Does anyone else think about the fact that their dog is going to die? I'm going to go out on a limb and say that we have all thought of it from time to time and wonder how we are ever going to live without them. I'm not talking so much about the morbid details but the huge loss that will occur when they go. My dogs are still young, at 7, 4, and 3 years old. Here's the part the scares me, I have four dogs all the same age. Zappa, Fiona, Chance and Blaze are all from the same litter and only hours apart from each other. Brut their father is only a year older than them and then Silver will be turning 8 this summer. Each pair of dog is tightly bonded with each other. Brut and Silver, Zappa and Fiona, Chance and Blaze. They can hardly stand to be separated for a few hours, how will it be if one or the other dies? Will it be like long term marriage and when one goes, the other won't be able to live without the other?
Their ages alone are enough to make me think I should have a reservation at the local loony bin when the time gets close but couple that with the fact of the intense connection between the three pairs is it almost too much to bear, but I do think about it sometimes. I know I can't be alone. To lose one of these dogs would be like losing a body part. I thought losing Alex three years ago was a heartache that I could never go through again and he didn't join our family until he was 9 years old. I still don't know that I've totally gotten over him. I still miss him to this day. Silver and Brut we got as young puppies and the other four I watched be born. Oh, and what about the rest of the litter, if they all live full lives, we will be losing them around the same time as well. It really is a scary thought. There have been several recent deaths of dogs around the blog world that has made me think about these precious lives we hold so dear to our heart and must learn to let go of. I'm sure there is no comfort when the time is right and we must do what we must do out of love for our beloved, but friends I don't know if I'm ready for it. Are we every really ready for it?
Cherish the time we have together. Their lives our so short to begin with compared to ours. Enjoy the moments. Pay attention to the little things and hold them all as close to your heart as possible. Life goes too quick not to love.
Our unique experience and journey of the unconditional love of our two packs of dogs. A healing love that binds us all together and makes them more than just dogs. They are family.
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15 comments:
We have the same thoughts here too. Phantom and Dakota were only 15 months apart and grew up together from a very young age. Thunder and Ciara are even closer. When we lost Dakota, we always thought Phantom would go soon after because he was so bonded to Dakota. He had a very tough time when she first left, co,plicated by major surgery for the removal of the first of a series of malignant tumors. In time he did seem to be better spirit-wise although his sickies continue. For the humans it is also very hard. But with time the hurt is diminished by the wonderful good memories. Having lots and lots of photos and videos really helps a lot.
You have so many around the same age that it is very understanding that you think the way you do. Just enjoy them to the fullest while you have them.
I agree. It's reasonable to think about it. So many in our blogsphere have crossed the rain bow bridge and I went to a funeral yesterday. But as the priest said yesterday morning. We still have or memories. They live for ever in our hearts. Just cherish the moments that we have left. They enrich our lives in life and in death.
I do think about it. Mine are still puppies at 2 1/2 and 1. I'm already so attached to them, so I can imagine what another 10ish years with them will only multiply my love exponentially. But I agree with Lillij - we will always have memories (which makes me less concerned that I have 1500+ pics on just my PHONE of my furbabies!)
True, true. It is terribly hard. When I lost my rescued Neo several years ago, the black lab that I'd raised from a puppy (and had for 7 years before Otis arrived) melted like a sno-cone in July. He never recovered and when I lost him about 2 years later he was a shell of his former self. It was heartbreaking. We never have enough time with them.
One of the reasons I've always had multple dogs is so that, selfishly, I would have the comfort of another dog when the time came. I think it makes it a bit easier.
My dogs have always grieved the loss of their companions.
Again, I think having multiple dogs eases the transition, as much as possible.
Yes, I do think about it, particularly when I hold my "heart cat" Belle. I can't imagine living without her, and it scares me to love something so much. How unfair it seems, at times, that their lifespans are so much shorter than ours.
The loss would be like a cannonball hole in the heart and it scary knowing you love something so much. But there are no lifespan guarantees for anything that lives so we must force ourselves to live in the now when they ARE here when they ARE a part of our every monet when they ARE able to be held and comfort us and physically share. Your conclusion of cherish each moment and not taking the little things for granted (for these are what we most miss) and making time NOW is the best we can do to "prepare" (if being prepared is ever possible). Just love each other for always.
No matter the circumstances, you're never ready to lose them!
Our first Greyhound was one I was particularly close to. She always had such zest for life and I thought she'd be a fabulous diva when she became old. Just past her tenth birthday, she developed what we are pretty sure was a spinal tumor. In five weeks, she was gone. Our second Greyhound, Hawk, was just six days older than she was. They were always very close. One of the hardest parts of grieving her, for me, was seeing him grieve for her, too. Actually, all three of our remaining hounds grieved her, but his was the most intense. I really thought he might grieve himself to death over her. He was always very devoted to Treat and to me, and I think his heart was torn when she died. When we adopted Bunny, he rallied. I still can't explain why. I don't know if it's because Lilac and Blueberry share a natural bond (mother and daughter) and he was a little left out, or if he felt like he had a purpose in helping Bunny to learn the ropes, or if he just took a shine to her. He was the first one to accept her, and bless the old man, he even played with her a little. It was about a year and a half after Treat died that Hawk passed away. That was around the time Bunny seemed really settled in here and was doing pretty well. I almost felt like he felt his mission was finished. He'd taught Bunny what needed to be done here and then he could be at peace. I was sad when he was gone, but I also felt at peace -- like the two of them were back together.
I worry about it too. Sam and I are very closely bonded, and I've gotten used to doing everything with him. Even now, I'm sitting on the floor using the laptop and he is leaning up against my back. How do you ever get over losing your heart? I try not to think about it - and try to spend all the time together that we can.
Sam
A few years ago we had three older cats who all became sick at the same time. They all passed away within 6 months. It was heartbreaking and one of the most painful periods of my life. Pip is 13 and although he is pretty healthy I still worry all the time.
I have and I do. I think it is normal once you have experienced the loss of a pet that you loved so much. However, I try my hardest to focus on the short time I have with them and make it the best ever-so there are no regrets later!
Ohh..i try not to think about it..It makes me sad and scared.I know i will have to face it one day but till then I shall spend each moment cherishing the times with Maxx, taking as many pics of him as i can, hugging him etc. He is almost 7 years old now..how time passes so fast! But to me he's still my little hamster which i used to be able to carry around like a little purse.:)
Cheers,
Maxx's mommy
P.s - Maxx wants to know if that "tongue being as long as your ears" fact is real or you're just pulling his paw..:) hehehe!
It's so hard to lose a 4 legged family member. But, it is just the way it is..humans live so much longer. We just cherish the time, take lots of pictures and keep moving forward.
Wyatt's Mom
It is hard to lose a pet, I try not to think about it. Pictures aren't quite the same, but they bring great memories to mind.
Wow - powerful comments here - I have to agree with everyone's thoughts. The thoughts of loss creep into my mind and I find my heart aching. I have to agree with you and with Siku Marie above. We embrace each moment with them and really live with them. That's how we repay their gift of life. My heart is with you.
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