It has been 2 days now. I can't believe my beloved Daisy is gone. She was my best friend--- she was my daughter. I've been told that ##er Spaniels take to only one or two people. She took to both me and my husband, but I know she and I had a bond like no other. She was always by my side, no matter what. She was so spunky and playful. She was only a year and three months old. I can't believe she only had such a short time to live. I have three other dogs, one other house dog and two outside dogs. Trixie, the other house dog (whom I also love dearly) had been with us for quite a while longer than Daisy, but Daisy was just one of those dogs that left a profound imprint on my life and my heart. I came home Thursday and let her and Trixie out like I always do. I want them to be outside as much as they can when it is pretty so they can play with Buster and Roscoe and have fun being furkids. I try to keep an eye on them as much as possible. I was doing some stuff around the house and I thought to myself, "I better let them in before one of them gets hit." So I opened the door and Trixie was waiting for me. She came on in. I looked out at the road and Daisy was lying in it. For a moment I just thought she was laying down. I yelled her name and she didn't move. I knew one of my worst fears had come true. It has been very hard these last few days. I know I didn't have her that long, but she meant the world to me. I fell in love with her from the first day I saw her. My husband and I both blame ourselves. I should have let them in the house sooner. I should have watched her closer. My husband bought one of those underground fences that shocks them if they try to go past it. We hadn't put it in yet. He thinks it's his fault because he hadn't done that. It is very hard. We are both angry and upset that whoever hit her didn't bother to stop and tell us. And there is a big coincidence about the whole thing. The day she was killed (March 23) is the one-year anniversary of the day that we adopted her from the pound. I miss her following me around everywhere. I miss her chewing my shoes up. I miss her barking at the stove, the trashcan, and balloons. I miss her sleeping with us at night. I miss the way she looks up at me as if saying "I love you mama." Hopefully the immense pain we feel in our hearts will not last forever. Right now we are trying to focus on giving Trixie lots of attention. We don't want her to grieve herself to death. Last night I bought a packet of Daisy seeds to plant on her grave. It just seemed appropriate.

I am so sorry for your loss. Having experienced my own loss recently, I can fully understand what you are going through. I know you are feeling guilty. But, sometimes people and/or animals are meant to be here only for a short amount of time. Trust that Daisy felt no pain. Trust that she was happily running and playing. Nothing can fill this void, I know. Take the time you need. Don't let anyone belittle your feelings. Think about the fact that you rescued her from the pound. Animals there have a limited amount of time, you saved her life then. Take solice in that and in how much she was loved.
-Chris

Thank you so much. I can't believe how much better I feel just by visiting this site. I appreciate what you said. I do believe that we gave her a great life--our babies are spoiled rotten. I still feel immense pain and think about it all the time, but I know that it is all part of the grieving process. I like the Rainbow Bridge. I had never heard of that before, but it makes me feel better to know that Daisy is running and playing and free of pain. That is what she always loved to do. My prayers are with you all. Thanks again.

Dear Daisy's Mama,

I'm so sorry for your loss!!!

When I read your story, my heart just dropped when I read the part about her lying in the road. Yours must have dropped right through the floor.

I agree with what Chris said about it being her time. And please don't blame yourselves!!! We all do---there are things we feel we should have/could have done differently. But remember, as Chris said too, that you saved a very lucky girl from the pound and gave her a year of joy . You sound like such wonderful parents.

March 23rd---her day of adoption and her day of passing. Wow. Maybe that symbolizes her dates of "higher passing"---first into the joyful world of your home, then into the even-more-joyful realm where she is now, and where you will be reunited with her when it's your time.

By the way, March 23rd, 2004, is the date that I made the decision to have my Little Girl put to sleep (if she didn't pass peacefully on her own. So her actual date of passing was March 24, 2004).

I found a lot of comfort in this site, too. When I first lost my Little Girl, I "lived" on this site. Even having the computer on, especially throughout the night, and just being here gave me comfort, because I knew I was among like-minded souls, all here experiencing the same feelings.

Take care of yourselves, and let us know how you are doing. You're in my thoughts and prayers.

Kathy

p.s. I love the Daisy seeds and I'm so touched by your devotion to making sure your other furkids don't grieve too much.

i am so sorry for your loss. i understand exactly the feelings you are going through. one week ago, my boyfriend and i lost our basset hound baby, fred. i came out to let him in, and found that he had fallen into the pool and drowned. my heart felt like it literally broke inside of me. now, im up nights wondering what if, and it drives me crazy. i have found comfort in this website and being able to talk about it helps. please accept the deepest sympathies and prayers from a mom who knows exactly how you feel.

Thank you all so much for your kind words and prayers. This site has been such a blessing to me. I can't believe how much it has helped me deal with the loss, and I never imagined there were so many people out there like me who love their furbabies as deeply as I do. My thoughts and prayers are still with you all!

I miss my baby girl too. She was hit by a car April 6th, and they did not stop. I still see the image of her lying in the road, and I keep crying. I also feel guilty, as we were in the process of getting an undergroung fence. She was the sweetest dog ever, slept next me, was so happy when I came home, listened to me when I needed to talk. How do we cope with this? I feel so lost. I just keep saying I want her back. We had her for only 10 short months, but she was such a big part of our lives, I will miss her dearly.
I can not forgive myself for what happened, I feel that it is my fault, because I am her owner and I am the one who was to keep her safe, I can't stop crying.

Our stories sound so similar! I try not to think about that day so much, but every once in a while I get that image of her lying there lifeless. It is very hard, but trust me, it does get better. There's not a day that goes by that I don't think about her. However, the thoughts tend to get sweeter. I don't think about the tragedy as much now as I think about the good times we had together. She was and will always be my baby, but I am even contemplating getting another ##er Spaniel. I didn't think I could ever do it because I felt like I would be trying to replace Daisy. But the other day I got to play with a ##er puppy and it just brought back all the tremendous love and happiness I felt with her here. So I think we are going to get another one.
Don't worry--the emptiness won't last forever. She will always be in your heart, but I'm sure you (like most pet lovers) have a big heart that has plenty of room for other furbabies. Hang in there, and feel free to talk to me anytime.