A note from the bottom of my heart
- Thread starter ChrisMWilliams
- Start date
Chris,
I've been there on this one. My dogs are my life companions. My Belle captured my wife's heart (she is her first dog) when they met. There are few words that can describe the emotional bonds that are created between a person and a dog that loves them unconditionally. The last time I had to make the decision to put my lab Bailey down after she was hit by a car I remember reading something that helped so much. It was called the Rainbow Bridge. Look it up. Is worth the read.
Some may think we are crazy for loving our four legged friends the way we do, but what they don't realize is what they are missing out on. My condolences to you and your wife.
Dennis
I've been there on this one. My dogs are my life companions. My Belle captured my wife's heart (she is her first dog) when they met. There are few words that can describe the emotional bonds that are created between a person and a dog that loves them unconditionally. The last time I had to make the decision to put my lab Bailey down after she was hit by a car I remember reading something that helped so much. It was called the Rainbow Bridge. Look it up. Is worth the read.
Some may think we are crazy for loving our four legged friends the way we do, but what they don't realize is what they are missing out on. My condolences to you and your wife.
Dennis
Sorry for your loss. Losing a pet is a hard, hard thing. Pets don't judge and they love you no matter what....that's no small thing. And as my mom said, often when one of her 5 kids were teenagers, pets don't talk back or argue with you. 
You guys will have some sweet memories of the sweet puppy that you started your marriage with. That's pretty special.
You guys will have some sweet memories of the sweet puppy that you started your marriage with. That's pretty special.
So sorry about this Chris. I had to put my lab down last fall and it was so tough. Hold those memories close and time will heal what you're feeling. Thoughts and prayers to you both.
You have a gift; that read was equal parts gut-wrenching and uplifting. My wife and I have a couple of mutts that mean the world to us. We've been fortunate enough to have them for over 11 years. In that time they moved to and from Ames with us, welcomed our son to the family, and helped make our first house a home. I can't imagine the day where one of them, and inevitably neither of them are there.
It's hard to adequately describe how much an animal can mean to a person. I think you've done as good of job as I've seen doing just that. Sorry for your loss.
That was powerful and painful. My thoughts are with you and your wife tonight CW. I'm going to hug my pup a little tighter tonight.
Tough to read... Visceral thoughts and feelings... Nothing compared to yours I'm sure. I love dogs, and like a previous poster - when my fiance's dog goes - ill be a wreck.
That is an epic bummer. There is something about a dog ... a dog's owner has complete control of the dog's quality of life. Even your kids grow quickly and can at least make some cereal within a few years. And I'm not anti-cat, but cats don't really seem to give a **** about how much you do or don't love them.
Not so with dogs. They need you every single day. In my opinion, how you treat your dog reflects what kind of person you are because for the most part, no one is watching you relate to that dog. And that dog lives for your approval and your attention. Withhold it and they are crushed. Share it and they are overjoyed. It is entirely genuine and sincere. Unconditional love, how rare is that in this day and age? When my dogs look at me, there is no bull*****ing them. People lie to each other all the time. There is no lying to your dog. It is a completely unique relationship, in my experience. Be glad that you had that relationship and understand how it helped make you a better person. That is your dog's gift to you.
Not so with dogs. They need you every single day. In my opinion, how you treat your dog reflects what kind of person you are because for the most part, no one is watching you relate to that dog. And that dog lives for your approval and your attention. Withhold it and they are crushed. Share it and they are overjoyed. It is entirely genuine and sincere. Unconditional love, how rare is that in this day and age? When my dogs look at me, there is no bull*****ing them. People lie to each other all the time. There is no lying to your dog. It is a completely unique relationship, in my experience. Be glad that you had that relationship and understand how it helped make you a better person. That is your dog's gift to you.
Dogs usually are better friends than humans so the loss can be devastating. Just remember that you gave your dog a tremendous life and that she knows that from the other side.
Sorry for your loss Chris. We lost our 2 year old chocolate lab last fall. Noticed she wasn't eating one day and she was also gone 3 days later. It was very hard for my wife and I and our 2 children, especially my 6 yr old son. He loved that dog. This is one of your best writings. Thoughts are with you and your wife.
That was very powerful and sad and painful all at the same time. It was also a beautifully written piece, communicated with words that I hope resonate. It did make me tear up, but also gave me hope. I usually feel like sobbing after reading something like this, and although I did cry some, you wrote in such a philosophical and understanding way that it gives me hope that I will be able to make it through losing my best friend someday. My dog is 11 years old now and a small breed so he literally could live another 4 or 5 years, but just like you said Chris, it also could all come crashing down tomorrow. Again, just like you said, you have to LIVE and LOVE for today, that's all we have, the here and now. May time and whatever higher power you look too bring you and your wife peace as you move forward. Make sure you mourn and keep Paislys memories alive as we all know you will and don't be afraid to love another lil buddy again someday.
Sorry for you loss CW. Along with seeing family, one of the benefits of getting back to Muscatine from Des Moines for Memorial Day Weekend was to see our 3 dogs. one of which I know doesn't have a lot of time left. I'll be one unhappy man when her time comes...
