Prayers for Brandy

[cjpoppin]

Dear friend Laura.......
Jim and I are so sad to hear about Brandy......You really did everything that could be done and in the long run it was best for her.  Before we had Pickles we had another papillon named Pepper and we had to have him put to sleep and it was one of the hardest things to do.  However like Brandy he had a lot of health problems and it was the best for him and the kindest thing to do......This doesn't make it easy on us.....We still have happy memories of him and We to think we'll see him again someday.....I'm glad we got to sit Brandy for you she was a great dog and very loving.....Even with Pickles our little brat,Hahaaaa........Know we love you and please let us know if you need anything at all..........God Bless, Carol and Jim

[brainpause]

Laura,

Although we don't know each other very well at all, and really only through PUT, my heart goes out to you. I can empathize, as others, about your loss. I had to put down a 3 year old dog a few years ago. Please know that I attained a great deal of healing fairly immediately, knowing he was much more comfortable somewhere in dog Heaven. Also know, that, although I sometimes still get sad, I have many more good memories. You will do fine.

I do have a suggestion for the extra food. Take it to the local humane shelter. They will really appreciate it. When you are ready, they may even take the bed, unless you want to keep it for another Lab.

Can someone tell me if this is the dog that "we" all helped arrange cross-country transportation and adoption? Seems like it was....And I felt like a part of that, as I considered part of the transport, but it was done without me.

Laura, tell us your #1 favorite memory about her!

Larry

[TheViking]

First time I"ve been on here in a while and I couldn't believe what I was reading. Laura, I am soo sorry to hear about Brandy- we all loved her and know what she means to you. Take comfort in knowing she's no longer suffering or in pain. Keep thinking about all the great times you've had together- I know there were many.
 
 
Brian, Kristi, and Ashlee

[Azusateach]

Hey you guys --

   I can't begin to tell you how much your prayers & support have meant these past few days.  Saying good-bye & leaving her where I'd never see her again was hard, all the little things I've had to to to bring closure to the experience haven't been much easier.  Yesterday I took her left-over food to my friend Julie, who has a Lab & Schnauzer (she went with me when I put Brandy down).  Had the car washed, which took off all the slobber from the back windows -- her last "fun" ride in the car.  She got to sit on the back seat & hang her head out the windows instead of riding in the "back back" behind her little barrier.  And I'm having the carpet cleaned on Wednesday, to take away the spots that were left when she was so sick last weekend.  

   I also went to the vet yesterday & got 2 things -- her bill (a bit sobering!), and a plaster cast of her foot.  I'm going to take that, her ID tag, and a picture of her & have them set in a shadow box.  If it's done by the time Temecula is here, I'll bring it.

   There are big changes at home already.  One of the biggest is that I don't have to get up in the morning anymore.  Don't know if that's good or bad.  And the other is that I don't have anyone to walk anymore.  That's bad.  I'm going to blow up like a balloon without the motivation to get out & move.

   So ... I'm beginning to do some networking to find another Lab.  It's going to take time to find just the right pooch that will fit my lifestyle (gone all day), so I'm starting now.  I'm NOT interested in replacing Brandy, but I've realized in a big way that I'm a dog person & don't feel quite ... complete ... without one around.  If you'll remember, last year when she was going through the back & tumor stuff I considered getting another dog then, but was strongly advised against it by her vet because of her back issues.  Sigh ...

   Larry, one favorite memory is hard to come up with.  What I appreciated the most about Brandy was the fact that there wasn't a mean bone in her body.  She was such a lover!  Yes, she'd bark when someone came to the door, but then she'd have to go find a toy to show them.  Her unadulterated joy over little things -- a new tennis ball, a rawhide bone, the jangle of her chain (signaling walk time), ice cubes (!), and a good swim in someone's pool or the ocean will live in my heart forever.  (BTW, she wasn't the dog that came from across the country.)

   Lots of you have mentioned that you've lost pets over the years.  It's hard, hard, hard!  But whoever said, "It's better to have love and lost than never to have loved at all" is absolutely right.  I wouldn't trade my last 5 years with Brandy for nothin'.

    Thanks, friends.  See you all soon.

Laura

[brainpause]

Laura,

Sounds like you are doing "fine." Whatever that means. I guess it means that you don't sound terrible. OK, I'm talking myself into a circle.

Thinking of you.

Larry

[brainpause]

Can someone tell me if this is the dog that "we" all helped arrange cross-country transportation and adoption? Seems like it was....And I felt like a part of that, as I considered part of the transport, but it was done without me.

(BTW, she wasn't the dog that came from across the country.)

Anybody know? That was a fun PUT memory for me.

Larry

[Kelly]

Laura ~  I am so sorry to hear about Brandy's passing.  I'll keep you in my thoughts and prayers.  I can tell how much you loved her ~ it's in your posts and in the posts of all your friends.


Larry ~ is this what you were thinking of?

[brainpause]

Larry ~ is this what you were thinking of?

Yep, I believe that was it, although I didn't read all umpteen pages of the thread.

Larry

PS: Sorry to temporarily hijack your thread, Laura, even on such a serious note. But isn't that PUT Standard Operating Procedure?

Larry

[wavery]

Laura,

Carolyn and I feel your pain. There is nothing that any of us can say that will relieve that. In fact, none of us need to relieve that for you because this is your time of mourning and you need that time. It's healthy and needed.

Good plan to get another dog. It has been clear, to all that have met you, that you are a "Dog person". You cannot replace Brandy but you can develop a new relationship with a new best friend.

You are in our love and prayers.


.............Best wishes Brandy.....We'll all miss you.