bedlamhouse: (whistle)
[personal profile] bedlamhouse
Our elder statesdog Socrates was escorted into rest today, with [livejournal.com profile] ladyat and me by his side to assure him that he was a very good dog.

He had been having severe problems with his strength and balance due to a spinal situation and had already surprised the vet by responding exceptionally well to steroid treatments. Those treatments gave him another 8 months of high-quality life, but they couldn't keep up with his anemia and various other progressive aging factors. When he decided today (after already having an extremely bad week) that he didn't even want to try to stand up, we felt this was his request to move on. As always, he was at the door and ready to go long before we were really ready to let him.

We remember the bundle of fur our friend CAT brought into our lives, the murderous tail of doom, and his ability to fetch a tennis ball for (quite literally) hours, and we know that right now he is finally able to run around like a maniac once again.

Date: 2005-09-01 06:49 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] rms-butterfly.livejournal.com
*hugs* to you and [livejournal.com profile] ladyat. Letting a loved one go is hard.

Date: 2005-09-01 06:57 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] the-gwenzilliad.livejournal.com
He was a good dog. I wish he'd helped you more with the dishes, though.

Our thoughts are with you.

Hugs,
G

Date: 2005-09-01 06:57 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] catalana.livejournal.com
*hugs* My heart goes out to you both; losing a furry loved one is so hard. I hope he's off running his heart out now.

Date: 2005-09-01 07:00 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] filkerdave.livejournal.com
*hugs to you both*

Date: 2005-09-01 07:01 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] faxpaladin.livejournal.com
GoodThoughts and condolences.

Fax and Dinsdale

Date: 2005-09-01 07:11 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] fleetfootmike.livejournal.com
I shall miss the silly old sausage.

One of my most pleasant memories of our first visit to you is sitting on the back porch for what must have been the whole morning, throwing a tennis ball for him to fetch, again and again. He'd bring it back, first bouncy and exuberant, then, as the morning wore on, slower and slower. But nonetheless, you could reinvigorate him just by lifting the ball to throw again.

*hugs* from both of us.

THE RAINBOW BRIDGE

Date: 2005-09-01 07:16 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] unkbar.livejournal.com


Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.


When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.


All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.


They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.


You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.


Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....


Author unknown...


Date: 2005-09-01 07:20 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] chirosinger.livejournal.com
Sending love, empathy and hugs. *Lots of hugs*

Date: 2005-09-01 07:24 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] drzarron.livejournal.com
Its very hard to let our dear little friends go.. many hugs your way

Date: 2005-09-01 07:47 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] zencuppa.livejournal.com
Many hugs to both of you :-)

Date: 2005-09-01 08:25 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] autographedcat.livejournal.com
*sigh* I will miss him.

*hugs to you both*

Date: 2005-09-01 08:30 pm (UTC)

Date: 2005-09-01 09:19 pm (UTC)

Date: 2005-09-01 09:55 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] stevieannie.livejournal.com
A tear falls here for Socrates.

Good dog, indeed. With the waggiest tail and stupidest expression ever given to Dog. Hugs to you all.

Date: 2005-09-01 09:56 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] sdorn.livejournal.com
I never met him, but I know he was a good dog and well taken care of. He was a Sutton dog, after all.

Date: 2005-09-01 10:12 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] bardiclug.livejournal.com
I'll miss the old boy. He was a very good dog indeed.

My condolences, and hugs to you all.

Date: 2005-09-01 10:42 pm (UTC)
patoadam: Photo of me playing guitar in the woods (Default)
From: [personal profile] patoadam
I'm so sorry. I'll sing a chorus of "Stray Dog Man" in his memory.

Date: 2005-09-01 11:48 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] andpuff.livejournal.com
Hugs and condolences to both of you.

Date: 2005-09-02 02:15 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] braider.livejournal.com
*sniffle*

I actually read this earlier at work, but couldn't reply then because I was already tearing up (I'm a sap) and didn't want to cry at my desk.

Anyway, here's scritchies to the pup as was, and hugs to yourself.

*hug*

Date: 2005-09-02 02:54 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] quadrivium.livejournal.com
*big big hugs* Farewell Socrates. :-(


I'm glad I got to see him and pet him a bit on my last visit.

Date: 2005-09-02 05:32 am (UTC)
mdlbear: blue fractal bear with text "since 2002" (Default)
From: [personal profile] mdlbear
((hugs))

Losing a pet is always rough.

Date: 2005-09-02 04:06 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] filkertom.livejournal.com
Aw, man. I'm so sorry. Lots of hugs to you and Brenda. ([livejournal.com profile] huskiebear passes 'em along too, as I'm sure does Anne). If you guys get the chance and are feeling up to it, we're over at Dragon this weekend; maybe we can do lunch or something.

Date: 2005-09-02 06:16 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] kitanzi.livejournal.com
*bearhug* Losing a pet hurts horribly, even more when you have to agree to it, no matter how much you know it's time. I'm so sorry.

Date: 2005-09-02 10:43 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] jerusha.livejournal.com
I'm sorry. It's always tough to let them go, even when it's the right thing to do.

Date: 2005-09-03 01:46 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] surrdave.livejournal.com
It's the way you let go that shows how much you care.

Socrates

Date: 2005-09-07 06:30 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] markiv1111.livejournal.com
I would not consider myself a dog person, but I really get it about this one. You're *supposed* to love your animal friends, or else why have them? I still remember having to part company for the last time with my much-loved cat Sophie 2 1/2 years ago. We got two new kittens, but it was not the same. Here's hoping that all your memories of time spent with Socrates linger on and comfort you.

Nate
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