(((hugs))) Karen
Thanks, everyone, for your comforting words.
Here is a bit more information about our beautiful Chase: http://www.basenji.org/african/Chaza.htm
My kids are taking this very badly. We decided to have Chase cremated and will be getting her ashes. Neither dh nor I have any idea how we'll explain that. My son, 4.5, is sobbing and telling me he wants to go up to heaven to be with Chase. It's going to be a heartbreaking evening.
(((hugs))) Karen
Here's a prayer that might help your son.
A Parting Prayer
Dear Lord, please open your gates
and call St. Francis
to come escort this beloved companion
across the Rainbow Bridge.
Assign her to a place of honor,
for she has been a faithful servant
and has always done her best to please me.
Bless the hands that send her to you,
for they are doing so in love and compassion,
freeing her from pain and suffering.
Grant me the strength not to dwell on my loss.
Help me remember the details of her life
with the love she has shown me.
And grant me the courage to honor her
by sharing those memories with others.
Let her remember me as well
and let her know that I will always love her.
And when it's my time to pass over into your paradise,
please allow her to accompany those
who will bring me home.
Thank you, Lord,
for the gift of her companionship
and for the time we've had together.
And thank you, Lord,
for granting me the strength
to give her to you now.
Amen.
What a fine looking dog she was.
I love dogs!
Thanks for that link- your Chase was a beautiful girl.
Your pictures and description show what a beautiful and sweet dog Chase was. My heart hurts for your children, especially your 4 year old. It's so hard to lose a friend.
Your dear Chase was born about the same time as my two wrinkleheads, Panga and Kisu. Basenjis are just so full of life you can't imagine them ever being gone. My deepest sympathies.
Your kids are so young, I'm wondering if there is a child's book out there that you could read to them to help explain?