Monday, November 23, 2009

Goodbye Old Friend...

Sad day. My mom and I had to put down our lovely old dog Sonny today. He was a present from my dad to me just before my junior year in high school, a wild, insane puppy who loved all of us with reckless abandon. Most importantly he has been a constant companion to my mom ever since my dad passed away.

I've had many pets pass away before, but nev
er one that was such a complete member of the family. It was so hard just watching him drift away, albeit peacefully, at the vets office. In my heart I know it was the best thing for him, he was old and obviously in pain for the past couple days, but I'll just miss him so much.

He was always there to greet me when I came rushing in from high school. Waiting patiently for me when I was home for the weekend from college. Let me cry tears of grief into his furry neck when my dad passed away.
Loved my dad with all of his doggie heart, waiting outside my parent's bedroom door even in the last hours of my dad's life. Tolerated my parade of boyfriends, the arrival of Rob (whom he later came to love) and even put up with my annoying cocker spaniel who was adopted just before Rob and I got married. He followed my mom around the house like a shadow, she often literally tripped over him. He guarded her house like a true watchdog, you can't even imagine the sounds that would greet anyone who dare knock on the door. Kept her company in the quiet nights after I had married and moved out into my own home. For years after my dad passed away he would sneak upstairs into my mom's room and up onto her bed, without her even knowing until morning, all 120 pounds of him, and lay there, quietly not moving a muscle as not to wake her.

I'll never believe that animals don't go to heaven. In my mind he is out there somewhere in spirit, running through fields with the wind in his ears, with no more achy bones or arthritic back to slow him down, with my Dad close by, throwing him a stick. He was never just a pet or just a dog. He was family and we will miss him so.

Goodbye, Old Friend...

"Happy trails to you, until we meet again.
Some trails are happy ones,
Others are blue.
It's the way you ride the trail that counts,
Here's a happy one for you."
-Dale Evans

34 comments:

soxchamps said...

I'm so sorry, it is so hard to lose a pet.

LeAnna said...

Aw, so sorry to hear this. It's amazing how much we come to love our furry friends...

Stephanie said...

So sad to read this. I had to put my cat down over the summer, and it was the hardest thing I've probably ever had to do. I sobbed and cried myself to sleep that night. Pets are so dependent on their owners that I think it makes it that much harder when you have to make that ultimate decision... You and your mom did the right thing for Sonny, but I'm sure that doesn't make it any easier.

Nic said...

I am so sorry for your loss. Is so hard as they are part of the family. Sounds like he was a wonderful dog.

Alison aka Baby B said...

I'm very sorry to hear about your loss. Pets are definitely members of the family, and Sonny taking care of you and your mom after your dad passed? So touching. My condolences.

Callie said...

Aw Bev, I'm so sorry to hear about your loss. Sonny sounds like he was a wonderful dog! I know he will be sorely missed.

Unknown said...

AWWW! He's beautiful! I am so sorry you lost such a beloved wonderful pet. It's such an awesome thing how these guys become such a huge part of the family. My honey and I have two yellow labs. A girl and a boy. My girl is my love...The other love in my life who is getting up there in age...I can't think about the day I will loose her...It breaks my heart already!
Hang in there, in time, your heart will heal.
Sorry for you loss!

Candice said...

I'm so sorry for your loss. Pets are such wonderful family members.

Good Egg Hatched said...

So sorry! I really feel for you -- that is so hard. But so glad you have such happy memories of him.

Geezees Custom Canvas Art said...

What a beautiful and sad tribute to a wonderful pet!
I am so sorry for your loss!

mak'n Changes said...

Awe! That breaks my heart. You made me cry with the loving tribute you gave to an obviously very special friend. I too have two very special dogs and I know my heart will shatter when its their time to pass on.
So sorry you and your mom lost sonny.
Peace and blessings
Cindie

Stephanie said...

It's sad that Sonny is gone but the image of him and your dad walking and playing together is beautiful.

Suzanne Incognito said...

Oh gosh again. You got me teary eyed and weepy again. I am very much an animal lover too. A dog-person to the core. I've been there too and feel your pain.

It is wonderful to think about how happy your dad must have been to see him again. I bet the scritches/cuddles still haven't stopped.

Solar Powered said...

Tears, tears, and more tears. There is no doubt in my mind that he is in heaven. What a precious boy! I'm so sorry for your loss. They are family.

Jess said...

So sorry for your loss, I know how hard it is to lose a pet...

Burtons Blessings said...

I'm so sorry, I know it must be hard. If only people were as loyal as our pets, this world would be a much better place!

S said...

This made me cry. I lost my sweet girl earlier this year. Special are the people that have known the love of a furry family member. Even more special are the furry family members we have loved. Hugs.

Anonymous said...

This made me cry. :( I'm so sorry for your loss, and especially your mother's. (((HUGS))) to you both.

I am certain that Sonny and your dad are playing fetch together as we speak.

You might want to check this out. It's a wonderful explanation of where pets go when the leave us.

http://www.petloss.com/poems/maingrp/rainbowb.htm

Anonymous said...

This made me cry. :( I'm so sorry for your loss, and especially your mother's. (((HUGS))) to you both.

I am certain that Sonny and your dad are playing fetch together as we speak.

You might want to check this out. It's a wonderful explanation of where pets go when the leave us.

http://www.petloss.com/poems/maingrp/rainbowb.htm

Jennifer said...

So sad to hear about this. I've had to say goodbye to a few pets myself and it never gets easier. Last doggie that went to heaven was in the fall of my senior year of college. I sure lost a great sister that day. I felt better knowing there was no more pain but I'll always remember what a great guardian she was. [tearing up] Man, its just not fair their lives are so short.

Unknown said...

Tears :( I know I sound crazy, but to me losing a pet is one of the hardest things to go through. So sorry for your loss.

[And while I feel torn about feeling this way, I too can't help but think our animals go somewhere after death. They are so full of love and compassion, how could they suddenly be nothing? I'm with you on this 100%].

Pam said...

That does bring tears to my eyes and I know exactly how you feel. We had to bury our furry child the first day of this year....I should have know then it wasn't going to be the best year. I, too, believe our little sassy is in heaven. A friend in East Texas, Pam.

JP said...

Hugs to you. Sounds like you and your mom have lost a great friend. I'm with you, what is heaven without pets?!

Sarah said...

I follow your blog quite religiously, but I have not yet commented. Reading this post made me cry as I read it aloud to my husband. As I read the words, I thought to myself, "that sure sounds like a Labrador!" We have a 2 1/2 year old yellow Lab, named Henry, and we adore him. He is our child for now! We got him at 6 weeks old, and he now lives in England with us (my husband is USAF). Henry has been a loyal companion to us through good and bad, together and apart (including deployments and long trips across the ocean). I have never lost a pet, but I can imagine the pain of losing a pet such as this would be very difficult. My prayers are with you, and esspecially with your Mom. God Bless.

Shanny said...

I'm sorry =(

Kailyn's Mommy said...

Sorry to hear about your loss. Beautiful dog. We love our babies and will be very sad when they leave us also.

Jen said...

So sorry for your loss-I have been there myself, and it's one of the worst kinds of emotional pain- I know pets go to heaven also- God wouldn't have wanted it any other way. Check out the book Cold Noses at the Pearly Gates- it's a great read during times like this. Hang in there!

Ms. M said...

I'm so, so sorry.

It's never easy to lose anyone and your Sonny was part of your family.

I believe that animals absolutely go to heaven too. I can't imagine it without them.

This is a really hokey website, but the do an "online" memorial on Monday nights that you can follow along with at home, in real time. Anyway, it brought me a lot of comfort when my beloved Gracie died.
http://www.rainbowbridge.com/

xo,m.

teacheroftwos said...

I am sorry for your loss. Pets are a part of the family and always hard to let go of.

goodheartedmommy said...

So sorry, Bev. I have tears for you. I bet your dad is so glad to have him there, though! RIP Sonny.

FSD said...

So sorry for your and your mom's loss. I know this is heartbreaking for you both. Sonny is a gorgeous dog! (((HUGS)))

Unknown said...

I cried so much reading this! He was a wonderful friend, a member of your family, and while I am sure he misses you all, at least he feels better. He will be waiting for you :)

karey m. said...

oh crap. this made me cry.

you tell a good story. read every word.

funny thing...when my grandpa died, my mom told me. i cried and asked if i had to go to school that day. she said yes.

when our dog died, my mom told me. i cried and asked if i had to go to school that day. she said no.

we were both crying too hard.

nothing like a good dog, i think...

{can you tell how much i loved this one? and i'm sorry that old boy is gone.}

Jyl said...

Very beautifully written. I had to put my two cats down last month and I know how tough it is to say good-bye to a beloved pet. Scratch that...to a member of the family.

Related Posts with Thumbnails