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tim
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Really getting into it |
Location: UK, West of London in Ber...
Registered: February 2002
Messages: 842
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Alfie is dying. We are going to hold him while the vet helps him to die with dignity. He is 12 years old, and has never even growled in his whole life.
He had a great time on Saturday, and now his time to die has come.
Animals are hard. We love him. At least he can go with dignity.
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tim
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Really getting into it |
Location: UK, West of London in Ber...
Registered: February 2002
Messages: 842
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I am numb. Mel is crying and feverishly doing housework
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 of our special friends so 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 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. The bright eyes are intent, the 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 can cross Rainbow Bridge together.
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tim
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Really getting into it |
Location: UK, West of London in Ber...
Registered: February 2002
Messages: 842
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He is so sweet and trusting and gentle. He never understood when another dog growled athim. He never took offence, has never growled at anyone, never grew up. When he was born I had to help him to breathe. It is fitting that I help him to stop breathing too.
His ashes will be buried in our garden with all the others, just above the grave of his mother, Lizzie.
We are going to hold his paw.
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tim
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Really getting into it |
Location: UK, West of London in Ber...
Registered: February 2002
Messages: 842
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Thank you. I KNOW he is a dog, but I love him. WE love him.
So many emails already......... Dogs deserve prayers too. He has so many.
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tim
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Really getting into it |
Location: UK, West of London in Ber...
Registered: February 2002
Messages: 842
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It is too wet to dig, but he loves the garden so much that he will be here for ever. The ground is wet, but soft. We have chosen the spot and I will spend the afternoon digging his grave.
He loves being sung "Happy Birthday" to. Loves it. So we will try to sing it to him.
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tim
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Really getting into it |
Location: UK, West of London in Ber...
Registered: February 2002
Messages: 842
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It was not the easiest decision. Alfie was so pleased to see us that adrenaline kept him alert and walking for maybe 30 minutes. The decision was not obvious.
And then it was.
While he was happy, in the garden at the vet's office, on our laps, Alfie fell asleep and then died from the overdose of anaesthetic.
It's such a pretty blue colour, the anaesthetic. So strange that it kills.
He is released. It was the only real decision, but it was so hard to take. We have no idea what was wrong. We think he had just finished. I love him.
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Steve
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Really getting into it |
Location: London, England
Registered: November 2006
Messages: 465
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Tim, I know how hard this is. Over the years we have had to do the same for two of our pets. We still miss them. Sincerest commiserations.
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marc
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Needs to get a life! |
Registered: March 2003
Messages: 4729
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No Message Body
Life is great for me... Most of the time... But then I meet people online... Very few are real friends... Many say they are but know nothing of what it means... Some say they are, but are so shallow...
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tim
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Really getting into it |
Location: UK, West of London in Ber...
Registered: February 2002
Messages: 842
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He lies four feet deep, outside the kitchen window, on one of his towels, covered by another. On top are sprigs of lavendar and rosemary. Alfie liked smelling the flowers.
The hole was large and the digging therapeutic. Pennt said goodbye to him, but was not allowed to see him buried. Cherry (cat) came and sniffed the hole.
He is gone.
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e
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On fire! |
Location: currently So Cal
Registered: May 2002
Messages: 1179
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Over the course of my life I have had a great many pets. From tropical fish to hampsters and rats to cats and dogs. The rats and dogs were the most difficult because they were the easiest to love and the most loving and personable of my pets.
Yes, rats are very loveable. I had one, who through a twist of circumstance, was allowed to run free in the house. He would share my beer in the evening and tuck me into bed at night, giving me a kiss on the lobe of my ear before thumping off down the hall to do whatever it is that rats do at night.
I went through taking my Great Dane, Killebrew (after a favorite baseball player), to the vet to be put to sleep. It was one of the hardest things I've ever done. But it was infinitely more easy than watching him suffer. He had been ill for nearly a year and had stopped eating. He had lost over 50 pounds and was all skin and bone. Still, as long as he seemed to enjoy life, I let him live on. The day finally came when I took breakfast to him and he didn't come when I called. His body had simply shut down. It would likely have been only a matter of hours before he died, but I could not let him suffer any longer.
You and your wife have my sympathies, Tim. Losing a beloved pet is never easy.
Think good thoughts,
e
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tim
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Really getting into it |
Location: UK, West of London in Ber...
Registered: February 2002
Messages: 842
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Perhaps I am odd. But for a creature you decide every little detail.
Deciding in their death is as hard as deciding on their birth. And we have brought many puppies into the world, and helped many old or sick creatures to die.
I'm glad it was in a garden, with light rain. Alfie loved the rain.
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Guest
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On fire! |
Registered: March 2012
Messages: 2344
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Dad, I read the Email and I came to offer some Hugs for you and Melanie. I think I would be totally devastated. I showed Dad and Mum this morning and they agree, you did the right thing. Maybe it is silly but I cried when I read it and am still doing so.
Give a hug to Melanie from us and for you Dad a big hug also and the love from your Aussie Son..
"Rest in Peace Alfie"
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theeggman
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Getting started |
Location: DE, USA
Registered: February 2002
Messages: 27
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Aww, Tim. This brings back such sad memories of Zeus. I feel your loss, Sir, very much. Remember him young, running and jumping through fields of high grass, like I do with Zeus.
Peace,
Dave(TheEggman)
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smith
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On fire! |
Registered: January 1970
Messages: 1095
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Tim~ Your words are like sad,loving poetry. My heart
aches for you and I cried as I read. He knew he was
loved. Hold that thought close.
smith
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ien
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Toe is in the water |
Location: Netherlands
Registered: April 2002
Messages: 81
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Sorry to hear that but I'm glad I got to meet him
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Guest
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On fire! |
Registered: March 2012
Messages: 2344
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*HUGS* Sorry about your lose Tim!!!..........I will soon be going through the same. My mom's dog (the one she always found great comfort in....esp. after my sisters death) is dying. The vet said he does not have to much longer. Some days you would not even think he was sick....running around and playing just like when he was a pup. Then other days (like today) he is throwing up and passing out. The vet doesn't think we need to put him down.....doesn't think he is suffering!!...coz he doesn't appear to be when he passes out. He believes that he will go one of these times he passes out....that he will never recover from it. The problem is he has a bad heart and he passes out when his heart is not getting enough blood.....I guess kinda like fanting or something like that.
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Guest
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On fire! |
Registered: March 2012
Messages: 2344
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I'm sorry to hear that:(
But I'm sure you told and showed him everyday how much you loved him ( that's what I do with my cats) Kiss em a zillion times and tell em I love them and give em food at four o clock in the morning! and Alfie had a great life cause he was very loved:) and he knew that.
*hugs* *hugs* *hugs*
Josie
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Guest
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On fire! |
Registered: March 2012
Messages: 2344
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You just did one of the most difficult things in life. I know how you feel and I share your grief. *hugs*
Losing a pet is losing a beloved member of the family. Dogs give us unconditional love that nurtures our souls. My collie Dallas really was my brother. I grew up hugging him, sharing everything with him, sleeping with him, having ice cream and candy stolen from me by him, having him go from chasing me to comforting me, and no matter how big I got, he was always top dog in the pecking order and I was the pup. Just this past week-end my grandma was showing us pictures from when I was little and there he was, so beautiful, from my very first steps until I was driving a car, he was there for me, my big goofy, beautiful, loving best friend.
Remember the happy times. Remember your dog playing and loving you. I believe that you will be together again.
I wrote a little story about my dog, some of the wonderful amazing things he did. (He had a very interesting life) And some of the hilarious things he did...he was a clown who never grew up. Maybe you will write about your dog too someday and share the love with your readers.
*Hugs*
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