Our Labrador

Butterfly_Brain

R.I.P Biff
I am so sorry for your loss rainy days, after losing two pets this year I know how heartbroken you must be. xxx

catkins

Rainy Days - so sorry to hear about Biff. Losing a pet is very hard and upsetting. I lost my beautiful boy 10 weeks ago and still finding it very difficult. I cried reading this thread.

You gave Biff a happy life and he would have known he was loved. You also made sure his last day with you was a happy one. RIP Biff

Tulip

Rainy Days,Sorry for your loss *hugs*

RIP Biff

Rainy-Days

I went to the stone masons today to have a small stone done up for him which will read

Biff

(Boo Bear)

A loving, faithful, beautiful Black Labrador

There will also be a paw print in one of the corners. I shall probably get a rose bush and place that on top of as well.

Thank you so much for your kind words about Biff (aka Boo Bear). In 2001, he was found in the lane by me and my late mum. My mum never wanted another dog after the heartache of losing others previously. I was driving to mums and saw Biff heading down the lane to the main road and I jumped out of the car, whistled him and said "come on boy come here" and he ran to me.

We took him in for the night and kept him safe and warm then mum rang the dog warden in the mornng and she handed him over. I played merry hell with her because I wanted him to stay. Unbeknown to us mum was at that point at the start of developing a slow growing tumour. Anyway, I rang the dog pound and told them in no uncertain terms I wanted him and that week was the longest I had ever known. Then at 11.30am on the Friday morning the phone call came and I went to get the £60.00 from the bank to get him and release him into my ownership.

For a long while things were tough on Biff. If you happened to look down at him when you were eating the boy used to put his face to floor and look away. That got sorted with tit bts from the table and the occasional hand being patted on his head. He wouldn't dare touch his dinner without you giving him the word, so I used to say there you go lad get stuck in at the point of putting it down and eventually I diodn't need to say it.

His bed became a big massive bean bag (specially for dogs) at the side of my bed where he stayed by my side to the end. It helped when he had a bad dream because I could reach down and touch him and soothe him. The DH came along and his allegiance kind of moved a little from me to having a master. He loved going out in the car so imagine his joy when we got a Land Rover Freelander that the back window would drop down on so he could sit there with his nose and face looking out. Sundays were his fave day of the week as he got his own Sunday roast with what was left from the trimmings and I always did an extra roast potatoe for him and a bit of veg. Long walks over the fields and happy times with us.

He became a comfort to mum when she was terminally ill and after mum had died he became a massive support to me (I had not yet met DH) at that point so it was just Boo Bear and me. Anyway, days were spent lounging on my bed, but eventually as he got older he couldn't get up there so DH used to pick him up and put him on there. Then about 18 months ago he struggled to get out of bed, we lifted him up slowly and he yelped so we got him straight to the vets. They told us that 3 years ago whe they did an X ray they had noticed nodules of bone growing on the bottom of Biff's spine, these were now probably pressing and hurting him. They prescribed Metacam and Tramadol, which by good stroke worked and bought us extra time. The extra time of playing in the snow, him catching snow balls and us loving his company.

In the first week of this month it was quite a warm week and we (DH and I) sat up the backgarden on the arbour watching Biff in the garden I said to DH do you think this might be his last summer and DH said "it could be" and we left it at that.

Then things started ot progress fast Biff was pooing in his bed at night something which he never did as he was very clean, but we never, never made a big deal out of, but something that caused us concern. By the Friday of last week he had some big accidents in the kitchen and he had a bad Friday night earlier Saturday am morning. I rang the vets and made an appointment for yesterday.

Biff's vet is a lovely lady she took a big interest in Biff because she had a black labrador called Gemma. Gemma had to be put to sleep six months ago for the same thing. Anyway, she looked at Biff and said things had progressed too much and that it was kinder to let him go.

In truth in my heart I hoped we would bring him home with us. I guessed on the Sunday that it might not be so we made allot of extra efforts took him on his fave walk and gave him allot of love and fuss. I didn't sleep much Sunday night I kept looking at him on his bed sleeping and every now and again when he stirred I touched and stroked him. On the Monday I had to go to work but made sure I was at home with him for those few remaining hours.

I asked the vet for a favour that as Biff loved the car so much would she put him to sleep in the back of it. Biff always felt that when he was out and about getting in that car meant going home. I cuddled him so much and told he was a good boy and that I loved him. Then very quickly he was gone.

My beautiful big ole Boo Bear, as fast as he came in, it seemed he had gone out. Nothing is the same right now, I got out of bed this morning and instead of standing on the edge of his bean bag I stood on the carpet. There was a solitary bright star shining in our bedroom window from the sky last night, I would like to think that was our boy, I am busted he is not here..................

In a million years I never would have had a Black Labrador but one came into my life back in 2001 and I wouldn't change a thing, he was gentle, kind and loving and in DH own words "looking for and wanting a better home than the one he had and he found it". I regret nothing but the time we spent apart when we had to go to work if I had him over again it would have been 24/7.

ljonski

So beautifully put, brought tears to my eyes. Goodnight Biff

rising_from_the_ashes

Awwwww Rainy ...... so sorry to hear you've lost Biff (((hugs))).

I know how much all your animals mean to you and nothing I can say will make it any easier ......

What a lovely last day he had & I hope you'll find some comfort in that
moving forwards.

RIP Biff xx

Rowan9

Rainy-Days, I'm so sorry for your loss. It is such a heart aching thing to do but so brave. Biff would be so proud of you for helping him in such a caring way. I am 4 months on from the same and when I feel such loss, I try to remember that it was the best thing to do. This is the price we pay for having such wonderful loving companions in our lives. I understand about the first thing in the morning - my dog lay beside my bed. One morning you will suddenly realise - maybe when you're cleaning your teeth if not right away - that you didn't try to step over his bean bag but have just taken an 'ordinary' step on carpet. Little steps - you will get there. In the meantime, take care and look after yourself, making sure you eat and rest when you can.
(((hugs)))
W

Holche

So sorry for your loss. This poem was a great comfort for me when we lost our labrador.

I Haven’t Left At All

I saw you gently weeping as you looked through photographs
You paused for just a moment at one that made you laugh.
But as you turned more pages the tears began to flow
You whispered that you missed me but I want you to know;
I softly licked those stinging tears that down your cheeks did fall
I want to help you understand I haven’t left at all.
On those days that you are overcome with sorrow, pain and grief
I rest my head upon your leg to offer some relief.
When you take our walking path I’ve seen you turn around
Because I know you surely heard my paws upon the ground.
At night while you are sleeping I snuggle at your side
You stroke my fur as you touch that place where I used to lie.
You said it’s just your heart playing tricks upon your mind
But rest assured I’m really there, my spirit’s left behind.
I know your heart is hurting; it’s like an open sore
You think my life has ended and you won’t see me anymore.
But for those of us bound tight by love, death is not the curtain call;
It’s really the eternal beginning that waits for us all
So, dear Master as you live your life I patiently await
For us to be together when you pass through Heaven’s gate.

heartbreak_star

Oh I'm crying my eyes out at all the poems! So beautiful! I think I might print tham for my mum.

Rainy-Days, the stone sounds lovely. Mum had a black lab through my dad's illness and eventual death, and when he passed away she got a little plaque to go on Dad's memorial bench so they could look after each other still.

I wish I knew who left a rose on it last year with "To <dad's name> and <dog's name>, two of the nicest beings I have ever known. Be proud of <my name> and <mum's name>"!

I digress. A permanent memorial is a wonderful thing.

HBS x

black_paw

(((hugs))))

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge. When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.
All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind. They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.
You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....
Author unknown...