Posted on 07/19/2011 8:03:03 AM PDT by MissEdie
I know many of my fellow Freepers will understand my request. Please say a special prayer for a great dog who went to the Rainbow Bridge yesterday. He blessed us with 13 years of loyalty, happiness, love, and security. We are heartbroken we couldn't take the pains and debilitating problems of old age from him, but we were able to end his suffering before it got worse. He was proof that angels all don't have wings, some have fur and four legs. As a child I had always had dogs growing up, but my mother would never allow me to have a German Sheppard because she was afraid of them. After I found him near my house, the vet informed me he had been born one year to the day my mother passed away. When my daughter was born, many people told us to get rid of him because he was 11 then and they said he would hurt the baby since he wasn't used to being around kids. That was absolute nonsense. The first time she was sick, he sensed something before it started and came running into the room and stood right at my feet as I was holding her. That night, and many after, when I was trying to get her to sleep by walking her, he was right behind me, all through the night. He would sleep by her crib (his usual place was at the foot of our bed) and keep watch over her. When she woke up, he stuck his nose through the bars for her to pet him. Whenever my daughter got scared of anything, he would run to her side and lean so she could hug him and he always calmed her fears. He also calmed my fears when my husband was away. The first thought my daughter has in the morning is of her puppy dog. This past Christmas, when she woke up she wasn't interested in what Santa Claus had brought her, she wanted to make sure her puppy dog was in the house and he was ok. But now his dog house is empty, his bowls are dry, and his leash hangs in the garage.
That’s a painfully beautiful tribute to your beloved and faithful companion. It’s good to know that your memorial tribute has been published here and will last in the FR archives for years to come. All dogs are special, but yours sounds like one of the uniquely special blessings that may only come to us once in a lifetime. All my love and prayers to you and to your daughter during what will be a very difficult time for you both.
As I read your tribute, I’m awaiting a phone call from my veterinarian’s office to let me know that my own special guy is waking up from the anesthesia from his dental cleaning. He’s sensitive to anesthesia, and it’s a long agonizing wait for that phone to ring. Your post comforted and reassured me, knowing that, whatever comes, each day with these guys is a gift from our Creator. We but hold them lightly and for a span of time only He knows. You remind me to keep gratitude in my heart for whatever time is given me with my constant companion.
Your freind has our GSD who died last year at 10 to hang out with at Rainbow Bridge. She was our son`s best buddy, and, he misses her most of all. My thoughts are with you
We share your grief. Last November we put our Doberman down as she had the big C. The night before we put her down she looked at me and stared at me for a long time as if to say “hey dummy, I’ve lost 10 pounds in three months and I’m puking all over the place, what are you waiting for?
We scheduled a visit to the Doc’s the next day when they found her tumor after an XRay. It was time to make the decision. We held her in our arms and watched her life drain away. She was so weak the sedative alone stopped her breathing and she passed peacefully.
Worst day of our lives. We rescued her when she was 1 and had her 11 wonderful years. She was everything you could ask for in a dog. We are looking for another one as we cant go without the rush of unconditional love. Peace be with you.
Your post has brought tears to my eyes because I know so well what you are going through. Don’t let your pain stop you from finding another fur baby. One is out there who needs you has much as you need him.
Bless you and your doggie.
I’m Still Here
Friend, please don’t mourn for me
I’m still here, though you don’t see.
I’m right by your side each night and day
and within your heart I long to stay.
My body is gone but I’m always near.
I’m everything you feel, see or hear.
My spirit is free, but I’ll never depart
as long as you keep me alive in your heart.
I’ll never wander out of your sight
I’m the brightest star on a summer night.
I’ll never be beyond your reach
I’m the warm moist sand when you’re at the beach.
I’m the colorful leaves when fall comes around
and the pure white snow that blankets the ground.
I’m the beautiful flowers of which you’re so fond,
The clear cool water in a quiet pond.
I’m the first bright blossom you’ll see in the spring,
The first warm raindrop that April will bring.
I’m the first ray of light when the sun starts to shine,
and you’ll see that the face in the moon is mine.
When you start thinking there’s no one to love you,
you can talk to me through the Lord above you.
I’ll whisper my answer through the leaves on the trees,
and you’ll feel my presence in the soft summer breeze.
I’m the hot salty tears that flow when you weep
and the beautiful dreams that come while you sleep.
I’m the smile you see on a baby’s face.
Just look for me, friend, I’m everyplace!
Author Unknown
Hugs to you and your son as you continue to heal from the loss of your cherished family member. When one of these little angels moves in and takes over our hearts, it’s such an incredible thing to experience. I just got the call from the vet’s office that my special guy is in the recovery room, waking up and starting to move around. God has blessed me today.
So sorry for your loss. We just lost one of our standard poodle girls a little over a week ago.
We were heartbroken. As we did on the occasion of the loss of our previous dog, the next day we picked out a new pup. We will be bringing her home in two weeks.
It has made the loss of our dear friend easier on us, and honors the memory of a well-loved dog. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this sad time.
Hugs
Prayers for you and your family.
That made me cry. I still miss my little Lucy. Our kids called her my shadow. I firmly believe we will see our dogs again in heaven.
Take care.
I understand your pain and will pray you get through this rough time. We had to have our poodle put down a few years ago, and it was one of the worst days of our marriage. We were without a dog for over a year, and finally got another one.
Mata-Sherry and I have found that a new dog will fill the hole in your heart.
Stay well ... FRegards
Prayers up!
(cover of) Warren Zevon's Keep Me In Your Heart For A While
And
I am very sorry for your loss.
My German Shepherd was lost to cancer just nine days ago. I had him for only six months but he was a wonderful dog, just like yours was to you.
He guards the sleep of his pauper master as though
he were a prince...
I can think of no higher praise than Senator Vest’s
tribute to the dog.
George Graham Vest (1830-1904) served as U.S. Senator from Missouri from 1879 to 1903 and became one of the leading orators and debaters of his time. This delightful speech is from an earlier period in his life when he practiced law in a small Missouri town. It was given in court while representing a man who sued another for the killing of his dog. During the trial, Vest ignored the testimony, and when his turn came to present a summation to the jury, he made the following speech and won the case.
Gentlemen of the Jury: The best friend a man has in the world may turn against him and become his enemy. His son or daughter that he has reared with loving care may prove ungrateful. Those who are nearest and dearest to us, those whom we trust with our happiness and our good name may become traitors to their faith. The money that a man has, he may lose. It flies away from him, perhaps when he needs it most. A man’s reputation may be sacrificed in a moment of ill-considered action. The people who are prone to fall on their knees to do us honor when success is with us, may be the first to throw the stone of malice when failure settles its cloud upon our heads.
The one absolutely unselfish friend that man can have in this selfish world, the one that never deserts him, the one that never proves ungrateful or treacherous is his dog. A man’s dog stands by him in prosperity and in poverty, in health and in sickness. He will sleep on the cold ground, where the wintry winds blow and the snow drives fiercely, if only he may be near his master’s side. He will kiss the hand that has no food to offer. He will lick the wounds and sores that come in encounters with the roughness of the world. He guards the sleep of his pauper master as if he were a prince. When all other friends desert, he remains. When riches take wings, and reputation falls to pieces, he is as constant in his love as the sun in its journey through the heavens.
If fortune drives the master forth, an outcast in the world, friendless and homeless, the faithful dog asks no higher privilege than that of accompanying him, to guard him against danger, to fight against his enemies. And when the last scene of all comes, and death takes his master in its embrace and his body is laid away in the cold ground, no matter if all other friends pursue their way, there by the graveside will the noble dog be found, his head between his paws, his eyes sad, but open in alert watchfulness, faithful and true even in death.
George Graham Vest - c. 1855
It does get easier, really. You'll remember all the good times but the pain will recede. You won't love him any less, but it won't hurt so much.
Show Dog magazine attributes it to "Frank Inn for his dog Higgins, who was the original Benji in the movies and also on TV in Petticoat Junction and Green Acres".
Kipling wrote a number of very good dog poems, though:
I am so sorry for your loss.
Just hold fast to the fact that you will see your precious again.
At the rate the world is going, I don’t think it’s going to be long.
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