tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2980246226076317453.post2714438948195896619..comments2024-03-18T15:29:55.472-07:00Comments on Done by Forty: To JaxDone By Fortyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06246597867355460723noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2980246226076317453.post-88291210308904059172019-10-22T07:46:30.214-07:002019-10-22T07:46:30.214-07:00I'm so sorry to hear this. It's absolutely...I'm so sorry to hear this. It's absolutely not your fault. <br /><br />My dad lost his job in 2011 and my parents didn't take our dog to her routine vet visit during that time. In 2012 we found out our 10 year old, 67 pound golden had a 7 pound tumor. We said goodbye to her that night and brought her into the vet the next morning (the vet attempted surgery but we knew there was less than a 1% chance of success, especially since the tumor was intertwined with major arteries). I felt guilty for not noticing she had a huge growth in her stomach, even though I was away at college at the time (luckily at home on break when we found out so I could say goodbye too). I'm sure my parents and younger siblings felt/still feel somewhat guilty for not noticing/not taking her in for her routine visit. But it wasn't their fault either.<br /><br />Fourteen years is amazing for a golden retriever--only one of the three goldens we've said goodbye to in my lifetime lived that long. But that doesn't make this any easier to go through. I'm glad you got to say goodbye.Erin | Reaching for FIhttps://reachingforfi.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2980246226076317453.post-56026652994176408902019-10-12T23:34:15.012-07:002019-10-12T23:34:15.012-07:00Thank you for that comment, friend, and I'm so...Thank you for that comment, friend, and I'm so sorry to hear about Pepe. You're right: our pets are our family, the ones who need us the most. It's really rough when we have to say goodbye.<br /><br />We both had to say goodbye to our old pets around the same time. Maybe they'll hang out a bit up there.<br /><br />Sending love your way, Tonya.Done By Fortyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06246597867355460723noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2980246226076317453.post-68008024986532507432019-10-12T23:24:55.946-07:002019-10-12T23:24:55.946-07:00Thanks so much for that comment and for sharing yo...Thanks so much for that comment and for sharing your story about Doggle. There's definitely a lot of guilt still from being away when he needed us, though I tell myself at least he was with family who was there 24/7 and, like you and the vets have told me, there was nothing to be done. He was fine up until the last days of our trip. I couldn't have caught it.<br /><br />I agree this doesn't seem to get easier each time, but I suppose that is just the rub with having a pet. They go before we do.Done By Fortyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06246597867355460723noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2980246226076317453.post-43442505474476156932019-10-12T23:22:20.481-07:002019-10-12T23:22:20.481-07:00Thanks for writing, Angela. You're one of the ...Thanks for writing, Angela. You're one of the few people from the blog who got to meet Jax, and I'm glad you were able to.<br /><br />I'm starting to be a little kinder to myself and get a better perspective. One day at a time.Done By Fortyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06246597867355460723noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2980246226076317453.post-223271272177449572019-10-12T23:21:14.685-07:002019-10-12T23:21:14.685-07:00I'm sorry to hear that Curry passed, Erik. She...I'm sorry to hear that Curry passed, Erik. She sounds like a wonderful dog and, yeah, they really do help us through the tough times, don't they?<br /><br />I'm glad that Miss Pickles is filling your house with joy again and that you've found a way to honor Curry's memory. All the best and thanks so much for commenting.Done By Fortyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06246597867355460723noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2980246226076317453.post-22067073574430162732019-10-12T23:19:34.650-07:002019-10-12T23:19:34.650-07:00Thanks so much for that comment, Penny, and sorry ...Thanks so much for that comment, Penny, and sorry for the long delay in replying. I have been kind of lost this past week and am just getting back into a routine now.<br /><br />You're right: we were very lucky to have each other.<br />Done By Fortyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06246597867355460723noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2980246226076317453.post-74277006341924728092019-10-08T07:44:39.939-07:002019-10-08T07:44:39.939-07:00Oh man, I was ugly crying when I read this. As you...Oh man, I was ugly crying when I read this. As you may or may not know, I just lost my cat Pepe. There was a lot of guilt involved in my decision because he was not really, really bad like a lot of pets are at the end of life, but was having a lot of accidents, not eating as much, and just generally wasn't doing all the things he used to enjoy doing. Saying good-bye to him was literally the worst day of my life, so I really feel your pain. Our pets are our kids...our family. They mean more to us than most people who don't have pets realize. It's truly a heartbreaking loss. I'm so sorry! Tonyahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01618173853004051479noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2980246226076317453.post-65414153317923636732019-10-07T12:24:46.922-07:002019-10-07T12:24:46.922-07:00Oh I'm so sorry he's gone, DbF. So very so...Oh I'm so sorry he's gone, DbF. So very sorry. <br /><br />I hope that in the coming days, you will find forgiveness for yourself. We lost our Doggle when we were on a trip too. I was devastated and guilt-ridden for years so I empathize ever so strongly with your guilt. Even though it was an acute situation and he had no health problems when we left, I blamed myself for not being there for him because maybe I would have caught it or saved him, and it took years to let go of that guilt. So I'll share from one hurt heart to another: You didn't do anything wrong here. At his age and how quickly he went downhill, you couldn't have saved him from the cancer even if you had discovered it earlier. He was in pain and uncomfortable - making him wait in hopes of saving him for a few more painful days would have been one of those things that we humans do that's more for us than for them. Being held onto when you're struggling to breath has to be so scary and uncomfortable. You gave him the gift of peacefully going on surrounded by people who loved him and he loved while he could still recognize them.<br /><br />I've gone through this several times and it never gets easier to do, no matter how much you're "preparing" for the loss, and I hope you will find it possible to extend yourself some grace as time goes by. You did your best by him, for as long as he was with you, and he was loved. One can't ask for more than that. Revanche @ A Gai Shan Lifehttp://www.agaishanlife.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2980246226076317453.post-57445217919586161772019-10-07T10:33:09.718-07:002019-10-07T10:33:09.718-07:00Oh, this is such a good tribute to such a good pup...Oh, this is such a good tribute to such a good pup. Beating yourself up after is absolutely natural, but it doesn’t make it hurt any less to know that. Lots of love and light to you all while you adjust to him residing in your hearts these days. Angela @ Tread Lightly Retire Earlyhttps://treadlightlyretireearly.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2980246226076317453.post-32612810728275909982019-10-07T09:19:08.950-07:002019-10-07T09:19:08.950-07:00I adopted a rescue terrier mix in 2005, Curry, and...I adopted a rescue terrier mix in 2005, Curry, and she was the best dog I've ever had the pleasure of taking care of. She was with me through some very dark days during the recession when I thought I might lose my business. When my son was in the hospital for months, and my wife slept at the hospital with him, I would come home and cry with my dog. When Curry passed last year, it hurt so bad, and I still find myself thinking about her all the time. I decided the best thing I could do was give it some time, and go to the shelter and rescue another terrier mix, so I did. My new pup, Miss Pickles, fills our house with joy, and I think I honor Curry's memory by helping another dog that just wants to be loved and have a place to call home.erikhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04905097002828343193noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2980246226076317453.post-25409831133604096822019-10-07T09:00:22.357-07:002019-10-07T09:00:22.357-07:00I am so sorry for your loss. Jax was lucky beyond ...I am so sorry for your loss. Jax was lucky beyond measure to have you as his People, and you were so lucky to have him. <br /><br /><3Pennyhttp://shepicksuppennies.comnoreply@blogger.com