My Kubota performed the saddest service a tractor can do

[MoKelly]

I am very sorry. We got our first dog 5 years ago so I have not had to go through this yet. I already dread the day.

MoKelly

 

[bikerdib]

I really feel for you. My little 14.7 year old Jack Russel Terrier has one of the biggest hearts of anyone/anything I know. Unfortunately that big heart is starting to let us both down. She has congestive heart failure. The vet says on a scale of 1 to 6, with 6 being the worst, she is a 4 or 5. She, like so many other's dogs; likes to run along side me while I'm on the tractor. The last time I took her out to the weekend place (the woods), while driving the tractor down a trail, I looked back and saw her struggling to keep up with me. I'm going out to the place to do some tractor work today, but she has to stay behind at home. The heat would kill her trying to keep up. I know I'll be doing the usual looking out for her as I drive around on the tractor. I need to plan a few day trips out there without doing any work, just to let her do some exploring, before it's too late.

Just typing this brings a tear to my eye. Thinking about the sad day when she goes for her last ride out to the place she loved to go to so much. The woods; her final resting place.

Again, my condolences for your loss.

 

[craigbaill]

"Even now, over three months later it's difficult, but time moves on. The hardest part of grieving for a pet is being afraid of the reaction from some people who might say " it was only a dog (cat or whatever)" to "just get another one".-I could not have said it better!

As you see, we all do not feel that way and hopefully it brings some measure of comfort. We lost our Rottie about 3 years ago. A big baby unless you tried breaking in the house!! We now have a 3 year Golden and she is my baby. She plays well with the kids and is definitely part of the family. She does like to steal socks though but it is comical sometimes. I absolutely dread the day she passes but I will enjoy her company and morning greetings everyday till then.

I feel for your loss and will keep you in my thoughts.

 

[chiefchicken]

This poem was sent to me several years ago when I went through the same thing you just did. All I can add is it doesn't get better, but it does hurt less as time goes by. I'm so sorry for your loss.


It' Just a Dog


From time to time people tell me, "Lighten up, it's just a dog," or, "That's a lot of money for just a dog." They don't understand the distance traveled, the time spent or the costs involved for "just a dog."

Some of my proudest moments have come about with "just a dog."

Many hours have passed and my only company was "just a dog," but I did not once feel slighted.

Some of my saddest moments have been brought about by "just a dog," and, in those days of darkness, the gentle touch of "just a dog" gave me comfort and reason to overcome the day.

If you, too, think it's "just a dog," then you will probably understand phases like "just a friend," "just a sunrise," or "just a promise."

"Just a dog" brings into my life the very essence of friendship, trust, and pure unbridled joy.

"Just a dog" brings out the compassion and patience that makes me a better person.

Because of "just a dog" I will rise early, take long walks and look longingly to the future.

So for me, and folks like me, it's not "just a dog" but an embodiment of all the hopes and dreams of the future, the fond memories of the past and the pure joy of the moment.

"Just a dog" brings out what's good in me and diverts my thoughts away from myself and the worries of the day.

I hope that someday they can understand that it's not "just a dog" but the thing that gives me humanity and keeps me from being "just a human."

So the next time you hear the phrase "just a dog." just smile....because they "just don't understand."

- Anonymous

 

[copperhead1967]

Sorry for your loss. It's never easy to lose a close companion. I've buried 3 dogs so far with my tractor. 2 ours and 1 for a neighbor. The last one was "Dixie" my 13 YO beagle-bassett mix, or as the vet said "it' don't matter what she is....one thing for sure is, she's a hound dog".
I knew the end was coming for Dixie, she was getting heavy and slow. One evening she got up and labored her way over to me where I was sitting. She licked my hand for a few seconds and gave me that soulfull look that only a hound dog can give you. My wife let her out that evening and Dixie wanted to stay out. We thought it was good she was up and moving so we left her be for a while. She wondered off and crawled under the shed and passed away. I found her the next morning after searching the property for two hours.
I cried like a baby digging that grave for her right beside "Sam" her running buddy. I respected her making the effort to say "goodbye" to me the night she passed. She was always special like that. Some dogs just are.
I feel for you.