The Worst Day of My Life

[Jer]

When I think of an afterlife, I always think how cool it would be to see all my dogs again.

I don't believe in a God, but I sure believe in Heaven. Do critterz deserve any less?

Vibes to you and your family Rev - time is the great healer. You should post up a photo of Paco.

And I second Moeghoul's advice on adopting when the time is right. There are so many critterz that could really use a loving home.

[skinnyskier]

I'm so sorry. ++++vibes! There's lot's of birds to flush, ears to lick and ducks to retrieve where Paco's gone. You can be sure of that.

We know where you're at-I just found out that our Irish Water Spaniel's mom was diagnosed with breast cancer last week, so Mrs. Skinny and I shed a few tears while we hugged our dog Lark.

[COUTCA]

My coworkers are all going to think I'm a sissy as I shed a tear in my office, but screw them.

What you describe really is love, buddy. From someone that's been there before, I do know how you feel. While the memories will always be there, the pit inside you will disipate. Hang in there, and know that there's lots of us here with you.

Prayers are with you.

[Grange]

As I wrote in the Fall Days Afield thread this year, I was finally 100% confident in Paco. He was always a good hunting dog, but this past season he became a truly great upland hunting (that's pheasant, quail, grouse, chuckar and huns for you non hunters).

From one avid upland bird hunter to another this is probably the best tribute you can give Paco. Good hunting dogs can find birds, but great hunting dogs can find birds while leaving its handler or owner speechless and truly thrilled to hunt with the dog.

[booner]

I'm sorry, that's sad. I just had to put my 7 year old cat down 3 weeks ago that I found in the woods when she was 5 weeks old. She had the cat version of cerebral palsy and just started having seizures one day. They kept getting worse even with meds. Even though I loved that cat (it was pretty hard not to, since she was "special"), I am waaaay closer to my golden. Ever since I had to put her down I have been thinking about how horrible it would be to lose him....especially unexpectedly like that. Keep your head up and get a pup when you're ready.

[MuleSkinner]

So so sorry for your loss.

[Pinner]

Here's to Paco and Good Timers like him everywhere.

[Danno]

Rev, I'm so sorry for your loss. I know the feeling all too well, because I have no trouble at all pinpointing the worst day of my life. Tears I have right now are partly for Paco, and partly for my Codi.

But it does get better, the pain recedes and is replaced with bittersweet memories, and thoughts of Paco will bring a smile far more often than tears.

Peace to you and yours.

[Arty50]

Awwwww, man. I'm so freakin' bummed right now.

I grew up in a lab family. I grew up with a black lab, Daisy, who was just unbelievable. The most loving, protective, awesome dog ever. One of my brothers got a black when he moved into his first house, and Whitney eventually gave birth to a couple of beautiful chocolates, Coco and Mulligan, that got added to the family. My grandmother took Coco and my sister took Mulligan. Both were two of the best dogs I've ever had the pleasure of knowing. Coco was a godsend for my grandmother after our grandfather had died. She was just what the doctor ordered. But just like Paco, she too died suddenly. Muller, however, lasted for a good 14-15 years. She was unreal. Loved to play, swim, always there at your side, loved being pet but wasn't needy about it. Oh and if you got her near water, she'd never just jump in without permission, but the look on her face until you said ok was pure torture. My sister always took her mountain biking, hiking, etc. too. She loved nothing more than playing out in nature. Seriously...best dog evar!!! Labs just fricken' rule.

I always got the same impression from your posts about Paco and was really looking forward to meeting him one day. I'm bummed I won't get that chance. I'm so sorry for your loss, sir. Hugs from Tahoe.

[Leah]

You lost one of your best friends and its awful. I know it's too soon to discuss, but don't let the loss of Paco deter you from adding a new friend to your life in the future. I work at a veterinary clinic and one of the best pieces of advice is eventually get another dog. You love dogs, and it doesn't in any way mean you are replacing Paco or forgetting him. You are giving another dog the chance at a beautiful, loving life.

I can't say I know how you feel because I have yet to lose either of my dogs. But I know the horrible buildup to it. One month ago my kelpie was literally skewered in her neck by a 6-inch stick. I had to carry her through the park screaming for help, and when no help came ran to my car and drove her to the clinic as she lay on the front seat not moving in shock. Thankfully the vet was able to remove the stick without killing her.

[Yeti]

A good dog, gone too soon from this paradise into the next. Here's to Paco.

[LT]

Sorry to hear of your loss Rev, losing pets is reeeaaallly hard. Find comfort in your GF and your other pooch and get him a new buddy when you're ready.

VIBES.

[Blatant]

I hate hearing this. I don't do well with this type of shit.

Vibes dude. Vibes. Dogs rock, they're always just seem so happy. Be well Rev.

[EarlyWood]

When I think of an afterlife, I always think how cool it would be to see all my dogs again.

Banker
Dutchess
Chubby
Toby
Shannon

yeah, to see them again in their prime. That would be pretty cool.

Rev, homecheese,
Very sorry for your loss.

[Jer]

That would be pretty cool.

Will be pretty cool. I'm telling you guys - you do see them again. And you can communicate telepathically. It's rad!

[freshies]

sorry for your loss Rev. Our four legged friends don't live long enough.

[mnflyfish]

I can attest it get's better. Been exactly one year (march 31) that I lost my girl. I still have moments but it does get better.

[Steven S. Dallas]

Well this thread is hitting a little closer to home now- our family's dog (Milo) died in his sleep on Wednesday night. I can't comprehend that, next time I go home, he won't be there freaking out with joy as I walk through the front door. Or maybe it's just that I can't remember life without him- after all, he was 19 years old, we've had him since I was in 8th grade. 8th fucking grade.

We brought him home from a litter in western Mass where he'd been born in a barn, thinking we had a really laid-back little guy. The discovery and removal of a massive tick and a round of antibiotics later, we had the most energetic, bouncy, friendly, pup you've ever seen, who grew into the smartest, most perceptive, bravest, and scrappingest dog I've ever known. His excursions and escapes were many- he'd often jump the fence and turn up at the house of a dog with whom he was friendly, sometimes two towns over, and he once escaped from our yard and showed up at my mom's office on the complete opposite end of (highly urban) Cambridge, MA. He loved little kids, would stand up to dogs four times his size, and was better known and better loved in our neighborhood than any human.

He hated his life jacket but we made him wear it anyway.



I miss you, boy. It was your time but I still miss you.

[Karl Stall]

sorry, man! you have my condolences... take care, R

[smmokan]

I went through the same thing with our yellow lab Tasker back in the summer of 2006- except he wasn't even 2 years old when he had a brain anyuerysm and died suddenly when we were on vacation. It was a long, long time before thinking about him didn't make me cry- but that helped. I kept asking myself, "Why did this happen to him, and what could I have done to make it better?" And I finally realized- there wasn't anything I could have done to make it different, and it was in his plans from the day he was born (no, I'm not getting religious or anything). You and your SO should take solace in the fact that you gave him the best life he could have ever asked for- that he had fun every single day of his life... that's what I did, and that's what I do now with my two labs.

Just remember the good times you had and be sure to shower love on your other dog, because you never know how long you have together.

Man, this thread hit home.... I feel for you guys. Tell Paco if he sees my boy Tasker on the Rainbow Bridge to give him a shout.

[Helldawg]

I'm sorry man, that is terrible.

[liv2ski]

I always try not to read these threads, as they always make me cry. As others have said, it would be cool if we could be with them again someday, but I am not counting on it. Hang in there buddy. If your a young dood, I hope you will make the time to have lots of other best friends. There are lot's of dogs out there that would love to be with you once you are ready.

[mtnreed]

We lost our dog on the same day. Torrey's Morning Dew. I had written a post for here - yet couldn't finish it, as I couldn't see through my tears. Our dog was a Golden Retriever and was my wife's wedding gift. We had her for 12 years.

This is hard writing this now, as it brings it back to the front of my mind and heart. It does get easier. We miss her, damn I miss her. She has swam in the Pacific, Atlantic, been to 12k on the peaks - she went everywhere. Now...just memories of those days.

We have 2 other dogs, yet nothing can replace the 1st one. The other 2 know she is gone and have grieved as well. Odd to watch that unfold.

[DownAmr]

Very sorry to hear about Paco. Hang in there man. Remember the good times you guys had together.

[The Reverend Floater]

Bump because I was thinking about this thread today as I'm writing a piece for a blog I contribute to from time to time about the relationship between the hunter and his dog. I had to unearth some pretty brutal memories along with all the great ones and it reminded me how much this thread helped me through that first period. I still remember Iceman's post, years after, as making me feel just a tiny bit better and then the flood of posts that followed.

And the story, as many of you predicted, got better after we got Steve about three months later. Steve is now two and a half and not a day goes by that I don't appreciate having him around. Oh, and Bella is now almost 15 and still fit as a fiddle.

So thanks....should have posted that a long time ago but it took me a while to be able to even read this again.