Posted on 05/30/2018 10:06:19 AM PDT by usconservative
Today I lost my companion of 13 years. He was in early onset kidney failure back in January. He'd been on medication to manage it and seemed to be doing fine. He was eating, sleeping, drinking water, playing, etc..
This morning he urinated almost all blood and I rushed to the vet and was informed his kidneys were deteriorating and it was just a matter of time now.
I had to make the painful decision I've had to make before with each one of my dogs and that decision never gets any easier.
My ex-wife came to be with me so I wouldn't have to do this alone. I held Teddy as he passed telling him to go find Jerry, Sandy, Shiner and Licker (yes that was his name) and to play with them. I told him I'd see him soon and asked our Lord to send all my boys over the hill to get me when my time comes.
I'll see you soon Teddy. I love you and I miss you so much already!
Thank you Jesus for entrusting that wonderful, beautiful animal to my care and all the lessons I learned through him. I have no regrets for letting that animal into my heart and my life. Thank you so much!
I love you Teddy!
Dad.
That's one smart little boy.
The hardest and most loving decision we have to make for them, is when to say goodbye and not make them suffer because we're selfish.
I never want to make this decision again.
It’s the worst.
Losing those precious companions tears you apart.
Please accept condolences from our family who totally understands.
It’s the worst.
Losing those precious companions tears you apart.
Please accept condolences from our family who totally understands.
“that decision never gets any easier”
It’s heart-wrenching and I’m so sorry for what you’re going through. You loved him and gave him a good life - and he gave back immeasurably, I know.
Teddy was a tall black Labradoodle with black wavy hair. The most beautiful dog I'd ever seen when we rescued him so many years ago.
As heartbroken as I am, I don't regret a single minute of him in my life and I believe our Lord used him to teach me so many things I needed to learn like patience, perseverence and kindness.
There will never be another like him. I miss you Teddy.
I’m so sorry. Please accept my prayers and heartfelt condolences. It’s always so hard to lose a dear friend.
Sorry about your loss, prayers up for healing.
I’m so sorry. You gave Teddy the best life he could have.
Cried like a baby when we had to make that decision for, essentially my first dog Jasper and then again with Cody.
I understand that “All creation gives Him praise” and that must also include our four legged companions.
Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him.
7
The Power of the Dog
Rudyard Kipling
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 passion and worship fed
By a kick in the ribs or a pat on the head.
Nevertheless it is hardly fair
To risk your heart for 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 hat 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-time 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?
Thank you so much ....
So sorry to hear you lost your beloved pet. I hope you can be comforted by the memories you have from the time he was with you.
I miss you Teddy.
HEART
She came to us in need of shelter, care, love Which we were happy to supply in abundance; A couple who's special lot in life was To care for those creatures of God who could not care for themselves; And God, with a wisdom man can glimpse only in the most unusual, Most startling, and most unexpected moments; Knew she was to be ours
Sasha A big dog; Way too big; Norwegian Elk Hound; Now so big, clearly a Norwegian Chow Hound; Raised and maintained on a diet of red meat and sugar By someone who loved too well and cared too little; Come to us after her master's untimely death; Shy, fearful, but so friendly and wanting friends; Painful, but brave; Her heart the biggest part of her
Slowly finding her places in her new home; A place to eat; a carpet to lie down upon; A place to be safe, to love again in safety; Near the recliner which most often held A loving human with kind hands; A place in the hierarchy of eight cats and another dog Who, despite his small stature, let her know who was Top Dog; And she, while never contradicting him, let us know With a doggie wink, a wig-wigging tail, and open-mouthed smile That she was really In Command
And so the few slow years sped by Heavy years, with a force of more than just The Earth's gravitational pull; Force equals mass times acceleration, The scientists tell us; But what can science tell us of the force Of destiny? The mass of care? The acceleration of time? A force also of congenital problems Common to those of her breed; And it became ever more difficult to walk To climb the stairs To do those small things every creature takes for granted Until taken from them; Until the joy of taking walks with her mistress Became only memories; Until it hurt just to move And medications became ever less effective In easing the pain But almost never a complaint from Sasha And , if you closed your eyes and listened Closely, we could hear her: >P> "You gave me a home and I love you with all my heart. After all your kindness it would be unseemly for me to now complain of a few aches and pains. Worse, it would be undignified."
And as we all know, a dog's dignity is special.
Yet, something had to be done, And something was; Calls were made; Consultations were held; Fears expressed; Reassurances given; A common operation; Little chance of any problems; And a plan of action put in motion; A Mission undertaken; And well-planned missions, we are taught from childhood, Must end in success One's heart must be obeyed
Then, things going terribly wrong The operation botched, complications, Intensive care; Terrible scars; Tubes and lines and Devices of frightening mechanicability; Her breath coming in hitches; A very sick Sasha peering at us through the Plexiglas oxygen cage; Oh, merciful God! How could this happen To our girl?! To your girl?! One last doggie smile between Labored breaths, I love you Thank you for your kindness Goodbye Then turning away Please don't watch me die And we did as she asked For in those things which matter most The heart knows best what to ask And how to answer
Some years ago in another hospital Waiting out another crisis A nurse said that she had seen many die; And that when someone died they never, ever Voiced regret over not having spent more time at the office, Or on the golf course, Or shopping, Or doing any of the things we find so important in health; No, she said The only regret the dying ever expressed to her Was in not spending more time With those to whom Their heart went out
And so we brought you home, Sashi-girl, In an urn; To be with us If only in death; If even in death; Your heart still beats strong in the house; A heart of courage; Of selflessness; Of gratitude; Of love;
And now in the quiet evening As I sit just before bed, I catch a glimpse of something At just the edge of vision; A doggy smile; A curled tail wig-wigging in happiness; A wave of love -- "I'm still here, Master;" And I go to bed Holding her spirit close, Feeling her valiant heart beat strong, And it keeps me warm all through the night.
For Sasha, January, 2001
Deepest condolences on your loss. Been there several times. And no, it doesn’t get any easier.
So sorry :(
It’s always tough to get through.
Seriously get yourself a rescue dog of any breed and age you desire (not that it matters). I have put many a dog down and a new one helps me and my wife over the pain.
Having to put down my beloved dog was absolutely the hardest thing I’ve ever done. I got another dog right away...not sure if that was a good idea or not but for sure having a puppy who literally pulled me to the ground 4 times while on walks was a distraction. We got through it and I love my new baby but still miss my darling Jazz.
Thank you for sharing your pain. That was beautiful. I so much appreciate it.
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