Today we said goodbye to this special little guy...
As you can see from my sidebar, we've been through this many times over the years.
It never gets easier.
For the past week, Jarrett has been sneezing a bit harder than normal. He's so low to the ground that when he sneezes, he bumps his snout on the floor (which for the past week has given him a tiny bloody nose - not a lot of blood - one swipe of a tissue and it was gone). We assumed it was maybe a seasonal allergy, but decided to have it checked this past Monday.
We were shocked to learn that he had an aggressive cancer on the roof of his mouth that had started traveling into his nasal passage. That was what was causing the more pronounced sneezing along with the bit of a bloody nose. The recommendation: euthanasia. Treatment was not an option. Especially for a 15 year old dog. I have no idea how long he'd had it. Other than the sneezing/bloody noses, he'd shown no symptoms whatsoever.
We brought him home so our two girls, who no longer live at home, could come and say their goodbyes. And the past few days while on the pain killers he was sent home with, he did really good. He stopped sneezing and getting bloody noses, a good thing .
We knew his days were numbered, and that his cancer was aggressive and not treatable, but while he was still wagging his tail and enjoying life (and food), I was not ready to say that final goodbye.
But things changed suddenly, and Mr. J took a turn for the worse overnight. We rushed him to the vet's first thing this morning to face the inevitable.
"My little old dog: a heart-beat at my feet." (Edith Wharton)
Till we meet again, Mr. J, our sweet, sweet boy. You will always live on in our hearts.
Donna
Oh Donna, I'm so sorry for your loss. It never does get easier, it really shouldn't, I guess. Each and everyone of our sweet pets becomes family and losing them is so painful. Sending a hug to you and your family. Hugs, Deb
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry for your loss. You're right...it never gets any easier.
ReplyDeleteMy heart hurts for your family. It's hard to lose a dear member of the family even when it is the four legged ones.
ReplyDeleteOh Donna, I am so very sorry. You are right. It never gets any easier. We too have been through this many times. Jarrett looks like such a sweet, lovable little dog. I know you will miss him. He was a lucky little fellow to have spent his life with such special people. Take care. Henny
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry to hear the news. You have so many precious memories.
ReplyDeleteOur hearts go out to you. Losing our friends is devastating. Hugs to you.
ReplyDeleteOh gosh Donna, my heart truly goes out to you. That is SO very hard. Like many of us, I have been there also. We had to put our sweet little Yorkie of 9 years down back in March, I didn't think I would ever stop crying. We now have a new little gal and that helps but I still miss little Livy dog.
ReplyDeleteMay God comfort your hurting heart during this time.
Sending hugs,
Gina
It's hard to lose our furry friends but it is a kindness if they are suffering.
ReplyDeleteMerle..................
I'm so sorry Donna. I'm sad right along with you. We lost our big beautiful orange cat Conan today. He was young, healthy and in the prime of his life and likely ate a poisoned mouse. ;-(
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry to hear this.
ReplyDeleteYou are in my thoughts.
Marilyn
I feel so sorry for your loss. No, it never gets easier even though we want those pets in our Lifes lol.
ReplyDeleteLove Elzie
Oh, my friend, such sadness. I'm so, so sorry. It is such a hard decision to make and we try to keep our babies happy as long as we can, but at some point we have to say goodbye. I know your heart is breaking. Sending you hugs and love and healing thoughts. Your dear one will always be with you.
ReplyDeletexo
Claudia
No, it never gets easy...but we continue to open our hearts to this sadness. But I know the days of joy truly outnumber this one day of utter sadness. Sorry for the loss of Jarrett.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry. What else is there to say? I've been there before and even though it eventually gets better, these days are the tough ones. You did the right thing for your little sweetie. And yes! You WILL meet again! Pope Francis says so!
ReplyDeleteOh Donna, I'm so sorry. It never does get easier to lose a family member. Hugs to you and your family.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry to read this. I can't imagine the heartache. I fear I soon will know it with my 12-year-old friend.
ReplyDeleteBlessings.
Dear Donna,
ReplyDeleteMy deepest sympathies on your GREAT LOSS! It is a terrible thing to lose your faithful companion! Poor baby, sweet Jarret! You are in my thoughts and prayers. We will meet our sweet babies FOR SURE waiting for us at the Rainbow Bridge!
My heart goes out to you,
Laura Marec
No, it never gets easier! So sorry for your lose and they are with us for such a short while. We lost our beloved Bo more than two years ago and we have not been able to get another dog. but I think I am finally ready! My heart goes out to you.
ReplyDeleteOh Donna, I am so sorry for yet another loss. I know how much you love them all. Twiggy, Twursula and I are all sending you hugs.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry, Donna. Poor little fella. He brought so much joy to your hearts. May he romp freely over the rainbow bridge. Susan
ReplyDeleteSo sorry for your loss. I know how it feels. "Be thou comforted, little dog, thou too, in resurrection, shall have a little golden tail." Martin Luther's words have been a great comfort to me.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry for your loss. I know how it feels. "Be thou comforted, little dog. Thou too, in resurrection, shall have a little golden tail." Martin Luther's quote helped me through. Love, rosie :(
ReplyDeleteIt is a sad thing to read about a beloved pet's death, but it is inevitable. They always seem to go too soon. You have many good memories which shall not be lost, and I do think we shall meet our pets again on the other side. (The blogger formerly known as Greg_1948)
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry for your loss. His darling face says alot about how much he is loved.
ReplyDeleteHow brave you are to continue caring for these dear little souls in the face of heart break. It is plain to see you have a lot of love in your heart.
God bless you.
Hello, I'm new to Your blog.I'm going to browse around and get to know You a little : ) I plan to be Your newest follower.I found Your Blog through Susan a mutual friend.So sorry about Your sweet friend.My fave photo was His face full of snow,so precious. Denise of Coffeeberry Cottage.
ReplyDeleteOh how silly of Me....I'm already a follower.Now maybe Your blog will show up on My blogroll more often.
ReplyDeleteSo hard to lose a furbaby. They take a piece of your heart with them when they pass on.
ReplyDeleteHe had a wonderful life with your family. He was a very lucky dog.
Sorry for your loss.
Oh Donna I just hate to hear this. I am truly so so sorry for your loss of precious Jarret...what a special and sweet family member! It is incredibly hard to let them go...and it really doesn't get any easier no matter how many times you've done it or the circumstances. With each one. Gentle hugs my friend....text or email if you need to talk or cry.
ReplyDeleteOh, my heart aches for you and your family. What a sweet precious family member you have had say goodbye too. I'm so sorry. (((Hugs)))
ReplyDeleteOh my so heartbreaking...such a beautiful dog.....heartbeat
ReplyDeleteLoved that quote
Love to you and all who loved him
So Sorry to read about Mr J
ReplyDeleteThis is a horrible pain I know
when my last little Pug Sissy died I didn't think I could stand it
i really think Dogs are almost human since they are so smart and know
everything we are thinking and feeling
I know Mr J was sad to leave you
Oh, Donna...so heartbreaking. I am so sorry to hear this news. It is so hard to lose a pet. My heart goes out to you. {{hugs}}
ReplyDeleteI am so heart broken for you. Jarrett was such a cute dog who I so much enjoyed reading about. It never does get easier to say goodbye, no matter how many we have the privilege to know and love. I hope that all the good times with him will bring you some comfort in your hours of grief. xxx
ReplyDeleteJust stopped in to check on you. I know youve had a sad loss and hope youre doing okay. Gentle hugs
ReplyDeleteI am so very sorry about the loss of Mr J. *sigh* The fact that he had a good long life is small consolation when our hearts are aching for 15 more years, isn't it. God give him rest until you see him again.
ReplyDeleteLovingly~ Andrea
XOXOXO
PS~ Please come back to blogging. <3 <3
I am so sorry about your loss♥ He looks so adorable♥
ReplyDeletesummerdaisy.net
sorry for your loss. It doesn't get easier. We lost some lovely cats over the years and I still miss them. They came back after passing to say goodbye, so I know that they are happy, and that they loved me. But I still miss the cat who played a game with my handicapped daughter, and the one would smile when I said his name. But despite the loss, we survive, don't we?
ReplyDeleteWhat a love he was. You are right. No matter how many times you go through it, it's never easy. My Toni dog was with me from the time I was 2 years old until I was 17. She's been gone for 30+ years now and I still think about her.
ReplyDelete