Question:
This is for my brother and his wife.
He got Dommie in early 1994, and they were a team ever since. Domino was a dalmation mix I think, and she was always rambunctious, always getting into food and such. She even ate a chocolate orange and never got sick. She followed and stayed by my brother all her life... always curious, always spoiled rotton, but always a good dog.
Domino had a slipped disc I think, and her hind legs started giving out about a year ago, but my brother and sis in law always took care of her and tried to treat her as best they could at the vet. Her nerves were pinched off, and here recently, her neck and front legs started failing. I got a call last weekend from my brother.... he was so upset, I dropped everything I was doing, and rushed over. We all cried and laid next to her in one of her favorite spots at the top of the stairs... I, myself, am so allergic to dogs and pet dander, but I didnt care... i got in her face and had her kiss me and I held her and cried and cried. He said they were going to see how she did before making any decisions... but the week passed, she got better some, and this last weekend, my poor lil bro had to let her go. She couldnt go to the bathroom independently, and her whole body shook most of the time.
I wasnt around Domino a lot, due to my allergies, but when I was, I loved on her because she has been in our family for a long time... 13 years, not only that, but she loved me too. I knicknamed her "chicken" because she loved it when I fed her chicken at our house one day... I made the name stick. She always knew when she came to our house, I was gonna feed her something in the kitchen! ^^
My chicken is gone. I feel so strange because I wasnt around her a lot, but tonight and today, I am so overwhealmed with grief. I went with my brother and sis today to have her laid to rest, and it was the most excruciating thing I have ever experienced. I cried so hard I wanted to throw up. I feel so saddened for the loss they are going thru, because Domino was like a child to them... their first child in fact. They have a baby now, but Domino was their first.
In the room, they did all the things your site explains... and I guess what is so hard for me to realize is that I saw death happen right in front of me... loss of life... I wanted to stop the doc from injecting her, but I know it was good to set her free. I just cannot believe she slipped away so fast... gone forever. I feel so strange to say that, but I cannot help it. We came with the light of our lives in our midst, and we left with broken hearts.
It all seems so surreal now.. I keep replaying the events today in my head... is this nuts? I wish I knew why I'm so upset when I didnt see the dog everyday... but I cannot stop crying.
I thank tose who take time to read this. I hope I can stop the maddness in my head soon.
Answer:
Losing a friend is always hard. You loved Dominoe because he was a part of your family. It will pass and your brother will heal also. We are here for you.
Answer:
Take the time to grieve for Dommie! She sounds like one of those great hearted souls who really and truly lived every second of the life she had here. Don't worry about what others think either. People are going to make foolish comments about she was just a dog or she wasn't even your dog but don't worry, we know better. The souls that are great go to the dogs because they use them better. They don't let petty jealousy and anger bother them. They see the world through eyes of love. You were fortunate to be with her in her leaving. Don't think of this as a death, an ending. It isn't. It is a beginning for Dommie! A chance to regain her strength and beauty. To run free in the eternal sunshine at the Rainbow Bridge. She will visit you in dreams so be ready to have a bit of chicken there...as she knows you will give it to her, even in dreams. They never leave us totally...She just went ahead to be made well......and let your brother know that she just may decide to get a new fur coat and return once again to them....we grieve with you and them. Be at peace as Dommie is now.........
Answer:
Thank you so much everyone!
Today has been better, but I still cried on the way to work.
Her mind and heart was still so young, and knowing that really hurts too. I know some folks touched on this in prev posts, but do they know what is comming when they see all their loved ones crying and upset? The doctor examined her for pain before they made the hard final decision that setting her free was best. But Dommie laid down yesterday and put her head on the ground at home, and she was never known to do that. We were all around her so emotional and upset and crying... I just wonder if she had a feeling of loss or if she could process thoughts of if this was her final day on earth....I have always heard that dogs were extreemly intelligent and intuitive to their loved ones feelings and emotions.
Something else...
She never spoke a word, but she spoke volumes to each of us. If only humans could be so pure in interaction, our world wouldnt be in the state it is in now. Domino's language to us was of kindness, strength, and support... each and every day. How smart these little beings are.
I thank you guys. I will take that last post to heart and truly apply it as much as I can forever
Love,
Leann
Answer:
Leann, trust me on this, Dommie did NOT know what was coming.....she may have sensed that everyone was upset but not the reason for it... And remember, death came as a friend to her. Not an enemy or someone to fear. A friend to help take the pain and burden of this life.....to show her the way to a new life free of all pain and disease and fear... Death is not our enemy. He comes to all of us as a friend, understanding that no life continues forever. That, as there is a beginning, so must there be an ending. We come into the world crying and everyone is smiling and we leave it smiling and everyone is crying! It matters not that it is a human or a dog or a cat or any living thing. All things know that this is truly the circle of life.... Let the tears flow to wash away any pain in your heart until you can only remember the joy and laughter she brought......and when you are ready, be sure to share some of those stories here. It does help heal......be at peace
Answer:
I hate to keep gushing, but I must... I think it is great therapy. I am so glad I found you all here ^^
I remember her in so many ways. I did watch her a lot when my brother and sis in law needed... I remember... they spoiled her so much.. LOL she had a doggie pooper scooper bag thingie... my brother asked me to use it one day when I took her for a walk. It was the funniest walk I had ever went on! We never took her for a walk, she took US on one! She always knew where she wanted to go. She led and led... she was so determined to go to all of her places. I remember how strong she was then... and how feeble she was here at the last...
Anytime I came to their house, she always followed me around... (she knew I gave her treats... not too many tho) One time, my brother told us she ate a portion of a pop can while they were at work one day so she could get the soda out of it... They must have let the can be too close to where she could get it... My brother said yesterday he wondered if it was still in there... it was a lighthearted joke to ease the mood... but funny none the less... this one time recently, when she could still get up and move, I had to come over to watch their baby..... when I put the baby down for a nap, I took a small one too... and Dommie laid right at the foot of the bed I was in the whole time.... just like a protector... I wonder if she knew I was her daddy's sis. Then there was this one time, she ate two whole sticks of butter! She always found ways to get into things she shouldnt get into... LOL she got really sick that time... silly Dommie..
I know my brother treated her like she was a regular ol human being. I think she thought she was one too. Again, she never had to speak... she spoke thru her sweet eyes and her tail, and her affection!
It's funny you say she will come back to us one day in a new fur coat... my lil bro yesterday, (before her passing), crumpled up her coat and swished it around her... her fur and skin were always too big for her... he kept saying... "you're still in the wrong size suit, Dom! You're still in the wrong size suit! " It was the most emotional time in my whole life. I guess I'm still in a state of shock.
Im sorry to keep this going, but there are times when I cannot stop replaying the day.
Answer:
that is why we are here. To help you remember the great times, the not so great times.
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Gush away!! That's what friends are for and we are just friends unseen! I hate so say this but the stuff about Dommie got me laughing first thing.. I can see her so close in my mind right now and know exactly what kind of furry person she is! A clown in a dog suit! Oh can I see the mess with her chowing down on sticks of butter......eventually you will not replay the last day but all the others.......and there will not be any tears left, just joy and laughter and good memories. **big hug**
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VERY well said Meezer! Thanks. My Buddy has been gone 2.5 months and I agree one hundred percent! I never would have believed my sadness would dissipate, but as each day goes on I cry less and smile more. Of course there are days that I go into the yard and see something that brings on the tears, but those days are being overtaken with the laughs, stories and smiles.
Thanks for helping me as well as countless others. You are all some of the best unseen friends I have ever had!
Peace
Budsmom
Answer:
Budsmom..........eventually the tears will become tears of laughter! You will remember some of the truly hysterical things and you will start laughing so hard and then the tears will flow and you will be truly at peace.......It is a great feeling when that happens too and you will really love it!
Answer:
It has been almost a year and I still miss my sweet Graciegirl. I have her picture on my computer so I can still see her everyday. It does make me sad sometimes but in general I feel so lucky to have had such a wonderful friend in my life for so long (though it was way too short!). Even though I have had many dogs, and probably will have many more, Gracie was the most special for me and I think of her often.
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You know, it has been almost 30 years since our Lady G left us and I still miss her! She was totally unique individual and there have been many animals since her but now I can remember her only with laughter and joy and I do know that is how she would wish it.... if there was ever a dog with a sense of humor, it was her....
Answer:
Just wanted to say sorry for your loss. dommie sounded like he was a great dog.
I had to put down 3 pets in a year and half. 2 cats had cancer and my Sheltie had conjestive heart failure. All three days were the worst ever. I was the one to take them in to the vet. My Husband couldn't do it. I miss them everyday. I still have a cat named Patches and 2 border collies named Jack and Jill. My best friends.