Rainbow Ridge Claims Another

[ColColt]

I just witnessed a sad event about thirty minutes ago. While out on the deck watching the sun begin to set and enjoying the 75 degree temperature here, I noticed my neighbor and his wife were hauling their 11 year old Chow in a cart headed for the driveway about fifty yards away. I thought he was dead. I asked Monica (the wife) what was wrong with "Grizzly" and she couldn't talk. I watched as they picked his limp body from the cart and put him in the back seat of their SUV and she got in with him.

Before they started to leave, I asked Russ what was wrong and he told me his kidneys had been failing him and had "a host of other problems", he said,besides old age. They were taking him to the vet to be euthanized. Soft hearted ol' me started having tears well up as I watched them leave. and wondered if I could again go through that since it had only been four months ago when Katie left. I guess you never develop enough callous to just be able to confront a situation such as this very well. Even though he wasn't mine, I seen him nearly everyday for the past 11 years and it was difficult.

[Jespah]

Colcolt, I'm so sorry you have lost a friend. It always feels more painful when we are still mourning another - the feelings are still too close to the surface.

I do hope there is a rainbow bridge, or a wonderful place somewhere for all of our lovely furry friends to go - if there is, I bet Katie is waiting to show Grizzly the ropes. And if there is a such a place - I sure as heck hope I get to go there too!

[Chip's Mom]

Deb:

Read Job 12:10 - that is what helps me. I have to believe that Digger is in Heaven waiting for me.

I am sorry Colcolt - we get attached to neighbor's animals just like our own sometimes and it hurts us when they go away. The good thing is he will not suffer any more and we have to love them enough to let go of them and be strong enough to suffer through the pain and grief caused from them being gone.

God Bless,

[Clogs]

Such sad news for both the neighbours and you.
<<hugs>>

[glencorgi]

Be at peace Grizzly and when you get to the other side of the Rainbow Bridge you will be young, healthy and free to romp and play once again.

Debbie

[ColColt]

I do hope there is a rainbow bridge, or a wonderful place somewhere for all of our lovely furry friends to go - if there is, I bet Katie is waiting to show Grizzly the ropes. And if there is a such a place - I sure as heck hope I get to go there too!

I like to believe there is a place for our canine buddies, Deb. Likewise, I hope we all get to see those loved ones again and I look forward to that day.

Read Job 12:10 - that is what helps me. I have to believe that Digger is in Heaven waiting for me.

I believe we do have that blessed hope because God created them for his own good pleasure and for our enjoyment and companionship and I think it would be marvelous when this life is over to be able to see those little ones we loved once again. Can you imagine the joy?

The one thing I find interesting about people who own animals is why some even have them at all. Russ and Moica are good people and excellent neighbors but, I can't for the life of me figure why they ever had dogs at all. Not once can I remember any of them-they or their two teenage kids, go out in that big backyard and play with either of their pets. Not once did I see anyone out there playing ball, frisbee, or even acknowledging them much at all. Many times I'd be outside or on the deck and they wold drive up and Griz and Maggie (the basset hound) would come up to the fence wagging their tails and they were never even noticed. That use to burn me up. It was like they were there only and merely existed. So, why even own a dog if you're going to ignore them? The only time there was much eye contact was when they would bring food out to them on the deck and then they would turn and go back inside.

I wondered if they even knew what a snack or treat was. Not long ago, I made up a couple of celery stalks and laced it with peanut butter and walked over to the fence to give them a taste of something beside the cheap kibble I knew they had daily. They sniffed it but didn't seem to know what it was and wouldn't eat it. That is sad indeed. Oddly enough, today when they were carrying Griz out, Monica was stroking and petting Griz all the way from their backyard to the car-his last trip. I couldn't help but think why the attention now. She could have shown some interest years ago instead of waiting until he had no desire for attention anymore and perhaps, couldn't even feel it. I couldn't help also to think of those words about "How Could You" as I thought about this.They have desires and feelings, too and I just stand amazed at people sometimes.

Thanks for those words of compassion, guys-BTW,Genesis 9:8-13 is another good verse also, Bonnie.

[Chip's Mom]

Thanks ColColt I will read that verse again. There is also another verse that I found once but it has evaded me every time I have searched for it again. It is something like God holds all souls in his hand very similiar to Job 12:10 maybe you know which one I mean. Some people just take life for granted and assume that animals or people will always be there so they don't take the time to spend quality time with their pets or loved ones. Unfortunately, it takes a tragedy or loss to make people realize they should have spent more time with them. Life is to rushed and there just doesn't seem like there is enough time to do all the things that we would like to do. Hopefully, if your neighbors get another dog, they will take the time. Will dogs be in Heaven? I would like to believe they will be. I think that is why I grieve so for Digger because unfortunately, I haven't found a passage that states it clearly. However, there are many mentions of animals throughout the Bible and I believe God placed pets on this earth to provide love, companionship, and comfort to us mere mortals. Since we know their will be no tears in Heaven, I think that is God's promise that our dearly beloved pets will be there waiting for us.

[Bayoucorgi]

I think Katie went over about the same time as my sweet Marshy. He went December 9. He was 14 on Thanksgiving Day. Little Liam loved his Uncle Marsh for the 4 months that their lives overlapped.

[Mvons]

Colcort I'm glad you were there. It helped me as we walked Pepper to our car to have our neighbor inquire if this was it and to see her teary eyes. I didn't feel as alone in my sorrow. She was able to see how worse Pepper was and that it was time to end her suffering. It left no questions being able to have someone outside the family confirm her condition.

Merrie

[ZdogZ]

ColColt ~ That is really sad. I'm sorry it brought back sad memories for you (it did me too, had to put my almost 18-year old cat to sleep last summer and the almost 15-year old cat died 4 days later). I hope like crazy that we will all be reunited with our fuzzy buddies in Heaven.

[ColColt]

[Some people just take life for granted and assume that animals or people will always be there so they don't take the time to spend quality time with their pets or loved ones. Unfortunately, it takes a tragedy or loss to make people realize they should have spent more time with them.

I'll look into that verse, Bonnie as I think I know what you're talking about. I have a good program called "Sword Searcher" that allows me to search using only a word or part of a phrase to find what I'm looking for.

You're right about taking so much for granted and I'm as guilty as anyone in that respect but, I've learned to not do that as I once did. We never know if we've fed that last bowl of food to them today or that we've spent our last evening with them in play. I don't think it hurts to hug them and tell them you love them...I've done it and meant it.

I'm glad I was there, too, Merrie as I know they saw the distraught look on my face and knew I felt much of what they felt as well. Some things we just can't hide very well.

[I hope like crazy that we will all be reunited with our fuzzy buddies in Heaven.

Me, too-I believe that will happen, personally but and if it doesn't we won't recall them at all because we're told there will be no more sorrow or crying in heaven. (Rev. 21:4)

[Chip's Mom]

I will have to check into the Sword Searcher and see where I can buy it. Hope you are feeling better today Colcolt

[Dillydoodle]

i am so sorry colcolt...I am so sensitive about this - i believe with all my heart and soul that there is a rainbow bridge, and that my beloved Clinton and Misty kitties are there waiting for me ... I know when my clinton passed to the bridge there were many people who knew and loved him who also cried when he passed... but none as much as me... I still cry to this day for my sweet boy and it has been over 2 yrs... he was my true soulmate kitty, my heart- and i believe the love never dies, how could it? something so true and perfect... i really do feel that clinton is happy and healthy and young again, playing in the tall grass, hunting butterflys and grasshoppers with misty not too far behind... I do believe in God and feel that heaven would have to have our furbabies there otherwise that would not be heaven... Grizzly will be welcomed by many furbabies, he wont be alone... God speed Grizzly...
now i gotta go get a kleenex....
Emilie

[Fluffypants]

What a sad story ColColt. I admit I have been guilty of taking things for granted in the past also. But, also like you, I make an effort now to appreciate every moment and never do that again. I tell Jackie I love her every morning as I leave for work (oh yeah, my husband too ).

[ColColt]

I'm feeling a bit better, Bonnie but, I just feel for Griz who could have had a much better life than he did.

I believe in that Rainbow Bridge(Ridge) as well, Emilie and choose to believe that if in this life only we have that hope what a wretched existence it would be to never see them again. I just don't think God had that in mind when He created these pets for our enjoyment. I know there are those who have opposite beliefs and that's fine, but; I like to believe we have a benevolent Creator who not only loves and cares for us, but also has a profound love for all his creation. Theres a book I've been meaning to get called "Cold Noses at the Pearly Gates" that explains a lot of this using scripture to back up the belief that we will shall see these loved ones again. I'm going to look into thiis more when I get home this evening.

I make an effort now to appreciate every moment and never do that again. I tell Jackie I love her every morning as I leave for work (oh yeah, my husband too ).

It was sad indeed, Jessica, knowing the kind of life Griz and Maggie(the Bassett Hound) have had with no attention being given except at meal time. I couldn't do that but, I know some who think a dog is a backyard decoration and that's it... hard to figure. I guess it's a good idea to tell hubby that as well-don't want any jealousy or aggression on his part.