My beloved Samson is gone, died on 8/25/08 - Page 3

realistic · 09-03-2008, 07:14 AM

Oh, CurliLocks. I'm so sorry. I lost my dear best friend kitty 2 1/2 years ago and it still makes me break down to think of her. Samson was so lucky to have you. Especially with everything you did for him at he end of his life.
There is a quote that I love that says "No heaven will ever heaven be, unless my pet is there to welcome me."

maria_i · 09-03-2008, 07:25 AM

I´m so very sorry, Curlilocks.

To have loved and then said farewell, is better than to have never loved at all.
For all of the times that you have stooped and touched my head, fed me my favorite treat and returned the love that I so unconditionally gave to you.
For the care that you gave to me so unselfishly.
For all of these things I am grateful and thankful.

I ask that you not grieve for the loss, but rejoice in the fact that we lived, loved and touched each others lives. My life was fuller because you were there, not as a master/owner, but as my FRIEND.

Today I am as I was in my youth. The grass is always green, butterflies flit among the flowers and the Sun shines gently down upon all of God's creatures.
I can run, jump, play and do all of the things that I did in my youth. There is no sickness, no aching joints and no regrets and no aging.

We await the arrival of our lifelong companions and know that togetherness is forever.
You live in our hearts as we do in yours. Companions such as you are so rare and unique.
Don't hold the love that you have within yourself. Give it to another like me and then I will live forever. For love never really dies, and you are loved and missed as surely as we are.

by Ken D. Conover

Starmie · 09-03-2008, 07:31 AM

I have an enormous lump in my throat right now. Thank-you for sharing with us, it must have been so hard for you to write.

I've been there too, we knew his time was coming and we are forever grateful that he died at home, I understand why you prayed for that for Samson.

Thinking of you.

SpunkyCurls · 09-03-2008, 07:45 AM

I'm so sorry for your loss. *hugs*

M2LRToo · 09-03-2008, 07:48 AM

I am so sorry for your loss.

preciousjewel76 · 09-03-2008, 07:59 AM

Oh, I'm so sorry you lost your furbaby. ((Hugs))

My supervisor had to put her beloved dog to sleep a couple of weeks ago. It's not something I would wish on anyone. Pets become such a big part of our lives & our hearts....they're like our little fluffy angels here on earth.

(BTW, I should have known better than to read this at work...it made me teary. Your story was so touching.)

Lucille · 09-03-2008, 08:12 AM

I am very sorry.

I lost a beloved dog just before Thanksgiving last year and have another one who is definitely in her last months.

I wish you peace and fond memories.

gemidevi · 09-03-2008, 08:22 AM

*hugs* I am sooooo sorry!! *hugs*

luvmylocs · 09-03-2008, 10:14 AM

i'm so sorry for your loss....hugs to you and your family.

hopetocurl · 09-03-2008, 10:18 AM

The Rainbow Bridge... I love this.

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.
All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown...

CurliLocks · 09-03-2008, 10:40 AM

Thank you to everyone for your thoughts and support.

hopetocurl - thanks for posting the Rainbow Bridge. I already have a saved copy from my last beloved dog, 14 years ago. My son found comfort in reading it.

maria_i - thank you for your poem too. I hadn't read that one before, it was nice.

I'm sorry I made so many of you cry, but you have all shared your stories and heartbreak so I wanted to share mine too. I know how many of you feel the same as we do, that our fur-babies are not just pets, but loved companions and part of our families. I always said he was my guardian angel. (I haven't shown it to dh yet, maybe I'll have him read it at home.)

Mar · 09-03-2008, 11:08 AM

I'm so sorry,honey

cyndi · 09-03-2008, 11:10 AM

I'm so sorry.

Cynaminbear · 09-03-2008, 11:19 AM

I'm so sorry.

Krazyblondegurl · 09-03-2008, 11:47 AM

So sorry

Gretchen · 09-03-2008, 11:51 AM

I'm so sorry.

CurlyinColorado · 09-03-2008, 12:07 PM

Curlilocks, I'm so sorry for your loss.

tycho19 · 09-03-2008, 12:26 PM

I am so sorry for your loss. Hopefully one day soon, you may feel like you are ready to adopt a new friend

Curls=Beauty · 09-03-2008, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CurliLocks

My Samson is gone.

I'm back. I'll probably still be on and off. It's hard because he used to lay by my feet while I used the laptop (which I took to using when he didn't go downstairs much, to be with him). My desktop computer is not up and running yet after dh's last upgrades. It's very quiet and lonely here now, with hubby at work and son back to school today. I had to get out of the house for a while today.

Life seems so much darker for me now. When I enter a room, I have to turn on the lights, even if it's daylight and sunny. Like the light has gone from my life. I'm kind of numb now, in limbo.

I'm going to ramble here, but I need to get this all out. It’s very emotional so feel free to skip to the end if needed.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Samson died at about 9:30 AM on Monday, August 25. We had planned to take him in at 2 PM, but I think he was dying and suffering during the night. He had a rough day Sunday, but we all spent time outside with him (most of the afternoon). He wanted to be outside, he kept regurgitating water, he was getting weak. He hadn't had much food for a few days already, didn't want to eat, but was so thirsty. The worst part was that he couldn't keep the water down anymore. I made him chicken broth and gelatin cubes, which he gobbled up, but they came back up as liquid later. He was dying of starvation and especially thirst.

Sunday night, he wanted to stay in the living room all night, so I set up to sleep on the couch by him. He didn't sleep, I held him and cuddled with him at times. Samson was so thirsty, he chewed on ice cubes and I sometimes held a cube in my palm and he would lick it. I tried to get a little sleep in between because I knew I'd have to take him in. I was so exhausted after not much sleep for the last week or so, getting up with him when he'd regurgitate (frequently, stupid megaesophagus). He could have overcome that again, if he could have stood upright after eating and drinking, but his hind legs were getting too weak. He was just too old to beat it this time.

I don't know if he had aspirated pneumonia at this point, as his breathing was labored. I prayed that he would just fall asleep and pass away in my arms in his sleep. I'm angry that those prayers weren't answered. I didn’t want him to have to suffer at all, he deserved so much better. But it seemed that he was suffering and I couldn’t help him. His vet was closed, the local emergency one didn’t have a vet on hand to euthanize (tech said she couldn’t), I didn’t want to take him to the next farthest one where he didn’t know anyone. He loved going to the vets and visiting everyone there, they all loved him!

When my husband got up for work, he came out and found us. I told him it was time, and he lay down with Samson and held him for a while. First thing when they opened, I called the vets to bring him in. They did not have an opening, but his doctor loved him and said she’d fit him in if we came in. So we got dressed and went in. My dad and hubby had to get him onto a blanket to carry him down the stairs and into the car. They brought out a gurney to bring him into the vets when we got there. He was just too weak to even stand. He was so dehydrated that his poor nose was shriveled and dry.

We were all there on the floor with him: me, hubby, son, my dad. The doctor came in to see us and check him, told us to take our time staying with him and saying our good-byes. She left to come back later. The tech came in to make the arrangements for cremation, etc. My son and I cried our eyes out, we held Samson and told him we loved him. The vet came back, started the shot and he started to relax, gave a big sigh. My son looked into his eyes and held his paw, I held him from behind and buried my face in his neck. His head drooped to his paws as he left us. We stayed with him for a long time afterward.

He was cremated on Wednesday, and we should get his ashes in the wooden box this week, along with his paw print in ceramic (for our son).

Samson had a long wonderful life, lived abroad and traveled to many places with us. He was loved by everyone he met. Even the staff at the vets all said he really was their best patient, so friendly and happy all the time, even after shots, etc.

He was 13 years old, and loved by all.

(I'll see you again someday, my baby.)

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

I have updated his fotki album with more photos. There are some puppy pictures on the second page. http://public.fotki.com/curlilocks/my_dog/

I am so sorry for your loss. This really brought tears to my eyes. It reminded me of last year when me and my dad were in th vet room on the floor when we had to put our dog down.

He only missed the day our dog was put down by 3 days to.

shellibean · 09-03-2008, 12:43 PM

I thought I already replied, but I don't see it. Anyway- i am sooooo sorry for your loss. I'm sure Samson was at peace when he went because you adn your family were there with him. Thank you for your thread. I am going through a similar situation with my dog and need to remember to love on him a little more since he wont be around much longer. <<<hugs>>>