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.
I am so sorry for your loss of a truly wonderful member of your family.
We have a 15 year old pup who is showing her signs of age. I do not relish thinking of the time that will eventually come except for the fact we will meet again, God permitting.
So true, but the joy, laughter, and happiness they bring during their meteoric stay in our lives is a blessing.
Dan. There are many older dogs out there in need of a loving family such as yours. So many have had lives filled with emptiness and grief and would love to find a home even though they may not have more than a handful of years left.
They will give their love and devotion to you and you can give them the love and comfort they so desperately need right back.
My Sincerest Condolences. The pain of this loss is all too familiar to me. I hope, to honor the beautiful life of your lost companion, some readers ADOPT/RESCUE another beautiful Dog in desperate need. I saw mention in your post of a “Breeder”...I’m certain that your “Breeder” was of the highest standards, however please be aware that so many self described “breeders” today run horrific “puppy mills” (torture mills). Considering the hundreds of thousands of dogs desperately awaiting rescue/adoption, PLEASE....everyone PLEASE, consider adopting a dog rather than BUYING one!
We specialize in the “unadoptable”; lovable dogs with physical problems. The Chessy was named Dodger and he couldn’t run or even walk very far. He couldn’t climb stairs and had lost a lot of fur due to unaddressed health issues his hideous previous owner ignored. His life was hard but we gave him a few months of peace, regular meals, love and company. I miss him a lot.
Currently we have a beagle(as well as our original rescue, Anna) with three good legs and one that’s just decorative. Somebody threw her away last January during a sub zero cold snap. Maggie has settled in just fine and she too likes the love, company and regular meals.
A beautiful observation! Thank you.
I am with you in your sorrow. Prayers up.
My sincere condolences on the loss of your dear Princess.
I do understand.
With you on this one. We had to bury one cat and one dog this past summer in our back yard. Over the years it’s become a pet cemetery. Cat would stay with me every night. The dog was my wife’s companion for fifteen years. They passed within a month of each other. I think my cat (a very small all black shorthair approximately 14 years old)) was toward the end beaten or kicked by someone in our subdivision as he died from dehydration (came home one day with his head tilted and unable to open his mouth) but could never prove it.
Understand the loneliness that you feel. Been through it too many times.
Praying for you to be calm and think through your wonderful life with Princess.
Perhaps in a few weeks, months, you will see that there is another dog that you fall in love with and provide that dog with all the love you had for Princess.
Prayers for Princess
I’m sorry for your loss. May the Lord give you comfort,
So sorry for your loss.
Animals reach me instantly, and losing one is the most painful emotional thing I think I feel.
Work your way through it, somehow. The Rainbow Bridge that others have mentioned comes to me often, I just pray there is such a thing waiting, and my little buddies are there waiting as well.
I am sorry for you loss.
Lost my lab mix just two months ago, and yes, I ain’t ashamed to admit I cried like a kid when I buried him...
One of the BEST friends I ever had.
I’m so sorry about the loss of your Princess. What a beautiful girl she was...look at that sweet face.
(Thanks, Slings)
I’m sorry. :(
Yes, Dan, I urge you to follow this advice.
The pain is great, I know, but doing something like this has a most salubrious effect...trust me.
My most profound condolences on the passing of your companion, your pet, your dog - and, I'm certain, one of the great loves of your life.
If you do take this advice, please give us an update.
CA....
I’ll be praying for y’all, that the Lord comforts you in your sorrow and gives you strength to carry on knowing that you gave Princess a specially loved life. They are here for such short times, but our hearts are better for sharing our lives with them.
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