Shasta, my beautiful keeshond is gone

[Control-Z]

In re: to this post from last week:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=105&topic_id=6667727&mesg_id=6667727

It's been a heartbreaking experience, facing the reality of her age and illness.

She was the kindest most loving creature I have ever known. (She was like the beast toward the end of "Beauty and the.." She let birds walk right up to her and happily watched them drink and bathe in her water bowl.)

Mothering my children never left me time for the attention she deserved from me. Her need to be in my bedroom over the last month was, I thought, out of fear over a new AC unit in the back yard. I let her come in and sleep next to me more than I usually would but, Sebastian, our cat, her best friend, always wanted to be where she was and since "he" can't stay out of my lap when I'm working I would end up kicking them both out.

Shasta always watched over Seb, would bark her fool head off until someone noticed that he had somehow managed to get himself locked outside. Damn kitty would jump on her and scratch at her to instigate play. She had every reason to hate him but she loved him and they were always together. They slept together, got into the trash together...

Poor Seb, he misses her - doesn't seem to know what to do now, without her.



I cried like a baby on the floor at the vet's office when I held her for the last time, reminded once again of how poorly I handle loss. I had to run away for most of the day to pull myself together before telling the kids - what a coward I am.

That was the hardest part of all - telling the kids.

[pagerbear]

1. I'm so sorry.

You've brought tears to my eyes. What wonderful companion! **pagerhugs**

[Control-Z]

12. They were such good friends

I can respond to my children's questions and fears. It is different with Sebastian. We've talked about it a lot, in the wee hours when he cuddles up to me in bed, lovingly head butting me and nibbling my nose. But he has been quietly hiding under my bed and in my closet, for the most part - not at all his usual behavior. He seems so lost.

[Guava Jelly]

2. I am sorry

I remember the thread..You did what you had to do for your friend
Rest easy :hug:

[Control-Z]

13. Thank you, GoPsUx

Your reply in that thread has helped me in ways you can't imagine.

[warrior1]

3. I am so sorry

I loss my Sara last week also. She was ten years old, she died of bone cancer.

I hope this helps you at this very said time. Hang in there.


We who choose to surround ourselves with lives
even more temporary than our own
live within a fragile circle, easily and often breached.

Unable to accept its awful gaps,
we still would live no other way.

We cherish memory as the only certain immortality,
never fully understanding the necessary plan...

"The Once Again Prince"
Separate Lifetimes by Irving Townsend

[Control-Z]

18. Wow!

Thank you. That describes how I feel, perfectly.

I swore off having more animals (and not for the first time) but have already started looking at possible companions for Sebastian (at the pound). He would like that. It would help the kids too. It would help us all.

I"m just waiting for the time when it feels right.

I don't want to replace Shasta. That would be impossible.

[Control-Z]

30. I thought I had,

but just realized I did not say how sorry I am for the loss of your Sara. I know you must be feeling the way I feel right now. Thanks for your kind words. I hope you feel better soon.
:hug: :hug: are important at times like these. Please forgive me for getting lost in my own sorrow.

[Drum]

4. I am sorry.

:hug:

Those are nice doggies...I got to live with one for a year, Nikita, and she was a real sweetie.

:hug:

[Control-Z]

19. They don't come

any sweeter. One of those happy, happy dogs. She didn't have a mean bone in her body.

[judaspriestess]

5. I am so, so sorry

what a beautiful baby. I am crying as I type this to you, I cry everytime I read one of these threads. You loved her and she loved you and your family. We are so lucky when these angels pick us aren't we?

edit: typo

[Control-Z]

20. We are

I hope she forgives me for not giving her all she deserved.

[LeftyFingerPop]

6. dancingAlone, I am so sorry...

:hug:

[Control-Z]

23. thank you, philboy

It wish it didn't hurt this much.

[skygazer]

7. I'm so sorry

I hope you don't feel guilt - it sounds like she had a lovely life and was a happy girl. What a beauty! It seems like a lot of DU'ers have lost pets recently. I feel so much compassion for all who go through such a loss. :hug:

[Control-Z]

24. skygazer, thank you

I do feel guilt. So much. I knew she was getting old. I started commenting to my kids about her age more than a year ago. (to prepare them?) But I didn't know she was sick. The cataracts that I believed to be a sign of old age were, in fact, from diabetes.

I quit trusting my instincts many years ago. There is such a fine line between instinct and fear.

[DeposeTheBoyKing]

8. I'm so sorry - my heart goes out to you

What a beautiful dog. We lost our Simba kitty last Sunday, and the wound is still fresh. Take care and know that you are not alone in your grief. :hug:

[Control-Z]

26. I'm so sorry about your Simba

You are still raw, as I am. :hug:

I couldn't even talk about her until today. It's been a week and a day - last Saturday. I haven't been able to say her name. Her food dishes are still where she liked them. Her bed has not been moved. I found my 13 yo daughter curled up, asleep on it...

[DeposeTheBoyKing]

28. It's just so sad

She is in a better place and waiting for you to join her someday. My husband keeps telling me that about Simba, and that's the only thing that cheers me up at all. I can't let myself think about him yet or I'll lose it. I hope you and your daughter find comfort soon. :loveya:

[Missy Vixen]

9. For Shasta

One of our friends lost her Keeshond/German Shepherd mix to cancer about two months ago. Jake was the world's greatest dog -- we adored him, and so did our big Maine Coon boy, Mojo.

I hope that Shasta and Jake are having a great time playing together at the Rainbow Bridge.

Julie

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

[Control-Z]

46. That is a happy thought -

Shasta running and playing to her heart's content.

Thank you for your comforting words, JulieRB.

[SeattleGirl]

10. I'm so sorry for your loss.

:hug:

[Control-Z]

47. Thank you

I appreciate so much that you took the time to offer your support to us, SeattleGirl. :hug:

[Pushed To The Left]

11. I'm very sorry to hear about you loss, dancingAlone

:hug: Sounds like she was a sweetheart.

[Control-Z]

48. She was -

too much of a sweetheart to end up with the likes of me. Honestly.

[NC_Nurse]

14. Damn, that sucks!

I'm so sorry sweetie!
RIP, Shasta. :hug:

[Control-Z]

49. It does suck

but that is the inevitability we face when we adopt a furry child. Their life expectancy is so short compared to ours. Thank you, NC_Nurse.

[Solly Mack]

15. Lots of hugs! I'm so sorry!

[Control-Z]

50. Coming from you, Solly,

that means a lot. I'm just so stunted in this area. I'm like a 7 yo dealing with death. You may be one who really understands that.

[femmocrat]

16. I'm so sorry, dancingAlone.

I can understand how heart-broken you feel. She sounds like a wonderful dog.

:hug:

[Control-Z]

51. She was, a wonderful dog.

Too wonderful for me. I hope she understood when I told her how sorry I was.

[Flaxbee]

17. she's definitely smiling in that first picture....

I'm sorry she's gone, but her time had come and you did the best you could for her. Seb might be forlorn for a while, poor fellow.

I'm sorry for your loss and sadness and the kids' loss -- it is never easy. She knows she was loved, and she loved her family.

:hug:

[Control-Z]

52. She was born with a smile on her face

It was the absence of that smile that alerted me to her condition. She managed a half smile and a few quick licks to my face before she gave up. So like her to try and comfort me.

[lost-in-nj]

21. sorry, sorry ,sorry

:hug: :hug:

lost

[Control-Z]

53. We're all lost

right now. The pain will lesson in time but she will never be forgotten.

thank you.

[likesmountains 52]

22. gulp...so sorry, she was a beautiful friend.

[Control-Z]

54. so very beautiful -

her soul, her heart, her patience, and her effort to always please. I'm so sad for what I couldn't give her.

[LynzM]

25. I'm so sorry....

It sounds like she was a beautiful, kind soul... I cannot imagine how much you miss her. Much love and many hugs :hug:

[Control-Z]

55. Missing her more today than yesterday.

We got a card in the mail - signed by all the vet's personnel. May have been sent the day of, over a week ago. I haven't looked at the mail or called up my v-mail since it happened.

It was kind, but it ripped open the wound.

LynzM, thanks.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

27. RIP, Shasta.

So sorry for your loss; she sounds like a wonderful dog. :hug:

[Control-Z]

56. Thank you, ocelot

The compassion here at DU is overwhelming and so appreciated.

[bigwillq]

29. I am very sorry for your loss.

:hug:

[Sheltiemama]

31. What a sweet face

My first Sheltie had diabetes. He spent his last night at a major vet school and died there before sunrise, in November 1992, despite everything they tried to do to keep him alive, and they tried everything used on humans. I wish I'd had the courage to have the vets release him from his pain that last day. At least my next two Shelties benefited from his experience, though their deaths earlier this year were no less painful. You get to a point where the only thing you can do to relieve their pain is to stop it.

I understand your pain. Shasta knows the personal sacrifice you made for her. I used to tell my Shelties that they'd never know how much I loved them. But now I think they do know.

I'm so sorry.

[Phentex]

32. You're not a coward!

It's very hard to lose a member of the family. I'm so sorry. :hug:

[idgiehkt]

33. I am so sorry for your loss.

I have been there, it is so hard, to let go of them. :hug: :hug: :hug:

[Zoigal]

34. Sincere sympathy

on the loss of Shasta, dancing Alone. It is so hard to loose a

beloved pet. After all, in most of our homes, they are part of the family.

[KitchenWitch]

35. Love and light to you and your family!

:hug:

I am so sorry for your loss.

[wildhorses]

36. ~

:hug:

[Heidi]

37. I'm so sorry, dancingAlone.

:hug: Love and light to you and your family. :hug:

[SPKrazy]

38. So sorry Dancing Alone

:hug: :hug:

very cute dog and surely loved very much.

cute cat too.

:hug:

[UrbScotty]

39. Much love to you and to the kids.

:hug:

[mike_c]

40. that is so hard, dancingAlone....

But you did the right thing, both at the end and throughout Shasta's life. :hug:

[mitchum]

41. My thoughts are with you and all who knew and loved Shasta

dancingAlone, you are not a coward; grief and loss are real and profound.
It will get better.

[Critters2]

42. I am so sorry.

Take care of yourself, and of Sebastian. And know I'm thinking of you. You are not a coward!!


Critters
who fears the day Gracie the dog will die, leaving her best friend Leon the cat behind--or vice versa.

[applegrove]

43. Sorry.

[tandot]

44. I am so sorry, dancingAlone. My thoughts are with you and your family

:grouphug:

[SammyWinstonJack]

45. ...

:hug:

[calteacherguy]

57. I am so sorry. Perhaps this may help.

http://www.amazon.com/Death-Fear-Thich-Nhat-Hanh/dp/1573223336/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/103-9960541-4778246?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1184054395&sr=8-1

[Eurobabe]

58. So sorry for your loss DA

:hug: It's never easy to say goodbye to a furkid, the unconditional love they provide. :cry: Your lives were all enriched because of her, remember the good times.

Thinking of you.

RIP Shasta.