PAM, welcome back. You have my sincere condolescence on the loss of your pet. I am a dog-lover all my life. I lost my first Samoyed on a day in March. He also died at home, at the age of 14. I remember how we buried him in our back yard and put daffodils on his grave. We got another Samoyed, but had raised "Frosty" from a pup and never got over his loss.

Pam, I'm so sorry for your loss. Many years ago I had a Newfoundland, so I know what generous and loving personalities they have. Many dogs are wonderful companions but Newfs are unique; not better, but different. You will never forget him, but as time passes your memories will bring you a tender joy.

I hope your other dog is bearing up well. He must be lonely these days.

Rosefolly

Hello PAM,

So sorry to hear about Snoopy. Only another dog lover can truly understand how we feel when we lose one of our beloved companions.

We still talk about our wonderful yellow lab, Olga, who died over six years ago. We still call her "the best dog ever," although we have two more wonderful dogs now. One of them is an old guy -- our best guess is 14 or 15. He was a rescue dog - part terrier and part miniature pinscher. We dread the day we lose him.

I'm glad you're back with us, and I hope we can distract you a bit as you begin to heal.

PAM,
so sorry to hear about Snoopy. Our animals occupy such a unique place on our lives, and leave an empty space when they go. But the pain now would not happen if you hadn't had the joy before. And the joy makes the memories.
Take care.
cece

I offer this quote from Beverley Nichols Cats A.B.C.:

"Indeed, I have much in common with Noel Coward, to whom I once introduced my first Siamese cat with the words, 'I hope you don't mind cats.' Whereupon he bent down, lifted the beautiful creature into his arms, and retorted 'My dear Beverley, I adore all animals to such an extent that I cannot see a water-bison without bursting into tears."

Not quite appropos, but substitute dog for cat and anyway it might make you smile. I am so sorry about Snoopy. He sounds like a dog of a lifetime. My own pets are very special to me, and all my sympathy is with you. In an odd way I envy you, because you have the ability to feel so deeply about Snoopy and your other dogs. Not everyone can enrich their life by knowing an animal, those who can are truly blessed. For myself, I can't imagine not living with dogs and cats and any other creature that wants to be friends, even though a sad parting is inevitable. And Snoopy was lucky to have you, too!

PAM, I too am so sorry to hear about Snoopy. Our current dog is our first, so I have yet to go through that loss, but I know how hard it will be.
Our dogs are part of the family and will always be loved dearly and greatly missed.
Kath

PAM,
So sorry to hear about Snoopy! As cutesy as the saying is, dogs ARE just little people in fur suits -- they hold special places in our hearts and are members of the family.

I grew up with a cat, but fell in love with my DH's dog the minute I met her. I can honestly say I fell in love with the dog before I fell in love with DH ;) Her passing was traumatic to say the least. Our current Border Collie is twelve years old and arthritic, and I cherish every moment I have with him as I know there is less time ahead than behind us.

Glad you're back. As sarah canary said, I hope RP can be a happy distraction from your loss.

My heart dropped when I saw your subject heading and I almost did not want to read the posting but we are all "family" here so must join in with the sad times as well as the happy ones. Like many others on this thread, I have had and lost family pets. I offer my condolences and wish you joy of the happy memories that come after the grief of loss.
Ann

Oh, Pam. So sorry to hear about Snoopy. It sounds like he was a very special dog.

Dear friends,

Thank you so much for your heartfelt posts. Snoopy was indeed a very very special guy, one in a million.

And thank you for sharing some stories about your own pets. It means a lot to know that you understand. I wish you all many many happy healthy loving years with your pets. They are family, they do understand, and they are all special.

And thank you friends, as Ann said, for being here in the sad times as well as the happy ones. It means so very much that I can post about him here.

PAM

PAM -

I was so sorry to read your message. We, also, have two very old dogs, one of whom is definitely on borrowed time, and every day, we have to wonder if he will be alive when we come from home. So I understand where you're coming from. I hope we can do the same for Obie's last moments as you did for Snoopy.

I bet you miss him like crazy - I know I will miss ours...
Wishing you lots of good memories....

liz

PAM

I, too, wish to offer my condolences. People who don't have pets don't really understand that our pets are members of our family. I recently lost one of my cats. We never knew how old he was since he showed up as an adult stray but we had him for over 10 years and we miss him greatly.

PAM, my heart fell when I saw the title of your post too, my sympathies to you and, as Rosefolly aptly pointed out, your other dog too. I remember when our doberman died unexpectedly, and our Komondor sat herself down on the 'doggie path' (a trail the very-active doberman had worn across our lawn) and waited for days and days for her friend to come running down the path again. Give your dog a hug for us.

I'm sorry, too, Pam. I have an opposite story. My brother-in-law died recently, and his much loved Jack Russell dog is bereft. She just sits and waits for him.

Just to add my condolences, with love.

PAM....I sit here crying for you.
Loving an animal is the most wonderful gift for both of you.
I am sorry for your loss. Imagine how much joy you shared and take comfort in knowing that you gave Snoopy the best life ever.
He'll always be near you.

Pam-I know what it is like to lose your fur baby that you loved with all your heart. My sympathy to you. Glad to see you are back.

I just wanted to add my sympathy for your loss. We just lost our Boxer dog in January, so I understand the grief you feel. May your memories come to outweigh your sorrow.
Sarah

So sorry, PAM, to hear of your loss. Hoping time will ease your sorrow.

Thank you friends, Each and every one of your comments has brought a smile to my face. I feel for all of you who have lost pets in the past. Each and every day is special. I often hear people say to enjoy each day because we just never know if it is our last... now I take it to heart.

There will never be another dog like Snoopy. He was one in a billion. But instead of focusing on the fact that he is not here with me anymore, I am trying to focus on the fact that I was so very lucky to have shared ten years of my life with this amazing dog... no, not just a dog, my best friend and companion.

Your friendship through the years has always meant a lot to me, and now it means even more. Thank you for everything. You will never know how much your messages have helped me to heal.

With love,
PAM

Just a note: we had to put our fourteen year old Australian Shepherd to sleep today. It's incredibly sad but we feel that we did the right thing. The quality of life just wasn't there for him any more.

I had no idea I had this many tears stored up inside me. So much for the stiff upper lip of English people.

Obie - the worst puppy in the world, but a grand old man in the end.

May you catch those jackrabbits now.

Lemonhead-My sympathy for your loss. We had the same situation with our "Walter" also a old shephard. You will never forget "Obie" but remember that he had your love during his brief life and that was a blessing for both of you.

Lemon,

I am sending you strength and love to get through this difficult time. The hurt is unbearable, I know... but somehow, the love and caring of friends helps you to heal. We can get through this... you shall be in my thoughts.
Maybe your Obie and my Snoopy are now the best of friends waiting until it's their time to cross over the rainbow bridge and back to us.
PAM

Pam and Lemon,

I am so sorry to hear of your losses. My pets bring laughter and light to me each day, I cannot bear to think of being without them, although I know that one day the time may come.

I am attaching a link to a short poem that brought solace to me in the past, although it may not be your cups of tea or it may be too soon.

Here is a link that might be useful: Rainbow Bridge

Lemon, so sorry to hear of your loss too.
May Obie live long in your memory, as I am sure he will.
Kath

Lemon, I am very sorry to hear about Obie. Although we know a parting is inevitable, that doesn't make it any easier. I hope you are comforted by your happy memories of him.