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Northview Diary: It is Over
OH! Gosh! I'm so sorry! On a bright note I'm glad she got to go for a ride one more time. I just hate losing our furry friends they really don't live long enough. If I had my way they would live with us until we go.
Dani, thanks...it was a long time coming and surely for the best for her comfort, poor old lady, but I miss her so much.
JB, it is. She was a dear old girl
Nita, thank you for your kind words. This has been a hard fall for us in the loss of beloved animals. I hope it is over.
Akagaga, yeah, it really has been and thank you. I had Nick in last night and realized that our youngest dog is 11! Gael was fifteen, as was her brother Mike last fall when he passed on. At least with the BCs they act and seem young until suddenly they are ancient. If you met Nick you would think he was five or six except for a bit of grey on his muzzle. I hope to have a couple or so more good years with him...if I am lucky...
Linda B, thanks, I have been so incredibly lucky in my life in dog years. So many great dogs... It is terribly hard to lose them even when they are very old, but I can't imagine life without a houseful.
It's hard to lose them so close. I remember a few years back when we lost two dogs and three cats in less than 18 months. I vowed to have no more animals, because it was just so hard to lose them. I said when Sugar is gone (she's now 12) that's it - no more.
Then 3 little kitties showed up on our doorstep last fall, and I am grateful. They make me laugh (and make me yell!) almost every day, and it will help to have them when Sugar's time comes.
Knowing this was going to happen doesn't make it any easier.
I've really come to appreciate this poem -
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 for 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 that answered your every mood Is gone--wherever it goes--for good, You will discover how much you care, And will give your heart for the 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?
akagaga, it is terrible to lose them, but I can't imagine life without animals. I have wanted to be around them since my earliest memories. I miss Gael a lot and I am certainly not ready for a puppy, but I think I will be in a bit. I am glad you have your kitties. I love to watch their antics from over here across the river.
Jan, exactly! I am comforted to look at the photo of Gael I used for this post, because that happy, healthy look is not what we have been seeing the past few months. It is good to remember the better times
Sara, thank you. She was a wonderful little dog, kind and sweet, yet bossy at the same time. I miss her a lot
Joated, thank you. She was a dear
Jeffro, thank you so very much for that. I have never actually read that whole poem although I have seen bits and pieces of it over the years. And I had no idea that Kipling wrote it....should have known, I love his writing, my favorite being the Maltese Cat.
Cathy, it was time...she was in pain and would no longer even eat cat food, which was all she would eat for the last few weeks. I hope that being allowed to have all the cat food (canned, beef strips only) that she wanted rather than having to steal it from the cat. She was a great old girl.
STeve, you are exactly right and that is a very humbling thing. Right up until a few days before she died she tried to follow me to work. She only made it a few yards up the drive, or part way to the garden or stove before she had to go back to bed, but oh, how she tried. It made me cry. Border collies have the greatest heart...
Oh baby I am so sorry. We will hold all of you in our hearts.
ReplyDeleteRest in peace beautiful Gael.
Sure hate to lose the good ones.
ReplyDeleteIt seems the time goes too fast for us - a dog's life. Good girl Gael.
ReplyDeleteThere is a poem about a dog passing, and it mentions the best place to bury a dog is in our heart. I agree, gone but never forgotten.
Ah, 3C, it's been a rough year for you and your dogs.
ReplyDeletePrayers coming your way.
My heart goes out to you.
ReplyDeleteOH! Gosh! I'm so sorry! On a bright note I'm glad she got to go for a ride one more time. I just hate losing our furry friends they really don't live long enough. If I had my way they would live with us until we go.
ReplyDeleteLinda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
Dani, thanks...it was a long time coming and surely for the best for her comfort, poor old lady, but I miss her so much.
ReplyDeleteJB, it is. She was a dear old girl
Nita, thank you for your kind words. This has been a hard fall for us in the loss of beloved animals. I hope it is over.
Akagaga, yeah, it really has been and thank you. I had Nick in last night and realized that our youngest dog is 11! Gael was fifteen, as was her brother Mike last fall when he passed on. At least with the BCs they act and seem young until suddenly they are ancient. If you met Nick you would think he was five or six except for a bit of grey on his muzzle. I hope to have a couple or so more good years with him...if I am lucky...
Linda P, thanks!
ReplyDeleteLinda B, thanks, I have been so incredibly lucky in my life in dog years. So many great dogs... It is terribly hard to lose them even when they are very old, but I can't imagine life without a houseful.
It's hard to lose them so close. I remember a few years back when we lost two dogs and three cats in less than 18 months. I vowed to have no more animals, because it was just so hard to lose them. I said when Sugar is gone (she's now 12) that's it - no more.
ReplyDeleteThen 3 little kitties showed up on our doorstep last fall, and I am grateful. They make me laugh (and make me yell!) almost every day, and it will help to have them when Sugar's time comes.
Dog years go by so quickly. But so many many happy memories.
ReplyDeleteOh Marianne, I'm so sorry for you. She had a good life I know, probably better than a lot of kids.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry. Tough to lose a valued friend and companion.
ReplyDeleteAwwww, geez.
ReplyDeleteKnowing this was going to happen doesn't make it any easier.
I've really come to appreciate this poem -
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 for 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 that answered your every mood
Is gone--wherever it goes--for good,
You will discover how much you care,
And will give your heart for the 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?
Rudyard Kipling
akagaga, it is terrible to lose them, but I can't imagine life without animals. I have wanted to be around them since my earliest memories. I miss Gael a lot and I am certainly not ready for a puppy, but I think I will be in a bit. I am glad you have your kitties. I love to watch their antics from over here across the river.
ReplyDeleteJan, exactly! I am comforted to look at the photo of Gael I used for this post, because that happy, healthy look is not what we have been seeing the past few months. It is good to remember the better times
Sara, thank you. She was a wonderful little dog, kind and sweet, yet bossy at the same time. I miss her a lot
Joated, thank you. She was a dear
Jeffro, thank you so very much for that. I have never actually read that whole poem although I have seen bits and pieces of it over the years. And I had no idea that Kipling wrote it....should have known, I love his writing, my favorite being the Maltese Cat.
My heart goes out to you in your loss. Some pets stand out in our memories forever, and Gael sounds like one of those.
ReplyDeleteWW, thank you for your kind words. She was a very sweet old girl and much missed.
ReplyDeleteI just read this to Keith. We're both moaning. I'm so sorry. We do so understand this pain. Sending a tender hug from both of us.
ReplyDeleteI know how much your pups mean to you and I'm sure the most important thing they'd want to do was to make you happy.
ReplyDeleteCathy, it was time...she was in pain and would no longer even eat cat food, which was all she would eat for the last few weeks. I hope that being allowed to have all the cat food (canned, beef strips only) that she wanted rather than having to steal it from the cat. She was a great old girl.
ReplyDeleteSTeve, you are exactly right and that is a very humbling thing. Right up until a few days before she died she tried to follow me to work. She only made it a few yards up the drive, or part way to the garden or stove before she had to go back to bed, but oh, how she tried. It made me cry. Border collies have the greatest heart...
I meant to reply sooner. I am so sorry for your loss. I've been thinking of you.
ReplyDeletei'm sorry.
ReplyDeletethey have an impact all out of proportion to their size, don't they?
Teri, thanks, we miss her so much
ReplyDeleteEricka, she was such a personality! Thanks