~:~:~:The Doggie Thread!!:~:~:~

Gern Blansten · December 2023

nicknyr15 said:

Gern Blansten said:

nicknyr15 said:

The kind words mean so much right now. Thank you. I don’t know when or if I will ever be ready again. But if I ever am, it will definitely be a rescue.

I was honestly hesitant to get another dog but we did two years ago. I really wish I wouldn't have waited so long.

I will definitely keep this advice in mind and not be so stubborn to the idea. It seems like it’s also brave to enter into another commitment like that knowing how much the outcome hurts. But it seems like it’s almost always worth it.

It always is for sure. And there are dogs that need you right now as much as you need them.

Wobbie · December 2023

I've posted this numerous times, Nick. From personal experience, I've found it to be completely true.

Living Love

If you’ve ever loved an animal, there are three days in your life you will always remember. The first is a day, blessed with happiness, when you bring home your new friend. You may have spent weeks deciding on a breed. You may have asked opinions of many friends or done research finding a breeder. Or, in a fleeting moment, you may have chosen that silly looking mutt at the shelter, simply because something in its eyes reached your heart. But when you bring that chosen pet home, and watch it explore…when you feel it brush against you for the first time, it instills a feeling of pure love you will carry with you through many years to come.

The second day will occur years later. It will be a day like any other. Routine and unexceptional. But, for a surprising instant, you will look at your longtime friend and see age where you once saw youth. You will see slow deliberate steps where you once saw energy. You will see sleep where you once saw activity. You will begin to adjust your friend’s diet and you may add a pill to her food. And, you may feel a growing uneasy feeling until the third day arrives.

On this day, if your friend or your higher being has not decided for you, then you will be faced with making a decision of your own on behalf of your lifelong friend. Whichever way your friend leaves you, you will feel as alone as a single star in the dark night.

If you are wise, you will let the tears flow freely as they must. If you are typical, you will find that not many family and friends will be able to understand your grief. But, if you are true to the love of the pet you cherished through many joy-filled years, you may find that a soul, smaller in size than your own, seems to walk with you at times, during the lonely days to come. At those moments when you least expect anything out of the ordinary, you may feel something brush against your leg. And, looking down at the place where your dear friend used to lie… you will remember those three significant days. The memory will be painful. As time passes, the ache will come and go. You will reject it and embrace it and it may confuse you. If you reject it, it will depress you. If you embrace it, it will deepen you. Either way, it will still be an ache.

But, there will be a fourth day when, along with the memory of your pet, and piercing through the heaviness in your heart, there will come a realization that belongs only to you. It will be as unique and strong as our relationship with the pet we have loved and lost. This realization takes the form of a Living Love, like the heavenly scent of a rose. This Love will remain and grow, and will be there for us to remember. It is a love we have earned. It’s the legacy our pets leave us when they go… and it’s a gift we keep with us as long as we live. And until we leave, perhaps to join our beloved pets, it is a Love we will always possess.

nicknyr15 · December 2023

Wobbie said:

I've posted this numerous times, Nick. From personal experience, I've found it to be completely true.

Living Love

If you’ve ever loved an animal, there are three days in your life you will always remember. The first is a day, blessed with happiness, when you bring home your new friend. You may have spent weeks deciding on a breed. You may have asked opinions of many friends or done research finding a breeder. Or, in a fleeting moment, you may have chosen that silly looking mutt at the shelter, simply because something in its eyes reached your heart. But when you bring that chosen pet home, and watch it explore…when you feel it brush against you for the first time, it instills a feeling of pure love you will carry with you through many years to come.

The second day will occur years later. It will be a day like any other. Routine and unexceptional. But, for a surprising instant, you will look at your longtime friend and see age where you once saw youth. You will see slow deliberate steps where you once saw energy. You will see sleep where you once saw activity. You will begin to adjust your friend’s diet and you may add a pill to her food. And, you may feel a growing uneasy feeling until the third day arrives.

On this day, if your friend or your higher being has not decided for you, then you will be faced with making a decision of your own on behalf of your lifelong friend. Whichever way your friend leaves you, you will feel as alone as a single star in the dark night.

If you are wise, you will let the tears flow freely as they must. If you are typical, you will find that not many family and friends will be able to understand your grief. But, if you are true to the love of the pet you cherished through many joy-filled years, you may find that a soul, smaller in size than your own, seems to walk with you at times, during the lonely days to come. At those moments when you least expect anything out of the ordinary, you may feel something brush against your leg. And, looking down at the place where your dear friend used to lie… you will remember those three significant days. The memory will be painful. As time passes, the ache will come and go. You will reject it and embrace it and it may confuse you. If you reject it, it will depress you. If you embrace it, it will deepen you. Either way, it will still be an ache.

But, there will be a fourth day when, along with the memory of your pet, and piercing through the heaviness in your heart, there will come a realization that belongs only to you. It will be as unique and strong as our relationship with the pet we have loved and lost. This realization takes the form of a Living Love, like the heavenly scent of a rose. This Love will remain and grow, and will be there for us to remember. It is a love we have earned. It’s the legacy our pets leave us when they go… and it’s a gift we keep with us as long as we live. And until we leave, perhaps to join our beloved pets, it is a Love we will always possess.

Thank you for posting. I can’t wait to get past this feeling. Watching my wife during this makes it worse. She’s absolutely broken.

CROJAM95 · December 2023

Sorry to hear Nick, I was in your shoes day after Xmas last year when we lost our lil Matty at also 15.5 years old… I was a mess, absolute worse time and 1st time I saw my sister later that day I broke down like I was ten years old…. We got him after my dad passed from brain cancer in 2007… he was that bridge to healing, he also was in solid shape prior to that morning where he just passed quickly

i too thought I’d take my time for another pet, waiting 3 months by being nudged by others to open my heart again. Glad I did as my lil buddy Kona has made a tough year better. We never replace our lost pets but we have room in there ole heart

feel for you and your loss

Loujoe · December 2023

Ahhhhh. Sorry bud. Love of an animal is like no other. Feel the love... acknowledge and endure the pain. It's ok and you're not alone.

Lots of love

GlowGirl · December 2023

Sorry to hear about your dog, Nick. It is heartbreaking to lose a pet. I lost my 17 year old cat several months ago. It is devastating. my other cat was getting really lonely and she is still young, so I just adopted a new kitten this week. While he will never replace the cat I lost, he is such a great addition. It is really nice to have such young energy in the house again. You will know when you are ready to accept a new member into your family.

Spunkie · December 2023

I'm really sorry Nikki!!!

Wobbly, I never had a chance to read that until now and it brought tears to my eyes, even though I've only passed day one so far. Thank you!

nicknyr15 · December 2023

CROJAM95 said:

Sorry to hear Nick, I was in your shoes day after Xmas last year when we lost our lil Matty at also 15.5 years old… I was a mess, absolute worse time and 1st time I saw my sister later that day I broke down like I was ten years old…. We got him after my dad passed from brain cancer in 2007… he was that bridge to healing, he also was in solid shape prior to that morning where he just passed quickly

i too thought I’d take my time for another pet, waiting 3 months by being nudged by others to open my heart again. Glad I did as my lil buddy Kona has made a tough year better. We never replace our lost pets but we have room in there ole heart

feel for you and your loss

I haven’t cried this much…. Ever. Feels like it’ll never stop but I know it will. Thank you so much for the kind words. I just can’t believe how much you could love a pet.

nicknyr15 · December 2023

Loujoe said:

Ahhhhh. Sorry bud. Love of an animal is like no other. Feel the love... acknowledge and endure the pain. It's ok and you're not alone.

Lots of love

🥹 thank you so much. You’re all too kind and these posts help a bunch.

nicknyr15 · December 2023

GlowGirl said:

Sorry to hear about your dog, Nick. It is heartbreaking to lose a pet. I lost my 17 year old cat several months ago. It is devastating. my other cat was getting really lonely and she is still young, so I just adopted a new kitten this week. While he will never replace the cat I lost, he is such a great addition. It is really nice to have such young energy in the house again. You will know when you are ready to accept a new member into your family.

Sorry to hear that and congrats on the new kitty!! Thank you for the kind words.

Wobbie · December 2023

nicknyr15 said:

Gern Blansten said:

nicknyr15 said:

The kind words mean so much right now. Thank you. I don’t know when or if I will ever be ready again. But if I ever am, it will definitely be a rescue.

I was honestly hesitant to get another dog but we did two years ago. I really wish I wouldn't have waited so long.

I will definitely keep this advice in mind and not be so stubborn to the idea. It seems like it’s also brave to enter into another commitment like that knowing how much the outcome hurts. But it seems like it’s almost always worth it.

“the outcome” is part of the deal, as terrible as it is. I’ve twice gotten new pups very shortly after losing ones we’ve loved with all our hearts. For me, it’s taken my mind (somewhat) off the loss and made me appreciate my old dogs even more as I deal with a wild puppy! Hang in there…every day will be just a tad easier.

nicknyr15 · December 2023

Wobbie said:

nicknyr15 said:

Gern Blansten said:

nicknyr15 said:

The kind words mean so much right now. Thank you. I don’t know when or if I will ever be ready again. But if I ever am, it will definitely be a rescue.

I was honestly hesitant to get another dog but we did two years ago. I really wish I wouldn't have waited so long.

I will definitely keep this advice in mind and not be so stubborn to the idea. It seems like it’s also brave to enter into another commitment like that knowing how much the outcome hurts. But it seems like it’s almost always worth it.

“the outcome” is part of the deal, as terrible as it is. I’ve twice gotten new pups very shortly after losing ones we’ve loved with all our hearts. For me, it’s taken my mind (somewhat) off the loss and made me appreciate my old dogs even more as I deal with a wild puppy! Hang in there…every day will be just a tad easier.

Stewie was my first pet. When I got him I knew nothing about owning a dog. I had no idea that it was even possible to feel this way about a pet. I grew up with frogs, lizards , fish… anything you can flush down the toilet. Point being, “the outcome” was something I was totally unaware of with Stewie. These first 24 hours have been unbearable but also very reflective about just how much he did for us in the time we had him. I don’t think you can ever properly describe it to someone who never had a dog.

The Juggler · December 2023

So sorry Nick. We lost our Kasey a while back. She was 16 and I totally understand what you said about the feeling of losing your pooch verses other losses in your life. Nothing to feel guilty about. That was one of the hardest things I've dealt with in my life. Loved that dog so much. Even now, I still see a picture of her somewhere and well up a little bit. It does kind of get easier and time does help you appreciate the time you had with her and you tend to think about that much more than the final few days.

I did not want to even think about getting a new dog for the longest time. My wife wanted one earlier than I did. Well, here we are now a year and a half later and we will be bringing a new puppy home next week. I've always had German Shorthaired Pointers my whole life and never imagined ever having a different breed. But we are getting a lab--the wife won that battle. And it's weird but just the act of getting a different breed makes it seem easier. Had we gotten the same kind again, I think it would seem as if we were like replacing Kasey or something. But this way it seems, in my mind at least, that we are trying something new and Kasey will forever live on as the last great Pointer of the Juggler family.

Anyway---Dogs are the best. Losing them are the worst. When it hurts this much that means they were loved. Your pooch clearly knew he was loved.

nicknyr15 · December 2023

The Juggler said:

So sorry Nick. We lost our Kasey a while back. She was 16 and I totally understand what you said about the feeling of losing your pooch verses other losses in your life. Nothing to feel guilty about. That was one of the hardest things I've dealt with in my life. Loved that dog so much. Even now, I still see a picture of her somewhere and well up a little bit. It does kind of get easier and time does help you appreciate the time you had with her and you tend to think about that much more than the final few days.

I did not want to even think about getting a new dog for the longest time. My wife wanted one earlier than I did. Well, here we are now a year and a half later and we will be bringing a new puppy home next week. I've always had German Shorthaired Pointers my whole life and never imagined ever having a different breed. But we are getting a lab--the wife won that battle. And it's weird but just the act of getting a different breed makes it seem easier. Had we gotten the same kind again, I think it would seem as if we were like replacing Kasey or something. But this way it seems, in my mind at least, that we are trying something new and Kasey will forever live on as the last great Pointer of the Juggler family.

Anyway---Dogs are the best. Losing them are the worst. When it hurts this much that means they were loved. Your pooch clearly knew he was loved.

I appreciate you taking the time to post this. Every post I’ve read here from everyone has helped. I sincerely mean that. Congratulations on the new member of your family. I look forward to seeing some pictures. Best of luck

Gern Blansten · December 2023

The Juggler said:

So sorry Nick. We lost our Kasey a while back. She was 16 and I totally understand what you said about the feeling of losing your pooch verses other losses in your life. Nothing to feel guilty about. That was one of the hardest things I've dealt with in my life. Loved that dog so much. Even now, I still see a picture of her somewhere and well up a little bit. It does kind of get easier and time does help you appreciate the time you had with her and you tend to think about that much more than the final few days.

I did not want to even think about getting a new dog for the longest time. My wife wanted one earlier than I did. Well, here we are now a year and a half later and we will be bringing a new puppy home next week. I've always had German Shorthaired Pointers my whole life and never imagined ever having a different breed. But we are getting a lab--the wife won that battle. And it's weird but just the act of getting a different breed makes it seem easier. Had we gotten the same kind again, I think it would seem as if we were like replacing Kasey or something. But this way it seems, in my mind at least, that we are trying something new and Kasey will forever live on as the last great Pointer of the Juggler family.

Anyway---Dogs are the best. Losing them are the worst. When it hurts this much that means they were loved. Your pooch clearly knew he was loved.

We got a lab as well. Puck was our golden retriever and I thought I would never have another breed but I think we went with the lab for the same reason you mentioned.

I actually wanted to name our dog Puck but got voted down. That's a tradition that my grandparents had. Every dog they had was named "Skippy". Just one right after the other. All farm mutts.

Poncier · December 2023

Gern Blansten said:

The Juggler said:

So sorry Nick. We lost our Kasey a while back. She was 16 and I totally understand what you said about the feeling of losing your pooch verses other losses in your life. Nothing to feel guilty about. That was one of the hardest things I've dealt with in my life. Loved that dog so much. Even now, I still see a picture of her somewhere and well up a little bit. It does kind of get easier and time does help you appreciate the time you had with her and you tend to think about that much more than the final few days.

I did not want to even think about getting a new dog for the longest time. My wife wanted one earlier than I did. Well, here we are now a year and a half later and we will be bringing a new puppy home next week. I've always had German Shorthaired Pointers my whole life and never imagined ever having a different breed. But we are getting a lab--the wife won that battle. And it's weird but just the act of getting a different breed makes it seem easier. Had we gotten the same kind again, I think it would seem as if we were like replacing Kasey or something. But this way it seems, in my mind at least, that we are trying something new and Kasey will forever live on as the last great Pointer of the Juggler family.

Anyway---Dogs are the best. Losing them are the worst. When it hurts this much that means they were loved. Your pooch clearly knew he was loved.

I actually wanted to name our dog Puck but got voted down. That's a tradition that my grandparents had. Every dog they had was named "Skippy". Just one right after the other. All farm mutts.

Simpsons-esque pet naming:

Image: https://dthezntil550i.cloudfront.net/od/latest/od1806250712146150005939077/1280_960/d0ea6453-43b3-4a4f-8689-8c0f0fc6e4b3.png

Gern Blansten · December 2023

It was always funny to hear grandma talk about old skippy and then have to pinpoint which skippy it was...1,2,3,4 etc.

The Juggler · December 2023

That's hilarious...and a bit confusing!

Wobbie · December 2023

The Juggler said:

So sorry Nick. We lost our Kasey a while back. She was 16 and I totally understand what you said about the feeling of losing your pooch verses other losses in your life. Nothing to feel guilty about. That was one of the hardest things I've dealt with in my life. Loved that dog so much. Even now, I still see a picture of her somewhere and well up a little bit. It does kind of get easier and time does help you appreciate the time you had with her and you tend to think about that much more than the final few days.

Anyway---Dogs are the best. Losing them are the worst. When it hurts this much that means they were loved. Your pooch clearly knew he was loved.

you all probably know this...but I think we talk to our dogs more than any other member of our households. It's a constant "conversation," right? It's hard to lose that.

man of the prowler · December 2023

hi nick. i'm so sorry for your loss. i've been thru the same. i'll share a story if ok...we love animals. currently 6 cats and a dog. my wife is witchy, got a black cat. fell in love, besties. prudence was dealt a bad hand unfortunately. kidney failure only a few years old. we found out same day cc passed. she fought for a while but passed away. 4 months later my father in law passed away. rewind to 2005. my gf gets me a dog for my bday. lucy. named after the awesome candlebox record. my 1st dog as an adult. my gf and i are like ross and rachael, off and on. we had an off period, i had custody of luce. she was my rock...rock, omg rock. reconsiliation turned to marriage....we had stl tix in 2020, the show date was luce's bday, i knew it was her last bday. i was ready to sell tix back but at same time this covid thing made me think itis gonna be postponed. huntch of a pandemic made me hang on to tix. i knew luce was getting bad. my selfish self probably took too long to make the decision. i knew what was coming. i had the opportunity to tell her things, such as thanks. i kept saying these certain words to her. ..lucy passed 7-12-20. i'm grateful, so grateful. at that moment i said those same words i said before..."i study your face, the fear goes away"...............2021...my dad passes away. he was lucys's fave. i cried more about lucy than my dad, my wife cried more about prudence than her dad....i think something a pet does besides being a sidekick badass is maybe prepare you for the adult losses. again, i'm very sorry

~:~:~:The Doggie Thread!!:~:~:~

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