years ago on my 35th birthday, I noticed lumps in her neck. She was acting normal, so I didn’t let it bother me. I figured it was her glands and I made a vet appt. just to be cautious. We went in happy and left devastated. Snowball had lymphoma.
I couldn’t believe it so I made an appointment to see a veterinary oncologist. The oncologist confirmed the diagnosis and me and my boyfriend immediately went into “How do we fix her?” mode. We discussed that she was our baby–she was only 6. We opted for chemotherapy at any cost. We would not give up on our girl and we would not leave Toby lonely.
We were scared of the possibilities and side effects of the aggressive chemoptherapy. But, we would have done it for our children so we were willing to do it for her.
On June 2, 2007, I hurried home from work to get Snowball ready for her first chemo appointment. I grabbed a bottle of water, a bowl, her leash and cash to get her a cheeseburger on the way home. She was super on the trip and I sang and talked with her the whole way. She always had this silly look and in the rearview mirror she was making me laugh. I opened the windows so she could get some air and enjoy the beautiful late spring day.
We get to the clinic and when she hops out of the back seat she is only walking on three legs. I help her in and figure she has twisted it or sat on it funny. I couldn’t imagine anything was wrong. Grab the water, grab the bowl, grab my purse and we wobble inside.
The staff immediately notices that something is wrong and they check us in and seat us in the waiting room. I give Snowball her bowl of water and sit on the floor with her to kiss on her and rub her leg to help her feel better. They call her in the back and get her ready for her chemo while they wait for the orthopedic doctor to see her.
Her diagnosis: She tore her crusis (sp?) tendon in the front of her leg. I have a decision to make. Treat the cancer and leave her in pain until the cancer treatments are over (8 weeks) OR treat the tendon and hold off on the chemo until the tendon heals (12 weeks) while the cancer eats away at her. And I also find out at the same time that she won’t live long enough for the tendon to heal and there is now less than a 30% chance she will survive the chemo.
On this perfect spring day we made the decision to have her put to sleep to be humane to her. I wanted to keep her with me as long as I possibly could, but that would have been selfish and her pain would have been unbearable. I lay down on the cold tile floor and she lays her head on my arm as I tell her what a wonderful dog she is and how she was the best friend I could have ever asked for. I told her I loved her more than I loved myself and that I would gladly take her place if I could. And as she closed her eyes for the final time, I kissed her on her nose and sobbed.
It has been impossible to heal from the loss of Snowball. I didn’t have enough time to prepare for her to leave me. She was running and jumping and wrestling with Toby right up until we left for the doctor. And the question I alsways ask myself is did I do right by her. Will she ever forgive me for giving up and not trying harder? Did I do everything I could do for her and was I the kind of mommy that she needed.
And to make matters worse, 3 months later, Toby died. He was 12 and he was having trouble getting around with arthritis. But you could tell his heart was broken because he was never the same dog after Snowball never came home again. So in 3 months, I lost both of my best friends and I still grieve for them every day. And I don’t know if the pain ever goes away…
We lost our Bonnie the week before Christmas. I was mourning her loss and looking on the internet for a memorial tribute for her. I found a “collar box” on-line for $65! I refused to pay that much for a box, even though I loved her.
I was shopping at my local variety store and found a little box that had a picture frame on the lid for $6…it was perfect. I put our favorite picture of her on the front and inside put her collar and her favorite bone. The box was similar to the ones I saw on the internet and with the economy like it is cheaper is better.
We will miss Bonnie dearly, but I have her “collar box” and my memories.
Rhonda
Sam
My husband died December 2006 and all I had was my dog Sam to be there for me and comfort me.
Sam had such soulful eyes you knew he cared.
On January 16th, 2007 in the afternoon I noticed he all of the sudden was having trouble breathing. I called his vet and got no answer, evern though it was not time for them to close. I called them at home and was told to call the emergency vet, which is a good 45 minuted drive from my house.
I told the vet Sam couldn’t make it that far and was basically told too bad.
I finally found a vet who did everything she could and he seemed to to normal again.
I could tell from her eyes she didn’t think he would make it through the night.
At midnight I found him on the floor, he usually slept with me and he was barely alive. I held him for the 14 minutes it took him to pass over to the bridge.
Now his ashes occupy a special place in our home and he will be my forever in my heart and soul.
My first dog was Josh. He was a dog that had been passed around the neighborhood and was considered “unacceptable” due to behavior problems. I have no idea what those problems were because when he came to us he was the perfect dog. And he was mine. We bonded that first day when I came out from my afternoon nap and he had his first meal outside the kitchen door. I was 5 years old. He was my first pet and still holds a countless tugs in my heart. He was shot by a hunter in the woods surrounding our home in rural Illinois. He was the same color of a deer and I can only imagine that running through the woods, a hunter mistook him for a small doe. I was only 9 or 10 years old but when Josh did not come home day after day I knew something terrible had happened. Eventually one of our dogs came upon Josh’s remains and brought his skull back to the house and then we knew.
I tell myself that Josh was killed instantly but I do not know and I cannot contemplate him suffering alone in the woods with no one there with him. He was my best friend and I felt so empty when he left. It was the first time I had met Death and I was heartbroken that Josh was gone.
I have since had other dogs and they each have a place in my heart – but Josh will always be my first dog who taught me the responsibility of being a pet owner, what unconditional love was and that even after 41 years I still cry when I think of him. It seems like yesterday when he left and I still wait for him to come home.
Does it get any easier? No matter how many dogs you have, no matter what the personality, your heart hurts til you think it will break.
I have raised Great Danes for 21 years. My last beauty died a year ago November, he is missed everyday.
The story I am telling isn’t about him but the Dane before him. Stoner.
We raised Stoner from birth. His mother was also one of my beauties. This little pup was the class clown. What a personality. Sweet, comical, klutzy and just beautiful. He often drove in my friends VW with his head out of the sun roof as they went for an ice cream cone.
A few years went by with no problems, just a healthy boy.
Then all hell broke loose. I was in my kitchen one summer evening and Stoner came running to me, literally screaming. I have never heard a sound like that before or after that night. Just horrible. He then collipsed at my feet.
Off to the vet we went. He graciously stayed open til we arrived.
With out testing he suspected a brain tumor. Two vets later and a neurosurgeon it was determined to be tumors intertwined to his spinal cord. Not much hope.
This wonderful pet was attached at the hip to my eldest child. She worked evenings and he would lie on my front porch, all alone til she came home. He never wandered off the porch.
As living became harder for him he never left her side when she was home.
When his end came, it was again in the evening. There was a terrible snowstorm raging.
I knew he would not make it through the night but I needed his best buddy to be with him. Due to the storm she had a very hard time getting home. Stoner was unconscious. We took turns holding him and telling him my daughter would be home. Please hold on.
One hour and a half after she left work she finally walked through the door. She ran to him and held his giant head in her lap. She whipsered to him, he opened his eyes to see her and quietly passed.
That wonderful creature waited form my daughter to say good bye.
Could he have given her a greater gift for her loyality, her friendship?
How rich these animals of ours have made our lives.
I lost my 3 wonderful English mastiff’s Thunder, Storm, and Breeze. Thunder went to the Rainbow Bridge in 1997 and Storm joined him in 2001. In 1995 I had acute pancreatitis. Those 2 angels never left my side as I layed in bed for 3 months in terrible pain. Storm would lay beside me in bed and Thunder who got too hot laying on the water bed would lay right beside me on the floor. They only left me long enough to eat,drink and go potty. I left the sliding door open for them to go out as I was too ill to get up to let them out. Then again in 2000 I was ill with chornic pancreatitis for 6 weeks. Their daughter Breeze was just like them. She layed in bed with me the whole time. She would go days without eating and only would go out 2 times a day as she would not leave me.
My best friend died 1 1/2 yr ago. We talked about her dying as she had a german shepard (he and my present English mastiff Echo were velcroed together!). I asked her if there was any way for her to let me know after she passed on to let me know if there is really a rainbow bridge and to give my 3 angels a kiss and hug for me.
You can think I am crazy but I am not when I tell you she and Baron appeared before me in my bedroom the morning she passed on (I did not learn of her passing until 48 hours later). My Echo (an English mastiff) went over and would not leave the place in the bedroom where Baron was sitting when they came to see me. YES..THERE REALLY IS A RAINBOW BRIDGE!! What a comfort it is to me that I will be joined by ALL 10 of my fur angels when it is time for me to pass on.
I still miss every one of my fur angels but I know now where they really are, they are happy and they are waiting for me to join them someday.
I lost my sister Amber and I wrote about her in my diary, she’s a beautiful angel now, but I miss her so much. This is what I had written when she passed.
My big sis had to go to the Bridge on Feb. 11th 2009, the family didn’t know it but she had cancer. A very large tumor in her abdomen had cause her spleen to rupture and for her to bleed internally. The vet said he could do major surgery to stop the bleeding but Amber would only make it to 6 months if even that, and her quality of life would not be good.
Mom is still crying, she see’s one of Ambers toys or looks over at her bed and I can see the tears well up in her eyes. You see Amber came to Mom needing a home, she showed up at the door skinny, abused and in heat and scared to death. At that time in Mom’s life they needed each other. The very first thing Mom did was to take Amber to the vet, he checked her over and said she weighed only 45lbs and should be 95lbs. Mom had to fatten her up before she could be spayed. It did take her about 2 years not to be afraid and not to fear people, this is why Mom thought she was beat. If you raised your voice she would cower.
She lived with us for about 9 years, the vet guessed her age at about 9 months when he first seen her. She had facial expressions, she would look at you with big brown eyes and make your heart melt. The morning she went down Mom could tell by her eyes that something was terribly wrong. Amber was always a happy pup.
She would protect the house with her life, more so then the rest of the pack, Mom always felt safe when Dad or the kids weren’t home and Amber was with her. I would just let them in and if they gave me a cookie they would have a lifetime friend. Not Amber, she would have chewed them up.
Ambers only toy that she would play with was a small tractor tire, it was her precious, she would toss it to me and I would take off running with it, Amber right behind me on my heels. We would play with that thing forever. I was a tiny puppy when I came to live with the pack, Amber stood like a giant next to me, but she was a gentle caring giant….I loved her so.
Amber loved to swim, we all went to the lake and Amber jumped in the water, the first time in her life and about drowned, Mom jumped in after her and brought her back to shore. She never did fear the water. Mom would buy her a pool every summer, because she would drag the one she had around the yard….I can’t count how many pools Mom bought.
Amber, my dear sweet sister, I miss you and I still can smell you in the yard and the house. I still go looking for you, but I can’t see you. I do feel you inside my heart and I know you’re there. I tried to lay in your bed but got up because I was confused. Who’s going to play with me with the tractor tire? Who’s going to go swimming with me? Who am I going sleep with butt to butt on the couch?
The family misses you, and I know when it’s time we will all be together, we were blessed to have you as part of the family. Daddy’s girly girl, Mom’s Amber Renee.
I miss you and love you, have fun at the Bridge and save a piece of your heavenly cloud to share with me.
Na~Na
i still miss my last dog greatly. His name was Bear and i had him from a puppy abandoned on my property. he went everywhere with me- including my job when i worked in construction. he first alerted me to my mental illness- my anxiety attacks- before i knew what was happening. My doctor pointed out her knew me better than myself. he came with us thru several moves and guarded the house when i could not take him to the office. he disappeared one day and we never knew what happened to him, but months later a policeman told us they had broke up a dog fighting ring near us and they had used peoples pets to bait the dogs- they found boxes of dog collars from pets that were loved. i know in my heart that that is how he died and i hurt all over again.
he saved my life but i couldnt save his.
Elaine
Just a few months ago we lost Trouble to the Rainbow Bridge.
Trouble was our 13 yr old Rotti Shepherd mix and my proctector. My husband works nights and after Trouble died it was awful spending the first nights alone without her, I felt unprotected, I miss our big girl so much, I can;t write any more the tears are flowing.
We lost our precious Baby Girl Bo in January. She had just turned 9 in December. We got her when she was just a baby right after we got married, so in a way, she was our baby. She passed away from congestive heart failure. Even though we still have Dyna and Chloe still here with us, that terrible void cannot be filled. Our hearts were broken that day. We would have done anything to save her life. But there was nothing to be done. Bo made us happy every day of her life. We still cannot get past that pain. Miss her so very much. Bo loved cookies and flowers. She would stand outside in the summer and and just smell the flowers. Bo loved her Mommy and Daddy. She knew when it was 8:00 at night, time for cookies and 10:00 was bedtime. She would stand in front of you and smack you with her paw if you were late. Bo’s bed is still where it’s always been. Moving it will just finalize things. If love could have saced her, she would have lived forever.
During December 2006, we lost our boy, Mac, to cancer. He was a 10 year old blond golden, that some people told us was half human. At times you could talk to him like you were talking to another adult and would begin laughing because he would sit there and you could see the understanding in his eyes. Actually, Mac, was our second golden, the first puppy died of an impacted secum, within days of bringing him home from the breeder. Fortuantely, for us, the breeder had kept a couple of puppies for herself and gave us one of them, which was Mac. Mac was short for Macabee, named for the Heros in the story of Channukah.
This past December, after 3 years, my wife and I decided that we were ready to commit to another puppy. Ely has now joined our family, he is an English Creme Golden and will be 7 months old on March 22nd.
Adrianne was our travel companion as we drove truck across the country. She alerted us when there were fields with cows or horses coming up along the highway, she entertained us when we sat waiting for loads, she guarded us from the front seat of the truck when while we slept, she loved us when we felt alone, she gave us sniffs, licks and wiggles to comfort us when we were down. She was a part of our lives that will live forever in our hearts. We love you Adrianne we’ll see you one day again.
Between July 2007 and January 2008, I lost three of my precious rescue dogs. Oreo and Rock went within three weeks of each other, but I had been expecting it as they were 16 and 14 respectively. But Lucian my Dalmatian, and my velcro dog, had just turned 12 and was doing okay except for some arthritis. The day before he died, he ate, he played, he did all the Lucian things he always did. We went to bed and he always slept in the bed with me as close as he could get. When I woke up in the morning poor Lucian was dead. The vet did a necropsy and could find no reason why he died. I think that’s why it is still hard for me to accept. I miss them all, all the time, but I’m glad Lucian didn’t have to suffer. The hardest part of pet guardianship is saying goodbye so soon.
I lost my Sweet Spencer just five weeks ago February 13,2009 and I miss him greatly. He was 6 years old and I got him from a rescue group when he was a puppy. He was a Black Cocker Spaniel who had been healthy all his life, he never even had an ear infection and in Cockers that is almost unheard of. He started throwing up on Wednesday and by Thursday morning he was so weak he could hardly stand. I rushed him to the vet where they kept him to run tests to find out what was wrong. He didn’t make it through the night and died of liver failure from an unknown cause. I never thought that when I left him at the vet’s office that that would be the last time I’d see my Sweet Spencer.
Glynn was my sheepherding dog. He wasn’t the best looking border collie around, in fact, he had been called ugly at times, although not by me.
He and I had a special connection. He taught me how to work the sheep, how to watch their heads to know where they were gonna go and because of him I learned new skills and a new sport.
He passed away watching over the new lambs, protecting them from the coyotes.
For some reason the night before I had decided to give him the next morning off, with no sheepherding class. It must have been a premintion as when it was time to leave for class he was still as could be, watching the sheep even in death.
I miss him to this day and though I tried another sheepherding dog, it wasn’t the same as stubborn old Glynn who worked for me as tirelessly at age 14 as some of hte younger dogs.
Glynn had a job during his prime. He was a golf course dog. He went and chased the geese off the greens. One year he got employee of the year at the year end banquet. It still makes me smile that while the cute girls in golf carts, the managers of the facility and even the dishwashers and valet parkers were sitting there, they all lost employee of the year to my ugly Glynn. He lived and worked with a joy and enthusiasum that was unparalled.
I miss him so.
My Baby Boy is Indy. AKA Mr. Lou. Indy was “The Best Dog Ever”. Indy was my first dog as an adult that I actually took care of by myself. I had other dogs that I brought home to my parents house before but Indy was my first real dog that was all mine. I got him with an ex-boyfriend and luckily for me I was the one that got custody of our Baby Boy when we broke up. That was the best thing my Ex ever did for me was to let me keep Indy.
Indy and I went through a lot together. He was always there for me and I was always there for him. Indy knew that I was his Mommy. My Mom would sometimes tell Indy that she was gonna tell his Mommy what he did and you could just tell he did not want her to do that. He did not want Mommy to know that he was naughty. It was so cute. Indy was almost human sometimes. I think he really thought he was a little boy at times. A little human boy that is…and so did I.
Anyway, Indy developed a brain tumor that was finally discovered after several tries at other things when he was 10 years old. Who knows how long he even had it. We tried everything to help him. Unfortunately we were told that it was inoperable. Once we found out what was really wrong with him it seems like we had no time left. Indy let us know when he was done trying to fight and nothing seemed to work to save him. We sent Indy to The Rainbow Bridge on June 22nd of 2007. I will never forget that day. That was the day I had to do the last thing I could for my Baby Boy and let him go. It was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do. I had to do what was right for Indy and not for myself. It’s not right to keep them here for our benefit. This was about Indy.
Indy’s Birthday is coming up on March 27th. He would have been 12 years old. He still will be celebrating in my heart on the 27th and always and forever.
One thing I always told Indy since he was a tiny little Boxer baby wrapped in a blue baby blanket at five weeks old was “Mommy Loves The Baby Boy”. I still say that to him at night when I look up at the stars.
I miss you Mr. Lou.
I feel sorry for the person reading all these Memorials. I read the first one and already started crying. Then wrote my own…and started crying even more. Oh how we love our doggies. Wish all humans had the same compassion.
I just came back from putting down my Beloved Talladega (3/21/09). Tally as I liked to call her, had Addisons Disease. She would have been 12 in June. She was diagnosed with Addisons when she was 2. she wasn’t supposed to live this long according to the ‘experts”. throughout her years she was quite the pokey puppy. She had Seperation Aniety also so I cant tell you the times we came home to find baseboard chewed beyond all recognition. She never went after any clothes or shoes, she just seemed to be the connesoir of fine woods and metals. Of course we would always rush her to the Vet but all the time she was just fine. She also was very affraid of thunder and lightning, so after a typical Florida Thunderstorm, we came home to find out she had BROKEN through the cat door that leads to the garage and decided to chew into a bag of Ant Killer granules. Of course we rushed her to the Vet and again she came out unscathed however this little episode Got her the nickname from the Vet and Staff “Teflon Tally”. As of a few months ago she had gone blind. I dont know if it was because of her meds or her age or the other things that are associated with Addisons, but she was doing O.K. until I came home from work today and she wouldnt even open her eyes, didnt want to drink or eat and seemed in pain if I went near her head, so I took her to the Vet and we decided that she had Truly fought the good fight and it was time for her to have some peace. I will forever miss my best friend and I don’t know if I’ll ever forgive myself for what I had to do. I dont wish this on My worst enemy!! I want to believe it was for the best but as a grieving “Dad” It just don’t seem right. I love her with all my heart and I know I will never be blessed with a dog as good or a fighter as my Talladega was. God speed Talladega Mommy and Daddy miss you very much.
In May my husband and I got married and moved out to San Diego, it wasnt long till we made the dicision to get a dog and after researching some breeds we landed on english bulldogs : ) we were so happy, we found an amazing breeder close to home, who was going to have puppies ready for new homes, the week before Christmas. This became our first Christmas present to each other! We began saving our pennies and waiting for our little bundle of joy. Finally the day came when we where able to bring our little girl home! We couldnt have been happier Christmas for us came a whole week early. Penni was so tiny when we first got her home, she only wieghed 6 pounds! We had never had a puppy this tiny before and we tried so hard to do everything right. The next couple of weeks with our little baby girl where blissful we had our little family and it was in our eyes …. perfect. We had so many high hopes for her, she was on the road to being the best dog, she was already the perfect puppy. Then suddenly, with out notice, she was gone. Her dad found she had pasted in her kennel during the night. We had no idea what we had done wrong. our perfectly healthy puppy was gone. Even to this day it is still hard to talk about she was everything to us . She was our baby. According to our contract with the breeder we had to take her to a vet to find out what went wrong. Apparently she choked on a carrot in the middle of the night. This was the worst news of all….. I fed her that carrot. And as much as people tell me to not blame myself deep down I cant help but think that if i hadnt given it to her, if she had been sleeping in our room in our bed … maybe we would have heard her choking and could have saved her and she would still be with us today. We deeply miss our little girl and we’d give anything to have her back.
We had to let our dog, Trey, go yesterday afternoon. He was a shepherd/collie/husky mix and would have been 10 next month. We was a rescue dog. He had lost weight over the past year and after recent xrays and going to a specialist just last Monday, we found out that he had liver cancer and lung cancer. He wouldn’t eat dog food anymore. Just lunchmeat if that. He was so tired but he would always jump up and wag his tail if you asked him to go for a ride in the car or go to the park. Yesterday morning, he wanted to go for a ride so we did. Even though he didn’t have much energy to walk, he enjoyed sniffing the breeze at the park. We miss him so much. He was our Treydog.
I inherited Raven a little over 7 years ago when her daddy (my boyfriend at the time) was killed in the 9/11 attacks. She was so strongly bonded to Rich, that she literally stared at the doorknob at my house waiting for him to come get her. She couldn’t imagine life without her daddy, and I couldn’t either. Knowing that she had to be taken care of just as Rich had cared for her is what made me take care of myself and begin to heal. I had to be able to help Raven heal and move on, too. She saved me from my grief, and that was just the first important lesson and gift that she gave me.
I already had Aiki (at the time, a 4 year old cattle dog mix), and he was thrilled to have Raven living with us. Raven was less than thrilled to no longer be an only child. Aiki was persistent, however, and eventually she learned to rough house and wrestle and play with him.
Raven and I did heal from our grief, and she truly became *my* dog. I called her my velcro dog, because she always stuck right by my side. She would move from room to room with me throughout the day. She was the dog who wanted to go for a ride with me, even if it just meant waiting in the truck while I went shopping. She just wanted to be with me.
Raven was a great road trip dog. She loved being in the car and would always be excited to see what new place we’d ended up. We took many trips to Oregon and several within California. We even drove to my parents’ place in TX twice. Aiki became a nervous old man, but Raven continued to love road trips. The last one we took was to Portland. We stayed in the Hotel Monaco, which was wonderfully dog friendly. Raven was fawned over and got to sleep in a king-sized bed. She even got to ride the streetcar.
Raven was diagnosed with an anal sac adenocarcinoma in August of 2008. I chose to do only supportive therapies, as surgery carried the threat of spreading rather than eliminating the tumor. Also, chemo and radiation held no promise to extend her life, only to make her remaining time miserable. She was active and healthy until November, then began to decline. By early December, I knew that her time was very limited. Her tumor had ulcerated, and she was having digestive issues. Though she could still enjoy life, it was clear that she was getting rapidly worse. With an upcoming trip, I couldn’t let her die without me. Also, I knew that even if she did have another 2 or more weeks to live that they wouldn’t be quality weeks. The previous 2 weeks had been very rough.
On December 15th, I called the vet to arrange for Raven to be put to sleep the next day. I spent the last day with Raven running errands, going to the beach (her favorite place on Earth) and preserving her pawprint in a cement stepping stone. We came home, and she went directly to her favorite bed in the corner of the dining room. She stayed there until the end. She didn’t even look up when the vet arrived. Raven *loved* Dr. Green and had always been so excited to see her. She would jump around and sing whenever we would go to her office. Her lack of enthusiasm let me know that this was the right time.
I’d been stroking Raven, crying and talking to her for hours, and I continued as the doc gave her the sedative. As Raven was falling asleep, I told her that I loved her more than anything and thanked her for all she taught and gave me. Then I told her that it was time to sleep then to go see her daddy. After Raven was fully sedated and unresponsive, she received the final injection. I continued to stroke her fur, and I knew the exact moment that she was gone.
We lost our 9 year old Golden Retriever, Spenser, October 26, 2008. Our vet suspected he had cancer, but we lacked the funds to properly diagnose and treat him. Over a 2 week period we had spent over $500 just treating his symptoms. When they got worse, the vet needed to do more investigating – about $500 more in labs, x-rays, etc. That was just to find out what was ailing our poor boy. We elected euthanasia because he was suffering so badly, and that was one of the hardest decisions I have ever made. We still miss you Spenser!!
I never knew my brother Ricky Ricardo, he went to the rainbow bridge a few days before I was born. My mom told me he was spunky and always gave her neck snuggles. Me I’m a kisser and mom likes that too. Of course mom says all chihuahuas make great kissers and snugglers!
It’s been almost a year since we lost Charleston, our beloved Lab. I blogged about his illness and our loss and posted a video about one of the many things we did to make his final days the happiest ever.
http://doggieacademy.blogspot.com/2008/06/snow-in-june.html
Please check it out!
When I found Heidi, I was searching petfinder.com looking for a puppy. Since this would be our 1st, I was careful and wanted it to be the right one for my hubby and I. So here I am, looking at all these puppies and somehow I landed on Heidi. She was 9 years old at the time, certainly NOT a pup. But something about her just locked right on to my heart! Heidi had been rescued from a mill where she lived her whole life from birth until just a few months before we adopted her. She herself was a double dilute, totally deaf and with vision problems. She was forced to breed and pump out litter after litter passing on those diluted genes to countless pups. She even had a tail injury we suspect from pinning her tail up for forced breeding. She was rescued in a raid on the mill and went to a foster home with good people and learned some house manners there. We went to an open house for this rescue after my application had been approved and watched family after family comment on how pretty she was but when they read her bio they said “forget it, she’s deaf, or no way, she’s old”. She was meant to be ours and came to live with us and our then 6 year old sheltie Peanut-another rescue. Heidi had no reason to trust us, but she did trust us and loved us too. She was happy just to sit with us and be petted and loved.
She was great with Peanut, great with my small grand kids, and just about everyone else. She (we) learned some hand signals and adapted to our family very easily. Heidi was only with us two short years before she started showing signs of being in pain, even from just going to the bathroom she would strain so much and moan terribly (although she couldn’t hear it) and we knew we had to give her that last gift we had to give, to end her suffering. It’s never easy to make that decision, and I don’t think it should be. But it is part of the responsibility that comes with being a pet owner/lover. Heidi was our family and will remain in our hearts forever. I believe those two short years with us were the first happy ones of her life and I am so thankful we found her when we did. Someone asked me if I had known we’d only have her two years, would we do it again? My answer: In a heart beat!
Binny came to us when he was 4 months old at 1 lb 4 oz. He was a very quiet calm little puppy. Looking back now I realize that should have been the first sign something was not right. When he was finally diagnosed with an inoperable liver shunt our hearts had been stolen. But with good vet care a special diet and of course the kindness of God he lived for 6 years and blessed our lives with so much joy. He was always frail and needed lots of care but we would have done it forever and spent ever dime we had. Sadly his little body could no longer hang on and he past away on July 19th 2006 and took our hearts with him. This is what’s on his grave stone and it says it all…. If tears could build a stairway, and memories a lane, I’d walk right up to heaven and bring you home again. Binny we Miss you every minute of every day. Give Jesus a big wet nose kiss for Mommy and Daddy.
Oh, my. It’s so hard to read through these comments. Having lost 4 dear, dear pups of our own, the grief and pain expressed in them brings mine back to the surface. The feeling of loss never goes away; not really. It’s there as a companion to the love you felt for them. Like all of you, we received so much from the ones no longer with us-they added so much to our lives. The emptiness they left proves how much.
However, the most important thing that my 4 taught me, is to cherish each and every day with the pups I have now. I wish I had relished the time with them as I do with the 5 crazy characters who live with me now. Don’t get me wrong—I loved them bunches, but I am more AWARE of my time with my 4-legged crew and I enjoy it, no, I FEEL it more now.
Honor those furkids who have past by taking in a rescue or a puppy—train it, love it, pamper it, discipline it, but most importantly, really, really, experience your pup. Be aware each and every day of all the interaction you have. Don’t take the time with them for granted.
I feel my 4 with me every time I snuggle with my crew now. Sammy, Snow, Shelby Lou, and Stacey: I miss you, I love you, and I’ll see you again someday. In the meantime, thank you for all that you gave to me and are still giving through the ones with me now.
Nancy J (now loving every minute with Saleen, Sophie, Dexter, Sugar, and Shelby2)