Goodbye, good friend!

[DoctorDoom]

<center><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v349/DocDoom777/Critters/Scamp2.jpg" border="12" /></center>

Love your little critters every chance you get. They go away so soon.

[EveningStar]

I'm so sorry, DD. :(

[SmellyFed]

Doom -
One of the most prolific song writers of the 19th century, Stephen Foster, wrote a song as a tribute to his own dog. This song has stood the test of time and is one of my favorites today - I often sing my children to sleep with this very song. I've loved and lost a few dogs over the years, and this song still touches me deeply.

One thing Stephen Foster clearly understood - a man has precious few true friends in life, and fewer still who will ever measure up to the bond of friendship between a man and his good and faithful dog.

Old Dog Tray
The morn of life is past,
And evening comes at last;
It brings me a dream of a once happy day,
Of merry forms I've seen
Upon the village green,
Sporting with my old dog Tray.
chorus:
Old dog Tray's ever faithful,
Grief cannot drive him away,
He's gentle, he is kind;
I'll never, never find
A better friend than old dog Tray.
The forms I call'd my own
Have vanished one by one,
The lov'd ones, the dear ones have all passed away,
Their happy smiles have flown,
Their gentle voices gone;
I've nothing left but old dog Tray.

When evening comes at last
His eyes are on me cast;
I know that the feels what my breaking heart would say:
Although he cannot speak
I'll vainly, vainly seek
A better friend than old dog Tray.

[DoctorDoom]

Thank you, brother. I've lost quite a few in my 63 years, but it never gets easier. The blessing is that he is at last free of pain.

[The_RANDy_Corporation]

Doctor I'm sorry. Those who don't have a dog as a friend don't know. I sympathize for your loss.

[ThomasMore]

Very sorry to hear it, Doom. Well said, RANDy.

[TotallyAtPeace]

:unsmile:

[Peachdiane]

I'm so sorry, DD. Only dog owners look down at their furball by their feet aand realize that this is no longer just a pet; this is our friend. Dogs surpass human beings in just about everything: from sense of smell to hearing, from loyalty to love. A dog's capacity to love is quite profound; they want nothing more than to be accepted, to please, and to be loved in return. Your doggy was very fortunate.

[HomeschoolrsRUs]

Doc, my prayers are with you my friend. I know the sorrow of lost pets -- family members all of them, deeply loved, deeply missed. You will have those precious memories to sustain you, and as you said, the knowledge that pain, want, and debilitation no longer plague him.

My family is facing the imminent decision to let our dear Holly go (our rotty). She has always suffered from hip dysplasia, but we have worked so hard to make her life pain free. We have loved her greatly, and have been loved the same in return. She is now almost beyond the help of medicine, and to hear her wimper as she lays on her big pillow or watch her limp horribly as she goes out the door is just too much to bear. We have postponed it, hoping for a really nice warm day so we can take her to the river (one of her most favorite places on earth) so she can have a full day of fun with her sister (our crazy jack russel/min-pin) and us. Too soon, I'm afraid the time will come.

Lord and Master, God on High,
Maker of Heaven and earth, creature and creeping thing, man and pet. How marvelous your creations in all the universe. Father, it is on behalf of the latter two I lift this petition. Be with Doc now, and touch his heart with Your Comforting Peace. Surround him with Your Love, Grace, and Mercy as he grieves the loss of his beloved friend. In Your Hands we commit his good friend, as well as his loss upon Doc's heart. Thank You Yahweh, for Ears that always Hear, Arms that always Hold, and Your Spirit which Heals beyond what medical science could ever accomplish. I do ask all these things in the Name of Your Son, Jesus Christ,
Amen.

[DoctorDoom]

Thank you, gentle sister. You're always a blessing.

[Charity]

DD I am so sorry for your loss. *hugs*

[MSGT]

Sorry to hear about your loss, Doc.

[Teenager]

I have to declare, I've never seen Doc get emotional before....

Sorry to hear about the loss Doc. That is tough, actually. I know cuz I've lost lots of pets in my short life already(somewhere in the 200's.).

[dPrasse]

I have to declare, I've never seen Doc get emotional before....

Sorry to hear about the loss Doc. That is tough, actually. I know cuz I've lots of pets in my short life already(somewhere in the 200's.).

Pets do that to all of us .

Condolensces Doom .

Lost one family dog a year ago when I was on the road .... Girls miss that stupid stinky goofy Rat Terrier ....

[Pendragon_6]

Doc:

Losing your pup is always a terrible loss. My advice, go get yourself another one soon.

[Jim Sentry]

My Deepest Sympathies Doc

[BEST45CAL]

The best to you, Doc. Losing a family member is never easy. They're more like little kids than pets. We waited about 2 weeks after our cat passed on before getting another one. Best thing we ever did. I wish you well.

[Wolfcounsel]

He is no longer hurting. Same as Fido, our 15 year-old Spitz several years back. I'm sorry, Doc.

[Republican_Legion]

The best to you, Doc. Losing a family member is never easy. They're more like little kids than pets. We waited about 2 weeks after our cat passed on before getting another one. Best thing we ever did. I wish you well.

So sorry to hear that doc, cats/dogs are more then just pets, they are our little friends.
My cat died on Dec 20th 2005 and I got a new one already to help me from feeling too lonely. Its helping me so far by helping me remember when my first cat was a kitten.

[UhUhNoWay]

So sorry for your loss DD. I agree with Bestcal and Republican Legion..another pet will help with the loss, not as a replacement, but I think good pet owners should always have pets, it's good for your heart, and it's great for the new pets to have good 'parents' not enough of them out there.
Best of luck (maybe adopt two this time ) Take care.

[TechnoPrincess]

DD, I am so sorry for your loss!

<TABLE cellPadding=10 width="70%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top align=middle><TABLE border=1 frame=border><TBODY><TR><TD>http://www.rainbowsbridge.com/Images/Gate_pics/POEM_Gate.jpg</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>RainbowsBridge.com
</TD><TD vAlign=top align=left>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.
</TD></TR><TR><TD align=left colSpan=2>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....
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

[Lazarus]

Doc - Brother - I am so sorry... Wife and I lost our little friend last year and we still grieve over him - We had gotten him in the same year we were married so he had been a permanent fixture in our life together... So I know what your are dealing with...

Ya know there is no scriptural evidence indicating specifically that our pets will be part of our eternal life, But they also dont deny the possibility... For what its worth, Bro - My pastor has always taught that what blessings we are given by God in time will be part of our happiness in the eternal state - And more than once he has indicated that this includes those critters that have given us their love... And as far as Im concerned, that means my Jerry will be waiting for me at the bridge when I cross over... Im looking forward to seeing him again more than most of my relatives...

BTW, my pastor is a real dog lover too so that either means he's prejudiced or he has devoted extra time and effort into researching this issue - I choose to believe the latter...

[DoctorDoom]

I've always believed that God in His infinite wisdom made dogs unique amongst all animals. They have a special relationship with man that is unlike any other animal's. They reflect His unconditional love and His boundless forgiveness.

On the night before I brought him to the vet, even though he was in obvious pain, he still looked up at me with that unlimited love and licked my hand. That's a kind of love that is as close to Agape love as we'll find here. Monday morning, we went for what proved to be his last ride. The doctor called me and told me that the growth on his side was a malignant sarcoma eating away at his ribs. I cannot fathom the agony that my little guy was experiencing, nor did he show signs of it.

The vet asked if I wanted to take him home while he waited for a confirmation on his diagnosis. Forcing him to suffer for another two days was unthinkable. I said, "Don't let him wake up. Give him peace." It was the hardest decision that I've ever made, but there is a time to hold on and a time to let go.

My Scamp will be cremated, and in the spring I'll bury his ashes in the back yard where we used to play. He gave me every second of his five short years of life. His remains will rest in a marked place of honor. In time the heartache will go away. The missing won't.

Going back to the opening paragraph, although it is not scripturally supported, I firmly believe that God will honor and bless our faithful furry companions as they blessed us, and that there WILL be a place for them in God's infinite home. I look forward to that reunion.

I do have another dog, but I might just head to the local shelter for a buddy for him. He seems lost without his pal.

[Lazarus]

...My Scamp will be cremated, and in the spring I'll bury his ashes in the back yard where we used to play. He gave me every second of his five short years of life. His remains will rest in a marked place of honor. In time the heartache will go away. The missing won't.Our vet is the most wonderful man in his field... He truly loved Jerry because he lost his own Lab too, so i think he attached himself to Jerry... He made arrangement for Jerry cremated too... Now we keep that urn in a sacred place above the holy TV set - That was the room where we all hung out together the most... And that way we can always look up and see him there... There are also some dark marks on the wall along the stairway where his ears used to rub against the wall when he came downstairs - Wife refuses to clean the marks off - Which is ok with me... Everyone has their own way of dealing with it... That's ours...

Going back to the opening paragraph, although it is not scripturally supported, I firmly believe that God will honor and bless our faithful furry companions as they blessed us, and that there WILL be a place for them in God's infinite home. I look forward to that reunion. In short, He's God - He can do whatever he wants... Dogs were made to give us love and companionship - they are not an integral component of the Angelic conflict, so God can take them all to heaven... Laz has spoken!!!;)

I do have another dog, but I might just head to the local shelter for a buddy for him. He seems lost without his pal.Yeah I think that's a great idea, bro... Im sure the other little guy is wondering where his friend went - doggies have hearts that break too...

We are not yet ready to get a new pup, but we will in time... For now we like to pretend that Jerry is still following us thru the house... If you've never had a really good dog, you cant imagine what this means so dont even try... But if you choose to get one, be warned - They will take possession of your heart and never give it back...

[DoctorDoom]

Now we keep that urn in a sacred place ...I'll have to reflect on that. It will be a few months before the ground is soft enough, and I might just decide to keep him inside by then.

If you've never had a really good dog, you cant imagine what this means so dont even try... But if you choose to get one, be warned - They will take possession of your heart and never give it back...Isn't that the truth? I live alone, so my pawed pals are my family. That makes it even harder. But I have him in photos, and most of all in my heart, where no one can take him away.

[Peachdiane]

And as far as Im concerned, that means my Jerry will be waiting for me at the bridge when I cross over... Im looking forward to seeing him again more than most of my relatives...

I sure hope so. I really miss my Lhasa, Spooks and Cockapoo, Peaches as well as my Goldens Major and Sundance. Life was never the same after they passed on....

[UhUhNoWay]

DD please consider adopting a retired racing greyhound...I adopted my first one sort of by accident...they were showing them at the local petstore Stone kind of chose me and I couldn't argue...he passed 2 1/2 years later from osteosarcoma... his time with us we made up for his bad treatment on the track..and since then I've adopted 2 more...I'm sure whichever pup you choose it'll be one lucky dog.

[sunsettommy]

I miss my dog even after 8 years and 1 month since she passed away.
She lived with me for 18 1/2 years and was 20 when she died.

The memories are still with me.

The wild chasing after groundhogs and even catching them in a park.I had to stop as her tongue was ready to come out of her mouth from extreme exertion.I was afraid she was going pass out from too much running.

The showy posing for a photo was funny.

The many long car trips and even some tarp camping we had.

Swimming with me.

The utter trust she had with me over the years.

Golly just typing this post is bringing up more memories!

[dPrasse]

Our Samson doggie has to be one of the biggest people dog's I have ever owned . Rottie/Golden mix ... he lays flat on his back , just flops ...all over the couch , lap , truck seat . I think it has a lot to do with the time spent 24/7 in the truck after he came into our lives ...

watta goofy dog !

[Timberwolf]

I know what it's like to have to go through this. It's been 5 years since my faithful companion of nearly 15 years (Rexx) passed on, and I'm finally looking around for a pup for Caitlin. I received this from a friend and it helped me out immensely.The Journey by Crystal Ward Kent

When you bring a pet into your life, you begin a journey - a journey that
will bring you more love and devotion than you have ever known, yet also
test your strength and courage

If you allow, the journey will teach you many things, about life, about
yourself, and most of all, about love. You will come away changed forever,
for one soul cannot touch another without leaving its mark. Along the way,
you will learn much about savoring life's simple pleasures - jumping in
leaves, snoozing in the sun, the joys of puddles, and even the satisfaction
of a good scratch behind the ears. If you spend much time outside, you will
be taught how to truly experience every element, for no rock, leaf, or log
will go unexamined, no rustling bush will be overlooked, and even the very
air will be inhaled, pondered, and noted as being full of valuable
information. Your pace may be slower - except when heading home to the food
dish - but you will become a better naturalist, having been taught by an
expert in the field.

Too many times we hike on automatic pilot, our goal being to complete the
trail rather than enjoy the journey. We miss the details - the colorful
mushrooms on the rotting log, the honeycomb in the old maple snag, the hawk
feather caught on a twig. Once we walk as a dog does, we discover a whole
new world. We stop; we browse the landscape, we kick over leaves, peek in
tree holes, look up, down, all around. And we learn what any dog knows: that
nature has created a marvelously complex world that is full of surprises,
that each cycle of the seasons bring ever changing wonders, each day an
essence all its own.

Even from indoors you will find yourself more attuned to the world around
you. You will find yourself watching summer insects collecting on a screen.
(How bizarre they are! How many kinds there are!), or noting the flick and
flash of fireflies through the dark. You will stop to observe the swirling
dance of windblown leaves, or sniff the air after a rain. It does not matter
that there is no objective in this; the point is in the doing, in not
letting life's most important details slip by. You will find yourself doing
silly things that your pet-less friends might not understand: spending
thirty minutes in the grocery aisle looking for the cat food brand your
feline must have, buying dog birthday treats, or driving around the block an
extra time because your pet enjoys the ride. You will roll in the snow,
wrestle with chewie toys, bounce little rubber balls till your eyes cross,
and even run around the house trailing your bathrobe tie - with a cat in hot
pursuit - all in the name of love. Your house will become muddier and
hairier. You will wear less dark clothing and buy more lint rollers. You may
find dog biscuits in your pocket or purse, and feel the need to explain that
an old plastic shopping bag adorns your living room rug because your cat
loves the crinkly sound.

You will learn the true measure of love - the steadfast, undying kind that
says, "It doesn't matter where we are or what we do, or how life treats us
as long as we are together." Respect this always. It is the most precious
gift any living soul can give another. You will not find it often among the
human race. And you will learn humility. The look in my dog's eyes often
made me feel ashamed. Such joy and love at my presence. She saw not some
flawed human who could be cross and stubborn, moody or rude, but only her
wonderful companion. Or maybe she saw those things and dismissed them as
mere human foibles, not worth considering, and so chose to love me anyway.
If you pay attention and learn well, when the journey is done, you will be
not just a better person, but the person your pet always knew you to be -
the one they were proud to call beloved friend.

I must caution you that this journey is not without pain. Like all paths of
true love, the pain is part of loving. For as surely as the sun sets, one
day your dear animal companion will follow a trail you cannot yet go down.
And you will have to find the strength and love to let them go. A pet's time
on earth is far too short - especially for those that love them. We borrow
them, really, just for awhile, and during these brief years they are
generous enough to give us all their love, every inch of their spirit and
heart, until one day there is nothing left. The cat that only yesterday was
a kitten is all too soon old and frail and sleeping in the sun. The young
pup of boundless energy wakes up stiff and lame, the muzzle now gray. Deep
down we somehow always knew that this journey would end. We knew that if we
gave our hearts they would be broken. But give them we must for it is all
they ask in return. When the time comes, and the road curves ahead to a
place we cannot see, we give one final gift and let them run on ahead -
young and whole once more. "Godspeed, good friend," we say, until our
journey comes full circle and our paths cross again.
I know nothing will be "enough" to help ease the passing of your beloved pet...only time will do that.

[DoctorDoom]

Thank you for that, brother. I'll keep in a special folder. God bless!

[HomeschoolrsRUs]

Timber,
Thank you so, so, so much for posting that! I too am going to keep it in a special place. Our days with our precious Holly are quickly getting shorter, and we (Bubba and I) are trying to prepare our hearts and our children for the eventual. I will share that with them as well. Nothing ever makes it easier, but knowing the love the have, the love they give, the love they bring makes it easier to bestow just a little back to keep them from further pain.

Thank you again, Timberwolf.

Doc, still praying for you my friend. Do go get a new companion, I'm sure it will do both you and your other pup a world of good, not to mention the good it will do changing the life of another pup (keeping it from being put to sleep).

Blessings, to you both!
Hms

[Peachdiane]

A Rotty would be wonderful. But, I know I'm biased. :)

[Wyatt_Junker]

Currently I have a small corgie/poodle mix, a cordoodle as they say. He's a fluffly black ball of chaos.

Before him I had two Lhasa Apsos. I almost considered another Lhasa when my last one died since they come no cuter.

Here's a sampling.

http://www.gotpetsonline.com/pictures-gallery/dog-pictures-breeders-puppies-rescue/lhasa-apso-pictures-breeders-puppies-rescue/pictures/lhasa-apso-0047.jpg

I prefer to keep their hair short.

http://portfolios.elg.ca/class/EDUC_3013_B_Automne-2004/etude/MariePierMen/archive/coco.jpg

http://www.lhasa-apso.biz/picture/lhasa-apso-puppy.jpg

They're also decent fetchers and none too bad guard dogs, more like 'sensor alerts' since they can't really do much damage.

Sorry about your lost Doc, but I think these guys could make a great successor.

[The_RANDy_Corporation]

Wyatt has an attack puppy!

[Teenager]

One of my dogs got hit be a car yesterday. Luckily, she only sustained two small fractures in her foot.

[Patriot Heart]

Oh my.........I am only now catching up with the news after bringing my airman home. I am so sorry for your Dr. Doom, what a precious face your little friend had. They are all wonderful, but why is it that the ones we have the shortest time with, sometimes impact our lives the most? We (I) salvaged a castoff young kitten 3 years ago, wilder than a March hare, "probably not worth messing with" I thought....well, time and patience and love did the trick, and Joshua became a sweet loving little soul, thankful for all we did for him. We found him inexplicably dead one day last year........I cried for awhile. I have had many dogs and cats. He taught me alot. God knows every sparrow that falls, I will never believe he doesn't have a place of peace for his most innocent of creations....
God Bless, Doc.

[Wyatt_Junker]

Wyatt has an attack puppy!

Actually those aren't mine. Those are generic photos.

Mine were near facsimiles of those. I'll see if I have some old pics.

[The_Fireman]

Sorry Doc,Lost on of my own a few years ago.He had been with me 17 years.He was my best friend including the human ones.He saved my families lives one winter when the electric blanket caught on fire.Not bad for a five pound Pom.