Lost my best friend Pretty little Angel eyes

[DCP]

Angel was the best thing to ever happen to me. She pick me when we had to pick a pup.
She had liver and kidney failure. I couldn't let her suffer. So many things racing through my mind.

Wow this is hard

She was named from this song
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZT__JFMUgU
Pretty little angel eyes
Angel eyes
I really love you so
Angel eyes
I'll never let you go
Because I love you
My darling angel eyes
Pretty, pretty, pretty little angel eyes

Angel eyes
You are so good to me
And when I'm in your arms
It feels so heavenly
You know I love you
My darling angel eyes

I know you were sent from heaven above
To fill my life with your wonderful love
I know we'll be happy for eternity
'Cause I know that our love is really real

Angel eyes
I really love you so
Angel eyes
I'll never let you go
Because I love you
My darling angel eyes

I'll never let you go
Because I love you
My darling angel eyes
Pretty pretty pretty little angel eyes

[Dframe]

So hard when you have to let one go. You have my sincerest sympathy.

[DeadWoodDan]

My thoughts are with you.
DWD

[shooter2]

My sympathies. We lost our Buddy and now, five months later, I still mourn.

[YunGun]

Sorry for your loss! Take solace in the fact that she's no longer in pain, & will be waiting for you!

[TheCelt]

My condolences on your loss. It's been a little over a year since I lost my best friend, I think about him daily. While I feel a twinge of sorrow now, I smile at the memories of his antics. They do hold a special place in our hearts.

[jcwit]

So sorry for your loss!

[gray wolf]

You have my deepest condolences for the loss of you friend. It's no fun to see them suffer and it's so painful to be without them.
I hope the pain of your loss is short and the happy memories last forever.

sam

[williamwaco]

Been there, done that, I know how bad it hurts.

It is OK to be angry about it. It actually helps me.

It was not her fault. She didn't deserve it. You couldn't prevent it.
It is all so painful.

You will eventually recover, but you will never forget her.

[Charlie Two Tracks]

Sorry to hear that DCP. Dogs don't last too long no matter what. Our Golden Retriever had four seizures in one day last month. He is on medication and it has pretty much stopped them. It's our Granddaughters dog. Our Granddaughter moved in with us seven years ago and we got her this Golden. I sure hope he makes it a couple more years until she is out of school.

[Mumblypeg]

We are with you... One month to the day I buried my Blue Heeler, the one in my avatar.... I miss her but I smile every time I think of the great days we had together.... She brought her replacement up to the house two years ago...(I know, you really don't replace them but you know what I mean.) It was like she knew she would be here just short of two more years and wanted to get him educated to way she did things here.... I have a picture of all my dogs and cats where they will always be with me.... excuse me.... I have something in my eye.....

[DoubleAdobe]

So sorry, brother. It is so damn painful, wish I had better words for you. Prayers for you and your faithful pup.

[OBIII]

A lot of people call them pets. We in the know understand that they are precious family members, destined to be with us only a short while. I have lost my share, and they all hold a place in my memory, and a piece of my heart. Sorry for your loss, but such is the circle of life. She is waiting on you, but she doesn't mind.

OB

[MaryB]

Had to put my first lab Misty to sleep, bad cancer and she was suffering...

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.
All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown...

[snuffy]

"...And, beloved master, should the great Master see fit to deprive me of my health or sight, do not turn me away from you. Rather, hold me gently in your arms as skilled hands grant me the merciful boon of eternal rest and I will leave you knowing the last breath I drew, my fate was ever safest in your hands."

"He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog.
You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart.
You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion."

"The Power of the Dog"
"GARM -- A HOSTAGE" -- ACTIONS AND REACTIONS
There is sorrow enough in the natural way
From men and women to fill our day;
And when we are certain of sorrow in store,
Why do we always arrange for more?
Brothers and Sisters, I bid you beware
Of giving your heart to a dog to tear.

Buy a pup and your money will buy
Love unflinching that cannot lie --
Perfect passion and worship fed
By a kick in the ribs or a pat on the head.
Nevertheless it is hardly fair
To risk your heart for a dog to tear.

When the fourteen years which Nature permits
Are closing in asthma, or tumour, or fits,
And the vet's unspoken prescription runs
To lethal chambers or loaded guns,
Then you will find -- it's your own affair --
But . . . you've given your heart to a dog to tear.

When the body that lived at your single will,
With its whimper of welcome, is stilled (how still!)
When the spirit that answered your every mood
Is gone -- wherever it goes -- for good,
You will discover how much you care,
And will give your heart to a dog to tear.

We've sorrow enough in the natural way,
when it comes to burying Christian clay.
Our loves are not given, but only lent,
at compound interest of cent per cent.
Though it is not always the case, I believe,
That the longer we've kept'em, the more do we grieve;

For, when debts are payable, right or wrong,
A short-time loan is as bad as a long --
So why in -- Heaven (before we are there)
Should we give our hearts to a dog to tear?

[Ramar]

DCP, this helps me.

In their all to short lives our dogs give us all they can,
their friendship, their unselfish love and total loyalty.
There comes a time when we must give back to them,
their freedom from pain, their peace and dignity.
May you find some comfort knowing your Angel is now
at peace and in heaven awaiting your arrival.

I'm gonna have one big reunion when I get there! One of the things I'm looking forward to.
Ramar

[TheCelt]

93178

[DCP]

Last night was so very hard. Angel was nearly 14 She was just days away, Feb 13. This morning it was still harder. As Mom would cook breakfast Angel would come get me in the bedroom. 2 or three times till I came out. Patches came in once this morning as to say I got this Dad. So very hard.

Angel was the only girl I let smother me. She never liked me working on my guns or anything. She would pout when I did.

When I walked by my chair she would herd me into it. Ya a 18lb little Black Schnauzer herding a 6-3 300 man into his chair it was quit a sight. Then she would jump up into my lap and make me stay there. The wife would just laugh and say I wish I had that power.


All these post have been so very helpful. Thanks to ALL. Two or three had me crying like a baby. I will post a picture when I can. Much too hard right now.

Vaya con Dios

[Lloyd Smale]

cant imagine how hard it is for you right now.

[WILCO]

So hard when you have to let one go. You have my sincerest sympathy.

Ditto for me. Stay strong.

[DCP]

Well I took a breath and did this for Angel

Angel is the Black Schnauzer. Patches and the wife


I have sunshine on a cloudy days with my girls

[DoubleAdobe]

Beautiful picture there friend. Let it give you some comfort.

[Ramar]

Thanks for sharing the photo DCP.

I'd like to say that "time will heal" or "maybe lessen the hurt" but.........
a tear... still comes to my eyes when I think of my first dog I got when I was 1 year old. I had to put him down 42 years ago. I was 22 and he was 21yrs. old. Talk about growing up together; we did it all together, even ran away from home together at age 9 and later went to college together. I had a troubled childhood and probably would be in jail now or dead if it weren't for my best friend taking care of me and keeping me out of trouble.

The keyboard is hard to see now; I wish I could help ya, the reunion will be grand...

Hang in there Guy
Ramar

[snuffy]

I don't know who wrote this, or even if it's maybe a true story, but it's typical of how dogs can adapt to new surroundings;


A Dog Story...

They told me the big black Lab's name was Reggie as I looked at him lying in his pen. The shelter was clean, no-kill, and the people really friendly.

It all started when I'd only been in the area for six months, but everywhere I went in the small college town, people were welcoming and open. Everyone waves when you pass them on the street.

But something was still missing as I attempted to settle in to my new life here, and I thought a dog couldn't hurt. Give me someone to talk to. And I had just seen Reggie's advertisement on the local news. The shelter said they had received numerous calls right after, but they said the people who had come down to see him just didn't look like "Lab people," whatever that meant. They must've thought I did.

But at first, I thought the shelter had misjudged me in giving me Reggie and his things, which consisted of a dog pad, bag of toys almost all of which were brand new tennis balls, his dishes, and a sealed letter from his previous owner. See, Reggie and I didn't really hit it off when we got home. We struggled for two weeks (which is how long the shelter told me to give him to adjust to his new home). Maybe it was the fact that I was trying to adjust, too. Maybe we were too much alike.

For some reason, his stuff (except for the tennis balls - he wouldn't go anywhere without two stuffed in his mouth) got tossed in with all of my other unpacked boxes. I guess I didn't really think he'd need all his old stuff, that I'd get him new things once he settled in. but it became pretty clear pretty soon that he wasn't going to. I tried the normal commands the shelter told me he knew, ones like "sit" and "stay" and "come" and "heel," and he'd follow them - when he felt like it. He never really seemed to listen when I called his name - sure, he'd look in my direction after the fourth of fifth time I said it, but then he'd just go back to doing whatever. When I'd ask again, you could almost see him sigh and then grudgingly obey.

This just wasn't going to work. He chewed a couple shoes and some unpacked boxes. I was a little too stern with him and he resented it, I could tell. The friction got so bad that I couldn't wait for the two weeks to be up, and when it was, I was in full-on search mode for my cellphone amid all of my unpacked stuff. I remembered leaving it on the stack of boxes for the guest room, but I also mumbled, rather cynically, that the "damn dog probably hid it on me."

Finally I found it, but before I could punch up the shelter's number, I also found his pad and other toys from the shelter.. I tossed the pad in Reggie's direction and he snuffed it and wagged, some of the most enthusiasm I'd seen since bringing him home. But then I called, "Hey, Reggie, you like that? Come here and I'll give you a treat." Instead, he sort of glanced in my direction - maybe "glared" is more accurate - and then gave a discontented sigh and flopped down. With his back to me. Well, that's not going to do it either, I thought. And I punched the shelter phone number.


But I hung up when I saw the sealed envelope. I had completely forgotten about that, too. "Okay, Reggie," I said out loud, "let's see if your previous owner has any advice.".... .....

To Whoever Gets My Dog: Well, I can't say that I'm happy you're reading this, a letter I told the shelter could only be opened by Reggie's new owner. I'm not even happy writing it. If you're reading this, it means I just got back from my last car ride with my Lab after dropping him off at the shelter. He knew something was different. I have packed up his pad and toys before and set them by the back door before a trip, but this time... it's like he knew something was wrong. And something is wrong... which is why I have to go to try to make it right.

So let me tell you about my Lab in the hopes that it will help you bond with him and he with you. First, he loves tennis balls. the more the merrier. Sometimes I think he's part squirrel, the way he hordes them. He usually always has two in his mouth, and he tries to get a third in there. Hasn't done it yet. Doesn't matter where you throw them, he'll bound after it, so be careful - really don't do it by any roads. I made that mistake once, and it almost cost him dearly.

Next, commands. Maybe the shelter staff already told you, but I'll go over them again: Reggie knows the obvious ones -"sit," "stay," "come," "heel." He knows hand signals: "back" to turn around and go back when you put your hand straight up; and "over" if you put your hand out right or left. "Shake" for shaking water off, and "paw" for a high-five. He does "down" when he feels like lying down - I bet you could work on that with him some more. He knows "ball" and "food" and "bone" and "treat" like nobody's business.
I trained Reggie with small food treats. Nothing opens his ears like little pieces of hot dog. Feeding schedule: twice a day, once about seven in the morning, and again at six in the evening. Regular store-bought stuff; the shelter has the brand.

He's up on his shots. Call the clinic on 9th Street and update his info with yours; they'll make sure to send you reminders for when he's due. Be forewarned: Reggie hates the vet. Good luck getting him in the car - I don't know how he knows when it's time to go to the vet, but he knows.

Finally, give him some time. I've never been married, so it's only been Reggie and me for his whole life. He's gone everywhere with me, so please include him on your daily car rides if you can. He sits well in the backseat, and he doesn't bark or complain. He just loves to be around people, and me most especially. Which means that this transition is going to be hard, with him going to live with someone new. And that's why I need to share one more bit of info with you.... His name's not Reggie. I don't know what made me do it, but when I dropped him off at the shelter, I told them his name was Reggie. He's a smart dog, he'll get used to it and will respond to it, of that I have no doubt. but I just couldn't bear to give them his real name. For me to do that, it seemed so final, that handing him over to the shelter was as good as me admitting that I'd never see him again. And if I end up coming back, getting him, and tearing up this letter, it means everything's fine. But if someone else is reading it, well... well it means that his new owner should know his real name. It'll help you bond with him. Who knows, maybe you'll even notice a change in his demeanor if he's been giving you problems. His real name is Tank. Because this is what I drive.

Again, if you're reading this and you're from the area, maybe my name has been on the news. I told the shelter that they couldn't make" Reggie" available for adoption until they received word from my company commander. See, my parents are gone, I have no siblings, no one I could've left Tank with... and it was my only real request of the Army upon my deployment to Iraq, that they make one phone call the shelter... in the "event"... to tell them that Tank could be put up for adoption. Luckily, my colonel is a dog guy, too, and he knew where my platoon was headed. He said he'd do it personally. And if you're reading this, then he made good on his word. Well, this letter is getting to downright depressing, even though, frankly, I'm just writing it for my dog. I couldn't imagine if I was writing it for a wife and kids and family. but still, Tank has been my family for the last six years, almost as long as the Army has been my family.

And now I hope and pray that you make him part of your family and that he will adjust and come to love you the same way he loved me. That unconditional love from a dog is what I took with me to Iraq as an inspiration to do something selfless, to protect innocent people from those who would do terrible things... and to keep those terrible people from coming over here. If I had to give up Tank in order to do it, I am glad to have done so. He was my example of service and of love. I hope I honored him by my service to my country and comrades.

All right, that's enough. I deploy this evening and have to drop this letter off at the shelter. I don't think I'll say another good-bye to Tank, though. I cried too much the first time. Maybe I'll peek in on him and see if he finally got that third tennis ball in his mouth.

Good luck with Tank. Give him a good home, and give him an extra kiss goodnight - every night - from me.

Thank you, Paul
Mallory

I folded the letter and slipped it back in the envelope. Sure I had heard of Paul Mallory, everyone in town knew him, even new people like me. Local kid, killed in Iraq a few months ago and posthumously earning the Silver Star when he gave his life to save three buddies. Flags had been at half-mast all summer. I leaned forward in my chair and rested my elbows on my knees, staring at the dog. "Hey, Tank," I said quietly. The dog's head whipped up, his ears cocked and his eyes bright. "C'mere boy." He was instantly on his feet, his nails clicking on the hardwood floor. He sat in front of me, his head tilted, searching for the name he hadn't heard in months. "Tank," I whispered. His tail swished.
I kept whispering his name, over and over, and each time, his ears lowered, his eyes softened, and his posture relaxed as a wave of contentment just seemed to flood him. I stroked his ears, rubbed his shoulders, buried my face into his scruff and hugged him.

"It's me now, Tank, just you and me. Your old pal gave you to me." Tank reached up and licked my cheek. "So whatdaya say we play some ball? His ears perked again.

"Yeah? Ball? You like that? Ball?" Tank tore from my hands and disappeared in the next room.

And when he came back, he had three tennis balls in
his mouth

[buckwheatpaul]

DCP, I am truly sorry for your loss....our puppy and kitten children run our lives and they are very important to us .... as I can see Angel Eyes was to you.....may God bless you and your family and God will send you another furry friend that wont replace Angel Eyes but will help you heal.....Your Servant, Paul

[shoot-n-lead]

Sorry for your loss. I know too well how it hurts to lose them.

[scarry scarney]

DCP
Sorry for your loss. Just back in June, I had to make that lonely trip home from the Vet. I like many others on this board, share your loss.

[DCP]

Thanks to all, your posts have been of great help

Still hard but it is getting better

I found this picture of Angel doting on me when I was on the computer.

There is a big thumb in the picture I will have to get it fixed. (Any ideas will be of get help).

If you look close she is sitting on the arm of the sofa with her paws on the end table.
The picture says it all.

As long as I live you will be with me. Patches and Mom miss you so. You were truly an ANGEL

Rest in peace Angel Eyes
Vaya con Dios

[MaryB]

Email me the original high resolution pic, I could do an oval crop to get rid of the thumb in photoshop...

[303Guy]

My sympathies go with you. I see though that I'm not the only one - I sometimes still think of my dog with pangs of sadness fifteen years down the line. I couldn't bear the thought of him suffering with kidney failure.

[Lloyd Smale]

beautiful story snuffy

[Dframe]

I lost my dog long ago to a heart problem. Still miss her. I understand.

[CGT80]

I am sorry to hear about your loss. I have always had pets and it is never easy to loose them. We have a German Wire Haired Pointer that has lung cancer right now. She has hung on longer than I expected, but it is taking her little by little. I have never been interested in hunting because I have always had a close relationship with animals. I would rather not take a life, if I have the choice. Hang in there and consider another pet when the time is right. Most of our pets have been strays, rescues, or adoptions, so I feel like we have done our best to give them a great life while they are here. For many of us, our pets are family members and the loss can be just as hard to take.

[DCP]

Strange how this post popped up today.
We went and picked up Angels ashes this pm.

I came home to find more posts today. Funny how things turn out to help
I am sure some would say it was only a dog. I would say she was a ANGEL to me.

We miss her so much.
She will always be in our hearts and for me on the 23rd of Feb I will get a Tattoo of her face on my upper arm.

Thanks to all
Vaya con Dios

[osteodoc08]

My sincerest sympathy. Scout is my 13 to black lab. Her muzzle now white. Her muscular stature now frail. I watch her get up and can see the pain for the arthritis in her hips. But she always follows me. Loves me and picks me up. She never complains and is as attentive as when she was a puppy. I can only imagine what you're going through but know they love us until the end and that's all they ask in return. Thoughts and prayers your way.

[Gaseous Maximus]

I am so sorry for your loss. Have been there, and I know how it hurts.

[JeffinNZ]

Heart ache is the price we pay for unconditional love.

[Just Duke]

So sorry for your loss. Dogs are family to us. Best thing we found was to go get a new one.

[DCP]

Guys

Sunday 3/23/14 I had this put on my upper left arm.
It looks just like Angel. Being in my heart just didn't seem enough.

On May 4 a 2nd one will go on my upper right arm of Patches.
There was a time I didn't think Patches would make it.
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?234738-Happy-happy-happy


New Puppy in May or June. Looks like Patches will help raise a little sister. Thank God

Happy Happy Happy

Vaya con Dios

[HollandNut]

been there many times myself .

the Celt's post pretty much sums all our pups heritages up ..

[Hickok]

They are members of the family. I am sorry for your loss.

[crazy mark]

Sorry to hear this. Pets are such a comfort and make wonderful companions. They shoul live longer.