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.
Lord have mercy. I am so sorry for your loss. Dogs matter.
The Power of the Dog
There is sorrow enough in the natural way
From men and women to fill our day;
And when we are certain of sorrow in store,
Why do we always arrange for more?
Brothers and sisters, I bid you beware
Of giving your heart to a dog to tear.
Buy a pup and your money will buy
Love unflinching that cannot lie—
Perfect passsion and worship fed
By a kick in the ribs or a pat on the head.
Nevertheless it is hardly fair
To risk your heart to a dog to tear.
When the fourteen years which Nature permits
Are closing in asthma, or tumour, or fits,
And the vet’s unspoken prescription runs
To lethal chambers or loaded guns,
Then you will find—it’s your own affair—
But ... you’ve given your heart to a dog to tear.
When the body that lived at your single will,
With its whimper of welcome, is stilled (how still!)
When the spirit that answered your every mood
Is gone—wherever it goes—for good,
You will discover how much you care,
And will give your heart to a dog to tear.
We’ve sorrow enough in the natural way,
When it comes to burying Christian clay.
Our loves are not given, but only lent,
At compound interest of cent per cent.
Though it is not always the case, I believe,
That the longer we’ve kept ‘em, the more do we grieve:
For, when debts are payable, right or wrong,
A short-term loan is as bad as a long—
So why in—Heaven (before we are there)
Should we give our hearts to a dog to tear?
Rudyard Kipling
I just had to put my mom's dog down about a month ago.
Still missing him.
I know what you’re going through. I’m more of a feline guy but feline, canine or whatever, our pets mean a lot to us and it is hard to lose them. I had many cats who have passed on and it was a hard time grieving. I also lost my mother last November so I’ve been through a lot. Princess will be waiting for you at the Rainbow Bridge along with my cats and other pets we all here have lost. I’m sure she is getting to know all of my cats as we speak. B-) My prayers go out to you and yours.
My heart is with you in your grief.
The only bad thing about dogs is that they can’t live forever.
You have my deepest sympathy. I know the pain of such a loss. It’s interesting how these selfless creatures can sense when something is wrong with their humans. I’m sorry you did not have more time with both Princess and Shadow.
So sorry to hear this.
I am so sorry for your loss. Losing a dog is more than losing a pet. Mine is a companion, confidant, protector, and general buddy.
Whenever I leave the house, she walks me to the door. She is there when I come home. She wakes me in the morning with a kiss, and she sleeps outside my door.
I cannot imagine life without her, although one day I must.
I feel your loss. I will say a prayer for you.
I lost two dogs last year. In March my 13 year-old Lab mix simply couldn’t lift her head one morning. X-rays showed a mass on her liver. In October the 9 year-old Chesapeake Bay Retriever died. He had been the victim of a lifetime of abuse and neglect when the Animal Control authorities took him from the previous owner who was arrested. We had him only about 4 months when he succumbed to an embolism tied to the untreated Lyme Disease he had.
Getting a dog is agreeing to heartache somewhere down the road.
Very sorry to hear, Dan.
May your memories and the joy she brought, console you in this difficult time.
my sincere condolences
I am sorry. So sorry.
What a good soul you are.
So very sorry to hear of Princess’ passing. Our furry family members do work their way into our hearts, don’t they? I love the unquestioning companionship and loyalty dogs give us. They are truly one of God’s greatest blessings.
I’m very sorry to hear of the loss of your beloved Princess.
I’m so sorry, Dan. God bless
I am so sorry for your loss. May your furry family member rest in peace. Prayers up!
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