those wonderful pets gone by......

[Junkman]

I just finished reading Boondox's web page and all about the Golden Rescue that he is involved in. I once again read about the Rainbow Bridge and it is with tears in my eyes that I post the picture of Kelsey, my wonderful German Shorthair Pointer. You will recognize Molly, the mother of the puppies in another post. Molly is about 10 weeks old in this picture. It will be a year ago next month that Kelsey passed away and we miss her ever much. Kelsey roamed the land around our house with her best friend, Holly, a rescue Greyhound. Holly was between 18 and 20 when she passed away 3 years ago. Kelsey was only 7 when she died of liver cancer. We have lost 4 dogs to natural causes in the past 10 years. We have never lost a dog to cars or other accidents. I only with that they could be with us for a longer time.

 

[Junkman]

Kelsey after a hard day in the woods..... one of her favorite places..... either in the woods, down at the local campground collecting tennis balls, or pulling the covers off the bed and making herself comfortable while she sleeps.....

 

[Boondox]

Junkman -- One of the great injustices of life is that such loyal companions can't live as long as us. Some folks think us odd for burying our pets in the family graveyard with all the relatives...to us it makes perfect sense.

Pete

 

[Bob_In_MN]

junkman--we also lost one of ours about a year ago and he too was only 7. It's tough enough when they are only around 10-12 years to begin with.

My wife works with dogs and every time she speaks to a potential client, she mails them information. Inside of every packet is the following.

Bob


A Pet’s Prayer

Treat me kindly, my beloved master for no heart in
the world is more grateful for kindness than the loving
heart of me.

Do not break my spirit with a stick, for though I lick
your hand between blows, your patience and
understanding will more quickly teach me the things
you would have me do.

Speak to me often for your voice is the sweetest
music to my ear.

When it is cold and wet, please take me inside, for I
am now a domesticated animal, no longer used to bitter
elements. I ask no greater glory than the privilege of
sitting at your feet beside the hearth.

Though had you no home, I would rather follow you
through ice and snow than rest upon the softest pillow
in the warmest home in all the land. For you are my
god, and I am your worshiper.

Keep my pan filled with fresh water for although I
should not reproach you were it dry, I cannot tell you
when I suffer thirst.

Feed me clean food, that I may be well to romp and
play and do you bidding, to walk by your side, and
stand steady willing and able to protect you with my life
should your life be in danger.

And, beloved master should the Great Master see fit
to deprive me of my health or sight, do not turn me
away from you.

Rather, hold me gently in your arms as skilled hands
grant me the merciful boon of eternal rest…and I will
leave you knowing with the last breath I drew, my fate
was ever safest in your hands.


--Author unknown--

 

[jdeerestl]

It makes absolutely no sense why a dog can only live such a short time. Every time I get mad at that dog for getting full of mud and burrs, I think there's gonna come a day when I will wish I could clean him up one more time. You have to enjoy em while they're here.

 

[Bob_In_MN]

I know what you mean jdeerestl. We keep the above saying taped to the "fridge". About the time one of our dogs just finishes chewing up a roll of paper towels (not to eat--but rather to spread around the kitchen floor), I simply think about the day they won't be around to do it and I quickly realize it's not that big a deal.

Bob

 

[PondKeeper]

Junkman, I know what you are saying, the time is just too short.

Never been a time in my life we didn't have a dog(s) but I have to say that as I get older the loss of everyone of them is becoming even more of a heart braking loss than when I was younger. We, (the wife) wrap our entire life around our dogs, not embarassed to say it. They never let you down.

We lost two of our girls within five months two years ago, both were 9, what a loss. The attached scan is of one of the girls we lost, the big boy behind her is from her only breeding.
We are starting to bite our nails now because he will be nine this December. "Today" he is as healthy as he should be. We thank every month more we have with him.

Mike

 

[Junkman]

I know the feeling well. Your dogs are beautiful. I am guessing that they are Burmese Mountain Dogs? Interestingly, you are in Morris County.... I grew up (although my wife doubts that I have grown up) in Succasunna N.J. for part of it.... That was back in the days when Rt 10 was more of a two lane road than a highway........ Some of my fondest memories were of the peach orchard near us.... I can still remember the juicy peaches dripping down my chin.... Junkman

 

[PondKeeper]

Junkman

I was just up by 10 & 46 yesterday getting soda ash. You might find a peach tree there today but it is more than likely a peachtree schnapps bottle than a tree /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif. 10 & 46 is ground zero for the mass merchandisers, ie Walmart, Homer Depot, etc

If you don't mind a correction, Your right about the breed but they are Bernese..... This scan is of our little girl, got her about four months after the loss of our big girls. That took us back to three dogs for about three months when my wife took her to the vet and someone was putting down a five year old dog because he ingested three socks and need surgery, they wouldn't pay for it saying he wasn't worth it. We rescued him. Paid the surgery and he became # four. So we have three Berners and one Australian Shepherd. They can rock /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif the car every weekend.

Mike

 

[KenNTx]

Dear Master,
You have been my teacher, my friend and most beloved companion. I was like your child, totally dependent on you for all my needs. But I never grew up and moved away as children do, I just grew to love and need you more each day, each month, each year.
I never went hungry because you gave me dinner and gave me water each day. When the weather was bad I found comfort in the warmth and safety of your home. I delighted you by learning tricks, but what you may not have realized is that I loved learning from you because I lived to please you.
The touch of your hand stroking my fur made my life worthwhile. Though I barked at noises in the night, the postman's footsteps and the ringing of the doorbell; the voice of my master was the one sound that I cherished most. Your moods became my moods. When you were sad or lonely, I nuzzled closer to comfort you .
There were times when you became upset with me because I soiled the carpet, chewed on a piece of furniture, or barked too much. But do not feel bad about those times when you scolded me - I needed to learn right from wrong, and I always understood when things weren't going your way or when you'd had an unpleasant day at work. There is no need for you to harbor guilt or remorse on my behalf.
You loved me and blessed me with more happiness than most animals will ever know. Instead of wondering what you could have done differently, remember the funny things I did and the happy times we shared together. Though it is hard for you to understand, I was ready to pass on from this life.
Our time together was short, but if we'd had fifty years together, you still would have not been ready for me to leave.
So please, Master, share your life with others. Do not refuse the opportunity to give another lucky pet the love you have given me. No other animal will ever take my place in your heart, but there is another one who needs you and will grow to love you as much as I did.
I am now at peace and no longer feel pain. You gave me a wonderful home and a happy existence on this earth. So please be happy - go on with your life and give your love to others.
Although I no longer share your world, I will always live in your heart, and you in mine.
Farewell, Dear Master.