My dog, Zeke, has passed away

[Cannikin]

After what appeared to be a successful fight with cancer back in July, my golden retriever, Zeke, fell ill suddenly and was put to rest on December 4th.

I drove him three and a half hours to bury him at my family's land in central Arkansas, where I used to take him camping. I'll never be able to put into words how much he meant to me.

I invite anyone who is interested to view the tribute video I made in his honor.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mn__ntfQb1o

[Midlodemocrat]

1. Oh, honey. I'm so, so sorry.

I can't watch the video tonight; I'm emotional for other reasons, but I promise I will.

You're a good soul, Cannikin. :hug:

[redqueen]

2. Aw...

I'm so sorry.



And that was a lovely tribute. :cry:

[MissMillie]

3. You meant a lot to him too

:hug:


I'm so sorry for your loss.

[Skittles]

4. so sorry

Grieve not,
nor think of me with tears
But laugh
and talk to me as if I were beside you.
I loved you so . . .
'Twas Heaven here with you


-- Isla Paschal Richardson

[Skittles]

5. dup

[applegrove]

6. Sorry.

[MountainLaurel]

7. Oh no

You have my heartfelt condolences. Losing a family member like that is so hard. :hug:

[flvegan]

8. I'm very sorry for your loss.

I had a similar cancer experience with my dear Zen a year and a half ago.

[Born_A_Truman]

9. I'm so sorry

I know how much this hurts. Still not over losing my first pug girl.

[hobbit709]

10. I'm so sorry. R.I.P. Zeke

[mikita]

11. what a beautiful tribute....

what a beautiful friend....

I hope your heart heals in time.

Peace,
Mikita

[wartrace]

12. Zeke will be waiting for you at the bridge.

Your video brought a tear to my eyes, they are our best friends.

[BrklynLiberal]

13. Your tribute is wonderful...I am crying.

Zeke was certainly a one-in-a-million furbaby. It looks like he loved everyone...2 legged and 4 legged. He was so sweet with the puppy and even the cat. He was obviously devoted to you, sleeping in your spot on the bed.
I have been there, so I know how much your heart aches not having him around. The last act of kindness is to let them go when they are suffering. It is apparent that you loved him very much. I have found that the ache and emptiness only recede with time and tears.

We Have A Secret

We have a secret, you and I
that no one else shall know,
for who but I can see you lie
each night in fire glow?
And who but I can reach my hand
before we go to bed
and feel the living warmth of you
and touch your silken head?
And only I walk woodland paths
and see ahead of me,
your small form racing with the wind
so young again, and free.
And only I can see you swim
in every brook I pass
and when I call, no one but I
can see the bending grass.
Author Unknown

[crim son]

14. Truly sorry for your loss.

I watched the video. What a beautiful puppy, what a fine friend. :hug:

[emilyg]

15. So sorry. Hug.

[ThomCat]

16. That is a beautiful slideshow.

I'm very sorry. :cry:

[BuelahWitch]

17. What a gorgeous dog he was

:hug:I'm sorry for your loss.

[JeffR]

18. Wonderful tribute.

I'm so sorry for your loss.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

19. So sorry for your loss.

:hug:

[nadine_mn]

20. Cannikin... I am so sorry for your loss

words cannot express how much pain you must be going through and how much love you have for your Zeke.

I cannot watch the youtube tribute, because one of our dogs is getting to the point where we will be making a very difficult decision. I know that if I watch, I will bawl like a baby.

How such beautiful and wonderful creatures can bring so much pure and unconditional love to our lives astounds me, and may your beloved Zeke be chasing balls and frolicking in a better, painfree place.


:hug:

[Flaxbee]

21. I'm so sorry, Cannikin

I can't watch right now - my beloved Tommycat is failing, and I'm a wreck. And I'm trying to get my dumbass neighbors to treat their sweet Golden Retriever (who is nonetheless driving me crazy) better. But I grieve for you, I am sorry you lost your buddy. :hug:

[Rowdyboy]

22. I've had very few "best friends" in my life....

Sometimes we are blessed

on edit: the video link to youtube left me speechless. You gave your buddy a really good send off-especially when total strangers share your loss. What a magnificent dog (and a really nice human partner too)

[ScreamingMeemie]

23. Ohhhh, Cannikin... I'm so sorry.

:hug:

My brother had a little rescue mutt named Zeke and he lived to be 18 years old. It's so hard to let them go.

Here is the tribute I wrote for them then. I'll be thinking of your Zeke tonight.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=105&topic_id=3004044

[TBreeze]

24. I'm so sorry for your loss

That was a very nice tribute. :hug:

[undeterred]

25. I'm so sorry.

I lost my best friend in July, he was almost 16.

[Cannikin]

26. Thank you all very much for your kind words and support.

I miss all of you here at DU.

[LisaM]

27. Ohhh, I'm so sorry

I watched the slide show with a lump in my throat but I can see that, even if his life wasn't long enough, it was a GREAT life. I hope you adopt another dog.

[mnhtnbb]

28. What a beautiful tribute to Zeke. We lost our beloved Tanya last summer

at age 14. I would love to be able to do a slide show of pictures of her--but our house burned down
August 07 and we lost almost all our family photos.

:hug:

[LibertyLover]

29. I am so sorry

I understand only too well. 3 weeks ago our 12 year old greyhound, Sam, died very suddenly. He apparently had a stroke. The day before he had been running in the backyard, chasing squirrels and keeping our other dogs in line. The next morning he was dead. My 6 year old daughter misses him terribly and draws pictures of him almost every day. He meant the world to us all. What a beautiful tribute and a wonderful dog. I'm so glad that Zeke is buried on land he loved. Strength and peace to you.

[QueenOfCalifornia]

30. sigh...

I watched the video. I cried like a baby. You and your dog look so happy together - Peace to you and to Zeke.
Here is a beautiful poem about having to put down a best friend:

If it should be....

If it should be that I grow frail and weak,
and pain should keep me from my sleep,
then you must do what must be done,
for we know this last battle can't be won.

You will be sad, I understand,
but don't let grief then stay your hand,
for this day, more than the rest,
your love and friendship must stand the test.

We've had so many happy years,
what is to come can hold no fears.
Would you want me to suffer? So,
when the time comes, please let me go.

Take me where my needs they'll tend,
only stay with me until the end,
and hold me firm and speak to me,
until my eyes no longer see.

It is a kindness that you do to me,
although my tail it's last has waved,
from pain and suffering I have been saved.

Do not grieve, it should be you,
who must decide this thing to do.
We've been so close, we two these years,
Don't let your heart hold any tears.

Author unknown

[livetohike]

31. I'm so sorry for your loss of Zeke Cannikin

:hug: Crying with you....he was beautiful. I hope all of the good memories you have of Zeke will help you smile when you think about him. Your tribute is wonderful.

[pinstikfartherin]

32. I'm so sorry..

[graywarrior]

33. Let me add my support to your heavy heart

Geeze, that is so sad.

[lost-in-nj]

34. I'm sorry

:hug:

what a beautiful tribute


lost

[sinkingfeeling]

35. I'm so very sorry for your loss. Some dogs just bond to your soul.

RIP Zeke.

[Call Me Wesley]

36. Safe passage, Zeke.

Might your sufferings be over. Peace and comfort to you and yours, Cannikin.

[Bertha Venation]

37. Cannikin, I am very sorry.

:hug:

[baby_mouse]

38. Oh, I'm so sorry. That's awful.

:(

[GreenPartyVoter]

39. I am so very sorry *hugs*

[Capn Sunshine]

40. I'm sorry

Losing a friend and dogkid is painful , he was too young. Nice tribute.

[MrsBrady]

41. watched your video, what a cutie

so sorry.

[Lyric]

42. Oh my god. My Toby could almost be your Zeke's twin.

Much love from our Golden boy to you...













:cry:
:hug: