11 years ago, my kids came back from school very excited telling us their friends dog had puppies and could they go an see them. We took them round a few times, always under pressure to "buy one". Anyway, we refused, already having a wee dog.
But kids can be persistent - and nothing melts the heart like a wee puppy. Oh yes - there is one other thing that can really change your mind and that's if one of them is "disabled". One was born with only one eye formed.
Having found out that the woman wasn't going to be able to sell that puppy and having heard stories of what breeders do with puppies they couldn't sell (though in the woman's defence, I can't say for sure she was going to "get rid" of the puppy), we decided we'd take her on.
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4432/37137524565_d9546a2f93_b.jpg)
This was her first time outside - not looking too sure...
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4373/36995313171_23142de05a_b.jpg)
Making herself at home
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4427/36323863653_14ce748f27_b.jpg)
Looking for a treat most likely
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4422/36995569641_40d9f397dd_b.jpg)
Enjoying the great outdoors
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4390/36995569401_d6372691b5_b.jpg)
Having eaten dinner
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4405/36947112582_680d402299_b.jpg)
She loved Christmas
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4439/36947135312_1b106c0c46_b.jpg)
She had a fit about 3 months ago. We didn't really know as it was early in the morning. But we heard her yelp and when we looked she wasn't in our bedroom. We went into the hall and saw her lying on the floor. She looked ok...so we just though she had pulled her leg funny as she had done in the past.
When it happened a second time about a month later, we witnessed it and took her to the vets. He said her heartbeat was at level 4 - and 6 was the danger level. So we were given some pills to help with her water retention and to help with her heart.
However, it was always going to be down hill. We didn't know how long she had, but we knew it couldn't be too long.
I got home from work on Friday and she was sleeping on the sofa. No-one else about. I sat next to her and stroked her and she woke up - tail going mental as always. She got off the sofa, started her coughing and wheezing and keeled over. I lay next to her and just tried to calm her down so she could catch her breath...and she did...tail still going mad.
My eldest daughter came home from university on Friday. Just by chance she was going to see some friends in Oxford on the Saturday.
On Saturday morning, about 04:30, my wife woke me up to tell me she had passed away in the night.
She looked so peaceful in her bed. It seemed, and I hope, she past away peacefully. The fact she was in her bed would suggest so.
She has been - as most dogs are - a fantastic friend, a loyal friend, a funny friend and a superb companion and a huge part of the family - a tall order given the size of the wee thing.
There's a huge hole in our family now.
This was the last time I saw her - the night before she passed away. Goodbye wee lady :smitten: :smitten:
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4354/36995020521_17d132eeba_b.jpg)
Sad to read this news.
Remember the 11 years you could spend together.
Sad news, JD. Very sorry to hear it.
Quote from: bob48 on September 10, 2017, 05:28:36 AM
Sad news, JD. Very sorry to hear it.
+1 sorry for your loss, JD.
My condolences JD. It's sad to lose family members- even the four-legged ones.
Very nice looking dog JD. Sorry to hear of her passing. :'(
Sorry to hear about your loss, but it was touching to hear how you came to adopt her.
My last dog was 12 years old when we lost her. When she died, a friend of mine sent the poem "I'll Always Love A Dog Named Beau" as her expression of sympathy. Below is a YouTube video of Jimmy Stewart reading the poem. I extend my sincere sympathy at your loss.
JD, sorry to hear about your family's loss.
It's always hard to bear the death of a family member. Remember that she had twelve great years with you as well as the twelve years you had with her.
Dogs are the best. So sad to hear about her going but what a great life she must have had. In time I hope you get another wee lady, getting another dog after our Sully died has been a great catharsis for us. If you are a dog person there will always be a big furry hole in your life.
Con
so sorry :'(
Sorry, JD. :(
Sorry JD.
Sorry, sir.
Thank you everyone.
Given her physical size and the size of the hole left in the family just now just shows us the huge size of her chatacter
I'm glad the dog enriched your life for 12 years. I'm also glad your dog died peacefully in sleep.
All of us are heroes to our dogs.
:( Sorry for your loss JD. Sounds like you gave a great dog a great home.
Sorry about your lose JD.
Sorry to hear your friend has passed on...losing a pet is always sad and painful.
My sincere condolences, JD. It sounds like she had a wonderful life with your family.
They're never in our lives long enough, JD, but our lives are richer for having known them. My condolences. :'(
Sorry to hear about your loss JD. Losing a pet who's a member of the family is just horrible. My thoughts are with you and your family. :(
Quote from: Greybriar on September 10, 2017, 06:46:07 AM
My last dog was 12 years old when we lost her. When she died, a friend of mine sent the poem "I'll Always Love A Dog Named Beau" as her expression of sympathy. Below is a YouTube video of Jimmy Stewart reading the poem. I extend my sincere sympathy at your loss.
That was gorgeous. Thanks Greybriar.
I could listen to Jimmy Stewart talk for months without a break.
My pleasure, J.D.
^I've seen that video a couple of times before but never heard the story that went with it (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/cyrus-saatsaz/jimmy-stewarts-ode-to-his_b_1146937.html). :(
One more reason to love Jimmy Stewart.
I'm sorry to hear about your loss. It's always hard to lose a beloved pet because they become such a big part of our families.
I still miss my cat Zoe who passed away 5 years ago this month. The very next day we got a new cat which really helped my wife get over Zoe's loss. I needed more time to deal with the loss before I could learn to love the new cat. Many people say to rush out immediately for a replacement pet and that works great for many people. Some may need to mourn a little before getting a replacement and not many people tell you that.
It took me about 3 months to feel comfortable in looking for a new dog when my Rottweiler died and even then I wasn't quite ready because he was my first dog.
Damn that's tough to hear Dredd. You were very compassionate in taking her into your family and she gave you years of love and loyalty in return-- not a bad deal for either of you. She made you all very happy and would want you all to remain so. So, mourn her loss and then remember her the way I remember my little pugs, with fondness, joy and certainty that I'll be with them again some day.