My Brother, what a beautiful child. I have lost 3, the most recent last January and my heart is still broken. They were taken way before their time. There are many things I did with my "4 legged children" when they were with me but just don't feel up to doing them now.
There is an emptiness that envelopes me everyday. The house is empty with the losses. I await the day they greet me at the Rainbow Bridge!
My prayers go out to you and Emma. She is in a better place and awaits your return.
Semper Fi My Brother!
Dan
The loss of what Dan calls our "4 legged children" is heartbreaking. For years we have planned to create a tribute wall with photos of every pet we've had, going back to childhood. Whenever we start on the project, we get so emotional that we have to set it aside.
I entirely empathize with what you guys are saying / feeling.
I got my first own dog (a GSD) almost sixty years ago and have never been without two of them - one older and one younger. Given the great closeness the great sadness is that they never live long enough - though they have a time when they must go whatever our own feelings. The only practical lesson I have learned is to get a second one each time as a tribute to the love the previous one has given.
Now that I am over 80 the problems are reversed - their welfare when I go first ! Or if it is the other way around then the poverty of living without one when it would be irresponsible to get another !
Sorry guys to be so off photo topic but I could not resist responding to fellow feeling colleagues !
P.S. the original photo brought a lump to the throat - but lovely - thank you .
To all the above, especially 'anthonysemone' and Krug:
I've gone thru this kind of loss 4 times in about the past 40 years. The most recent just this past August 2018. It is at least as devastating to me as has been the case with any human loved one.
And now I'm faced with the exact same dilemma as stated by Krug!
My most sincere condolences to all stories of loss on this thread!
Thank you all so kindly... For those of us who have lost our SD compatriots, while I have never served in combat, those veterans who have, and who have lost their service dogs, have told me that the experience of the loss of their SD was akin to the experience of losing a Brother in Arms. Indeed so....
Anthony, sorry for your loss. The instant I opened your post I had tears in my eyes, and it's been over 5 years since we lost our Kelsey (she was a GSD).
Thanks for posting such a beautiful photo of Emma.
Yes, Mark, sometimes it's just like yesterday. Apart from an early on post, this is the first time I've been able to begin to go through the very many pictures I have of Emma. Thank you for sharing your experience of it.
I broke down (again) when I saw the image of Emma. I just lost my Golden "Shelby" one month ago, she died in my arms. She was one month shy of 16 years. Not only do I understand your pain, I feel your pain and I know it hurts. I can't even bring myself to put away her stuff. Like you, I can't view any of the images I have of her, yet.
Thanks for the sharing the image of your beautiful Emma.
Greg
krug wrote:
I entirely empathize with what you guys are saying / feeling.
I got my first own dog (a GSD) almost sixty years ago and have never been without two of them - one older and one younger. Given the great closeness the great sadness is that they never live long enough - though they have a time when they must go whatever our own feelings. The only practical lesson I have learned is to get a second one each time as a tribute to the love the previous one has given.
Now that I am over 80 the problems are reversed - their welfare when I go first ! Or if it is the other way around then the poverty of living without one when it would be irresponsible to get another !
Sorry guys to be so off photo topic but I could not resist responding to fellow feeling colleagues !
P.S. the original photo brought a lump to the throat - but lovely - thank you ....Show more →
S/F brother and she was a real beauty. I have lost dogs over the years and it is always a very painful experience. The experiences are just so powerful the short time they are in our lives and the joy they bring is what we always remember and what we miss so.
