ARKANSASNURSE;
You are more than welcome for the quote, and I wish I could take credit fot it, but I found it in a book, and was written by an anonymous author. I used it for a stone when we lost our 10 year old golden retriever in July.

Arkansasnurse, As the lucky owners of an 8 year old cocker spaniel who you cannot even mention the word "car" or "Michigan (where we spend many weekends" around without her bolting to the garage door, I totally sympathize. Our hearts are with you!

Arkansanurse, my heart goes out to you too. I lost my first beloved pouch when I was only a child. She had been run over by a car. I didn't think I would EVER get over it. A four years ago I lost my second pouch, to old age thank God, but it hurt just as much.
We now have a 14 year old golden retriever who is hanging in SO well. Hard to believe he's 14! He is really my husbands dog and those two beast (joke) love each other so much, I tease my husband that when Derek Dog dies, I'm going to lose my husband too as he will die from sadness.
When my mom died, we kept her ashes and sprinkle some where ever we go on vacation, so she's a world traveler she could not be in life. Then, when her precious pouch died, we put her ashes in with mom's and now they travel together.
My heart goes out to all who lose a loved one, human or animal, it hurts the same if they are loved.

Arkansasnurse, I have a JRT and a Chihuahua mix, too! Isn't a Jack Russell something else to have around? Energy, energy, energy. One of the best dogs my husband says he's ever had. We can't even "spell" the word "ride" around him.

I certainly hope you're feeling somewhat better today.

My heart goes out to you. Our furfriends leave such a big hole in hearts when they leave us, but that's only because they brought such a huge amount of love into our lives while they were here.

{{{sweet travellin' boy}}}

I just read thru again, more tears. Yes life with a Jack Russell, is never ending energy, Puppy tolerated her for 3 years. We have a large customized van, which I also inherited, so Puppy would have a comfortable ride, (my Dad's will actually said that!) We are looking for a place to take the 3 dogs that remain. Whenever the van is cranked up, they come running. i have often threatened to have the legal license plate say "Dog Haus".

Statia, thanks for the spelling of chihuahua, and your tidbit of not being able to spell a word reminded us of how when younger, Puppy knew what "k-i-t-t-y" spelled and would snarl and growl. You could not say cat or kitty without Puppy going nuts.We decided that the neighbor's cat was so much bigger than he was and the way she would taunt him made him dislike her. Isn't amazing how our pets are so much a part of our life?

Dear Ark RN, just saw this thread and my heart goes out to you. I'm so sorry for your loss and add my sympathy, thoughts and prayers with the others. Our pets fill such a special place in our hearts and always will because....

"a life may end, but the love never will."

Hugs to you.

I just happened to see this thread and just wanted to tell you how sorry I am for your loss. Your dog was so lucky to have spent so many wonderful adventures with you.

I'm so sorry for your loss. When I lost my dear Ralph (golden/ malamute mix: bred to shed), I felt my heart had been ripped out. So loving and steadfast, he was a great traveller, although we often had difficulty finding places that would take him.

The weekend before he died, we went to Captiva Island and old and crippled, he trotted out to the beach like a pup. Racing around to all his favorite places. In retrospect, he was making his last victory lap, marking his spots and saying goodbye to the beach. We moved into our new home, he had a stroke and we had to say goodbye. I think of him every day even though we got a new puppy immediately. She is the light of my life in different ways. There will never be another Ralph. I know you feel the same about your Westie. As I am evacuated due to the impending disaster called Ivan, my Boston Terrier and large fat cat are here with me. I need them more than ever now as my husband died suddenly yesterday and I am just aimlessly posting this morning trying to keep myself together. LilMsFoodie

Oh, LilMsFoodie. I read your posts all the time, esp. when I am looking for good food in my travels, but also the other ones. I can't imagine anything more shattering than losing a spouse suddenly, except maybe having to evacuate at the same time. Peace be w/you.

Just found this post ARKANSASNURSE...and my heart breaks for you....we lost our Alfie, a 14 1/2 year old mutt in June. We had decided that at our ages five parrots was enough. Several weeks ago Parrot Pop let drop hints that he misses having a pooch in the house..After searching the local rescue groups just this very Thursday we brought home a little supposedly mixedlong haired chihuaha. With the other dogs we have had we have had none that have touched my husband such as this little girl (three years old).. For the first time that I can remember he is at this moment walking a dog...a big 200 plus man and a little maybe five pound dog.. We bought two dog beds...have no idea what we were thinking...she not only has slept on the bed curled up next to him,but last night....and Ican'tbelieve I'm saying this...slept under our covers..Maybe someday when your ready you can search the shelters until you see something that MIGHT fit into your life...and see if there is a "connection". With this dog it was love at first sight on our part. The foster mother loved her and has asked we keep her posted.. (I have not read anyother posts,but our loss of our beloved Alfe will never go away) If you need to [email protected] and go to
http://rainbowsbridge.com/hello.htm

LilMsFoodie. I am so sorry for your loss...therei nothing I can say to comfort you but reach out and there are people who care.

LilMsFoodie, are the people where you are in Orlando being helpful? At least I am glad you are at that particular chain w/good service; I hope they are helping you in whatever way they can in a practical sense. I can't get you off my mind.

Your messages touched a chord (tears) but also brought wonderful memories and smiles!Memories of our first pet, a black and white Dutch Bunny named Benny!----He thought he was a dog, and was in charge of life (unusual for many bunnies). He would greet us at the door whenever we came home, he was litter box trained,and he would be "miffed" if we left him behind alone on weekends. We were SOOO young---(only 21)----We would hit the road in our tiny car (no air conditioning!)with his cage in the back seat, and him riding ON TOP of it---ears and fur flying in the wind! We'd have soooo much fun as people spotted him in our car, and honked, and did "bunny ears" signs at us! He was a trooper and stayed with us until he was 13 years old! (Died 7 or 8 years ago) We've been talking A LOT about him and another bunny we just lost (very sweet and smart but not the character Benny was), smiling and laughing just recently......so glad that now they bring many more huge smiles and love than tears missing them!(Although I'd love to see them again right now if I could) Thank goodness we can carry them always in our hearts and thoughts....

Dear ArkansasNurse,

My heart goes out to you. My Coco, who was half Chichuaha and half Fox terrior died in 1988 and you do return to your normal life, however to this day I still have my moments of sadness of really missing him, and after reading your post and the other compassionate, loving Fodorites, I am having a remembering moment myself now. But with all the tears and sadness none of us would change a thing.

Someone was standing in front of a supermarket with Coco in his arms. He was 8 months old and he was willing to give him to anyone who wanted him. Thankfully, I got to him before God knows who would have taken him. Not all animals are as lucky as ours.

Take care and know that we are thinking and praying for you.

Karen

LMF, I was stunned by your post. If there is any comfort to be had from a stranger, I am sending you a warm hug. You will be in my thoughts and I wish you the strength and grace to get through this terrible time.

Arkansanurse to you from me who loves animals: Laurence Whistler's "Folly: At the Death of a Dog," which begins "To care so much for one
who gave but small answers to love,
yet gave them, after his kind Completely...

LMF, I am so sorry to hear about your husband. I was so shocked that I had to read your post several times to make sure I had read it right. I've read your posts on the Fodor's site for so long I feel like I know you. My heart goes out to you and your family. Try to take some comfort that your many Fodors friends are thinking of you.
Arkansasnurse, no one can replace a valued friend. When my first cat, Baby, died I waited 3 years before I could face the thought of getting another one. Then a co-worker came around trying to find a home for her friend's cat, who was going to the pound the next day if they couldn't find someone to take her. I said yes, and it was the best thing I ever did. Miracle was only with me about 5 years, but she was like a soul mate. She died the day after Christmas and I went out to the Humane Society in January and rescued another homeless kitty. I now have 4 cats, 2 I adopted and 2 who adopted me. They all have different personalities and are precious in their own ways. But I will always keep memories of Miracle and Baby in my heart.

ARKANSASNURSE -

May I share a little poem that I keep in a frame next to a picture of our dear "Omelette," the first of 9 dogs on our animal farm. We had to make the difficult decision to let her go, and have found strength in this poem. If you also had to make the decision, perhaps you to can find some comfort in these words.

THE LAST BATTLE

If it should be that I grow frail and weak
And pain should keep me from my sleep,
Then will you do what must be done,
For this -- the last battle -- can't be won.
You will be sad I understand,
But don't let grief then stay your hand,
For on this day, more than the rest,
Your love and friendship must stand the test.
We have had so many happy years,
Don't let your heart hold any tears.
You wouldn't want me to suffer so.
When the time comes, please, let me go.
Take me to where my needs they'll tend,
Only, stay with me till the end
And hold me firm and speak to me
Until my eyes no longer see.
I know in time you will agree
It is a kindness you do to me.
Although my tail it's last has waved,
From pain and suffering I have been saved.
Don't grieve that it must be you
Who has to decide this thing to do;
We've been so close -- we two -- these years,
Don't let your heart hold any tears.

Unknown

Peace, Robyn

ArkansasNurse

I was so sorry to hear about the loss of your beloved and well traveled Westie. We lost our sweet terrier mix dog of 17 years. He was not well traveled as just driving in the neighborhood made him sick, but he was well loved and the only pet my now grown children knew.

I swore no more dogs and now, 2 years later, we have two Westies. I know what joy a Westie can put in your life.

Keep your chin up and know how many of us are thinking of you.

Anne