I lost my boy

[Irishonly]

Sampson was my boy. We rescued him five years ago. He came from a no kill shelter and had been in seven different homes. I took one look at him and fell in love. His grouchiness couldn't compete with my stubbornness and I was determined it was going to work. It took lime and a lot of patience and love and after a few months Sampson was a wonderful dog.

About two years ago we were told he was going to lose the use of his back legs because of paralysis. We were told he would probably have to be put down about four months after he became paralyzed and to walk him. We walked and walked and walked. The paralysis happened about a year ago but Sampson still had a lot of life in him.

My husband came up with a harness we could use in the house and he had a wheelchair for outside. We walked about a mile twice a day. I had no idea how much impact he had in our neighborhood. I knew he had a fan club. His fan club cheered him daily. We even had some fire and police persons in the cheering group.

Last Sunday we said goodbye. He had gotten sick and our vet came to the house. We thought he was going to beat it but a week ago I knew it was time. I have had the most interesting grieving experience. I have gotten to cry at will with many people. Today was with a young man that lives a couple of houses away. He had been afraid to ask since he hadn't seen him and after we hugged I cried again.

[njlib]

1. I'm so sorry for your loss

What a beautiful post...when you're up to it, it would be nice to see a picture of your boy. I'm glad you have so much support from his fan club and are able to grieve with them. Do you find that it helps ease the pain knowing he had such an impact on so many people and they're missing him right along with you?

I still cry every day for my boy and it's been since 7/31/10. Nobody really understands how hard it is, which just makes it worse. I've gotten laughed at by some coworkers for crying at work, so I keep it in until I'm alone, surfing Petfinder, or reading DU Pets posts like this one.

[Irishonly]

2. I will get one posted

I am a picture posting moron and will post when I get some help. The impact he had has helped me and to know how much love he gave and was given helps a breaking heart.

I am sorry about your boy and it's hard to understand people that are not animal lovers. I still grieve for all of my pets that are no longer with me. A friend told me she thought it so sad that are fur babies are not here longer. I agreed with her.

[njlib]

5. I completely understand

I'm not very pic savvy either.

Your friend is right, the time they're here isn't nearly long enough and it goes by so damn fast. I grieve for all my babies, too...but this one's been especially hard.

[Lisa0825]

3. So sorry ((((((hugs))))))

He was very lucky to have found you.

[david13]

4. I know the feeling. I lost one of my cats after 18 years, about 2 years

ago.
But then last year a stray cat came into the office, on her own. And started to camp out. So I had no choice. She had selected me.
And now she is almost 1 year and huge, and most happy, and playful, and brings a great deal of joy to me.
But there are so many other cats and dogs out there.
That need homes.
dc

[emilyg]

6. So sorry.

[juxtaposed]

7. I'm so sorry, That is so sweet it brings a tear to my eye.

[badgerpup]

8. As many years as they are able to give us...

...it's never quite enough. :cry:

I sorrow for your loss...and am glad for your good fortune in having such a wonderful dog who has been able to touch so many lives like he did.
:hug:

[Curmudgeoness]

9. I am sorry to hear this. Losing a pet is so difficult.

You wrote him a wonderful obituary here. And keep thinking about how much better you made his life, as much as he made your life better.

:hug:

[canetoad]

10. So Sorry, Irishonly

I don't think non-animal folk ever understand the grief when our friends go; what they meant to us and how much we miss them. Hugs, I'm thinking of you and Sampson.

[get the red out]

11. I am so sorry

We are so fortunate when we get to share that incredible love with an animal companion. I am so sorry for your loss.

[Stinky The Clown]

12. What a loving tale of your Sampson

Unconditional love in both directions.

I'm so sorry for your loss.

[BrklynLiberal]

13. I am so very, very sorry that you have lost your very special boy.

They ask so little and give so much. Their love stays with you long after their physical presence is gone.
I feel that he will be around,watching over you for a while. If you are open to it he will give you a sign.

Time and tears are the only things that seems to help the sense of loss diminish.

Our shoulders are here for you to lean upon and shed tears whenever you care to...

[REACTIVATED IN CT]

14. My Condolences on your loss

He had 5 wonderful years with you and your family.


BEYOND THE RAINBOW
As much as I loved the life we had and all the times we played,
I was so very tired and knew my time on earth would fade

I saw a wondrous image then of a place that's trouble-free
Where all of us can meet again to spend eternity.

I saw the most beautiful Rainbow, an on the other side
Were meadows rich and beautiful - lush and green and wide
And running through the meadows as far as the eye could see
Were animals of every sort as healthy as could be
My own tired, failing body was fresh and healed and new
And I wanted to go run with them, but I had something left to do
I needed to reach out to you, to tell you I'm alright
That this place is truly wonderful, then a bright glow pierced the night
"Twas the glow of many candles, shining bright and strong and bold
And I knew then that it held your love in it's brilliant shades of gold.
For although we may not be together in the way we used to be
We are still connected by a cord no one can see
So whenever you need to find me, we're never far apart
If you look beyond the Rainbow and listen with your heart


http://www.ashestoashes.com/rainbow_bridge_poem.htm

[HillWilliam]

15. So very sorry

They take a major part of our soul when they cross The Bridge. There aren't any good words to express the grief or the sympathy. If you were here or I were there, you wouldn't cry alone, either :hug: :hug: :hug:

[housewolf]

16. My heart goes out to you

and I'm glad you've had so much support during your grieving process.

I lost my boy in similar circumstances a little over a year ago. He was a big Great Pyrenesse mix, going on 15 years old, and his hind end just gave out. I helped him through it as best I could for about a year, until it reached the point where he just almost couldn't get up, even with my help. The last year was very hard - I moved our bedroom downstairs into the family room so that he didn't have to climb stairs anymore. He couldn't go out for walks because while I could help him get up stairs, his vision was so bad that he wouldn't go down them (it's hilly here and I have stairs front and back getting to the doors). He'd lost control of his bowels - many were the days we struggled to get him and the house cleaned up. He lost his appetite, wouldn't eat dog food anymore and I had to cook food for him in order to get him to eat. The last 5 months of his life I was home with him every day, which is something I'm very glad of.

Letting him go was one of the toughest decisions I ever made. I still miss him like crazy and I still cry over him, although less often now.

So, I know what you're going through. You have my utmost admiration and respect for all that you did to not only extend his life, but to give him a good quality of life up until the end. He was SO lucky to have come to you, especially after all the upheaval in his earlier life. You are one special lady to be such a devoted dog mom! My hat's off to you and my heart weeps for your loss.

:hug: :hug: :hug: :hug:

[booksenkatz]

17. What a beautiful story.

You were lucky to have him, and he was lucky to have you. Your tears honor his life, and by sharing him here, you give us a little bit of Sampson to carry with us as well. I know how you feel, I really do, and I hope that time will make things a little easier, but he will always be with you in your heart!♥

[Zoigal]

18. So very sorry, Irish...

Have an idea of how you're feeling.  Lost our two borzoi and
whippet
in the last nine months.  They all had run of out time, but it
doesn't
make their loss any less.  Am looking forward to meeting them
at Rainbow Bridge.
Sounds like your Sampson was one of one of the best.....z

[spooky3]

19. Very sorry about your loss. You gave him a great life.

[Vinca]

20. I'm so sorry. It sounds like you gave him the best life a dog could have.

[BrklynLiberal]

21. dupe

[livetohike]

22. I'm so sorry for your loss of Sampson

:hug: I hope your memories of the good times you had over the past five years will help you to smile. He will always be in your heart. I still cry over pets I lost decades ago, but remember the funny stories and cherish those times we had together. You will too. :hug:

[yellerpup]

23. He may have been a grouch, but he sounds so lovable

the way you describe him. I'm sure he adored you and appreciated every moment of kindness from you after you rescued him from shelter life. I empathize with how hard it is to let go because the ones you love are (and should be) unforgettable. Give yourself time to grieve but do take care of yourself. He would want you to be happy. :hug:

[Granny M]

24. He was blessed to have you.

So sorry for your loss.

[old mark]

25. I am so sorry . We just lost our great friend Thursday.

They do live on in your heart

mark

[housewolf]

26. My heart goes out to you, too

in grief and sadness, and also to let you know that the sadness does lessen, over time. You never forget them, and you never stop missing them, but the pain of it does heal over time.

I'm so sorry for the loss of your dear friend.

:hug: :hug: :hug: