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Thank you everyone. This has been a hard day, but I really appreciate everyone's kind words.

We ordered Chinese food delivered to us tonight because neither of us felt like cooking. When the food arrived, we started taking all of the containers out of the bag. When we got to the fortune cookies, we both lost it. Jenny loved fortune cookies. We had a ritual where we made her sit and listen to her fortune before she got the cookie. There are reminders of her all over the house. She had about 4 different beds in different rooms. She was my wife's little shadow and followed her everywhere. And now the house seems a lot more empty.

Sorry for your loss, I know what it's like to lose a dog thats close to you, I wouldn't wish it on anyone. It will get better with time...

TAM, I don't know you personally however the time that I've been here I've come to realize you have a wealth of knowledge on firearms and life and don't mind sharing it, you also strike me as a genuinely good person and for you and your wife's loss I'm truly sorry. Rest In Peace to The Annoyed Dog...I'm sure she was a great companion.

Well, TAM, Buster Brown just left us about 30 minutes ago. Maybe he and Jenny will get together.

TAM:

My sincerest empathetic feelings go out to you and Mrs. TAM since you
are missing your Jenny.

The bond between beloved pets and humans is deep, deep, deep, deep.

It's such a delightful mystery of God that he made dogs Man's best friend.

When I was about in 10th or 11th grade, my mother brought home a puppy.
She was a "mutt" but should have been a breed of her own - she looked like a
pure white fox, with just a tinge of beige on the crown of her head, and a tinge of
the same beige on the tail. She was maybe 20-25 pounds when grown.

My mother got her from her friend named Doris, and told Doris that she was going
to name the dog after her. "Don't you dare name that dog after me!!!"

So we changed the "s" to an "e" and "Dorie" it was!! (pronounced like the small boat)

My brother was away in the US Navy, flying as a loadmaster in C-2 Greyhounds,
his unit was VRC-50. He was stationed in the Phillipines and was rarely home.

He came home for Christmas one year. Dorie passed on Christmas morning,
with my brother as the only family in the house. It was like she somehow knew
that he was coming from around the world to home. Then she passed.

We had that delightful intelligent loving dog for about 14 or 16 years, somewhere in there.

SIA

I'm so sorry to hear this, TAM. I know how gut-wrenching it is... best wishes to you& yours.

OldSchool wrote:Well, TAM, Buster Brown just left us about 30 minutes ago. Maybe he and Jenny will get together.

I'm so sorry. This morning is hard. No conversation over the cracker due to her after her morning constitutional. No conversation about the piece of lunch meat wrapped around her morning pills. No jumping out of the way after she comes in from outside and does her "Go Jenny, GO!" through every room of the house at 100 mph, leaning into the turns like a motorcycle, only to come to an abrupt stop in the living room, and stand there panting with a smile and a look that says, "I was good, wasn't I?" Then no more throwing herself down onto the rug for a good roll and a "here's my belly, what are you waiting for?" She was like a ranger. She led the way.

Life goes on, but there is definitely a big hole in it this morning.

TAM and Old school, my heart and prayers go out to you and your families. I had to let go of our "Gidget" in early February after 14 years and still have not gotten over it. They are just like our kids with a lot of hair.

Just remember, they are waiting for us at Rainbow Bridge.

RPBrown wrote:TAM and Old school, my heart and prayers go out to you and your families. I had to let go of our "Gidget" in early February after 14 years and still have not gotten over it. They are just like our kids with a lot of hair.

Just remember, they are waiting for us at Rainbow Bridge.

Old School I'm sorry for your loss. I don't know about you and TAM but I have a large reception committee waiting at Rainbow Bridge and Fiddlers Green.

Sorry about your loss, TAM and OldSchool. Those of us who love dogs know the pain of losing them.

Strangely, I just ran across this quote today:

It came to me that every time I lose a dog they take a piece of my heart with them. And every new dog who comes into my life, gifts me with a piece of their heart. If I live long enough, all the components of my heart will be dog, and I will become as generous and loving as they are.

I firmly believe dogs are a manifestation of God on Earth, and their purpose is to teach us what true, unconditional love is.

My heart goes out to both of you.

We went through this last year when we lost our 12 yo Lexi. I am so sorry for your loss.

We couldn't stand the empty hallway when she wasn't there to greet us when we got home from work, or hearing her sneak off the couch when she heard us coming (she wasn't supposed to be on it). We went online and found a fellow at a local pound and adopted him. He did not replace her in my heart, but he filled the quietness she left behind.

Kythas wrote:I firmly believe dogs are a manifestation of God on Earth, and their purpose is to teach us what true, unconditional love is.

My heart goes out to both of you.

Personally, I think God meant them to help keep us off-balance....

Thanks all. Hope I didn't hijack TAM's thread.
Like TAM, we have an emptier house.

My skills (and the vet's) weren't enough to keep it from happening, this time.

With a lifetime of ranching, there come ad hoc vet credentials; it's not our first time by any stretch, with multiple species. I end up crying just as much each time it happens. Our older kid, who brought a couple medals back from Iraq (i.e., he's also far too familiar with it), had a response for me when I said "It never gets any easier": "You don't want it to get any easier; if it did, you'd become someone you don't want to be."

Darn it guys, you're making my eyes leak!
I'm sorry for your loss. Having lost a few beloved, four-legged family members, I know it's never easy.

KC5AV wrote:Darn it guys, you're making my eyes leak!
I'm sorry for your loss. Having lost a few beloved, four-legged family members, I know it's never easy.

Mine too.

These threads always remind me of myself 40+ years ago having to put down my Aunt's puppy(20+ miles to the nearest vet and no funds) who had been so injured by a car that trying to save him was not an option. NOT a pleasant experience, but necessary.

Even a pet that is not yours can Make Your Eyes Leak.

First off, my condolences for losing a much loved and HAPPY pet.

Never mind what a dog is too you, just remember what you are to them, pack leader, boss man/woman. the life/happiness/love that you gave them, for that they will be forever thankful. What do you get in return? devotion, love, companionship, loyalty. My wife often comments that she thinks I love the dog more than her, the fact she complains about it proves my point! The dog never does!!! He never expects anything from me but shows his gratitude in so many ways. I can have the worst day in the world and when I go home he is so happy and it cannot help but brighten my day. Our furry friends life should be celebrated and never morned, hopefully we have all provided the best life the animal deserved. Just remember, however they may have passed, knowing my fellow forum members they passed with a long life and happy life. If you have achieved that, miss them, but sleep sound (and then hopefully go out and get another, and start the cycle again). All pets just want a good home, it cost us so little BUT gains us so much in life. Bit of a rant but I an animal person, plus I had a few beers. I am deployed and missed my mutt!

PS: I miss my wife too )

Tam and Old School, I am so sorry for your loss. I have loved dogs, cats, and horses my whole life. Every time I lose one I have spent many years loving, it is so hard. Each one finds a special place all it's own in your heart. You never forget them and I truly believe you will see your beloved friend again. Whomever wrote the "Rainbow Bridge" knew this too. I believe we have the responsibility and privilege to care for our furry charges and give them a good life for the time we have them. When that time is done, the hardest thing is to give them a peaceful end to suffering. My heart goes out to you. While you will not ever forget your friend, perhaps there is another whom will need such a loving home as yours when the time is right.