An Old Friend
Requium for a Dog
Wow, all I can say is I’m with you.
Back when I was dating my wife, she had a feral cat give birth under her porch.
‘Chaucer’ was adopted instantly. When we first reached into the box, Chaucer was the one kitty who hissed and spit at us.
Fast forward 13 years, Chaucer was suffering kidney failure. There’s a local pet doc who does house calls. We called him, and he put Chaucer down.
In our arms.
I’ve not cried that much since Grandpa died.
I’m sorry to hear about your loss. I know I’d be extremely heartbroken in your shoes ...
I’m sorry you lost that good girl. She had a great life, thanks to you. And she blessed you in return every day.
Pets are little people who share your life for a short while. I’ve had two dogs and three cats and it hurts just as bad each time you have to let one go. Now all that’s left is memories. I’m sorry for your loss.
I extend condolences from the point of someone who just had to do the same thing.
We knew something was going wrong with Riggs in late August - but the good days outweighed the bad. Then in October - all of a sudden it all got worse, very, very quickly. In the end the diagnosis was canine cognitive dysfunction (doggie alzheimer) and I made the decision to end what wasn’t suffering - but was no longer a life. Nothing of the fine, huge and strong family defender Akita/mix was left - just a body that did little more than breathe.
While I am not tearful - I just don’t have it in me right now to consider another pet - even though up until the last week - I’d tell one of the kitties at Petsmart that I would come buy him - as soon as I could financially.
I guess I will do the pet grandma thing right now - as my daughter got a shelter puppy for her son. And so life goes on.
It is hell to lose a dog friend.
Posted by Hobie
11/05/2007 at 04:47 PM
Sorry to hear of the loss, Mr Christian. I know you and Amber will reunite down the road at Rainbow Bridge.
Been there. I understand, and my condolences. It hurts so badly, it’s unbelievable to those who do not know. She’ll be waiting on the other side for you.
Mr. C, to the right is Batly, my Frenchie who succumbed to lymph cancer a few years ago. The image clearly shows why I called him Batly the Noble.
Nope, haven’t left him behind…
Been there Mr. C, my cat was named Odie (yeah after the dog). She went through 10 years of rough life with me and when I bought my condo I promised her she’d never have to move again. I kept my promise. She’s buried in the garden and I still miss her even though it’s been almost 2 years now. It seems funny to call them pets or animals, they become so much a part of us.
That story as you brought back memories of my “Ruffer” dog who I had to put down 6 months ago. It was the hardest thing I ever had to do as I was with him when the vet put him to sleep. I was by my first wife’s side when she died and this hurt almost as much.
Gentlemen of the Jury: “The best friend a man has in this world may turn against him and become his enemy. His son or daughter that he has reared with loving care may prove ungrateful. Those who are nearest and dearest to us, those whom we trust with our happiness and our good name, may become traitors to their faith. The money that a man has, he may lose. It flies away from him, perhaps when he needs it the most. A man’s reputation may be sacrificed in a moment of ill-considered action. The people who are prone to fall on their knees to do us honor when success is with us may be the first to throw the stone of malice when failure settles its cloud upon our heads. The one absolutely unselfish friend that a man can have in this selfish world, the one that never deserts him and the one that never proves ungrateful or treacherous is his dog.”
“Gentleman of the Jury, a man’s dog stands by him in prosperity and in poverty, in health and in sickness. He will sleep on the cold ground, where the wintry winds blow and the snow drives fiercely, if only he may be near his master’s side. He will kiss the hand that has no food to offer, he will lick the wounds and sores that encounters the roughness of the world. He guards the sleep of his pauper master as if he were a prince. When all other friends desert, he remains. When riches take wings and reputation falls to pieces, he is as constant in his love as the sun in its journey through the heavens.”
“If fortune drives the master forth an outcast in the world, friendless and homeless, the faithful dog asks no higher privilege than that of accompanying him to guard against danger, to fight against his enemies. When the last scene of all comes, and death takes the master in its embrace and his body is laid away in the cold ground, no matter if all other friends pursue their way, there by his graveside will the noble dog be found, his head between his paws, his eyes sad but open in alert watchfulness, faithful and true even to death.”
Much sympathy. Losing a pet, especially one you’ve had as long as this one, is hard.
Yes, much sympathy. Two weeks ago Friday morning I found our dog, a rescued mixed breed, dead in our backyard. She hadn’t displayed any obvious symptoms, but was 13 years old. A heart attack we suppose.
I stayed home and buried her. That’s one of the hardest holes I’ve ever had to dig. Our backyard isn’t much the same, now.
Mr Christian,
My condolances and deepest sympathys.
I just wanted to tell everyone about a book by conservative radio great “Mark Levin” and about the loss of his dog and best friend that he rescued.
Its called “Rescuing Sprite”
He was on Hanity and Colmes for 15 minutes and was talking about almost quiting his job but thankfully his mind got changed.
Posted by earth56
11/07/2007 at 02:25 AM
Rainbow Bridge
Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.
All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.
You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....
Author unknown…
Posted by MOMinuteman
11/11/2007 at 01:27 PM
