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10 Things the Loss of Our Dog Taught Me About Living
Huffington Post ^ | 01/28/2016 | Kara-Post Kennedy

Posted on 01/29/2016 12:20:04 AM PST by goldstategop

Losing a pet is heart-wrenching. Anyone who denies this either never had a pet or never had a heart to wrench. We had plenty of time to prepare for our girl's passing, and I mistakenly believed that this would make it easier or somehow a relief when she died. It was not easy and it definitely was not a relief. Zoey was a salty old broad to the end, and the departure of her larger-than-life presence has left us with a huge hole in our world; I can't believe how much I miss her. Of course in thinking about her constantly, (without her incessant barking to distract me from such thoughts), I realize that losing her has given me a new outlook. Zoey was a far greater teacher than I ever understood; if she were here today (and could type) these are some things she would tell us about life:

(Excerpt) Read more at huffingtonpost.com ...


TOPICS: Pets/Animals; Religion; Society
KEYWORDS: death; faith; grief; huffingtonpost; karapostkennedy; life; petloss
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I lost my beloved dog Cubby the day this article was posted.

Pet loss can be a powerful thing and the loss of a companion pet is like a blow to our lives. We go crazy and miss someone who was always there for us.

This article answers what our pet could tell us if they could speak and they have much to teach us about life as about death.

And they will be around us even when we know they're no longer literally with us like before.

When we work through our profound loss, let's remember the joy they gave us in their short life on this earth.

1 posted on 01/29/2016 12:20:04 AM PST by goldstategop
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To: goldstategop

I’m so sorry.


2 posted on 01/29/2016 12:29:39 AM PST by skr (May God confound the enemy)
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To: goldstategop

The missus and I have had a terrible season, first her mother passed the week after halloween, then we had to put down our australion sheperd, Flashy after Thanksgiving. Than saddly, the wifes father passed Christmas day. We are glad a new year has begun. Our faith is strong, our spirit is bouyed by our Shi Tsu Lily and the boys, Remington and Apollo, our Chihuahua pups.


3 posted on 01/29/2016 12:31:20 AM PST by exnavy (good gun control: two hands, one shot, one kill.)
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To: skr

God ended her suffering.

I thought the Judge Of The Earth did what was right.

He giveth and taketh away. Blessed Be His Name.

The only thing left after the dross of grief is burned away is the constancy of that enduring love we shared.


4 posted on 01/29/2016 12:33:38 AM PST by goldstategop (In Memory Of A Dearly Beloved Friend Who Lives In My Heart Forever)
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To: goldstategop

I still think of all the pets I have lost over the years...

One particular cat named Vera who lived over 20 years.
And a dog named Mikey who was an amazing little guy.

I would not be able to relate to or truly trust a person who could not grieve over the loss of a beloved pet.

People who eschew the very idea of having an animal companion as too messy, too much work..etc are mysterious to me.

My current friends are a Border Collie named Freckles and a cat named Daisey.... such great pals :-)


5 posted on 01/29/2016 12:33:42 AM PST by Bobalu (I told you so!)
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To: exnavy

Chihuahuas are fun little noisy dogs :-)


6 posted on 01/29/2016 12:35:48 AM PST by Bobalu (I told you so!)
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To: exnavy

My heartfelt condolences.

Faith bears all things, love proves all things and our spirit renews all things.

On these three, the world endures forever.


7 posted on 01/29/2016 12:37:57 AM PST by goldstategop (In Memory Of A Dearly Beloved Friend Who Lives In My Heart Forever)
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To: Bobalu

Our animal friends come and go and we’re blessed by their faithful love.


8 posted on 01/29/2016 12:39:32 AM PST by goldstategop (In Memory Of A Dearly Beloved Friend Who Lives In My Heart Forever)
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To: Bobalu

Yes they are, our Apollo starts barking in the house moving towards the back door, gets outside, stops, looks around then continues barking at everything in general, nothing in particular! He is a wonderful snuggler though.


9 posted on 01/29/2016 12:40:48 AM PST by exnavy (good gun control: two hands, one shot, one kill.)
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To: goldstategop

Thank you, true words my friend.


10 posted on 01/29/2016 12:41:42 AM PST by exnavy (good gun control: two hands, one shot, one kill.)
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To: goldstategop

It is a good article and gives hints as to how to cope with the loss of a pet and all of the things that they can teach us.

I have always been told by those supposedly in-the-know that when a pet passes, the very best thing to do is to start looking for a ‘replacement’. That has always worked for us. Simply the joy of seeing other happy pets who need homes can sometimes temporarily ease the pain. If you are lucky enough to find a good pet soon then the pain will diminish more rapidly.

Sorry for your loss.


11 posted on 01/29/2016 12:51:48 AM PST by spel_grammer_an_punct_polise (Why does every totalitarian, political hack think that he knows how to run my life better than I?)
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To: goldstategop

Praise God for creating pet-companions that add so much to our lives even when they’re gone


12 posted on 01/29/2016 1:02:56 AM PST by skr (May God confound the enemy)
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To: spel_grammer_an_punct_polise

That’s what I intend to do.

Of course not really a replacement for a new pet is nothing like the original.

Animals are as unique as people and meant to be appreciated on their own terms.

For me, a new dog will give me joy again and transform the pain into something beautiful.

And I could never stand being alone with a hole ripped in my heart.


13 posted on 01/29/2016 1:08:06 AM PST by goldstategop (In Memory Of A Dearly Beloved Friend Who Lives In My Heart Forever)
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To: goldstategop

Our two Chihauhau’ were aquired from the local pet rescue folks in anticipation, in advance, to the demise of our aging pet. Most of our pets have been “rescued”. As you say, cannot imagine living without pets, dealing with the grief of loss. Our pets never fail to bring a smile, greeted at the door with wagging tails, short hello barks, and wet tongues.


14 posted on 01/29/2016 1:17:27 AM PST by exnavy (good gun control: two hands, one shot, one kill.)
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To: goldstategop

I have an aging Chocolate lab who’s nearing the end of days. He has a great spirit, but the body’s breaking down. Not looking forward to the end, but I know he’s had a great run. I think he knows it too.


15 posted on 01/29/2016 1:35:45 AM PST by onona (Check your shark at the door)
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To: onona

We still miss old Prior Lake Jake, our Golden Retriever.
At age eight or so, he developed a fast growing cancer on his jaw that couldn’t be surgically removed.
He had a last swim in the lake when our son came home from college for the summer and then we had him put down.


16 posted on 01/29/2016 3:08:02 AM PST by Eric in the Ozarks (Baseball players, gangsters and musicians are remembered. But journalists are forgotten.)
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To: Bobalu

Chihuahuas are 50 pounds of personality in a 5 pound dog.


17 posted on 01/29/2016 4:01:34 AM PST by Flick Lives (One should not attend even the end of the world without a good breakfast. -- Heinlein)
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To: goldstategop

I’m going to send you a link by freepmail.


18 posted on 01/29/2016 4:04:07 AM PST by ConservativeDude
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To: goldstategop

Our little furry companions work their way into our hearts in ways only they can. When they pass, the loss is devastating. Our 13-year-old Cocker is in generally good shape, but I know the clock is ticking. We just enjoy her now as much as we can.

Very sorry for your loss.


19 posted on 01/29/2016 4:35:11 AM PST by ScottinVA (If you're not enraged...why?)
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To: Flick Lives

Perfect description :-)


20 posted on 01/29/2016 4:53:30 AM PST by Bobalu (I told you so!)
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