Rest in Peace Sweet Ilsa

[brockpfeif]

Hi all. I had to make the painful decision one week ago today to have my beautiful rottweiler Ilsa put to sleep. My sweet girl was 10, and some of you may remember us from a while back. This girl was so strong. Knee surgery at 2, ruptured disc and paralysis followed by surgery at 6 and 9. Her last incident was just in November, and she was walking even before she left the hospital! I began seeing weight loss. Tried many different foods to renew interest, she acted like she felt fine and was getting around normally. It turned out she had a massive tumor that was inoperable. Terribly fast growing, as it didn't show up in the ct in November. I just wanted to share with you all, as the support we received here saw us both through some very dark days. She enriched my life so much, and I wouldn't have missed a moment of it. What a brave, strong, happy girl she was. She will always be in our hearts.

[Joan]

I am so very sorry for your loss. What a wonderful mum you are! I wish there were words that would help you right now, but just know that my prayers and thoughts are with you thru this.
this is a poem that I hope will bring you a little comfort. Hugs Joan

A Living Love


If you ever love an animal, there are three days in your life you will always remember . . .

The first is a day, blessed with happiness, when you bring home your young new friend. You may have spent weeks deciding on a breed. You may have asked numerous opinions of many vets, or done long research in finding a breeder. Or, perhaps in a fleeting moment, you may have just chosen that silly looking mutt in a shelter -- simply because something in its eyes reached your heart. But when you bring that chosen pet home, and watch it explore, and claim its special place in your hall or front room -- and when you feel it brush against you for the first time -- it instills a feeling of pure love you will carry with you through the many years to come.

The second day will occur eight or nine or ten years later. It will be a day like any other. Routine and unexceptional. But, for a surprising instant, you will look at your longtime friend and see age where you once saw youth. You will see slow deliberate steps where you once saw energy. And you will see sleep when you once saw activity. So you will begin to adjust your friend's diet -- and you may add a pill or two to her food. And you may feel a growing fear deep within yourself, which bodes of a coming emptiness. And you will feel this uneasy feeling, on and off, until the third day finally arrives.

And on this day -- if your friend and whatever higher being you believe in have not decided for you, then you will be faced with making a decision of your own -- on behalf of your lifelong friend, and with the guidance of your own deepest Spirit. But whichever way your friend eventually leaves you -- you will feel as long as a single star in the dark night.

If you are wise, you will let the tears flow as freely and as often as they must. And if you are typical, you will find that not many in your circle of family or friends will be able to understand your grief, or comfort you.

But if you are true to the love of the pet you cherished through the many joy-filled years, you may find that a soul -- a bit smaller in size than your own -- seems to walk with you, at times, during the lonely days to come.

And at moments when you least expect anything out of the ordinary to happen, you may feel something brush against your leg -- very very lightly.

And looking down at the place where your dear, perhaps dearest, friend used to lie -- you will remember those three significant days. The memory will most likely to be painful, and leave an ache in your heart--
-

As time passes the ache will come and go as if it has a life of its own. You will both reject it and it, and it may confuse you. If you reject it, it will depress you. If you embrace it, it will deepen you. Either way, it will still be an ache.

But there will be, I assure you, a fourth day when -- along with the memory of your pet -- and piercing through the heaviness in your heart -- there will come a realization that belongs only to you. It will be as unique and strong as our relationship with each animal we have loved, and lost. This realization takes the form of a Living Love -- like the heavenly scent of a rose that remains after the petals have wilted, this Love will remain and grow -- and be there for us to remember. It is a love we have earned. It is the legacy our pets leave us when they go. And it is a gift we may keep with us as long as we live. It is a Love which is ours alone. And until we ourselves leave, perhaps to join our Beloved Pets -- it is a Love we will always possess.


~~by Martin Scot Kosins

[Christine]

Oh, Daphne...your sweet girl...we will always remember the picture of her pen all decorated for Christmas. You were the best mom to her and she worked with you helping her heal. Another of our babies is at the Bridge leaving us with beautiful memories and broken hearts. Your Ilsa was brave and beautiful. The journey you shared here will help someone else sitting up late at night looking for answers to help their pet. Please take care...we are always here for you.

Joan....that is a beautiful writing and so true.

[GabrielDeafBlindPupFamily]

Giving her the peace is the hardest gift of all. My very deepest sympathies, Daphne, I am so very sorry for your loss. If you think you hear her, if you think you see her, if you think you felt her brush against you, BELIEVE.

I am so very sorry.

[CarolC]

I was so glad to see your name again, but I am sorry for the occasion. All I can say is, she was very old for her breed, and what a good life she had. She had a great family who stood by her, she was a very fortunate dog. I will always remember her story fondly. I am sorry for your loss.

[rustybucket]

So sorry to hear of your loss...