A dog tale... (long, sad, depressing)

[Stumpkiller]

Sorry for your loss. Here's a couple that will help you get it out. You love 'em, then you morn 'em. For all of it remember that both your lives were better for it.


The Power of the Dog
- Rudyard Kipling

There is sorrow enough in the natural way
From men and women to fill our day;
But when we are certain of sorrow in store,
Why do we always arrange for more?
Brothers and sisters, I bid you beware
Of giving your heart to a dog to tear.

Buy a pup and your money will buy
Love unflinching that cannot lie--
Perfect passion and worship fed
By a kick in the ribs or a pat on the head.
Nevertheless it is hardly fair
To risk your heart for a dog to tear.

When the fourteen years which Nature permits
Are closing in asthma, or tumour, or fits,
And the vet's unspoken prescription runs
To lethal chambers or loaded guns,
Then you will find--it's your own affair
But . . . you've given your heart to a dog to tear.

When the body that lived at your single will
When the whimper of welcome is stilled (how still!)
When the spirit that answered your every mood
Is gone wherever it goes--for good,
You will discover how much you care,
And will give your heart to a dog to tear!

We've sorrow enough in the natural way,
When it comes to burying Christian clay.
Our loves are not given, but only lent,
At compound interest of cent per cent.
Though it is not always the case, I believe,
That the longer we've kept 'em, the more do we grieve:
For, when debts are payable, right or wrong,
A short-time loan is as bad as a long
So why in Heaven (before we are there!)
Should we give our hearts to a dog to tear?




Dinah in Heaven
The Woman in His Life
by Rudyard Kipling

She did not know that she was dead,
But, when the pang was o'er,
Sat down to wait her Master's tread
Upon the Golden Floor,

With ears full-cock and anxious eyes,
Impatiently resigned;
But ignorant that Paradise
Did not admit her kind.

Persons with Haloes, Harps, and Wings
Assembled and reproved;
Or talked to her of Heavenly things,
But Dinah never moved.

There was one step along the Stair
That led to Heaven's Gate;
And, till she heard it, her affair,
Was--she explained--to wait.

And she explained with flattened ear,
Bared lip and milky tooth --
Storming against Ithuriel's Spear
That only proved her truth!

Sudden--far down the Bridge of Ghosts
That anxious spirits clomb--
She caught that step in all the hosts,
And knew that he had come.

She left them wondering what to do,
But not a doubt had she.
Swifter than her own squeal she flew
Across the Glassy Sea;

Flushing the Cherubs everywhere,
And skidding as she ran,
She refuged under Peter's Chair
And waited for her man.

There spoke a Spirit out of the press,
Said: "Have you any here
That saved a fool from drunkeness,
And a coward from his fear?

"That turned a soul from dark to day
When other help was vain;
That snatched it from Wanhope and made
A cur a man again?"

"Enter and look," said Peter then,
And set The Gate ajar.
"If I know aught of women and men
I trow she is not far."

"Neither by virtue, speech nor art
Nor hope of grace to win;
But godless innocence of heart
That never heard of sin:

Neither by beauty nor belief
Nor white example shown.
Something a wanton--more a thief--
But--most of all--mine own."

"Enter and look," said Peter then,
"And send you well to speed;
But, for all that I know of women and men
Your riddle is hard to read."

Then flew Dinah from under the Chair,
Into his arms she flew--
And licked his face from chin to hair
And Peter passed them through!




As I get to the end of my yard, just before I cut into the woods, there is a line of little unmarked graves: Max, Joey, Boomer . . . I figure maybe some part of them follows, and I know some part I still carry.

And I'm stupid enough to open it all up again;

Jake: 2004 -

 

My condolences. I am at work and that story has tears streaming down my face. It is a touching thing to see how

 

[Darkhorse]

Believe me Vic, all to well I know what you feel.

2 weeks ago I had to bury another one. This was one was a puppy of Bear and Sam and he was so attached to my wife we called him velcro.
It is a sad fact of life that good dogs all die so very young.
It is a hard thing to hold a dogs head and feel it slip to the table in the last sleep. It is even worse with a favored horse. Several years ago a long time friend contracted chronic founder and it progressed to the point where euthanization was the only option. My plan was to leave him in the stall at the vet because I didn't want to see it happen. But everytime I would leave he would try to follow me and go home. Thats all he wanted to do, just go back home. So I stayed and held his head. Horses fall a long way. And you find yourself not letting go and trying to go down with them. As if you could lift them up and undo it all.

And now we are down to two dogs and a cat inside and just 6 horses outside and we know it will all happen again.

 

[No Deer]

Vic your post brought tears to my eyes. I had to put down my Toby a year ago after 15 years of companionship. It was the hardest thing I have ever had to do. He looked almost exactly like your Mookie. I don't know if you have ever seen this before or not, but this was given to me at the time:

Rainbow Bridge

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 our special friends so that they can run and play together. There is plenty of food and water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable. All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to perfect health and vigor, those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again just as we remember them in our dreams of years and times gone by. The animals are very happy and content, except for one small thing--they miss someone very special to them, who had to stay behind when the beloved pet went away.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks up- the bright eyes are intent, the body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, his body flying over the green grass, his legs hurrying faster and faster. You have been spotted.... When you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The sweet loving kisses rain upon your face, your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your dear pet, so long gone from your life, but never absent from your heart.

Unknown



For me I gotta believe this. My hands are shaking and my eyes are tearing as I type this in.

 

Pets give us what the psycholigists characterize as "unconditional love", and I agree with that description. I would never try to understand the extent of your feelings but I can say that I have shared your experience. Even to this day I sometimes think about a certain dog and smile while having a lump form in my throat. Our dog had a great ride and I bet yours did too.