Our sweet Bear died yesterday evening -- John found her under the willow tree where she so often slept.
She was still breathing but limp and completely unresponsive. And very soon, she took her last breath.
We haven't a clue -- sunstroke, heart attack, snakebite . . .
On Monday she took a long walk with John, swam in the creek, and seemed in fine spirits. Yesterday she acted tired. But that wasn't unusual for Bear.
And now she's gone.
I'm pretty sure she didn't suffer . . . and I'm glad I was there.
She was a fine dog.
She was still breathing but limp and completely unresponsive. And very soon, she took her last breath.
We haven't a clue -- sunstroke, heart attack, snakebite . . .
On Monday she took a long walk with John, swam in the creek, and seemed in fine spirits. Yesterday she acted tired. But that wasn't unusual for Bear.
And now she's gone.
I'm pretty sure she didn't suffer . . . and I'm glad I was there.
She was a fine dog.
31 comments:
I'm sorry Vicki. Having lost my beloved Tori not that long ago, I can relate to your loss.
Vicki,
I just got through reading Kay Byer's tribute to her dog and now this. Of course, our dogs (and cats) are only here for a little while compared to us mortals. I have a little chant of names that I sometimes give in the evening on my deck, and it is the names of those creatures who sat with me on my old deck and watched the Balsam mountains fade in the twilight. "Tigger, Dogina, Teddy, Miss Boo, etc." And now, Jack sits here, the hair around his nose already going a little gray.
I'm very sorry, Vicki. How old was she? It sounds like she lived a full life right up until the end, and didn't have to suffer the indignities that many older dogs do.
Oh, Vicki, I'm so sorry to hear this sad news. But good to know she spent her last hours peacefully under her favorite willow tree.
Bear was ten -- and I agree, Phyllis, she had a good life and a relatively easy death. She was such an outdoor, elemental creature, to breathe her last under the willow by the branch was just right.
I have a similar litany, Gary, of the dogs I've loved -- Boy, Leopold, Juno, Freak, Tar, Euric, Dinah, Arlen, Sam, Mr. Brown, Dweezil, Sylvie, Ko, Mercy, Arabella, Amanda, Sam the second, and now Bear.
Thank you, Pat -- it's part of the equation of having animals -- the joy and the sorrow.
I am so sorry. What a wonderful last day for your beautiful boy. My heart still aches for my dogs that are gone, but I smile when I think of them. Our animals are such a blessing for the short time that they are with us.
My heart goes out to you and my arms embrace you, I am so sorry about your loss!
We lost our childhood companion, the sweetest German shepherd dog ever, suddenly due to an accident: He had recognized a friend of ours driving by the house and unexplicably decided to jump in front of the car.
You'll be in my thoughts and prayers today, Vicki. I'm so sorry for your loss.
Vicki, I have been reading your blog but have never commented before. I'm sorry for the lose of your beloved Bear. We have loved and lost many canine companions.
Oh Vicki...This breaks my heart!
I could tell in your posts how much Bear was loved. Sadie delivered a stillborn girl last night at 10:30 and I just bawled!
Our animals are so speacial to us and it is like losing children.
I'm so sorry but thankful Bear had a good life loving and being loved!
Vicki, I am sad to read this and sending you hugs, my friend.
Hey Vicki,
Not a great week I don't think. I was shocked to read that beautiful Bear had passed. I did not realize she was ten--she looked much younger. Being where she loved to be, with her people nearby was a good way to die. But that doesn't make it any easier to cope with her loss and the gap that is left in the family. My thoughts are with you. I'm still seeing Ariel 'out of the corner of my eye' many times a day. Boone is deeply depressed and lonesome for his running buddy.
Take care,
Tammy
So sorry to hear of Bear's passing, Vicki - dogs bring so much to our lives and they ask so little. I hope your other dogs don't miss her too much.
Oh Vicki, I am so sorry. I am glad that if it was her time, she went peacefully in her favorite spot with her favorite humans. I'm shedding a tear for her.
Thanks so much to all of you in my blog family -- here I've been sad over the loss of Tammy's Ariel and Kay Byer's Arjun, while at the same time smiling at the birth of two healthy pups to Carol's Sadie. And now sad that the little girl pup didn't make it.
It's just like choosing to have pets -- we become involved in others' live and their joys and sorrows touch our own. And the sorrows never outweigh the overall joy.
I'm fortunate in that I still have five dogs and two cats -- and life on a farm has made me well acquainted with the inevitability of its other side -- death.
And it was truly a fitting way for the most Zen-like of dogs to take her leave -- I sincerely hope that my passing will be as easy.
Many, many thanks for all the kind words. I am deeply moved by your friendship.
Vicki, I'm so sad to hear about Bear. It's just like losing family. In fact, the only children I ever had were four-legged ones. I feel your pain. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Hugs,
Sam
Thanks, Sam.
Oh Vicki, I am so sorry. It is such a sad thing to lose a pet. My heart goes out to you and your family.
Under the willow
Bear breathes, leaves us wondering
If we'll pass in peace.
A peaceful Zen haiku for a peaceful Zen haiku of a dog.
Thank you, Pepper.
My condolences Vicki. It's always so sad to lose a dog friend. Sounds like he died in a place he loved, so that place will be special to you from now on.
Blessings, Star
So sad -- a beautiful dog. I'll give my Rusty a special hug tonight.
Oh Vicki, I am so very sorry to hear this. I know how terribly hard it is to lose a beloved pet/furry child. You, and all of those who loved dear Bear, are in my prayers.
Thank you, Star, Auntie K, Karen B., and Victoria -- Your kind words and thought are much appreciated.
Vicki, Vicki, I've been out of blog territory for the past couple of days and missed this. I'm so sorry. But---I'm so glad that Bear had a normal doggy day out walking and doing what a dog is supposed to do. Poor Arjun had had been in decline for so long that his quality of life was practically nil. That didn't keep us from grieving, though. We knew his departure was coming closer, but we kept hoping he'd last just a little while longer, even though we knew he was not really himself anymore.
Hey, Kay -- Yes, it was a good way to go. But here I've been worrying about your husband and the flu -- is he doing better?
Yes, he's better, though his cough still bothers him and he feels tired and "washed-out." I am trying to keep him from doing too much in this heat. The flu takes a while to get over completely.
So far I haven't gotten it.
Now the 4 dogs left are clamoring at the door.
Good -- I'm glad he's mending.
My dogs have just sent William upstairs to remind me of my duties -- so let's go fill the bowls and enjoy the dogs that remain!
Dear God, it's unbelievable how those big messy dogs can curl up in our heart and never budge. My heart goes out to you, my friend.
So well put, Sue! Thank you!
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