Today my Springer Spaniel, who owned us for almost 15 years passed away.

Our hearts break, but we know she is in a better place where she is no longer in pain, and she has her wonderful brown eyes back with sight.

Joy was our Confidant, our protector, our friend, our dog.  She heard many a secret, and never once spoke a word!  She licked many a tear off our faces, but this time she couldnt.  We miss you Joy with all our hearts.

Rest in peace my loyal friend.  You will never be forgotten.

April 3, 1993 - December 7, 2007

Love always
Jan, Kory, Michelle, Casie and Cher

I'm so sorry for your loss. From your description, it's obvious she was a wonderful dog!
Run free at the Rainbow Bridge, Joy!
XX Karen

She was, I miss her terribly. 

I have Left For Just a Little While
It Might Seem so hard now
When all you feel are tears of Pain
and screams of "dear God how?"

I have left for just a little while
Dont Think of me as gone
I am the chill in the wind
The snow landing on the lawn

I have left for just a little while
We will meet again someday
Open arms at heavens gate
To help you find your way.

~~~~~~~~
You know, sitting here all day long, I have kept trying to tell myself that she is better off, and in a place without pain, but how I would give my breathe just to have her back.  I have had Joy for 15 years, starting when I was in Grade 4.  This was my first dog, and my first real friend.
I kick myself in the bum, thinking of the times I got annoyed with her, when she would spill her food all over the kitchen, or when she would get lost in the yard.  But letting the other ones out tonight and not having to chase after Joy in the yard makes me so sad. 
I want her back, but for selfish reasons.  I wish I didnt have to feel this pain, I wish I could have saved her.  Although, I know I couldnt spare any of it. 
So alone right now.  We called Joy the miracle dog, cos the entire litter, exept her passed away from liver failure before they were 2 years old.  Joy survived this long, and to take each day for granted is something I wish I didnt do.  I always thought "Joy will be there, in the hall, in the morning"  Tomorrow morning she wont be. 
Oh, Im sorry, but I dont know what else to do.  My friends dont seem to care, and they say "well at least you have two more".  But I honestly dont care about that.  I want her!

So sorry to hear about Joy,but her name sums it all up for all the joy she brought you over the years.There are still tears being shed in our family for the loss of Shelley,but we are starting to have a little smile at some of the daft things she did,and remembering her when she was younger.
You can have lots of dogs and love them all,but there is always that"special" one.
Run free now Joy and Shelley.
You will never be forgotten
Jeanxxxxxxx

{{{{{{{{{{Jan}}}}}}}}}}}
As you know I am going through the same and it is so hard.
Dont feel guity about wanting her back. I am going through the same thoughts.
I have 2 more but I am also missing the stubborn things that I moaned at her about for the last few years, like not getting up in the morning, growling at the other two etc.
This is just to say you are not alone thinking those thoughts.
{{{{{{{{{{{{{Hugs}}}}}}}}}}}
Lea.

I too know exactly how you are feeling Crespin.  It is almost 3 years ago since I lost my beloved "Jeffrey".  He was like Joy was to you my absolute world.  The pain does go but the heartache stays forever.  People said to me at the time "You have other dogs" but even though I do they are not him.  Even now after all this time without him I still miss him so very very much.  Like you I am angry with myself at the times when he didnt behave and I got annoyed with him, but I also remember all the very special times we had together.  Those memories never ever fade.
If it is of any help to you I posted a memorial to him on A pet cemetery.  It certainly helped me get through things knowing that he is always remembered on there.  I also have a candle at home that is his.  I keep it by his photo and it is only ever lit on his birthday and on the anniversary of his death.  Many people think we are daft but unless they have had that one "special" dog in their lives they really dont understand how we are feeling.  Jeffrey was only 5 when he died, but he was the "one" having owned many many dogs over the years his death hit me harder than I ever thought was possible.
Please remember there are alot of people on here who know how you are feeling and are here for you.
Take care.

I wish I could say something which will make you feel better, I too have felt the pain of losing a special dog. I lost my dog Smudge last year, she was a cross breed and aged 16yrs when we had to take her to the vet and get her pts. She was like a mischevious puppy right up until 2 days before we lost her. It is very difficult, I used to think that people thought I was silly grieving for a dog however you will know from this website, there are lots of people who understand what your going through and how you feel. I hope you find comfort in this. You are so lucky to have spent all those happy years with Joy - like me you will have many memories ! I hope Joy and Smudge are friends at Rainbow Bridge...

I think we all think the same thing, 'I wish I could just have one more cuddle/love' etc,  but unfortunately that would just start the pain process all over again. Sorry to hear about Joy, loved the sentiment that she lived up to her name, they just don't live long enough do they!

They dont live long enough.  At all!

Thank you for all your kind words.  Joy will be greatly missed.  I did a tribute on my website for her, even though the site deals with dog products (paintings, canvas work, etc) I still have a page for my beloved Joy, along with other pets in the family who were lost.

I am getting her pawprints done at the cremetorium.  They put her paws into clay, so I will always have the pawprints that she left in my heart.  One for me, mom, and my sister. 

I am also doing a painting in Indian Ink of her, thinking of putting it in the "dog room".  I knew this day would come, but I never thought it would be so difficult.  I have been thinking for a while that it was her time, but Friday, I knew.  There was no question.

I could sit here, and wish her back.  But then it would only be for selfish reasons.  I know she was in pain, and that it was her time.  The selfish reasons, the thoughts of her puppy hood, and prime, will always be in my heart. 

I have gotten some wonderful support, not only from this forum, but from my breeders of my two min pins.   Only those who can say they have been owned by their dogs, and who had the special dogs in their life, could know how this hurt feels.

I appreciate your kind words more than you will ever know.  We may not know eachother face to face, we may live an ocean apart, but we are connected through our dogs.  Those with us, and those passed on to Rainbow Bridge.  I know Joy is playing, like she used to.  I know she is romping around with all the dogs already there, and will greet those who come later. 

Thank you again

My heartfelt, and tearfelt thanks!

Crespin

I just got a sympathy card in the mail from my vets.  They all wrote something really nice in it about my Joy. 

I am surprised they were touched by Joy, as much as they were.  One wrote "I have her picture on my desk.  She was an amazing dog, who will never be forgotten" 

I started balling when I read it, tears storming down my face. 

Thanks to my vets office, for 15 years of wonderful work with Joy!!!!!! 

Crespin

Joy, it has been two months since you left us.  We miss you with all our hearts.  As I run my hand over your pawprint in clay,I miss getting slapped with your paw, and bunted with your nose when you wanted to play.  I miss your soft fur.  I miss burrying my head in your neck, and crying.

I want you back Joy, but it is a wish that I can never have.  I cry for you. 

Twit, run free at Rainbow Bridge, and enjoy your eternal peace.

Always waiting to meet again at the Bridge.

Love you always, my wonderful baby.

Mom, Kory, Michelle, Casie and Cher.
Gone but NEVER forgotten.

It may sound strange, but when I lost my GSD 5 years ago, I used to look forward to going to bed, because there, in my mind I would take her for a walk. She would look at and nudge her lead as always, and off we would go round the block, or to the fields. It kept me going, and sometimes I still do it to 'treat' myself. Makes me sound weird but it really helped me cope.
K

Sorry to hear this Crespin.

Gad, the tears are rolling...I still cry for my old friends, each one very special in their own way. Strange I dont shed a tear (or even a thought for my ex. I remember many years ago a friend asked me if I didnt miss having a man in my life. I though (for a second) and said you know, it might be nice to have someone to grow into old age with. however if you were to say to me that I was going to spend the rest of my life without a man, I'd say oh well that aint a problem....but if she had said that I'd spent the rest of my life without a dog, well ! go on shoot me now. I could even begin to imagine life without my dogs. We are so lucky to have them. They may break our heart, but I just think of all the waggy tails that await me.That what is caled HEAVEN.

The pic I attached, of her in a "stack" and I quote it because its as much of a stack as she could do at that age, it was taken this past summer, when she was 14.4 years old.  I miss her, but she isnt gone.  I think of her, and she is here.  I see her pictures and she is here.

I may say, I never want this to happen again, never want the pain.  But you know what, I wouldnt trade this pain, for the 15 years I had with Joy.  Never in a million years.  I would do it all again in a heartbeat

Bless you, crespin
Joy will be waiting..

I can only agree that the pain we feel is worth them being in our lives.

Donna x
(and my boysxx)

Bless her, she looks lovely a bit like my daughters dog.  Sleep tight little one at Rainbow Bridge.

>>It may sound strange, but when I lost my GSD 5 years ago, I used to look forward to going to bed, because there, in my mind I would take her for a walk. She would look at and nudge her lead as always, and off we would go round the block, or to the fields. It kept me going, and sometimes I still do it to 'treat' myself. Makes me sound weird but it really helped me cope.<<

I think it is a wonderful idea.  I have been looking at Joys pictures, and just stroking them.  Imagining that I am stroking her fur.  Its like I can feel it in my hands.

I understand, I have a lock of my girls hair, on a band, hanging over the bedpost. I touch it every night, just to feel her still and say goodnight. Hope you've taken some 'mind walks' with her too.

I just looked at the link, bless her she was beautiful.

K
X

Looking at her picture and I would say she was more British show type in looks than working type, though I am no expert just going by the mostly working types around here as pets.

Crespin

I understand completley

I have locks of fur from both charlie and murphy
I sometimes unwrap them... and smell them...

I have their blankets that i get out from time to time and hug them

On my side lies Muphys Blue fleece blanket
I hug it must nights... If i nap on the sofa it is with me

Call me mad... I dont care

Donna x
(and my boysxx)

Grief is an amazing thing.  We dread it, hate it, but it has to be one of the things that makes us stronger.  We do things, to make ourselves feel better, and we pay more attention to our emotions, our thoughts. 

What I have learned from Joys passing, is that even though we hate how we feel, and wish the pain to be over, and everything.  We still hold on to what we have of them.  Be it a picture, a pawprint, a collar, a lock of hair.  Anything to keep them near.

It may take a while, to get past, but not get over, the loss of our pets.  For a time, they come into our lives, enrich it so many ways, and then they leave us.  They teach us lessons of patience, comittment, love, healing, and pain. 

But to be honest, they never leave us.  When we look at their pictures, we think of them, for that moment as here.  I truely believe, that when I look at one of her pictures, it is Joy saying, "dont worry mama, I am still here.  See? "  That it is her, telling me to look at the picture, to see her. 

We must remember, that even though they were our babies, our friends, that we have to let them go be free.  If not, it is like keeping a chain on them, tethered.  I am not saying forget about them, or not cry and grieve, but in the case of Joy, when she was PTS, it wasnt because we didnt want her anymore, but it was because we didnt want her to suffer.  We gave her the best thing we could.  Peace.  And that is an amazing gift.  Who could ask for more? 

Joy as I put your last picture in the box, so we can move, we are taking you with us.  We are not leaving you behind, we never would.  Love you Joy with all our hearts!!!!!!

Crespin, that is so so true.
I sleep with Gemma's collar under my pillow, quite often falling asleep holding it.
I did manage to put it on my bear on my wondow sill for a week, but then I had to have it back under my pillow.
My desktop picture is Gemma.
I still cry at the thought of never holding her again.
And she went on 4th December 3 days before Joy.
Lea

Aww bless

Do you know im sometimes embarrased by my actions regarding charlie and murphy

On my wrist i have a tatoo, the letter C and a butterfly.. in memory of charlie but when ppl ask i say the letter c is my daughters inital....
Im now wondering where i can have 'M'

I have murphy and charlies tags on my keys- god forbid if i lost them!
I have photo's everywhere
Charlie has been gone almost 2 years... i still miss him much
Murphy has been gone only since nov 7th 07

Donna x
(and my boysx)

Ode To My Master

by Saly H Taylor.........................................

Ode to My Master
You've been my loyal master,
I've been your loyal friend.
We've made so many memories,
But now it has to end.
My eyes are weak and weary
And I feel the darkness grow
My hips no longer hold me
And my stride is short and slow.
The season is upon us now
I ask for sweet release
I know you love me far too much
To deny me of my peace.
And when my live is over
Oh the stories you will tell
Remember me in sweetest dreams
For I have served you well!
~~~~

I came across this poem, and I think it just sums up everything!

Miss you baby, its been 3 long months.  Counting down the days until we meet at the Bridge. 

That poem is lovely and this thread is so sad. My thoughts are with all of you who have lost your beloved pets.

I've never had to experience that pain........yet (We have lost dogs before but I was a child and did what children do - adapt and got on with it) but the family dog I grew up with is 14 and a half and I am dreading the day she leaves us for the bridge.

Lovely poems and words from everyone. Love and Hugs. Lois x

Today Joy, you would have been 15 years old.  It is such a hard day for us today.

Enjoy your birthday Joy, I know you enjoying ice cream and buggles with Grandma!!!!!

Love

Mom, Kory, Michelle, Casie and Cher

Joy looked a beautiful girl and will stay in your heart forever, birthdays and anniversaries are really hard,
Run free at the bridge Joyxx

my thought are with you crespen

kiss kiss

Can I hear you, or is it just wishful thinking?

For the past couple days, I will hear a bark, that sounds amazingly like my Joy.  I ask others if they heard the bark, and they say "What bark". 

Could it be Joy, from the Bridge?  Am I going insane? 

Are you telling me, Joy, that its ok.  You were there for me my whole life, through some pretty rechid things, and you were my rock.  Now that my life has turned towards that again, are you here telling me to talk to you? 

Oh how I wish I wasnt thinking I was going crazy!!!!!!

If it keeps you happy thinking that she's still there with you that's all that matters.  You are not going mad, we all need some comfort at times!