I just wanted to post apicture of my little buddy Pookie. It was taken about a month before he just couldn't go on any more. I still find it difficult when I think of him, which is why I haven't posted since joining. I just read other's story and look for strength.

Hi Pookies dad,

Pookie looks wonderful, is that the beginning of a show of teeth?

I hope in time you’ll be able to share your story with us, we know
its painful but I guess that’s how we start to let go of a little of that pain.

I wish you and your family well

Love Sue

Pookie's Dad,

He was adorable ... I love that look on his face in this picture. I'm sorry for your loss ... time will help heal the broken heart a bit ... I wish brighter days ahead for you.

Hugs,
Beth

This is Pookie's story in brief form.
When my first wife was dying of cancer, I wanted her to have a companion while I was at work. We searched the local shelters since I will only rescue pets. One day we were at the local shelter when our, then 2 1/2 year old grand daughter came running to us all excited. We followed her to be greeted by Pookie sitting alone in a small cage looking sad and dejected. He was 2 years old and had been turned in by breeders who did not want to be bothered any more.
When the attendant took him out and handed him to my wife, he immediately wagged his tail, "smiled" and licked her face. We took him home.
He was always by my wife's side. He laid with her on the couch. Slept between us in bed. Followed her wherever she went. Ultimately, he was next to her when she died about a year later.
He was the one who kept me company when my grief was unbearable. He grieved with me and only asked that I love him and care for him. He asked no questions and never said it will be OK. He kept me sane.
When I met my present wife, he took to her right away. We would sit together and he would have to be right between us. He had to be able to have contact with both of us. She fell in love with him before she loved me.
When I started traveling a lot for work, he kept her company. He was a companion again to someone I loved when I couldn't be there.
Time went on and he aged. He had always had a heart murmer. When he started coughing at 10 years old, the Vet put him on lasix to reduce fluid in his chest. He had his first episode of congestive heart failure 2 weeks after that.
We took him to a cardiologist, she put him on a number of medications. He seemed to be doing OK and then had another episode of failure. The medication was increased and he was fine for a couple of months. He had the third episode. I knew that he could not go on, but she stabalized him and we took him home once more.
He kept getting slower and less responsive. All he did was sleep. He would get up to eat, he loved his food, and go out, but that was it. Then he perked up and was himself for about a month. He had another episode of heart failure.
We took him to the Vet again knowing it was the last time. He couldn't breath and just kept looking at us like he just wanted it to end.
We let him go.
His ashes are now on the table next to where he is sitting in the picture.
He gave me 8 1/2 years of joy. He seldom barked, loved everyone and was the perfect dog for us. I always said he was the kid that never talked back.
We know we will eventually get another dog, but nothing could ever replace our little Pookie. He was the best.
Thanks for your kind words.
Pookie's Dad

I guess Pookie was about to show his teeth, in a beautiful bright smile.

You were blessed by God to have had such a wonderful loving member of the family and now God and your first wife must be giving him his rewards.

Love Sue

Hi Pookie's Dad:

The first thing that came to mind after I looked at your beautiful Pookie's picture, is, "DEVOTION". And, after I read all the posts, and your post on 2/26/2004, I guess my thought was correct.
Pookie touched the heart of your (then) 2 & 1/2 yr. old grand-daughter, and it seems he was the perfect fit for your family. I don't have any children, but they are very wise, I think....
I am sorry for the loss of Pookie, but the love you showed in "letting him go" was a very selfless act.. We don't want our beloved animals to suffer, and I TRULY BELIEVE that Pookie is up above the clouds, over Rainbow's Bridge, and playing with all the other "furbabies", amongst the flowers & grass, etc.... No more pain.
My Ernestine was put to sleep 3 weeks ago, today. I actually thought it was two weeks, but, it's 3 weeks.
Ben & I want to adopt a couple of "furbabies"; probably the end of March.
No one ever can replace our Ernestine, but, it will be lots of fun to adopt a couple of cats who need a home; complete with their own personalities.....
The silence in our apartment is deafening.
God Bless you, Pookie's Dad.... We'll talk again.

Love, Denise

I was asked if Pookie was beginning to show his teeth in his posted picture.
Alas, no he was not. By the time the picture was taken, he was not smiling anymore.
He was too sick, tired and medicated to really do much at all.
He would sleep, eat (his favorite thing), go out for his needed functions and snuggle.
The one thing that I am grateful for, is that he ate his dinner right before his last heart attack.
I always feel a little better when I remember that he crossed the "Rainbow Bridge" with a full belly.
At least he did not ask to eat right away when he greeted his first mommy in heaven.
It still hurts. It has been 3 months and it still hurts.
Of course, the loss of my first wife 8 years ago still hurts at times.
It is a good thing my second wife understands her place in my heart.
Well, I am rambling. Not a good thing to do.
I'll be posting again when I get a chance.

awww (((((( pookies dad ))))))))) he was a darling little chihuahua (one of my favorite types of dogs!)
I felt like that too (about the full belly)
We had to put Delilah down and I made sure I brought some breaded chicken (and some birthday cake!) in a little container. I stuffed her right before we went in - I was a mess, I swear. Holding that little dog, crying uncontrollably, shoving chicken in her face. She gobbled it right up though, so for that I'm grateful. I thought the same thing you did, how about that?!
I'm sorry, too, for the loss of your wife - reading that the other day made me sad for your losses. The human heart has an amazing capacity to stretch and accommodate new people and pets to love though, doesn't it? While your present wife can't replace your first wife, she's certainly as loved and cherished, although in different ways. So it is with our animals - no one can replace the one who's gone away, but there will be new things to love about the new pet. Maybe some day you will feel your heart is ready to let a new pet take ownership of a small portion of it. That will be the most fitting tribute to Pookie - that you've allowed yourself to love again!
God bless you -
Lori

Pookie's Dad,
So sorry for your loss. He was such a handsome little guy. He reminds me of my beloved cat PK. My wife had been in a serious automobile accident. She spent over a month confined to a hospital bed they set up in our home. He spent most of the day with her while I was working. She often said she would have went stir crazy without his company. Fortunately she recovered but he went to Rainbow Bridge almost four years later. He too had come from an animal shelter. He was a white Persian and was so scruffy all I could say when my wife gave him to me was "poor kitty". Hence his name.
It is hard to give up a friend, especially one who has comforted an ill family member. They live in our hearts forever until we reunite with them for eternity.

I had to smile when I looked at this picture of precious Pookie!!
You were such a wonderful Dad, and Pookie knows this and wants you to be ok while you live the rest of your life here on earth. You guys will be reunited, and in the meantime Pookie is experiencing something like a real blissful dream--you know how that feels? Only Pookie's is real--and knows no boundaries of time and space. I definitely believe there's no sadness or pain.

Sending you strength and love,
Little Girl's Mommy, Kathy