[McGavin999]

Please forgive the vanity

[backhoe]

I am awfully sorry to hear that, neighbor. Nobody loves you like your dog does.

[mplsconservative]

So sorry to hear of the loss of your beloved Jamie.

I've been through it more than a couple of times and was always surprised by the depth of loss and grief that followed.

It's something that non-dog lovers just can't seem to grasp.

Be comforted in knowing you gave your dog the best and loved him dearly. He knew and appreciated that every day of his life.

My Newfie, Skeezix, passed on almost eight years ago and it still brings tears to my eyes as I write this.

((((hugs))))

[cripplecreek]

I'm sorry to hear that. I know how you feel, my dogs are like the children I never had.

[BluH2o]

Wolfhounds are wonderful dogs ... truly gentle giants. I've been involved with dogs for the last thirty years, not counting two our family had when I was a youngster. It's always a very sad day when you lose such fine companions, they ask for little and give so much. My advice, based on my experience, wait a period of time, perhaps a year, and when you think you're ready get another dog. You will never replace the one you lost, because they all have different personalities, but your new companion will also win your heart in their own special way.

[deadhead]

I am so very sorry, McGavin. Cyber hugs for you. Our pets are part of our family. I feel so bad for you.

Take Care,
Colleen

Beyond The Rainbow

As much as I loved the life we had and all the times we played, I was so very tired and knew my time on earth would fade. I saw a wondrous image then of a place that's trouble-free Where all of us can meet again to spend eternity.

I saw the most beautiful Rainbow, and on the other side Were meadows rich and beautiful -- lush and green and wide! And running through the meadows as far as the eye could see Were animals of every sort as healthy as could be! My own tired, failing body was fresh and healed and new And I wanted to go run with them, but I had something left to do.

I needed to reach out to you, to tell you I'm alright That this place is truly wonderful, then a bright Glow pierced the night. 'Twas the Glow of many Candles shining bright and strong and bold And I knew then that it held your love in its brilliant shades of gold.

For although we may not be together in the way we used to be, We are still connected by a cord no eye can see. So whenever you need to find me, we're never far apart If you look beyond the Rainbow and listen with your heart.

~Author Unknown~

[Nowhere Man]

No sweat, I know what it is like to lose a beloved pet. We lost Muffin earlier this year and there are still times I mourn the loss and "get all bummed out." Muffin passed away on July 9th this year, a day after my birthday. I think she held on until my birthday was over, I think she knew it would hurt me much more if she passed on then. She had kidney problems for the last 2 and a half years before that although we dealt with that very well until the last 2 or 3 weeks of her life. She was a black, Burmese cat, would have been 17 in August. A few days before my aunt passed away in 1995, she asked us to take care of her.


Muffin - 8-21-1987 to 7-09-2004

We also lost our first cat, Cricket, to bladder cancer:


Cricket - 9-08-1984 to 12-11-1994

[Amityschild]

My deepest sympathies to you McGavin. I have three wonderful pet/friends...and I'd be devastated to lose any one of them. May your friend rest in peace.

[geedee]

My condolences . . . I completely understand your feelings.

I'm disabled. For five years I spent up to 20 hours per day in bed . . . then a shrink suggested I get a dog. I did. Now, I have a relatively-normal life. My mut . . . a black Benjie I call Baby . . . alerts me before I have any seizures so I don't embarrass myself in public any longer. I can even mow the grass on good days now.

Not much of an approvement you say? LOL. Try staring at the ceiling for 24 hours a day for five years.

Now, regardless of how bad I'm doing, I absolutely have to get out of bed to care for my beloved Baby. She must be fed.

Baby is the ONLY reason I have any semblance of a normal life. Only God knows how much I dread the day she is no longer with me.

So, McG, yes I understand your sorrow. Angels come in many shapes and sizes. You and your ANGEL will be in my prayers.

[mplsconservative]

pinging

[garden variety]

We lost our Rot/Shep to Lymphoma last summer. It was very sudden. She was very protective, yet very gentle. The hardest part was when she wasn't there to greet me when I came home every day. I still miss her very much. I know your heart is breaking right now.

[Glenn]

Sorry to hear it. I picked up the ashes of my old pup last night. I still look for him morning and night. It's a painful thing.

[woofie]

woof

[farmfriend]

Sorry for you lost. Wolfhouds are great dogs. It's always hard when you lose a family memeber.

[Lexington Green]

Near this spot are deposited the remains of one who possessed Beauty without Vanity, Strength without Insolence, Courage without Ferocity, and all the Virtues of Man without his Vices. This praise, which would be unmeaning Flattery, if inscribed over human ashes, is but a Just Tribute to the Memory of BOATSWAIN, a Dog. – Hobhouse - Epitaph, on Lord Byron's dog, Boatswain, at Newstead Abbey

[Nowhere Man]

A few more things to add, my condolences, it is OK to have a good cry. There is also a site where you can post your pets for them to be remembered at http://www.rememberourpets.com I was trying to post Muffin up there but couldn't get the pic to upload at the time but I'll try again.

[LSAggie]

I am so sorry for your loss. Our Golden/Brittany mix, Samantha, was diagnosed with Lymphoma in October of 2004 and we immediately started chemotherapy. It was a terrible rollercoaster ride of emotions as she would slip into and then out of remission. We finally had to let her go January 31st of this year and it broke our hearts, but the last dose of chemo was just too much for her. I, like many other here, have been where you are. Please accept our condolences.

[catonsville]

It is part of the contract. You give food , water, a nice place to rest and trips to the vet and your dog gives you sillyness, laughter,, companionship, protection and a love you can never forget. But there is a time to ease their pain despite how much you do not want to see them go.

I have made this decision with my dogs and cats many times, it never is easy. But the cycle goes on with the new dog you have to get.

---

I have printed this before on Free Republic.

"The late entertainer Steve Allen was asked to contribute a work to a Long Island Animal Welfare Group that was raising money for a new shelter He wrote this heart breaking classic.

MISSING OUR DOGS

Old Men miss many dogs.
They only live a dozen years,if that,
And by the time you are sixty, there are several
The names of which evoke remembering smiles.
You see them in your mind,heads cocked and seated.
You see them by your bed, or in the rain,
Or sleeping by the fire by nights
And always dying.

You are young but they are old. They go,
The German shepherd and the poodle,
The bassett hound and mutt.
They are remembered like departed children
Though they gave vastly more than ever they took,
And finally you're seeing dogs that look like them.
They pass you in the street but never turn
Although it seems they should, their faces so familiar.
Old men miss many dogs.

---

---

[milagro]

Thank you for your post--I just lost my Bear who lived to be fourteen. I got him before my husband and I got married, and he came to love John so much. When John died almost 3 years ago, I know it hurt Bear's heart.

Now I am greatly comforted to believe that Bear is with my John. My Pastor--who is NOT any touchy-feely liberal--even sent me a condolence card for Bear that depicts a little doggie door in one of the gates of Heaven.

God Bless you!!

[Cicero]

My aunt, who was probably a saint, subscribed to the view that although heaven isn't for animals, if an animal is dear enough it can sometimes slip in as an adjunct of its owner.

It's not an article of faith, but it's certainly a possibility. God rewards the blessed in heaven with everything they need to make them perfectly happy. Chiefly the Beatific Vision, but everything else as well.

[flutters]

I caught part of a reality show a few days ago. An animal activist and vegan weirdo was trying to convince a little boy to stop eating meat. The weird woman ask the little boy if he ate frog legs. The little boy answered "yes" then the lady ask him why he didn't eat dog. The boy looked her right in the eyes and said, "a frog is a frog, but a dog is man's best friend." Priceless.

Our dogs are really precious. I hope you find peace. Prayers sent.