Pets
Related: About this forumI had to release my best friend of the last 14 plus years this morning.
Last edited Thu Sep 13, 2018, 08:14 AM - Edit history (1)
Hank came to me as a teenager, about 14 or 15 months old, back in 2004. He was pulled from a shelter in northern Kentucky by an American Eskimo Rescue in Ohio. It was there that he became the BFF of another Eskie, Sugar. It was estimated that Sugar was 10 to 12 months older than Hank.
I found Sugar on Petfinders and was given the opportunity to adopt him. My mom and sister were in Ohio and went by to check him out and discovered the deep bond between Hank and Sugar. I decided to adopt them together.
Sugar lost his right front leg to cancer in 2012. I lost him suddenly the day after Thanksgiving last year.
Hank had lost his hearing and could only see light and blurs. He had a rough attack of vestibular syndrome on Jan. 27th., spent 5 days in hospital and had a CT scan. He recovered fairly well physically, but seemed not to remember anything from his former life. He needed help finding his food and water. I carried him up and down stairs every day. He slept with me every night for over 14 years.
About this time last night, he became unstable on his feet and vomited his dinner. I knew it was another attack of the vestibular syndrome. I rushed him to our emergency clinic where they could start IV fluids and watch him overnight. I picked him up there at 6:30 AM and took him directly to our vet's office. He barely stirred. She said she doubted he could recover again, so I sent him to rejoin Sugar.
I've cried until I don't think I can cry any more. And I keep looking for him. How can I sleep tonight without my Hankie Boo next to me? I loved him. It hurts so much to see them go.
Dennis Donovan
(18,770 posts)I know that pain firsthand, too.
fierywoman
(7,641 posts)skylucy
(3,734 posts)cross the Rainbow Bridge when it was time. Hugs to you.
tblue37
(64,982 posts)irisblue
(32,829 posts)I am do sorry for your loss.
lunasun
(21,646 posts)onecaliberal
(32,489 posts)babylonsister
(170,963 posts)Your love shines, and that's what pets are about. I'm sorry for your loss.
Tess49
(1,577 posts)about a month ago. I cried for two days. Sorry for your loss. I know it's rough.
chillfactor
(7,566 posts)I have had dogs in my life since I was a little girl. I am retired now and have had my little girl Fajita, a 4#Chihuahua for 16 years. She sleeps with me every night, cuddles up to me when I sit in my recliner, goes for walks with me. I will be devastated when it is time for her to cross over the rainbow bridge.
hlthe2b
(101,730 posts)I KNOW how much it hurts to let them go.
May the happy times and memories sustain you.
Ohiogal
(31,669 posts)I know what it's like to lose your best furry buddy.. Hugs, friend
phylny
(8,353 posts)It's no consolation, but what a wonderful life you gave him and he you.
CatMor
(6,212 posts)I know how heartbreaking it is. You were wonderful to take Hank and Sugar and give them so much love and they gave it back.
lunamagica
(9,967 posts)msdogi
(430 posts)They are a gift, and make us better people if we love them as they love us. So sorry you lost your beautiful boy
livetohike
(22,084 posts)loss of Hank. May the good memories you have help ease the pain from his final days. He had a great life with you. .
MuseRider
(34,060 posts)The hardest thing in the world. I am so sorry. They were so very lucky to have found a wonderful person who would take them both in and give them such wonderful, long lives. Sleep knowing they are out of pain and at least they never had to go through what you are now. 💗
Blue_playwright
(1,568 posts)FuzzyRabbit
(1,958 posts)Losing our furry companions is way too hard.
MFM008
(19,782 posts)all over our hearts.
They dont want to go, but they must.
We lost a 15 year old kitty friend a few weeks ago.
It was my moms kitty and companion.
She has been going downhill ever since she found out kitty died.
So sorry.
MontanaMama
(23,242 posts)I am crying with you. Please accept my condolences on this proufound loss. Im sorry.
mountain grammy
(26,571 posts)williesgirl
(4,033 posts)pnwest
(3,265 posts)So fully and completely, were in awe of being found worthy of that love. May you find solace in your memories.
Cary
(11,746 posts)But it does sound like you gave them full, great lives. Can't do better than that.
saidsimplesimon
(7,888 posts)I had only one dog in my lifetime, an American Eskimo. They are so loyal, and protective, and intelligent. Mine could actually wink, among other amazing feats. Ah memories and tears for our dear sweet companions too soon gone.
yardwork
(61,418 posts)3catwoman3
(23,820 posts)...completely sucks.
I agree with your choice of the word release. In our family, when we have had to bid farewell to cats, we speak of liberating the spirit.
One of our vets once told me that we take animals into our lives and heart, knowing that, almost always, we will outlive them. And we do so, because our lives are richer for them being in it. So true.
Zoonart
(11,750 posts)I have been through this so many times, but it always tears your heart out to lose a beloved pet.
The good news is, you will love again and another sweet soul will join with yours.
pamdb
(1,331 posts)I cry as I read your story. We lost our beloved Mocha Jean to bone cancer. She was 13, a cinnamon pit/ lab mix. Beautiful girl. Smartest dog I ever knew. My husband and I had to take her in to the Vet the morning after the Night of the Red Hats, as I refer to the election of 2016. She couldnt get up off the bed we made for her on the floor and even with the painkillers we were giving her, we were afraid of her being in pain and she just laid there and she wasnt going to get better. So we took her to our Vet and we both held her and petted her and cried. Please accept my condolences but, and I know its too soon, but there are thousands of dogs just waiting to be adopted. We still have our other dog, our 13 year old black lab, and 3 months after Mocha died, my husband sent me from his computer, pictures of 3 dogs from the shelter we have gotten our dogs from. So a few days later we drove out and met Buster, a Black lab/hound mix somewhere between 5 and 8.
A week later we brought him home. So hang in there and know that you gave Hank a good life.
Permanut
(5,439 posts)and he was very lucky to have you. My little 14 year old rescue Jack Russell Terrier Joey is helping me type this.
luvtheGWN
(1,336 posts)I'm quite certain that everyone here is sending you virtual hugs.
DarthDem
(5,253 posts)shanny
(6,709 posts)So sorry for your loss....both of them, so close together.
Shemp Howard
(889 posts)You need a dog. But that dog needs you more.
RainCaster
(10,691 posts)These fine creatures have a way of taking our hearts.
Power 2 the People
(2,437 posts)Remember the good times. Hank and Sugar will always be in your heart.
Honeycombe8
(37,648 posts)I'm SO sorry. I know the loss is tremendous. I hope you can take some comfort in knowing that Hankie Boo was a lucky, spoiled little fella who had a wonderful life with you. This is the hardest part of being a pet owner. Having to say goodbye to our best friends, our companions, our little loves.
Hank was a beauty.
iluvtennis
(19,758 posts)Bayard
(21,806 posts)So sorry for you losing your beautiful boy.
Bluepinky
(2,260 posts)Nobody would love them like we do, and they would suffer for it the rest of their lives. I have lost loving cats and a wonderful dog, and I feel so blessed to have had that time with them.
But it's painful to lose them, and I feel for you. Rest easy knowing you gave and received love from a true friend.
BigBearJohn
(11,410 posts)calimary
(80,700 posts)We lost our oldest cat, dB, a few months ago. I still miss her. She sure hung on, though, even after suffering a stroke. I spent a lot of time nursing her back to some semblance of health.
I dont know how one gets over these things, except one day at a time. I still think about her every day.
Im so sorry for your loss. Its good that you shared this here. DUers offer some wonderful shoulders to lean on, especially at a time like this. Lots of us have gone through something similar, so the empathy is strong here.
You do not grieve alone.
seta1950
(932 posts)Im so sorry
StarryNite
(9,366 posts)dixiegrrrrl
(60,010 posts)and glad that so many here understand the pain and sadness of losing our fur kids.
orleans
(33,987 posts)i've had my heart broken repeatedly when i've had to part ways with my doglets. it's a tremendous loss
i suspect there is no comfort for now and i'm so sorry. my heart goes out to you.
The Polack MSgt
(13,159 posts)Every time we accept the love of a dog - as long as we aren't monsters who could abuse them - We accept the fact that we will be heart broken in 10-15 years
That knowledge never makes it easier.
You saved your dogs from an institutional environment (I am NOT denigrating rescues with this, but a kennel is not a home), and made them family members.
Which they remained as long as their lives lasted
That my friend is as much as you can give to any life you encounter
My eyes are leaking right now, because I remember all the dogs I've loved.
It's helped me to just remember that after they pass, I will go back to the pound and I will rescue another life from that institution and make that dog a family member.
I will give them a place in a family that loves them, and they will live the entire dog's lifespan in a good place free from terror or hunger or suffering.
I will be a loving presence at the end of their days so that when the suffering is too much they will not be alone and I will make the hardest choice and release my friend from the pain.
It sounds like you've done all of those things sinkingfeelings and I'm willing to bet that you will again.
Peace
orleans
(33,987 posts)i think skittles would like to give this to you now:
Grieve not,
nor speak of me with tears,
but laugh and talk of me
as if I were beside you -
I loved you so -
'twas Heaven here with you
~Isla Paschal Richardson
Solly Mack
(90,740 posts)ZZenith
(4,110 posts)Thank you for providing a loving home for Hank. He depended on you and you always came through for him.
Doreen
(11,686 posts)My heart goes to you.
Laffy Kat
(16,356 posts)Wish there was something I could say. What a beautiful, sweet dog. You were his best friend, too. No dog could ask for a better guardian.
DonaldsRump
(7,715 posts)They are the best that life has to offer......
Duppers
(28,094 posts)I know if love could've saved your Hank, he would've lived forever.
And i know your pain and am so very sorry.
When you're ready, you'll save another furbaby. It's what our deep compassionate love pushes us furbaby-lovers to do. Take care.
Rhiannon12866
(203,037 posts)I've been there, too, and it never gets easier.
Just try to remember how fortunate he was to have found you as a best friend, too.
lamp_shade
(14,796 posts)pansypoo53219
(20,907 posts)Gothmog
(144,005 posts)geardaddy
(24,924 posts)PearliePoo2
(7,768 posts)Rest in peace beautiful boy.
sellitman
(11,596 posts)We put our best friend down almost two years ago. Thinking of him still wets my eyes.
Try to think of how many dogs would of gladly traded places with your friend. Hugs.