End of an era.

[Wingdesigner]

Warning: this post is about the loss of a pet--if you've recently lost one and it will be too sad for you, read no further! Really. I don't want to make anyone hurt more because I need to vent/mourn.








Sad day here, we had to euthanize the last of our "wedding dogs" today. Last-ditch effort at medication didn't have expected results. After our first year of marriage we adopted 1 ex-racing greyhound. Then came the black dog, 1/2 grey 1/2 flat-coated retriever, and then a whippet. The black dog was the last one of the bunch to survive until today. It'll take a while before we stop looking for (or seeing) the black blur in the back yard; or check to make sure we're not stepping or rolling over a black paw or tail or nose(now speckled w/salt). There are dozens of parts of our lives that now no longer have a reason: clogs by the back door to let dog out; empty sleeping crate w/top used as shelf; the cats wondering where the furry pillow went; the self-waterer that no longer needs to be refilled; shuffling down a dark hallway at night instead of walking, so as not to trip over invisible black body; last check at night w/flashlight to see if dog was in crate or did I just shut the door on an empty crate again? It's amazing how we accomodate our elderly pets, gradually adjusting our routines until that day they're suddenly gone from our lives, and now what? All these rituals/schedules/medications are no longer needed and suddenly there are more chunks of time in my day I don't quite know what to do with; chunks that were the perfect size for the task at hand, but what other task fits? Nothing, quite. It's all part of the cycle, I know and I/we accept that as the trade-off for what we get from these animals in return. The hurt will go away eventually, filled in by the fun, goofy, happy memories. But not right now. Could use some hugs. Thanks.

[gizmo]

:hug: :hug: :hug:

[DandyLioness]

OMG! Your entire post was so well written! It made me weep.

I can completely understand the dishing out of daily time that we don't really consider as time spent for our furbabies. We provide the care/love etc at our cost. We chose them.. we pay... they delight with unconditional love.

I feel for you. It's not easy.

[Paula Roberts]

I am so sorry. :hug::hug::hug:

[Wingdesigner]

Thanks, guys. Sorry if I've been a bit grumpy lately; this has been hanging over our heads like Damocles' sword for months, and the last ten days have been a real strain, searching for any sign of improvement, hoping that once again we'd have a "miracle dog". Not this time.

[grindle]

:hug: it's hard losing a pet

[CMStubbe320]

Sorry to hear about the loss of your loved one. I'm sure you made his years with you fun and happy. I know you will miss him terribly. :hug::hug::hug::hug::hug:

[natalie]

:hug::hug: aw, wing.... I'm so sorry you're hurting right now. The loss of a loved pet is something I'm sure most of us understand. There's little that I can say, other than I'm sorry and I hope you're back to feeling good again soon. Those happy memories that make you smile will be coming soon. I'm glad your puppies were so well loved. :hug:

[ravenhawk]

:hug::hug::hug: So sorry to hear about your loss. I lost a little furry one about a year ago and although its easier now I still miss him terribly. There are things we use to do together that I still cant bring myself to do without him. They become such a large part of our family giving us unconditional love. Be happy that he is in a better place where he no longer needs medication and is happy and pain free. It does get easier :hug::hug:

[Pennylee]

The best thing to remember is that you gave this dog, and the other dogs,
happy lives which sadly not all dogs are fortunate enough to have.
We have a show on tv which shows the RSPCA rescuing lots of animals,
sometimes through no fault of the owner but too often because of
unbelievable cruelty. Often (not always) there is a happy ending, and it
makes watching worthwhile.

I read a Jilly Cooper book,"How to Survive Christmas", and one story (said to be true) in it affected me.
Two abandoned dogs were taken in by an animal shelter at Christmas. One was a beautiful young
sheepdog . The other was a blind old mongrel ,thin as a rake, with torn paws from desperate running. The kennel maids called them Mary and Joseph.
A home was found for beautiful Mary after Christmas, but no one wanted
poor old blind Joseph, until a young couple, actually called Mary and Joseph,
came in to look for a puppy, but were moved enough by Joseph's plight to
take him home.
In a month's time, the young couple brought him back for a visit. The kennel
maids were amazed to see Joseph jumping out of the car and bounding
joyfully up to them. In a happy home, he had regained his sight. All he
needed was love.

[erdine]

:hug:sorry to hear of your loss.

[donna]

:hug: Sorry you are hurting, that a part of your daily round is missing.I hope ,in time you can relive happy memories of your black,furry blur.Whom you provided a special place to live,be love and to show his appreciation in return, by barking at shadows (or nothing) tripping you in the dead of night, cuddling up in thunderstorms and looking at you with those eyes full of unconditional adoration.:hug:

[Sashweezy]

My heart goes out to you. :hug:

[springsprunginmy<3]

I am sooo sorry for your loss and your sadness...may your heart heal quickly:hug::hug::hug::hug:


I think Wing needs a group hug !:hug:

[jennie]

:hug: :hug: I am so sorry you lost a member of your family.He is in a better place. The pain does ease and happy memories will return, but there is always that little ache for your loved one. Know he lived a happy life and loved you as much as you loved him. :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug:

[Ginny42]

So sorry for your loss Wingdesigner.:hug::hug::hug:

[Wingdesigner]

Thanks guys, I really can use a group hug, it feels real good! Nat, you need say no more than what you already did--it's enough. We adopted all three dogs through Michigan Greyhound Connection, and they are allowing me to write an article about his adoption and life as another dog's "dog". When I find out the address, I'll let you know, if'n you're interested.

[joclyn]

i'm SO sorry for your loss. i know just how you're feeling, too. when they've been with us for so long, it really IS hard to imagine life without them being there. and it can take a long time to adjust to, too.

even though this is a sad time, please remember that you gave all these animals a loving, forever home. they were well cared for and were very happy and they loved you just as much as you loved them!

each one finds it's own little place in a pocket of your heart - and they never ever leave it. they may not be with you physically any longer - they will ALWAYS be in your heart. hold on to that as well as all the times you laughed at their antics or just cuddled together of an evening.

you will be reunited with them someday. in the mean time, they've been restored to health & youthfulness and are waiting for you at the rainbow bridge.

[boo]

:( I'm so sorry. I can't add much more than what everyone else said. :( Losing a beloved pet is a horrible loss.

[Audwoman]

I am sorry to hear of your loss. Our pets are family and it hurts deep when they are gone. (((((HUG)))))

[lighthouseseeker]

I am so sorry for your loss. It is truly amazing how many little things remind us of them each day bringing new tears to our eyes.

[Sneezie]

:(I am so sorry for your loss. And I know all the heartfelt words won`t really help, but just know we are all thinkin about ya at this time of sorrow. So here are some of those hugs you need, :hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug:s to you from me!

[Wingdesigner]

Dear Sneezie, that's where you're wrong--all the heartfelt words DO help. None of our dogs barked much, one used to bark at squirrels, then didn't bother anymore; one barked once a year just to prove he could; and the last one only barked at other dogs. Now, what are the chances a dog will break in your house (other than Gizmo's house, that is...)? We are both adjusting to life without a dog to nurse. Rearranging furniture, oh, that reminds me: has anyone seen lately those green slate plaques/stepping stones that can be engraved w/name of pet and life dates? They're rectangular, about 10"x18" or so. Flat slate. It's been a couple of years since we needed one and now they're nowhere to be found. Would like to be consistent w/other deceased pets. I've looked through Harriet Carter, Walter Drake, Home Trends, vet supply 'logues; got nada. Thanks again for all your kind words; please don't think they're trivial--not to us.

[joclyn]

i have seen that plaque lately. miles kimble, i think.

[Wingdesigner]

Jocelyn, you are right! It wasn't in the catalogue, but I found it on their website. Apparently I don't know from slate--it was heavy, but it's a resin/stone composite. Don't care--it'll match the others. Losing five pets in the last seven years makes grieving more "efficient" I guess. We folded up the crate, moved the dresser back into the bedroom and out of the den, put a comfy chair and etagere for snacks in its place; now the den is a den again. All that physical activity helped, I think. I'll be putting the tags on the windchime I made from the other animals' tags. It's not very pretty to anyone except us, but it sounds ok. Many thanks for all the hugs; I read all your responses to the spouse, who was amazed at the kindness of strangers (and some of us are pretty strange...). So, :hug: to all of you, and our heartfelt thanks.

[galu]

Oh you brought a gentle spirit into my heart tonight when I read you post. Thankyou it is so wonderful to remember the extent of the love that we shared with our four legged companion. It was sad when we lost her but it was wonderful to remember the joy.

[jennie]

I'll be putting the tags on the windchime I made from the other animals' tags. It's not very pretty to anyone except us, but it sounds ok.

I think that sounds like a wonderful idea, what a great way to remember there spirit.