I lost my best friend this week- in memory of Tasker

[Elkhound Odin]

Condolences on your loss. It's tough to lose a cherished pet. Yours was taken much too young. Three years ago I made to hard decision to put down my 14 year old Lab/Husky. I sent a eulogy to family and friends that knew her. It helped with the pain to put my thoughts and feelings on paper. She'll always be with me. If you are anything like me, after you grieve, you'll be able to begin a new chapter of you life with another faithful company.


On a sunny winter day she lay quietly next to me for the first time. I stroked her head softly. Happiness enveloped me as I smiled. I knew she was the one.

Her warm, friendly personality won over everybody she met. She was blessed with intelligence and an athletic nature. Her stamina was astounding. She could run all day and ask for more. A ball and a pond brought her hours of happiness. When it snowed, she was the first out the door with bounding joy. She was friendly to a fault. Sometimes she startled complete strangers when she ran up to say “Hello”. Most often she was described as sweet and gentle; although she had her moments of destruction. She took advantage of every travel opportunity. She never wanted to be left behind. One of her greatest loves was to go for rides in the backseat of the car. She moved from place to place, state to state, from one new home to another. Through every move, she made friends and left lasting impressions. As the years went by, her youthful energy diminished. Some of the shine of her black hair turned to gray. Her mind remained willing, even if her body was weak. Her youthful nature lasted longer than many expected. Her life was full and complete. She didn’t change the world; she didn’t try. But she touched the lives of those close to her. She will be remembered for the enthusiastic way she lived her life. Happy. Obedient. Striving to please. With a playful smile and a wag of her tail, her enthusiasm was contagious. Yet, the years had finally worn down her body and mind. Her weakened hips were failing. Sometimes she would wander, forgetting where she was. Her gentle nature remained, but her physical nature was leaving. It was time to let her go.

On a sunny summer day she lay quietly next to me for the last time. I stroked her head softly. Sorrow enveloped me. I cried while comforting her as the end came, remembering all that she was.

REST IN PEACE
FAITHFUL COMPANION
CASEY
Dec 23, 1988 – Aug 2, 2003

[DJMingus]

Condolences, Lloyd.

Losing a pet is a big deal. I dread the day I lose one of my boys.

[Bodhi]

My dog, Dude, is absolutely my best friend. He goes with me everywhere, plays endlessly, sleeps at my feet every night and would follow me on bloody paws to the end of the earth if he had to...he is just 2 and a half right now, and I dread the day he leaves me...LC, I cannot even fathom what you are going through right now, and can only hope it is a long time before I have to deal with that kind of painful loss.

My deepest condolenses to you and your girlfriend for such a huge loss and enormous void in your life.


++++++++++++++++++ vibes +++++++++++++++++++++++++++

peace,
D.

[smmokan]

Thanks guys... believe it or not, it actually makes things better for me by reading these condolences from all of you- even those I have never met before. It really means a lot to me.

[snowsprite]

Hey Lloyd...
You definitely came to the right place to vent your sadness. Everyone here can relate to losing a dear pet, and many have looked for comfort from their friends here.

I'm glad this is helping, and add my sincere condolences to the growing list. I've been there too and know how hard it is to lose your pet-buddy.

Keep him close in your heart...

Sprite

[HotDiggity]

I've lost 2 dogs in my time and boy does it suck. All I can say is each day gets a little easier and at some point the sadness is replaced with happy memories of the time you got to share with each other.

Hang in there man.

[climb2ski]

sorry... So sad.

[mnflyfish]

R.I.P. Tasker.

Lloyd, I found this on the board a year or so back. It helped me through some tough times...maybe it'll do the same for you.

“I Stood Beside Your Bed Last Night”

I stood beside your bed last night, I came to have a peep.

I could see that you where crying, you found it hard to sleep

I whined to you softly as you brushed away a tear,

“It’s me, I haven’t left you, I’m well. I’m fine, I’m here.”

I was close to you at breakfast, I watched you pour your tea,

You were thinking of the many times, your hands reached down to me.

I was with you at the shops today. Your arms were getting sore.

I longed to take your parcels, I wish I could do more.

I was with you at my grave today. You tend it with such care.

I want to reassure you, that I’m not lying there.

I walked with you towards the house, as you fumbled for your key.

I gently put my paw on you, I smiled and said, “It’s me.”

You looked so very tired, and sank into a chair.

I tried so hard to let you know, that I was standing there.

It’s possible for me, to be so near you everyday.

To say to you with certainty, “I never went away.”

You sat there very quietly, then smiled, I think you knew.

In the stillness of that evening, I was close to you.

The day is over, I smile and watch you yawning.

And say “goodnight, God bless, “I’ll see you in the morning.”

And when the time is right for you to cross the brief divide,

I’ll rush across to greet you and we’ll stand, side by side.

I have so many things to show you, there is so much for you to see.

Be patient, live your journey out, then come home to be with me."

Great Poem, now I'm sitting here in my office crying. Think I'll call it a day and take my lab Maggie for a long walk.

Lloyd,

I'm so sorry for your loss. Prayers, Vibes, etc.

Good Luck,
Jay

[adam]

Angus and I sent vibes. He's sitting in my lap right now sleeping. Can't imagine losing him.

[smmokan]

Great Poem, now I'm sitting here in my office crying. Think I'll call it a day and take my lab Maggie for a long walk.

Lloyd,

I'm so sorry for your loss. Prayers, Vibes, etc.

Good Luck,
Jay

Enjoy the time with your dogs while you still have it... my other dog Yoshi is getting enough love for both he and his fallen brother.

[smmokan]

Bump to keep my buddy on the first page a little longer.

[smmokan]

OK... one last bump. I just wanted to let all of you guys know that your kind words helped significantly with me and my girlfriend's grieving (which is still continuing, of course). The stories, poems, and pictures have all helped.

We're going to be putting together a book with pictures from the year that we had Tasker, and we wanted to use some quotes from friends and family to accompany those pictures. I'll be using these for sure. Thank you again.

[Bodhi]

Just a simple photo of my best friend...



...again, I just could not imagine going through the issues I have in my life right now without Dude around...my condolences to you one more time on the loss of Tasker.

peace,
D.

[smmokan]

Bump for the one-year anniversary of Tasker's passing. We'll always miss you buddy.

[cinnepa]

Bump for the one-year anniversary of Tasker's passing. We'll always miss you buddy.

wow, tears running down as i read these posts, the poems are just too much.......did tasker get a new bud?

[smmokan]

We got a new rescue lab, Talley, to be a little sister for our other lab Yoshi after Tasker passed away. They get along like they've known each other for their entire lives. We're really lucky to have her- its made everything so much easier. She's a little bundle of personality.

[freshies]

RIP Tasker! I too lost my buddy on 4th July 2 years ago, also a yellow lab. Shasta (http://sssf.blogspot.com/2005_07_01_archive.html) was a special dog and my buddy, so I know your loss.

Let's hope they are all play'n ball and swimming non-stop at that big dog park in the sky.

[Cono Este]

1 modelo especial downed for Tasker.

RIP