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Go Nigel, Go!
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Would You Like To Buy My Monkeys?
Jan
5
I’m an animal lover. Not in a my-cat-has-her-own-blog kind of way, but in a way that has led me to add 18 cats and a dog to our three-cat household since we moved about a year ago to a chunk of property large enough to accomodate a small domestic zoo. Or maybe it’s a farm. If you ask Julia, she’ll tell you we live on a cat farm, which may seem like an accurate description. Although, we don’t breed them - we’re actually The Sterilizers (or The Cha-Chings, as our vet would call us) - we do seem to collect them.
We spend a significant amount of time caring for our formerly displaced pets. There’s a lot of feeding and cleaning and combing and, best of all, loving. Sadly, when you have a larger number of pets, there’s a lot more dying.
Building a “cat house” for our feline friends was fun. Building the pet cemetery was not.
While they are a big part of my life, I don’t often write about the animals I help care for, simply because no one really cares to read about it. (Except you - the few who are still reading. And since everyone else has clicked away and it’s just us, let me tell you, I like you best of all.)
But today, I had to write about it. Because today, my dog died.
Clyde became ours when he was 14 years old; we knew that we would be the ones loving him in the twilight of his life. That still didn’t prepare us to let him go.
The past few days have been hard.
We realized on Wednesday that he was slipping. By Thursday, it became clear that he was dying.
After consulting our vet, we decided the best we could do was make him as comfortable as possible here at home, the place he’d lived more than half of his life. Later that night, he crawled into his bed for the last time. Our cat Matisse climbed in with him; she stayed there, curled up to him, until his very last breath.
I cradled his head and stroked that special spot between his ears, just like I did with Sam as she died. And I told myself, “This is meaningful.” Even if no one else cares.
I will miss him.
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23 Cool Kids Came To Play
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I Write A Haiku Each Day
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Ooooooh. Aaaaah.
Oh sweetheart! And dogs become such an integral part of your life.
I am so so sorry.
Oh, baby, my heart goes out to all of you. Sincere and deep sympathy for your loss friend. Losing someone is so hard.
I am thinking of you.
You know I am a fellow animal lover! Sometimes it is easier to love our pets than it is people. They’re so pure and innocent, always loving you with no judgment. It is devistating to loose a beloved pet, I’ve been there too. I’m going to love on Jonah a little extra today in memory of Clyde.
Oh, Leslie, I’m so sorry. I had an inkling this was coming from Grimm’s blog. He sounds like he was a great old guys. And so, so lucky to have all of you. And let yourself grieve. Even if it’s something you have to do way too often. On Reading and Writing and the Things That Make Me Crazy, Marianne had a quote that the only thing God did wrong with dogs was give them a lifespan that was too short. Huge hugs.
I’m so sorry Leslie. My husband and I also provide a home to the older, unwanted animals in our community. They are our family, and it is so hard when we lose someone. We are the brave ones you know. We take in the old folks knowing full well we will be the witnesses of their end. I think it’s good for Julia. These early experiences with death and grief will help her cope with the future losses she will inevitably face.
I am so sorry, sweetie. What a beautiful tribute, though.
BTW, I tagged you.
Oh, I’m so sorry Leslie. I hope you and Dave and Julia are doing okay. Lots of hugs being sent your way.
As I told your lovely hubby, Clyde was lucky to have such a lovely family to love and care for him this las year.
Oh Leslie! I’m so sorry. I care, I really do care that your dog died. We almost lost our 4 year old lab when he ate a sock, I cried for 3 days.
You are a wonderful soul to care for so many animals.
Hugs,
Pam
People who have UnConditional love for animals are the best people in the world. I feel your loss. (((HUGS)))
Dogs are special. I’m so sorry.
Lady,
You made me sad. Here I was feeling sorry for myself because someone broke into my car and you had a real tragedy–something that’s been worrying the edges of my mind of late with our own two elderly pups.
Grendel we’ve had since college. She’s at least 13 years. She was rescued from the street. I know when she goes, there is going to be some serious misery in my house. I don’t know who will be more heart-broken-me, my husband who claims not to like dogs, or my children.
So, I send you, your husband, and little Julia much solace. He seemed like a beautiful friend.
You know how dogs twitch their paws and make small yelps and squeaks in their sleep? I always envision them free and bounding through a sunny field of grass chasing butterflies and squirrels. Dog Heaven. This is where I am sure your pup is. No cares. No pains. Not tired anymore. Free and flying.
Much love,
Scout’s Honor
I feel so bad for you. Animals can become such a big part in our lives. I still miss my old dog, even though I haven’t seen him in 15 years… Its amazing that you have such a big heart to welcome so many animals and to make their lives better.
Heart goes out to you, and you are absolutely wonderful. ((( Hugs )))
Special thoughts and prayers to you and your family. You have done well by your dog and will undoubtedly do well by many others. It will hurt for a bit and then you’ll be able to again remember all the goofy things that you and he did together.
klc
Leslie, I’m sooooo, sorry. I’m so glad you were with him — it means so much. I’m so glad you have this lovely video — so important. So precious.
I care that your dog died! My dog is my best friend and I am dreading the day that he leaves me. He is eleven now and every year I get so bummed out on his birthday. Pets leave such a huge void when they pass on. He was very lucky to have you and your family in his life.
So sorry to hear this! It is so hard to lose a beloved pet. We got a reprieve this weekend on our own beloved pet front. Our dear lab Tucker who is 9 developed a lump on his hind end quite suddenly and we feared it was cancer. We were overjoyed to get a call on Saturday that the lab results did not show cancer, just an inflamation. We were just sick with dread from Tuesday to Saturday worrying that we would be dealing with bad news. We know that day is not terribly far off, but we hope to have at least a few more years with our beloved older dogs, Tucker and Telly. 14 is a long time for a dog! I hope we have as many wonderful years.
My heart is sad for you all today. I lost my most beloved kitty Spanky who I had from the time he was a kitten and suckling on my earlobes until he disappeared one weekend a year and a half ago when he escaped the house while we were out of town. We fear he was out prowling at night (which he was never allowed to do at night) and crossed paths with a coyote pack. I still miss my baby terribly.
I am so sorry for your loss Leslie. I love animals too, especially dogs, and I know that it is hard to say goodbye. I care.
Leslie
I am so sorry to here about your dog. I remember when my childhood cat of eighteen years died. We knew all day that she was going and by night we knew she didn’t have long. I remember sitting with her and holding her until she took her last breath. She was such a great cat that I felt like I had owed her the comfort of someone sitting with her in her final moments. I am sure that Clyde went much easier knowing that you were there with him. I am so sorry for your loss.
I am so sorry to hear that. …It is always so sad to have to let a close one go.
Sorry about your loss, we just lost our baby sister (pom named Sugar Born Christmas Day 14 years ago, died December 20th, 2007). She really was my sister growing up especially during our shared pregnancies seven years ago. Pets really are family.
I’m so sorry your dog died. Sounds like Clyde’s years with you were probably his most loved years.
Cute video! I was expecting Clyde to bark along.
My Mimmaw (paternal grandmother aka Miss Ruby) grandmother always said, “Death is also a part of life”. But it does not make it any sadder. So sorry for your loss. It is so great that Julia has such 4-footed companionship. She will learn a lot from it.