Death of my faithful Dog

[shadylane]

Sassy made it to almost 16 years.
She joined our family as a puppy from the local dog shelter.
Momma was golden retriever, just guessing daddy had some German shepherd and Chow.
The old dog was always 100% kid, mailman and visitor proof.
In other words, all bark and no bite. She was even smart enough to know when to bark.
And when to shut up.

The old dog lived free. No fence or chain ever limited her mobility on the farm.
She always stayed very close to home, unless going for a truck ride.
Truly, the old mut was a once in a lifetime companion to me and and kinfolks.

[Kareltje]

Aw shit shadylane!
Rips your heart out, leaving a hole in your chest and a void in your steps.
Sincere condolences from over the ocean.

[jonnys_spirit]

RIP Sassy. Condolences to you Shady and family.

-j

[bluc]

They call em mans best friend for a reason. And it tears ya heart out when they leave...

[Saltbush Bill]

Sorry to hear the sad news Shady.....loosing a long term canine friend always hurts.

[goose eye]

Sorry for your loss. My way of thinkin he'll see you on the other side.

So I'm tole

[Windy City]

Sorry about your loss.
They come in as a pet and leave as a family member.

[Bushman]

Also send my condolences a pet becomes a big part of the family.

[stillanoob]

I lost the love of my life about ten years ago. I still miss her. I always said if I could teach her to brush her teeth I'd marry her. You have my sincere condolences, I know how you feel and how great your loss is.

[Deplorable]

Sorry Shady. 16 years of memories and compassion. Dogs have a special place in our family.

[Tater]

Sorry for your loss .Always been told there's only two things in this world that will forgive ya in spite of yourself .Both have 3 letters and are spelled backwards from each other. Broke our hearts when our last boxer died at 12 years old .One I have now sleeping beside me on couch. She is a comfort .jpg[/attachment]

[bluedog]

Terrible. My guy is 14, and I'm not sure how much longer hes got. Was my constant companion during my bachelor years. Not sure if I would've made it through them without him.

[IMALOSERSCUMBAG]

Shit. 16 years is good, dogs live longer when they can run everyday. Jake was a lab and never on a leash made it 15 years. He's in a box in the living room. The two on the right sadly will join him one day.

[stillness]

Damn, Shady, condolences.
We've had our shepherd for 1.5 years, and I'm not looking forward to that day. The whole fam's going to be a mess on the floor.

RIP Sassy

[Twisted Brick]

Condolences, Shady. 16 years of memories - priceless.

[Setsumi]

ai, shady, dit is regtig bad..... ok lets me try again. man, losing a dog is realy sad.. pets have that ability to fix your moods. stay strong.

[nerdybrewer]

I'm very sorry for your loss, they get into your heart and leave a big hole where they were.
We have lived in this home for 32 years, lost 3 Boxers here.
One from cancer, had her spleen removed at 8 1/2 and she lived another year without it - we made it a really good year and she was happy right up until the massive heart attack that took her.
The other two both had DM (Degenerative Myelopathy) and lived to be about 9 before we made the decision.
The first we hang onto too long, he was no longer happy and wasn't interested in going out even in the wheelchair I made him.
The second with DM we saw the signs earlier, helped her have as happy life as possible until she was ready to go.

Now of course we have 3 big dogs in the house, I got an American Bulldog 7 years ago and he's my guy.
He's a total asshole most of the time but he's lovable.
Then my oldest daughter wanted a dog and went and bought a puppy and then it turned into a dog that was some bit of trouble so she asked if the dog could stay with us a while. That was 4 years ago.
Now my third oldest daughter just rescued a lab/German Shepard mix from an ex boyfriend who was keeping the animal in a wrecked car.
Guess I'm a sucker for a dog so now we have 3 of them.

Shady I hope you can open your heart to another, none of them can replace the good ole dog but if you're anything like me you now have a dog shaped hole that needs filling.

[SassyFrass]

Shady, sad news to hear. I know exactly how you're feeling. My condolences.
SF

[goinbroke2]

Sorry for your loss. I was the 4th person to post but I see now that it’s gone???
Anyway, losing a pet sucks and is a sad time for any household. I’ve always been “the one” to take the dog to the vet to be put down and it’s rough.
Take some time and then you’ll fall in love with another one.(we did)

[Stonecutter]

Poor old puppy dog. I always figured they’ll be there to welcome me when it’s my turn to come home. Waging their tails coming down that old dirt road. https://www.schnauzers-rule.com/man-dog-heaven.html

[TDick]

.....
The old dog lived free. No fence or chain ever limited her mobility on the farm.
She always stayed very close to home, unless going for a truck ride.
Truly, the old mut was a once in a lifetime companion to me and and kinfolks.

When friends would lose their dog I used to say/think, "oh that's too bad."
Then four years ago, I had to put my dog down only a week after being diagnosed with cancer.
I was crushed and cried my eyes out.
I don't know if I'll ever get over it.
His ashes are sitting right next to my Mom's.

And I hate to do this to you.
I was watching Country Music Awards a couple of weeks ago.
FF through most of it but slowed down to listen to Chris Stapleton.
It kicked my ass and yep I teared up a little.
(I saw an interview with him. He said they had to redo it because HE was crying so much doing the second verse.)

[seamusm53]

“Dogs, lives are short, too short, but you know that going in. You know the pain is coming, you're going to lose a dog, and there's going to be great anguish, so you live fully in the moment with her, never fail to share her joy or delight in her innocence, because you can't support the illusion that a dog can be your lifelong companion. There's such beauty in the hard honesty of that, in accepting and giving love while always aware that it comes with an unbearable price. Maybe loving dogs is a way we do penance for all the other illusions we allow ourselves and the mistakes we make because of those illusions.” Dean Koontz

[opus345]

Love the Rainbow Bridge poem, deepest condolences:

"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....

Author unknown."

[shadylane]

It looks like I'm not the only person here that likes dogs.
Guess it's time to rescue another puppy from the dog pound.

[Tom Kat]

I lost my beloved Brandy after 11 years this January. That one still hurts. I feel your pain.

[Hambone]

So sorry, Shady. Lost two dogs in the last year. Never gets easier...

[Dr Griz]

Guess it's time to rescue another puppy from the dog pound.

A house without a dog ain’t a home. But take your time — the one that will heal your heart is out there.

[shadylane]

It going to take awhile to find a replacement for Sassy. And even longer to train her.
The old dog not only learned to open doors, she also closed them behind herself.
Within minutes of meeting a new human, she would have them trained to scratch her butt and throw sticks.
She considered riding in the back of a truck the greatest thing in the world.
My friends all said she would have been easy to steal, all they had to do was tell her to "get in the truck"
I told them don't leave your keys in the ignition or she might leave without them.

[jonnys_spirit]

It took me eight years after my last dog. He eventually sent his replacement (Eko - pronounced Echo). Thank you Dunkel!

-j

[Kareltje]

All the songs reminded me of one of the best:

Especially the line: after 20 years he still grieved.