Just lost my best pal

Person_one

I won't let anybody ever criticise people for how they mourn their pets.

I've lost some humans I've loved in awful circumstances far too young, you know what got me through that? The uncomplicated and unconditional love of my dogs.

mummyoftwomonkeys

so sorry for your loss :-( we lost our beloved Westie Maggie last month she lived with my dad I moved out 6 years ago but she was always my baby and I still miss her dreadfully :-( its awful when it happens so quickly, she was fine on the thursday, really not herself on the friday and was put to sleep saturday night I will always regret not being there to say goodbye my last image of her was me putting her in the back of the car with my brother and the lost look on her face

mummyoftwomonkeys

When Maggie died my dad who lives with my brother but is alone all day said he couldn't face having another dog but as you have said he just didn't know what to do with himself, he would go out but going to the places he used to go with her was just to painful, he would see a picture of her at home and cry, seeing a white mark on the rug in the dining room out the corner of his eye for a split 2nd he would think it was her and that would upset him again, he kept thinking he could hear her jump off his bed when he was sat in the front room. He waited a month and He now has a beautiful 2 year old Jack Russell he can't replace maggie, to us she was a one off but he helps to fill the void I know this isn't for everyone but it does help to have another furry baby to focus on x

Padstow

Rising, I'm sorry not to have offered my condolences before, but I got rather wrapped up with sazzy's problem.
My heart is with you, and the worst thing I ever had to do was take mine to his last journey, so I know how you feel. I hope you're taking good care of yourself as I made the mistake of not eating, but worse, not drinking. I ended up dehydrated which caused me to feel even more down.

I vowed that I'd never have another dog, least due to my age, as he may outlive me. Then there I was, six months on, looking at rescues. Just looking. Daughter watching over my shoulder saying, "oh mum, just look at his little face."
So on January 2nd in a snow whiteout, I drove hundreds of miles to see him. He came bounding out of his kennel and so wanted to come home with someone who'd love him.

I read the poem that "getting ready" posted, very sad but so apt. A piece of your heart has been broken, but can be mended with a new best pal in memory of Ben, just as mine was.
I saw a lovely girl for adoption whod been used to being alone for a few hours. Milee. http://www.dogsblog.com/category/labrador-retriever/

What struck me most rising, was that in the midst of your grief, you came over to sazz's thread with your good wishes.
You are a true lady and dog lover.

sazzybum

Padstow wrote: »

Rising, I'm sorry not to have offered my condolences before, but I got rather wrapped up with sazzy's problem.
My heart is with you, and the worst thing I ever had to do was take mine to his last journey, so I know how you feel. I hope you're taking good care of yourself as I made the mistake of not eating, but worse, not drinking. I ended up dehydrated which caused me to feel even more down.

I vowed that I'd never have another dog, least due to my age, as he may outlive me. Then there I was, six months on, looking at rescues. Just looking. Daughter watching over my shoulder saying, "oh mum, just look at his little face."
So on January 2nd in a snow whiteout, I drove hundreds of miles to see him. He came bounding out of his kennel and so wanted to come home with someone who'd love him.

I read the poem that "getting ready" posted, very sad but so apt. A piece of your heart has been broken, but can be mended with a new best pal in memory of Ben, just as mine was.
I saw a lovely girl for adoption whod been used to being alone for a few hours. Milee. http://www.dogsblog.com/category/labrador-retriever/

What struck me most rising, was that in the midst of your grief, you came over to sazz's thread with your good wishes.
You are a true lady and dog lover.

Padstow- I couldn't agree more with you. Rising is one of the most generous spirited people I have ever had the honour to know.

rising_from_the_ashes

Twomonkeys so sorry for the loss of Maggie ... I'm really glad your dad has found a new companion to bring the smile back to his face:)

Padstow thank you for your kind words and I'm so pleased you've found a new friend too. Sometimes you just know when it's right and driving all those miles, in all that snow .... you were obviously meant to be together:). Also thanks for the link..... for me personally, it's too soon ..... although I could very easily be tempted with another, it would be for the wrong reasons just now (but I will be keeping an eye on it!). As for your and Sazzy's very humbling words ..... I'm a bit lost as to how to reply apart from a very weak "thanks" again which really don't do them justice as I'm deeply moved.


Still struggling and guess I will be for a long time - the house is just so bloomin' empty and quiet without him and I hate to say but I'm really lonely too:(. The wee things are awful (everything where I left it in the morning etc) and the mornings / evenings are really hard to fill - missing "walkies" loads.

I can honestly say that Ben made me smile every single day that I was lucky enough to have him ..... and I miss that and him so, so much but treasure every moment we had.

orlao

Oh rising,

I'm so sorry for your loss. One consolation you can take is that he had your (and you his) undivided attention while you were off work for those eight weeks.

I've lost 2 dogs this year, one very suddenly in January and one through old age last month who I had to make the decision for. I honestly can't say which was worse - one was such a shock as she was healthy and well at 4pm and pts by 5:30pm after a massive stroke, the other I had 5 days in between deciding and actually having the vet out so felt incredibly guilty as I ticked off every 'last time' IYSWIM. It's never an easy time when you lose a pet.

Anyway, I ended up getting a rescue terrier very quickly after the first girl died, I put out feelers to a local rescue as I knew the old girl couldn't last forever (that sounds really cold and it's not meant to be but she was 20 at the time and had already had several appts to be PTS but made miraculous recoveries just before the date! So I had to be realistic) and I didn't want my youngest dog to be left on his own. I wasn't expecting a suitable dog to become available in a hurry as I had very specific needs - able to be left as I work, soft enough not to upset the old girl but strong enough to cope with a OTT big dog - and I was astounded to get a call within a week. TBH, and it was no fault of his it was probably too soon for me but it worked despite a few teething problems but I was lucky and fostered him for the first few weeks so didn't feel I had to make an instant decision...JME. OH did say a few weeks later that he knew he was staying the minute he strutted in the door despite me saying that I wasn't sure!

Right now I don't think I could ever have another little black dog as they could never compare to my old lady but she has left a very large hole in my heart.

Maybe try dog walking for The Cinnamon Trust - you can get to build a relationship with the owner/dog until you decide what you want to do?
http://www.cinnamon.org.uk/volunteers/

Padstow

rising_from_the_ashes wrote: »

Twomonkeys so sorry for the loss of Maggie ... I'm really glad your dad has found a new companion to bring the smile back to his face:)

Padstow thank you for your kind words and I'm so pleased you've found a new friend too. Sometimes you just know when it's right and driving all those miles, in all that snow .... you were obviously meant to be together:). Also thanks for the link..... for me personally, it's too soon ..... although I could very easily be tempted with another, it would be for the wrong reasons just now (but I will be keeping an eye on it!). As for your and Sazzy's very humbling words ..... I'm a bit lost as to how to reply apart from a very weak "thanks" again which really don't do them justice as I'm deeply moved.


Still struggling and guess I will be for a long time - the house is just so bloomin' empty and quiet without him and I hate to say but I'm really lonely too:(. The wee things are awful (everything where I left it in the morning etc) and the mornings / evenings are really hard to fill - missing "walkies" loads.

I can honestly say that Ben made me smile every single day that I was lucky enough to have him ..... and I miss that and him so, so much but treasure every moment we had.

I know what you mean about dogs making you smile, some even make you laugh. I had a Dalmation who would walk under the curtains and drape himself until we all said, aah Bonzo.
Take care of yourself rising.Xx

virgin_moneysaver

How are you today, Rising? - I'm out 1st thing tomorrow but will be thinking of you as you reach the 'this time last week' part of the grieving process, it is a process, and you will get through it as we have no choice but to, doesn't amke it any easier at the time tho (((( x ))))

rising_from_the_ashes

orlao wrote: »

One consolation you can take is that he had your (and you his) undivided attention while you were off work for those eight weeks.

It's really ironic isn't it ... I was worried about how he'd adjust to me going back to work. Also funny how they never forget - I always had a different work /non work day routine (work = up, walk, him fed, me shower/dress/fed / non work = up, garden, both fed, shower/dress, walk) and on the 1st morning of "work" routine he was happy as Larry sitting at the bottom of the stairs waiting for his Bonio!

I am so glad we had that extra special time together.....

Thanks for the Cinnamon Trust link - I don't think there's one near but will have a look into it.

virgin_moneysaver wrote: »

How are you today, Rising? - I'm out 1st thing tomorrow but will be thinking of you as you reach the 'this time last week' part of the grieving process, it is a process, and you will get through it as we have no choice but to, doesn't amke it any easier at the time tho (((( x ))))

Thanks for the thoughts Moneysaver ... not looking forward to it but as you say, it can't be avoided.

Think I'm heading off to bed - totally knackered as not been sleeping well but must give it a bash.



Thanks again for all the support everyone, it really is appreciated and it does help to know you understand.