I lost my dog

[thehawk]

My dog Duke died on the way to seeing his Vet. August 28th. He was 11 years old. He was always vibrant and full of energy. Then one day he wasn't eating his food. He was starting to lose weight. I took him to the Vet only to find that his liver was going bad. His Vet said that the prognosis was not good. She gave me antibiotics and steroids pills for him. Linda and I did everything in our power to make him well, but to no avail. I buried him overlooking the pond that he loved to swim in. He was truly my best friend.He got me through some really hard times. Within the last 2 years, I have lost five close relatives, including my mother, and now I have lost my dog. He may have been with me for only 11 years but when you factor in that he was with me almost all the time, that time was a good part of my life. He had a great life and certainly improved the quality of mine. It really hurt to lose him, but as I told my wife,"He was worth every tear."

[Thunderhand]

Ochone, sorry to hear, Tom. I recall seeing him in some of the videos you'd posted. Looked like he really enjoyed his life. He was lucky to have you.

[KILLIAN]

Sorry for your loss Tom. Losing a dog is like losing a family member. A family member who never had a harsh word with you and was delighted to see you every single time you were together. It is just horrible to deal with a loss like that and we all know that hurt and hurt with you my friend.

[thehawk]

Thanks you for sentiments. I had Duke since he was 5 weeks old. The only thing that he couldn't do was talk. However, he tried. The only consolation for me is that he didn't seem to be in any pain. He died in my car on the way to the Vet.

[zigg]

Hawk, I am so sorry to hear of your loss. I know exactly what you are going through and how you are feeling. There seems a part of our hearts that is reserved especially for the love of animals, and until someone has loved an animal, that part will remain forever closed.
I lost my little friend Sammy, my lovely black and white cat on March 30th. He was only about 5yrs old, and was in apparrent fine health. I got up on the sunday morning to find him lying on the bedroom floor, he must have died in the night. To say my heart was torn out of me is a massive understatement. We were such good pals, he was almost like a little dog, such was our relationship. Even now, as I type this, I am crying like a baby, even though it's been 6 months I miss him so much, and I'm not ashamed to admit it. I have never felt grief like this in all my life, it hurts so much. Sorry to turn this around to MY situation Hawk, but its just a way to emphasise, and to let you know I understand what you're going through. But, as you say "He was worth every tear."
Take care my friend.
Dave

[thehawk]

IT is good to hear from you Zigg. It has been a while. I haven't seen you playing the game. I am sorry about Sammy. It is like losing your closest family member. I never realized how intelligent these animals are until I retired. Spending the last three years with Duke by my side, I learned how to communicate with him and he with me. There is not much difference between them and us. The only difference is the way that they interpret life. We use dogs to find cancer in a person's body, to find lost victims after a national disaster, to track down a criminal, or protect our homes, but the greatest gift that they give us is to share our company with loyalty, devotion, and love.

[zigg]

Amen to that buddy. I havnt played HL for so long, I really cant remember now. I tend to stick to single player games lately. I too retired, just 3 weeks ago, and I'm just cruising so far. No real plans. Mind you, I don't have the money for anything adventurous, so it's a case of making the most of what I do have, while I've still got it!

[TICTACTOE]

Hawk, even though I'm seeing this post well over a year late I want to give you my condolences. We all know how much you cherished Duke and I'm sure you miss him. We know he's enjoying that huge and fun pond in doggie Heaven!

[zigg]

I just popped in on the offchance, and read this thread again......Damn, I'm crying again as if it was yesterday and not 4yrs. Don't they leave their footprints in our hearts? My love for animals intensifies by the day, and in equal measure so does my disdain for humankind! Sorry if that offends anyone, but we really are fucking this planet up in so many different ways!