Archive through July 08, 2001
The ClubHouse: Archives: Losing A Pet:
Archive through July 08, 2001
Nancy | Friday, June 15, 2001 - 07:02 pm   {{{lisa}}} i was just thinking about your and your dog todday wondering if you had to put her down yet--(my cat fancy magazine i got today was talking about when euthansia is the right thing to do... take heart in knowing she's at a better place now.. |
Tksoard | Friday, June 15, 2001 - 07:09 pm   Lisa and Neil, I'm sure there are many tears flowing now. Just seeing the title of the thread starts it up. My thoughts are with you. She's just fine now. {{{Lisa and Neil}}}  |
Highlander | Friday, June 15, 2001 - 07:10 pm   The hardest thing I ever had to do was drive my dog to the vets the night we put her to sleep. We were devastated. It took us three weeks to even come to a decision to do it even though the vet kept assuring us it was the right thing to do. |
Backhome | Friday, June 15, 2001 - 07:12 pm   {{{{enbfamily}}}} Our thoughts are with you. You've made one of the most difficult decisions a person or family can make. But I also know that is also one of the most humane and compassionate things you could have done given the situation. And yes, our friends are romping and playing with no pain or physical disabilities, waiting for us to join them. I know for a fact that our latest to leave us is having a wonderful time going on fishing trips with my father-in-law and chasing the crows out of his garden. {{{{enbfamily}}}} (again -- you can never have too many hugs) |
Moondance | Friday, June 15, 2001 - 07:24 pm   I am so sorry EW and Neil... my thoughts and prayers are with you... I will light one of my over the rainbow candles |
Dilligaf | Friday, June 15, 2001 - 07:36 pm   OH, everytime I see this thread come to the top, I get sick. Neil and Lisa.....I'm so sorry. Please know that many of us here know exactly what you are going through. I love you guys!! I'm sorry for your loss. {{{{{Neil and Lisa}}}}} |
Enbwife | Friday, June 15, 2001 - 07:45 pm   Thanks everyone for your kind words. I'm crying again... sniff...  |
Egbok | Friday, June 15, 2001 - 07:53 pm   Chloe knew she was loved. My heart goes out to both of you. |
Dilligaf | Friday, June 15, 2001 - 08:00 pm   Flint posted this back in the archives, I still read it all the time!! It is worth reposting!! Rainbow Bridge Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow bridge. When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable. All the animals who have been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing, they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind. They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His eyes are intent; his eager body begins to quiver. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster. You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain on your face, your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more in the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart. Then together you and your special pet cross the Rainbow Bridge... -Author Unknown |
Tess | Friday, June 15, 2001 - 08:27 pm   Lisa and Neil, hopefully in time, having the knowledge that you did the right thing for your beloved Chloe will help to ease the pain you feel right now. You're both in my thoughts tonight. Dilli, that was lovely of you to pull that poem back out. It is a wonderful sentiment. |
Twiggyish | Friday, June 15, 2001 - 08:31 pm   I love that poem, too. I am so sorry Lisa and Neil for your loss. ((HUG)) |
Admin | Friday, June 15, 2001 - 08:55 pm   It was really bad at the vets. I've buried 2 grandparents (have none left), almost all my aunts and uncles, my 18 year old cousin, a couple of friends and my mother....but being the one to decide Chloe's fate gave me more guilt than all of the above deaths combined. I'm getting over it now, but I'll miss my dog. I don't want another one, I don't want to do this again. We're getting her ashes and I'm going to dig a hole in the backyard and bury her where she loved hanging out. |
Highlander | Friday, June 15, 2001 - 09:00 pm   I know how you feel, I didnt get another dog for 8 years but have to tell you that after about a year we would laugh at the stories about the dog. We still talk about her today, 9 years later. She was the best dog we ever had, maybe because she was our first. So remember that there will come a time and you will think of something she used to do and will be able to think about her with humor and happiness. |
Lancecrossfire | Saturday, June 16, 2001 - 12:12 am   Ebnwife and Enb (I refuse to believe you are admin for this issue)---so sorry about your loss. I hope that someday you will want another pet. The animal (no matter what you choose) would be lucky to have the love you would both give. That seems to be what they want-along with a little food and water. The life cycle is inevitable--and I guess it depends if you feel what you gave to the pet and what the pet gave to you is worth the price of parting on loving terms with a loved one. Pain is an indication you cared---and it sounds like there was a lot of love for years and pain at this point. Homegrown, your post was wonderful--taking a bad situation and knowing in your mind there is a silver lining to the big cloud. |
Moondance | Saturday, June 16, 2001 - 08:33 am   I wanted to post this again... it is one of my favorites... Rites of Passage Some of the most poignant moments I spend as a veterinarian are those spent with my clients assisting the transition of my animal patients from this world to the next. When living becomes a burden, whether from pain or loss of normal functions, I can help a family by ensuring that their beloved pet has an easy passing. Making this final decision is painful, & I have often felt powerless to comfort the grieving owners. That was before I met Shane. I had been called to examine a ten year old dog named Belker who had developed a serious health problem. The dog's owners; Ron, his wife, Lisa, & their little boy, Shane were all very attached to Belker & they were hoping for a miracle. I examined Belker & found he was dying of cancer. I told the family there were no miracles left for Belker, & offered to perform the euthanasia procedure for the old dog in their home. As we made arrangements, Ron & Lisa told me they thought it would be good for Shane to observe the procedure. They felt he could 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, "Everybody is born so that they can learn how to live a good life; like loving everybody and being nice, right?" "Well, animals already know how to do that, so they don't have to stay as long." By Robin Downing, D.V.M. from Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover's Soul |
Wink | Saturday, June 16, 2001 - 08:49 am   "Sorrow does not last forever, love does", applies as equally to our pets as our human loved ones. Wishing you sunshine Neil and Lisa. |
Enbwife | Monday, June 18, 2001 - 08:52 am   We had a nice little moment on Saturday, when we buried Chloe's ashes in our backyard. Neil dug a hole 5 ft deep, and we placed the urn in the hole, then covered it up. It seems fitting that she was buried there since that's where she loved to hang out. It was good for closure. Thanks again for all your kind words. I feel much better these days. |
Tess | Monday, June 18, 2001 - 06:51 pm   That's very good to hear, Lisa. |
Soeur | Friday, July 06, 2001 - 03:53 am   A man and his dog were walking along a road. He was enjoying the scenery when it suddenly occurred to him that he was dead. His dog had been dead for years and he remembered his own recent death. Where was the road leading them? After a while, they came to a high, white stone wall of fine marble along one side of the road. It was at the top of a long hill. A tall arch stood at its crest and glowed in the sunlight. As he stood before it, the man saw a magnificent gate made of mother-of-pearl; the street that led to the gate was glistening pure gold. He and his dog walked toward the gate. As they approached he saw a man at a desk to off to the side. The dog owner asked, "Excuse me, where are we?" "This is Heaven, sir," the man answered. "Wow! Would you happen to have some water?" "Of course, sir. Come right in, and I'll have some ice water brought right up." Upon a gesture, the gate began to open. As the man started to walk through the gatekeeper called out, "I'm sorry, sir, but we don't accept pets." The man paused, thought a moment, and then turned back and continued away down the road. After another long walk, at the top of another long hill, he came to a dirt road which led through a farm gate that looked as if it had become rusted open. There was no fence. As he approached, he saw a man, leaning against a tree and reading a book. "Excuse me!" he called to the reader. "Do you have any water?" "Yeah, sure," He pointed, "There's a pump over there. Come on in." "How about my friend here?" the traveler gestured to the dog. "There should be a bowl by the pump." The two went through the gate and gratefully walked over to an old fashioned hand pump. A bowl was beside it. The traveler filled the dish and gave some to the dog. Cupping his hand and filling them from the pump, he drank the delicious water. When they were full, they approached the man standing by the tree. "What do you call this place?" the traveler asked. "This is Heaven," was the answer. "Well, that's confusing! The man down the road said THAT place was Heaven." "Oh, you mean the place with the gold street and pearly gates?" The stranger laughed. "That's Hell." "Doesn't it make you mad for them to use your name like that?" "No. I can see how you might think so, but we're just happy that they screen out the folks who'll leave their best friends behind." |
Flint | Friday, July 06, 2001 - 09:27 am   Good one Sis. |
Juju2bigdog | Friday, July 06, 2001 - 10:14 am   Very sweet, Soeur. Was the dog named Gogie?
 |
Soeur | Friday, July 06, 2001 - 05:58 pm   Ahh, Juju. The Gogie I knew was only loyal to a towel.  |
Twiggyish | Friday, July 06, 2001 - 06:50 pm   That is a great story Soeur. |
Backhome | Sunday, July 08, 2001 - 10:26 am   I don't know if we're coming to the home stretch with Shorty, my feline senior citizen, or not. Took him to the vet yesterday for bloodwork to see if his thyroid medication needs to be adjusted and because I'd noticed a pea-sized lump on his neck, the vet gave him a pretty good going-over. He felt some lumps in his belly and took an x-ray to see what was up. X-ray didn't show a whole lot that was definite but there is a shadow where one shouldn't be. The vet was also concerned that Shorty's intestines were "squiggly" instead of in smooth lines and is afraid there might be small masses in the lymph nodes in his abdomen. The plus side is his lungs and heart look great!!!! On top of all that, he lost a pound over the last month and a half which may not seem significant except that he only weighed a little more than five pounds then (in his prime he weighed 15-16 pounds). Won't have the blood work back until tomorrow or Tuesday. In the meantime, I decided that good diets be d*@#ed -- Shorty is going to get whatever he wants to eat. So we've broken out the big guns, foods that have always been his "gimme" foods -- baby food, mackerel, tuna, salmon, venison -- whatever it takes to put some of that weight back on. Will keep you all posted -- I hope I don't have to bump this back up anytime soon!! For those that don't want to go back thru the archives to read some of the history on Shorty, here's a link to my webpage that has it -- http://mfg87.tripod.com/maryg/id3.html |
Kady | Sunday, July 08, 2001 - 10:41 am   (((Backhome))) Shorty is such a cutie. Sorry to hear he is so sick.  |
|