I lost my best friend today

[sniper7]

Today, my best friend, my dog Bandit passed in his sleep early this morning. He was just over 16 years old so the time finally came.
I have had him since I was in third grade and remember the day i picked him from the cardboard box.
He was a great bird dog, and the best friend you could ask for. My only regret is I was not by his side when he passed as he did so in his sleep very early in the morning.

I will miss him greatly.

http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s10/jdean23_photos/Bandit/Banditandhisstuffedanimal.jpg


http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s10/jdean23_photos/Bandit/Banditsleeping2.jpg

[GunTroll]

Man. I'm sorry for you. I'm dealing with my 13 year old malamute mix going down hill fast. He can barely walk due to his rear hips going out from hard running. At least yours went in his sleep and hopefully and most likely very peacefully. I'm facing going to the vet to put mine down. Sorry for your loss.
GT

[ryanek9freak]

So sorry to hear that man. I have a 15 year old Aussie that is on her last leg, and I'm gonna die when she finally gives up. She is still in good spirits though, for being blind and having arthritis really bad.

[chrisguy]

My sympathies man, been down that road too. Sounds like you gave him a good life and played the good parent, which is way more than most pets in the world can claim these days. Good on ya.

[Dr_Fwd]

sorry to hear that. I lost my friend 5 years ago, that was really tough...

[ChunkyMonkey]

Sorry to hear that, Justin.

[opie011]

Sorry for your loss. I know how painful it can be! He's in a better place now. I lost my pit Magic Oct. of 04. He was such a great friend...

[claimbuster]

So sorry for your loss.

After going through the pain many times, I have found comfort in this:

http://www.petloss.com/poems/maingrp/rainbowb.htm

[68Charger]

sad to hear what you're going thru-

just last year we lost our patriarch- Bear, a black lab-shepard mix... he was 14 years old, and his passing put all of our dogs into a depression...

it's always hard- but he would be happiest when you are happy....

[RRD3]

Man.... That's never an easy thing to deal with. You get so attached to family pets.

Just think of it this way. He lived a good life with someone that loved him. A lot of pets don't have that.

[sully3acr]

I just lost my boxer of 14 years, best dog (fur person) on earth! It was like loosing a kid. The wife came home from work, and the kids got out of school early (all in tears). Everyone and I mean everyone, of our friends and family miss Rock sooo bad. I'm glad I got to spend 14 years of my life with him. Love and miss you Rocco!

[Graves]

A Dog's Purpose (from a 6-year old).

Being a veterinarian, I had been called to examine a ten-year-old Irish Wolf hound named Belker. The dog's owners, Ron, his wife Lisa, and their little boy Shane, were all very attached to Belker, and they were hoping for a miracle.
I examined Belker and found he was dying of cancer. I told the family we couldn't do anything for Belker, and offered to perform the euthanasia procedure for the old dog in their home.

As we made arrangements, Ron and Lisa told me they thought it would be good for six-year-old Shane to observe the procedure. They felt as though Shane might learn something from the experience.

The next day, I felt the familiar catch in my throat as Belker's family surrounded him. Shane seemed so calm, petting the old dog for the last time, that I wondered if he understood what was going on. Within a few minutes, Belker slipped peacefully away.

The little boy seemed to accept Belker's transition without any difficulty or confusion. We sat together for a while after Belker's Death, wondering aloud about the sad fact that animal lives are shorter than human lives. Shane, who had been listening quietly, piped up, 'I know why.'

Startled, we all turned to him. What came out of his mouth next stunned me. I'd never heard a more comforting explanation.

He said, 'People are born so that they can learn how to live a good Life -- like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right?' The six-year-old continued, 'Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they don't have to stay as long.'

Very Sorry for your loss Justin, please accept my condolences. I have to go pet my Dog now.

[Bailey Guns]

Really bumming for you, man. I know the feeling. Sometimes a dog can take over our lives and their passing hits very hard. Best wishes.

[bellavite1]

Sorry for your loss.
I can do without most humans,but a dog is a pure soul.

[10x]

Rainbow Bridge

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown...



I am a dog lover too. It just tears my heart apart to lose one. Dogs are the best people that I know.

[Tristan]

Nice post, 10x.
Damn, kid, I'm sorry about your loss.
I have cried only twice in 30 years-once when my parents were killed and once when my best friend/family pet died.
I didn't even cry when my human best friend died of a heart attack a few years ago or when my brother died last year. But the family pet is the worst. But now we know he's better-all dogs go to heaven, ya know.

[brandyspaw]

I lost my border collie mix a few years ago. (She looks like she could have been your dogs
cousin.) I do know what you are going through but it will get better with time.

As far as everyone else--be sure to appreciate your furry friends while they are still here.
They are only here for such a short time that its important to spend as much time as
possible with them. I wish I had taken my dog on more camping trips and done more hiking with her while she was around.

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c160/brandyspaw/DSCN0129.jpg

[ColoWyo]

Sorry for your loss brother. They really are part of the family.

[theGinsue]

We lost my wifes (okay, he was a member of the family so he was all of ours) 14yo Maltese back in 2003. My wife got him while I was in Korea back in '88. Even though he wasn't a "mans dog", he had an amazing personality and you couldn't help but love him. We haven't been able to even consider getting another dog since then. We still miss him.

Sniper, my thoughts and prayers are with you as you handle your loss.

[sniper7]

thank you all for your kind words. I know I definitely appreciate it and I am sure bandit does as well

[jackmode9316]

FWIW this post inspired me to adopt a dog this weekend. I was literally provided the opportunity the day after I read this(wednesday I think) and I'm not certain I would have made the same decision prior to reading this thread. Hands down the best decision Ive made all year(a least). So thank you, and Bandit for the inspiration.

RIP

[sniper7]

No problem! Glad some good came out of it. I had a best friend for just over 16 years!
you will love your dog![Beer]

[ronaldrwl]

Sorry for your loss. As everyone else, I've been through it and it hurts for a long time.

[elk_chase1]

5 years ago, I had to put down my 14 YO Brittany, Cooper. He was the first dog that was really "mine", and we hunted pheasants every fall and spent many great hours together. Even though it has been awhile, and I have a 3 YO Springer now, I still have fond thoughts about that great dog.

[GunTroll]

Reviving this one to add another loss.


I got my best friend 13 1/2 years ago in N. Georgia. He was a malamute shepard mix. Georgia was no place for this dog or myself for that matter. I was 18 and eager to travel. That dog and I traveled to 32 states and BC Canada in the summer and fall of 1997. We settled in Jackson WY and I stayed there till moving to CO for a girl. He followed me back to GA when I answered the call to serve and then back to CO for me to go to school. We now live in middle TN.

I have been avoiding putting him down. I was selfish. Last week I knew it was just time. Today I buried him out in my yard under a maple tree. He was my best friend.

http://i730.photobucket.com/albums/ww303/GunTroll1/S6002272.jpg

And one with my boy.
http://i730.photobucket.com/albums/ww303/GunTroll1/0805091154.jpg

Thanks Nanok!

[hobowh]

Sorry to here that. He was a georgues dog.

Will

[spleify]

Oh my gosh, sorry for your loss. Good luck to you and god bless.

[DD977GM2]

Sorry for your loss. Prayers sent your way

[sniper7]

sorry to hear about your loss guntroll.

[MichiganMilitia]

Sorry about your loss buddy. This is always hard.... thoughts and prayers for ya.

[theGinsue]

Back in an earlier post on this thread (http://www.co-ar15.com/forums/showpost.php?p=124795&postcount=19 (http://www.co-ar15.com/forums/showpost.php?p=124795&postcount=19)) I mentioned Gus, the dog my wife got when I was in Korea. He had to be put down in 2003, a month after I moved to Massachusetts for my last duty assignment. The vet told my wife that it was either that or he would die a miserably painful death before the next morning. Just this weekend my wife and I were in the garage smoking and we started to reminisce about Gus. While we were talking about him I could see him walking around my wife’s car, sniffing the tires like he used to do as clearly as if he had actually been there.

It was a very difficult thing you had to do, but it was done in love and you know it was the best thing for Nanok. Right now you are feeling a lot of loss and pain because you've lost a loved one. But know that, as time goes by, the pain will ease and you'll just be left with the wonderful memories you have. Nanok will ALWAYS be with you!

God bless you.

[Dr_Fwd]

Man, I am really sorry.