Just thought that I would share with a few friends here on Countryside about a passing of an old friend....my dog. She was 13 years old, diabetes, insulin shots, blind and deaf. The last few months she really went down hill fast. I guess that is the way all of us should go...fast. She had a good "doggie" life here on the homestead all of those years. Always a good dog and got along well with all of the homestead animals. Not a mean bone in her body. I found her at the local dog pound. Thought I had found a purebred german shepherd. But...she was mixed with something else. But that didn't matter. She was a great dog and friend. It is funny how you get to depend on a dog for companionship and safety. She will be greatly missed. I know someday when it is my turn to leave this earth that we will meet again and we will both be young and be able to run through the fields together once more. I only hope that she knew that she was always safe with me and truly loved. Thanks All for listening .

-- Helena Di Maio (windyacs@ptdprolog.net), May 25, 2001

Answers

Helena, Those of us who have lost animals dear to us know what you are feeling, and we share your loss. A dear friend on this forum lost her shepherd a few months ago, and I felt as if I had lost my own dog, it was such a sad time. Your dog was lucky to have someone as caring as you, and you're right-you'll meet again. Sorry to hear of your loss. Jan

-- Jan in CO (Janice12@aol.com), May 25, 2001.

Helena thank you for sharing your loss with us. Last year I lost my little gentle cat also from diabetes. Her best friend was a possum that she shared her food and box with! Anyway when I knew it was time I called one of those traveling vets out to put her down so I could hold her and stroke her while she passed. After it was over I thanked her for all the joy she gave me for her 9 years. As you know it really hurts but to love an animal is truly special isn't it? thank you again for sharing.....Kirk

-- Kirk Davis (kirkay@yahoo.com), May 26, 2001.

Hi,

Heres a *BIG HUG* and a box of tissues. I am so sorry to hear she passed on, but remeber, she had a full life with you and a happy and loved one at that. I know the time is drawing near for my companion, Ebony, my Black lab, she is 12 yrs old. i just LOVE her so much. And, yes, in your heart she is still with you. You will meet again.

i also know how bad it hurts, i had to put down my favorite and most loved doe Jackie before w emoved here. she had arthritis bad and when the vet came to do health checks he was watching for her as she loved ot eat the paper on his clipboard. he knew something wasn't right a she was usually pretty fast. i had watched her rump slowly degenerate and become arced from the arthritis. The vet said she was in a lot of pain and said to put her down. As much as it killed me, heck, i couldn't even mention her name without crying, i knew I had to. I thoguth I could try remedies but who was I kidding anyways. I still miss her so. But she did leave behind 3 wonderful offspring, 2 does and a buck. I miss her so much. Take care.

-- Bernice Raymond (geminigoats@yahoo.com), May 26, 2001.

I'm so sorry for your loss. It's always hard. Sounds like your dog was a lucky girl to have you!

-- Joy F [in So. Wisconsin] (CatFlunky@excite.com), May 26, 2001.

Sorry that your facing this. I always said that I have never had a "pet" in my life, but many have had me.

-- Jay Blair in N. AL (jayblair678@yahoo.com), May 26, 2001.

My heart goes out to you Helena, sounds like she was blessed to have you as her friend. Sherry

-- sherry (chickadee259@yahoo.com), May 26, 2001.

My heart goes out to you Helena. I am facing the same situation soon. My baby will be 12 in October, if he makes it that long. He has a tumor growing on his foot that can't be treated. My Munchkin is right at 100 lbs,(German Shepard) and I've had him since he was four weeks old. It's breaking my heart to see this coming and not being able to do anything about it. Nobody can tell me he's just a dog. He's part of my family. My baby. Thanks for sharing and I will hold you in my prayers.

-- Julie (rjbk@together.net), May 26, 2001.

My heart goes out to you - I've been there. I had a german shepherd for 15 years and put him down two years ago.He was a "dumped" dog who didn't have a chance - he was a runt, malnutritioned, and even had parvo when I found him at 6 months of age. He was my first "child" and went just about everywhere with me. My husband was military so he traveled with us. He was the best dog I ever had. He had arthritis badly in his hips and hind legs and also had cancer which was removed twice but kept coming back. He also was going blind and deaf. It was the hardest decision I ever had to make in my life - putting him to sleep, but I know in the long run it was best. He couldn't get up by himself anymore and started messing on himself and didn't even know. His veins were so small that they had a hard time getting the needle in - they tried for over a half hour. I was with him to the end and brought him home where his final resting place is under a cedar tree. I don't think I will ever find as great of a dog companion as he was. The pain does get better in time. I am a Christian and I know that it doesn't say anything in the Bible about animals in Heaven but I would like to believe that there is a special place there for them. After all, God created them and "it was good" so why wouldn't he want them there too!

-- Beth (cafemocha@ivillage.com), May 26, 2001.

Helena, I lost my doberman about 3 years ago. He worked in Security and every day, I'd take Bear with me and he did all the security work while I set around drinking cokes. He was such buddy to me. Sometimes, I still go outside and call him. I know he's not coming to me like he used to but it just feels good to go outside and and call him. I share your feelings. Eagle

-- eagle (eagle@alpha1.net), May 27, 2001.

We have a 13 year old Border Collie, a 12 year old Australian Shepherd and an 11 year old Border Collie, so we'll be facing this same heartbreak before too long. I received this recently and it came to mind when I read about your "Old Friend." Hope this helps...

"A NICE STORY A man and his dog were walking along a road. The man was enjoying the scenery, when it suddenly occurred to him that he was dead. He remembered dying, and that his faithful dog had been dead for many years. He wondered where the road was leading them. After a while, they came to a high, white stone wall a long one side of the road. It looked like fine marble. At the top of a long hill, it was broken by a tall arch that glowed in the sunlight. When he was standing before it, he saw a magnificent gate in the arch made from mother of pearl, and the street that led to the gate made from pure gold. He and the dog walked toward the gate, and as he got closer, he saw a man at a desk to one side. When he was close enough, he called out, "Excuse me, where are we?" "This is heaven, sir," the man answered "Wow! Would you happen to have some water? We have traveled far," the man said. "Of course, sir. Come right in, and I'll have some ice water brought right up." The man gestured, and the gate began to open. "Can my friend," gesturing toward his dog, "come in, too?" the traveler asked. "I'm sorry, sir, but we don't accept pets." The man thought a moment, remembering all the years this dog remained loyal to him and then turned back toward the road and continued the way he had been going. After another long walk he came to a plain dirt road which led through a farm gate that looked as if it had never been closed. There was no fence. As he approached the gate, he saw a man inside, leaning against a tree and reading a book. "Excuse me!" he called to the reader. "Do you have any Water? We have traveled far." "Yes, sure, there's a pump over there." The man pointed to a place that couldn't be seen from outside the gate. "Come on in and help yourself." "How about my friend here?" the traveler said, and gestured to his dog. "There should be a bowl by the pump; he is welcome to share." They went through the gate, and sure enough, there was an old- fashioned hand pump with a bowl beside it. The traveler filled the bowl and took a long drink himself, then he gave some to the dog. When they were full, he and the dog walked back toward the man who was standing by the tree waiting for them. "What do you call this place?" the traveler asked. "This is heaven," was the answer. "Well, that's confusing," the traveler said. "The man down the road said that was heaven, too." "Oh, you mean the place with the gold street and pearly gates?" "Nope. That's hell." "Doesn't it make you mad for them to use your name like that?" "No. We're just happy that they screen out the folks who'd leave their best friends behind in exchange for material things."

Happy Hills is a non-profit animal rescue group in Staley, NC. Website is http://www.happyhills.homestead.com and e-mail address is happyhills@hotmail.com Suggestions and articles for our monthly e-newsletter are welcomed!

-- Melanie (imblueridgebound@hotmail.com), May 27, 2001.

Hello Helena, Please remember that you are not alone in your sorrow. Many of us grieve with you. Folks think I'm strange to say this but when a pet dies that I have loved for many years, it hurts just as much as when my mother passed away. I don't have one kind of love for people and another for animals, I love them all the same. Check out the rainbow bridge animal memorial website if you don't already know about it.

I have an 18 year old beautiful calico kitty named Lacey. I often wake up at night to check and see if she is still breathing. My boss already knows that when she passes on I will be taking at least 2 days off work.

I'll be thinking of you.

-- debra in ks (solid-dkn@msn.com), May 27, 2001.

Helena -- I'm very sorry to hear of your loss. I euthanised my 16 year old dog last month, and although you know if is coming for a long time, nothing really prepares you for the loss that follows. You find yourself setting aside tidbits of the roast one night to put in their dish and there's no one to share it with anymore. Or loading the car for a trip and suddenly realizing that you don't need to pack the water dish now. And getting suddenly misty-eyed when you look at the wallow they scooped out in the garden for a cool spot to lie on hot days and notice that the weeds are starting to encroach.

Here's to the day when we meet them again in that field on the other side of the Rainbow Bridge.

-- julie f. (rumplefrogskin@excite.com), May 27, 2001.

Helen, I'm sorry for your loss. Saying goodbye to an old friend (especially one that is with you all the time) is always hard. I hope you have many happy memories to carry you through this difficult time. I'm sure she knew how much you loved her, and loved you just as much.

-- Kristin, in La. (positivekharma@aol.com), May 28, 2001.

Helena -

So sorry to hear of your loss. They aren't really pets... they are family. I'll be thinking of you -

-- Sue Diederich (willow666@rocketmail.com), May 30, 2001.