A very sad day (long)

[vineyridge]

My hunt let me have a foxhound after he was too old and creaky to hunt. Eli took to life here as a couch hound as if he had been doing it all his life, instead living in a kennel with lots of other hounds.

He came and went at will, hunted when he wanted to hunt, roamed when he needed to roam, followed me when I rode, and rested on beds, recliners and sofas when he felt lazy. He was a perfect gentleman at all times, and sang me to sleep on occasion with his melodious voice.

Two weeks ago, he was diagnosed with Stage 5b malignant lymphoma. He turned into nothing but skin and bones, belly, and glands. Yesterday he quit eating.

Today the vet came out, and he was put down and buried underneath the ancient wild pecan tree that shades my animal burial ground. A few of my mother’s ashes are there, too.

Over fifty years, lots of companion animals have found resting places under that tree.

I think Eli was glad to go, because he seemed to sigh and smile as he went.

I have had two and a half years with this wonderful hound. I hope he enjoyed his time here as much as I enjoyed my time with him.

[ljo]

I hope he meets my fox hound Orwell
up in hound heaven.He was a REAL good
sleeper too!

Someday I plan to fox hunt with him
again…

[Quinn]

Vineyridge, I’m so sorry. It leaves such a big hole in your heart, I know. Time will heal that and leave you with happy memories to fill the void. Know that you gave him a wonderful warm and loving retirement.

[A_Splash_of_Color]

Dear Vineyridge,

So sorry to hear about Eli. A foxhound is a unique and wonderful companion. I hope your heart heals soon and you experience again that rare friendship.

[Kryswyn]

But rejoicing in the life you gave Eli. That was one happy hound dog!

Perhaps there’s a pecan tree by the Rainbow Bridge.

Hugs from Kryswyn and puppy kisses from Ione

~Kryswyn~
“Always look on the bright side of life, de doo, de doo de doo de doo”

[Everythingbutwings]

To spend his last years with. Our animals wrap themselves around our hearts and losing them is so hard. Hugs to you on your loss.

RF, that first poem, “Grieve not…” was in a card sent to me by my wonderful vet after we had her put our dear old Galley pony down. I still cry when I read it, it is so poignant.

[Gallop_On]

So sorry, Vineyridge. I know he had a great life with you.

[AAJumper]

So sorry to hear that, Vineyridge. I don’t know what I’ll do when my dog’s time is up…he is like a member of the family.

[MGR]

Life I know not what thou art
But know that thou and I must part
Tis hard to part when friends are near
Perhaps will cause a sigh a tear
But in some brighter light you’ll bid me good morning."
—Unknown—

Eli is in that brighter light waiting to bid you good morning and watching over you. What a special and wonderful life you gave Eli. To run with the hounds and hunt and then to retire to a life of comfort and love. You are a special person. Remember he lives on in your heart and memory and his spirit is with you.

Maria

[Cactuskate]

By the looks of that picture I say, Now there was one content hound!!

He was so fortunate to have you.

Now where is that “teary face” icon when we need one?

Bet you he and my “Morton” the springer are looking for tennis balls now. Of course maybe Eli could teach Mort about foxes and stuff…

Wouldn’t we pay money to watch that?

“The older I get, the better I used to be.”

[vineyridge]

My hunt let me have a foxhound after he was too old and creaky to hunt. Eli took to life here as a couch hound as if he had been doing it all his life, instead living in a kennel with lots of other hounds.

He came and went at will, hunted when he wanted to hunt, roamed when he needed to roam, followed me when I rode, and rested on beds, recliners and sofas when he felt lazy. He was a perfect gentleman at all times, and sang me to sleep on occasion with his melodious voice.

Two weeks ago, he was diagnosed with Stage 5b malignant lymphoma. He turned into nothing but skin and bones, belly, and glands. Yesterday he quit eating.

Today the vet came out, and he was put down and buried underneath the ancient wild pecan tree that shades my animal burial ground. A few of my mother’s ashes are there, too.

Over fifty years, lots of companion animals have found resting places under that tree.

I think Eli was glad to go, because he seemed to sigh and smile as he went.

I have had two and a half years with this wonderful hound. I hope he enjoyed his time here as much as I enjoyed my time with him.

[Heidi]

I’m so sorry for your loss Vineyridge. I have no doubt that Eli enjoyed a most wonderful life with you and shares with you the memory of a life well lived and loved.

“Mommy, does it really matter?” - Sumo toddler, age 3

[Anne_FS]

<<For although we may not be together in the way we used to be,
We are still connected by a cord no eye can see.
So whenever you need to find me, we’re never far apart
If you look beyond the Rainbow and listen with your heart.>>

OK, RumoursFollow, THAT one got me and made me cry almost out loud at my desk.

And MGR, this is absolutely beautiful:

<<But in some brighter light you’ll bid me good morning.>>

vineyridge, I’m so sorry for your loss.

Now I get to greet the visitors to our office from Taiwan with red-rimmed eyes…

Loved your photo of Eli; reminded me of my beagle Dauntless, who also hunts now across the sky with that “eager, starry, hunting pack.”

God bless you,
Anne

[wtywmn4]

Oh viney, what a beautiful thing you did for that hound. He knew you loved him, and gave him a lovely, sweet retirement. I am so sorry he had to leave you in that way. But, they know, better than we do…He is resting in the shade of the pecan tree, in peace…

[Lisamarie8]

I’m sooo sorry to hear for your loss (Your post made me cry) But also pleased and glad to hear of people like you who give dogs like Eli such a fabulous home and loving place to spend their final years. While I know how sad you must be, I can only imagine how much love and happiness that wonderful dog must have given you over the years.

Doesn’t somebody’s signature here say:
“Don’t cry becasue it’s over, smile because it happened”

–We tend to scoff at the beliefs of the ancients. But we can’t scoff at them personally, to their faces, and this is what annoys me.

[RumoursFollow]

Beyond The Rainbow

As much as I loved the life we had and all the times we played,
I was so very tired and knew my time on earth would fade.
I saw a wondrous image then of a place that’s trouble-free
Where all of us can meet again to spend eternity.

I saw the most beautiful Rainbow, and on the other side
Were meadows rich and beautiful – lush and green and wide!
And running through the meadows as far as the eye could see
Were animals of every sort as healthy as could be!
My own tired, failing body was fresh and healed and new
And I wanted to go run with them, but I had something left to do.

I needed to reach out to you, to tell you I’m alright
That this place is truly wonderful, then a bright Glow pierced the night.
'Twas the Glow of many Candles shining bright and strong and bold
And I knew then that it held your love in its brilliant shades of gold.

For although we may not be together in the way we used to be,
We are still connected by a cord no eye can see.
So whenever you need to find me, we’re never far apart
If you look beyond the Rainbow and listen with your heart.

[Smart_Alec]

or anyone else who may know.
“Grieve not, nor speak of me with tears, but laugh, and talk of me as if I were beside you… I loved you so…'Twas Heaven here with you.”
Does anyone know where this quote came from or who wrote it? My grandmother (who I was very close with) died last year and she left a letter for all of us, her family, with this quote in it. We’ve been trying to find out who it’s written by. Please, if anyone knows, can you post it here? I always cry when I read it, because it reminds me of her.
Vineyridge- I am so sorry for your loss. He was lucky to have such a caring family in you.

[RumoursFollow]

So sorry to hear of your loss, vineyridge.

What a wonderful life he must have had, and what a beautiful dog he was. GRHS.

I’m looking for the poem I framed for my neighbors recently when they lost their dog of 15 years. When I find it, I’ll post it. But here’s a little saying…

“Grieve not, nor speak of me with tears, but laugh, and talk of me as if I were beside you… I loved you so…'Twas Heaven here with you.”

[This message was edited by RumoursFollow on Jul. 18, 2001 at 10:44 PM.]

[havaklu]

It’s an excerpt by Irving Townsend:

We who choose to surround ourselves with lives even more temporary than our own live within a fragile circle, easily and often breached. Unable to accept its awful gaps, we still would live no other way. We cherish memory as the only certain immortality, never fully understanding the necessary plan…

[havaklu]

Your grandmother’s poem:

Grieve not

Grieve not…
nor speak of me with tears…
but laugh and talk of me…
as though I were beside you.
I loved you so…
'twas Heaven here with you.

- Isla Richardson