Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Kathryn Graham on September 5, 2009 at 2:58pm

Our hearts hurt for you. We understand....

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Permalink Reply by DR, Nala & Simon on September 5, 2009 at 4:20pm

Our thoughts are with you. Dinky is precious. A big hug. Diana, Nala & Cosmo.

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Permalink Reply by Avyon on September 5, 2009 at 4:23pm

Im sorry to hear this.. Just remember those happy days and know that she's wagging her nub and watching you from the rainbow bridge.

Its hard to let them go.. but I'm sure you and your family gave her a wonderful life. Especially seeing how much you loved her.

Lots of hugs and wiggles.

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Permalink Reply by Chloe's parent Liz on September 5, 2009 at 4:46pm

I understand, it hurts. Sorry for your loss.

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Permalink Reply by Kristen on September 5, 2009 at 6:58pm

I'm so sorry. It is never easy to lose a friend. Dinky was well loved...that is obvious. My sympathies to you, I know it must be hard to not be there. Take care...The hardest I've ever grieved is when I lost my Basil. I understand how you feel. How blessed you were to have such a strong love in your life. She was blessed as well.

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Permalink Reply by MollyJo on September 5, 2009 at 7:23pm

Thank you so much, everyone, for your kind words. My entire family is very sad and heart broken over the loss. She was such a special dog. She was a "talking" corgi, ALWAYS growling and making playful noises to everyone that came around. I left her at home when I moved because she was 10 years old and I figured she'd be happier living the rest of her days on the ranch she always lived on, chasing the goats and playing with our big dogs that she loved to boss around.
She used to ride the feed cart around the ranch with us when we'd feed the horses, getting off to keep them in the pens when we'd open the gates. She was smart, no one ever TOLD her to do that, she just did. She loved working.
She spent most of her later years laying around on the back porch on the patio furniture. Barking at coyotes from afar and "defending her turf". I feel badly because I was not there for her in her final years. I brought my young corgi (tegan) with me, figuring it would be easier for him to adjust to moving to the city than it would be for her. I remember when we were packing my things to move, she sat beside the Uhaul, looking angry. haha....
We got her fro a run down farm, she had ticks when we got her as a pup, and was malnourished. She ate a pencil when she was 6 months old, I was homeschooled in 4th grade then... and she got lead poisoning. I was so scared but she made it. Few years later she ate rat poisson in the barn that our barn help put out at her level- stupidly- and she lived through that, too. She had a lot of fight and life in her, which made her so special!
I know in my heart she was happier on the ranch, but I just feel like she may have felt like I abandoned her- favoring Tegan or something. Tegan and I drove back home to visit and she was very jealous of him. I had her sleep on my bed every night I was home, hoping she knew I still loved her so much.
I went through really hard times with her, I was born with a chronic illness and was home sick a lot as a child. She laid in my bed with me a lot, and would sleep right next to my head when she knew I *really* didn't feel well. She protected me when I was afraid (at 14! LoL) when my parents would leave me home alone at night and the wind would blow.
When I was about 12, I decided I wanted to train her for agility after watching Animal Planet too much when I was at home sick. She suffered through me trying to teach her to jump over horse rails and building a crappy agility course out of whatever I could. She learned everything I taught her *very* quickly, typical corgi.
I remember when I very first got her she barked like CRAZY and my parents thought they made the worst decision of their lives. She was kind of an ugly baby, almost all black, but grew into a very refined and nicely colored girl. She licked everyone to death, which I always loved, my parents told me it was gross. I always loved how she talked, sooo much. Tegan is so quiet....
She had enough personality for 9 dogs, and a heart big enough for a million. I love her. I miss her more than I can ever say. I wish I was there with her her final day. I wish I had brought her here, part of me, so I could have maybe caught the illness faster... but I don't know that it would have done anything....

<3 oh dinky dog, you made me so happy...

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Permalink Reply by Geri & Sidney on September 5, 2009 at 7:33pm

Molly, I'm so sorry to hear about Dinky. I know it's so hard to say goodbye :'( I'm crying with you too.

Here is the Legend of the Rainbow Bridge. It always makes me feel better when I get sad about a furry friend who has passed on.

Rainbow Bridge

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

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Permalink Reply by Beth on September 5, 2009 at 8:19pm

I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your childhood friends. The ones we grow up with are special in a way the others, no matter how loved, cannot be.

She'll always be alive in your heart.

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Permalink Reply by Jane Christensen on September 5, 2009 at 10:37pm

You have some wonderful memories of Dinky to keep in your heart and we know how you are hurting...may you find peace!
Just think of the wonderful life she had because of you compared to her beginning...you saved her and gave her love...

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Permalink Reply by John Wolff on September 6, 2009 at 12:22am

Whenever we love somebody, we open ourselves to being hurt. Can't be otherwise. It can't last forever, it won't, and when you love someone, it doesn't have to.
It might help to think of everything you meant to that dog, what you gave her, what she gave you. That is a real creation. It's easier to accept things when you have no choice. Celebrate what you created between the two of you.

I don't like to think about it, but I've already told Al & Gwynn to wait for me (or vice versa) down there in White River Canyon at that log crossing under the rainbow, and then we'll go up Lightning Creek, Thunder Basin, Gerdine Ridge, Glacier Peak, back to Foam Basin, and anyplace else we want to go.

Rainbow Bridge

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Permalink Reply by Julia on September 6, 2009 at 1:08am

Molly,

My children grew up with a very special dog, Winston. He was my special dog, too. My three boys grew up, and moved on to their own lives, as is right. Winston was always at home, waiting for them.

When Winston was diagnosed with cancer, we were told he would probably live through the summer, without difficult and painful treatment that may not work. They all agreed it would be best not to put him through that. However, Winston did not last two weeks after that. None of the boys made it home to say goodbye. I worried so much about them. How would they feel, not having had a chance to say goodbye?

As it turned out, I said my goodbyes to my dear Winston. The boys remembered him as they had last seen him. My memory is very sad. He was no longer himself, as if he were no longer there inside his poor, poor body that could no longer stand or walk, or even recognize me. But my children had Winston the Beaginator in their minds and hearts. And the Beaginator was one awesome creature! He will ALWAYS be top dog in their memories!

It sounds like Dinky was one awesome dog, too. A great memory, as well. If she was ill enough to need to go to sleep, then she probably just wanted to sleep. My soul mate Winston seemed not to recognize me on that last day. He had already moved on. Dinky may have moved on already also. That you were not there on the last day may be a great grief to you now, but you were there when it counted. And she was there when it counted for you. That last day is far from the most important day in a dog's life. And far from the best way for a dog to be remembered.

You have written a very moving memorial to your little Dinky. Print it. Keep it. Wiinie's vet sent me a plaster cast of his pawprint, and a certificate of a donation to a charity in his name. I kept his collar and these things in a wooden box. They can be a comfort to you. Add pictures, other memorials. Hold on to the box every day until you don't have to anymore, then put it away somewhere safe. You can keep it forever.

With love,
Julia

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Permalink Reply by MollyJo on September 6, 2009 at 1:28am

Thank you. That brought tears to my eyes. I know that it probably is best that I didn't see her as thin as my mom said she got, and as lethargic as it sounded she was. The last time I saw her was in april when my boyfriend, tegan, and I drove home to visit. We laughed cause she kept "cutting the cheese" all night long in the bed and looking at us like, "What?! I'm old!" ha!
She did have a good life with us, and I am happy I have really great memories with her that I will always hold close to my heart. It's hard to think that next time I go home she won't be there to growl at me like she's giving me a hard time for not visiting more often, while wagging her little nub.
The photo John posted was beautiful as well. I heard the legend of the rainbow bridge when my mom's soul mate dog died, and it always stuck with me. Sounds like a pretty nice place to wait for your friends to join you and play.

I talked to my dad and he also had some great insight. He cried, he loved her just as much as I did. We had a close bond with her cause she'd work on the ranch with us. Any time I wasn't in bed I was watching/"helping" my dad out on the ranch while he fixed things. She'd ride with us to home depot, feed store, etc, she LOVED car rides. :) But he said to me today that it's hard having animals because they don't live long enough, but he thought this was so we could have many many animal friends who help us along in our lives. Each one gets a special place in our hearts just for them.... I liked that.

Tegan is getting cuddled all day, he seems to know something is wrong and literally hasn't left me alone since I came home from work. They really do read our emotions so well.. heh.

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