We Said Goodbye Today

[HomeschoolrsRUs]

Today we said goodbye to Taffy Candy, our beloved Jack Russell/Min-Pin mix. We tried so hard, but it just became too difficult for her, and she was suffering. She remains a medical mystery -- although we are convinced it was brought on by the tainted dog food, and while we have no proof of that, it's hard to believe it was such a coincidence considering the timing. Blessedly our vet is so wonderful, and was so gentle and loving with her (he was crying just as hard as we were). He feels like he let us down, and said so. We know how hard he worked (even paying for tests and treatments out of his own pocket because he knew we couldn't afford them).

We made a little coffin for her, and bought her new bedding in her favorite color, hot pink. She was laid to rest with her most favorite toy and her travel harness -- she loved going to the river, and always knew when she heard her harness jingle, that she was going for a ride. I've never known a dog that loved water so much. It was a gentle blessing that it has rained here all day long, so we know it was a good day for her to go home.

It's been especially hard on my daughter, as this was her pet (and the third pet she's lost in the past few years). Please send up a prayer for her as she struggles with this. She's trying to be stoic and keep everything inside. And if you would, send up another for our vet, Dr. Baltzley.

Rhino, we know how you and your family feels after the recent loss of your pet.

Goodbye Taffy Candy, we'll see you on the otherside of the Rainbow Bridge.

[Suzie]

Aww, I am sorry to hear that. It's so hard lose our buddies. :sad:
When God had made the earth and sky
the flowers and the trees,
He then made all the animals
the fish, the birds and bees.

And when at last He'd finished
not one was quite the same.
He said, "I'll walk this world of mine
and give each one a name."

And so He traveled far and wide
and everywhere He went,
a little creature followed Him
until it's strength was spent.

When all were named upon the earth
and in the sky and sea,
the little creature said, "Dear Lord,
there's not one left for me."

Kindly the Father said to him,
"I've left you to the end.
I've turned my own name back to front
and called you dog, My friend."
Author Unknown

[Timberwolf]

A friend sent me this when Rexx died a few years ago...

Miss Me, but Let Me Go
by George R.Monseur

When I come to the end of the road
and the sun has set for me,
I want no rites in a gloom filled room,
Why cry for a soul set free?
Miss me a little----but not for too long,
and not with your head bowed low
Remember the love that once we shared,
Miss me----but let me go

For this is a journey we all must take,
And each must go alone
It's all part of the Master's plan,
A step on the road to home
When you are lonely and sick of heart
Go to the friends we know,
And bury your sorrows in doing good deeds,
Miss me-----but let me go.
I know what you're going through. I raised Rexx from a 6 week old pup...he died a couple months before his 15th birthday. I still miss him.

Peace be with you.

[HomeschoolrsRUs]

Thank you, Suz ... Thanks, Timber


While it has been extremely difficult, it could have been so much worse in that we could have had a dispassionate and/or heartless veterinarian. We were/are truly blessed by Taffy's doctor.

If any of you know of a nice prayer for veterinarians, or a special memorial (wording), I would be greatly appreciative if you'd put a link in this thread. I'm working on a thank you gift for the vet and his staff. It was simply amazing today, each and every nurse that worked with Taffy came into the room before she passed to say goodbye and give us a hug and comforting words. Dr. Baltzley continued to apologize over and over for not being able to find out what was wrong and for not being able to save her. I've rarely seen this kind of compassion and dedication even in people doctors. They truly deserve a special thank you, and we would very much like to be able to give back a little of the comfort and care they gave to our girl and to us.

Thanks again for the good thoughts and prayers.

[EveningStar]

Homes, I'm so sorry. :(

[Patriot Heart]

So sorry Homes.......I RAN OVER our senior citizen Great Pyrenees about 2 months ago.......I will never get over that. I had recently "retired" her from the goat pasture and she took to sleeping in the circle driveway. I truly feel for you. Sounds like your vet is a gem.
God Bless

[JBG]

A loss of a loved one is always hard.

In Memorium
One of the periods of my life I remember best was the period 1972-73. This period involved three trips to Canada, as well as a trip to Barbados, and they were memorable. Unfortunately these were not the only memorable parts of my life then. This period of my life was bracketed by my father’s death was a period of my life marked by great promise, great tragedy, and great change. Unfortunately and sadly, I have not always lived up to that promise, though at age 50 I suppose there’s still time.
I turned 15 in April 1972. While I always did well academically, I had never done well socially and that year, my freshman year of high school, was about the worst. My parents were asked to consider putting me in another school. That summer, I was thrown out of the first camp I went to after half the summer.

The second half started the more positive phase, though marked by a developing tragedy. First, the bad part. My father’s colon cancer had started to recur, though we didn’t quite know it, at least officially. Now the good part.

I went to a different camp for the second half of the summer. It featured limited travel as part of the program. For the first time in my life, I made friends relatively easily. One of those was a girl. We repeatedly ran into each other and were singing the same song, coincidentally, each time. I think the songs were Joni Mitchell’s Both Sides Now. The other was Led Zeppellin’s Stairway to Heaven.

After returning home, my school was still pretty serious about getting me out, but they had no grounds to expel me. My family and the school settled on my starting some activities that began before school started to see what happened. I chose marching band (I played tuba, which was odd since I was 5’5”) and soccer. Both went well.

That semester, I was active in band, soccer, the school newspaper and the weather club (which is why you see me on the Kyoto threads constantly). Though in soccer I was a fullback, they put me in once as forward, because the New Rochelle team was getting a bit aggressive. I scored a goal during my 3 minutes in.

During that period, I made lots of friends, many of which I still am close with 30 years later. It was one of the happiest, most productive periods of my life. It was, unfortunately, also marked by my father’s rapid decline and death from cancer. We played tennis for the last time in October 1972 and he died at the beginning of January 1973.

When I say I have not always lived up to the promise of that period, I mean that I am not all that I can be. I am, on balance, not satisfied with the friends I’ve made since that period (with the exception, of course, of my wife). I have allowed myself to be sidetracked by petty insecurities and concerns, things that, in the long run, didn’t and don’t matter.

If there was a time I’d like to go back to, it’s that period. I’d like to start over and do many things differently and better.

[Wolfcounsel]

Time to play in Dog Heaven. Prayers are sent.

[Proud American]

Sorry about your loss Hms.

Its always painful when you lose a beloved pet. They are very real parts of our families.

[BEST45CAL]

We had a cat named Tucker who could do tricks. One of the tricks she used to do was to shake your hand.

Then back in 2004, our cat had a stroke and we had to put her down. Even as she was in terrible pain, she did one last trick for us. She looked up at my wife, reached out her little paw and shook her hand. Miss Tucker couldn't use her back legs and it was hard for her to sit up, but she made an effort to reach out and touch the palm of my wife's open hand.

Then the vet came in and within a few seconds we saw the life exit her little body. It happened so fast.

After the passing of our little one, we got another cat about two weeks later.

Best thing we ever did.

[Republican_Legion]

This very sad to hear. I am in tears because I had that happen a year ago to one of my cats. Makes me think back to december 2005 when "Sunny" died.

I'm not much of a prayer person, so I will say I give my blessing to your family during this time sadness. Its a very hard thing to lose animal companion like this.

[Kathy30]

Prayers are sent for this gentle little soul. It is so hard to lose not only a friend, but constant companion, part of the very fabric of our lives. I have a 20 year old Persian cat. When he goes, I might very well have to be hospitalized. We have been together for so long. He's like a body part.

[HomeschoolrsRUs]

Thank you all so very, very much.

It was so hard to get up this morning and see her little kennel empty -- that was the first thing I did every morning, unzip her kennel and let her out. She was always so excited, little tail wagging even when she got sick.

I have gone through all of our family pictures and am putting together a little memorial video for my daughter. I know this will hurt a little now, but it will mean so much to her (and all of us actually) later on.

Thanks again for the thoughtful words, kind thoughts, and offered prayers/blessings. And for those of you who've lost, or are facing loss, may I offer the same.

Many Blessings,
Hms

P.S. I'm going to post a link after I get the video done, if anyone is interested in seeing it.

[Rhino]

I know how you feel. I'm still pretty broken up about my Lab, Dixie.

[DoctorDoom]

I'm certain that our furbabies are awaiting our arrival.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v349/DocDoom777/Critters/petsinheaven2.jpg

[Beowulf]

So sorry to hear this, Homes. I remember how much it hurt when my late dog, Blackie, died.

My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family.

[HomeschoolrsRUs]

Here's the video:

YouTube - In Memory of Taffy (http://youtube.com/watch?v=4_JuGMC3DO0)

[The_Fireman]

Here's the video:

YouTube - In Memory of Taffy (http://youtube.com/watch?v=4_JuGMC3DO0)I watched the video and it was very nicely done.Im sorry for the loss that you and you family have suffered.I have also lost pets in the past and know how bad it hurts.I wish that there is something that I could say that would make all of you feel better,but when I try it just doesnt come out the way that I want it to.You have done so much for so many people here (myself included once or twice) when they have needed a little extra support and you deserve the same.Take care.

[HomeschoolrsRUs]

Thank you, Fireman, your kind words and thoughts are greatly appreciated.

Making the video was very cathartic, and helped a lot. It has given our family some focus, as we didn't realize we had that many pictures of her. It allowed us to remember really good times with smiles, and know that no matter what, she'll always be with us.

Thanks again,
Blessings,
Hms

[buzzthepug!]

My condolences....

[BEST45CAL]

Beautiful montage. RIP, little one.