i am writing this with tears streaming down my face. i have just lost my nineteen year old dog who as been with me longer than my kids,we have had 19 years of devotion from cindy and i do not know what i am going to do without her,i just cannot stop crying people at work ect look at me as though i am stupid as they think"well its only a dog" she was much more to me than that

Unles you have owned a dog you will never understand
It is hard but all you can do is remember the love you shared and the happy times you spent together . We lost out 14 year old Staffy last year and it was heartbreaking and even more heartbreaking to watch my son still cry all this time later
:(
Lel

:( so sorry for you. Your post brought tears to my eyes as I know what you are feeling. Nineteen years is an amazing age for a dog to live to, it sounds like you gave her a wonderful life.

You are right, to us they are more than "only a dog."

My sympathies and I hope you feel better soon.

~Sharon

so sorry ((((((hugs))))))) to you.

It's hard for non doggy people to understand isn't it :(

From your post it sounds like she had a wonderful long life with a mum who loved her very much. There are some great poems on here that may help a little - I'll look some out for you and post some links

SaraW

The Rainbow Bridge - 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 special meadows and hills for all our special friends so that 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 vigour, those who were hurt or mailmed 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 all miss someone very special to them, who had been left behind. They all run and play together, but the day comes when one sudenly stops and looks in the distance. His bright eyes are intent; his body begins to quiver. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted and when you and your special friend 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 beloved pet so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross the Rainbow Bridge together .......................

REQUEST FROM RAINBOW BRIDGE - Consta Jenkins
Weep not for me though I am gone
Into that gentle night
Grieve if you will, but not for long
Upon my soul's sweet flight.
I am at peace, my soul's at rest
There is no need for tears.
For with your love I was so blessed
For all those many years.
There is no pain, I suffer not,
The fear now all is gone.
Put now these things out of your thoughts,
In your memory I live on.
Remember not my fight for breath
Remember not the strife
Please do not dwell upon my death,
But celebrate my life.

I'm so sorry to hear about the loss of your girl. I know how awful it is and how terrible you are feeling. Sometimes only doggie people can understand what our pets mean to us and how devastating it is when they have to go. Cindy must have been an amazing dog to have reached 19 years old, although it doesn't make it any easier at least you know she lived a long and happy life.

Clair
xxxx

I too know how it feels to lose an old friend like this. It breaks your heart and all you can do is howl. They are far more than "just a dog", they are family. When you lose a loved one it doesn't matter what species they are. I'm thinking of you, and be assured it will get easier to bear, and you'll be able to look back and smile.

I borrowed this from an older post - says it all to me:

We have a secret you and I
that no-one else shall know
for who but I can see you lie
each night in the fireglow?

And who but I can reach out my hand
before we go to bed
and feel the living warmth of you
and touch your silken head?

And only I can walk woodland paths
and see ahead of me
your small form racing with the wind
so young and free again.

And only I can see you swim
in every brook I pass
and when I call, no-one but I
can see the bending grass.

Author Unknown

So sorry for your loss
Chloe :(

{{{{{{{hugs}}}}}}

You never "Loose" them, they are with us for ever in just the way that the next never replaces the old one. The new one finds a place in our hearts all of it's own and leaves plenty of room for the old one.

I'm know how you're feeling, John

Oh how you must hurt. I too am hurting after losing both my dogs within 3 months of each other, they are much more than 'just a dog', they are part of your family. You obviously gave her a wonderful life, be proud of yourself for doing so, and remember all the good times. Your dog will never, ever be forgotten, but the pain will ease, and you will remember her without so much sadness. Thinking of you at this sad time.

I am so sorry that you lost your dear friend.
Big hugs sent to you.
People that dont know the love of a dog just do not understand the loss. How we look for them, and think of little things they used to do. Even stupid things are fond memories. I lost a dog before Christmas. He was knocked down by a van,
with no mark on him. Except mud. It took us weeks before we could stop feeling so sad. I still think about him, but the pain is not as much now. I could not even speak about it to anyone. One lady called me the day after wanting to know about his pedigree line as she wanted to use him at stud. I cried my eyes out. So we do understand how you feel.
Nutkin

Very sorry to hear about ur loss. I truely feel sorry for people that have never had a pet or loved one and in return loved back by one. :(
I know how u feel we lost our shepherd collie Cuervo about a year ago now and it still hurts to see her picture on the wall, but I would never think of taking her down. Our Iguana passed on not that long ago and some people laugh that we feel so sad for a lizzard. But it really doesn't matter what kind of animal it is, it all hurts just the same. :(
Very sorry again, atleast u had a life time with her and ur children got to grow with her as well I'm sure she enjoyed every minute of her life and was fulfilled with warm hugs and love. U will always have ur memories and its alright to shed a tear every now and then, I still do and it's been about a year. :(

ttfn :(

So sorry to hear about Cindy. I am so glad though you had nineteen happy years with her so keep all those happy memories in your heart so when you are feeling sad you will be able to remember her and smile.

Take care

Lucy
xx

You were so lucky to have had 19 wonderful years together! I know it hurts now, and it will hurt for a long time, but be happy that you, and your family, had such a long time to know such love and devotion. I know I have told other people this, as it was told to me, when I was hurting after having lost a life-long friend - but don't be sad that she's gone, but be glad that she's been.

Love and hugs
Margot

I remember my first dog, he was a black lab collie x. We had him 17 years, he was brought into the house 2 weeks after i was born, he was 8 weeks old. My mum must have been mad. I grew up with him and loved that dog. I still think about him now 14 years after he passed away. I still get the photos out and remeber all the good times we had growing up.
You will never forget her, but time will take away all the hurt and only leave joy at all the good times you shared.

Chin up,
David.

I am so sorry to hear of your loss. I hope you will soon be able to think of all the happy times over the last 19 years and start to smile at your memories. I lost my cat after 22 years last yeawr and it was very hard but I can think of her now with a smile at some of the antics she got up to although I do miss her so much.

Gina xx

Sorry to hear of your loss. i'm sure that everyones thoughts are with you
x

How lucky you were to have had Cindy for 19 years. I lost my Yorkie at 13 years in August and she was and still is the love of my life. All I can tell you is that I cried for months, every day, just thinking about my Moxie. More and more now I think of her and just smile, remembering all the pleasure she gave me and how she made me laugh even in the darkest of times. I think that is what happens over time, the pain gradually gets replaced by pleasurable memories, which are far a more fitting memorial than tears for the beings that we love so much.

Stacey

may i just say to every one, a great big massive thanks even though all your repies have started the floodgate of tears again it is good to know that some people do care. i am so sorry for the lose of your own pets, but took the time to send me messages. the poems or beautiful and i hope i can print all of the replies to read again later. again many thanks to every one (i have even managed a smile)thanks

so sorry to hear of your loss.. It is hard when we open our hearts let them in but it can never be easy to deal with in the end. It reminds me of my dachshund also called Cindy . I had her when I was 4 and she was still around when I was 16/17 . A friend of my mum's lab died of old age the other day we sent her cards and were treating it like a person died as she sure felt like that..anyone who ever frownd on your feelings for a dog ..have never had the great joy of loving a dog :) Hope you feel better soon .

So very sorry your experiencing that awful pain and sense of loss
{{{{{{{{{{HUGS AND SYMPATHY}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}
Mari

I'm sorry to hear of your loss. I too went through the same thing last month. My girl was 11. I feel as though my left arm has been cut off. I have lost my shadow. I know its a difficult time, but we're all thinking of you as many of us have been there. xxx

Very sad for you :( :( }}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}Hugs{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{

Ali

I know how heartbroken I was when we had to rehome Sonny.
Your loss much feel so much greater than that.
Stay strong.

Ruth

Oh I am so sorry for your loss - what a wonderful age to live to though, she was obviously very much loved. Have you heard of the Rainbow Bridge, have look on thsearch engines for this, it does help at these times. If you can't find it e-mail me and I will send you a copy, in fact I may do that anyway.

Hi Jan

Now I am crying too (yet again!). I feel so deeply sorry for you. I know what it's like, I lost the love of my life on 3 December 2002. I miss her like crazy, and she is in my thoughts constantly. I lost my girl at nine and a half, so your Cindy had more than twice her life - that's fantastic. I have a lock of fur in a locket, so she's always with me.

I know if we could we would have our time all over again, but it was unique and can never come again. She will be forever in your heart.
Although my shadow is gone she walks with me still.

My thoughts are with you.

Theres nothing left to say, everyones kind words have said it all.
Hope you feel better soon, and all us here know just how sad a time this is for you.

Only other dog people can really understand just how devastating losing a trusted canine friend can be; I felt as if my guts were twisting inside me with grief.

There are a few little booklets that I have found helpful, one is called "Absent Friend" and is by Laura Lee. It goes into practical stuff and has a few sad poems, such as Rudyard Kipling's questioning why do we give our hearts to a dog to tear, but all in all it was so comforting to know that others felt or were feeling, the same waves of grief and despair.

Don't forget that your dog had a wonderful life with a loving owner, and that is all dogs ask for :) :)

Best wishes and a hug too

Lindsay
XXX

Nothing I can say will help you feel better. When my family lost tubbs our Border Collie last year he was with us for 16 years. Not a day goes past that I don't miss or think of him. Sending you lots of hugs. xxx

Julieann xxxx

hi just wanted to let you know i know how your feeling .i had to have my dog put to sleep yesturday shes was 14 and i had her since she was six weeks old.i tried to goto work 2day but ive had to come home becuse im so upset. im fed up with people telling me i can get another one hugs and xxx Ann