Death of Dogs

FAOL Community Fly Anglers Online
1

There has been postings regarding the deaths of some members pets over the last few years.
My brother’s 12 yr old Lab just passed way and I was searching for some of the posts without success.

One or several posts contained some wonderful anecdotal stories along the line of
“all dogs go to heaven” or a similar nature.

I was searching the archives without success.
I thought that I had copied and saved these but apparently, I did not.
If someone has anything of this type, please send via PM

I’d like to forward to my brother.

Thanks,
Greg

2

Strange you posted this. I had to put my dog to sleep today. He was my best buddy for the last 10 years. I’ve been in a fog all day, and i’m not sure it’s hit me yet. More than ever I want to get to Colorado, because everything here reminds me of him. His name was Buddy, and he loved everybody. I will never forget him. Here’s a picture of him eating peanut butter off his nose.

I love you Bud.

3

Look up the Rainbow bridge. Archives or google.
…lee s.

4

Gramps I had to do the same thing in January. I’d had kahlua since the day she was born fifteen years ago. I still keep looking down not to trip on her and save a few tidbits on my dinner plate only to realize that she’s gone. Some days I’m still not sure I was right to have her put down but really I put it off too long if anything. I couldn’t keep hearing her whining in pain and be able to do nothing about it. I’m looking for a puppy now since I can’t imagine living without a dog for long but I know she can never really be replaced. I just wanted you to know that you are not alone in missing a dog that badly.

5

Greg,
The Rainbow Bridge is a great one. I tried to search for it to no avail, but if you (or someone else) can find it, it’s worth sending.

Gramps…Sorry to hear your news. I’m sure your memories of Buddy will be with you forever.
Mike

6

Look on page 2 of Sound off , “A prayer for Shadow.” It has the rainbow bridge in it. It helped me cope with my dear friends death last month. As did the messages from many members who responded to my post. Never mind I copied it on this post at the bottom. I hope it helps.

Gramps, so sorry for the loss of Buddy, I feel your pain. The kind responses from the members on faol helped me a lot when I lost Shadow. I will include your dog in my prayers .
Ps My Little Shiz Tsu is also Buddy.

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

When an animal passes on 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…

Author Unknown

7

I can only pray that is true. It sure got me crying. It’s beautiful. Thank you.

8

The depth of our members is very inspiring, and humbling.

9

Dogs should not be allowed to die. :cry: :cry: :cry:

10

When a pet dies the best thing to do I have found is get a new one the same day—a friend at work had the sad call about his dog and pick up a new puppy on the way home BILL

11

I don’t there are any amount of words that can make it easier, but time sure seems to help. I also agree that another dog certainly helps to fill void. Of course your friends are not replace-able, but I’ll bet ya that they’d get along well the new friend (or two in my case) that you can love too. Lost my buddy Tubbs more than 3 years ago and Rainbow Bridge still got me a little teary eyed. Remember them often and they’ll be happy.

12

Gramps,

Sorry to hear of your loss. Isn’t it strange how those four-legged friends can find their way so deeply into our hearts?

mAngler

“If there are no dogs in Heaven,
then when I die I want to go
where they went.”

  • Will Rogers
13

Dear Sib,

Here are two poems from Rudyard Kipling. Both were sent to me by an internet acquaintance after I had to have my lab put down a couple of years ago. In a strange way I felt much better knowing I wasn’t feeling anything that someone else hadn’t felt already.

“Four-Feet”

I have done mostly what most men do,
And pushed it out of my mind;
But I can’t forget, if I wanted to,
Four-Feet trotting behind.

Day after day, the whole day through –
Wherever my road inclined –
Four-feet said, “I am coming with you!”
And trotted along behind.

Now I must go by some other round, –
Which I shall never find –
Somewhere that does not carry the sound
Of Four-Feet trotting behind.

This second one can be a little tough to take, but it is a great testament to what dogs really mean to us.

“The Power of the Dog”

There is sorrow enough in the natural way
From men and women to fill our day;
And when we are certain of sorrow in store,
Why do we always arrange for more?
Brothers and Sisters, I bid you beware
Of giving your heart to a dog to tear.

Buy a pup and your money will buy
Love unflinching that cannot lie –
Perfect passion and worship fed
By a kick in the ribs or a pat on the head.
Nevertheless it is hardly fair
To risk your heart for a dog to tear.

When the fourteen years which Nature permits
Are closing in asthma, or tumour, or fits,
And the vet’s unspoken prescription runs
To lethal chambers or loaded guns,
Then you will find – it’s your own affair –
But . . . you’ve given your heart to a dog to tear.

When the body that lived at your single will,
With its whimper of welcome, is stilled (how still!)
When the spirit hat answered your every mood
Is gone – wherever it goes – for good,
You will discover how much you care,
And will give your heart to a dog to tear.

We’ve sorrow enough in the natural way,
When it comes to burying Christian clay.
Our loves are not given, but only lent,
At compound interest of cent per cent.
Though it is not always the case, I believe,
That the longer we’ve kept’em, the more do we grieve;

For, when debts are payable, right or wrong,
A short-time loan is as bad as a long –
So why in – Heaven (before we are there)
Should we give our hearts to a dog to tear?

Please tell your brother that I am sorry for his loss.

Best Wishes,
Avalon

14

My heart goes out to all of you who have lost their four legged friends. Look in www.HATofMichigan.org under e-book, Tying Flies - the appendix on Audubon Autumn. It is a little of how I felt.
Bobinmich

15

I had a hard time actually finding the story. ( page 134) but well worth looking for . It is how I felt about losing my Great hunting companion Shadow and I thank you for the story.

One line stood out for me and is exactly how I felt both then and now:

" God this hurts!"

16

http://flyanglersonline.com/bb/viewtopi … =6&t=14949

17

Thanks you all so much for your considerate replies.

I am passing this link on to my brother.

It always amazes me that may, many of us at FAOL share so much more in common than just fishing.

Good people is Good People…

Greg

18

Oh,
I also came across this one.
I think it’s also from the past archives here but I couldn’t say for sure:

In the Epilogue of the book, WAR DOGS: A History of Loyalty and Hero?s, is a piece by an unknown author titled ?The Creation of Man?s Best Friend?:

God summoned a beast from the field, and He said,
?Behold man is created in My image. Therefore adore him. You shall protect him in the wilderness, shepherd his flocks, watch over his children, accompany him wherever he may go -even into civilization.

You shall be his friend and companion, his ally, and his slave.

?To do these things, I endow you with all the instincts uncommon to other beasts:
Faithfulness, Devotion, and Understanding, even surpassing those of man himself.

Lest it impair your courage, you shall never foresee your death.
Lest it impair your loyalty, you shall be blind to the faults of man.
Lest it impair your understanding, you are denied the power of words.
Speak to your master only with your mind and through your honest eyes.

?Walk by his side; sleep in his doorway; ward off his enemies; carry his burden; share his affections; love and comfort him. And in return for this, man will fulfill your needs and wants-which shall be only food, shelter, and affection.

?So be silent and be a friend of man. Guide him through the perils along the way to this land I have promised him. This shall be your destiny and your immortality?

The dog heard and was content.

19

Thanks everyone - this came at a good time for me. In my family we have a welsh corgi that is 16 years old. He’s just been a great family pet and friend to everyone in the family for all of those 16 years. But due to his poor health we’re probably going to have to put him down in the next few months.

We know it’s the right thing to do but we just can’t even bring ourselves to talk about it. My 19 year old son can’t even think about it.

Is there anything better than the unconditional love of a dog?

thanks again,

Greg