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I had planned on another post here today, but late yesterday Margaret and I had a mad rush to the vets with our Beautiful English Springer Spaniel, Cocoa.
Everyone loved her that saw her and she was still just a puppy at one year, four months and eight days old.
She had been ill for about a week and had been to the vets twice during the week already and was on lots of medication and seemed to be getting a little better by Thursday, but sadly our little Princess died just before we could get though the traffic to the one in Clayton-Le-Moors on Saturday afternoon. I don’t think she would have lived even if we had however, as she became so poorly.
Margaret and I had alternated sleeping downstairs with Cocoa all week and on Thursday and Friday she seemed to be a little better, but on Saturday morning she looked really poorly again and Margaret contacted the vets once more.
She was a very brave puppy and never once bothered, although she was obviously so ill. We are both so proud of her when even to the end she held herself regally, which is why we called her “Our Little Princess.”
We’ll never get to see her have her one litter of puppies, which we both had thought would be nice for her, as she was such a beautiful puppy, I’ll never get to call out “Cocoa Doggy”, or “Gun Dog” again and Margaret will never again take her to Witton Park and have her jump into her favourite river the Blakewater, which runs through the park. But even though she was only a part of our family for such a short space of time with years ahead of her, so we thought, she gave more love than some human friends can give in a lifetime of knowing. And she knew she was well loved by all of us here including her doggy friends, especially her best friend, Bella, our little border collie and my own Bentley “Bogtrotter”.
When she died she was in the arms of the one who loved her the most, my wife, Margaret, who is devastated by her death.
We said our tearful goodbyes inside the vets, but we have some very lovely memories of our little dog and we will treasure them always.
I’ll never get to honour my promise of taking her for a nice walk in the woods when she got better, but maybe, if there is a heaven, then I can do so when it is my turn to leave this world. For now, I hope Jack looks after her for us as he celebrates his 93rd birthday today amongst the Heavens.
We miss you already, sweetheart and will love you always.
Goodnight little precious.
Love Mum and Dad...
xxx
August 29th 2010
14 comments:
I was very sorry to read that post Tim. Pets are part of the family. I know how you feel mate. Although Cocoa only had a short life I know it would have been a happy one due to yourself and Margaret, true pet lovers, showing her the affection that she deserved. Take care both.
Hi Lew,
Thanks so much for the kind words, it really means a lot to us.
It really is a very sad time for us at the moment, especially for Margaret.
I am sure your words will go some way to comforting her when I tell her.
Thanks again,
Best,
Tim...
("j)
Sorry for your loss Tim, having lost quite a few pets over the years myself I can sympathise, it is like losing a family member. I'm sure every 'dog year' she lived was a happy and loving one with you all.
All the best,
Si
Tim,
May God give you the power to overcome the loss.
A Pet lover myself, We've had the horror of losing one of our beloved Pets in Nov 2008 and even now, am unable to overcome that loss.
Kindly take good care of Margaret as it leaves a mental scare on those when they see their pets die in their own hands unable to do anything on that.
My Father served Indian Army and took part in 2 wars bravely; but he broke down the moment our pet died and he was there unable to do anything. That was one of the rare moments i saw him breaking down.
Only a Pet lover can understand the loss of yours.
Take care.
Thanks Simon,
I haven't stopped thinking about her since that sad moment, when we knew she was gone and I know for Margaret it is far worse.
I keep trying to tell myself she was so loved for the short time she was in this world, but I still miss her and like I say Margaret is so upset about her loss.
It helps that so many people have contacted us via email, and with comments here on the Blog and on FaceBook and the like with such caring thoughts.
I saw the sun set last evening and thought of Cocoa and I watched the sun come up today and thought about her too.
In the short time we knew her she managed to leave such an indelible mark on our lives.
Thanks again.
Best,
Tim...
("j)
Hi King Viswa,
That is so kind of you to share with us.
I will do everything I can to try and ease Margaret's pain. Thanks for mentioning this.
I am sorry to hear your father also had to deal with this kind of event.
I am sure Cocoa was in the perfect arms, as she left this world, but wonder now should we just have stayed at home and cuddled her together there until she left us.
We thought we may be able to get help for her and I guess it was the only real course of action for us.
The happy memories will hopefully overcome these sad ones, just like the happy vibes and good thoughts and wishes coming to us from all angles from those we know and those whom we know only via the Internet.
We are so pleased to know there are many people out there sharing this with us and you get a sense of Cocoa's personality with us by seeing the affect her short life had on us.
Thanks again for your kindness.
Best,
Tim...
("j)
Hi Tim,
At times such as this one always has regrets, thinking "if only". It's all a natural part of grief. Had she died at home you may now be thinking you should have taken her to the vet. You did the best, and only, course of action a dog lover could; trying to save her life. Don't blame yourselves. You and Margaret are the kind of people that any pet would be lucky to have as owners. You gave Cocoa 100%. No one could have given more.
Hi Lew,
You are a 100% fantastic human being mate.
Your words during this last few days have been both touching and have helped me on a personal level too.
Thanks for just being around, mate.
I am amazed at all the support we have seen these past, sad, few days.
Thanks again.
Best,
Tim...
("j)
This is one of those really sad things ... I don't think everyone understands how much pets become a part of your family, even after what seems like a very short while. You guys had a fantastic one year, four months and eight days which is even longer in dog years. I hope you both keep your chin up as it can be like any other grief or loss. Are you taking your wife to Malta with you next month? That might help cheer her up ... Such a lovely place - and plenty of stray cats around Valletta needing a scratch (just make sure they don't scratch you back).
- Chris
Hi Chris,
Thanks for your kind words.
I agree the trip would do her good.
Thanks again for dropping by.
Best,
Tim...
("j)
Hi there, I was just having a wander through some blogs and came across yours. I saw your post about your beautiful spaniel, Cocoa, and just wanted to say how sad I am for you and your wife. Reading your post brought tears to my eyes. I have a springer too and they are such a joy to be around. It will get easier with time and at least you have over a years worth of memories with her. Take care, Rachel.
Hi Rachel,
Thanks for you very kind words here.
It is so nice to hear from folks who have taken the time out to write to us.
Thanks again.
Best Wishes,
Tim...
("j)
I know how you feel. I called the vet out to my house when my German Shepherd, ZARA, was poorly, and was advised that she should be put to sleep. I was told there was no other option, so reluctantly agreed. She was lying on my bed, and when the vet came into the room, ZARA looked at him - looked at me - then licked my hand and lay down her head.
She would not die when the lethal injection was administered, and the apologetic vet had to go out to his car to get another one. Eventually she breathed her last, but despite the vet's assurances, I've always wondered if I did the right thing.
I had her privately cremated at a place called Elysium Fields, and it was four years before I could scatter her ashes in my back garden.
People who aren't pet owners usually think animal lovers overreact to their pet's deaths, but it really is like losing a member of the family.
I can certainly relate, and I hope the pain passes and your memories of Cocoa remain only happy ones.
Hi Kid,
Thanks for taking time out to share that with me.
I am sure that, like as already been said here, you did the right thing at the time.
We always question whether what we did, or did not do was the right thing to do, but I suppose that is just part of what makes us human beings.
I have heard from others about the injection not working straight away, but with our first dog, Elric, it was almost instantaneous, but it didn't make it any easier for us, even so.
We didn't know about having them cremated at the time, so never had Elric's ashes returned to us, which is a regret now, certainly for me, but we had both Elvis and Cocoa privately cremated and they are both back with us now.
Whenever Margaret and I revisit the places we have taken our dogs the memories come to the fore and like you say they are happy ones.
Thanks again for dropping by and like your wishes for us here I hope your pain too is replaced by happy memories.
Best,
Tim...
("j)
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