We Love Our Dogs But That Day Comes When

[HARALD KELLEY]

I have met several Shelby folks over the years that have dogs and with some who have Boxers. Today I had to put my Boxer (Otis) down. The cancer got the best of him. He brought a lot of love to our family over the years. RIP Otis.

[ageishecker]

That's one of the hardest decisions a pet owner has to make. I know how you're feeling. Take comfort in the fact that he's no longer in pain.

[ViperNC]

H0050,

 

I just had to make that same hard decision about 10 days ago with my Boxer, Hope, who also suddenly was diagnosed with cancer and it was inoperable. It's like losing your best friend and a child all at once. Believe me when I say, "I feel for you brother". Otis and Hope are in a better place now and we will see them again one day. May your pain ease with time and be left only with the fond memories of your 4 legged friend. Boxer's are special.

[twobjshelbys]

One of our cats is deteriorating rapidly. A couple of weeks maybe

[Sherri Leicht]

I am sorry :-(

[Cali_KR]

Sorry for your loss Harald, and yes, that is a VERY hard thing to be a part of....I've had to do it myself, on more than a few occasions...

[MY500SS]

So sorry to hear about the loss of your friend and family Otis. Hard thing that's for sure.

 

Also sorry to hear about the loss of Hope. Both Otis and Hope are tearing up Heaven and having a good ol' time.

[ilmor]

RIP Otis...and all the family dogs that we lose. They are wonderful creatures and we miss them all.

[08KR525]

Rest assured that they are truly in a better place just waiting to meet us at the Pearly Gates when we get there. They are truly members of the family.

[David Hawkins]

Sorry to hear that. I know how a Dog can become a member of the Family, and some even act humanly.

[HARALD KELLEY]

Thank you everyone for the kind words. Otis was the best dog I ever owned. Got him from Northern California Boxer Rescue in 2004. He was at least 1.5 years old so for a Boxer he lived a long happy life.

 

ViperNC, saw your picture with Hope that was posted in the picture section. Hope & Otis are doing the Boxer wiggle in a better place I have to believe.

 

Tony, you will know when it's time. Quality is what matters.

[grsybtch]

Boxers are such special friends!

 

 

I'm so sorry for y'alls loss.

 

 

 

 

"the boxer wiggle" only a Boxer parent would understand that!

[ViperNC]

Thank you everyone for the kind words. Otis was the best dog I ever owned. Got him from Northern California Boxer Rescue in 2004. He was at least 1.5 years old so for a Boxer he lived a long happy life.

 

ViperNC, saw your picture with Hope that was posted in the picture section. Hope & Otis are doing the Boxer wiggle in a better place I have to believe.

 

Tony, you will know when it's time. Quality is what matters.

Hope was a rescue from NC Boxer Rescue and we also became family in 2004. I've often said that we may have rescued her initially, but she repaid the favor and rescued us everyday since. Sound like Otis did as well.

[HARALD KELLEY]

Hope was a rescue from NC Boxer Rescue and we also became family in 2004. I've often said that we may have rescued her initially, but she repaid the favor and rescued us everyday since. Sound like Otis did as well.

Agree.

[0201212]

Sorry for your loss... I don't know what I would do if Apollo or Duke passed ( both boxers) they truly become part of the family and can bring a great energy to the household. I won't own another breed after having boxers, when the time is right get another rescue.

[verlyn12]

We have two toy poodles and have had to put two down over the years. That is the hardest thing I have ever done. If you have not ever read it, go online and read the poem I believe called Rainbow Bridge. Our pets will meet us one day I do believe and we will both be healthy and run through the grass again. We have 3 recliners in our living room and right now I am in one and the two poodles are each in the other two!

God bless and hopefully your heartache will be less as time goes on.

[Shelby65_mustang]

After 3 Weeks of Medications and Tests Our Yellow Lab passed away from Cancer just lately also. Never easy as they are one of our Family! 11 1/2 years.. just like our kid!!

 

We feel your Loss and want you to know you can call either of us anytime you want, day or Night!! Take Care dear friends and Know Otis is running happily and cancer free now!! Hugs!!!

 

[HARALD KELLEY]

We have two toy poodles and have had to put two down over the years. That is the hardest thing I have ever done. If you have not ever read it, go online and read the poem I believe called Rainbow Bridge. Our pets will meet us one day I do believe and we will both be healthy and run through the grass again. We have 3 recliners in our living room and right now I am in one and the two poodles are each in the other two!

God bless and hopefully your heartache will be less as time goes on.

I am familiar with POEM and NCBoxer uses the Rainbow Bridge in their NC Boxer Alumni. Thanks

 

Thanks Art & Bev.

 

Agree 0201212, I will rescue another in time.

[gt350lp]

Harald, so sorry for your loss..They are family....I know how you feel..(cat)...take care...

[Grabber]

Every time I see that someone has lost a pet it chokes me up. They are like family indeed. I'm so sorry for your loss. Years ago I received a e-mail from a friend that I have kept. I want to share it with you:

 

 

Being a veterinarian, I had been called to examine a ten-year-old Irish Wolfhound named Belker. The dog's owners, Ron, his wife Lisa, and their little boy Shane, were all very attached to Belker, and they were hoping for a miracle.

I examined Belker and found he was dying of cancer. I told the family we couldn't do anything for Belker, and offered to perform the euthanasia procedure for the old dog in their home.

As we made arrangements, Ron and Lisa told me they thought it would be good for six-year-old Shane to observe the procedure. They felt as though Shane might learn something from the experience.

The next day, I felt the familiar catch in my throat as Belker's family surrounded him. Shane seemed so calm, petting the old dog for the last time, that I wondered if he understood what was going on. Within a few minutes, Belker slipped peacefully away.

The little boy seemed to accept Belker's transition without any difficulty or confusion. We sat together for a while after Belker's Death, wondering aloud about the sad fact that animal lives are shorter than human lives.

Shane, who had been listening quietly, piped up, "I know why."

Startled, we all turned to him. What came out of his mouth next stunned me. I'd never heard a more comforting explanation. It has changed the way I try and live.

He said, "People are born so that they can learn how to live a good life -- like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right?" The Six-year-old continued,

"Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they don't have to stay as long."

Remember, if a dog was the teacher you would learn things like:

When loved ones come home, always run to greet them;
Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride;
Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure Ecstasy;
Take naps;
Stretch before rising;
Run, romp, and play daily;
Thrive on attention and let people touch you;
Avoid biting when a simple growl will do;
On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass;
On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree;
When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body;
Delight in the simple joy of a long walk;
Be loyal;
Never pretend to be something you're not;
If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it;
When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by, and nuzzle them gently;

- There comes a time in life, when you walk away from all the drama and people who create it.

- You then surround yourself with people who make you laugh, forget the bad, and focus on the good.

- So, love the people who treat you right.

- Think good thoughts for the ones who don't. Life is too short to be anything but happy.

- Falling down is part of LIFE...Getting back up is LIVING...!

[twobjshelbys]

Thanks Rob. That is my little buddy. I actually named him gilligan but i was overridden

[Grabber]

Thanks Rob. That is my little buddy. I actually named him gilligan but i was overridden

Tony,

 

Seriously ? Was that a pic of your dog ?

[svtkeith]

Sorry for your loss Otis..all the best.

[ViperNC]

Grabber - thanks for sharing. We all could learn a lot from our K9 friends.

[HARALD KELLEY]

Every time I see that someone has lost a pet it chokes me up. They are like family indeed. I'm so sorry for your loss. Years ago I received a e-mail from a friend that I have kept. I want to share it with you:

 

 

 

 

Being a veterinarian, I had been called to examine a ten-year-old Irish Wolfhound named Belker. The dog's owners, Ron, his wife Lisa, and their little boy Shane, were all very attached to Belker, and they were hoping for a miracle.

 

I examined Belker and found he was dying of cancer. I told the family we couldn't do anything for Belker, and offered to perform the euthanasia procedure for the old dog in their home.

 

As we made arrangements, Ron and Lisa told me they thought it would be good for six-year-old Shane to observe the procedure. They felt as though Shane might learn something from the experience.

 

The next day, I felt the familiar catch in my throat as Belker's family surrounded him. Shane seemed so calm, petting the old dog for the last time, that I wondered if he understood what was going on. Within a few minutes, Belker slipped peacefully away.

 

The little boy seemed to accept Belker's transition without any difficulty or confusion. We sat together for a while after Belker's Death, wondering aloud about the sad fact that animal lives are shorter than human lives.

 

Shane, who had been listening quietly, piped up, "I know why."

 

Startled, we all turned to him. What came out of his mouth next stunned me. I'd never heard a more comforting explanation. It has changed the way I try and live.

 

He said, "People are born so that they can learn how to live a good life -- like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right?" The Six-year-old continued,

 

"Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they don't have to stay as long."

 

Remember, if a dog was the teacher you would learn things like:

 

 

 

 

 

When loved ones come home, always run to greet them;

Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride;

Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure Ecstasy;

Take naps;

Stretch before rising;

Run, romp, and play daily;

Thrive on attention and let people touch you;

Avoid biting when a simple growl will do;

On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass;

On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree;

When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body;

Delight in the simple joy of a long walk;

Be loyal;

Never pretend to be something you're not;

If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it;

When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by, and nuzzle them gently;

 

 

 

 

- There comes a time in life, when you walk away from all the drama and people who create it.

 

- You then surround yourself with people who make you laugh, forget the bad, and focus on the good.

 

- So, love the people who treat you right.

 

- Think good thoughts for the ones who don't. Life is too short to be anything but happy.

 

- Falling down is part of LIFE...Getting back up is LIVING...!

Thanks.

[HARALD KELLEY]

Grabber - thanks for sharing. We all could learn a lot from our K9 friends.

Agree!

[HARALD KELLEY]

Harald, so sorry for your loss..They are family....I know how you feel..(cat)...take care...

Thank You.

[twobjshelbys]

Tony,

 

Seriously ? Was that a pic of your dog ?

 

No, the mention was of our cat. He's been holding his own for the last week.

[Grabber]

 

No, the mention was of our cat. He's been holding his own for the last week.

OK. How old is your cat?

[HARALD KELLEY]

THANKS AGIAN EVRYONE FOR ALL THE WONDERFUL SUPPORT AND KIND WORDS. Here is the Rainbow Bridge:

Rainbow Bridge:

 

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....