Post by GreenJag on Apr 29, 2005 20:29:31 GMT 1
I lost Jasper, my first English Springer Spaniel 12+ years ago, he went naturally thankfully, which makes it slightly easier to accept. He was my first Springer and I trained him from a book, so we both learned together. I still miss him terribly, and was unable to even consider another dog for 6 months or more.
But then my wife spotted a Springer pup, 12 weeks old, in the local paper. I wasn't really interested but my wife was determined as she wanted me to have something to distract me from my grief. Jethro bonded with me instantly, but I'm afraid that it took me a little longer. Being retired Jethro and I spent 11 years constantly together, and he was like a shadow to me, never letting me out of his sight.
We enjoyed the most incredible relationship over those years and he became the best friend I have ever had! Then in May last year his kidneys failed completely, the vet told me I had 3 to 4 weeks with him at the most. I nursed him intensively, cooked special meals for him 3 times a day, and made even more fuss of him than I ever had before.
He had to have hormone injections every few weeks to produce red blood cells, and I had to inject him with fluid twice every two hours. He hated that, together with all the pills administered every day. Maybe I should have let him go sooner, but he really enjoyed the last 7 months in all other respects, and he managed to remain fairly active, leading a relatively normal life.
In December last year he started to deteriorate and the vet warned me to expect the worst. In mid December I knew the time had come, as the vet had told me I would, so I requested the vet to visit me at home. I held Jethro in my arms, talking to him, as the vet helped him on his way. I kept whispering for him to wait for me at Rainbow Bridge. I held him long after he had gone, and managed to withhold the tears till after the vet had left, then the floodgates opened. He is now at rest in my garden where I can talk to him every day.
The pain slowly got easier as I had little to distract me, and I was constantly aware that my dog was no longer there with me, as he had been all those years. But this isn't about me, this is about a loyal and loving dog who was devoted to me till the end, for which I feel so grateful and privileged. I felt compelled to make a permanent tribute to him, and this seems like the ideal place to do it!
Rest peacefully dear Jethro, I love you and miss you terribly, I'll never forget you, and one day we'll be reunited.
I now Have Rosco, who is a wonderful companion, and I can't help thinking that Jethro had something to do with bringing us together.
But then my wife spotted a Springer pup, 12 weeks old, in the local paper. I wasn't really interested but my wife was determined as she wanted me to have something to distract me from my grief. Jethro bonded with me instantly, but I'm afraid that it took me a little longer. Being retired Jethro and I spent 11 years constantly together, and he was like a shadow to me, never letting me out of his sight.
We enjoyed the most incredible relationship over those years and he became the best friend I have ever had! Then in May last year his kidneys failed completely, the vet told me I had 3 to 4 weeks with him at the most. I nursed him intensively, cooked special meals for him 3 times a day, and made even more fuss of him than I ever had before.
He had to have hormone injections every few weeks to produce red blood cells, and I had to inject him with fluid twice every two hours. He hated that, together with all the pills administered every day. Maybe I should have let him go sooner, but he really enjoyed the last 7 months in all other respects, and he managed to remain fairly active, leading a relatively normal life.
In December last year he started to deteriorate and the vet warned me to expect the worst. In mid December I knew the time had come, as the vet had told me I would, so I requested the vet to visit me at home. I held Jethro in my arms, talking to him, as the vet helped him on his way. I kept whispering for him to wait for me at Rainbow Bridge. I held him long after he had gone, and managed to withhold the tears till after the vet had left, then the floodgates opened. He is now at rest in my garden where I can talk to him every day.
The pain slowly got easier as I had little to distract me, and I was constantly aware that my dog was no longer there with me, as he had been all those years. But this isn't about me, this is about a loyal and loving dog who was devoted to me till the end, for which I feel so grateful and privileged. I felt compelled to make a permanent tribute to him, and this seems like the ideal place to do it!
Rest peacefully dear Jethro, I love you and miss you terribly, I'll never forget you, and one day we'll be reunited.
I now Have Rosco, who is a wonderful companion, and I can't help thinking that Jethro had something to do with bringing us together.