In Memory of Pets

I have never been on this forumn or any like it so hello to everyone. I want to first say I am sorry to those who lost there companion. I just recently was forced to have my companion of 9 years layed to rest. Jake was a black lab that my wife and I bought when we moved into our new home. When we went looking at puppys this one followed me everywhere I went for the whole time we were there and the choice was simple. Jake was the most gentle dog I have ever known and even the local rabbits and cats knew he wouldn't hurt them and would walk right by him. When we would be outside Jake always wanted to be by my side even when we would run and play. If I sat down he wanted to be in my lap.
Well unfortunately that all came to an end without much warning. One day he wouldn't eat and was acting lathargic so we took him to the vet and they figured it was some kind of virus and gave us some meds. He improved for about 1 month and was back to not eating again. after all kinds of tests and trials of different meds he declined rapidly. I was up north and my wife called and said the dog was pacing back and forth and lookin out on the driveway. She said I better get home because she said it looked like he was waiting for me and looked agitated. When I got home he greated me on the driveway and was standing there when all of a sudden he lost hi balance and fell over. We went in the garage and I sat on the floor so Jake could be by me. He came and layed down next to me and I could see him tremoring and his eyes were closed. At that point I lost it and started crying and Jake picked his head up and nestled it next to mine with one Eye looking into mine as if to say it was OK and goodbye at the same time. I knew then what had to be done and brought him to the vet. After he was gone was when I realized how much he really meant to me and I am heart broken. This feels as bad as losing a human family member.
When I got up the next couple mornings I realized our house was no longer home without our beloved Jake. We talked about getting a puppy and I was worried that it was betraying Jake until we made one call. My wife picked a number out of the paper from a place 2 hours from home. We wanted a male black lab and when the gentelman answered the phone the breeders name was Jake (my dogs name) and they only had one male left. Both signs to me that my beloved Jake was telling us this is the puppy to get. It may sound corny, but I believe it. We drove 2 hours and spent 2 1/2 hours at the breeders. When I held the puppie he rolled over and went to sleep in my arms. He is now at home with us. I go out to where Jake is and talk to him several times a day and still shed tears for we were blessed with the gift of this fine companion as well as being blessed with a new companion to build a new relationship with. Jake may be gone, but he will never be forgotten and some day we will be together again.

I am sorry this is so long, but it helps me to talk about it and outside of my immediate family most people don't understand. The loss of Jake is tearing me up inside, yet feeling he took part in getting this particular puppy. I will love him for the puppy he is and not ask nor do I want him to be just like Jake because there will only be one Jake.I have also already begun to dond with the new puppy and will cherish every moment with him as well. I will forever miss Jake (my houndog as I called him) until one day we meet again.
Thank you to all that understand my grief.

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Bryan

It is not a long post at all, you have to just say what is on your heart.

I do not think you are betraying Jake by getting another puppy.

It has been a little over 5 months that we had to put our beloved Sambo to sleep too. He was almost 16 years old. We have another dog that found our home almost 5 years ago. Opie has been a great comfort to me since Sambo has went to Rainbow Bridge.

I still miss Sambo so much, and I have good days and bad days.

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I miss you Sambo

Thanks for your support !! It is nice to know other people feel the same way I do about their pets. I never realized how hard it would be to lose Jake. I know time will heal, but it sure hurts now.

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Bryan

Jagger my name is Larry I lost my baby back in december,
I give you graditudes on finding another furbaby.
Unlike you I can not as of yet bring myself to get another (yet). I wrote a poem for my baby and I would like to share it with you if thats ok .

If it come to be that I grow frail,
I become to weak to wag my tail.
then do what you must it must be done,
I'm fighting a battle that can't be won.

When the time comes for me to go,
hold my paw because I love you so.
Don't shed a tear until I can't see,
I want to go while you're holding me.

For on this day that I'm laid to rest,
your love will surely stand the test.
You will be sad this I understand,
Please don't hold the guilt in your hand.

Just remember we will never part,
because you hold me and I hold you.
In the corners of our hearts


the link to my babys webpage is below if you want to take a look you're more than welcome

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[url=http://www.makemyclock.com[/url]

That poem is so true !! I wish I could put something into words like that. It was a difficult choice to get another puppy so soon, but I also have 2 kids ages 13 and 9 to think about. I grieve the loss of Jake every day and I go back to where I buried him before I leave for work, when I get home and before bed at night. I know he knows my love for him was as unconditional has his was for me. I think of Jake all the time, but I knew he would want me to give a puppy a home and I will give this puppy the same unconditional love I have for Jake. I will build a whole new bond with this puppy and when my time comes to cross the rainbow bridge I will have many kisses waiting for me. Thank you for taking the time to share your poem it was really nice.

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Bryan

hi, im so sorry for your loss. i know exactly how you feel. i feel i cant talk about smudge too much to friends and family because to them she was 'just a cat'. i know this sounds awful but i lost my gran two yrs ago although i never really saw her and losing smudge has affected my far more, in fact i cant believe how much its affected me. you get so used to them being a part of your life, when they have gone, its just unbearable. its easy to feel guilty about having a new puppy, i feel guilty when i stroke my other cats. i had a new kitten a few weeks before Smudge left me and i feel guilty wondering if Smudge felt as if id already replaced her. i wish you well in the future

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x Thinking of you always Smudge x

Hi Dagger,

I am very sorry for your loss and feel your pain. We lost our 10 yr old Somali Cat, Felix, to triaditus on 2 Feb 06...his liver, gall bladder, and pancreas were inflammed and we did everything we could, until his final 3 days where he would not eat and he faced the wall in my closet...we sent him to the Bridge and only now, 6 months later, we are acquiring 2 loving feline kittens and we remain with half of our hearts in pain, but the other half will be filled with love for our new furbabies. This forum is wonderful, and I have made many friends on this site. Also Larry's poem is awesome. I have placed it on our Felix Memorial. You are in my prayers,

Mary

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Mary Quinn

Each person knows when it is time to get another pet, I already had Opie when Sambo went to Rainbow Bridge. But as of this moment, I would not have wanted another dog. Opie was here and he has been a great comfort to me in my sad days.

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I miss you Sambo

I'm so sorry for your loss of YOur boy Jake
my thoughts and prayers are with you and your wife during this very difficult time..Please feel free to come here and vent as often as you like everyone here at this site are very caring and understanding.
Take care
God Bless
Ester,Kobe,Peanut

HI: Please know how sorry i am to hear of your loss, of Jake. He sounds like a wonderful little guy and loved you very much. Try to remember that you made his short life a happy one and that he went to Rainbow Bridge knowing he was loved...although, he is gone from this world, he will always live in your heart. I am sorry...Anastasia

Bryan,

Your post was not too long, it was exactly as long as you needed to make it - and any post you make will be read by someone who feels like you, and who can identify with your pain. Your post may even help another who is also suffering - it is not selfish or over the top, it is in fact sharing and helping!

Clearly you loved that lovely Lab! Jake was and is so well loved!

For those who are dismissive of the sadness of the loss of a furchild? I just feel sorry for them. Pity them for never allowing themselves to have the experience of unconditional love that you have been blessed enough to experience.

You understand and know just how powerful that is, just how wonderful a gift of love, how truly enriched your life has been made and how much richer a human being you are for knowing exactly that.... the unfortunates who have never experience this? Well, they may never know, poor, poor them...

As for getting a new little furchild.... I wholeheartedly congratulate you - there is no dishonour to the memory of your Jake, in fact it is a ringing tribute to his memory - to be able to love another - to make that room in your life for healing - well - Jake helped you to be like that!

I wish you and your family healing and happiness, you and your old boy Jake are in my thoughts adn prayers!

Thank you for all the comforting words and thoughts. I haven't been able to spend much time on the computer so I apologize for not sharing more words of comfort to others on here who have lost a pet. God Bless you all and know that your kind words will not be forgotten. The new puppy is doing great and I already love him dearly. I still go to Jakes grave before work, after work and before bed and tak to him. I have also found that losing Jake brought back memories of the dog I had before him and find myself thinking of him more also. I miss Jake and would give almost anything to have him back although I wouldn't want to give up the new puppy either. I would want both of them. The new little guy is very enegetic and keeps us on our toes so that is quite the change in itself from a 9 year old mellow dog to a puppy. The puppy is helping kope with the hurt without dwelling on it, but it certainanly doesn't make it go away. I realize I didn't take enough pictures of Jake through his life and I am not going to make that mistake again. Jake tought me as much as I tought him and I am applying the things I learned when working with the new puppy. I would like to express my deepest sympathy for all those who lost a pet and wish you and your families the best. Thank you again for your support.

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Bryan

I believe it, too. Our furbabies love us and want us to be happy. They want us to have a 'keeper' while they are away and sometimes they have to give us that 'nudge', some sort of 'sign' that they are okay and they want us to continue their legacy of love. It isn't betrayal, far from it, it is a tribute to the unconditional love they shared with us. I wish you a long and happy life with your new little guy and may he bring you many wonderful memories in the many years ahead!
Kerry,
Your words are so true. There is no greater gift than to be loved by a furbaby. I sincerely feel sorry for those whom will never know such a bond.

your in our thoughts and i think all on here know what your going through

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Matty,Butch(Tiny&Gem in our Hearts)