Conference quark::mennotes-v1

Thank you for sharing that with us. Losing a pet is so difficult. Petless
people do not understand how much the affection of an animal grows on you.
They are so constant; they always love you: right or wrong, happy or sad,
good day or bad day, they are there to love you.

Good luck in finding another pet, not to replace Kira, but to share your
love and life with...

 the Doctah

    
    
    I hear you.  I understand.  And I empathize.  It hurts like hell.
    Soon it will only hurt like heck.  Maybe someday it will only
    hurt.
    
    When I think of my precious friends who have gone on, I remember
    the saying "You have touched me.  I have grown."  Sharing my life
    with them for a while has made my life ever so much nicer. And I
    treasure the memory of each of them.  And miss them.
    
    My sincere sympathy to you.
    
    Deborah
    
    

    thank you
    
    I don't know why, but writing that note ,, helped.
    
    I fell so silly feeling this emotional, but he was such a part
    of every day, that now I can't deny the emotion...
    
    Thanks the kind words..

    
    Best wishes during this most difficult time. But, don't feel silly,
    my wife and I both got pretty emotional when we lost a cat once.
    And now we've got two dogs and 1 cat that are all growing very old
    at the same time. 
    
    My wife and I just tried to remember the fact that we probably
    helped that cat have about the nicest life it could (compared
    to how some poor animals make out) and looking at it that way seemed
    to help a little.
    
    						Good luck, Hank

    I know exactly how you feel and I hated and loved your note at the
    same time.  I just lost my dog in November quite suddenly
    and he died in my arms.  Having him from 7 1/2 weeks until he was
    11 1/2 yrs. old was not enough time to spend with him.  Its never
    long enough I guess,  people or animals we grow close to and love.
    No time is a good time.   
    
    I can only say words of comfort to you for your loss.  I share your
    grief.  Remember all you shared with him and that he always
    gave you his best.  You made his life comfortable and gave him love.
    The physical bond has been broken but the memories live on.
    
    
    Judy
    

    
      I just wanted to offer my sincerest sympathies.

        Don't regret  the  emotion  -  it's  part of saying goodbye and
        remembering.
        
        Good luck,
        
        Andy
        
        

Thank you all for your thoughts.

    It certainly was a tuff weekend.  Lost of ghosts roaming around in the
    early hours of Saturday morning.  We all seemed to be looking for
    him,,, Like Friday morning was just a bad dream... 

    such a strange, unsettling feeling... 

    I'm not sure if it was the best thing to do, but Saturday morning, we
    went to the animal shelter and found "Charley"  He's a 13 month old
    Terrier (looks like the infamous "Benji") he's just a sweetheart of a
    pup.  Loves the kids, and I think the kids really needed him. 

    He's house broken, he's in real good health, and he's just a real great
    dog.  Dynamite disposition...  As much as I hate the word, He's "Cute"
    as the dickens ! 


    I know he made my wife and I feel like some of the hole Kira left, was
    filled..  I keep telling myself "It was for the kids" and though
    it's true, I can't help but admit that we did it for all of us.
        
    It's still tuff remembering our old pal Kira, He was definitely a part
    of the family.  "Charley" is helping to fill the void that Kira
    left.  (Big shoes to fill, Kira was about 90 pounds of Mutt, floppy
    ears, one blue eye..."Old Blue Eye" is what my dad called him..)

    Again, thank you all for your support.  I know Kira would have loved
    this little ball of fir.  Kira always got along with other dogs.  He
    was so much like a person... . Friendly, open, 

	Really, such a loss.

	/ray
    
        P.S. (For those of you who in Worcestor County that may be looking for
    a nice 'doggy the animal shelter in Sterling has some beautiful young
    dogs.  Please, if you can and if you want to, try and give one of them
    a good home..  They all look so sad... They have Labs, Terriers, a
    beautiful Husky named "Stonewall" [I wanted that guy, but he really
    needs a big yard, with lots of room to run,, not to be keep in
    an apartment during the day while we're at work, or on a run in the
    back yard.] 

    So thanks again for taking the time to answer my note.  You've all been
    a big help bearing the loss of Kira. 

    

    
    
    Brings to mind the saying "God never closes one door without
    opening another"....I thought my boxer-my constant companion
    for 12 years-was irreplaceable.  Six years ago I brought home
    Morgan, and now SHE has earned the status of "impossible to
    replace"....I guess Morgan didn't take Maja's place-she created
    a new cranny in my heart that will be hers forever!!
    
    Congratulations on your new 'kid'....and a gentle hint-2 dogs
    are really easier than 1!!  (see CANINE::CANINE for more on
    THAT topic!!)
    
    Deborah
    
    

    Deborah.. your right about craneys and places of the heart.
    (Hit the nail right on the head infact.....)
    
    And yeah, if I'd listend to myself on satruday, we'd be running
    a kennel right now.  I could just see the landlords face  ..
    
    "Gee Ray, one dog is fine, but 6 ?  Haven't we gone a little over
    board ?"
    
    "But Ralph, they're all so neat !"
    

    (We're lucky, This guy is rare comodity, a landlord that loves dogs....
    Geez, most of em don't even want you to have KIDS !)

    

    I *hate* being allergic to fur.  I can't own anything bigger than
    a gerbil - and believe me I've gotten pretty attached to some of
    my gerbils in the past (generally they're not TOO intelligent, and
    they don't do well on leashes for those nice, long afternoon walks).
    
    I think I could really grow to love a relationship with a pet -
    being there for each other - total acceptance - knowing one another's
    moods and likes and dislikes - sharing day in and day out.  
    
    Big hugs for those who've lost their pets, and big smiles for those
    who have seen their way clear to sharing their lives with many pets,
    whether consecutively or concurrently.
    
    -Jody
    

    
    
    I'm so sorry to hear about your loss. I can understand what you're
    going through.  Four years ago I went to bed on a friday nite and
    woke up saturday morning to find my best buddy, Toby, dead on my
    bedroom floor.  Come to find out, he had gotten into some antifreeze
    before going to bed friday nite and died peacefully (I hope) in his
    sleep.  To this day I still miss him, but we got another dog soon
    after he left us and she's just wonderful!  It was a hard way to
    find out about how toxic antifreeze is to dogs, but he still has
    a special place in my heart and I can only hope he didn't feel any
    pain.   
    
    I think it's tough to not get emotionally attached to your pets.
     They become a part of the family and an integral part of every
    day life.  I have two cats and a dog now and I get emotional if
    they just get sick!   Some people see animals as just that - animals
    - but I don't think you can put a price tag on the loyalty, love
    and companionship they give you.  It's a very special relationship.
    
    I hope you enjoy your newest addition to the family, and that he
    has a long and healthy life ahead of him!
    
    Regards,
    Cherie

    Just wanted to add my sympathy on your loss....I read your note
    sitting here in the office, and it brought tears to my eyes.  My
    boss thought there was something wrong until I let him read the
    note, and believe it or not, even he got misty!  I'm sure that Kira
    was more than just a dog....I had a "SUSIE" that was more my sister
    than the humans!  And I loved her with all my heart.  I had her
    for 17 years, and when she decided to leave us, I was sure that
    17 years was not even close to enough time on earth.  
    
    I'm sure that although Charlie will not take Kira's place, he will
    lessen the burden/loss that you and your family feel. 
    
    Take care, and know that there are others that feel your pain, and
    share your loss.
    
    Charlie is a lucky dog!!
    
    JayCee
    

    You all have great hearts.  Thanks for all your replies.
    
    It's still strange, it is taking some getting used to, but the fond
    memories are replacing the pain we all felt a week ago.  We can
    laugh about things now, when before, it'd make us cry.
    
    My Daughters got the gentlest heart of the family.  She's still askin
    why.  She still cries about once a day.  She wrote Kira a Valentines
    day card on Monday after she was done with all the friends cards.
    I looked over her shoulder to see what/who etc..  she was writing to.
    
    All it said was "I love you Kira"
    
    She looked up at me, eyes full of tears... A very tuff moment...
    
    Geeze, the Vets even sent us a sympathy card...
    
    But we're all feeling better...  
    
    Thanks again.
    
        

    To all those wonderful dog lovers of the world, a quota from Senator
    George Graham Vest:
    
    "The one, absolute, unselfish friend that man can have in this selfish
    world, the one that never deserts him, the one that never proves
    ungrateful or treacherous, is his "Dog".
    
    I have gone through the pain of having lost a few "friends" along
    the way.  Time does heal the pain but the memories are forever.
    I had to put my spring spaniel to sleep in 1969 and to this day
    my eyes fill thinking about how wonderful he was.
    
    I got him when I was 8 years old, he went thru so much with me and
    tolerant beyond belief.   I would paint his nails red, put lipstick and
    rouge on him, ribbons on his ears, clip on earrings, put my undershirt
    on him, my brothers underpants on backwards and cram him in my dog
    buggy and down the street I went with my "baby". Never a complaint.  He
    was really my dad's hunting dog but to me he was just my furry brother.
    
    Love them while you have them, their life is so short....
    
    
   

    Sorry to hear the bad news.
    
    My son is 9 also.  He lost his first St Bernard when he was 4. 
    The dog was just six.  It hurt me the most, finding the dog in the
    back yard.  I could hardly tell him.  
    
    He lost his second St Bernard, three days ago.  Cancer set in and
    "Aspen" had to be put to sleep.  She was five, and had given birth
    to about six puppies that lived and are in homes.  
    
    I'm divorced.  I've not seen Aspen in three years.  I trained her
    from a pup, to come, stay, heel, lie down, etc.  Hearing the news
    jerked my heart strings too.  I asked my son how he felt about it.
    He said, "Well dad, it's not the most pleasant thing to have happen."
    I was shocked at how well he had taken it.  I think that my departing
    three years ago has "grown" him up pretty fast.  Maybe, too fast?
    
    He still has one other St Bernard.  I suppose that comforts him
    as well.
    
    Glad you found another dog.  
    
    Dwight

    
    My wife and I have 4 dogs and 9 cats.  Somehow the more we get,
    the more we love each one individually.  It's going to be hard
    to lose any (we've never had a pet die in the 13 years we've been
    married).  On the other hand, we feel we've given them long and
    happy lives, and there are so many other abandoned dogs and cats
    that need a home.  Almost all of these animals were either unwanted
    or were strays.  I'm sure I'll be back to read this note for its
    warmth and honesty when one of our pets dies.  Thanks in advance to
    all...
    
    Ron

Sorry to hear about the Saint Bernard from three days ago.

Your son took it very well.  Children have a lot of courage,
and they don't even realize it.  

I'm very sorry to hear about your dog Kira.  I have a dog that is more
    of a daughter than a pet.  I too (as would my "real daughter") be
    devistated if anything should happen to her.  Your note brought
    tears to my eyes thinking of the love you had for your dog and the
    love I have for mine.

    My wife and I lost two pets (both cats) to the road over the last
    12 months...
    
    One of the hardest things I have had to do is bury them...
    
    Both were family members and are sorely missed. 
    
    The only solice I can take in their deaths is they both died quickly
    and without much pain.
    
    I miss them both...

    
    
    It really does hurt when a pet dies.  Especially when the animal
    in question meets an untimely end.  When the death could have
    been prevented.  While I sympathize with your pain, .20, perhaps
    after losing 2 cats, in the space of a year, "to the road", you
    might consider keeping your next cat indoors.
    
    Deborah
    
    

    um...the two cats we have now were adopted strays - they are used
    to being outside
    
    our flat is rather small and I dont think it would be fair to lock
    them inside. 
    
    On a brighter note they spend most of their time in the back garden
    chasing each other, or under the house (except at night when they
    are inside with us or at feeding time)
    
    They are also both fairly afraid of traffic, which the other two
    wern't and they stay well away from the road. 
    
    We are hoping to move to a much quieter (and safer) neighbourhood
    next year. Where we live now, is not so much a busy road as it
    is long and straight - the idiots that drive down our way get
    ticketed for flying too low rather than driving too fast...