Jody (Waterotter) Lost a Friend Yesterday

My thoughts are with you, Jody. The memories of those 18 happy years are sure to bring you comfort going forward.

Take care.

Frank

Very sad... We lost two longtime family members (pets) this year as well.

Best wishes, Jody.

Cheers

-don

Sorry to hear about Riley, Jody. I know words can't fill the void, and our canine friends leave a pretty big void when they depart, but maybe it will help a little bit to know you have friends here who understand the loss and empathize with you.

Be well.

I'm so sorry to hear about your dog, Jody. Long time to have a friend and lose them. Take care.

Jody!!

I'm so, so sorry pretty girl! All of our thoughts are with you!!!

**You were the perfect "mom", just what Riley needed. Don't forget that.

Hugs

~ Theresa

Jody, It's never easy to say goodbye to a creature that gave unconditional love every minute. But your special friend isn't gone as long as she lives in your memories.

You know, it's funny how close you can become with someone online. Over the years Jody and I have kept contact, and talking about our dogs....a lot. I actually felt a connection to Riley. She was very real to me and quite a little character.

Jody's msg to me yesterday pulled empathy out of me that I didn't even know was there anymore. I'm really saddened by this news. For those of you who don't know Jody - she's about the best mom a dog could ever hope for. 18 years....well that tells a lot right there. She and Riley were extremely close. I admire the strength it took to help Riley when the time came to. I've been fortunate enough not to have to go through that yet. I feel so bad she had to step up. It was the right thing, though. Riley was old, sick, and tired, and at 18, it wasn't going to get any better for her.

Too many miles. Just too many miles. I wish I could be there with ya, Jody. I am in spirit. Trust me on that one.

Sorry for your loss, Jody.

Thanks to you Riley lived a good long life.
... and she was really loved.

What more could anybody ask for?

I know it sounds shallow but 'time heals all wounds'.
I hope you will feel better soon.

My condolences. I have had to make this trip three times over the years, and those are three of the hardest days of my life.

The last one was my 14-year-old beagle/lab mix Sampson. He was quite a character. He loved to escape - he was like Houdini. Put him in any fenced area, and he would immediately do a perimeter check, find the most promising escape opportunity, and go for it. He was very skinny (but athletic), and could squeeze through any opening, no matter how impossible. When all else failed, this dog could climb as much as 4ft tall chain link fence, one paw over another, and jump off the top to get out. I saw him do it, and was so impressed I couldn't even get angry.

He always came back, of course, if I couldn't catch him first. But he had this overwhelming desire to run and taste freedom. It made him happier than anything else (besides sitting on my lap or stealing food off the counter).

One day, very near the end, he had lost his ability to run. He could meander though. And we had him in the yard without a leash. And, one last time, he got that glimmer in his eye. He got his cranky bones up, pointed himself toward the open road, and went for it.

Now, you have to understand, this was not a dog with the necessary youth to actually run. He was walking. But he was walking with purpose - with a spring in his step and a big smile on his face - something we hadn't seen in quite a while. And he was going for the open road one last time. And he was really, really happy about it.

I let him go on as long as I could. My wife was cheering him on. And so was I, right up to the point where he actually reached the end of our driveway. Then I got up, walked over to where he was and brought him back to safety.

I let him enjoy the moment. And we enjoyed it with him, knowing it was likely the last one we would have like that. Shortly after, he lost his ability to walk at all, and I brought him in for his final appointment. He had been with me for 11 years (I adopted him when he was 3). And he was truly my closest friend.

These days are really hard, but time always replaces the sadness with happier memories. And your next soul mate will add many new happy memories to the mix.

I have never had to take that ride yet. My last three boys died in my arms with a kiss goodbye and the words "It's time, baby, I'll see you on the other side" in their ears.

I had Ricky - my last - cremated. I was going to spread his ashes this spring at a place that we loved to go. For some reason I always found a reason not to go. Then I figured out why. Ricky loved that spot, but it became our spot after his walking was failing him. I decided that I needed to take him where we loved to go when he was healthy and loved to run and swim there.

I took him there and scattered the ashes from the tree he liked to sit under down to the water. As I was leaving, I turned and looked back once. I saw him there, sitting on the shoreline for just an instant and got a sensation so strong that he was with me that I could smell him again.

I turned and walked around the bend in the shoreline and said out loud "Ricky, I'd kill for a sign that you are happy with where I freed you."

Then I looked down to find myself standing in a field of 4 leaf clovers. I am pressing a few of them for me, for my sister who took him in as a stray, and for my niece who was with us for many of our adventures and good times.

They stay with us. They wait for us across the divide.

Jody,
I know it isn't much, but 18 years is a while for a dog. Hopefully you two both had a nice time together. I hope you are doing OK, and you have at least as long a time with your next relationship, and enjoy IT as well..

Steve

I'm sorry.

Jody, I'm very sorry for your loss and I understand the emptiness that comes with it.

@ Kay - Thank you for the wonderful tribute to Riley and your support. I had completely forgot about that post! Thank you for reminding me - it brings back many wonderful memories.

To each and every one of you, thank you for your condolences, stories and encouraging words. I love you guys/gals so much......the greatest thing about the OT Forum - there's always support offered here when we need it the most.

My tears are flowing heavily right now. It's hard to read the responses to this thread through blurry eyes. Please know that your sentiments mean the world to me. This is what makes the OT forum such a special place..........again, thanks....I love you all and I thank you all.

To each of you that have sent PM's, thank you! I will respond, I promise, but just need some time.

You all are the best!!! Thank you.

Riley thanks you too!

@ Kim and Dan - thank you so much. I've run out of "thanks" for the time being.

Hi Jody,

Sorry to hear about Riley. I doubt I can say anything to help you feel better, but I do understand the loss you're feeling. I hope you can heal a little bit quickly.

There's few things in the world worse than losing a dog.



THE BEST PLACE TO BURY A DOG
by Ben Hur Lampman

There is one best place to bury a dog.
If you bury him in this spot, he will
come to you when you call - come to you
over the grim, dim frontier of death,
and down the well-remembered path,
and to your side again.

And though you call a dozen living
dogs to heel, they shall not growl at
him, nor resent his coming,
for he belongs there.

People may scoff at you, who see
no lightest blade of grass bent by his
footfall, who hear no whimper, people
who may never really have had a dog.
Smile at them, for you shall know
something that is hidden from them,
and which is well worth the knowing.

The one best place to bury a good
dog is in the heart of his master.

So sorry to hear that....
So sad when a pet dies .
tazza

Condolences Jody.

P.S.
Some possible names for your next dog:

Riley2
Riley Jr
R2
R2D2 - (D for dog)
(other warriors suggestions)

Whatever you name him or her, don't forget to post photos

Jody.....I am so very sorry for your loss. My heart breaks for you. I live in 'cottage country' in Ontario too and I lost one of my boys in the spring.....I know Belvedere will be welcoming Riley with open paws....wherever they may be.

Huge hugs to you!

I'm sorry for your loss.

I have some fur from the two I had to put down.

I put some fur from the first one in the bark of
the trees in the park where she loved to run.
Husky mix. In the winter, I'd go to that park at night
and she would play tag with me. Run a ways, run part way
back to me, run away again as I got closer....

Dan

So Sorry for your loss Jody.

We bought a dog for my son when he was younger, (his name is Boodrough) and I knew that if the Boo grew to an old age, that he'd probably leave me the same time my son did. My son has been 2 years in college now, and Boo still seems surprisingly healthy, although a lot slower. I am so not looking forward to losing my son's best friend. Because in my son's absence he's also been mine.

Again, to each and every one of you, thank you. Your support is much appreciated. Unfortunately, I'm still out of "thanks" at the moment.

@ Mike - I love "The Best Place To Bury a Dog". There's a lot of truth to that. I'm also so sorry to hear of your loss of your beloved dog. May he and Riley be running together now.

R.I.P. Riley