The dogs we love

[Sam I Am]

Lovely fresh morning for a walk. Jock and I set off on a brisk walk, rounded the corner by our house and came across Al, one of our neighbors. We have been having a huge amount of water fall in our area, with a lot of houses having basement issues. Al has problems with his back yard flooding so he is always out on the front lawn with a hose going into the sewer . I went up to him and said how is it going Al....he turned to me, eye red rimmed, tears going down his cheek. In a broken voice he told me that his beloved eleven yr old water spaniel, Nobel, was euthanized yesterday due to ligament issues in his back legs that were causing him a lot of pain. Given his age the vet advised that Nobel take his final journey. I looked down at my beloved boy Jock who is now 11 1/2 yrs old and broke down myself. There we were two people on Al's front lawn hugging each other and crying. I know Brad has just lost his beloved Haggis, and many others on this web site, and I am so grateful that when Jocks time comes that the support from this forum will help me thru what I can't even fathom, and like Al kept on saying, there is this huge hole in my heart.

Edited July 24, 2012 by Terrier lover

[Fudgie]

Huge hole in the heart is so right. I am sorry for your neighbor and the sad loss of his doggy. Also sorry that you have to get those feelings about your baby. It is amazing how these little creatures bring out such an unihibited love that we have hidden deep inside. I still have tears every day for Fudgie along with happy memories also. I'm glad we had each other for the time we did. We were definitely best buddies. Tell your neighbor he has cyber friends that feel his pain. And you, just love and enjoy yours and try not to worry about the future. Thankful for all you cairing guys on this forum!

[hheldorfer]

My sincere sympathy to your friend Al. You don't have to know someone personally to feel their pain when they've lost a beloved furry friend. Each time I read of another loss on this forum, I feel that deep kick in the gut as if it was my own loss.

Smiling through tears, though, thinking of you and Al locked in a hug on the front lawn. Bless you for stopping and helping him through this. I wish you were my neighbor!

[Hillscreek]

We know we are there for each other - not only cairns but all dog pals. They give us so very much and leave an empty space when they leave us. We keep them in our hearts and remember the good times we had together and are thankful we had those times.

[tlwtheq]

I looked down at my beloved boy Jock who is now 11 1/2 yrs old and broke down myself. There we were two people on Al's front lawn hugging each other and crying. I know Brad has just lost his beloved Haggis, and many others on this web site, and I am so grateful that when Jocks time comes that the support from this forum will help me thru what I can't even fathom, and like Al kept on saying, there is this huge hole in my heart.

That's always lurking underneath my exterior when it comes to losing our pups. Most of the time I get through it by telling myself not to think about it.

I'm glad you were there for your neighbor and you told us the story.

[TazTalk]

I get so choked up when I read stories like this. So nice to have a neighbor that will hug you in the front yard and share your emotions.

[Dempsy's Mom]

Well I think that was meant to be. I really believe that there are times when we are put on a path of destiny. Al needed you and Jock to stop by today. So sorry for Al and so nice you were there to share in his pain. This day Al will long remember and you & Jock will forever be apart of this memory. Bless you guys and thanks for sharing.

[Ivy & Lucy's Mom]

We are a part of this forum because we love our dogs. They add so much love and joy. It is so hard to hear of a dog passing because most of us know the feeling of pain associated with it. I don't think it ever leaves you. This forum provides a kinship to those who love to share their stories, whether they be wonderful and funny stories or sad and heartbreaking stories.

[Lynn in TN]

I also get so chocked up when I read stories like this. I know the pain so well. They are with us such a short while, but make such a huge impact on our lives. Every time I read a story like this my heart is in my throat, and the tears won't stop falling.

Thank you for sharing this story.

[Tuesday]

I was responding to a post last night while watching TV, and my husband asked me who I was writing to. I told him Cairn forum. He was like, wow, you've been an active member there for how long now? I told him, as long as we've had Murphy, just over 4 years.

Wow!

I've belonged to several online communities over the years, but this one is by far the kindest. So many places you visit for various hobbies in your life can be so snarky and cutthroat that you just don't bother signing up. This place has never been like that.

My heart goes out to your neighbor, as many of us who have lost our buddies at one time or another, it truly does rip a hole in your heart. The loss of a pet is devastating.

I, too, am grateful for this forum, for Brad for running such a great site, and for YOU ALL for understanding and being here.

[Hawkeye]

It was nice you were there for Al, many of us have suffered from the loss of our best friend and we need the emotional support from someone who understands this special loss. I still feel the emptiness of my westie and cairns, but with the help from this forum we continue on.