Posted on 09/22/2014 12:57:08 PM PDT by DanMiller
Princess was eight years old and a wonderful companion. She had been declining, reviving and again declining for the past several months, despite substantial veterinary attention. Last night she refused to eat or drink and died at about 10:30 this morning.
Princess is in the middle.
Princess became my favorite of all our dogs, past and present. She was attentive to my needs and concerned about me. As I became increasingly infirm with age and had difficulty descending the two steps to go from our house to my wife's separate but adjacent art studio to activate our internet connection, Princess noticed my difficulty. She accompanied me to the steps and positioned herself at my side so that I could lean on her. Shortly thereafter, she noticed that I also had difficulty ascending the two steps to Jeanie's art studio and positioned herself at the top for me to lean on. Despite her illness, Princess tried her best to do the same until a couple of days ago.
Jeanie and I will bury Princess later this afternoon next to the grave of Shadow, who died from the bite of a venomous snake in 2006; Shadow's breeder gave Princess to us when we told her of Shadow's death.
Shadow was also a wonderful pup and died at the very young age of three. Jeanie and I still grieve for her and her photo has long been the graphic on my computer desktop. Not a day passes when I do not look at her grave and wish her good morning or good afternoon. As soon as I figure out how to do it, I will put pictures of them both on my desktop.
Due to Princess' death, I am more than a little disconsolate and hope that readers will excuse my absence for a day or two. Little beyond Princess' death matters to me at this point and perhaps writing this may be something of a catharsis. After we bury Princess, I shall seek solace in a substantial tot or more of rum.
There are adult dogs very much in need of a person, for love and affection, care, protection and a home. Princess can’t ever be replaced but try to find a place in your heart. You’ve been good to your dogs, that seems clear.
People move and leave older dogs at pounds - maybe you could visit and adapt one.
So sorry for your and your wife’s loss, Dan. I know how painful it is—and how many good deeds our pets can do for us.
So sorry for your loss. Dogs become such a part of our lives that is so hard to say good bye to them. Each of them have their own personality and habits. I lost two within one year and I think the second died of a broken heart due to the fact her sister went to the vet and never came home.
Your Princess lived a happy life being loved and loving back. She could not have asked for more. “Grieve not nor speak of me with tears, but smile and laugh as if I were beside you...I loved you so, T’was Heaven here with you.”
I am so sorry.
So do not grieve for me, my friend, as I am with my kind...
My collar is a rainbow's hue My leash a shooting star My boundaries are the milky way Where I sparkle from afar.
There are no pens or kennels here For I am not confined But free to roam God's heavens Among my special kind.
I nap the day on a snowy cloud With gentle breezes rocking me I dream the dreams of earthlings And how it used to be.
The trees are full of liver treats And tennis balls abound And milk bones line the walking ways Just waiting to be found.
There even is a ring set up The grass all lush and green And everyone who gaits around Becomes the "Best Of Breed".
For we're all winners in this place We have no faults you see And God passes out the ribbons To each one--even me.
At night I sleep in angels' arms Their wings protecting me And moonbeams dance about us As stardust falls on thee.
So when your life on earth is spent And you reach heaven's gate Have no fear of loneliness For here, you know I wait.
Author Unknown
I am now a cat lover, but had many different dogs growing up. Animals are God’s blessing to us. God has prepared a place for your blessed doggy, a place where you will once again unite! Be happy! Celebrate the time you had together!
I named the male(on right) "Semper" and the female "Fi". It is fun when I need to call them with a nice loud "Semper Fi"!
I am so sorry for your loss, I know how much our pets mean to us and how hard it is to lose them. They are the world’s best teachers about unconditional love. We have a dog who is 8 years old, and I am reminded by your post how fleeting the time can be that we have them. I have found over the years that sharing stories about our pets we’ve lost is very helpful as it keeps their special memories alive; they are never forgotten.
One of my FB friends just had to put his dog down. He is heartbroken. It is amazing how attached we become to our four-legged buddies. I now have three. My bichon is ten or eleven, adopted from the shelter two and a half years ago. We have another mixed breed that was my daughter’s but she now lives where she can’t have him. We have had him about three years now. My daughter (the one I live with) has a lab/hound mix who is four. They are all so very special. We had another bichon who died unexpectedly and it was so very sad. That’s why we got another one.
Anyone who has loved a dog knows the grief we all go through. They are more than just pets - they are a big part of our lives and the love they give us is unconditional. My heart is sad for you. All we can do is enjoy the memories and give our love to another pup who needs us.
Sorry buddy. Most dogs have more humanity than most people. Always liked that Twilight Zone episode where the man refused to walk into heaven when he found out his favorite coon dog wasn’t allowed. Turned out it was hell,,,
So sorry.
By the way, we outlive them for a reason. Imagine how lost they would be if we died before them. We get the pain, but its a pain they don’t have to know in their innocent lives.
So sorry for your loss.
I’m so sorry - I lost my bassett on New Year’s Day this
year, they leave a real hole in your heart when they are
gone.
Thanks, aomagrat.
ping
My heart goes out to you. You’ve lost a member of your family.
As a dog owner, I feel your pain. Life is only temporary for all of us. But even knowing that it is always sad to see your pet depart.
So sorry, Dan. Many days without consolation lie ahead.
Hugs to you,
Def
By the way, my dog is the reincarnation of a previous dog. I’ve had three vets tell me they believe it and they see it all the time. Once the pain has subsided some, look for her replacement. She’s out there waiting for you.
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