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Social FOR THE LOVE OF DOG

kiely said:
omg. I thought that was from a Home and Gardens magazine. (at first) It didn't look like it was real.

The window setting is just spectacular perfect, wOw.

So Norman Rockwell ish though.

That was Nice !!!

good morning !!!! 💖🔥

so sweet.
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Thank you, kiely.
I appreciate the kind words :)
I hope you have a wonderful day!
 
Hi folks.

Just wanted to let y'all know that my beloved Dixie Chick (see my avatar) is no longer with us. Well, not physically. She'll always be in my heart, that's for sure, but I had to put her down a couple weeks ago.

She was quite old for a large dog-- at least 14, and possibly 15. I was never certain of her exact age since she was still young but fully grown when I adopted her (rescued from abusive owner). Anyway, she had developed arthritis and despite medication was probably in a lot of pain. She'd gone almost completely deaf and in the last 2 or 3 weeks was starting to lose bladder control.
It was time to go.

She's been in my life 13 years and was absolutely my best friend. I am not exaggerating when I say she saved my life-- more than once. She was with me throughout my worst alcoholism, opioid addiction, and bouts of severe depression-- and in my depths of despair she was the only reason I did not commit suicide. And while I was recovering from those things, she gave me unconditional love, encouragement, and boundless joy, making my life not only worth living but something to cherish.

As a puppy she knew nothing but abuse. But for those 13 years afterward, she was absolutely adored and was the sweetest, friendliest, happiest dog I've ever known.
 
jasperkent said:
As a puppy she knew nothing but abuse. But for those 13 years afterward, she was absolutely adored and was the sweetest, friendliest, happiest dog I've ever known.
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Ah man Jasper, keep that good attitude. You are right, not physically here anymore but you keep your eyes and ears open. I lost my girl back in Feb (almost 16) and I didn't realize in ways she is still the protector. Some of the wording I used to help her it seems she is reflecting back to me when it is needed. It is actually astounding. You can not love anything that much without it coming back.

It is hard for me to read any pet loss stuff as all it is is heartbreak. I grieve pets more than humans as they are around me 24/7.

I found youtube helpful, Daniel McKinnon, some other people have video's. But they are all of hope and ongoing learning and growing with our pet. I can link a few if needed.

Fascinating book I am halfway done with, Animal Afterlife by Kim Sheridan. I recommend it.

One thing I realized is that 15 year can go by and I would still cry like a baby. They are always with us that is why. I too almost daily stayed alive to take care of her until I stood on my own feet. Now what?? Continued teaching. Dog is God spelled backwards. Cats the same.

Bittersweat jasper, now I am grieving again but at least we are the ones grieving while our friends are rolling around heaven.
 
Death is a natural thing, without it there can't be life (not as we know it). What counts is to make the time we have as living beings as good as possible. For us and for others who deserve our attention.
Though sorry to read you lost such a good and loyal friend, I'm also happy to read about such a wonderful relationship.
 
lecroute said:
What counts is to make the time we have as living beings as good as possible. For us and for others who deserve our attention.
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It counts in such a big way I don't think we understand it and spend our lives reflecting on what that was. I remember an episode of the original Star Trek and the tribbles. Spock was very logical. He did not understand the concept of a pet. There is no logical reason to own a pet except to LOVE it. Great episode. Yup, pets are to love. And that is important.
 
jasperkent said:
Hi folks.

Just wanted to let y'all know that my beloved Dixie Chick (see my avatar) is no longer with us. Well, not physically. She'll always be in my heart, that's for sure, but I had to put her down a couple weeks ago.

She was quite old for a large dog-- at least 14, and possibly 15. I was never certain of her exact age since she was still young but fully grown when I adopted her (rescued from abusive owner). Anyway, she had developed arthritis and despite medication was probably in a lot of pain. She'd gone almost completely deaf and in the last 2 or 3 weeks was starting to lose bladder control.
It was time to go.

She's been in my life 13 years and was absolutely my best friend. I am not exaggerating when I say she saved my life-- more than once. She was with me throughout my worst alcoholism, opioid addiction, and bouts of severe depression-- and in my depths of despair she was the only reason I did not commit suicide. And while I was recovering from those things, she gave me unconditional love, encouragement, and boundless joy, making my life not only worth living but something to cherish.

As a puppy she knew nothing but abuse. But for those 13 years afterward, she was absolutely adored and was the sweetest, friendliest, happiest dog I've ever known.
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After reading this I feel the need to hug my girls and give them a little of what they want (which differs for each one)
 
JackARoe said:
It counts in such a big way I don't think we understand it and spend our lives reflecting on what that was. I remember an episode of the original Star Trek and the tribbles. Spock was very logical. He did not understand the concept of a pet. There is no logical reason to own a pet except to LOVE it. Great episode. Yup, pets are to love. And that is important.
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One of my favorite episodes. Exactly because of Spock's reaction.
 
lecroute said:
One of my favorite episodes. Exactly because of Spock's reaction.
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That made me feel good. You saw that too. :) Yes give your pets a hug for me too!

No pets for me now. I had dogs for the last 22 years. Now it is time to reflect and it is insightful. Something in me says stay nimble as traveling will happen. My wife and I didn't even go out to dinner because we didn't want to leave our girl alone. (but we did on rare occasions)
 
JackARoe said:
My wife and I didn't even go out to dinner because we didn't want to leave our girl alone. (but we did on rare occasions)
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Don't know how it is where you live, but my mom and her boyfriend take their dog (small one) almost everywhere. Most restaurants here are pet friendly now. And people have the common sense not to take three Irish wolfhounds to the little place with the tiny tables, or a pug to the one with loud live after dinner music and dance.
 
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lecroute said:
Don't know how it is where you live, but my mom and her boyfriend take their dog (small one) almost everywhere.
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The first 13 years we did. She came to trips to Canada 3 times a year and and other places. But say we want to just go to Uno's Pizza (NY) I am not sure they would take an animal. But yeah it probably changed a bit. And looking back maybe we used her as an excuse to just stay home and cook. It worked. Dining out is expensive as compared to home cooking.

Yeah they get spoiled. But that is what they are for. I am feeling it for jasper as I teared,, almost broke down. Because we know.
 
JackARoe said:
.... I remember an episode of the original Star Trek and the tribbles. Spock was very logical. He did not understand the concept of a pet. There is no logical reason to own a pet except to LOVE it. Great episode. Yup, pets are to love. And that is important.
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lecroute said:
One of my favorite episodes. Exactly because of Spock's reaction.
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Hey, did you guys ever see the old Twilight Zone episode wherein a man and his dog both die and he's about to go into Heaven with his dog? I won't spoil it-- try to find it if you haven't seen it. That was my all-time favorite of TZ.
 
And thanks for all the love and support, folks.

That was a tough day but I knew it was the right decision. Since then my grief usually turns into fond nostalgia, because I have so many really, really good memories. I am comforted by the knowledge that she lived a long and extremely happy life and then her death was quick & painless.
We should all be so fortunate!
 
jasperkent said:
And thanks for all the love and support, folks.

That was a tough day but I knew it was the right decision. Since then my grief usually turns into fond nostalgia, because I have so many really, really good memories. I am comforted by the knowledge that she lived a long and extremely happy life and then her death was quick & painless.
We should all be so fortunate!
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Sending you and Dixie Chick lots of love. I tried to write this before but I kept tearing up … & always feel words aren’t even enough in these situations. I’m glad that you had her and she had you. I can totally relate to how they save our lives. My old dog and my cat that I have now both saved my life. They are what I feel like the definition of angels if that makes sense.

Big hugs 💜
 
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jasperkent said:
Hey, did you guys ever see the old Twilight Zone episode wherein a man and his dog both die and he's about to go into Heaven with his dog? I won't spoil it-- try to find it if you haven't seen it. That was my all-time favorite of TZ.
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Oh totally. I love that episode. It is all deep meaning. That is why I say pay attention at this point in time. :)
 
Little things that I loved about her pop into my head all the time. One is that she hardly ever barked. And on the rare occasions that she did, it was only a deep Woof! once or twice.
For a long time there were squirrels living in the attic of this old house. Sometimes I heard them, but before she went deaf she heard them often.
She'd be curled up on the floor, maybe sleeping, and she'd suddenly sit up, look at ceiling, cock her head, and stare intently. After a minute or two, she'd give a firm Woof! once or twice which apparently made the squirrels be quiet. Satisfied that she'd taken care of the pests, she'd lie back down and relax.
That made me laugh every single time.
 
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