Retriever Rescue

Poppy, our lovely mature lady who we took from Jan almost 18 months ago has gone. She had not been well for a few days, off her food, vaginal discharge etc. but also for the last couple of weeks had been making a retching noise and occasionally doing a little vomit which I thought was because she licked her bed and ate grass. The vet diagnosed pyometria and x ray and bloods confirmed it. She had her op yesterday, but though they got the uterus out o.k. they found tumours in her liver and invading the gut.
They asked us to go in and we gave her a love and cuddle and told her what a lovely princess she is (we called her princess poppy). I so wish she could have had just another year or so because she was so pampered and enjoying her life. I have a lovely pic of her on New Years Day at Crosby beach where she had a great time and looks so well.
We had our other dogs Ben & Jasper for 16 and 15 years respectively and I didn't think we would grieve for a dog who we have had for such a short time in the same way, but we do. Ben and Jasper will be looking after her somewhere.
We would not regret taking Princess Poppy for one minute. Thank You Jan for all of your work.

So sorry to hear your sad news, the loss of Poppy, even in such a short time with you must have been heartbreaking, they don't take long to become a special part of our lives, we also lost a part of our family yesterday , Buttons our cat was diagnosed with bone cancer, so within a couple of days of having a limp on his front left paw, we had to make the hardest decision any pet owner has to ever make. We had him for about twelve years, but whatever the time you have with your pets, the pain is just the same. We send you all our love at your sad time and share your loss of Poppy, you have done something that I would find so hard to do, and that is take a golden oldie into you family, to love and cherish for however little time you will have together. I think all those who take a oldie into there family deserve a special medal . I do hope when your are reunited in rainbow bridge, you get the rewards you deserve. All our love Lenny, Celia, Emily and Snowy.

what a sad story. poppy may not have been with you for long but it is obvious that she knew what love was at the end of her life and you can be proud and happy you gave her that. my thoughts are with you at this sad time.xx

Julia

So sorry to hear about Poppy..........it's the love you have for your dog... which makes the pain so unbearable when you lose them.....it's not the length of time you have them, which is far too short.

Lynda, Les and Cobi

I stood by your bed last night, I came to have a peep.
I could see that you were crying, You found it hard to sleep.
I whined to you softly as you brushed away a tear,
"It's me, I haven't left you, I'm well, I'm fine, I'm here."

I was close to you at breakfast, I watched you pour the tea,
You were thinking of the many times, your hands reached down to me.
I was with you at the shops today, Your arms were getting sore.
I longed to take your parcels, I wish I could do more.

I was with you at my grave today, You tend it with such care.
I want to re-assure you, that I'm not lying there.
I walked with you towards the house, as you fumbled for your key.
I gently put my paw on you, I smiled and said " it's me."

You looked so very tired, and sank into a chair.
I tried so hard to let you know, that I was standing there.
It's possible for me, to be so near you everyday.
To say to you with certainty, "I never went away."

You sat there very quietly, then smiled, I think you knew...
In the stillness of that evening, I was very close to you.
The day is over... I smile and watch you yawning
and say "good-night, God bless, I'll see you in the morning."

And when the time is right for you to cross the brief divide,
I'll rush across to greet you and we'll stand, side by side.
I have so many things to show you, there is so much for you to see.
Be patient, live your journey out...then come home to be with me.

Author Unknown

With love, Karina, Dave and Harvey x

Julia, Sorry to read about your friend Poppy. It's so hard to find yourselves without your special girl. And as others have said no matter how long you have had them the pain is just the same. I'm sure Poppy felt really loved and you did the kind thing for her that is so difficult letting them go. I just would like to say that there is alot of people on here who will be feeling for you. So if you feel like you want to talk there will always be someone for you to share your feelings with. Take care of yourselves,thinking of you.


Audrey,Gordon and Louise

Julia,
So sad to hear of your sad loss of Poppy. No matter how long we have our goldens with us, we love them so much that it is a terrible hurt when they leave us.
You did your best for Poppy and I'm sure she knew she was a lucky girl having you to look after her, just as you felt lucky having her with you even for a short time.
Lenny,
So sorry to hear about your Buttons. We treasure cats much as we treasure our Goldens, even though they do tend to be more independent, and we still feel bereft whenthey leave us.
My thoughts are with you both, and I hope your memories of your beloved pets help to sustain you through this difficult time.
Samsmum (Joyce).

The poem just says it all, doesn't it? Thank you for sharing it with us all.
Samsmum (Joyce).

Dear Juliia,

I know we spoke yesterday but just wanted to say again what a wonderful home you gave Poppy for her last 18 months. Happy and dearly loved from the start. I only have mine for a short time but every minute is treasured.

Thinking of you at this sad time

Jan xx

P.S. Loved the poem Katrina and so sorry about Buttons Lenny xxx

Julia, so sorry to hear about Poppy.When you love them so much it is a very difficult decision to make but you know you have to let them go. Poppy was lucky that she found you. You were her angel who gave her such a lovely life for the past 18 months.
Thinking of you at this sad time, Steve

So sad to read of your loss of Poppy Julia. She was with you for such a short time, but you can take comfort in knowing that she was loved and happy, and you have memories to treasure.

You are in our thoughts. Jean

Dear Lenny, I'm so sorry I have overlooked on your post that you to have lost your friend Buttons. Its very hard when you loose your pet always expecting them to appear at your side. Takes some getting used to if that is possible.



Audrey,Gordon and Louise

Julia, so very sorry to hear your sad news about your Poppy. It is so lovely to hear that her final 18 months were spent in a loving home, if only for such a short time. No period of time is ever long enough with these wonderful friends, but at least we have the knowledge that we are there when we are needed, a forever home awaits.
Enjoy your memories of your dear departed friends, and thankyou for caring for Poppy.


Also to Lenny and Celia, our love and thoughts are with you both on loosing Buttons.

Lenny and Celia

So sorry to hear about your cat Buttons, our thoughts are with you

Lynda Les and Cobi

Thank you all for those kind messages.
I am so sorry about Buttons.
Karina the poem made me cry of course, but I also think of it each time I think I clearly hear paw steps tapping into the kitchen and go to tell madam Poppy 'no dogs allowed in the kitchen', not that she ever listened of course.
We have a little plug in night light in the living room for her and Alan has swiitched it on a couple of times at bedtime and then realised we don't need to.
Coming in from work is the hardest, normally she would push Alan out of the way to welcome me.
I know that you have probably all been there and understand. Thank you again.
Julia