Mans best friend

My best friend

I sit here a man whose heart has been broken having done the last loving thing I can do for my beloved dog of 17 years, Carrie. I held her to my chest as one of the sweetest creatures ever born on this planet died. Her body broken and frail, a shadow of it’s former glory, I was forced to finally do what I did not know I could as I cradled her in my arms, took her to the vet and had him put my loving, kind girl out of her pain and misery as tears streamed down my face. Oh Carie, my companion, my friend, I love you and miss you.

Last night my heart ached knowing I had to do this one last loving thing for you as I took you to my bed and cried myself to sleep holding you, knowing this would be the last time of many that I had held you in my arms like that I remembered back to when I went to the kennel and saw you with your eleven litter mates. I sat on the ground and you ran up to me and licked my face. You picked me, not the other way around. I took you home, you were so small and fit in the palm of my hand and I held you all night as I am doing on this last night, close to me so you would not feel afraid or alone.

You were always there for me for 17 years, wagging your tail eager to see me no matter my mood. Every time I came home you ran up to me so happy I was there. I was lonely and you made my life happier and brighter. You were my companion and my best friend year after year. You were always there for me when I needed you.

I remember when you figured out how to open two locks on your cage in only three days, I knew I had a smart one on my hands.

I remember your puppy eyes so blue turning to a bright, clear golden color.

I remember when I went off to war and shipped you across the country to live with my parents until my return. How happy I was to finally see you again.

I remember the many times we jogged together, you so well trained we would run through city streets without a leash, other dog owners amazed at your obedience.

I remember when you stayed with my future wife as I went on vacation and you ate her silk pillowcase. I thought she would never accept you but you won her heart too.

I remember when I brought my daughter home for the first time, set her on the floor next to you and you sniffed and licked her face accepting a new part of our family.

I remember when we played and played together day after day, year after year. You were always kind, loving and obedient.

I remember when you started sleeping with my daughter in our new house so she wouldn’t feel afraid or alone just as I had done for you so long ago.

I remember as the days became weeks and the weeks became years. We grew up together you and I and you were always there for me.

I remember as you grew old, your eyes faded, eyesight and hearing failing but you were still a joy to our hearts.

I had hoped this day would never come, I had hoped that you would live forever. I cradled you in my arms as your life slipped away, petting your head as I had a million times before. I laid you down, kissing you for one last time. Your body lifeless and your spirit gone but even then, you were mine, you are a part of me. What I would give to have you by my side, young and strong again and this pain of losing you whipped from my memory. How many nights will I cry myself to sleep until I don’t miss you. Oh Carrie, my companion, my best friend, I love you and miss you.

Tears stream down my face again as I write this tribute to you. Goodbye, until we meet again in heaven my beloved friend. Wait for me there.

sorry billy. it hurts to lose a pet, i know 8(

(hugs) baby

I actually cried reading this.

It's very hard to lose a beloved pet. I know. I've been there too.
*hugs*

It's too sad to read!

I'm so sorry for your loss.

~Ulrika~

Reading your words made me cry, well sob really, I'm still crying. Oh I'm so sorry for your loss. But your words touched me in another way too. They made me think of my childhood friend. The way her soft fur felt in my hands, how her tail would wag so hard that she knocked over books on shelves and glasses off tables more times than I can count. How I felt as an adult getting the call to come home while I could still see her, that it was time. The shock and the incredible sadness. I'm very sorry for your loss but thank you for giving me this moment in my day so many years later to stop and think of my loving friend again.

I'm so sorry, Billy! Sounds like Carrie lived a wonderful, LONG life with your love. She's at peace and pain-free now and smiling down on you as your guardian angel.

Yes ... yes, this. Exactly. It made me think of Ashley and Tasha both.

If it should be that I grow frail and weak
And pain should keep me from my sleep,
Then will you do what must be done,
For this -- the last battle -- can't be won.
You will be sad I understand,
But don't let grief then stay your hand,
For on this day, more than the rest,
Your love and friendship must stand the test.
You wouldn't want me to suffer so.
When the time comes, please, let me go.
Take me to where to my needs they'll tend,
Only, stay with me till the end
And hold me firm and speak to me
Until my eyes no longer see.
I know in time you will agree
It is a kindness you do to me.
Although my tail its last has waved,
From pain and suffering I have been saved.
Don't grieve that it must be you
Who has to decide this thing to do;
We've been so close -- we two -- these years,
Don't let your heart hold any tears.

Im so sorry Billy < softly crying>

I am so sorry. My first dog, Benji, passed away in 2003. And tears just rolled down my face. I had him cremated and his ashes travel with me where ever I move to knowing he is close by. It just helped me to get over my grief, knowing he is still with me.

I now have a female dog called Keisha who who brought back laughter into the house. She also has helped ease the pain of losing my beloved benji.

*hugs* to you.

No words can say how bad I feel for your loss Billy. Nothing but time can ease the pain. All I can say is <hugs>.

I sympathize with you wholeheartedly.

l still miss the pets that I have lost in the past, and my nightmare would be to lose one of my dogs. the affection you get from a loving pet is amazing. I genuinely feel for you and send you my condolences. Try reading a poem called "rainbow bridge" it is one I recommend to all people who lose a loved one.

I decided to share my grief with you, my SL family, because I needed to talk about how I am feeling and had hoped to touch one or two of you. I am still struggling with this and can’t think of her without tears moistening the corners of my eyes. I appreciate each and every one of you who posted as well as those who read my tribute and did not reply. I know that it was the right thing to do and the right time to do it, yet those facts do not make the pain and loss I feel any better.

Oni, Ulrika, Rose, Billybob… ty for your kind words, they mean so much.

Queenie, I like that, yes she did live a long wonderful life. She would have guarded me with her life in this world, now thinking of her as my guardian angel in heaven is perfect.

Allana, Alex, Listle and Maeghan, I am glad that my tribute was so meaningful to you and reminded you of the furry friends that you have lost.

Listle, I read “Rainbow Bridge”, what a lovely poem. I do believe that there is a place like that where our beloved pets are waiting for us. If all of the things I love will be in Heaven, it would not be complete without my Carrie.

Maerl, your poem is so true, it touched me, ty for that gift.

Tya, thank you for being there for me, I love you.

Rest in peace, Carrie. I'm sure she went straight to doggie heaven.

Peace to you too, Billy. I know how hard it is to lose one's best friend.

-Ghoti

when my dog Scooby died, I was a teen I hid under my bed to cry for 2 hours.. was always me my friend aido and Scooby when we were lil kids.. it hurts like hell ; ;

sorry for your loss Billy ; ;

Billy, I'm sad for your loss. It's clear how much she meant to you. I do think that pets teach us how to love and be loyal. It sounds like you were a good student.

(((( Billy )))) I have no words but tears to shed understanding the pain you now go through. ((((( Billy))))

I have mascara all over my face now u_u'' I have lost many animals in my life, and this describes oh so pretty well how it feels. I have 2 precious dogs right now that are only 1 years old, and altho I know we should live the present instead of worrying, I can't help thinking they will die one day, and I am sure I will be so thorn into pieces, ugh...

Carrie was a loved dog, and I am sure she will be resting in the smoothest peace possible, watching for you and your family up there. <333

*big great hugs*

Sounds like your "man's best friend" had a wonderful "man friend". I feel for you.