The previous three times ripped my heart out, and while it hurts a lot to know she is no longer with us, it also feels right. She spent 11+ years with us, was over 13 and was in rapidly declining health.
All pets are quirky, I suppose, but Cody's quirks had quirks.
Here's how lucky I am. Dharma Seeker came over to take Tala out for a walk, so she would not be stressed while we drove off with Cody (leaving! in the car! without me!). This on no notice, just got in her car and came over.
The same thing M@ was about to do, only DS was closer and could get here faster and more easily.
It's incredible to have friends like this.
Amy, what you're feeling attests to the power our animals have for us, the powerful love we feel for them. Also what a good friend you are.
Thanks, all. I'm sure I'll be saying this again. It really means a lot to us.
James, you and Lori knew Cody from our earliest days in Canada - you even met Buster once or twice.
As people have been leaving comments on Facebook, I'm realizing how many friends Cody had - old friends from NYC, former dogsitters, various extended family members. It's really nice.
OH! This is so sad...having two little babies myself I couldn't even imagine life without them; for which I know there are no real words that could diffuse such deep pain. I can see that Cody has a happy fulfilling life and at the end that it what really matters. Hang in there you guys...
I just thought of some chain email I received a while ago...lame, I know. But I thought it was a nice (fictional) story:
Why Dogs Don't Live As Long
Being a veterinarian, I had been called to examine a ten-year-old Irish Wolfhound named Belker. The dog's owners, Ron, his wife, Lisa, and their little boy, Shane were all very attached to Belker and they were hoping for a miracle. I examined Belker and found he was dying of cancer. I told the family there were no miracles left for Belker, and offered to perform the euthanasia procedure for the old dog in their home.
As we made arrangements, Ron and Lisa told me they thought it would be good for the four-year-old Shane to observe the procedure. They felt Shane could learn something from the experience.
The next day, I felt the familiar catch in my throat as Belker's family surrounded him. Shane seemed so calm, petting the old dog for the last time, that I wondered if he understood what was going on. Within a few minutes, Belker slipped peacefully away. The little boy seemed to accept Belker's transition without any difficulty or confusion.
We sat together for a while after Belker's death, wondering aloud about the sad fact that animal lives are shorter than human lives. Shane, who had been listening quietly, piped up, "I know why."
Startled, we all turned to him.
What came out of his mouth next stunned me. I'd never heard a more comforting explanation. He said, "Everybody is born so that they can learn how to live a good life -- like loving everybody and being nice, right?" The four-year-old continued, "Well, animals already know how to do that, so they don't have to stay as long."
25 comments:
Oh, I'm so sorry, Laura. What sad news. I feel lucky to have seen her this past weekend.
I hope there are lots of great memories - as the photos seem to indicate.
My condolences to Allan and Tala too.
An emoticon just doesn't get it. I was so sorry to hear that Cody was gone. Know that I'll be thinking of you all.
Thanks, Kim.
The previous three times ripped my heart out, and while it hurts a lot to know she is no longer with us, it also feels right. She spent 11+ years with us, was over 13 and was in rapidly declining health.
All pets are quirky, I suppose, but Cody's quirks had quirks.
it also feels right
I think you mean it was the right thing to do. It was.
I'm sorry to see this L-Girl at least you had many happy years.
So sorry. I know y'all minimized her suffering, though. It will be interesting to hear how Tala reacts.
Can't believe I am crying about a dog I never met, but I just feel your sadness. I hope all your memories give you comfort.
So sorry. We will miss her very much -- she was one of the sweetest dogs I've ever known.
Losing a dog is awful. Sorry for all three of you.
T knows something's up for sure. Hopefully she'll adapt quickly and easily.
Love to you all.
Oh L-G, I'm so very sorry.
She seemed like such a sweet dog.
I used to get a laugh when I saw the photos of her lying in a hole in the dirt by the side of the house as happy as can be.
My condolences also to Tala and Redsock.
omg :( :( :(
I'm so sorry...
Thank you, everyone. Many many thank yous.
Here's how lucky I am. Dharma Seeker came over to take Tala out for a walk, so she would not be stressed while we drove off with Cody (leaving! in the car! without me!). This on no notice, just got in her car and came over.
The same thing M@ was about to do, only DS was closer and could get here faster and more easily.
It's incredible to have friends like this.
Amy, what you're feeling attests to the power our animals have for us, the powerful love we feel for them. Also what a good friend you are.
Thanks, all. I'm sure I'll be saying this again. It really means a lot to us.
There is a quote I found once, it goes something like this:
Animals come in to our lives to shepherd us through certain eras. When we are ready to turn the corner and make it on our own, they let us go.
Given the bond we have with our animals, and that they're tuned in to so many things about us and our lives, the idea is kind of nice
So very, very sorry to hear this . . . .
How very sad for you, Allan, and Tala. I am so sorry for your loss.
:(
So sorry Laura and redsock :(.
I appreciate your courage to do the painful, but right thing.
Ohh NO I am so sorry!!.
My condolences to Allan :(
We're very sorry to hear about Cody. We are glad, though, that we got to see her at WMTC5.
Thank you.
James, you and Lori knew Cody from our earliest days in Canada - you even met Buster once or twice.
As people have been leaving comments on Facebook, I'm realizing how many friends Cody had - old friends from NYC, former dogsitters, various extended family members. It's really nice.
I'm so sorry for you and your family.
OH! This is so sad...having two little babies myself I couldn't even imagine life without them; for which I know there are no real words that could diffuse such deep pain. I can see that Cody has a happy fulfilling life and at the end that it what really matters. Hang in there you guys...
So sorry for your loss. He'll live forever in your hearts.
I just thought of some chain email I received a while ago...lame, I know. But I thought it was a nice (fictional) story:
Why Dogs Don't Live As Long
Being a veterinarian, I had been called to examine a ten-year-old Irish Wolfhound named Belker. The dog's owners, Ron, his wife, Lisa, and their little boy, Shane were all very attached to Belker and they were hoping for a miracle. I examined Belker and found he was dying of cancer. I told the family there were no miracles left for Belker, and offered to perform the euthanasia procedure for the old dog in their home.
As we made arrangements, Ron and Lisa told me they thought it would be good for the four-year-old Shane to observe the procedure. They felt Shane could learn something from the experience.
The next day, I felt the familiar catch in my throat as Belker's family surrounded him. Shane seemed so calm, petting the old dog for the last time, that I wondered if he understood what was going on.
Within a few minutes, Belker slipped peacefully away. The little boy seemed to accept Belker's transition without any difficulty or confusion.
We sat together for a while after Belker's death, wondering aloud about the sad fact that animal lives are shorter than human lives. Shane, who had been listening quietly, piped up, "I know why."
Startled, we all turned to him.
What came out of his mouth next stunned me. I'd never heard a more comforting explanation. He said, "Everybody is born so that they can learn how to live a good life -- like loving everybody and being nice, right?" The four-year-old continued, "Well, animals already know how to do that, so they don't have to stay as long."
Whoo boy, maybe it's corny, but it totally got me.
Thanks, Tim.
[And btw, several people have asked who brought the amazing crab dip!]
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