Lost a friend today

[Hurdle bunter]

Sorry to hear this @Netherfield Know just how you are feeling.

We are so lucky to have them share our lives, it is only fitting to grieve at their loss.

​

• 
  
  The Last Battle​

If it should be that I grow frail and weak
And pain should keep me from my sleep,
Then will you do what must be done,
For this -- the last battle -- can't be won.
You will be sad I understand,
But don't let grief then stay your hand,
For on this day, more than the rest,
Your love and friendship must stand the test.
We have had so many happy years,
You wouldn't want me to suffer so.
When the time comes, please, let me go.
Take me to where to my needs they'll tend,
Only, stay with me till the end
And hold me firm and speak to me
Until my eyes no longer see.
I know in time you will agree
It is a kindness you do to me.
Although my tail its last has waved,
From pain and suffering I have been saved.
Don't grieve that it must be you
Who has to decide this thing to do;
We've been so close -- we two -- these years,
Don't let your heart hold any tears.​

Not sure why I read that again, always gets me going, bloody well done it again now [emoji22]

Could never be without dogs about the place (even when they stink of sh!t that they've rolled in- like our terrier is now[emoji40])

You'll have precious memories for ever, treasure them

 

[Roger Perry]

We hold on to hope when there is no hope, so sorry, I feel your pain.
Condolences.

 

[casemx 270]

I know how you feel , gutted .

 

[yellowbelly]

You never realise just how much you thought of them ;til they're gone. A sad day. Hope you can soon find one to help to fill the gap.

 

[RushesToo]

Tennyson said very truely


"Better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all"

 

[sherg]

We planted a tree where our old dog meg is buried, it's funny how i'll go and have a chat with her still, as a few have said maybe get another dog you'll never replace a dog but sometimes a pup can help

 

[Tom W]

Sorry for your loss, hope the tears soon turn to smiles when you think about your little mate. Reading through the comments, there are a lot of people on here with big hearts, just as well, because every time we lose a dog they take a little piece of our hearts with them.

 

[Socksitis]

Now I have tears in my eyes - they just make a place in your heart - sorry for your loss.

 

[Juggler]

Sorry to hear this @Netherfield Know just how you are feeling.

We are so lucky to have them share our lives, it is only fitting to grieve at their loss.

​

• 
  
  The Last Battle​

If it should be that I grow frail and weak
And pain should keep me from my sleep,
Then will you do what must be done,
For this -- the last battle -- can't be won.
You will be sad I understand,
But don't let grief then stay your hand,
For on this day, more than the rest,
Your love and friendship must stand the test.
We have had so many happy years,
You wouldn't want me to suffer so.
When the time comes, please, let me go.
Take me to where to my needs they'll tend,
Only, stay with me till the end
And hold me firm and speak to me
Until my eyes no longer see.
I know in time you will agree
It is a kindness you do to me.
Although my tail its last has waved,
From pain and suffering I have been saved.
Don't grieve that it must be you
Who has to decide this thing to do;
We've been so close -- we two -- these years,
Don't let your heart hold any tears.​

Bugger....that made my eyes leak.... We've got a Collie, 2 labs, a JR, King Charles and a miniature Dachshund pup, every single one of them is a friend and never fail to put a smile on my face.

Sorry for your loss.

 

[Netherfield]

Thanks to all for your posts,so it's not just me being a bit 'soft'.

Tess was a pup we got for my daughter when she had glandular fever and feeling a little down, children grow up and move out, and the dog stayed with us.
I could gladly have given Tess away within the first few weeks of getting her, couldn't touch her without her snapping and trying to bite, now there was a reason we later discovered, she had no tail has we got her and was told she was born like that and that her grandmother was the same, turns out it was a bodged home tail docking,.

But patience and love turned her into a wonderful dog, I remember the first rat she caught,almost as big as herself, squirrels and blackbirds were fair game to her,cats beware and don't come in to my territory.

Untiring and always wanting to be with someone.

She loved carrots and would sit at the side of Mrs N and nudge her leg, she misses telling her to get out from the front of the Aga when cooking, she misses the tickle on the tum that Tess loved.

We have another dog who can't yet understand where Tess is,keeps searching round for her.

She never ailed a thing until just before christmas, a trip to the vet revealed an enlarged heart and fluid in her body, prognosis was two tablets twice a day with at best another 18 months, but it was not to be and Tuesday evening she started breathing very rapidly,midnight we were at the vets and had to make an awful decision.

Although after 40 years of never being without a dog, when the current ones time is up that'll be the last one, no more pups.

Thanks @kernowcluck I do feel a little better for that.

 

[mf298]

I said that after my old girl went. Soon changed my mind. House was empty and kids didn't like being without a dog! Her replacement is now 15 and has had quite a few strokes, each of which disable her a bit more. She is still able to get about, but we are all hoping that one day she just doesn't wake up..... Still dreading it.

 

[kernowcluck]

Thanks to all for your posts,so it's not just me being a bit 'soft'.

Tess was a pup we got for my daughter when she had glandular fever and feeling a little down, children grow up and move out, and the dog stayed with us.
I could gladly have given Tess away within the first few weeks of getting her, couldn't touch her without her snapping and trying to bite, now there was a reason we later discovered, she had no tail has we got her and was told she was born like that and that her grandmother was the same, turns out it was a bodged home tail docking,.

But patience and love turned her into a wonderful dog, I remember the first rat she caught,almost as big as herself, squirrels and blackbirds were fair game to her,cats beware and don't come in to my territory.

Untiring and always wanting to be with someone.

She loved carrots and would sit at the side of Mrs N and nudge her leg, she misses telling her to get out from the front of the Aga when cooking, she misses the tickle on the tum that Tess loved.

We have another dog who can't yet understand where Tess is,keeps searching round for her.

She never ailed a thing until just before christmas, a trip to the vet revealed an enlarged heart and fluid in her body, prognosis was two tablets twice a day with at best another 18 months, but it was not to be and Tuesday evening she started breathing very rapidly,midnight we were at the vets and had to make an awful decision.

Although after 40 years of never being without a dog, when the current ones time is up that'll be the last one, no more pups.

Thanks @kernowcluck I do feel a little better for that.

Thanks to all for your posts,so it's not just me being a bit 'soft'.

Tess was a pup we got for my daughter when she had glandular fever and feeling a little down, children grow up and move out, and the dog stayed with us.
I could gladly have given Tess away within the first few weeks of getting her, couldn't touch her without her snapping and trying to bite, now there was a reason we later discovered, she had no tail has we got her and was told she was born like that and that her grandmother was the same, turns out it was a bodged home tail docking,.

But patience and love turned her into a wonderful dog, I remember the first rat she caught,almost as big as herself, squirrels and blackbirds were fair game to her,cats beware and don't come in to my territory.

Untiring and always wanting to be with someone.

She loved carrots and would sit at the side of Mrs N and nudge her leg, she misses telling her to get out from the front of the Aga when cooking, she misses the tickle on the tum that Tess loved.

We have another dog who can't yet understand where Tess is,keeps searching round for her.

She never ailed a thing until just before christmas, a trip to the vet revealed an enlarged heart and fluid in her body, prognosis was two tablets twice a day with at best another 18 months, but it was not to be and Tuesday evening she started breathing very rapidly,midnight we were at the vets and had to make an awful decision.

Although after 40 years of never being without a dog, when the current ones time is up that'll be the last one, no more pups.

Thanks @kernowcluck I do feel a little better for that.

Thank you for telling is a little bit about Tess, she was obviously a great little dog and much loved. It's amazing how these smelly creatures worm their way into our hearts and become such a big part of our lives. However if that were not so I suppose there would be no joy in keeping them. I think a lot of us fleetingly say "never again "when the pain of loss is too acute, but who knows - I can't imagine life without a dog.

Keep an eye on your other dog, I had a collie who pined so badly I thought we were going to lose her. I bought a GSD pup who she hated for the first week but she soon got over that and it gave her a new lease of life. I still have her and she is nearly 20 years old.

 

[Pasty]

House feels odd without a dog though. We always had labs since I was born and when I moved out, got a couple of my own. Lost them both in 2015 and as it was late autumn (plus being a bit skint) we decided to not get a pup over winter. That was really hard. So in Feb we registered with the Lab rescue trust as we couldn't really afford a pedigree pup up front. They came out and saw the farm and said it was perfect but most of the dogs would be older, mostly male and may have health or behavior issues. We said OK but not too old and no health issues as we had taken both our previous girls to 17 which is very old for labs and it got to be hard work and expensive. So, we wanted at least some time with a dog who could at least join us on longer walks etc. We weren't hopeful but within days they rang and said there was a 6 month bitch black lab a couple hours away and would we like her. I was in the car by the time I hung up and we went to get her. Did all the paperwork and had a cuppa with the lovely foster people and home she came, stopping in at MVF for a bacon butty which she shared.

We paid a sensible donation and agreed to have her spayed and was told we wouldn't see her pedigree as they don't want breeders. As it happened they sent it to me by mistake. I won't breed from her anyway but she is top drawer.

Anyway, the point of this ramble is that there are some older dogs out there who might fit in somewhere, looking for someone to tickle their tum. Needn't be a pup.

 

[thatlldaespot]

Very true, that, Pasty. The dog in my sig, a failed working dog, was five years old when I got her - I'd just lost a wonderful little terrier after sixteen happy years and the local dogs home 'persuaded' me to take this troubled soul home. And my word, it was tough to start with - she'd never lived in a house before, and was terrified of just about everything. But we persevered and I was able to give her nearly ten good years before she succumbed to cancer. She was never really a 'normal' sociable dog, didn't like strangers or children - but was always up for a walk round the farm, or a big hug and a tummy tickle, at least from us!

And that is probably my proudest moment, as far as dog owning is concerned - being able to give her ten happy years. I miss her still, still find myself ridiculously filling up when 'her' song comes on the radio. Her replacement is the polar opposite, merry, friendly, sociable, totally trouble free. They are all such individual characters, are they not, they are all remembered with love and amusement and a few tears down the years.

'Brothers and sisters, I bid you beware
Of giving your heart to a dog to tear.'

 

[Chasingmytail]

You have to rejoice in the lovely life you gave her and she gave back. Make up a photo collage and get it framed. Give her a lovely burial site with a plaque or make something special. Loss of a special animal is not to be under estimated. Weep as much as you like and have a few off days to recover. Life sucks sometimes.

 

[Foregoneconclusion]

Netherfield. Sorry for the loss of your Tess. Be as "soft" as you like..it's only fitting and shows you are normal! These animals are our friends, and companions for years..day in day out. I was miserable after our dog Smotyn died Feb 2015.. Cried my eyes out .Not ashamed. Greive and dwell on the happy times you had. Chin up...

 

[Man_in_black]

Sorry for your loss @Netherfield

I had to have my JRT put down 8 years ago, still think of him now. Got him when I started secondary school (11) as I was dreading it. Dad got me dog as a distraction & a friend. From day 1 he was my dog and really did become my best (sometimes only) friend. Left school at 16, dog was with me all day every day then. Everyone knew him round the village, in the pub, sat outside shops as I went in etc.

Cancer got him in end, baśtard thing. Had him put to sleep after short battle, first fight he ever lost. R.I.P George.

As others have said get another one but no rush I don't think. The next pet dog I got after him it was 3 years & from rehoming centre. I wanted to give a dog that hadn't had a decent start in life a second chance. Never regretted it.

Chin up & remember the good times.

 

[MiJ]

And I just feel like crying

Well do so - it's a terrible pain. (((hug)))

 

[Pieces_of_Eight]

Had to click off this thread earlier, as I just suddenly welled up half way through. I share things with my dogs that I would never say to another human.

I currently have 4, with 39 years between them. I also have an oak tree, in a pot.



If I could change any one thing, it would be to make dogs live longer. However, I am glad that they don't realise how temporary their friendship is in the greater scheme of things.

Welling up again.

 

[kernowcluck]

You know what I'm proud of you lot. I don't doubt you are all big strong farmers with tough exteriors who have to make unpleasant decisions about livestock as part of your day, who will shoot vermin and send your stock to slaughter. However, the compassion you show to your fellow farmers in distress is outstanding. I'm proud to be part of the community that cares so much about each other. Well done chaps and chapesses