In a little while I'm going to go outside and dig a grave

[pscot]

There's a quiet spot out behind the garage. Just the place to put a dog. He's been moving slower and slower for some time, and yesterday he just stopped. We've made him as comfortable as we can, and now we're waiting. But the waiting is hard. He's been with us a long time and it's hard to let an old friend go. There won't be another dog. We're getting too old to raise a puppy. I think Renate would like a cat. We haven't had one in a while. I wish we had one now. Cats have helped me bury other pets. It's a lonesome business otherwise. Cats are good at funerals. They're dignified and attentive and seem to grasp solemnity of the occasion. I guess I better go do it. This is his memorial. RIP, Ace. Thanks for reading this.

[redwitch]

1. I am so sorry pscot.

Sounds like Ace was well loved and a dog can't ask for more. I know his passing has left an empty place in your heart. I hope that you and Renate do get a cat to help fill that place just a little.

[texanwitch]

2. So sorry to read this.

Maybe in time you could adopt a older dog, not yet.

I have a 11 year old dog so I understand how you feel.

Your Ace had a good life.

Take time to cry, it is important.

[rug]

3. Dying

I heard a fly buzz when I died;
The stillness round my form
Was like the stillness in the air
Between the heaves of storm.

The eyes beside had wrung them dry,
And breaths were gathering sure
For that last onset, when the king
Be witnessed in his power.

I willed my keepsakes, signed away
What portion of me I
Could make assignable,-and then
There interposed a fly,

With blue, uncertain, stumbling buzz,
Between the light and me;
And then the windows failed, and then
I could not see to see.

- Emily Dickinson

No doubt he knows you're with him, waiting.

[HopeHoops]

4. I've been there many times. It's part of the deal. Try to hang in there.

I buried my 16 year old dog and 16 year old cat next to each other with granite markers for their graves (broken slab that fell off a truck). The rabbit we had at the time is buried next to them but all I had were the stones from digging the hole. I haven't been back to the house in NH and I hope their remains haven't been disturbed.

Give Ace a hug for me. Pets commit their lives to you and we're the ones who get the most out of it.

[Angry Dragon]

5. ..............

[bluesbassman]

6. Sorry to hear that pscot.

I've got one that's getting long in the tooth too, getting up is taking her more effort all the time.

[sad sally]

7. We give dogs time we can spare, space we can spare and love we can spare.

And in return, dogs give us their all. It's the best deal man/woman has even made.

good memories...

[nolabear]

8. Safe passage, Ace.

I'm really sorry.

[geardaddy]

9. .....

[hifiguy]

10. Safe passage to Ace and

strength and good vibes to you.

I swear, there is nothing in life that is harder than saying goodbye for the last time to a faithful furry friend.

[ohiosmith]

11. I fully expect Shadow to be there for me when my time comes. I'm sure Ace will be waiting for you.

[marzipanni]

12. You and your wife have my sympathy

Like texanwitch, we have an 11-year-old dog and I hate to think of the inevitable.
Our dog plays almost like a puppy, really gets into chasing a ball for a short stint, but licks her sore tendons later, and sleeps a lot.

It sounds like Ace is old but not sick, so he will gently drift off.
I hope a cat or adult dog will find its way to you to take up the four-footed-friend space in your home and heart.

[turtlerescue1]

13. Am sorry, loss always hurts!

I know you won't want to hear this, but am gonna post it anyway.

PLEASE consider a rescue. I know the pain, I know that- not being able to swallow. AND I also know that in the past three years I have fostered over 25 dogs, and two cats.

I understand your grief, took me five years to get over my collie, worried everyone cause I've always had a dog's nose in my life. Along came a little red dachsie named Dixie, and for 13 plus years she had a permanent indent on my left hip because that's where she insisted she be. Then she took that rainbow bridge too. My mate had died the year before, I didn't do well with either loss.

BUT while you are hurting, there is a dog needing love, a home and a face to slurp. You name the breed and there are rescue groups seeking homes for them.

Someone posted about a little guy named JJ, owner died and his kids took him to the vet to be put down. The vet instead called Dachsie Rescue, he was 8. Dix was not thrilled, BUT via Dachsie Air Force, JJ was flown from Atlanta to Mpls, and delighted us humans and made his home with us for another five years. You don't have to adopt a pup.

There's a nose out there that needs a place to be put. The need to be loved, and cared about. Please consider it?

[TrogL]

26. There are several good Doxy rescues out there

I'm involved in one up here and just got a Dorky (Doxy-Yorkshire terrier cross) away from a puppy mill. I was afraid she'd have all sorts of problems, but as soon as we got her in the house, she made a bee-line for the pee pad, socialized well with the other dogs, tried to lick the cat and walked well on a leash.

We've also got a Pilots' association to move dogs around the continent.

[Worried senior]

14. I am sorry for your loss.

We are older too but we got a sheepdog puppy 2-1/2 years ago, last year we buried our basset, Tripper, in a little memorial garden. Husband made a cross and burned his name and date of birth/death along with a picture of him.

Time does help, but we think and talk about him a lot, he was one of a kind.

He is the only dog we've been able to bury, before we lived where it wasn't allowed and when we lost our 2nd OES it was winter but it does help to look out and see him under the tree.

[lunatica]

15. My sweet Kalinka is getting quite old too

She has trouble breathing and is around 15 years old. She's a toy poodle and still looks sweet and cute. Lately when I take her out or on walks we go slowly and when she start to have trouble breathing she just looks up at me letting me know she wants me to carry her. Her breathing eases when I carry her.

I'm thinking she might be my last dog too. when my son leaves any pet I would have would be alone all day. I don't want to leave a pack animal by itself just to be selfish about having a pet when I get home. Right now I just want her to live out her days quietly and happy. She's doing that.

[Pool Hall Ace]

16. ...

[Vanje]

17. Peaceful passing and good traveling to Ace.

You were lucky to have each other.

[GoneOffShore]

18. Very sad - Say goodbye to Ace for us.

THE POWER OF THE DOG

by Rudyard Kipling

There is sorrow enough in the natural way
From men and women to fill our day;
But 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 that nature permits
Are closing in asthma or tumors or fits
And the vet’s unspoken prescription runs
To lethal chambers, or loaded guns.
Then you will find–its your own affair
But–you’ve given your heart to a dog to tear.

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

[csziggy]

19. .

[Kaleva]

20. Ace has the best friends a dog could ever want.

I feel very bad for you and your wife as I sort of understand what you both are going thru.

My wife and I a few years ago were given a dog that was already up their in age. One day I looked at Betsy and could see that she was going to die very soon. That night we tried to make her as comfortable as possible in a blanket next to our bed. The next day Betsy passed away. My wife sat in the rocking chair in our bedroom as I wrapped Betsy in another blanket and handed her to my wife. She held on to Betsy like a small child and cried as she rocked in the chair.

I went out back and dug a small grave near our favorite spot on the back deck. I then went back in the house, got Betsy from my wife and we went out back and I laid her in the grave. My wife cried some more as I held her then went back in the house as she didn't want to watch me bury Betsy.

We only had her two years but she was a great dog. I can still picture her looking up at me as I first laid her on the blanket in our bedroom the night before she died and petted and talked to her. It was like she was aware that her time here was at an end.

[emilyg]

21. So sorry.

[Flaxbee]

22. Aw, I am so sorry to hear you're losing your friend

Safe passage to Ace, peace to you and your family.

Ace loved, and knew he was loved. That's a good life.

[Dystopian]

23. I feel for you....

I'm so very sorry, pscot
I'm feeling your pain.
They ask for so little....and fill our lives with love.

Rest in sweet peace, Ace....
You are loved.....

peace and love~

[MiddleFingerMom]

24. ...

.
.
.

.
.
.

[sharp_stick]

25. I'm sorry

I know how hard this is.

[turtlerescue1]

27. Something happened...

A little dog is staying here now.

Had to post to you.

She looks to be a Chi MinPin, got the chi face and head, but the min pin's legs and markings, black and tan. She's about two years old by her teeth. And she is THE FIRST dog I've ever fostered who is calm, composed, housebroken. She was found with her pup, dad was a LARGER breed, beagle size?? They were walking down a country mountain road, and a lady with her kids picked them up. Her landlord is having fits. So she is here with me. Thanks to DU she has a name now, she responds to "Pokey" like poquita(little bit). My first thought is she was tossed out because she had a pup, but someone loved this little dog, she is just so perfectly well behaved. When held she just drapes her head over the shoulder. And loves to just sit beside someone. Took a walk to a neighbor's when she and I got back, she has a huge picture window Pokey just sat on the back of the couch, looking in both directions, looking for someone. Made me cry, nothing new there. On the walk back home she slipped out of the dachsie-sized halter and took off. Ran home, got the car and spotted her a good 1/3-1/2 mile- behind a diner at a dumpster. She comes to whistling. She came, got in the car and we came home. This is one heartbroken little bit of dog. I know whomever she was looking to find isn't here, it was a good 20 miles away when she left with me at the garage sale.

I KNOW you are hurting, and the reason to post to you is because she too is hurting. Its the timing that is behind my words. Am not trying to offend you, nor diminish the grief. Its just the timing.

[fizzgig]

28. i am so sorry

it is hard to say goodbye to them

[irisblue]

29. i am so sorry

it's so hard.

[KT2000]

30. Oh, I'm so sorry

I feel for you - it is a difficult time for you. Peace to you and Ace.

[fadedrose]

31. The main reason I hate growing old . . .

is not just losing a pet - that will always happen - no matter how much you love a dog - you may eventually get over it - it takes years. But the really sad part is when you know you're too old to get another one, especially a large dog you can barely lift or not lift at all. Too hard on the arms and shoulders to take a young dog who pulls on a leash, too cold for arthritis aches and pains for the windy walk when it drizzles..

I love hugging big dogs, small dogs too...am 74 now and just getting over a lab-retriever mix we put down 8 years ago. I wish I were not so honest as to admit that I miss the dog more than any of my dead relatives...

Oh pscot, you have some tough times ahead...sympathies to you and the wife.

Oh, and our cat, who outlived the dog by a few years, was a big help in getting thru the dog. You should go and get one asap...

[myrna minx]

32. .

[RiffRandell]

33. I am so sorry.

Been there; it is so hard.

[pipi_k]

34. If there's anything

guaranteed to make me cry, it's reading about people losing...or about to lose...their beloved pets.

I'm so very sorry.

I know your pain.

When my old girls started slowing down and getting older, Mr Pipi and I swore we would NEVER get another dog. Ever.

When we lost them within the space of 7 months, we realized that life would not be the same without another dog. Or two.

We ended up adopting two German Shepherds...littermates...at the age of 10 months. I'm so glad we did.

I hope you give some thought to adopting again...not a puppy, surely, but there are loads of older dogs out there who need a loving home. In fact, one of our old girls came to us when she was almost five years old. Her former family had a child who was allergic to her, and she herself had health issues. She lived with us until the age of 12 and passed away on her birthday. The person who was the go-between (us and the former family), a vet, was surprised that she lived as long as she did.

When we got our two "new" girls, I felt a bit guilty, but then decided that it was really a tribute to our "old" girls that life would be incredibly sad without more of their kind for us to love.

I truly hope Ace's passing to the Rainbow Bridge is a peaceful one.

[Still Blue in PDX]

35. And a beautiful memorial it is.

Dogs are such important family members. I am very sorry.

When I look at her now-white muzzle and the white mixed in with the brindle, I sometimes selfishly wish my dog would outlive me, but odds are against it.

[pipi_k]

36. Just wondering

how Ace is doing....