My best friend is gone

6/8/09 | dervish

[dervish]

My best friend of 16 years died Thursday.

She was an Obedience Champion, #1 in her Breed in 2003 AKC, she had a Utility degree and OTCH points before arthritis took her out of competition. She knew about fifty words/expressions, she could swim like a mini tugbout, catch a frisby on the fly, retrieve anything with all her heart, climb a ladder, bark on command, drop food on command, find hidden objects on command, do the Schutzhund arm hold, and many other feats.

She heeled perfectly off leash on Manhattan streets and parks recognizing the need to stop at every curb and ignoring dogs, squirrels and other distractions.

She was affectionately called a 'play machine'. She loved kids, people, other dogs (especially un-neutered males), and had a bark I named the call of the wild.

She will be dearly missed and always remembered.

[combat_boots]

Years ago, my folks sent us flowers when my dog died. I kept those flowers for a long time. It took me 2 decades to get another dog.

So very sorry for your loss.

Please don’t wait two decades to get another one. There are so many animals & pups around now. People turn them out in the countryside like you wouldn’t believe.

[Grammy]

I’m sorry dervish.

[Toespi]

So very sorry, God bless you in your loss and pain. They are all so special and I believe they are angels sent to us for many reasons. Know that you will see your friend again.

[Fighter@heart]

So sorry for your loss. Our canine friends earn such a large portion of our hearts.

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown...

[ChinaGotTheGoodsOnClinton]

You lost a loved one and a family member.

I am deeply saddened for your loss.

[VeniVidiVici]

Thank you for posting the pic. What a beautiful dog.

[Caramelgal]

As a board member of our local Humane Society I know that many people have had to abandon their pets during these hard economic times. A good pet owner like yourself could make one of these dogs feel loved again. Please consider it.

I’m glad you posted this. I know someone who recently gave up her two cats to the Humane Society. She’s been unemployed since the beginning of the year and her home is close to going into foreclosure and her car repossessed. She’s been diligently looking for work but it’s been complicated not only because her financial situation but also due to her health problems.

Her cats were elderly and have their own health problems and she couldn’t afford to take them to the vet’s. One had kidney problems and when she was employed and making good money, I know she spent hundreds of dollars on vet care, medicines and special foods. She tried for months to find homes for them but had no success.

I know that recently she often went without in order to make sure her cats were fed. She told me that she’d rather go hungry herself than see her “friends” go without.

She really agonized over this but was left with no other option. She knows that there’s a good chance that the Humane Society will end up euthanizing them but she also knows that this is the more responsible option compared to abandoning them or letting them suffer. She did tell me that the volunteers at the Humane Society were very understanding and sympathetic – having seen this very thing happen a lot recently.

My heart goes out to her. If I could have possibly taken them in, I would have. ;(,

I can’t have any pets right now but when the day comes that I can, I will definitely adopt from a shelter.

[austingirl]

Bless her heart and bless you as you deal with this loss. I know how you feel - I have the ashes of seven wonderful companions. When I go, I will be cremated, too and all of our ashes spread together.

[backhoe]

Kindest regards- from us, to you...

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/chat/1777582/posts
The Rainbow Bridge - Hugs and Prayers for Backhoe
FreeDominion.ca ^ | February 1, 2007 by Calpernia

[dervish]

In due time I will think about adopting. I always opt for rescue.

[dervish]

I’m sorry for your loss too. Beautiful dog!

[TASMANIANRED]

I’m very sorry for your loss. She was a beautiful girl.

I gave my heart to a lab as well and the hole she left still aches.

[woollyone]

Heart felt sympathy for you in your loss.

My dad said; “It never hurts less, it just hurts less often”.

I hope your grief is lightened and that you soon meet that other dog the REALLY needs you to love it and to give it a home.

My freetogoodhome mix (golden/chow) plopped into my life at just the right time to fill part of that void and pain. That was 5 years ago and she insists on being everywhere I am.

May it soon be so for you too.

Now go find that dog that needs you.

*wink*
Your new best friend is waiting

[dervish]

Thank you for your good wishes.

I hesitate to post this because I don’t want to have someone trample on my dog’s memory but she was a Pit Bull Terrier.

I trained her to compete in obedience, the first time for me, for the good PR the breed desperately needs. I rescued her at about a year and began to train her since she was a wild thing pulling me on the streets of Manhattan. The trainer suggested the competition.

The training method was the Koehler method, no food, leash corrections and praise only. Leftists in NYC hated me for ‘abusing’ her while they had zero control over their dogs and probably their children. I learned a lot from training her.

[dervish]

thank you. In due time I am sure I will adopt another dog. But not yet.

[bmwcyle]

Don’t tell Chet99. He think it kill someone.

[dervish]

I know that is why I did not post the picture originally. But then I thought that was cowardly.

[4yearlurker]

So sorry for your loss.We lost our Willy Boy about 18 months ago. I still think about him and we joke about his antics as we smile and shake our heads. It will get better.