SpikesPuppy Posted June 3, 2008 Share Posted June 3, 2008 Walking With an Old Dog Because you will not be forever, Hope against time though I may, I paint your picture in my memory, Eyes blue with age, muzzle gone gray. Because you walked with me in Springtime, Puppy-clumsy, running free. As you grew, we grew together- You became a part of me. Because you shared with me my sorrows, Not understanding- simply there. Often spurring me to laughter-- My friend, you know how much I care. Because the years have slowed your fleetness, Though your spirit still is strong. I promise I will take more time now, So that you can go along. Because you do not fear the future, Living only in the now, I draw strength from your example- Yet time keeps slipping by somehow. Because the day will soon be coming When I will no longer see You rise to greet me-but in memory You will always walk with me. - Gayl Jokiel The above poem describes how I have felt the past few months and the dreaded day finally came on the 23rd of May. Spike was getting stiffer, the medication wasn't working like it used to and when he screamed in pain because he couldn't get up, I knew I had to let him go. His mind was still bright and alert but his hindquarters were deteriorating rapidly. If he were a smaller dog, it wouldn't have been so bad but because of his size and weight, it was just not fair to him. So we went to the vet's first thing Thursday morning. I think Spike knew what was happening, he walked very calmly into the clinic and stood in the consult room. Mum and I held him, embraced him and he lay down very quietly, and calmly with his enourmous dignity. Then it was time, when the needle came out and just before it went in, Spike looked at all four of us (myself, mum, the vet and the nurse) in turn and gave us each a gentle kiss. He went to sleep with no fuss and no trouble. Right 'til the end he was a gentle giant and just so perfect. I truly thought I had more time with him- his mind was perfect and alert but it was not meant to be. He was my best friend for so long, coming to me right when I needed him most of all. He was more than a dog- he seemed to understand exactly what you wanted, what you were saying and what was going on. He learnt new things very quickly, but wasn't too keen on repeating things just for our amusement (he was far too dignified for that!). But he had his 'softer' side as well, a favourite trick of his was to headbutt you or herd you towards the feed bin at dinner time etc. He loved his fruit, especially banana, and if you forgot to give him the last bit of banana, he would give you a sharp nudge with his nose and a shrill bark to announce his disappointment. He was, and will forever be, the most amazing dog I have ever known. A true gentle giant, but one who also made us feel 100% safe with him around. He knew how to make himself look threatening if he needed to. There will never be another dog like him and I am truly the most blessed person to have had him in my life for the time that I did. To be owned by a Newfoundland is the most amazing experience one could have. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fifi Posted June 3, 2008 Share Posted June 3, 2008 Oh SP, I'm so sorry, It rips your heart out. run free at the bridge Spike. our heartfelt hugs - you've been so brave to honour him and let him go when it was time. love fifi, danny & hounds xxxxx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted June 3, 2008 Share Posted June 3, 2008 Thinking of you... he sounds a very special boy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teebs Posted June 3, 2008 Share Posted June 3, 2008 I am so sorry Run free Spike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpikesPuppy Posted June 3, 2008 Author Share Posted June 3, 2008 Some more pictures of The Bear, also known as 'Flower' for his sweet, gentle nature and his love of nature. God I miss him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
baifra Posted June 3, 2008 Share Posted June 3, 2008 That was a beautiful tribute to Spike. What a dignified man he was til the end. RIP handsome. Thinking of you at this incredibly sad time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest PixieOfWrath Posted June 3, 2008 Share Posted June 3, 2008 Ohhhh SP. I am so very sorry. Of course there's no words that really take the hurt away... but I will be thinking of you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Staffyluv Posted June 3, 2008 Share Posted June 3, 2008 I am so sorry for your loss SP... Your tribute is just beautiful. RIP Spike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpikesPuppy Posted June 3, 2008 Author Share Posted June 3, 2008 More pics, showing his patient nature (yes, Ziva has her head right inside his mouth!!!) Fifi - I don't know how you do it with the Wolfies. I don't think I could ever have another giant breed again. I thought I was tough, that I could handle it ("big breeds don't live as long") but even though I knew it was coming..... somehow that made it even harder. I don't know. Thank god I have my Borders to keep me busy. We also lost our little 14 year old Shih Tzu, Rascall, the day before Spike went, but that wasn't so bad- he was very elderly in body and mind. I mean, it was horrible but there was nothing 'well' about him at that point. As opposed to Spike who's mind was still fine. There will be a thread for Rascall soon, mum wants to write it as he was her dog. Thank you everyone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Tess32 Posted June 3, 2008 Share Posted June 3, 2008 I'm so sorry, I didn't even know he has having problems RIP Hugs to Caber and Ziva too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chicko Posted June 3, 2008 Share Posted June 3, 2008 so sorry for your loss! thinking of you RIP Spike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tramissa Posted June 3, 2008 Share Posted June 3, 2008 I'm so sorry :rolleyes: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fifi Posted June 3, 2008 Share Posted June 3, 2008 SP, it never gets easier - If they are like your little Rascal, very old and knowing it is 'their time', you can reconcile it in your heart a little, but with the giant breeds - 'old' is never really a very long time to have them. Sometimes when my heart is breaking and the sadness is a physical pain - I vow never to do this again, and then you look at the joy and huge part of your life a giant breed brings, and you go and do it to yourself all over :-) Spike will leave a big peice of your heart hurting for a long time, and then that piece slowly turns to loving memory - one you will always treasure. hugs fifi Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flaves Posted June 3, 2008 Share Posted June 3, 2008 :rolleyes: RIP Spike. RIP Rascall Hugs to you and your family SP. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chezzyr Posted June 3, 2008 Share Posted June 3, 2008 I saw the name Spike and didn't want to open this thread. I am so sorry, Elsa. Thinking of you and your Mum at this time. :rolleyes: RIP Spike ~~ RIP Rascall Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carlibud Posted June 3, 2008 Share Posted June 3, 2008 Oh I'm so so sorry for your loss I've been bawling my eyes out just thinking about how hard it is, Hugs to you . RIP Spike and Rascall :rolleyes: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peibe Posted June 3, 2008 Share Posted June 3, 2008 So sorry to hear that the your world is now without Spike May Spike, Timothy and Rascall run pain free together at the bridge Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madredeperros Posted June 3, 2008 Share Posted June 3, 2008 I am so sorry to hear of his passing Run now that you are without pain Spike :rolleyes: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MelissaS Posted June 3, 2008 Share Posted June 3, 2008 So so sorry for you loss. What a beautiful cuddly big boy. RIP beautiful Spike :rolleyes: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Clover Posted June 3, 2008 Share Posted June 3, 2008 Oh Elsa i am so sorry . Rest easy Spike & Rascall :rolleyes:. for you and your Mum. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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