We Had to put him to sleep

[Dorothy39]

I am amazed to have learned how to communicate on this site. Finding it by accident has proved to be so healing.

I haven't cried today, that in itself seems to be comforting. Yet, I still wake up each day feeling empty inside. I ache for Foxy Jean so bad. I lost another dear friend 3 years ago. Her name was Katie Lynn. She was the family dog, and Foxy's friend. I got the one -two punch just before Christmas when Foxy passed away. I am doing so much grief work since losing these two faithful friends that my social life is on hold.

I need to share a lovely article that was written by Ben Hur Lampman in 1925, titled, The Place to Bury a Dogyou'd better grab some tissue)

There is one place to bury a dog,
If you bury him in this spot,
He will come to you when you call,
Come to you over the grim-dim frontier of death,
And down the well remembered path
And to your side again.

And though you call a dozen living dogs to heel,
They shall not growl at him, nor, resent his coming,
For he belongs there.

People may scoff at you --Who see no lightest blade of grass,
bent by his foot fall, who hear no whimper,
People who may never have had a dog.

Smile at them, for you shall know something that
is hidden from then and is well worth knowing.

The Best Place to Bury a Good Dog

Is in the heart of his Master.

Sept. 11, 1925


I know that by typing this for so many people who feel the same pain that I am feeling, I can begin to heal. I don't believe in stages of grief nor do I think I will ever regain my former innocense. But this I do know---Their lives made me a better person, their passing left me with beautiful memories that are far more valuable than any wealth known to mankind.

I will be thinking of you, your Jeb, and Sis too.


Sincerely,

Kathy (Dot)

[robroy20]

I hope I havn't wore out my welcome.I have been up since 3 am.This time in the day is the worst for me.Jeb was always by my side.I am dieing a little bit at a time.This should be a happy time .We are having a pool put in and its almost done.We wanted to play with the kids.
I see Jeb will have alot of buddies to play with,Honey,Zipper,Hannah,Angus,Henry,Lilly,Murphy. I am crying so hard I am loosing the names of Jebs new friends.He just loved other dogs and kittys.Jeb is the type he wanted everybody to get along.
Well I got to try and do something.You are such good people,and your masters are ok to...Love to all of Jebs new buddies..Bob

[Sudilar]

Let me join the long list of having recently passed PT furbabies. My heart goes out to you. I know exactly how you feel. I lost both Killian and Shiloh within a seven month time span. I had counted on Shiloh to pull me through the loss of Killian, but apparently Killian wanted her with him. (STILL big tears!)
It takes a long, long time to smile again. You are not alone. We know how you feel. Little by little, you will cry less and less (takes a long time). However, the love for Jeb will live on forever in your heart. Big Hugs.

[Dorothy39]

My general feeling is that one cannot wear out their welcome on Pet Talk. It has just created something for me to grab onto in my deep , dark pit of despair.

My hardest time of the day is--the night-----. I dread lights out and going to bed without my dogs. I am not up to getting another dog because , well, that seems like trying to replace the two I lost.

Me and my husband have been married for 35 years this month, yet it seems like only 5 years to me. We're both grieving for our fur kids. We have 3 grown children, and 8 furry grandchildren.

Reading the posts on Pet Talk has really helped me these past two days, like finding a candle in the dark. Never undestimate the power of prayer. I thought I had to go to a Therapist, or, that I was going crazy before figuring out how to post my thoughts.

There are so many caring people on this big planet. They have helped me tremendously, now all I have to do is take one day at a time. It is hard.



Sincerely

Kathy- Dorothy39

[Sudilar]

My hardest time of the day is--the night-----. I dread lights out and going to bed without my dogs. I am not up to getting another dog because , well, that seems like trying to replace the two I lost.

Well now, that sounds like me. Since Shiloh always slept on the bed with me, at my feet, I will no longer let any other furbaby sleep there again. It was her spot.
Right now I have a foster, who sleeps in my room, but on the floor next to my side of the bed. I am weakening, though, to adopting him. No other will replace any of my past furbabies, but life goes on and so many need saving.

[robroy20]

I have been outside working around my pool.When I come in only Sissy meets me.She is so social,she will lick my face from top to bottom.Then she will go about her business then and only with the last kiss.She has the fastest tongue in the west.Sis will french you so quick ,and then she is off and running..
Dot,I see how much Foxy Jean means to you.I wish I had these magic words that would mend your heart,Only our sweet Lord can do that .Us mortals can help with our kind words and prayers.Foxy Jean is playing with Jeb and our furbabies that have passed over the bridge to heaven..

Sudilar,,You sure do have so pretty kids,Killian,Shiloh have a spot in my heart that is so close to Jeb.I have found so many pets that I wish I would have meet them long ago..All of you are helping Diane and I.

Sissy wants to go outside,,Thanks Bob

[Dorothy39]

I so enjoyed receiving your kind response, especially reading about Sissy's kisses. Oh, man, I sure do miss those dog kisses!!!

Thank-You for your comforting words, for typing the name of my dog so that I know another human being knows her name. I think she is with Jeb too. Hopefully he is still the stud he thought he was.

We can help each other with words, but our Lord is the refuge in this storm. Tell Diane the same, she is hurting as well.

When ever you feel utter despair, know that there are more of us who feel the same way. Each day is a drudgery. Never feel that you cannot type a few words to a 55 year old living in Charlotte, Michigan. Hey, we are from the same country!!!! Please give Sissy a big hug for me Bob. I am so afraid of loving another dog because, I know , they do not live as long as we want them to. I can't go through another dog's death.

Your contact is like sunshine, honest.

One day at a time--

Dorothy (from the wizard of Oz in 1939)

Kathy Masters, Charlotte, Michigan

[Dorothy39]

I feel so sad when I look at the pictures of Killian and Shiloh. It is so painful for me to realize that those two beautiful dogs are gone now.

My dog, Foxy Jean, slept near me. she would not allow any other dog on the bed and was annoyed when my daughter's German shepard dogs spent the night. They still visit me, they are my grand-children, but they will not get up on the bed.

Your pictures that I looked at are so beautiful. Those dogs are magnificient!!!When did they pass away?

I so fear losing another dog, I have many furry grand kids now.

2 German Shepards named Hexay and Kasha

1 Springer spanial, lab mix, named Lillie,

One Chihuahua named Miura

another Chihuahua in Florida, named, Bella. --I haven't met her, just have nice photos of her.

4 Pekes in Florida, same family.

I am a dog lover, I am addicted to dogs!!!!

I know I will find another dog, or, another dog will find me.

Thank-You for posting your thoughts after reading about my sorrow.


I sure do wish I had found this site while my dogs were alive. But, thank GOD for it NOW!!


Dorothy39, charlotte , Michigan

[Dorothy39]

I had Jeb on my mind while making up the bed this morning. I tried to form a picture of him in my mind, black poodle dog with Yorkie ears. I could see him barking and howling at the television , watching "Cops", !!!! Oh what a sweet heart is was, and always will be.

he looked so real in my imaginary thought.

Let us know how sissy is doing as well.

Remember, one day at a time. I will always remember your post.

[luvofallhorses]

I'm so sorry for your loss. ((hugs))

[robroy20]

Hi Dot and the people that have helped me so much.I get a little better with each passing day.Oh I still cry when I find a toy or just a passing throught.
I was thinking about Jeb and when we first got him and he had that 'puppy breath".You all know what I mean.A puppys mouth smells so sweet when they are 3-12 weeks or more.Jeb,Sissy were.It just comes at no extra cost.And oh do I love to smell it.I hope I am not the only one or I am in trouble..ha,ha.
Another good day...Bob

[Dorothy39]

I'm wondering just how long we can communicate on this thread, as they refer to it.

I always think of you when I get real blue, you know , those moments when the house is still as every one is asleep. Well, everyone in this house is just Larry and I now.

I think of how your voice might sound , I think it is deep and comforting. And, I think of Sissy giving you dog kisses, and Diane needing you.
They are lucky to have a person like you. I guess I am lucky too now.
Because

If I am Dorothy, you have got to be the Scarecrow. hee hee hee
Remember:

We always have the power within ourselves to get back home.

Thank-You for that very first post and helping me out of my despair.

[Rachel]

Remember:

We always have the power within ourselves to get back home.

This is so true, even when it comes to the deep grief experienced with the loss of a companion. When I was at my worst, I knew I needed to stop crying so frequently. In an effort to limit this, I allowed myself to cry and think about my pain of losing Tizzie (my last RB girl) when I was taking a bath. I would sob and sob alone in that bathtub where my tears mingled with the warm bath water. I do admit that some days I purposely took more than one bath, but it allowed me my grief yet forced me to not sink deeper and deeper into a depression at other times. Of course I would think about Tizzie at other times, but I *changed the subject* in my mind when I did. I know this is not a plan that is for everyone, but I just had to work my way out of the black hole.

What was difficult too was being able to remember Tizzie during her healthy years. She suffered during her old age from various ailments, including dementia. Even though most of her life she was a happy, healthy dog, those ailing years were so difficult for her and for me to see her that way. It took a long, long time before memories of the good years would return.

Thinking of all of you, Rob, Diane, Dorothy, Sue, Logan, and others who have posted here.

[Sudilar]

I would sob and sob alone in that bathtub where my tears mingled with the warm bath water.

Oh Rachel, how true. The shower is also a great place to cry. Waterproof make-up (for those sudden breakdowns during the day) works, too. (Not for you,Bob..LOL) I also would find myself crying on walks while taking the standard path of our past dog walks. Ahh, it is so hard when we lose them, but then I think of how blessed I was to have them in my lifetime. The pain in their passing is as great as the love we have for them. I count on seeing them at Rainbow Bridge, because how can there be a heaven without them? Big group hugs today!!!!

[robroy20]

Hi Dot,I can see you are feeling much better.And you can find your way home.You have to find the right map.And the map is in your heart.The people that came here have a little piece that you need to mend your heart.,And only then you will be ready to carry on.
My heart is on the mend,and you were the doctor.Its 430 in the morning and Diane is a sleep with Sissy,and oh how I miss Jeb but I will carry on just like you will.
One thing I wanted to tell you .I had Jeb creameated as I want to be also and when I die I want Diane to put me and Jeb in with her and Sis so we can all be togeather..We are such a good family,we have so much love for each other...................I will go now...Bob