Today I had to say goodbye to a good friend...

my deepest sympathy Gretchen. so sorry for ur lost.

I am so sorry to hear about Cleo. I know the pain!!

Judy

I'm so sorry ,Gretchen!! There is nothing like the pure love that we receive from our pets!
She will always be in your heart, and so will you be in hers!! I bet she will keep a watchful eye on you!
Bonnie

Gretchen, I'm so sorry to hear about your beloved Cleo. I know how hard it is to lose one like her. It's amazing how they can just steal a part of your heart.

Thank you...she will always be in my heart and in so many of my memories. I've done pretty much nothing else over the past two days but remember all the fun things I have done, that she was a part of, and its hard to believe she's really gone. Before I got married, she was my "family", as my parents and siblings live across the country. And, my goodness we did have fun together. She was a willing participant in everything I did. Even when I was on duty for the volunteer EMS, she would spend the nights at the station with me. When my DH became deathly ill and spent months in the hospital, my Mother came to stay with us, and Cleo was then her constant companion. They did everything together and were wonderful company for each other. Cleo was such a blessing to my life, and I really appreciate y'all allowing me to say a few nice things about her here, among all you friends. I guess its time to say goodbye and goodnight, and may God bless each and every one of you, my friends. Hugs, Gretchen

I've tearfully read this lovely thread,
And know I'm fortunate to share much more than Brugs with all of you.
MAybe that is why we call them Angel Trumpets.

Dear Gretchen, Just read about your loss, and shed tears for you. I had my Goldie, for 13 years, the last 3 years I gave her a shot every morning for diabetes. Then to give her some more time she had cataract surgery in both eyes. She was my dearest companion, especially after my husband passed away. Then there was nothing more could be done as she was having seisures. I had to drive 30 miles with tears rolling down my face, for 2 days at home she didn't eat, barely moved, to have her put to sleep. Hardest thing I've ever done. And the saddest thing was while driving down the highway she managed to get up to my face to kiss me goodby.

I still miss her, but did get another puppy some months later. Which was a good thing as my Bluebird, Lhasa Apso, gave me so many laughs. She is a homebody tho and really would rather stay home than travel. We have a great time.

So with my love, and prayers. Donna

Oh Donna, I'm so sorry. Your story about your Goldie brought tears to my eyes as I remembered also having to make the same decision about our Squirt. Their little lives seem so short, but the joy they give while they are here is worth the time they give us. I see so many people who have pets, but they don't give them the time of day. It is a shame because those little guys would sure love to be loved.

Oh Donna...bless your heart. What a heart wrenching story...thank you for sharing, although your story made me cry too, as I imagine anyone else who has read it. I'm so glad you were able to get another dog. Bluebird sounds like a peach :) After my Golden Retriever died some years back, I was unwilling to have another dog because losing him was so hard. After being without a dog for about five years, Cleo came into my life. Thankfully, we still have Lanny, our Silky Terrier and Hunter, DH's Golden, but he's quite old... God willing, I will never be without one. Although the hurt is nearly unbearable when we lose them, the joys and companionship they bring us make them so worth everything we go through for them. Shirley, it saddens me so when I see a neglected pet. You're right, they sure due love to be loved and they give so unconditionally!!! Hugs, Gretchen

This message was edited Oct 3, 2004 5:02 PM

Christmascactus, thank you for sharing your story :)

I so hope that Rosie and Goldie and Apollo and Duke and Misty and Heather and CC's baby and Mimosa and Squirt were there to greet Cleo when she arrived. Aren't we blessed to know that they will be there for us at when its our time? God bless you...hugs, Gretchen

Christmascactus -- I'm so sorry you deleted your story. It was awesome! Please bring it back??? Gretchen

Gretchen, may your memories of Cleo be of comfort to you during this difficult time. We're sorry to hear of your loss.

Erick

Thank you Erick -- those wonderful memories are what I'm trying to stay focused on. I appreciate your kind words :)



Below is a little collage of pictures of Cleo in some of her "travels" to North Carolina, Florida and Tennessee:

Sweet, Gretchen...

Gretchen, so sorry to hear about your wonderful little friend, they have such a way with capturing our hearts, My thoughts are with you.. cinnabor

Gretchen,
I'm sorry to hear about your lose. Fur babies have a way of touching our hearts. She'll always be in yours.
Take Care
Jen

Thank you Gretchen,I don't remember what I wrote but will share some history with you about our Rosie & my husband.Rosie(a Boykin Spaniel) was very "special" to my husband & me.She was so sweet & gentle,a heart of gold.She loved me but my husband was her heart.We lost our beloved Rosie May 2001 & the following January 2002 I lost my beloved husband.
Boykin Spaniels were first breed here in South Carolina by hunters in the 1900's to provide the idea dog for hunting.Boykin Spaniels make the transition from hunting companion to family pet easily.Well my husband was not a hunter-he was a fisherman-so our Rosie never went on a hunting trip,but she went on a many a fishing trip & dearly loved it.When my husband was so sick,he told me that he understood why God had took Rosie,it was because God knew we would no longer be able to take care of Rosie & she could not be with us when we were at the hospital the many times my husband had to go & he would have to stay for weeks at a time.I agree with my husband why we lost Rosie;but,I also believe it was for Rosie to greet my husband & help him cross over to the other side into Heaven's Gate.Now the two of them are waiting for me some day when it's my time,to greet & help me cross over to the other side. What a "Happy" day that will be!Together again with my two best buddies!!
edit to shorten & correct spelling.


This message was edited Oct 4, 2004 1:20 PM

Kaufmann.
I'm so sorry for the loss of your little buddy. Sending you a hug and my heartfelt sympathy. Your pics of Cleo's travels filled my eyes with tears.

MsC

Gretchen I am so sorry, just saw this and my heart goes out to you. Christmascactus thank you for your story, my heart goes out to you for your loss.

Gretchen i know how hard it is to loose a pet we lost our Jennie this last spring she was 15 years old and a lovable cat. i really miss her. bob

Thank you Lynn for your kind words.
Gretchen,thank you for sharing Cleo's pictures with us.
I can see in those beautiful little eyes that there is lots of love & that she enjoyed every minute of her life being with the ones she loved so much.
She had a very good & happy life with you & your family & I truly believe she
is waiting on the other side to greet you with many dog kisses.
Donna(rutholive),my heart is so heavy & sad for you.
Goldie managed to give you that last kiss to let you know how much she loved you & to thank you for loving her & giving her such a wonderful happy life & to let you know it was ok-she knew it was her time.
Goldie,Cleo,& Rosie along with all those that have lost a loving pet is waiting for us to greet us & welcome us to the other side & once again we will get all the dog kisses we want.

I want to thank you all from the bottom of my heart for all your kind and comforting words. And to those of you who shared your personal stories of loss, thank you so much. I know its not always easy to do...Rosie, Goldie, Apollo, Duke, Misty, Heather, CC's baby, Mimosa, Squirt and now Cleo...I know they've been called home, where they will never again suffer. I am so appreciative of everyone -- you've helped me to say goodbye to my good friend...She's gone now from this life, but will never ever be forgotten, and hopefully we will be together again someday :)

HUGS,
Gretchen

Dear Gretchen, tears have been welling up in my eyes, our pets become like children to us, we talk to them like they understand every word we say, and I swear my little Papillon knew my every move, by what I touched, wish way I walked, He was wherever I was going, he was my constant best friend, We shared much, He's been gone for about 2 months now, and I cried as if he was my child, and I understand your feelings so very much, my best friend before that was my 23 year old cat, I think they read your mind, she's been gone for 6 years now, both hold a very special place in my heart, I can still feel them next to me. Take care, He knows how much you loved him in this Earth, Bless you, Annie

Annie -- I'm so sorry that you recently lost your Papillon! Bless your heart... They are like children. I don't have any children of my own (three stepchildren), so Cleo really was my "baby"... I hope our pain eases as time passes. I'm still walking around with a lump in my throat. Its still so fresh, that its hard to believe she's gone. Thank you for sharing :) Hugs, Gretchen

I was reading some older posts & came across this one & it melted my heart all over again.All of us were so fortunate to have had our wonderful fur babies for alittle while & we will always miss them until we get to see them again someday but until then,they are always in our hearts.I cried just as much today as the first day I read your post. It's been almost a year on your loss of your sweet,dear,Cleo.Gretchen,I just wanted to let you know I am thinking of you today & sending you lots of (((hugs))). Colie

Hugs from Joseph, it is indeed hard to lose a friend. Sei gesund, be well.

A heartbreak that can only be appreciated by those of us who have lost "fur friends". My heart goes out to you .

charlotte

I am so sorry to hear you lost your pup. My heart goes out to your family.

Ohhhhh!! So sorry!! Glad she had a good long life with you and brought you much joy!! Plenty of photos I imagine to rememebr her by!! I know losing a pet hurts as bad as losing a human relative--people who don't have pets jsut cannot imagine!! God Bless!! Bonnie