The time has come to say goodbye

[dansnow]

It was a little over 2 months ago we received a diagnosis that our 10yr old Llewellyn Setter Arlo was sick, and the vet strongly suspected cancer.

With heavy hearts we took him home to keep him as comfortable and happy as we could, fully expecting that the end was at most a couple weeks away.

It's been two months. Even today as we have finally made the heartbreaking decision that it is time to let him go, his spirits are up. He wags his tail when he sees us, happily kisses any face that gets too close, still lets us know when he needs to go out side. His appetite disappeared when he got sick and he started losing weight slowly but steadily. Then a couple weeks ago he was eating a little better, maybe 3-400 calories a day, 

Well, today when we got up, he greeted us as usual with tail wagging, but fell twice on the way outside to do his duty. since then he stumbles or falls almost every time he tries to walk. 

It's time. After 10 years of being blessed with one of the most special dogs we've ever had, a lovable goof who loved us unconditionally, it's time to let him go. I've called the vet to make arrangements and tomorrow we will say goodbye to a wonderful  furry kid.

 

I am so very grateful to Paul (grampa) for the pattern he made for me.

 

 

[LarryEA]

I could cry and I may.  I have had more than one best friend and it is never easy to say goodbye.

They all are still in my heart. I love them even now. There is no replacing them but I have enough love for another.

I'm sorry. You gave him a good life and he gave you all his love.

God Bless.

[amazingkevin]

I'm holding back tears too.Its very sad to lose a loved one or hear of some else's love one,Peace be with you.

[browders]

So sorry for your loss. I had to have my Border Collie put down in March. We had had her with us since she was 6 weeks old, over 14 years. There is nothing tougher.

 

Jim

[wombatie]

Well I am not holding back, it's take me quite a while to type this much because I can't see the screen.  I am so very very sorry to hear of your loss, just remember that you gave him a beautiful life and he loved you with all his heart.  These things never get any easier. :sad:

 

Marg

[Phantom Scroller]

Dan I feel you pain I have lost four dogs and my last was a Great Dane only 6 years and her legs went before she decide to leave us. We have now decide not to have anymore it's to heart breaking and we missed the Dane the most because she was like a human. They say get another straight away but after four can't take anymore.

Stay strong. Roly

[grampa]

Dan so sorry to hear about Arlo it's always painfull to lose a faithfull old friend but you know he is pain free and having fun chasing angels ...........Paul

[lawson56]

Dan I do know what it means to loose a friend like that, I had a Collie when I was a young boy,I haven't let myself get close to an animal since.So Very Sorry for your lose.

[ike]

I lost my Shih-Tzu a couple of years ago , and every time I come home I expect to be grated by the door when I come in. It draws tears to your eyes when someone tells the story,

[Bendita]

So sorry to hear of your loss Dan, like so many others I have lost several of my best friends myself and its never is easy, but I know they are all waiting for me at that Rainbow bridge, so once I get there we'll all be back together. Take care my friend.

.../Hans

Edited September 22, 2014 by Bendita

[dansnow]

We just returned from the vet, so Arlo is now across the Rainbow Bridge and running with his buddy Zeller whom we lost 2 months ago. It was the hardest drive we ever made, but in the midst of the grief is happiness that neither one is suffering anymore.

 

Thank you to everyone for their thoughts and prayers, they are a great comfort to us.

[Wilson's Woodworking]

They bring so much joy into our lives when they are with us that I can't imagine not having a dog. That, I believe, is why it hurts so much to lose them. I am sorry for your loss.

 

[Sparkey]

Holding back tears here also. Dan I am so sorry for your loss. I went through this five years ago and would not wish it on anybody.

[dansnow]

After Lin and i had a good cry yesterday, we started remembering Arlo, and his goofyness which brought smiles through the tears. Then we started looking through the local SPCA websites pictures of dogs available for adoption and almost instantly fell in love with this fella. From the description and photos he sounds almost as goofy as Arlo was. His current name is Puma, and he's a neutered 2 yr old Shepherd mix. Unfortunately the adoption center is closed Monday and Tuesday, so I will be camped out on their doorstep tomorrow morning to be first in line. I'm not overly enamored with the name Puma for a shepherd, so might consider changing it. Not sure at 2 if that would be a good idea.

If it's in God plan, he'll be coming home with us tomorrow.

 

P.S. With that tongue he could stand in front of you and lick the back of your head!!

[LarryEA]

What a look he has and that face is one you gotta love.

He has me smiling. I do hope and pray you all are a good match.

You just have to be!

I would consider giving him a name that fits with his new 'Family'.

Yea, Yea !!

[wombatie]

He is adorable, I love his ears.    I hope everything goes well for you and him.    And I agree Puma is a stupid name for any dog really, because lets face it Puma's are cats. 

 

Marg

[spirithorse]

Sorry to hear of your loss but, I hope you get the new dog and give him the same love you gave the others.

God Bless! Spirithorse

[LarryEA]

I'll bet my bottom dollar that he is smart, cool and a fun puppy.

[Kepy]

I feel your loss but the new one looks like he might be just as goofy.  He is bound to appreciate being adopted and should make a loving member to the family.

Mine got a special treat after reading your post and I quit trying to convince him he shouldn't lay between me and the computer.

[dansnow]

Again I want to thank everyone for their kind words and prayers. 

I was at the shelter an hour before they opened to make sure I was the first in line. Had my application all filled out and as soon as I got to the desk handed the very nice young lady the forms and the animal ID sheet. Five minutes later I got my first kiss and it was settled. 45 minutes later Java and I were in the truck headed home. Lin and I decided that Puma just did not work for us. Lin came up with Java and it fit. He's only 2 so still young, and since they both end in the same sound we believe it shouldn't be long before he's answering to the new name.

It's been an adventure the last couple of hours since he arrived at the house. Our matron setter, Kate, is none to pleased with him, partly because he's a stranger, partly because she's 12 and set in her ways, and partly because he's only 2 and wants to play. There's been a bit of growling, a snap at the nose, and one very short but noisy confrontation, but I can see Java is beginning to realize that he needs to leave the small dog alone. You could say he's a bit intimidated at the moment. It'll work itself out, she'll learn to accept the fact that Java is staying, and Java will learn to stay clear.

 

As you can see, he's already beginning to make himself at home. The fact that Java's personality so closely matches Arlo's is both wonderful and spooky. Thank you Lord for putting Java where we would find him so quickly. He makes it so much easier to remember Arlo and smile.

Edited September 24, 2014 by dansnow

[LarryEA]

I want to shout ...LOVE IT! Great little story.

Gotta ask this because it's what we have.. Is that a sheet covering the couch?

WE do that when we have no guests just to help control some hair. Except it does

not help since our Paddington crawls under the sheet.

[dansnow]

Thanks LarryEA. No it's not a sheet, It's a twin sized memory foam pad from my time as a truck driver. With 2 fake knees and 2 spinal fusions I go for all the comfort I can get.

[jellis]

Dan, I feel your pain. We had a Boston Terrier for almost 16 years and he was just like one of the family and when he

died it really hurt both of us. As time goes by the pain will get less and you will all the great memories that nothing can take away. God Bless

jellis

[ChelCass]

Oh Dan, I know exactly how you feel.  It breaks my heart whenever I lose a furry child,  And yet I will turn around and recuse another one, knowing full well there will come a time when I have to say good-by and again I will be broken hearted.  I know in my heart of heart that my furry child has had a lifetime of love the devotion and I will see them again one day.  You have given your furry child a lifetime of happiness and he will be waiting for you on the other side of the Rainbow Bridge.

 

God Bless, Chelcass