Pip's has Passed Away

[Shadowcaster]

Pip's our wonderful collie has passed away. He was quite a character and has left a huge hole in our lives, he was so much a part of our lives from taking him for his many walks to barking at the postman. The house now seems so empty with out him.



Rich

[Anthindelahunt]

I am so sorry Rich. A dog becomes
part of your family and when they are gone
it can be devastating.
Hang on to all those memories my friend.

Anthin.

[Fozzer]

I can well imagine, Rich!

I have never had a Dog.
....Just a number of very annoying Cats in the past, (I just throw stones at them now), and a few Tortoises (very popular many years ago).

One of my Lads had a rescue Female Dog for a few years. She died (old age) in his arms during the night and he was very upset. She was wonderful company, but said he would not get another Dog again...far too restrictive of his movements in all sorts of ways!

Great fun watching their antics on Youtube!

Paul.

[SpaceHippy1975]

I feel for you, there is almost nothing worse than losing a pet, especially one that you can get so attached to.

A lot of people out there wouldn't comprehend the bond that builds up between an owner & a dog, he/she is never regarded as a pet as such but they are definitely one of the family. One that has a very big impact on your life.

Keith.

[Fozzer]

Strange creatures, Dogs.... ....

I never did have an infinity for them in the past, having been chased by them far too many times whilst riding my Motorcycles.... ....!

...but, out of all the creatures in the animal, etc, kingdom, they appear to have a far greater, close, visible affinity to we Human Beings, than other creatures....(like Horses and Cows!).

For many years I always "radiated" an effect upon Dogs that their first reaction was/is to try and eat me!.... ....!

...there was always something about; "me" that the Dogs didn't like.....maybe the smell of oil and petrol...and the sound of exhaust pipes?... ....!

Since watching them on Youtube, I have now realised that there is something very "different" about them..... ....!

But actually owning one requires a lot of careful thought beforehand. They need to take up a lot of your time....

...and they are not always welcome in other folks homes/gardens during a visit!

In my case, they would not be safe upon my Pillion seat, even though they do seem to appreciate the Wind in their ears and Flies in their teeth!.... ....!

Paul.... ....!

[Roypcox]

Rich so very sorry for your loss, it like losing a child in the family. I lost my Boston Terrier 9 yrs ago and cried like a baby, my sweet wife went and got me another one the next day! I am so very sorry for your loss the best friend a man can have. Roy

[Shadowcaster]

Heartfelt thanks for your replies, it's been a rough few days for us both, he will live on forever in our thoughts.

Rich

[Hawkeye07]

Sorry to hear your little buddy passed away Rich. Dogs really do become a part of your family; loyal, loving companions to the end. I haven't figured it out yet
but it starts at the puppy stage. They're cute and funny and do goofy things but they're fragile and totally dependent on you for everything.
Those puppy eyes seem to trigger the nurturing trait in our inner self. We're transformed from dog owner to Alpha Dog, protector of the pack, even if the "pack"
is only one little pup who wangs his (or her) tail whenever you appear. Then they become young dogs who want to go where you go, eat everything on your plate while ignoring their own chow and curl up somewhere close so they can keep an eye on you just in case you head for where you keep their favorite treats.
Maturity arrives and they now have you pretty much trained. One look tells you "I'm hungry", a paw tap on the leg says "I need to go outside" and then there's
the head on the lap while you're watching TV that says "I need you to pay attention to me." That's when you wonder who trained who?

I know how you feel about losing Pip. We had to put down our two Springers within a couple of years of each other and it was very hard.
We actually had our two lads cremated and have kept their ashes, favorite toy and collars with us and each of their pictures are still in a frame on the bookcase.
Attached is their picture. George is the black and white, Mugsy is the liver and white.

We have a little white Cockapoo named Luc who was supposed to be my daughter's dog but since she was in school all day he became attached to me.
He's quite the character with a very distinct personality. Deep down I know that some day in the not too distant future he'll be gone too
so I try to enjoy his company as much as I can now.

When my dad was a kid he had a small Terrier named Corky. He never talked about him much but he kept a picture of him in his wallet until the day he died.
At my dad's funeral I took Corky's picture and placed it in his shirt pocket. I think he would have wanted it that way.

I just walked through the family room and looked at Mugsy's picture and read the poem that's printed on the frame. Here it is...

"When Tomorrow Starts Without Me
And I'm not there to see,
The sun will rise and find your eyes,
All filled with tears for me.

I wish so much you wouldn't cry,
The way you did today,
Remembering how my tail would wag,
Before I went away.

Now free from pain and suffering,
In sunlit fields I play.
And I will wait there patiently,
'Till we meet again someday."

[Shadowcaster]

Thank you so much Hawkeye, really can't say any more you have said it so well. With your permission we would like to use the poem to go under Pippin's picture.

Rich

[Anthindelahunt]

Keep Pippin's picture as your Avatar.

Then in a small way we will remember as well.

Wonderful memories sometimes start off with
painful ones.

Anthin...Feeling for you.

[Hawkeye07]

Hi Rich,
I can't take credit for the poem I added above. It is printed on our Mugsy's picture frame. Exactly where it came from I can't say as the back of the picture frame doesn't identify the poet.

I did a quick search online and there seems to be quite a few items that copy that title though they are completely different.

A little side note. After we put Mugsy to sleep and unbeknown to us our Vet's staff made a plaster casting of his paw and gave it to us when we went to pick up his ashes.
That was thoughtful of them. It sits on the shelf next to his picture.

[Hawkeye07]

Rich, here's another poem I found...

[ozzy72]

Sorry to hear the news Rich, it is tough. Dogs are the only animals that love you more than they love themselves, tis what makes them the best pets.

[Shadowcaster]

I've never been good at how to say thanks for all your kind thoughts we really do appreciate them. The poems are really beautiful, Your right Anthin Pip's will remain as my avatar, we will never forget him, he was such a large part of our lives.

Rich and Sue