Goodbyes are hard, Final Goodbyes are...
To the woman who could no longer afford you and asked me to take you in, I thank her for caring enough not to throw you out on the street.To the two dogs that mauled you when you were just a few years old, I thank them for not killing you.
To the emergency specialist people who worked tirelessly to repair your broken body, giving you medicine and placing tubes in wounds all over your body so they could drain and you could heal, I thank them for keeping you alive.
Thank you to my children, for allowing me to care for and love you, all those wonderful years.
And to you, my wonderful, loving, devoted beautiful girl:
You were always the first one at the door to greet me. That long, solid tail would make the loudest sounds whacking against anything and everything, and we laughed that you could always be heard before you arrived.
Everyone said buying toys for you was a waste of time and money because you wanted nothing to do with them. I’m glad I ignored them, because we had the most amazing times playing fetch and chasing your squeaky stuffed animals.
Don’t worry they’re all still here with me. Even your favorite toy Wags.
Storms and thunder were your enemies, and you would crawl and curl around my feet until they passed. My feet will never be as warm again.
The grass was just right for you to walk on, flip upside down, and wiggle side to side on your back as if you were trying to reach an itch you couldn’t scratch. Territory marking or just something goofy you liked to do, and I wish I could see you do it one more time.
Your patience and respect were admirable qualities and those that some humans I know don’t even possess.
Those silly little cream-colored bones you love so much made as much noise bouncing on the floor as your tail made on walls. Two of them are still sitting on the blanket you last laid on this morning.
If there was ever anything cooking, you’d be right there lying on the floor in case you needed to scramble to reach food that fell. I can’t remember how many times we all nearly tripped over you.
Strangers were scared of you. You had the meanest bark and patrolled the house and yard like you were hired to do it when you heard even the smallest sound. Little did they know you were more likely to roll over and ask for a belly rub.
The vet’s office was always filled with cats and dogs of various sizes. You always wanted to meet them and play, but you respected their boundaries and personal space. Your temperament was beautiful.
Comments (30)
My most recent trip took me away from you for a few weeks, and while I was gone you lost a lot of weight and got sick.
There was no way to tell how sick you were. You were seen by the vet many times in the past few months, and they never mentioned anything was seriously wrong with you. Perhaps they missed it. Maybe your levels didn’t show it the days you were seen. I’m sorry we didn’t catch it in time.
When I returned home your whippy tail and wiggling body still bolted out the door to welcome me. It would have been easy to give up while I was gone. How you managed through those 2 weeks, to hang on long enough for me to come home I’ll never know. . I had time to spend with you and remind you how special you are to me. Thank you for waiting for me.
Your waiting for me is the greatest gift anyone has ever given me
The first two nights you slept in the bed with me as usual. I had no idea how painful it must have been for you to jump on and off the bed; you hid your pain well, and it wasn’t until a few days ago it became apparent.
When you could no longer hide the pain and reach the bed, I slept on the floor with you so you could be next to me. My sides, back and neck awoke to pain every day, but I knew it was important to you. I feel fortunate to have had those nights with you.
I hope I did enough to show you how special you were and that humans can show compassion and unconditional love. It was impossible to match yours, but I sure tried.
If you get a chance, say hi to Mindy, She’s probably still her cranky old self and doesn’t like anyone but me, but tell her I sent you. I spent all morning holding and petting you on the floor today, so I’m sure my scent is still on you.
She has been there a while and could really use a friend. I’m sure you could, too.
Until we meet again, thank you for waiting for me, here and there. I don’t know how long I’ll be, but rest assured as soon as I get to where you are, you’re the first one I’ll be searching for with Wags in my hand.
Goodbyes are hard, Final goodbyes are ………….
Goodbye Keisha.
Matilda and I will think of you and remember you daily.
They seek no glory not do they complain.
Always there for us.
I shall miss Keisha, but not forget her.
Thank you for your kind words.
It is always difficult to day or final goodbyes.
It is an interesting photo with the hosepipe. Not meaning to be disrespectful or ignorant, but which one is Keisha?
Keisha is the Germann Shepard
The person in the photo is my son.
Keisha loved chasing water and being sprayed.
I do hope that there is a heaven for Keisha to run around in.
Thanks mate
We share a love for animals I know.
I have decided to have her professionally cremated.
Kids thought it would be great keeping her with me that way.
Funny thing is
One of my daughters got her and when she left home that's when Keisha stayed with me.
It was like her, Matilda and myself are meant to be together.
One of the axioms I live by is "You are what you see". The world you see is a reflection of your own thinking. If this is so then dogs see the world in a way that only an enlightened being could. But for their color blindness, I would that I could see the world as they do.
There is a dog downtown in Jasper Florida where I work. He has the body of a dachhund and the head of a pitbull (just smaller but the same shape) and he has a white body with brindle spots like a pitbull. He's not an unattractive dog and he's very bright. This dogs keeps showing up every single time I go downtown, and he comes and stands about 20 feet away from me and stares. So regular has this occurrance become that I have named him Scud because a scud is a low flying storm cloud. I named him after a storm cloud because this dog has NO joy. Zero. Zippo. Nada. He never wags his tail. He appears wary and has the comportment of human who is depressed and on Paxil, so blunted is his affect. He has made me think that maybe dogs are the way we think of them (joyous, kind, playful) because they are simply overjoyed with gratitude that they have a human being to love and be loved by. If this is so, you made Keisha very happy and she returned the favor. God being kind and loving, you will certainly be reunited with these beings who will always remain part of your family.
PS: Scud is well fed and appears to be on his own. My friend downtown says he has been there for years so, if he is on his own, he's good at fending for himself.
Deepest condolence
If I worded the precedent statement like for the loss of a human being, it is because they are not animals, but companions.
She was loved and gave love in return.
I'm so sorry for the loss of your dog. It's so hard to say goodbye to them.
Take care.
I am so sorry about your beloved Keisha
I'll text you later tonight , to see if you're ok
Although Keisha was just a dog, we all know how special they can be.
I am not suffering from the grief of losing her, more the fact that i when i call her name, she wont come a running.
All your comments have been sincere so i thank you all.
It doesn't happen often that i'm lost for words... but this is one of those times. You were both blessed to have been a part of eachothers life. Cherish the memories.
In the past I've loss dog and cat, it's painful.
I also loss country where I come from and family and partner who suddenly dyed and it doesn't gets any easier but time heals wounds.
It's important to focus on what we have to appreciate in present time.
Love you Simmo.