Animal Bereavement.

by HoratioTarr Sat Jun 25, 2016 10:55 am

My brave little soldier battled diabetes and blindness, a heart murmur and arthritis and bad hips. Yet through it all, he still gave out so much love and tried so hard to hide his infirmities, struggling on with his walkies but withdrawing from us day by day as he tried to cope with his pain. I had the agonising decision to finally guide him over the Rainbow Bridge where my darling boy died in my arms on Thursday 23rd June. I love you, gorgeous boy, my precious friend, my irreplaceable love. There was no other dog like you and never will be. Part of me has passed on with you, and you'll live in all our hearts forever. We miss you so much.

I probably won't be posting much for a while. My heart is utterly broken.

Animal Bereavement. 13533219_10153837034097753_3980378836237085139_n

Animal Bereavement. 13533219_10153837034097753_3980378836237085139_n

by Guest Sat Jun 25, 2016 11:16 am

HT, I'm really really sorry, losing a loved dog is, as you say, like losing a bit of yourself and the sadness is overwhelming. Hate to say, I've lost a few in my 70 years, and each time I say, never again. Then in a little while I hear a doggy voice in my head saying, hey mum, there's a friend really needs a home, and I succumb again. I know its going to end in heartbreak, but you only get the heartbreak because you have had all the love and you have made a good life for one more doggy. Your dog was beautiful and you obviously had a wonderful time with him and did your very best by him, gave and received the best love, hang on to that.

by nicko Sat Jun 25, 2016 2:28 pm

Christ HT, that brought tears to my eyes.

by Ben Reilly Sat Jun 25, 2016 3:25 pm

Very sorry about your loss, HT. It really is like losing a family member.

by Miffs2 Sat Jun 25, 2016 3:37 pm

HT, I'm so very sorry, it's heartbreaking. Think of all the lovely times and the joy he brought and the love you gave him. X

by Original Quill Sat Jun 25, 2016 5:31 pm

So sorry, HT. I did the same with my Hair-Bear. So sad.

We'll say prayers for him.

by eddie Sat Jun 25, 2016 5:39 pm

So sorry for your loss Horatio. I'm here if you fancy a chat X

by Syl Sat Jun 25, 2016 5:44 pm

I feel so sad for you.
Losing a loved pet is exactly the same as losing a family member....they are part of you and always will be.
You beloved boy was well loved and he gave that back tenfold.
He certainly was beautiful. x

by veya_victaous Sun Jun 26, 2016 4:41 am

Sorry to hear HT.
Sounds like you gave him a wonderful home while he was here.

by Tommy Monk Sun Jun 26, 2016 7:51 pm

Very sorry to hear this... I know how tough a time you will be going through... I was in the same position a year ago.

by HoratioTarr Mon Jun 27, 2016 8:17 am

sassy wrote:HT, I'm really really sorry, losing a loved dog is, as you say, like losing a bit of yourself and the sadness is overwhelming. Hate to say, I've lost a few in my 70 years, and each time I say, never again. Then in a little while I hear a doggy voice in my head saying, hey mum, there's a friend really needs a home, and I succumb again. I know its going to end in heartbreak, but you only get the heartbreak because you have had all the love and you have made a good life for one more doggy. Your dog was beautiful and you obviously had a wonderful time with him and did your very best by him, gave and received the best love, hang on to that.

Thank you. I've cried for two whole days, but feeling a bit better as I'm getting my head round the loss. I think we will get another, when the time is right. Home is so empty without him.

by HoratioTarr Mon Jun 27, 2016 8:19 am

nicko wrote:Christ HT, that brought tears to my eyes.

Loved him so much.

by HoratioTarr Mon Jun 27, 2016 8:19 am

Ben Reilly wrote:Very sorry about your loss, HT. It really is like losing a family member.

Thank you, Ben. He was a family member.

by HoratioTarr Mon Jun 27, 2016 8:21 am

Miffs2 wrote:HT, I'm so very sorry, it's heartbreaking. Think of all the lovely times and the joy he brought and the love you gave him. X

Thanks, Miffs. Me and my OH have spent two days talking about him and remembering all the laughs he gave us. Holding him as he died is haunting me, and I wouldn't wish that on my worst enemy. But I had to do it. Been his mum for 14 years and that's what mums do.

by HoratioTarr Mon Jun 27, 2016 8:22 am

Original Quill wrote:So sorry, HT. I did the same with my Hair-Bear. So sad.

We'll say prayers for him.

You think you'll never get over it, but of course, we do. Thanks for your kind words.

by HoratioTarr Mon Jun 27, 2016 8:22 am

eddie wrote:So sorry for your loss Horatio. I'm here if you fancy a chat X

Thank you, Eddie.

by HoratioTarr Mon Jun 27, 2016 8:23 am

Syl wrote:I feel so sad for you.
Losing a loved pet is exactly the same as losing a family member....they are part of you and always will be.
You beloved boy was well loved and he gave that back tenfold.
He certainly was beautiful. x

He was beautiful outside and in, the most gentle, placid dog. He saw me through a very hard time in my life back in 2004.

by HoratioTarr Mon Jun 27, 2016 8:24 am

veya_victaous wrote:Sorry to hear HT.
Sounds like you gave him a wonderful home while he was here.

Thanks, Veya. Your kind words are appreciated.

by HoratioTarr Mon Jun 27, 2016 8:25 am

Tommy Monk wrote:Very sorry to hear this... I know how tough a time you will be going through... I was in the same position a year ago.

Thanks, Tommy. We get over it, but they are gone but never forgotten.

by Ben Reilly Mon Jun 27, 2016 8:27 am

HoratioTarr wrote:
sassy wrote:HT, I'm really really sorry, losing a loved dog is, as you say, like losing a bit of yourself and the sadness is overwhelming. Hate to say, I've lost a few in my 70 years, and each time I say, never again. Then in a little while I hear a doggy voice in my head saying, hey mum, there's a friend really needs a home, and I succumb again. I know its going to end in heartbreak, but you only get the heartbreak because you have had all the love and you have made a good life for one more doggy. Your dog was beautiful and you obviously had a wonderful time with him and did your very best by him, gave and received the best love, hang on to that.

Thank you. I've cried for two whole days, but feeling a bit better as I'm getting my head round the loss. I think we will get another, when the time is right. Home is so empty without him.

Always try to remember, you were kind and loving to a helpless, loving, living being. You did many good things over the course of his life and you were rewarded with the love of an innocent animal. The pain you're going through now hurts horribly, but it's because you made a happy, love-filled life for this little guy. Please, take some solace in the knowledge that you made your loved one's life infinitely better than it might have been, without you in it.

by Syl Mon Jun 27, 2016 12:15 pm

Ben Reilly wrote:
HoratioTarr wrote:

Thank you. I've cried for two whole days, but feeling a bit better as I'm getting my head round the loss. I think we will get another, when the time is right. Home is so empty without him.

Always try to remember, you were kind and loving to a helpless, loving, living being. You did many good things over the course of his life and you were rewarded with the love of an innocent animal. The pain you're going through now hurts horribly, but it's because you made a happy, love-filled life for this little guy. Please, take some solace in the knowledge that you made your loved one's life infinitely better than it might have been, without you in it.

Exactly what Ben said +1 /\

by Major Mon Jun 27, 2016 6:30 pm

I find it difficult to come to terms with when dog owners 'keep their dog alive' for their own benefit when the poor devil is clearly suffering big time, I have seen it quite a few times and loads of money has been spent keeping a vet driving his Roller, our vet is more expensive than private heart surgeon. lol

by HoratioTarr Mon Jun 27, 2016 10:50 pm

Ben Reilly wrote:
HoratioTarr wrote:

Thank you. I've cried for two whole days, but feeling a bit better as I'm getting my head round the loss. I think we will get another, when the time is right. Home is so empty without him.

Always try to remember, you were kind and loving to a helpless, loving, living being. You did many good things over the course of his life and you were rewarded with the love of an innocent animal. The pain you're going through now hurts horribly, but it's because you made a happy, love-filled life for this little guy. Please, take some solace in the knowledge that you made your loved one's life infinitely better than it might have been, without you in it.

Wise words. Thank you.

by HoratioTarr Mon Jun 27, 2016 11:00 pm

Major wrote:I find it difficult to come to terms with when dog owners 'keep their dog alive' for their own benefit when the poor devil is clearly suffering big time, I have seen it quite a few times and loads of money has been spent keeping a vet driving his Roller, our vet is more expensive than private heart surgeon. lol

I think this is often through love rather than malice. Letting go of Nico was torture but the right thing to do. We went through terrible feelings of guilt too. Did we leave it too late? Could he have gone on longer? Should we have tried more medication? People often think the animal will 'tell' them when they want to go...but dogs in particular are very good at hiding their pain.

by Tommy Monk Mon Jun 27, 2016 11:23 pm

We try to keep them going and give them every chance... because we love them... but when they really start suffering then it's also because we love them that we have to do the hardest thing but the best thing for them...

There's never going to be a good time... just the right time... and I'm sure you did the right thing at the right time.

by nicko Tue Jun 28, 2016 6:42 am

Rainbow Bridge?

by SEXY MAMA Tue Jun 28, 2016 9:10 am

Sorry to hear about your loss HT

As an owner of over 16 Cats over the years it's been hard every single time.

by HoratioTarr Tue Jun 28, 2016 10:21 am

SEXY MAMA wrote:Sorry to hear about your loss HT

As an owner of over 16 Cats over the years it's been hard every single time.

I have a friend who's lost 7 dogs over the years and she said it never gets easier. Thanks for your kind words.

by HoratioTarr Tue Jun 28, 2016 10:21 am

Tommy Monk wrote:We try to keep them going and give them every chance... because we love them... but when they really start suffering then it's also because we love them that we have to do the hardest thing but the best thing for them...

There's never going to be a good time... just the right time... and I'm sure you did the right thing at the right time.

yes, yes and yes.

by HoratioTarr Tue Jun 28, 2016 10:23 am

nicko wrote:Rainbow Bridge?

The day after he died, we saw three rainbows. Whenever I see a rainbow I think ... New beginnings.

The Rainbow Bridge concept is sweet.

by nicko Tue Jun 28, 2016 11:39 am

I AM very emotional when it comes to animals, I don't know why, after fighting in two wars I can still shed a tear for an animal.

by HoratioTarr Tue Jun 28, 2016 1:28 pm

nicko wrote:I AM very emotional when it comes to animals, I don't know why, after fighting in two wars I can still shed a tear for an animal.

I think because they are innocents, like children. No matter how much you shout at them, or get cross, they still adore you and you don't find many people that devoted and who love you unconditionally. I know there will be some who say this is apportioning anthropomorphism to animals, but nobody is going to tell me that they don't feel as we do, or they don't share pain and depression and emotional suffering. They do. Some just don't take the time to look for it, or appreciate it.

by eddie Tue Jun 28, 2016 1:58 pm

Horatio I hope you're feeling a little brighter.
Some wise words have been written here so I've nothing further to add except I'm a great listener, should you fancy a chat X

by HoratioTarr Tue Jun 28, 2016 2:05 pm

eddie wrote:Horatio I hope you're feeling a little brighter.
Some wise words have been written here so I've nothing further to add except I'm a great listener, should you fancy a chat X

I do feel a little better. Once you accept the loss, and realise that you have no reason to feel guilty as you did your best, it begins to feel more like healing. Thanks. x

by HoratioTarr Tue Jun 28, 2016 2:06 pm

BTW. To all those who commented on this thread, each one of you has helped with that healing. Thank you.

by eddie Tue Jun 28, 2016 2:20 pm

by Tommy Monk Tue Jun 28, 2016 2:59 pm

Now here's an idea...

https://youtu.be/DTVOK2yvbBM

by HoratioTarr Tue Jun 28, 2016 3:16 pm

Tommy Monk wrote:

Now here's an idea...

https://youtu.be/DTVOK2yvbBM

Jeez I don't think so! LOL

If anyone is in any doubt about how a Samoyed's nature is here is one paragliding quite happily with its owner. My dog would sit out on November 5th and watch the fireworks without flinching.

by Tommy Monk Tue Jun 28, 2016 3:21 pm

They like flying and you don't like the cat copter idea...?

lol!

by HoratioTarr Tue Jun 28, 2016 3:25 pm

Tommy Monk wrote:They like flying and you don't like the cat copter idea...?

The DEAD cat copter? Stuffed animals? Sheesh.....

tongue

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