[Lindy]

In the last 2 years I have lost 3 senior dogs. Muffin was 14 when she crossed the rainbow bridge. She was my personal angel and she was a long haired Dachshund type; Spike was a miniature poodle who lived to 18 and I lost him last spring. This past weekend I had to let my 14 year old Cocker Spaniel go. Losing some treasured family members is so devastating. Thank goodness for the love of the new members of this pack.....

Let the light follow and light their way, as they lit mine....

[CorkyMax]

Originally Posted by Lindy

In the last 2 years I have lost 3 senior dogs. Muffin was 14 when she crossed the rainbow bridge. She was my personal angel and she was a long haired Dachshund type; Spike was a miniature poodle who lived to 18 and I lost him last spring. This past weekend I had to let my 14 year old Cocker Spaniel go. Losing some treasured family members is so devastating. Thank goodness for the love of the new members of this pack.....

Let the light follow and light their way, as they lit mine....

Sorry to hear of your loss. The cocker spaniel really hit home as I have a pure cocker--age will be 11 on April 1st (Max but gets called Paxer most of the time) and a cocker/golden retriever mix who will be 12 on June 13. (Corky) I keep thinking about them leaving me and I don't think I will be able to stand it when it happens. Have you read the book by Sylvia Browne called All Pets Go To Heaven? I was a bit disappointed in it over all but there are some things in there that are 'soothing' to know. Am curious to know what your cocker's name was? I have an album on my profile page of my 2 cockers if you would care to see them. Do you have any pics of your cocker---I love looking at cockers!

Getting 'new members of the pack' is a great tribute to the pets you lost as they will know you loved them so much that you couldn't be without a dog for long. The pets that are gone would not want you to be so unhappy either.

[Lindy]

Hi Corky/Max - my Cocker's name was Aimee. She was a rescue from Salmon Arm, BC. She had been forced to live under a house for the first 10 years of her life. She had gotten so matted she couldn't really walk, her nails were so long they had curled into her pads and were matted in, and was incredibly full and fleas and ticks. The previous owner took pity on her and took her to the groomer who had to shave her. When the owner came back the groomer told her that Aimee was going to need a sweater because she was going to be cold (mid-December), the owner said that wasn't going to happen as she lived under the house - the groomer said that wasn't going to happen and convinced her (I think with threats of the SPCA) to give her up. The groomer worked out of a pet store which I frequented to buy my dog food. I went in and was admiring some puppies reminding myself that 2 dogs are enough when I heard them talking about this poor dog and how after a week of trying to find her a home, they had to finally take her to the SPCA and had just left. I stood up and asked what had happened and what was going on. They told me the story, I told them to bring her back and at the very least I would find her a home. She was with me 4 years later as my girl. When I got her she was afraid to eat in the kitchen, didn't know what dog toys or treats were, was afraid when I told the pack it was last chance to do their business before bed she hid her eyes so she could pretend she didn't hear me so she wouldn't have to go back outside. It took me about 6 months to teach her that her life was going to be very different. It took another six months to get her to play with me and not to try to kill everyone (dogs and sometimes me) who came near her food. She instantly became so protective of me that when my Mom was visiting me Aimee wouldn't allow her in my room when I was sleeping. If I coughed or sneezed she was instantly on my lap smelling my breath to make sure I was okay. By the time the we moved out here to the coast with my Mom she had become very much a full member of the pack.....

Two of the fur-babies we have now are my Mom's and the one year old I got last spring once I had lost the 2 orginal pack members and I just so needed a new angel - Daisy Mae is that angel....

[Lara's mom]

Wow. The utter cruelty of some people never ceases to amaze me. The Last years of Aimee's life were a taste of heaven because of you. You were as much of an angel to her as she was to you. You took her in, gave her a comfortable home and showed her what the love of human beings was all about. Bless you for that.

[CorkyMax]

So glad you rescued that poor baby and had the patience to see her through everything! No wonder she kept such a good eye on you (and prob. still is). Thank you for rescuing her and sharing her story. She had a good storybook ending to her life because of you. I'm sure she will be waiting at the gate, ready to greet you.