I know I should find consolation in knowing that at least I gave her a few years of loving care and serenity to make up for the miserable life she endured with her previous owner. For now I'll just deal with the emptiness that serves as a reminder: Memento Mori.
Astrid - (circa 2010 - 08.11.2022)
18 comments:
I'm sorry, Laurent. It's something every pet owner has to face, because their lives are shorter than ours. You did the right thing. -Larry
Where is she now, the lovely girl?
With the softest voice you ever heard asking "Fly Me to the Moon"?
I know I'll find her in the sun, Copacabana-meditating, her lonely heart is nothing new...
With a certain smile, she can make you feel so nice
Saying gently goodbye sadness, still could break your heart
Listen to her once, you'll feel lucky she was there - one note samba will never be the same
Scott from Massachusetts said...
So sorry to hear about Astrid. Also so happy that you gave her a happy home before you had to put her down.
Awww... Laurent, I am so, so sorry. It is always so difficult to lose a pet because they becomes family. Warmest hugs.... 💞
You have my condolences and I'd give you all the hugs you needed if I was closer. So Im sending you some cyber hugs ((((((( )))))))) It never gets easier to make these decisions, no matter how many fur kids we have over our lifetime. Who else loves us unconditionally?
Astrid sure was a cute pooch!!!!! Looking at the picture of her and those wet eyes and nose gives me smiles and tears. I can tell by the picture that she was in a good home, happy, loved, and contented. May you always have fond memories of her.
I had to put down my pet cat - who was really the "master of the house" - three summers ago. Faustus was with me for 23.5 years. He would be at the door awaiting my return from work, and would demand being petted for a long time when I stepped into the house. He was a "stray" living under a dumpster at four months old when my friend rescued him. I was to keep him until he found a home for him. Well, she would say that she didn't find a home for him, but he found his home on his own. If I was sitting to work on the computer, he demanded to be on my lap. If I sat on the sofa to watch television, he was on my lap demanding attention from me. Every single night, including the first night here, he slept on the bed, up against my chest. Three summers ago, I woke and immediately knew he was in great pain. He could not walk down to the kitchen for breakfast and he wasn't himself at all. So, I instantly knew he was in great pain and I put him to sleep crying like a baby. He was my life. I will think of him now, and I start to cry. I told my family to put his ashes in my casket when I'm buried. He was my best companion in life, he will be my companion in death.
The pain really hurts. It will lessen in time but the memories will remain. He was originally a stray at four months old. My friend rescued him and asked me to keep him until she found a home for him. After a year of living in the house, I asked "Have you found a home for the cat?" He reply was that she didn't need to find him a home, he found one himself. Indeed he did, and I found a good companion that could read my mood, be at the door to greet me when I returned from work and demanding attention and petting - and then a treat of course. You gave Astrid a good life full of love which every pet deserves, especially since she didn't have a good life prior to being with you. I cried like a child when Faustus died, and still do at times but I remember he was a stray and I gave him a very good life with me. When I die, his ashes will be put in my casket and as he was my best companion in life, he will be my companion in death. The pain runs very deep when a rescued pet dies - I know. I think it is really painful be Astrid showed that she very much appreciated that you had taken her in, and given her a life full of love and you were her companion in this life. You saved her from a terrible life, and she knew it - trust me rescued animals know it. That is why you, and me, could not permit our pets to suffer, they had done that enough in their life. Putting a pet to sleep is mean, but it frees them from pain and suffering and is therefore a great act of love for them.
I had to comment because when I read the blog because I knew the pain you were feeling. It really hurts badly.
We never really get over the loss of a pet. Hopefully this eases the pain.
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...
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...
So very sorry for your loss. Take some solace in knowing she chose YOU to live out the best years of her life.
Dear Laurent, I'm so very sorry for your loss. Last month I lost my sweet girl Sofie, my constant companion and best friend for these past 12 years, and I'm still reeling from the loss.
Thank goodness you found Astrid, or she found you, and that her last years were spent in a loving home.
Dogs are one of the greatest, purest joys in life, but in a time like this, they can break your heart.
Like everyone else, I am so sorry for what you are feeling and going through. We've lost several over the years and are facing losing 2 at this time. It gets easier with time, but know that what you are feeling now is necessary for your love to endure.
I feel your pain. When we put our cat to sleep, it was a truly heartbreaking moment that I will never forget. Peace and love, my friend. ❤
Thank you all my friends. Your kindness and your words mean a great dal to me, just as I can feel how genuine they are.
I wish I would answer each of you personally, but it’s no usual comment today.
In respect with the sincerity of our furry friends, I’ll simply allow myself to let go of my thoughts. They will be her epitaph:
It’s the tiny bits of moments when you catch a slight movement in the corner of your vision, and in a split second you can only think it’s her waking from her nap, but your eyes only stare at the emptiness of the rug. It’s that time when you’re back from your errands and, walking in, the unfulfilled hope of her waiting to greet you smashes your heart. It’s an ordinary sound you hear coming from the next room but no, that just not her. It’s the time you wake up in the middle of a night filled with silence, no comforting breathing coming from her cushion that’s now empty and cold.
It’s about all these times when you struggle not to let your eyes flood like salt water wells.
Love and trust come at a heavy price, but each thorn today is reminder of how I have been blessed to share these few years with her.
Send you strength, from Utah, Laurent.
Laurent, I'm so sorry to hear the news. I'm glad you felt comfortable with all of us to share your pain. You are a very eloquent writer. Take care.
i'm so sorry, my condolonces, RIP. I experienced the same thing, i buried my cat myself, she was too old and died naturally.
Such a heartbreaking thing to have to do. Over the years, I've had to do it many time and was full of grief each time. But my biggest regret was a time I waited too long, prolonging my baby's suffering. My heart goes out to you.
Sorry for you loss. I just happened on this now. How very sad. They give such joy. Know that you gave them the best life possible. Wishing you great peace.
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