Author Topic: Today we said goodbye to one in our family (Read 1171 times)

scootrd · « **on:** December 19, 2010, 03:29:19 PM »

Some on this board will say .....so what , she was just a dog.
Others will understand.

Today my wife and I buried one of our best friends. Tessa was our companion on many adventures, camping , hiking, canoe -ing. She fearlessly protected us from those she did not know, animals and people alike, yet was a gentle soul with all those considered friends. She fearlessly guarded children if asked to do so. Even in later years when old age ravaged her body to the point where she could no longer run she would slowly make her way to the pasture to continue to lay with the goats and keep watch to ensure no predators attacked her herd.

For years she vigilantly protected our cats and chickens from dogs, foxes, raccoons, skunks , ermines, and red tailed hawks. She loved having the job of protector and took her job very seriously yet was gentle throughout the years with other foster animals we allowed into our house.

She maintained a friendship with Her (yes she considered them her responsibility) pot bellied pigs escorting them safely between barns 3 times a day rain, snow , sleet or shine.

At 15 years of age her body finally gave out, She was so tired and though she still continued try to do her farm Jobs we could see her pain. Hardest call I have made in a long time was placing the call to our vet to come out to the farm today and help us help her. Our hearts are aching so much tonight , and I think our family has cried all we can. We miss her terribly, She was a good girl and as loyal a companion as we could have ever have wished for. Goodnight Tessa old girl , we miss you. We love you.
May god keep you safe in his arms.

Brett · « **Reply #1 on:** December 19, 2010, 03:40:15 PM »

Been down that same road myself not too long ago. You have my sincere condolences.

Tommyt · « **Reply #2 on:** December 19, 2010, 03:41:58 PM »

I am very aware of this pain and saddened to hear its your time to go through it.
I'm sure she's better now and in time you and your family will get better with it too.
The holidays is never a good time ,But this type of time no Matter when is not good Time.
I wish you all the best
Called a Dog in the Webster
Called a family member in the Heart

God Bless
Tom

Foggy · « **Reply #3 on:** December 19, 2010, 03:48:17 PM »

Sorry to hear of your loss. I still miss my old girl
Foggy

Hit or Miss · « **Reply #4 on:** December 19, 2010, 03:51:22 PM »

Sorry to hear that! I believe God put dogs here to teach us what unconditional love really is.

SwampThing762 · « **Reply #5 on:** December 19, 2010, 06:17:45 PM »

I agree with HM. I could not say that with any more eloquence. Please accept my condolences on your loss.

ST762

Sourdough · « **Reply #6 on:** December 19, 2010, 08:51:30 PM »

scootrd: Know how you feel: We lost Bert the aggressive one of our two Beagles last year in December. His lungs was filling up with fluid, and he was slowly drowning. It was a tough call, the family was there at the end. Yesterday the Vet informed us Ernie the second Beagle was beginning to collecdt fluid in his lungs as well. So it is just a matter of time for him as well.

Bert was extreamely aggressive and refused to allow strangersw in the house. We had to keep him pinned if someone came to visit. When I had my heart surgery, my son Kirk came to visit and brought his 18 month daughter. The baby got loose at the same time Bert did. Everyone paniced. Not a problem, Bert took a liking to Cheyanne and was at her side from that point on, when ever she came to visit. He decided he was her guardian, and he took that job seriously. Kirk soon learned he could not dust the seat of her pants if Bert was around, Bert would not allow it.

Ernie has gotten so stiff he has trouble getting up off his bed to go outside. He is also going deaf, unable to hear us calling him.

guzzijohn · « **Reply #7 on:** December 19, 2010, 11:45:39 PM »

Of course they become part of the family. I am sorry to hear of your loss. Please consider adopting a shelter dog down the road a bit. A new dog never replaces the old one but still brings love and joy back into the home.
GuzziJohn

williamlayton · « **Reply #8 on:** December 19, 2010, 11:49:43 PM »

I have never lost a pet that I did not grieve for.
This, also, shall pass.
Blessings

Pot-Bellied Stallion · « **Reply #9 on:** December 20, 2010, 03:12:47 AM »

Scootrd,
I'm sitting here with a big lump in my throat because, like the others who have posted, I understand what you are going through. You and your family have my sincere condolences for you considerable loss.
I like to think that all of those good partners who have preceded me in death will be waiting for me on the other side to make my transition a bit easier.

AtlLaw · « **Reply #10 on:** December 20, 2010, 04:08:49 AM »

Scoot

How well I understand. My German Shepard Major left us last month. I cried like a baby then and still expect him come around the corner and lay his head in my lap as he was want to do in his old age. And he went to sleep that last time with his head in my lap as he laid next to me while I sat on the vet's floor.

Read the poem "The Rainbow Bridge." The vet sent Kathie and me a sympathy card signed by the vets and all the staff. They all knew and loved Major since he was there a lot toward the end. The card contained the poem. I just read it again and had to wait finish this because of the tears in my eyes.

My thoughts are with you.

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #11 on:** December 20, 2010, 04:12:58 AM »

Scootrd , sorry for your loss . I hope the pain fades fast and the joy ya'll shared last for ever.

DEACONLLB · « **Reply #12 on:** December 20, 2010, 05:55:38 AM »

Know how you feel we lost our brown lab after about 10 yrs, just fell over dead. I was sad for days, felt like a family member had passed, said no more dogs for me but a couple weeks later a little Shelty showed up on our porch that some city dweller had drove out to the country and dumped off, so we took her in and she has replaced the loss but I still think about the lab that my wife named Buster after the Buster Brown shoes, you old timers will remember Buster Brown shoes.

Deaconllb

squirrellluck · « **Reply #13 on:** December 20, 2010, 04:11:59 PM »

Sorry for your loss scoot... but I am thankful you were able to get a vet. My dog Paint didn't get that. No vet available, just me and a single gunshot. I'm sitting here with tears in my eyes and guilt in my heart but I know it was less painful than the alternative. It has been 6 years and every time I read a post like yours it comes home again. Anyway, remember how you were blessed and in time pass that blessing on to another dog.

bobg · « **Reply #14 on:** December 21, 2010, 12:49:39 AM »

I lost my Rott 4 years ago. She went everywhere with me. Most dedicated dog i ever owned. She laid in front of my chair one evening. Stood up and threw up and fell over dead. She didn't have mean bone in her body and loved people.
I posted on here once before about an incident with a car in my driveway at 2:30 one morning. When her and i went out to see what was going on the guy got smart and started toward me. She was all teeth that night. Never seen her do that before. The guy left in a hurry.
I am very sorry to hear of your loss. I don't think you ever forget them.

Savage .250 · « **Reply #15 on:** December 21, 2010, 02:45:09 AM »

Well said. Sorry for the loss of a true family friend. As you can see lots have been in your shoes,including me .
Never easy but in time the memories will shine brighter than ever.

AtlLaw · « **Reply #16 on:** December 21, 2010, 04:14:07 AM »

Here's the poem I was taking about.

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 of 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 had 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. Her bright eyes are intent; Her eager body quivers. Suddenly she begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, her legs carrying her faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown...

spikehorn · « **Reply #17 on:** December 21, 2010, 08:57:24 PM »

I know your grief we had to make the same decision with Bella 2 years ago. She was a collie shepherd mix, she was Amazingly intelligent and loving. She was 14 and her hips were gone and she had tumors. You could see it in her eyes that it was time.

bobg · « **Reply #18 on:** December 21, 2010, 11:12:16 PM »

Damn it Richard. You just had to go and post that. I hate to say it but i cried when i read it.

Cabin4 · « **Reply #19 on:** December 22, 2010, 04:42:29 AM »

Thoughts and prayers.

My goal in life is to be the person my dog thinks I am.

351 power · « **Reply #20 on:** December 22, 2010, 04:56:52 AM »

we also lost our dog on the weekend. 7 yr old springer that lived for the outdoors. couldn't write about it til today. we share your pain scootrd

nomosendero · « **Reply #21 on:** December 22, 2010, 05:08:11 AM »

Sorry to hear of your loss. Losing the family pet is rough.

scootrd · « **Reply #22 on:** December 25, 2010, 05:39:19 PM »

Quote from: AtlLaw on December 21, 2010, 04:14:07 AM

Here's the poem I was taking about.

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

..................Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown...

CHRISTmas was hard today without our girl. We fed goats, pigs , gathered the eggs and then went snowshoeing today... Just wasn't the same in the woods without Tessa.

Thank you for the poem.

GH1 · « **Reply #23 on:** December 26, 2010, 01:34:06 AM »

Losing a pet is brutal, they most definately are family members. Sorry for your loss.
GH1

gstewart44 · « **Reply #24 on:** December 27, 2010, 10:12:08 AM »

Scootrd,
I am sorry for your loss, and I too know the pain of losing a companion and member of the family. My lab Leo was only 4 1/2 years young, protector of the family and homestead, clown and playmate of the kids. He had a great nose and was always following it to chase the feral cats that came and went. Last Thanksgiving (2009) Leo started unexpectedly not eating and acting strangely. the vet said his kidneys had started to shut down. they gave him some support medicines that kept him going for about six weeks. Soon however he could not walk, eat, or drink water and I knew it was time.
He went from his head in my lap at the vet's office to that "Rainbow Bridge" 11 months ago.
Your post has brought back tears of joy and sadness at the same time. Thanks for sharing and you are in my prayers.

Richard - thanks so much for the "Rainbow Bridge".

gstewart44