Author Topic: Grieving (Read 3559 times)

Brian · « **on:** May 28, 2009, 02:13:42 PM »

I had to put my dear Kelsey down yesterday morning. :'( :'( She had a major stroke, and both right legs were affected as well as the left side of her face. Needless to say she could not walk, so putting her down was the best thing for her. I cried my eyes out yesterday, as this was the first time I had ever had to do this. She was 17 years, 4 months and 5 days old. She is my precious baby girl. :'( :'( I arranged to have her cremated, and her ashed returned to me. I got to pick out the urn her ashes will be put into. I chose cremation so that I'll always have her with me. She is the first dog that was 'my dog' and not the 'family dog'.

Here's a picture of her a few years back, when she was in her prime. Her AKC registered name is Ladee Cercis-Redbud Kelsey. Her mom's name was Ladee Bud Simone and her dad's name was Roscoe Red Rueben, so I combined the Red and the Bud from her parents and came up with Redbud and the Genus of the redbud tree is cercis. Funny how I remembered all this after 17+ years, but I guess she was that important to me.

I miss you Kels. :'( :'( :'( :'(

Esther · « **Reply #1 on:** May 28, 2009, 02:19:08 PM »

Awwww Brian. So sorry to hear about Kelsey. She's just as cute as her name. It's gonna be kinda hard around your house for a while because you'll think you hear her now and then and then realize it's something else.

Brian · « **Reply #2 on:** May 28, 2009, 02:21:56 PM »

Thank you Esther. I've got two other dogs and a great group of friends (including this forum) to help comfort me through this time.

Jerry · « **Reply #3 on:** May 28, 2009, 02:28:51 PM »

I feel for you. so hard to take, but life goes on! :'(

Freddie Peepers · « **Reply #4 on:** May 28, 2009, 02:38:52 PM »

I know what you're going through. We have had to put 3 basset hounds down in the last 10 years.
All of them were "rescue" dogs that the original owners didn't want anymore for various reasons.
I'm tearing up just trying to type this.
I am sorry for your loss

miguynmkoi · « **Reply #5 on:** May 28, 2009, 02:51:23 PM »

Sorry, Brian. You took such good care of Kelsey and she knew it. You were both fortunate to have each other. It will take time to heal the loss.

Joyce · « **Reply #6 on:** May 28, 2009, 04:48:48 PM »

Grief absorbing hugs....

Pa Nancy · « **Reply #7 on:** May 28, 2009, 05:00:01 PM »

So sorry Brian. I think we have all been there and know how you feel. It hurts and it hurts badly. I had to put our dog down of 15 years 10 years ago and I still tear up to think about her (and writing this) HUGS to you.

Billy · « **Reply #8 on:** May 28, 2009, 05:35:29 PM »

I'm sorry to hear that Brian. I've been there many many time in my 67 years here and it doesn't get any easier to see them go.

Kittyzee · « **Reply #9 on:** May 28, 2009, 06:01:54 PM »

I am so sorry for your loss of your darling Kelsey. What a sweet face she has. Our animals make our lives richer for having known them, and they teach us many things we would never learn without them. Praying for your heart to heal and to remember her with smiles instead of pain.

maryvonne · « **Reply #10 on:** May 28, 2009, 07:08:54 PM »

I'm sorry to hear about your Kelsey. She was beautiful. We have been through it too and it's always very hard to say goodbye to our pets. They are part important members of the family.

livetogarden · « **Reply #11 on:** May 28, 2009, 07:40:40 PM »

Brain,
Everyone else has spoken my words. I have been there more times than I care to think of so know how sad this time is. Kelsey had 17 yrs. with a great owner, anyone who keeps a dog for it's entire life has to be great. Too many people get them then decide after several years that they can't or don't want them anymore. It's such a comfort to 'meet' someone who doesn't think that way. We have pets for life in our home too.
Cath

Bullfrog · « **Reply #12 on:** May 29, 2009, 04:59:53 AM »

Dogs do become a member of the family. My friends at work gigged me pretty good yesterday when I told them my wife got a new goat. We already have 4 dogs, 4 cats and a lizard. I told them she never had kids and these are her kids. Besides, animals never lie and are always your best friend. I'm sorry for your loss.

KatFish · « **Reply #13 on:** May 29, 2009, 05:33:40 AM »

I'm sorry for you and your baby girl. Not to take over, but I just went and got my dog's cremains back yesterday. While I was so very happy to have him home again, it was also like day 1 all over again. What I guess I'm trying to say is that I can really relate, and if you need to talk, please send me a PM. Hugs to you.

Kat · « **Reply #14 on:** May 29, 2009, 05:43:01 AM »

So sorry :'( :'( :'(

Vickie · « **Reply #15 on:** May 29, 2009, 06:33:54 AM »

I am sorry for your loss. I had to put my 16 yr old Peaches and my 14 yr K.C.Chief to sleep last year. Both were very sick. I loved them dearly. Now I have 3 boxes of ashes on my nightstand. All are in little wooden boxes with their pictures. We plan to have them burried with us. May God give you peace at this difficult time.

tweetybaby2005 · « **Reply #16 on:** May 29, 2009, 06:37:33 AM »

It is always hard to lose a loved one, furkid or human. :'( Sending you lots of cyber hugs.

Kuan

Julles · « **Reply #17 on:** May 29, 2009, 09:04:57 AM »

Awh, she looks like a sweet and loyal friend. I'm glad you got to have so many years with her, and that she had such a wonderful home.

It was exactly a year ago that my dear cat, Marley, was dying (kidney failure) and I had her put to sleep the first day of June. Even with the two new kittens so precious to me now, I sill miss my old cat, and this time of year is hard.

Say, maybe you can plant a redbud tree in your dog's memory!

CT · « **Reply #18 on:** May 29, 2009, 09:45:49 AM »

So very sorry Brian :'( :'( A redbud in her honor would be a nice tribute to a loving friend.

Kay

Brian · « **Reply #19 on:** May 29, 2009, 10:39:05 AM »

Julles and Kay,

Back in 2006, Joyce had recommended to someone a weeping redbud tree. I asked Joyce about the specific genus and species so that I could find it when the time came of Kelsey's death. She replied back that the weeping tree is Lavender Twist Redbud, aka Cercis canadensis 'Covey'.

Now I just have to figure out where to get it.

Thank you all for your kind words and support! I really appreciate it.

Esther, when you mentioned that I would hear her...well this morning, both dogs were with me, and I could have sworn I heard Kelsey in the kitchen getting a drink.
Cath, of the two remaining dogs, one is from a rescue agency and the other from a friend at work who could not handle her. I do believe in life-long comittments.
LuAnn, yes Kelsey has taught me many things. One thing in particular is when she was young, she tended to roam the neighborhood if she slipped out of the house without a leash and it often took 30-45 minutes to 'catch' her. One time after chasing after her for quite a while I was becoming panic stricken (we lived near a busy road) and it dawned on me that maybe God feels a little like I did at the moment when I stray and run from Him. It put a lot of things in my life into perspective.

jw · « **Reply #20 on:** May 29, 2009, 11:02:11 AM »

Very sorry to hear that you lost your dear friend and I have been through it too. It is hard and I always think about my wonderful dog "Zeke" every now and then and it's been 15yrs now. We walked everyday and I miss him dearly. Someday I hope to see him again

Indiana Karen · « **Reply #21 on:** May 29, 2009, 11:32:17 AM »

So sorry to hear this Brian.
I'm sure you will miss her, but glad to hear that you have other dogs to keep you company.
They, too, will miss her.

Karen

Desertponder · « **Reply #22 on:** May 29, 2009, 12:03:50 PM »

I'm so sorry Brian. I've been there way too many times myself and I'll be there way too many times again. :'(
It never gets easier.
I've also had my pets cremated for years now. You always know where they are and you can always decide what you want to do with the ashes when it feels right.
You will not only swear you hear them but on occassion you will also swear that you see them too. I've had that happen. I've also had dogs that would touch me in certain ways that I would swear I felt it again, even years down the road. I always look at it that it is their way of letting you know they are o.k.

Joyce · « **Reply #23 on:** May 29, 2009, 12:15:16 PM »

Biran, I'll keep my eye out for a small Lavender Twist Redbud tree, small enough to ship.

fishlipsmcgee · « **Reply #24 on:** May 29, 2009, 06:42:01 PM »

I'm sorry for the loss of your loving friend and companion. It is never easy. I have the cremains of 2 dogs and a cat. I couldn't think of doing anything else but bringing them back home. Some say we will see them again in heaven. I sure hope so. My sincerest condolences to you.

Brian · « **Reply #25 on:** May 30, 2009, 05:49:28 PM »

Awww Joyce, that is so kind of you!!! I'll keep my eye out this fall as well.

mcp · « **Reply #26 on:** May 31, 2009, 07:38:14 AM »

Brian , I know exactly how you feel. Having had the same loss a couple years ago. Maybe after your grieving has subsided you will be able to get another Best Friend.

greenthumbnails · « **Reply #27 on:** May 31, 2009, 02:27:15 PM »

I am very sorry for your loss...I lost my favorite cat last Thanksgiving to a stroke that left him completely paralysed and unable to do anything but breathe; couldn't even blink. It was very traumatic and we still re-live it without warning.

I have a Redbud tree that seeds every year. It has pink flowers on bare branches here in Florida in the months of Jan/Feb before the leaves appear. If you are interested I can mail you some seeds, its just that it will take much longer to grow your tree that way. Send me a PM if you still want some seeds.