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October, 2007

Family feels a dog's death

Location: Blogs Now We're Talking
Posted by: Joe Byrnes	5/9/2007 10:53 PM
In this big world full of sorrow - crowded with war, genocide and mass murder - the death last Friday of one black terrier-sized mutt named Sam is truly of no importance. For my family, though, it was hard. Sam - a foundling somewhere, I suppose, between 14 and 20 years old - had stopped eating and was coughing and could hardly stand. The veterinarian, who was very kind and patient with us, found massive internal bleeding, and we agreed that Sam had to be euthanized. Sam's master, my 20-year-old stepson, Scott, petted him in his final moments and Scott's mom, Lauri, and I were there. Just before he died, Sam raised his head, looked at Lauri and Scott, then put his head down and closed his eyes. It reminded me, for the moment, of the playful mop of black fur that Scott carried around as a boy and that shared every holiday and partook of every joyful family event over the years. Back in 1994, Sam wandered into Lauri's life, a lost dog her neighbor found and misnamed as "Chauncey." He came with a chrome choker and, for the longest time, he cringed whenever we tried to pet him, as if his old master used to hit him. Lauri placed an ad in the newspaper seeking his owner and contacted Animal Control, but she was glad when no owner turned up. Sam traveled across the country with us on family visits. And when we brought another dog home - a dachshund puppy named Nicky - he ignored her for three weeks. Then he turned into a puppy himself and frolicked endlessly with his new-found friend. He loved to chase ducks during walks in Tuscawilla Park. He was a cute dog with a friendly disposition, and children liked to pat his head and ask questions about him. Sam hated thunder and would stick to your legs with his own fearful static electricity during a storm. He adored Lauri and somehow he knew when she was going to lie down, even for an afternoon nap. She'd hear the slow clicking of his claws on the wooden floor as he rounded the bed and then waited for her to lift him up. Looking back on how he grew old and slow and nearly blind from cataracts, I wonder that he never complained. The dachshund, mind you, will whine endlessly at the mere hint of discomfort, if, for instance, she even sees a hypodermic needle. She'd complain if you paused while scratching her belly or stopped petting her to give Sam some attention. Now she's sad, too, and doesn't bounce quite as much or gobble her food. There are family portraits etched in my mind: Lauri on the sofa with Sam and Nicky and our old black-and-white cat piled in her lap. Scott at age 7, cuddling Sam for comfort, after the boy's older brother, Mike, left for South Dakota following a summer visit. With Sam's death, we lose another link to those family memories, when the boys were young and still at home, when we lived in other houses. Sam lived through our family struggles - financial and personal - not that he ever knew what was going on. But he was always there to keep us grounded, depending on us for care and expecting a little love in return. He was a good dog, and I'll miss him. Joe Byrnes can be reached joe@ocala.com or (352) 867-4112.

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Re: Family feels a dog's death	By Sandra L. Bodner on 5/9/2007 10:12 PM
Sorry about your loss. These bundles of fur worm their way into our hearts with their unending devotion & love. They give so unselfishly & as you say, don't complain even when hurting. no wonder we never stop missing them.

Re: Family feels a dog's death

By Karen on 5/10/2007 4:59 AM

I truly feel your pain. We had a dog that was given to us by our daughter. She saw him in a box at a local grocery store and thought we needed a third addition to our family of pets. Within a year he started having Grandmal Seizures and was put on a regimen of meds twice daily.

This wonderful bundle of joy grew into the size of a horse with an appetite even larger. After an episode it was hard to tell what he would eat or climb on to find something to eat. Nothing was out of reach when his appetite was ravenous. Which happened after an episode.

This loving part of our family also helped my spouse learn how I have to deal with him when he has Grandmals also. It is so hard to because you don't know how to help either one of them except to just calmly reassure that everything is okay during and hours after they happen.

It has only been three weeks since we had to put him down. Freckles went into a seizure and never came back. He was only about 2 years old. It sure is quiet around here without the horse running through the house and pouncing on our pug.

I have often wondered what would've happened if we weren't the ones that had given him a home and love.

Re: Family feels a dog's death	By Kristin on 5/11/2007 12:28 PM
Joe, Sorry to hear about Sam. Dogs truely are like kids sometimes and it is hard to let them go.

Re: Family feels a dog's death	By Billy on 5/11/2007 1:32 PM
Joe, I am so sorry! Pets are family and you lost a family member. The loss of our family pet who was 15yrs Dob. was one of the heardest moments my family has had to deal with. Our hearts our left with a peice missing. But our memories are joyful and Scooby will always be remembered!

Re: Family feels a dog's death	By Barb & Joe on 5/11/2007 8:18 PM
We truly understand how this family feels. We lost our beloved Lucy 2 weeks after my husband had to have an unexpected triple bypass. We miss her deeply! She was beautiful black/white English Springer Spaniel and was so good with the grandchildren.

Re: Family feels a dog's death	By Barb & Joe on 5/11/2007 8:19 PM
We truly understand how this family feels. We lost our beloved Lucy 2 weeks after my husband had to have an unexpected triple bypass. We miss her deeply! She was beautiful black/white English Springer Spaniel and was so good with the grandchildren.

Re: Family feels a dog's death

By Elisa on 5/12/2007 6:42 AM

We are sharing your feelings..Yesterday our dear Nanny a 11 year old female boxer died . She was my only friend and company when we moved to Ocala 7 years ago from SOuthamerica.My husband was trasnferred here to a large farm to work and as my daughter went to Kindergarten I was left at home with no neighbors , no relatives no one to talk to. Through the years she was our loving ,clowny cheerful company she was born at home we had her dad and grandad and she had a sudden heart attack yesterday and died in our arms. SHe was the same age as our daughter. She helped me through the tough years of separation of loved ones . Now I'm very happy living in Ocala but this loss is going to be very hard to overcome.It is just a comment but only those who have a pet know how we love them and how they get to fill our lives with simply good feelings

Re: Family feels a dog's death	By Michelle on 5/13/2007 7:53 AM
God Bless all of you and all our pets..they truly are family. My best Friend, Maxx is a 6 year old standard poodle who is the best, the coolest guy you'll ever meet, I can't imagine my life without him..my prayers go out to all of you.

Re: Family feels a dog's death	By Lyn on 8/10/2007 3:27 PM
I just lost my dog (shi tzu) yesterday. It is really painful. I never thought it would be like this. I wonder how long the pain will last. Am compiling his pictures and making a DVD out of it. I miss him soooo much....

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