Forum Moderators: open
We have thee kids, 14, 16, and 18. They have never really known life without Lucy. Our eldest named her. She is camp now and said good-bye to Lucy before she left but only good-bye for a month. She wanted Lucy at home when she got back. We will all be at camp this Saturday to tell the 18 year old.
In the morning at one point Lucy was resting her chin on my arm and after 15 minutes or so I had to go. She wouldn’t left her head and instead pressed down gently on my arm, as if to say, “Don’t go, I need support.”. I didn’t leave.
My wife and I cried when we made the decision. The two children took it hard.
We took Lucy to the park. She didn’t want to run. She ate the treats we brought her. The vet was outstanding, gentle and caring. We talked to Lucy. She wagged her tail when we told her she chased a squirrel yesterday. I told her to go chase rabbits. She really wagged her tail. We talked to her and rubbed her till the end. Very peaceful. Very sad.
15 years. Very hard. She was gentle and caring dog that would defend my children to the death. There was a very serious group almost having an all out fight behind our house. When I went to tell my neighbor and the other three that the police had been called and would be there within a minute Lucy would not leave my side. She stayed right beside me moving one step forward or backwards as I moved. She knew it was serious but stayed right there.
What to do today, live life. Live it as Lucy did, to the fullest, right to the end, stay loyal, eat all the treats when you can, wag your tail when it suits you. Chase the squirrels, dream of rabbits. Have good friends.
..... Shane
I'm always in pieces when I lose a pet, but it's a comfort when they lived a long, full life, and had a peaceful death with their family at their side.
Condolences.
Okay. I need a WHOLE BOX of tissues now....
Thanks for the support.
..... Shane
It took months, but I'm able now to remember, share and even laugh about all his idiosyncrasies and strange habits.
Lucy will always be part of your family's legacy. Not everyone is as fortunate to have these kind of memories.
After 15 years, Lucy was truly part of the family. I can feel that.
Hope you will remember all the good moments in the future and memories of this sad day will vanish soon.
Here is a hug you can save for Saturday : Hug
I currently have two English Springer Spaniels and have had a third in the past. She had to be put down after a breif battle with cancer at 14.
My dog turned 15 earlier in March of this year and is just starting to show some signs of getting old. His eyesite has mostly gone and so has his hearing but he still likes his 2 mile walk every day. His quality of life is still there, especially when he gets a burst of energy and plays with the younger dog.
I have had this dog since I was 12 and do not know what it is going to be like not having him around when it is finally his time.
Hope that all goes well.
Warren
An Elysian Fields sort of place, where the spaniels can point their preferred birds forever, and there's always a mouse for a cat to chase; where a horse can stand in the sun with his buddy, while they swish the flies from each other's face....
Um. I can't do this right now.
Because I could not stop for Death—
He kindly stopped for me—
The Carriage held but just Ourselves—
And Immortality.We slowly drove—He knew no haste
And I had put away
My labor and my leisure too,
For His Civility—We passed the School, where Children strove
At Recess—in the Ring—
We passed the Fields of Gazing Grain—
We passed the Setting Sun—Or rather—He passed Us—
The Dews drew quivering and chill—
For only Gossamer, my Gown—
My Tippet—only Tulle—We paused before a House that seemed
A Swelling of the Ground—
The Roof was scarcely visible—
The Cornice—in the Ground—Since then—'tis Centuries—and yet
Feels shorter than the Day
I first surmised the Horses' Heads
Were toward Eternity—Emily Dickinson
My condolences and tears for your family.
Macguru, I will pass on the hug. Yes, the pain will pass and the memories will stay. Merci buddy.
hannamyluv, wonderful poem. That is what the drive felt like today. No rush, but you get there in the end.
vkaryl, yup, there is a heaven for pets, and right now Lucy is looking eye to eye with a rabbit, challenging it to a race. And she can run again. :)
nutsandbolts and Warren,
I have had this dog since I was 12 and do not know what it is going to be like not having him around when it is finally his time.
Live life to the fullest now mates. That is all any of us can do.
nancyb, mivox, thank-you.
Sniffle sniffle sniffle, wonderful times, great memories, thank-you all for your kind words. They make a tough day a little easier.
..... Shane
Bless you and your family, and Lucy IS blessed because her family loved her enough to let her go in peace. We all (those of us that are owned by cats, dogs, rabbits, horses, hamsters, canaries, finches, gerbils, goats, parrots, on and on....) will need this same sort of support one day.
Here's one last verse for you, because Lucy was a sporting dog in her bone and her breeding:
You are my Companion, You are my Friend,
You are not "just a dog", we’re partners to the end.
And when we’re in the field you’re the joy of my soul
as I watch while o’er the land you roam.
Bird Dogs Forever I proclaim,
the world without you will not be the same.
So stay by my side through all the years that shall come
Till together we turn to the setting sun.
[sung to the tune of Simple Gifts....]
"A dog has the soul of a philosopher."
"Dogs are our link to paradise. They don't know evil or jealousy or discontent. To sit with a dog on a hillside on a glorious afternoon is to be back in Eden, where doing nothing was not boring - it was peace." - Milan Kundera
Dogs are like one of your own. We have always owned them as a family and It has been very hard when they have passed away over the years. But Macguru is right, soon the pain of loss is replaced with warm memories and a rosey glow.
I have this feeling when I remember my 1st dog, a collie/springer cross called tom. I grew up with him, much like your kids and losing him was terrible for me. But several years on, I still remember him often and it brings a smile to my face - his amazing obiedience and faithfullness, gentle nature and most of all his goofy antics and funny quirky run. blimey I have a tear now!
Pets like Lucy are few and far between, and the pain is hard, but they will live on in your memories and'll bring you a smile in years to come.
God bless.
Limbo
We just had our dog Tippy put to sleep two weeks ago - she was 14 and had a great life. My wife and I were very sad, but we knew that it wasn't doing her any favors to let her continue to suffer. We have a wonderful vet that will come out to our place for this sort of thing.
The family and I have spent some time talking about her exploits after the burial. It's still very sad, but we try to remember the good stuff.
Bill
I could fill hours talking about our wonderful beautiful Lucy. Just fours days ago she got another comment from a stranger, "What a beautiful girl ....."
"Dogs are our link to paradise. They don't know evil or jealousy or discontent. To sit with a dog on a hillside on a glorious afternoon is to be back in Eden, where doing nothing was not boring - it was peace." - Milan Kundera
Truer words have never been spoken .....
Thank-you all again,
Shane
I do not doubt that Lucy has taught you something. She taught you about dignity, bravery, loyalty and love. Not that you did not know these phenomenons before. Your words leave no doubt that you must have. But she taught you more.
From time to time you meet someone whose simple presence in your life is a blessing. That seems to have been the case with Lucy in your family's life.
Walk in beauty.
