Abby

[tobagotwo]

She was so beloved. She was a real little lady. Abby was only seven and a half. We found out about a year ago that she only had half of one kidney. Apparently that was all that was there from birth.

She recently had a kidney infection, but got over it. What we didn't know was that she was doomed from that moment. She came up to Maine with my son and me to close the house, and was off her feed. She went to her favorite spot by the water, but unbeknownst to us, was really only closing out her life.

She went on IV right after we came back, returning home nightly, and she seemed to rally. But there just weren't enough filtering cells left in her kidney to sustain her after the infection. She passed quietly ("beautifully," as the veterinarian put it) on Friday, just slipping quickly away, with them in attendance, without any time to call us. We were expecting to have blood results on Saturday to make the decision. That was one blood test she never had to have.

I thank you all for sharing this loss with me, and your comforting words of understanding. Dogs relate to us in the places where we still remain children, one of the few creatures we can trust with our vulnerable, open, child hearts. And has been said, when they leave, those hearts are truly broken.

I have lost dogs before, but no matter how old I get, it just doesn't get even a little easier. Somehow I know that in time, a few years, we will have another, even though it's unthinkable to us now.

Thank you,

 

[njean]

She was so beloved. Little Abigail was only seven and a half. We found out about a year ago that she only had half of one kidney. Apparently that was all that was there from birth.

She recently had a kidney infection, but got over it. What we didn't know was that she was doomed from that moment. She came up to Maine with my son and me to close the house, and was off her feed. She went to her favorite spot by the water, but unbeknownst to us, was really only closing out her life.

She went on IV right after we came back, returning home nightly, and she seemed to rally. But there just weren't enough filtering cells left in her kidney to sustain her after the infection. She passed quietly ("beautifully," as the veterinarian put it) on Friday, just slipping quickly away, with them in attendance, without any time to call us. We were expecting to have blood results on Saturday to make the decision. That was one blood test she never had to have.

I thank you all for sharing this loss with me, and your comforting words of understanding. Dogs relate to us in the places where we still remain children, one of the few creatures we can trust with our vulnerable, open, child hearts. And has been said, when they leave, those hearts are truly broken.

I have lost dogs before, but no matter how old I get, it just doesn't get even a little easier. Somehow I know that in time, a few years, we will have another, even though it's unthinkable to us now.

Thank you,

I weep for you Bob! Your poignant story about your beloved Abby brought back memories of my beloved Charmin.

Charmin was my little schnauzer dog that I had had for almost 12 years. But she too had renal disease and died one beautiful fall day.

That day, I had a feeling was going to be her last day, but reluctantly, I had to go to work because I had to run payroll in my department. I wanted so much to stay & just cradle her in my arms but instead, I placed her underneath her favorite tree in our yard & told her that I would be back at noon to check on her -- to please not die until I came home. I went to work & came back home at noon, and there she was waiting for me underneath the tree, like she knew. I picked her up & took her inside and layed down with her on a rug and cradled her against me, stroking her and telling her that it was okay to leave, that Dad & I would be okay; that she had been a wonderful friend & I loved her very much. Within 20 minutes, she passed. I was so grateful to be there, to watch her slip away so peacefully.

Your heart is very broken right now my friend, but it will get better as the days pass, I promise.

 

[Dawn-Marie]

Bob ~ I'm so very sorry for your loss. I know how hard it is as i've lost many pets over the years. It never gets any easier when they die, but i keep getting more pets as i love them so much and they're the best friends i've ever had. A few years ago i had to put my 22 year old cat to sleep because of kidney failure and i sobbed as the vet gave her the shot. I didn't think i would have another cat again, but now i have 2 who i love and am worrying about who will take them when i die.

I hope that eventually you'll have smiles rather than tears when you think of Abby.

((((hugs))))

Dawn-Marie

 

[rosewynds]

Bob,

Your post has brought me to tears, we have a 5 year old Boston named Baxter. I just can't imagine him not being here, there is just something about the Boston breed. I have never known a dog quite like it.

I am truly sorry for your loss.

Lisa

 

[ctyguy]

Bob...I can totally appreciate your pain and suffering. My wife and I are devoted dog people, in many ways I'd much rather deal with pooches than people. A loss of a dog to me is like losing a child in alot of ways. We've lost 3 in the last 8 years (1 old age, 2 cancer) and it doesn't get any easier, all are brutal to go through.

Our thoughts are with you, hopefully at some point you will consider another puppy or a mutt from a shelter. There are so many dogs that need a good home and some folks who will love them unconditionally.

 

[francie12]

My heart goes out to you. It has happened to me before and it will again--still I can never prepare myself. When you feel it is time, the happy nonsense of a new puppy does much to heal the pain... My thoughts are with you.

 

[twinmaker]

Bob, I am so sorry to hear about Abby's passing. We have a yellow Lab named Abby. She is five years old and battling liver disease. Our dogs have always been cherished members of our family. I know the hurt you are going through. It hurts so badly that you think you can never go through it again and then in time you see that next little puppy or dog that needs a forever home and we're hooked once again. You never get over losing a pet, but the day will come when you will look back on all your memories and smile when remembering Abby. These little creatures bring such joy to us and they are truly gifts from God. I will keep you in my prayers during this difficult time. LINDA

 

[BDMc]

Bob, I am sorry for your loss. My mother had to put her dog down last month. I may have written of him here before. She was given the dog by a friend after my dad passed. She agreed to take him as a trial for the weekend, and called me Friday night to say she'd gotten the ugliest dog she'd ever seen. When I went down Monday night, she was totally in love, and by Tuesday I was too. That was just over ten years ago, and he was about two when she got him. So he was about 12. He was a Pekinese, and had a wonderful personality. I imagine Abby was a sweetheart like our Wiggins. What a wonderful gift their love is.May memories warm your heart. Brian

 

[abbanabba]

So sorry to read about poor Abbey No... our pets aren't people, but that doesn't make them any less a part of our family or our hearts. It's always hard to say good-bye


A x

 

[aussigal]

I am so sorry and saddened to hear about your loss of darling Abby...our fur-baby Zena is the same age and I cant imagine how awful it will be when she leaves us. Abby looks so darn cute in your avatar.

 

[escargome]

Bob,
I cannot express how sad I feel for you at this time. I just know in my heart that your Abby is playing with my beloved Ragland Theodore and Jazzmine right now. Like Bina said, they are on Rainbow Bridge just waiting for us.

 

[catwoman]

Bob:

I am so sorry that you've lost a dear friend.

And, yes, no matter how many fuzzy/furry friends we have lost in our lifetime, it's still hard to lose one. They give us so much pleasure and ask for little in return.

 

[DebbyA]

Tobagotwo,
I didn't want to keep reading after your first sentence, because I knew your sadness was following. I've always looked at your posts, in part because the avatar is so heart-warming. A trouble with growing older--we lose too many of these beloved companions.

 

[Dina]

I'm sad to hear about the loss of Abby.
I have always believed that as we have souls,
so do our animal friends.And nowhere can one
find a more loving friend.
My best wishes to you-Dina

 

[bvdr]

Bob, I am so sorry to read your posts. Like so many others, I too shed tears. That hurt when you lose a pet is deep and I know you are grieving. I've been where you are and I know how very badly you feel. You truly do have my condolences.

 

[Christina L]

Bob -

Bob -

It's so hard to lose a beloved pet and I am not sure why. Is it because they are so innocent?? So trusting of us? They love us even when we are not deserving of love. You know, they understand better than we about death. We lost our 18-1/2-year-old (adopted at 14) bichon frise in May. I am not sure it gets any easier as time passes.

I'm so sorry for your family. Thoughts and prayers are with you.

Christina L