May I please tell you about our beloved beagle, Corky? He died today at roughly 4:00 pm, after a long and happy life (15+ years).

(My avatar BTW is of Phoenix, our black lab we lost last April 30th - she was Corky's best friend - I'll have to have Corky's picture scanned).

Mr. Corky was a beautiful beagle, he had coordinated "ticking" to go along with his tan and black spots. He was our "gentle man" and all he wanted was to be loved. Corky loved "nubby balls" - those nylon things you buy to clean their teeth. He loved to chew on Phoenix's legs (never did know what that was all about). He went downhill fast after Phoenix died last April and it would break my heart to see him searching for her. They're together now.

Corky was approx. 15 years old - we had taken him in in 1992 and had almost 13 wonderful years with him. He loved to irritate Dawson, and he loved to bay.

In the last year, Corky had really bad eye sight, he got confused, he had arthritis, he would just stop in the middle of the floor and stare off into space. But, he still was mobile, he still had a hearty appetite, he still wanted his cookies every night.

This past week, he started losing his bowels and then yesterday he hardly showed any interest in his dinner or breakfast - that's when we knew it really was time to send him on to be with Phoenix.

He went to sleep peacefully and then he was gone. I have read some of the horror stories on here of botched euthanasia's and I am so THANKFUL we have not experienced that one time (we've put down 4 dogs now - we have 5 left).

I'm also grateful that we had a long goodbye with Corky - he wasn't wrenched from us like Phoenix was.

I love you my corny bug. Please give Duke, Spike, and Phoenix a kiss for me.

Dear Jan,

My sympathy to you on the loss of your beloved Corky and Phoenix. You've come to the best place..............LS has the most wonderful, caring people who know just what you're going through.

Thinking of you.

Lynn

Dear Jan, so sorry to hear about your sad loss of dear Corky. I'm glad he went peacefully, and didn't have to endure a long illness or worse, although that doesn't lessen the heartache, emptiness & pain that we have to endure when they do pass on. But it was his time to go. You gave him a long & very happy life, I'm sure of that, and as you say, at least he will be together with Phoenix now, scampering in the sunshine! You are in my thoughts,
Elsie

I think of the people whom I have seen pass, and the experiences I have heard of, the most meaningful people in ones life seem to come to them in thier last hours they see them, they hear them. I would like to think it is the same for our animals, they form strong bonds. And as with people who have been together many yrs, to pass at a time that is close together. I hope you find some comfort in this. Pamela

Dear Jan,
Thank you for sharing your story of Corky and Phoenix.
You have my deepest sympathy for your losses.
I am glad that Corky's passing was peaceful.
It does sound as if you gave him a wonderful life.
I'm pleased you found LS. There are wondeful and kind people here. We have all experienced loss and support one
another. Please come and share more about your beloved pets.
Thinking of you,
Fran

Hi Jan, I am so sorry that now your precious Corky has left you. I think I remember you saying after Phoenix left this world you were afraid Corky would be next. It is wonderful that he lived a long life. I'm sure they are both together running and playing and waiting for you. Although our hearts are broken it is a comfort to know they will be waiting for us to come to them when it is our time.
Love, Ann

Hi Jan,
I just now saw your post. As I scrolled down the page, I saw your name and realized before I went into the thread that it was you, my old friend, Jan. I am so sorry to see you have now lost your baby Corky also. Two of them in less than a year -- I know how that is. My thoughts and prayers are with you tonight. I know Corky had a huge, wonderful welcome when he got to see all of his old friends again, and I'm sure they are playing in the sunshine now. I know that doesn't really help much right now because I know how it hurts so very, very much. Again, I am so sorry. Please email or PM me if you would like to talk.
Love,
Marcia

Thank you all so much for your prayers and your comfort.

You know, I truly am at peace with Corky's passing (and that's exactly what it is - a passing to the next life, not an ending). That's what I told my DH on Friday (while crying), that we're sending him on his way - it's not an ending.

I think I'm so much more at peace with Corky's passing than with Phoenix's passing because we had a looooooooong goodbye with Corky - we've seen this coming for over a year, whereas Phoenix was only 10 and she was wrenched from us with no warning, in under a week.

Please be assured that all you are in my thoughts and prayers. I want more than anything for all of y'all to have peace about your baby's passing. I am a believer in Jesus Christ - that faith has surely held me up and He has given me His peace. There is not a single doubt in my mind that our babies do NOT end when we have to make the horrible decision. They go on to another life.

I love you all - I truly do. Please know that I don't post alot but I come here and read a lot and I pray and sometimes cry with you.

Dogs are my life - they're my children, and my heart (cats would be too but unfortunately I'm allergic to them).

Please feel free to PM me or even e-mail me (I think my address is made public).



Jan (mom to Dawson, Molly, Pepper, Alfie, Keesha - and to my babies who have passed over - Duke, Spike, Phoenix, Corky).