Saying goodbye to my best friend

[Renthorin]

My 15 year old Siberian Husky Marley had a stroke at 1am Wednesday morning. Since then she has lost the ability to stand and walk on her own. I am torn apart with grief. She has been my best friend for so many years and we have shared so many adventures I can not imagine not seeing her every morning when I wake up. She has gone with me on most of my camping trips, pulled me on skis, walked through the woods millions of times and slept next to my side of the bed every night.

She is resting on the floor next to me with her head next to my foot in what I hope is some measure of comfort. Tomorrow morning at 8am our vet will be coming over to put her to sleep, on her favorite dog bed, and send her on the next adventure.

I was going to take her camping one last time two weeks ago but thought she would be too much of a “burden” as she was having difficulty moving. To say that I am wracked with guilt is an understatement. I wish to god I could go back and time and give her one more romp in the woods.

The point of all this is not to bring you down but to stress with great emphasis that if you have a pet go to it now and hug it or pet it or give it a treat….whatever HE/SHE will enjoy because once they are gone you can never interact with them again.

I will miss her terribly but I will always remember the great fun we shared together and how happy we made each other.

Here is my baby girl…………

http://community.webshots.com/photo/57659148/1080577436036283741rcrTqk

 

[Bescurred]

Man, I feel your pain...I lost my dog not to long ago that I had from when I was in 6th grade until I was 23 years old. Shes in a better place now and loving her is all you can do. Time will heal your pain bro...just remember the good times as she will too.

 

[86gngirl]

She is beautiful. I can simpathize with you. I just recently put my cat to sleep and 1 year ago had to do the same with my shepard. I can't tell you it will be easy but they will no longer suffer another day. She loves you unconditionaly and always will. Give her a good pat on the head for me and you will be in my families thoughts. Again sorry to hear the news.

 

[Gary Wells]

I am sorry for your loss. She is such a beautiful dog and always will be. The memories of the companionship that you and her shared will replace the pain and sorrow of your loss. Losing family hurts.

 

[John Larkin]

http://rainbowsbridge.com/Poem.htm

 

[Renthorin]

thank you all for your kind words. I have lost 3 dogs before this one and she will not be the last but I feel this pain more than any of the others.

I have 6 other dogs besides her and they are all being very good and understanding at the moment. I think they know she is failing. One of them, not the one I would expect, has been laying next to her a lot today as if offering company so she isn't alone when I am wandering the house.

I know the pain fades and the memories remain so this grieving period is only temporary but still............ouch...

 

[Renthorin]

Thanks John. My wife and I are very familiar with the rainbow bridge. She has it printed and framed.

We lost Marley's older sister a few years ago (she was 15 too) and I keep telling her that Christy is waiting to show her the green grass and they can run together again.

There is a song that from the moment I heard it I knew it was Marley's song. She has been sliding downward slowly for the past year so each time I heard this song I cried.

Here we go....



Lay down,
your sweet and weary head.
Night is falling.
You have come to journey’s end.

Sleep now,and dream
of the ones who came before.
They are calling,
from across the distant shore.

Why do you weep?
What are these tears upon your face?
Soon you will see.
All of your fears will pass away.
Safe in my arms,
you’re only sleeping.

What can you see,
on the horizon?
Why do the white gulls call?
Across the sea,
a pale moon rises.
The ships have come,
to carry you home.

And all will turn,
to silver glass.
A light on the water.
All souls pass.

Hope fades,
Into the world of night.
Through shadows falling,
Out of memory and time.

Don’t say,
We have come now to the end.
White shores are calling.
You and I will meet again.
And you’ll be here in my arms,
Just sleeping.

What can you see,
on the horizon?
Why do the white gulls call?
Across the sea,
a pale moon rises.
The ships have come,
to carry you home.

And all will turn,
to silver glass.
A light on the water.
Grey ships pass
Into the West.

 

[Grumpy]

wow ... you have to be happy she has been around that long . my dog is has outlasted all my other dogs by 3 years and he is 9 .. aniamls sure are great friends... sorry but I don't know what else I could say to help ya threw this :redface:

 

[Buicksx2]

I am very sorry to hear of your loss, they are a family member and losing them is never easy. We lost our Old English Mastiff two years ago this month and it is still not quite the same coming home and not seeing my 200 pounds boy not here.

Time does help, remember the good times you had with her and I wish you and your family all the best during these time.

 

[BandAid]

Sorry to hear the bad news ,I have the White Husky and we have exchanged pics and you have given me great advise on my dog,when he was a puppy 2.5 yrs ago..
Again sorry to hear,I torcher myself olmost every day thinking of that dreadful day,which is many yrs down the road...

 

[turbo382nv]

i feel ur pain,i lost my lil dog 2 months ago and my rotty in jan of 04...not a day goes by that i dont think of either of them...

 

[Russ Merritt]

Yup, she is pretty.......My female huskies are 9 and 8 and I hope they last as long as yours. Just thank God he let you have her this long. To bad we have ta give em back, I'll be thinkin of you tomorrow....Tell her how much you love her and hold her tight.....

Sorry dude........ .....

 

[plowboy72]

This seriously sux, I have a blue heeler that is completely blind. I am dreading the final outcome. I'm truly sorry for your loss.

 

[Quiky One]

Sorry to hear. I had my last lab put to sleep March 31, 2003. I had her for nine years. I still miss her even though I have another.

Jason

 

[INEEDAGN]

I normally don't jump in a thread like this but I feel your pain. We had to put down our brittany spaniel not long ago. She was 14. I barely remember a time when we didn't have her. She was stolen twice, both times returned because of neighbors who wrote down the tag # of the car that picked her up. It was very very hard to turn and walk out the door the morning that they put her to sleep. I bet you stand there an hour before you finally let them do it. And you WILL tear up.

My wife and I just got what we hope is a long term pet. He is an 8 week old weimaraner named Jack. Breeder couldn't sell him and was going to put him down, same scenario we got Brittany from.

 

[GNeric]

I am sorry to hear this news. We lost our ChowChow Tawny to a stroke and she was only 7 years old. She was fine while we were getting ready for work. One hour later. She didn't know who I was or where she was. She only recognized my wife. My wife took her to the vet and she died there. It has been 6 years now and it still hurts.

Our prayers are with your family.

 

[Lhorn]

Man, I hate posts like this. Animals are great. Unlike most people, all they want is to be your friend. I lost a bloodhound when I was in high school. Nearly 20 years later there are times when I still get a tears in my eyes thinking about her.

 

[Renthorin]

Thank you all very much for helping me get through this. At 5:45 this morning, as the sun was coming up, she stopped breathing. I am relieved I did not have to have her put down, that it was her own decision.

My wife and I were at her side, holding a paw when she passed.

She is happier now and no longer suffering.

Our 13 year old female was in the house and when it happened, she got up and came over...she knew.

 

[Quick Turbo V6]

I'm sorry for your loss. I have 2 Husky's also. It is one of the worst/hardest things you go through,IMO. Your other dogs will help you get through it. They seem to know when your down,sick or just had a bad day.

Here are my 2. Penny the female looks alittle like your Marley.

Scott

 

[jdpolzin]

Man, that is such a bummer! I am glad that you can come to your TB brothers for some help in the process!! I am sitting here right now with my dog, Toby, who is a Mastiff/Lab mix and my girlfriends dog Bogey, who is a chow mutt! They just got done eating breakfast!! These guys are very special to me and it scares me every day to think of the day Toby has to go. I got him, my first dog a year and a half ago when he was 8 weeks old and 11 pounds. He is one of the guys and is loved by everyone!! My siamese cat Sam is sitting here next to the keyboard watching the computer screen move as I type!!!! Just remember God gave us these joys in our lives and gave them us!! We are all a gift to each other! They help us through when we need each other! I lost my girlfriend of three years two years ago in a car accident. She was my entire life. I didn't really know what life was about until she was gone. I guess the thing I learned is to appreciate every moment! Even if they seem difficult at the time!!