Princess, my favorite dog, died today

Dan Miller's Blog ^ | September 22, 2014 | Dan Miller

[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.

[pabianice]

http://navlog.org/heart.pdf

[A_Former_Democrat]

I lost my best pal at eight and it still bothers me. Sorry for your loss, I do hope there’s a place for animals up above.

[DanMiller]

Many thanks for all of your comments and condolences. My wife, Jeanie, and I appreciate them more than we can say. They are overwhelming and I can't respond to each separately because we need to bury Princes in a few minutes

Many, many thanks to all. Dan

[soozla]

A Dog’s Prayer

Treat me kindly, my beloved master, for no heart in all the world is more grateful for kindness than the loving heart of me.

Do not break my spirit with a stick, for though I should lick your hand between the blows, your patience and understanding will more quickly teach me the things you would have me do.

Speak to me often, for your voice is the world’s sweetest music, as you must know by the fierce wagging of my tail when your footstep falls upon my waiting ear.

When it is cold and wet, please take me inside... for I am now a domesticated animal, no longer used to bitter elements... and I ask no greater glory than the privilege of sitting at your feet beside the hearth... though had you no home, I would rather follow you through ice and snow than rest upon the softest pillow in the warmest home in all the land... for you are my god... and I am your devoted worshiper.

Keep my pan filled with fresh water, for although I should not reproach you were it dry, I cannot tell you when I suffer thirst. Feed me clean food, that I may stay well, to romp and play and do your bidding, to walk by your side, and stand ready, willing and able to protect you with my life, should your life be in danger.

And, beloved master, in the end when I may be deprived of my health or sight, do not turn me away from you. Rather hold me gently in your arms as skilled hands grant me eternal rest mercifully...and I will leave you knowing with the last breath I drew, my fate was ever safest in your hands.

~Beth Norman Harris

I hope that, in time, your heart will heal and you will find the desire to give another dog a special place in your heart and home......there are so, so many that need them....prayers..

[Cowgirl of Justice]

I am so very sorry, Dan. My prayers are with you.

I recently lost my 14 yr old basset, Gus. He was my heart and I completely loved him.

It only hurts every time I breathe.

[chris37]

She’s waiting for you in the Lord’s yard, Dan.

[Da Coyote]

I add my sympathy.

Dogs are God’s gift to us.

(And methinks they are well aware of it.)

[pugmama]

My heart goes out to you for the loss of a beloved dog. We too lost a pug to a rattlesnake bite last year, and I still grieve for his loss. Princess sounded like a wonderful companion.

[Toespi]

I understand your pain and loss, having lost my 15 yo dachshund last year. So sorry to hear about Princess and please know that she was a lucky dog to have had you not only for the good times but her illness, and seeing her through to the end. Prayers up.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Our late, greatly missed Golden Retriever, Prior Lake Jake left us at age eight one winter in Minnesota.

Jake developed a fast growing cancer on his lower jaw. The vet there was nothing he could do.

We waited until our son came home from college that spring, allowed Jake one last swim in Prior Lake, then had him put down.

I still miss him 16 years later.

[Harry Pothead]

Its pretty easy for me to cry when a dog passes. A close friend went last week, very sad.

Humans, not so much. We all have to go some time.

[sheikdetailfeather]

I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Yes it does help to talk about it. Our pets are like family and it is a very hard thing to lose our beloved pets. We all have been there and we do understand. What a special dog Princess must have been. Here is a youtube video of Mark Levin talking on Hannity about his love for his pets and how he felt when losing his dog Sprite:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kUFAwEmwNAU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-GcOvbwSfP8

[ColdOne]

I know what you are going thru. Sorry for your loss. May your grief be short. It hurts so much.

[mlizzy]

I am sorry to hear about Princess. She's a mighty fine looking dog. I enjoyed your story about how she came to your aid on the steps. What a sweetheart. ♥

When our dog Tilly passed on, I said never again; it's too sad. But a year-and-a-half later we somehow had two, and I loved them (and still love them) all over again.

I will pray for you.

[GoldenPup]

What a wonderful poem.

[afraidfortherepublic]

My prayers for you as you recover from the loss of your precious Princess. God has given us the gift of dogs. Unfortunately, He takes them away before we are ready to let them go. Perhaps it is to teach us the lesson of grief.

[GoldenPup]

Go get another pup...quick. It won’t completely fill the hole in your heart...but it will help. I know.

[fieldmarshaldj]

Condolences on your loss.

[DanMiller]

Thanks. I would love to. However, I am now 73 and a young pup would very likely outlive me. I don’t think that would be fair to the new pup. I think they grieve much as we humans do.

[1Old Pro]

Always difficult. From one dog lover to another, although they can never be replaces and will be thought of frequently, the medicine I take after losing many is to get another dog, their companionship works magic.