Last week I lost my best friend, my dog Duke. He was ill with an incurable disease, he lived well and was happy until the end when he died in my arms at 11:45 PM on October 8, 2008. Duke was 10 years and 10 months old. The picture above was taken on the 8th, I caught him in mid-lick as he watched me outside.
In time we will all heal, I know this since he's not the first pet I've lost. He is just the most special to me so far.
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I have lost two dogs in the last 4 weeks....including one that had to be put down yesterday because she had cancer that had spread. *big hugs* My eyes still hurt from crying all night.
ReplyDeleteDog's Purpose, from a 4-year-old
ReplyDeleteBeing a veterinarian, I had been called to examine a ten-year-old Irish Wolfhound named Belker. The dog's owners, Ron, his wife, Lisa, and their little boy, Shane, were all very attached to Belker, and they were hoping for a miracle.
I examined Belker and found he was dying of cancer. I told the family we couldn't do anything for Belker, and offered to perform the euthanasia procedure for the old dog in their home.
As we made arrangements, Ron and Lisa told me they thought it would be good for four-year-old Shane to observe the procedure. They felt Shane might learn something from the experience.
The next day, I felt the familiar catch in my throat as Belker's family surrounded him. Shane seemed so calm, petting the old dog for the last time, that I wondered if he understood what was going on. Within a few minutes, Belker slipped peacefully away. The little boy seemed to accept Belker's transition without any difficulty or confusion.
We sat together for a while after Belker's death,wondering aloud about the sad fact that animal lives are shorter than human lives. Shane, who had been listening quietly, piped up, "I know why."
Startled, we all turned to him. What came out of his mouth next stunned me. I'd never heard a more comforting explanation.
He said, "People are born so that they can learn how to live a good life -- like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right?"
The four-year-old continued, "Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they don't have to stay as long."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Remember, if a dog was the teacher you would learn stuff like:
When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.
Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.
Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure ecstasy.
Take naps.
Stretch before rising.
Run, romp, and play daily.
Thrive on attention and let people touch you.
Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.
On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.
On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.
When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body.
Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.
Eat with gusto and enthusiasm. Stop when you have had enough.
Be loyal. Never pretend to be something you're not.
If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.
When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by and nuzzle them gently.
***big hugs***
Barbie I'm so very sorry to hear of your losses. I know this kind of thing happens all the time, and yet it is always so sad. I know that we are better people for having allowed our pets into our hearts, and the reward must have been truly great in order for us to suffer this much pain. For as Khalil Gibran tells us in this excerpt from "The Prophet":
ReplyDelete"When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight."
Go ahead and cry, your "babies" gave you so much joy while they lived, you have the right to the sorrow and pain you feel now.
In the meantime, if I figure out a way to bring them back, I'll be sure to let you know. (hmmm...which one of the stages of grief is that??!)
~koritzee~ thank you for those stories. I had read the first one previously, and it is amazing how it helps. I had forgotten all about it until you shared it. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteYour friendship means so much to me, and I thank you for the gift of you.
Warm thoughts to you, Tapestry. Very sorry for your loss.
ReplyDeleteFondly,
Constance
I just came across your blog and we to lost our best friend this year Sunny our 14 year old faithfull friend she to dies in our arms as she was very sick with cancer ,we miss her terribly
ReplyDelete