R.I.P. - My beloved dog, Mikki

brothers · Post by **brothers** » Fri Jan 27, 2012 7:23 pm

I'm so sorry it happened Sam.

Thalay Sagar · Post by **Thalay Sagar** » Fri Jan 27, 2012 7:38 pm

Sam, I am so sorry to hear this. I will also echo Gareth's and Nathan's sentiments- do not beat yourself up. Perchance, do you have a picture of Mikki you would like to post?

Nick Freeh · Post by **Nick Freeh** » Fri Jan 27, 2012 7:53 pm

Very sorry to hear of your loss, Sam. A pet really becomes a member of the family, and I can understand your sorrow. Our last pet, a cat, died about 5 years ago and I still miss her. However, we adopted a dog (Cockapoo) from a shelter last summer, and he has brought us nothing but pleasure every single day since he joined our family. He filled a void for my wife and me, and we filled a void for him--a win/win situation. I do think that eventually getting another dog--with the approval of your Cavalier King Charles--would help in the healing.

--Vance

Straight Arrow · Post by **Straight Arrow** » Fri Jan 27, 2012 8:08 pm

So sad. Pets are such valuable and beloved companions. I'm very sorry for your loss, Sam.

Post by **Sam** » Fri Jan 27, 2012 8:15 pm

Mikki

Bentley

fallingwickets · Post by **fallingwickets** » Fri Jan 27, 2012 11:03 pm

Sorry for your loss Sam

Clive

fallingwickets · Post by **fallingwickets** » Fri Jan 27, 2012 11:04 pm

P.S. cute pictures. thanks for sharing

CMur12 · Post by **CMur12** » Fri Jan 27, 2012 11:33 pm

This tears at the heart, Sam, as I have always had a real soft spot for the animals who add so much to our lives. I can well appreciate your grief and I know from personal experience that guilt can add a crushing weight to the sorrow. We make calculated risks every day based on the statistics of personal experience, and over all we come out way ahead. Even so, as part of the human condition, we cannot escape the occasional miscalculation and mistake. No one could ever say that you didn't want the very best for Mikki or that it wasn't your intention to keep her safe. I hope you can overcome the guilt and find peace in your loss.

Take care, my friend -

- Murray

Thalay Sagar · Post by **Thalay Sagar** » Sat Jan 28, 2012 6:04 am

Sam, a true sweetie.

brothers · Post by **brothers** » Sat Jan 28, 2012 6:44 am

I know how much it hurts, I'm still grieving for my old dog friend and it's been decades since he got sick and died. We come across old pictures of him still. He was my friend, and the passage of time never changes that. It's great you've got pictures of Mikki that you can enjoy and treasure.

aircraft_electrician · Sat Jan 28, 2012 7:38 am

Sam, as a pet owner (3 dogs and 2 cats) I am truly sorry to hear of your loss. The grief of losing a friend is hard enough without adding guilt to it, don't beat yourself up about it.

Yes, dogs miss lost friends as much as we do. Our Rottweiler/Dingo mix wasn't herself for quite some time after we lost our Pitbull last spring, but she came around, and we're hoping she and the mini Dachshund warm up to the Dane puppy we brought home this week.

maskaggs · Post by **maskaggs** » Sat Jan 28, 2012 8:54 am

Sorry to hear about this, Sam. Don't beat yourself up too much, though.

Bargepole · Post by **Bargepole** » Sat Jan 28, 2012 4:10 pm

Oh dear. Something similar happened to one of my dogs. The guilt is natural. But speaking as one who's been run down (55mph-worth of Moto Guzzi) the only thing that goes through your mind is a flash of light and you think "Hello...?" And then you either wake up or you don't wake up.

The loss of your canine companion is a bad thing. Every dog we own will die; that in itself is a bad thing. But... your dog Exultantly asserted itself and ran off chasing its own path (an enticing smell, an interesting sound, leaves rustling, could have been anything; we don't know their world) and exercising its rights as an individual animal, probably inwardly shouting with joy. And then a flash of light and

.... that's that. Last moments on earth happy and untrammelled, you can bet. Since it's not your fault and since your dog doubtless had a fine life and a sudden end, there's no objective reason to feel guilty. Doesn't stop it of course, but there it is.

As they say, "It's not the destination | It's the glory of the ride."

I like the epitaph for Lord Byron's dog, whose grave my father used to take me to see at Newstead Abbey, which begins:

Near this Spot
are deposited the Remains of one
who possessed Beauty without Vanity,
Strength without Insolence,
Courage without Ferosity,
and all the virtues of Man without his Vices.

This praise, which would be unmeaning Flattery
if inscribed over human Ashes,
is but a just tribute to the Memory of
BOATSWAIN, a DOG,
who was born in Newfoundland May 1803
and died at Newstead Nov. 18, 1808.

Post by **drmoss_ca** » Sat Jan 28, 2012 5:12 pm

I have read that dogs' lives were made so short so that we might know more of them, if you are of the 'take another canker to thine eye' school of thought. Otherwise, you have my condolences.

Chris

95% · Post by **95%** » Sat Jan 28, 2012 6:03 pm

Since we are venturing into English poetry, I'll submit Dr. Johnson's epitaph, written at age 5, upon the death of a favorite duck:

Here lies poor Duck
That Samuel Johnson trod on;
If it had liv'd it had been good luck,
For it would have been an odd one.

wenestvedt · Post by **wenestvedt** » Sat Jan 28, 2012 8:18 pm

Sorry about the news, Sam. I remember all the dogs I've ever owned, good and bad. Time heals &c., but some of that time is hard to pass. Take care.

- Will

woodsrider · Post by **woodsrider** » Sat Jan 28, 2012 11:11 pm

I'm sorry to hear this, Sam....I know this is a difficult loss.

slantman · Post by **slantman** » Sun Jan 29, 2012 6:21 am

I feel terrible about hearing this. Being an animal lover it really hurts.

sgtrecon212 · Post by **sgtrecon212** » Sun Jan 29, 2012 6:00 pm

Very tough to lose a beloved pet. It has happened to me a couple of times..

So sorry for your great loss.

itsmedave · Post by **itsmedave** » Sun Jan 29, 2012 6:25 pm

Sorry for your loss Sam. I lost one of my cats this morning.