Open Thread – Moment of Zen
18 07 2009
I knew I’d like this picture when I took it. The day was grey and damp, but it just felt peaceful.
Happy Saturday to all. I’m off for a day at the lake!
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July 19th, 2009 at 7:38 PM
MinJ
You are most welcome.
Anytime.
Being sad sucks.
I read somewhere (I think it was “Chicken Soup for the Pet Lovers Soul”) a story about a 4 year old who explained the death of his dog this way (I am paraphrasing) :
“We are all put here to learn to love each other and be good to each other…animals already know this…so they don’t have to stay as long.”
Out of the mouths of babes…
A good book for animal lovers–”The Art of Racing in the Rain” I can’t remember who wrote it and my copy is making the rounds. It’s about a dog but still fits the bill. Well worth the read.
Have a Kleenex from me.
July 19th, 2009 at 7:52 PM
lovemydogs, I also read that story somewhere and it’s a very true sentiment.
Min, if you’re not familiar with it, “The Rainbow Bridge” is very good. Will need a hankie.
OK, I’m passing the hankies and Kleenex’s around now…
July 19th, 2009 at 7:55 PM
MinNJ,
I have had dogs (and a million other creatures growing up) and everyone was
the bestest. Many times I would think that this is the last, it is just too hard, and everytime I would think back at the love they gave and would head out to
find another one. It never gets easier, but it helps to think that they would be alive somewhere in the world anyway, so better to be with me (spoiling and
loving them) than out in the unknown! Remember, there is always an animal
in need of a good human. And I haven’t eaten veal in 35 years for the same reason as you. Good luck, take care MinNJ
July 19th, 2009 at 8:03 PM
oops- everyone should be every one
July 19th, 2009 at 8:12 PM
If it is possible to be moved and enriched at a difficult time, it is now for me. I cannot tell you how much your dear and thoughtful words help my heart at this time.
I am indebted, most gratefully.
July 19th, 2009 at 8:28 PM
By the way, she’s been deaf for over a year, and with a series of turning on lights and hand signals, we’ve done OK. Sign language for cats, as it occurs.
And what did Sarah tweet? And who has a disabled child?
(I’m gonna blow just thinking about it.)
July 19th, 2009 at 8:40 PM
my old girl dog is deaf now. We’ve managed hand signals that work very well.
July 19th, 2009 at 9:08 PM
MinJ
You will grieve the same as for any other family member. There is nothing wrong with that and nothing to be embarassed about. Allow yourself to grieve.
But for now, kiss her, hug her, make her comfortable, spoil her. And tell her often what a good girl she is and that you will always love her.
Animals don’t fear death as we do. They have no regrets. They accept it as a part of life. And when they’re ready, they’re ready.
She’ll let you know when she’s ready to go. When she is, if she hasn’t gone on her own, take her to the vet or have the vet come to the house. (I think this is better since they can say goodbye in their own surroundings.) It is the greatest act of love we can give our pets.
It’s too bad we cannot give this final act of love to those we love the most; our family members.
I have stones to remember my dogs in a little garden area I made that was their favorite place to sleep.
http://www.artisticetching.com/petmemorials.htm
July 19th, 2009 at 10:40 PM
@mlaiuppa:
the stones are something we also do here.
And you are quite correct, our animal companions know when it’s time to go. Our last two hard decisions were very difficult, First was my elderly border collie (age 18) about 10 years ago, the week before Christmas. He’d been having multiple seizures that week, and that particular morning (around 6 am) he had a grand mal and pooped and peed all over the living room floor. Came out of the seizure, saw the mess and was horrified. Then he just collapsed in my lap as I was still sitting on the hearth. Hubby had already left for work, so I was on my own. I called the vet and drove 50 miles to have it end. RifRaf died in my arms, I held him the entire time at the vet’s office while it was done.
Hubby’s pitbull was in final stages of cancer at age 15 and we went through the same thing. Hubby held CD in his arms for the end.
Both dogs (and many others) are buried in the family cemetery here on the farm. (The family cemetery also includes my first husband.)
Wiping my eyes again…
but I have such fond and funny memories of all of them.
July 19th, 2009 at 10:47 PM
also, speaking of the stones, I was quite (and delightedly) surprised to see the stones during an episode of the Best Friends “Dogtown” TV program, where they showed the cemetery services.
July 20th, 2009 at 12:01 AM
Minj
You’re a good mother to your animals. You gave your cat a long and happy life, and for that you should be proud. Hugs.