Goodbye Sweet Friend
We’ve had a few tough days. I’ve not really been near a computer and I know I’ve neglected friends… but it was time to say goodbye to a very special friend yesterday.
It all started on Thursday afternoon and it ended at 7.35pm last night.
My dad said his goodbyes and went to sit in the car. I sat on the concrete floor of the specially made kennel. My knees grazed the fluffy blanket that comforted the sleeping dog… her eyes tight shut, breathing laboured…
I stroked her gently from head to toe, then I kissed her closed eyes and said my own goodbye and a special goodbye on behalf of my dad. He couldn’t do it but I knew he didn’t want her to be alone.
She slipped away…
Tess was 11 years old… She was sweet and good natured. She “loved my bones” as my dad would say, and she was my dads constant and loyal companion for five years with my mam and for six years after.
We loved her no less than we love each other. She gave us so much, she expected nothing in return.
Sweet Tess.
You are loved. xx
You will be missed.
July 21, 2009 at 9:57 pm
OMG Daffy. There is nothing more painful than saying goodbye to a pet. Your post brought tears to my eyes and remembrance to all my pets I’ve buried. Rest in peace, Tess.
Bill
July 21, 2009 at 11:06 pm
Daffy,I feel your pain.years ago I watch my shepard mix dog of 14 years suffering from canser we had to take her and put her to sleep.this is the one thing that I am not good at.
July 22, 2009 at 12:23 am
I know it’s hard. People have close and special relationships with their dogs.
July 22, 2009 at 1:23 am
Oh, Daffy… I’m so very, very sorry. My heart is breaking for you and for your dad. I’m glad that you were able to be with her at the end – I’m sure it was a great comfort to both Tess and your dad. Godspeed, Tess. And a hug across the ocean for you.
July 22, 2009 at 1:53 am
I’m so, so sorry for you and your family..It hurts so much to lose a family pet, we’ve lost a few and the pain can be unbearable.
*Hugs*
July 22, 2009 at 7:40 am
My heartfelt sympathies. I, and everyone else who has pets, know just how hard it is when this happens.
She will of course live on in all your fond memories of her.
Take care and hugs! xx
July 22, 2009 at 10:40 am
You have my sympathy. I know how hard it is to say goodbye.
July 22, 2009 at 12:22 pm
***hugs***
July 22, 2009 at 3:42 pm
{HUG}
July 22, 2009 at 5:16 pm
So sorry to hear the news Tracey, I know how you all feel, give your Dad a big hug and one for yourself…
July 22, 2009 at 5:29 pm
Sorry to hear about the dog. Wouldn’t the best thing be to go out and get another one.
July 22, 2009 at 7:18 pm
Oh! Such sad news, Daffy. We know our pets don’t live as long as we do, but it is still heart-wrenching when they go. Please give your dad all our condolences and a big hug.
July 22, 2009 at 9:52 pm
I’m so sorry for your loss. I’m sure that in time a four-legged fur family member will step into your life and help fill Tess’s paw prints.
July 23, 2009 at 4:53 am
I so very sorry. I know how you loved the Tess. Black dogs are the best.
July 23, 2009 at 11:19 am
Hugs.
July 23, 2009 at 9:29 pm
Thank you so much everyone. It really has been hard. My dad is broken. He says that she was his reason to get up on a morning….
Oh those hugs were just what we needed too!
Anyway, there is a little more to this story…. I bet you can’t wait. I’ll give you a clue, it’s about my dads new lodger. I won’t say ‘family member’ yet as it’s early days.
My daughter is 14 tomorrow so at leat we have something to help us smile.
Thank you again, I have never felt so cared for before. You are a wonderful support network of buddies! xxxxx
July 24, 2009 at 10:33 am
I’m sure that everyone would say that you’re most welcome.
I for one can’t wait to see your dad’s new lodger!
Happy birthday Andrea! Have a lovely day with lots of cards, presents, cake and bubbly(lemonade!)
Hugs, and have a good weekend! xx
July 24, 2009 at 1:14 am
Oh. That sweet face.
I’m so sorry. That stuff is really hard. I’m so glad that you were there with Tess and she went surrounded by love.
I agree with driver. Black dogs…
Happy birthday to your daughter. She is certainly growing up. How do they do it so fast?
July 24, 2009 at 8:19 am
Oh, I was so sorry to hear this sad sad news. Of course, your dad must be devastated, as I’m sure you all are ~ with your daughter turning 14, she must have known Tess most of her life. I hope the new lodger is what I’m thinking it is, and I do hope Andrea has a lovely birthday! Much love and hugs to all ~
July 24, 2009 at 4:30 pm
It is so hard to loose a pet, as loyal and affectionate as a dog. My father had a poodle he loved dearly. (This is the same man who never told me he loved me, hmmm! I learned this weekend he never told my brother either.) When Collette died he would not have another dog. Perhaps, the prospect of more pain was too much.
I am not very sentimental about Death., my own included. I have seen a lot of it. This does not diminish my affection and appreciation for a pet, particularly a dog. My son has a very old Labrador Retriever, (his first child). She is so obviously old and arthritic. I would have put her down long ago but she hangs on. He doesn’t bring her to the river for the water would make her think she could run and jump in which would only make her pain the next day worse.
I hope you Dad finds the strength to once again to invest emotionally in another dog. They give us so much.
July 24, 2009 at 6:24 pm
I am so sorry. I wish our dogs could live as long as we do, that’s the hardest thing about dogs…
Big big hugs,
Sebastien
July 24, 2009 at 6:59 pm
oh sweetie, I’m in tears here just thinking about how hurt and lost you all are. My love and support to all of you!
July 25, 2009 at 5:40 pm
I’m sorry for the loss you and your family have suffered, Daffy.
From your comments, it sounds like you may have found another little reason for you dad to get up each day again and that has got to be a good thing.
July 25, 2009 at 6:10 pm
I have said it all already…
I hope dad is hanging in…
July 25, 2009 at 7:44 pm
I am so sorry. I’ve been there myself and know I have it to face before long. My Bad Boy (cat)is nearly 15 years old. I believe there is no love more pure than that of a child and a pet. I know the new pet will be part of the family in no time.
July 25, 2009 at 9:48 pm
I am so sad for you all, I know the pain of losing a much loved family pet and friend, can hardly write for the tears. Lots of hugs.
July 25, 2009 at 10:16 pm
so sorry to hear of your family’s loss. (((hugs)))
July 26, 2009 at 5:55 pm
I am so sorry to hear you and your Dad have lost a loving companion. I know from your previous posts how much Tess meant to you both. A big hug for you both, from me. x
July 27, 2009 at 8:42 am
I find it so difficult to learn that a beloved friend has crossed over the Rainbow Bridge. I admit, dear Daffy, that I have tears in my eyes.
July 27, 2009 at 12:36 pm
Oh sweetheart.. that’s so sad
Thinking of you.. xxx
July 29, 2009 at 11:00 pm
I’m sorry to read this… it always hurts when a pet passes on (and never really gets better). RIP, Tess.
August 2, 2009 at 5:31 pm
I am so sorry to read of this loss. (And sorry I’m late. I was too swamped with work to blog read, and then we went away for a week.)
August 5, 2009 at 3:22 am
So sorry to hear about Tess. A dog passing away is a very sad thing.
My daughter found a good way to commemorate a pet’s passing. When we find ourselves with a helium balloon, she sets it free and “sends it to Ted”, our dog who died years ago.
We imagine Ted catching the balloon in heaven and running through the happy fields where all dogs must go.
August 15, 2009 at 2:48 am
So sorry for your family’s loss. I know first hand the pain when losing a pet.