dragonrouge Posted March 5, 2009 Share Posted March 5, 2009 Today this so-called hard headed lawyer and a son of a late Rhondda Valley miner who was also tough but in an entirely differing way to his son has to say goodbye to the last in the line of Bassets and stretching over many decades.I adore my Basset and today he and I are going to take the last journey today and folks I am finding this so very hard to get through and my life will never be the same again.This posting is not made for sympathy compassion or understanding none of those but simply help as this site has always been able to do!Some time ago someone very kindly posted a poem here in respect of our animal friends and thus if someone could point me in the direction then I would be so grateful and I would like the poem to go today with Jean-Claude on his last journey.This is so very tough for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suandpete Posted March 5, 2009 Share Posted March 5, 2009 http://www.completefrance.com/cs/forums/1585948/ShowPost.aspx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nectarine Posted March 5, 2009 Share Posted March 5, 2009 Dragonrouge, tears in my eyes typing this. You're in our thoughts today. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Âme Posted March 5, 2009 Share Posted March 5, 2009 Dragonrouge. This day is the pits for every dog owner. Best wishes to you and your friend. Courage to you. xThis is the poem, posted by Fiona, on page 2 of the where to have a dog put down thread: If It Should Be If it should be that I grow frail and weak,And pain should keep me from my sleep,Then you must do what must be done,For this last battle can’t be won. You will be sad, I understandDon’t let this grief then stay your hand,For this day, more than all the restYour Love and Friendship stands the test. We’ve had so many happy yearsWhat is to come can hold no fears,Would you want me to suffer so?When the time comes, please let me go. Take me where my needs they’ll tendOnly, stay with me to the end.And hold me firm and speak to meUntil my eyes no longer see. I know in time that you will seeIt is a kindness that you do to me.Although my tail its’ last has waved,From pain and suffering, I’ve been saved. Do not grieve it should be youWho must decide this thing to do,We’ve been so close we two these yearsDon’t let your heart hold any tears. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bugsy Posted March 5, 2009 Share Posted March 5, 2009 Our thoughts are with you today...............take solace in all the good times you have shared.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vindolanda Posted March 5, 2009 Share Posted March 5, 2009 So sorry. We all know the day will come when we first let our pets into our lives. But that never makes it any easier when the time eventually comes. Although it will now seem unlikely, there will be a time when you are able once more to remember fondly all the good times you have shared. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dragonrouge Posted March 5, 2009 Author Share Posted March 5, 2009 Out there are some lovely caring individuals and your support is helping me get through all of this. As I type this Jean Claude is sat by my feet I am not sure I can do this but I owe it to him. with my sincere thanks for all of your helpI will not forget this time and your support Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
triciajh Posted March 5, 2009 Share Posted March 5, 2009 Thinking of you and Jean Claude today. The day all animal owners dread but has to be be faced,the final act of kindness and love for your pet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
splishsplash Posted March 5, 2009 Share Posted March 5, 2009 I feel for you Dragonrouge, but at least your old friend has an owner who has the courage to end his suffering as he can't do it for himself.It's a kindness to him although it won't seem like that for a long time.All of our thoughts are with you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frenchie Posted March 5, 2009 Share Posted March 5, 2009 [IMG]http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r20/regine79/pet_sympathy.gif[/IMG] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Framboise Posted March 5, 2009 Share Posted March 5, 2009 Hard as it may be, this is the last kindness you can do for dear old Jean-Claude. Remember him as he was, not like this and take heart. xxx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patf Posted March 5, 2009 Share Posted March 5, 2009 Jean-Claude has depended on you for everything, and now for the decision to relieve him of his suffering. But so hard for you to make that decision. You are doing what is best for him.As you say, such a sad day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dragonrouge Posted March 5, 2009 Author Share Posted March 5, 2009 You will never ever know how much my wife truly appreciate your kind words and thoughts it has been such a help. I am now composing myself for we have to sort out a few things. I will never ever meet you but I truly believe that out there we have friends and with that final thought I include Jean Claude. with our very best wishes Ken Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
valB Posted March 5, 2009 Share Posted March 5, 2009 My thoughts are with you as we had to do the same thing two weeks ago. It is so sad but your little man will always be with you in your memories. Time is a great healer so they say but is does not seem like it at the moment but it will get better for you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christine Animal Posted March 5, 2009 Share Posted March 5, 2009 In his grief over the loss of a dog, a little boy stands for the first time on tiptoe, peering into the rueful morrow of manhood. After this most inconsolable of sorrows there is nothing life can do to him that he will not be able somehow to bear. James Thurber Christine xxx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chocccie Posted March 5, 2009 Share Posted March 5, 2009 Wishing you strength for what will be a very emotional time.If you will be with Jean Claude at the time, with the vet, try to remain as 'cheery' and calm as you can be. Have his last memory be of his beloved friend talking to him and stroking him as if it was any other day and nothing at all is amiss. You will have lots of wonderful memories of you friend. You've shared life, fun, walks, laughs and silliness with Jean Claude - I hope soon you will be able to think of those times with a smile rather than a tear.Best wishes x Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
baypond Posted March 5, 2009 Share Posted March 5, 2009 It really hurts, our dog Toby (avatar picture) was put to sleep last spring. We (me, wife, and children 9 and 11) went to the vets to see what the prognosis on Toby was. Our vet said he had to operate and was kind enough to let us walk him in to the operating room. I picked him up and placed him on the operating table, and we all talked and stroked him as the vet placed him under an anaesthetic. We sat in the waiting room waiting for news, but we knew it wasn't a good sign to see the vet appear with tears in his eyes. We made the decision to let him go to save suffering, and I will never forget the children's pain, and our efforts to try and hold back our emmotions in front of the children. Toby is missed, but remembered with great fondness and affection, I am sure Jean-Claude will be the same.Stay strong.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dragonrouge Posted March 5, 2009 Author Share Posted March 5, 2009 I am here but Jean Claude is not and he died in my arms earlier this afternoon. I was with him all of the time kissing him hugging him as best one can with a huge basset hound. But before he went the vet said that his heart was very weak and he was suffering. That made it easier. He will come back to us shortly and will be put in the garden and facing the sun. He was somewhat lazy as bassets normally are but sunshine was his thing and when in his youth his colour said everything. With that good people I close this episode and once more thank you for all of your kindnesses. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andybear Posted March 5, 2009 Share Posted March 5, 2009 Don't be frightened to let it out. I'm 6ft 3in 20stone of ex policeman and I broke my heart when our old cats had to be put to sleep. They were both good friends and it was the kindest thing for them if not for us. My old cat was a great hunter and we used to always watch him stalking in the fields at the back of our house, when the light is right I still see him there. You gave Jean Claude the greatest gift - love- and at the end respect and peace. Our thoughts are with you, lift a glass to his memory and try to remember the great times you had. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WJT Posted March 5, 2009 Share Posted March 5, 2009 I am so sorry and my heart breaks for you Dragonrouge. Jean Claude was very lucky that you cared for him so much that you put him before yourself today. As others have said, I hope you will only remember the good times and the good life you gave him soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mme poivre Posted March 5, 2009 Share Posted March 5, 2009 Our thoughts are with you at this very sad time dragonrouge, I have been working so hard of late that things have become a little blinkered this has reminded me that there are more important things in life, it has reminded me of our little meg who was put to sleep in december you will always miss them but know that they are not hurting any more.Judith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jo Posted March 5, 2009 Share Posted March 5, 2009 Thinking of you. x Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dog Posted March 5, 2009 Share Posted March 5, 2009 For you both and Jean Claude. THE COURAGE OF MY CONVICTIONSThis other beingso different, distinct,so intimate - he is'my dog' !And in the fogof awareness he is my longing,my light,he is my saving grace,he is the joy from whichthe other joys progress.Humans don't say how they feel -does this mean they don't feelor don't know how to feelor don't know how to put words tohow they feel ?Dogs show how they feelbut few humans bother to notice.Even though they live in the moment,even in leaping and bounding joythey display the inconsolable sadness of being.What I love about dogs (apart from their lovelinesscompanionablility, amazing tolerance)is their Theory of Mind.With every human I am more or less guarded,but with 'my dog' I can bemy silly self.In the world of humanityI am the Owner of Jean Claude-this other,this humble, enthusiastic, transparentsuperior being.But in the real worldthe world of awarenesshe is a Master of Life.Now the Lord of Truth (my vassal !)the Terror of Lawnmowers,the puller of yardbrushes, comesin his smiling humility to tell mehow much he enjoyed the pear-skinsand rather old hummoushe had for his dinner. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ViVienne Posted March 6, 2009 Share Posted March 6, 2009 made me so sad I had to wait until today to reply.... he was such a lucky dog to have been loved so much and you were lucky to have known him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mimi Posted March 6, 2009 Share Posted March 6, 2009 When I am Old... I shall wear Turquoise and soft gray sweatshirts...and a bandana over my silver hair....and I shall spend my Social Security Checks onSweet Wine and My Dogs....and sit in my house on my well-worn chairand listen to my dog's breathing I will sneak out in the middle of a warm Summer nightand take my dogs for a run, if my old bones will allow...and when people come to call,I will smile and nod as I show them my dogs...and talk of them and about them...The Ones so Beloved of the Past and the Ones so Beloved of Today... I still will work hard cleaning after themand mopping and feeding themand whispering their names in a soft, loving way.I will wear the gleaming sweat on my throat, like a jeweland I will be an embarrassment to all...and my family...who have not yet found the peacein being free to have dogs as your Best Friends... These friends who always wait, at any hour, for your footfall...and eagerly jump to their feet out of a sound sleep,to greet you as if you are a God.With warm eyes full of adoring love and hope that you will stayand their big, strong necks...and kiss their dear sweet heads...and whisper to their very special company... I look in the Mirror...and see I am getting old....this is the kind of woman I am...and have always been. Loving dogs is easy,they are part of me,accept me for who I am,my dogs appreciate my presence in their lives..when I am old this will be important to me...you will understand when you are old...and if you have dogs to love too. -Author Unknown Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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