Farewell to Sarah

[altivo]

You were a good dog. Always friendly, always ready to snuggle or be petted, ready to play or settle at just a word or a hint. We teased you about being a "Polish Elkhound" but you learned English words (more of them than I ever thought likely) very quickly once you came to stay with us. You were good to Simon, and considerate of him when he began to slow down. I think he will miss you even more than we do.

Humans sometimes say of dogs that you don't live long enough, and that may be true. But you all seem to know when you've had enough, and you made it clear this week. We tried, but it was time and it would only have hurt you had we kept you around longer against your wishes. Good girl.

That'll do.

May we meet again, sweetie.

Comments

[avon-deer.livejournal.com]

Really sorry to have heard this news. :(

[altivo]

Thanks. It's always so hard that we say never again, but there's always another who needs us.

[casey382]

Oh, my. I was there Saturday, and you never hinted at her being frail.
And still Simon plugs along.
Sorry to hear about her passing. At least I got to pet her at length.
Take care.

[altivo]

Thanks. She liked you too.

No, as of Saturday we really didn't suspect. Sunday she quit eating. That night she was obviously in pain, though it didn't affect her temper. Monday she couldn't keep food down. Today she went in for x-ray and ultrasound, and they found three massive tumors in her abdomen. Not a clue until Sunday.

[moonhare]

I'm sorry. My thoughts are with you all.

[altivo]

Thank you. We've done this so many times now, but it's never any easier.

[kakoukorakos.livejournal.com]

I'm so sorry. My thoughts are with you.

[altivo]

Thanks. It's appreciated.

[merik]

I'm so sorry for your loss. My thoughts are with you and Gary.

[altivo]

Thanks. Harder for him, I think. In a sense she was his girl. She came from his godmother's upstairs tenants when they had to move and couldn't keep her. That was only a few months after we put down his big golden retriever, who also had cancer and developed symptoms abruptly and without any warning. That was ten years ago and somehow we never noticed Sarah getting older but of course she did.

[marzolan.livejournal.com]

It's always hard, losing a good friend. *hugs*

We give them a home and food, they give us companionship and comfort and undying love. Through that, they live on in us.

You're in my thoughts.

[altivo]

Thanks. *hugs back*

[calydor.livejournal.com]

*hug*

I'm so sorry, Tivo. As you say it's never easier no matter how many times you go through it, but then again - the day you can just shrug off saying goodbye to a member of the family is the day you've become someone you don't want to be.

Now she's running around at Rainbow Bridge, playful as a puppy and meeting up with everyone she's known and lost while waiting for you, Gary and Simon to join her in due time.

[altivo]

Thanks. I know you understand. *hug*

[schnee]

I'm terribly sorry. *gives you a tight, warm wolf-snuggle*

[altivo]

*snuggles back* Thanks.

[cabcat.livejournal.com]

*pats you gently* I'm sorry for your loss Pony, she looked like a very faithful dog.

[altivo]

She had aspirations to be a herding dog, in spite of her heritage, so sometimes she was a little bit on the independent side. Still, you're right. She was a good girl. Thanks.

[farthing]

*hugs*

[altivo]

*hugs back tightly*

[songdogmi.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry. Seems like she really was a Good Dog.

[altivo]

Oh, she had her foibles. She was a loudmouth, and terrible to take in the car because she'd be so excited that she'd howl. But she was very affectionate and snuggly, almost like a puppy, right up to the end. She would play with Simon too, which he still sought out once in a while, and though she could have hurt the old guy easily she never did.

[hrrunka]

Oh dear. Sorry to hear that.

[altivo]

It's always a sad day, and worse when you're unprepared. I was sure Simon would go first, and probably he won't be with us a lot longer, but so far he's still ticking, wagging, and begging. Thanks, your thoughts are appreciated.