GIGI DIED TODAY!

August 8, 2003 | FreepForever

[FreepForever]

My 15 years old Shih-tzu, Gigi, died today after a well fought battle with nature. No apparent sickness, just failing due to old age.

I bought her, no, she adopted me 15 years ago at a pet shop. I reached inside the cage and she's the one who came forward to lick my hand. That magic moment started our 15 years commitment in which we have never failed each other. I hadn’t got a clue the trouble involved in taking care of a long hair breed then. Since then, we went through a lot of ups and downs, her large brown eyes had seen the best and worst of my times. We joined the June 4th Tiananmen Massacre protest march in Hong Kong in 1989. She was only 7 months old then and had energetically finished the march like every brave citizen though I carried her on my shoulder some of the time. Kids called her the democracy dog.

She was a “one-man dog” and refused to leave me out of her sight for more than a few minutes. I had to carry her around in a back-pack, especially in those “no dogs allowed” places. That made me a “one-dog man” too. She had taught me that there is no other unconditional love like this. I was hospitalized once and my relative had a bad time convincing her to eat and rest for two days and had to return her ASAP. She had created her own share of troubles like every other pets, like chewing on my valuable books. But, when looking back, these are the fun of having a furry pal like her.

On one New Year’s day 5 or 6 years ago, we went fishing. When we were finished and ready to leave, I was shocked to find a fishing line dangling from the corner of her mouth and she was making a gargling sound in pain. Obviously, some careless folks had left baits and hooks on the shore. We called and rushed her to the RSPCA immediately. By 8:30 pm, thanks to the excellent people there (it was New Year’s day), the vet (who came back after receiving my emergency call) managed to cut and remove the hook with her superb surgical skill. Today, I am still keeping that fishing hook as a souvenir.

When she was getting old and cannot walk long distance. I took her on bike rides and have made a special rear-basket-seat for her. She was my passenger on our numerous bike rides. We will stop by the lawn beside the mountain trail where we took a breather. I brought her water and snacks too but she always wanted a bite of my sandwich. She liked to play on the lawn, although it took me an hour to remove those grass seeds from her fur. The lawn will be her burial site, her rainbow bridge. And, if I still have the heart to cycle again, I have to cycle alone from now on...

When she was struggling on her sick bed, Charlie the cat (6 years old) who look to Gigi both as a mother and a companion was beside her affectionately. He seems to understand what is going on. And if you think it is worth while to say a little pray for Gigi, I would deeply appreciate the kind thought. Thanks your reading this. I am running out of tissues...

[HairOfTheDog]

<< smile >> Thank you very much!

[nyconse]

True-there is a kinship between people who really love their dogs. Some of the most touching (including your poem) stories and poems have been written about about man's best friend.

[FreepForever]

My heartfelt thanks for all of your kind words, tear jerkers and gentle pats. They are most needed and I do appreciate them.

If not with kind, understanding and generous people like you who lends a shoulder in difficult times like this, I don't know how I can get through this traumatic moment. For those who have recently lost their beloved pets like me, I think Gigi will love to play with your furry friends in Rainbow Bridge. I think God is a pet lover and there is doggy/kitty heaven too.

Freepers are much better people than clods who say: “Come on, it’s only a dog...”

[nyconse]

Only a heartless idiot would say, "it's only a dog". These are the same kind of people who when you miscarry a child, they say it wasn't really.... a baby. The same kind people who say, "at least you have other children", when you lose a child. They are total jerks and the best response is to ignore them.

[nyconse]

Also, you and Gigi are in my prayers.

[HairOfTheDog]

Lend Me a Pup

I will lend to you for awhile,
a pup, God said,
For you to love him while he lives
and mourn for him when he's dead.
Maybe for twelve or fourteen years,
or maybe two or three
But will you, 'till I call him back,
take care of him for me.
He'll bring his charms to gladden you
and (should his stay be brief)
you'll always have his memories
as solace for your grief.
I cannot promise he will stay,
since all from earth return
But there are lessons taught below
I want this pup to learn.

I've looked the whole world over
in search of teachers true
And from the folk that crowd's life's land
I have chosen you.
Now will you give him all your love
Nor think the labour vain,
Nor hate me when I come to take my Pup back again.

I fancied that I heard them say
"Dear Lord Thy Will be Done,"
For all the joys this Pup will bring,
the risk of grief we'll run.
We'll shelter him with tenderness
we'll love him while we may
And for the happiness we've known forever grateful stay
But should you call him back
much sooner than we've planned,
We'll brave the bitter grief that comes,
and try to understand.
If, by our love, we've managed,
your wishes to achieve
In memory of him we loved,
to help us while we grieve,
When our faithful bundle departs this world of strife,
We'll have yet another Pup and love him all his life.

-author unknown

[HairOfTheDog]

One more on a litghter note:

Every boy should have a dog
It teaches him to turn around three times before lying down.
Robert Benchley

[austingirl]

I am so sorry for your loss. I know how terribly painful it is to lose a good dog friend. I have six urns of my angels' ashes waiting to be spread with mine someday. By the time I go, I expect there will be more losses, but I truly couldn't live without them. May I recommend multiple dogs? I currently have two little ones.

I will pray for your Gigi and for you.

[andysandmikesmom]

So sorry to hear of your loss...losing a dog, which has been your companion, your child, your soulmate, is just hearbreaking....

We have been having a lot of 'medical' problems, with the humans in our home lately, which has kept me from posting on FR, for the last month or so...I have been lurking, just posting...but your thread, has moved me to post once again...

On top of the human medical problems going on here, our beloved Dizzy, a huge Himalayan cat, dropped over dead, just a few weeks ago...he had been my sons cat, that adopted me when the son was gone trekking around the world...and so Dizzy remained with us after the son returned...

I had always been a dog person, never without a dog, but my sons prefered cats, so they always had cats, tho I seldom fooled around with them, preferring my dogs...but Dizzy the cat, was so sweet, so loveable, so much like a dog, that he stole my heart...I had him for only three years when he died, yet I cried so hard, when he left me...

I have had, and lost so many dogs in my life....three dogs are buried out back in the yard, and Dizzy lies next to them now...whenever one of my dogs dies, my heart just breaks....

I have also lost one of my children to leukemia, many years ago....so I know the difference between 'human' children and 'furry' children...and as one who has lost both, I can firmmly say, that altho the death of my older son devasted me, and will hurt my life forever, still, the death of my beloved pets has also wounded me so much....I am crying now, just thinking of my departed furry friends....

My last dog to die, was my Helga, a chubby, stubby, long, low, long-eared, slobbery, sweet Basset Hound....she wrapped my heart and my husbands heart around her thick chunky paw...and when she died, ate age 13, my husband and I so mourned her...she was pure delight, and our home, without her, was so very empty....

Mr. Dizzy, who I spoke of earlier, came to us some time after she died, and he filled that emptiness in our hearts and in our lives....

My husband always says, he wonders why its a fact of nature, that dogs and cats, live such short lives, in relation to our own...it hardly seems fair...we love them, they become our children, who never grow up...and then they age quicker than us, and then they go to the Rainbow Bridge...

Frankly, I never trust someone who says, "Come on, its only a dog"...what a cowardly, horrible thing to say...one who cannot give their hearts to a trusting loving pet, is someone not worth my time...

Let yourself mourn, and cry, and remember your dear furry childs life...you are a better person for having given your heart away, for whatever timeframe, long or short...

[austingirl]

Bless you for your kind words here and for your own loss of your two friends.

[GovernmentShrinker]

I'm so sorry your little Gigi had to leave you, but wherever she is, she's watching you, and is touched by how deeply you feel the loss of her. Try not to be miserable for too long, though, as that will make her sad. And when you're ready, she'll be so proud of you when you give another dog a home with a wonderful human to love and be loved by.

[andysandmikesmom]

Thanks for the different doggie poems...they are great, make me cry, and somehow today, I need those tears...

[nyconse]

On a lighter note-my dog (Lucky) was covered with red paint when my son-acidentally shot her with his new paint gun. My son was horrified (those things hurt!), but luckily the dog was not injured. The paint gun has been confiscated until further notice. Anyway this dog, ignored Chris (son), shot him dirty looks for a full day, went around the house woo wooing (she has hunting dog in her and talks) and left him a present on his pillow-believe me its wasn't flowers! The boy road his bike three miles to get the dog a present in order to make up-favorite Lamb "chewie". A happy reconciliation did take place, and peace has been restored. He also had to pay for the grooming bill to get rid of the red paint (non-toxic/called the vet). LOL

[nyconse]

What a beautiful, touching post. I will pray for your family. I hope the illness isn't serious. I am so sorry about your child. I can't say I know how you feel-no one can. I lost several babies to miscarriage. Life can be so hard sometimes.

[HairOfTheDog]

There is a neat (I think) variant on the Rainbow Bridge piece that someone wrote following 9-11. I don't know why I do this to myself, but I relish the tears when I read great stuff. It makes us feel alive, to bawl sometimes.

WELCOME AT RAINBOW BRIDGE
by AlexanderTheodore, Bouvier, Fourth Year Resident

On the morning of September 11, 2001, there was an unprecedented amount of activity at the Rainbow Bridge. Decisions had to be made. They had to be made quickly. And, they were.

An issue, not often addressed here, is the fact that many residents really have no loved one for whom to wait. Think of the pups who lived and died in hideous puppy mills. No one on earth loved or protected them. What about the many who spent unhappy lives tied in backyards? And, the ones who were abused. Who are they to wait for?

We don't talk about that much up here. We share our loved ones as they arrive, happy to do so. But we all know there is nothing like having your very own person who thinks you are the most special pup in the Heavens.

Last Tuesday morning a request rang out for pups not waiting for specific persons to volunteer for special assignment... An eager, curious crowd surged excitedly forward, each pup wondering what the assignment would be.

They were told by a solemn voice that unexpectedly, all at once, over 4,000 loving people had left Earth long before they were ready.

All the pups, as all pups do, felt the humans' pain deep in their own hearts. Without hearing more, there was a clamoring among them - "May I have one to comfort?" "I'll take two, I have a big heart." "I have been saving kisses forever."

One after another they came forward begging for assignment. One cozy-looking fluffy pup hesitantly asked, "Are there any children coming? I would be very comforting for a child 'cause I'm soft and squishy and I always wanted to be hugged." A group of Dalmatians came forward asking to meet the Firemen and be their friends. The larger working breeds offered to greet the Police Officers and make them feel at home.

Little dogs volunteered to do what they do best, cuddle and kiss. Dogs who on Earth had never had a kind word or a pat on the head, stepped forward and said, "I will love any human who needs love."

Then all the dogs, wherever on Earth they originally came from, rushed to the Rainbow Bridge and stood waiting, overflowing with love to share - each tail wagging an American Flag.

[Scott from the Left Coast]

And, if I still have the heart to cycle again, I have to cycle alone from now on...

As a dog owner I really sympathise with your loss. It is terrible, but always nice to hear of a dog living out its full life in a great home. That is something to celebrate.

And if I may be so bold...you are obviously a fabulous dog-owner...and you know, there are puppies out there that desperately need a great home. Desperately.

Can you think of a better monument for Gigi than a fantastic new home for a puppy in need?

[austingirl]

Boy, the tears are just rolling down my face... I hope it's therapeutic.

[HairOfTheDog]

I think it is ;~D

[OESY]

It's not vanity you are expressing. It's love of a best friend. No apologies are necessary. I have shared your feelings. You have my deepest sympathy for Gigi. Godspeed.

[wimpycat]

Although it's probably the last thing on your mind at the moment, I must echo what these other two are saying. Nature must take its course, so Gigi couldn't live forever (the one downside to cats and dogs), but some day soon, I think it would be a nice way to honor Gigi by rescuing one of her brethren in the doggy world. Everybody's different, but it took us only a couple of weeks to get another cat. The house was just so empty! At first I thought we'd made a mistake (going from an old, slow cat to a young, hyperactive one can really throw you for a loop), but slowly she's grown on us. And she's alive. Personality-wise, she's nothing like Wimpy, and I picked her out on purpose because of that. She's her own cat who deserves to be accepted for herself. No, it's not the same. It will never be the same. But it's a new and different life.