Sad Morning....Please Help!

[MikePA]

You, your wife and the vet did all you could. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

Take care digging that hole, 4 feet down is a lot of work.

 

[PondKeeper]

So very sorry for your loss.

I would let the children go as far as they can, with it being their choice.

We even have our other dogs go up to the lost one. They understand death and accept it, if they only see the dog leave the house alive they continue to expect their return. I know you lost her already so this is not applicable here. We always have our vet come to the house when the time comes for that reason.

We burried one of our girls in the yard, I thought it was the right thing for us, it was a mistake in retrospect. If we move my wife will never be settled. We have discussed it many times. Our other dogs have been cremated for that reason. We will have their ashes always, they are all in special boxes. We are both very comfortable with this.

Our burried girl is four feet deep, that is not a small task, she also was near the size of your girl, ours was 95 pounds, a Bernese Mountain Dog.

Today will be your worst day, a pet is such a personal loss, time will be kind to you and your family. As in life, she will continue to be a joy, as a wonderful memory now.

very best regards
Michael

 

[MossRoad]

<font color="blue"> It's funny, if you asked me to put my mouth over the dogs nose any other day I would have told you to take a hike but this morning it seemed like the right thing to do. </font>

There are many things we never thought we would do.... CPR on a dog is fine. Think about when your children were young. There were many things that you probably did, ie... poopy diapers, baby barf, etc... that you never thought you'd be doing. Family is family and so are our pets. You gave that dog a good life and will always have fond memories of that. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Boondox]

Kevin -- I am SO SORRY to hear about your loss. Beloved pets, but especially something as social as a golden, are as much a part of the family as kids. I wish I had something profound to say, but all I can manage is that time will diminish the pain and leave you with cherished memories.

Belle was loved, that's plain; and in this world a dog that found love is a pretty lucky being. Doesn't make it easier to say goodbye, though.

Our family graveyard has my wife's mother and grandmother in it...along with four dogs and three cats. Since it's an historical graveyard, after Tamara and I pass along the state will maintain it. It gives us a chuckle and no small amount of comfort knowing that our pets' graves will be cared for in perpetuity.

Peter and Tamara
Ragtag Golden Retriever Rescue
Molson: alpha male
Glenfiddich: beta male
Harley: big lug of a dog
Tetley: gentlest soul in dogdom
Tuppence: pure *****

 

[tc35dforme]

Kevin, what more can I say... when a pet passes, it can be very VERY tough. Non-pet owners just don't understand.

Our oldest Lab is now 11 1/2 and getting quite old. We thought we would loose him this spring, but he came around and has been fine.

We have 2 kids ( 6 and 3 ) and it will be tough to explain it to them. They will surely miss the couch, the punching bag, the trampoline, the gargabe disposal, the......

 

[kevincook]

We just came back inside from our little burial ceremony.

With all the rain we have had lately the ground was pretty soft. I ended up digging a hole 4' by 5' about 5 feet deep and it only took around 2 1/2 hours which is pretty quick for a hole that size with all the rocks we have around here. I guess I had a little motivation to do it right....everytime I got tired and wanted to take a break I just reminded myself that this was for Belle.

I wanted to do the burial later today but I was concerned the hole would fill with water so we had the ceremony right away. This was the hardedst part of the day when we actually put her in the ground....it really seemed like the end then. We buried her with some of her favorite toys and a pair of my leather work gloves that she used to try to sneak away with whenever I put them down outside.

The kids got to spend time with Belle today several times and I think it was a good thing.

 

[JDGREEN4ME]

So sorry to hear of loss of your family pet. I still remember when the German Shepard I grew up with died, we were both 16 and that was 32 years ago.

 

[GaryM]

So sorry about your loss. Belle looked to be a beautiful dog. You'll always miss her, but it will get easier with time. Never good, just better.

 

[Mark_in_NH]

After viewing Belle's picture and reading your second post. I am at a loss for words.
My condolences just doesn't seem to cut it.

I think I will sign off now and go spend some time with my dog

 

[Inspector507]

Kevin,
All I can say, is you have my condolences in the loss of Belle.

You did the right thing by letting the kids spend whatever time they wanted to with her before burying her.

I know if Buddy (my shadow) ever leaves me, he'll be here on my property somewhere. I only lost one dog before, about 34 years ago, and she was buried out in the woods where she loved to roam.
I have had 2 cats that died due to Feline Leukemia. Both of them the vet took care of, at my request, because they were in pain.....terribly. But I never brought either one of them home. When I look back now, I would have done it differently. One of them was at my side constantly.....my gawd...how I miss him.
We now have a dog and 2 cats who are a big part of our family. It's just myself, my wife and these 3 around the house now. They all have their unique personalities, and we love them for that.
I have a spot all picked out, if and when that time comes, for any of the 3. And never again, will I EVER leave the vets office empty-handed.
Belle was very beautiful, she will be missed by you and your family very much.

Jerry

 

[BobReeves]

She looks like she is happy. It was 2 years after the loss of our Sheltie/Chow mix before the wife and I were ready to get another dog. You are going to think we are crazy but we have her ashes on a shelf in the living room. They sure become part of the family, my heart goes out to you and your family.

The attached is our "Miss Bear"

 

[Haz]

Sorry for your loss. She was a beautiful dog and she had a very appropriate name. We have always been straight forward with our seven children when it comes to losing a loved one. Children do remarkably well in dealing with death and they will let you know what they are comfortable with.

 

[dieselsmoke1]

My condolences to you and yours, Kevin. Something all us pet owners face, but always heart wrenching all the same. Hopefully the utter love and devotion she brought to your family over the years will over shaddow this brief period of sorrow. Take comfort in the fact you did all you could and it was just her time.

A close friend is not as fortunate. He forgot to give his beloved Lab her heartworm treatment till 60 days past due this spring. Immediately took her to the vet when he realized, sure enough. Never seen a man more distraught in all my life.

Again, my condolences.

EW

 

[Tonester]

Kevin,

Mary and I share your grief, may you treasure your family member forever in your hearts. If you have followed any of my posts, you will know that we are deeply involved in animal rescue and have an emotional attachment that is almost scary to our four legged friends. On more than one sad occasion we have had to say goodbye to a canine, feline or equine friend, always after every effort has been made for their comfort and care (as you obviously have done). We gently lay them to rest with a favorite toy or a note, and make a small headstone and visit them often. If the children are asked, I am sure it will help them to be involved in this sad but necessary process. You'll prob'ly find them stopping by the resting place in the years to come just to say "Hi". I do it all the time....

God bless,
Tony

 

[PineRidge]

Kevin we are very sorry for your families loss. We have put several of our pet dogs to rest over the years and remember each and every one with fond memories. Your children will keep the good times that you all shared alive for years to come.

 

[Hoosier_Daddy]

Sorry for your loss.

One of the toughest things I did was bury a Pet.

Glad your kids got to say good bye.

Tom

 

[kevincook]

I just wanted to thank everyone for their support. I checked in several times yesterday to read the responses but it was too hard to reply. It breaks my heart to see how difficult this is on my wife and kids. My wife didn't sleep all night and I know that there isn't anything I can do to help.

I'll try to post some more information later today. I just really wanted to thank everyone for their support. My wife read all the post too. There is an incredible group of people on this site!


Thanks,
Kevin

 

[Gary_in_Indiana]

Kevin,

Please accept my most sincere sympathies for you and your family. We lost a Golden over a decade ago and I still miss her terribly. They are the sweetest dogs in the world. I hope you'll consider getting another one. I know Belle can't be replaced but I hope you'll get another one to share in your lives.

 

[Alan L.]

I'm very sorry to hear about your loss. I've been there and it hurts. My experience has been that the children will get over it quicker than you will. I'm sure the vet did everything he could, but sometimes there isn't an explanation. Time will heal.

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

Dear Kevin and Family,
Your Belle was beautiful.
There are no words that can adequately describe the pain of losing a Golden. I have before, and will again someday feel that pain. They are the greatest animals that God put on earth to be our friends. My buddies and I all have Goldens. We have buried many, on a scenic overlook above Coleto Creek outside Victoria Texas. Some have permanent markers.
Here is my dilemma,
My Golden, "Austin" is in poor health and about 10 years old. I have spent thousands of dollars keeping him with us, but alas, I've got a really tight budget now and pray that I don't have to make a tough decision at the Vet anytime soon. He could surprise me and hang in there for another year or so. I cherish my time with him. Still, it is very tough to make budget decisions while your best friends health/life hang in the balance. I've kept keepsake items from my previous Goldens.
About a new puppy...

It won't ever replace Belle.
It will be a puppy, needing to be taught all the right things.
It will have his own personality.
Chances are, if it is a Golden, you will learn to love and spoil it as much as Belle and it will pay back that love many times over.
Take your time, keep us posted. I feel your pain...Kyle