A sad day

[TheSp8]

Today has been a real bummer. We had to put down our 10 yr old Lab, Bonnie. She had severe vertebral spondylosis and had been steadily going downhill. She could still walk with help but couldn't go on the daily walks she had loved or run the fields. We were with her the whole time and her ashes will be taken to KS to bury with the other dogs we have buried there. My Soldiers have now seen their cranky SFC cry over his dog. That is what happens in a Vet unit though.

We found this fine girl dumped in a rest stop along I-70 outside Kansas City. She grew to be very protective of my wife which eased my mind on deployment or other long absences. Her only fault was that she was gun shy so couldn't fulfill her programmed purpose. She could tell the difference between game birds and non game birds. Bonnie loved to travel and saw almost as much of Europe as we did in the time we were stationed there. We are now down to two dogs, our year old Scottish Terriers, Fergus and Maggie. The pic below was taken at my parents place a couple of years ago. She will be sorely missed.

Sorry this is so long but a dog this fine deserves praise.

YMOS,
Tony

[McMurdo]

Sorry to hear about this you have my condolences.

[James MacMillan]

That's the pits! Too bad dog years and human years aren't reveresed - They deserve to live longer than we do! Wouldn't it be neat to have a dog for three generations!

[Jack Daw]

I have lost two beloved dogs in my day, so I know what the grief is like. Sorry for your loss.

[The F-H.C.A.G.]

There's a very nice saying about the length of a dog's life. Something about how they don't have to live as long as we do, because they take a lot less time to get it right.

I know that doesn't make it any easier.

I hope you can take comfort in knowing that you gave her a great life and a gentle goodbye.

She will obviously be missed.

Be well,

Star

[ccga3359]

I'm sorry for your loss. I know your men fully understand your grief.

[Coemgen]

I have lost a few dogs, and I always cry. The only solace I've ever found is this poem:

The Power Of The Dog
by Rudyard Kipling

There is sorrow enough in the natural way
From men and women to fill our day;
And when we are certain of sorrow in store,
Why do we always arrange for more?
Brothers and Sisters, I bid you beware
Of giving your heart to a dog to tear.
Buy a pup and your money will buy
Love unflinching that cannot lie —
Perfect passion and worship fed
By a kick in the ribs or a pat on the head.
Nevertheless it is hardly fair
To risk your heart for a dog to tear.

When the fourteen years which Nature permits
Are closing in asthma, or tumour, or fits,
And the vet's unspoken prescription runs
To lethal chambers or loaded guns,
Then you will find — it's your own affair —
But … you've given your heart for a dog to tear.

When the body that lived at your single will,
With its whimper of welcome, is stilled (how still!);
When the spirit that answered your every mood
Is gone — wherever it goes — for good,
You will discover how much you care,
And will give your heart for the dog to tear.

We've sorrow enough in the natural way,
When it comes to burying Christian clay.
Our loves are not given, but only lent,
At compound interest of cent per cent.
Though it is not always the case, I believe,
That the longer we've kept 'em, the more do we grieve:
For, when debts are payable, right or wrong,
A short-time loan is as bad as a long —
So why in Heaven (before we are there)
Should we give our hearts to a dog to tear?

[Mipi]

We saved a dog from dog shelter 2 years ago. She was ment to be a therapeutical dog for my oldest son. And she does her job well.

I don't even like to think what will be when here time comes....

[MacTavishOfJapan]

I'm sorry to hear of your loss. Your men will totally understand, anyone who had a dog would.

[Splash_4]

Man, losing a dog really sucks. They are like family. My deepest condolences.