On January 18, my 15 year old Keeshond, Kaala, died. I found a great deal of support here, and you helped me through that period of profound grief and hurt. In my story, I had noted that I had lost all 3 of my beloved pups over 18 months. I did not mention that, at the time of Kaala's death, I was boarding another Keesie, named Keesha, for a family who were building a new home. 9 year old Keesha and Kaala were friends, and would engage in their favorite recreational activity (lounging around) together for hours. They slept together, ate together and (of course) lounged around together.
After Kaala died, Keesha refused to enter our bedroom, where Kaala died. Whoever says animals don't understand death is simply wrong.
Anyway, in March of this year, Keesha returned to new home with her family. I was relieved, actually, to see her go... she was almost identical to Kaala, and was a constant reminder of my loss. So, all was happily resolved, right? Wrong. A month ago, my daughter got a call from Keesha's "mom". Seems that since she returned to her family, she had changed... she moped around, her appetite was down, she was loosing weight. Worst of all, she had started urinating in the house... their brand new house with hardwood floors and expensive carpet. They were going to take Keesha to the local animal shelter in a few days.
What was I to do? Of course I called and said that I would take her! Perhaps she had a UTI, or some other medical reason for becoming incontenent. I would take her, run her to the vet, and then we would know what to do. From the moment we got home, however, she perked up. She ate. She explored. AND SHE DID NOT PEE IN THE HOUSE. There has not been a single accident since she came back. It's clear that she had given her family a message... she wanted to come home.
It's also interesting that, while she will now come into my bedroom, to sleep at the side of my bed, she WILL NOT go to the foot of the bed... where she and Kaala used to sleep. Seems that she considers that a sacred spot.
I'm glad she's back...
See? Angels DO exist!
Full Version: Things Have A Way Of Working Out
QUOTE
"From the moment we got home, however, she perked up. She ate. She explored. AND SHE DID NOT PEE IN THE HOUSE."
Yes, it is clear, Keesha has happily returned to her humble abode.
What a very, very beautiful furdog......and I am very happy that she has returned to her home!!!
God Bless you & may you have several years together, as a family!!!!
I've always believed in Angels......My little niece used to say, when she was younger, that: "everyone has a beautiful Angel on each shoulder".......
Peace, Love & Happiness, Always!!
Denise
What a wonderful story. I am so happy for Keesha and you and your family.
Yes, she is home now. You are her home. May you both be blessed.
countertrey--what a neat thing to log on and see a "success story!!" --I am really happy for you and keesha--you have an angel on your side...!! 
Bless her heart! She is an angel! I'm so glad you have her in your life! And I know Kaala is glad too!
Well, it's not quite 4 years. Nothing lasts forever.
I just returned home from euthanizing Keesha... I'm shattered.
I don't know if I can ever do this again.
My heart has many holes... ow!
I just returned home from euthanizing Keesha... I'm shattered.
I don't know if I can ever do this again.
My heart has many holes... ow!
What a horrible time for you, what a break into your great big heart 
Please find comfort with the knowledge that you listened to your Keesha when she
made it clear that her new house wasn't her home and that you just knew her home was with you and your great big wonderful heart. Keesha sounds like she was a very bright and naturally an extremely sensitive dog, I read all of your thread and I am grateful for her that you were her best and I mean this adjective in all it's interpretations,her BEST friend.
It will be very empty for you, take in the quiet, listen to the wind and you will realize Keesha shares a place with you, forever in your care, forever in your heart. Be gentle especially with yourself, because Keesha will always feel your love.
Please find comfort with the knowledge that you listened to your Keesha when she
made it clear that her new house wasn't her home and that you just knew her home was with you and your great big wonderful heart. Keesha sounds like she was a very bright and naturally an extremely sensitive dog, I read all of your thread and I am grateful for her that you were her best and I mean this adjective in all it's interpretations,her BEST friend.
It will be very empty for you, take in the quiet, listen to the wind and you will realize Keesha shares a place with you, forever in your care, forever in your heart. Be gentle especially with yourself, because Keesha will always feel your love.
Dearest Countertrey, one of my best friends had a Keeshond. I remember when she bought the puppy home. I loved this dog to death, although I'm primarily a cat lover. My point is that anyone thinkig animals do not feel loss are just plain stupid. African elephants see the bones of another elephant on their jorneys, and they lift the bones, and smell them. You know they are experirencing loss, and grief.
I have a pic of my friends dog somehwere here, I will post it when I find it.
Funny story, I was driving down the street one day, and looked over to see two dogs walking down a major street in the next town over. Low, and behold it was my friends dog, walking with another dog they were side by side. It was as if they were having a conversation, while they were walking. I wish I had a cell phone on me to record this it was so cute. I called my friend to tell her that I thought I saw her dog , and she told me that he did get out of the back yard.
Sadly I forgot her dogs name, but it will come to me. They are amazing dogs, I'm so glad you have Keesha, I'm sure the family is a good family. However, they wanted to take her straight to the shelter, no investagation as to why she was urinating? I adopted a cat who would urinate in my bed, I kept her anyways. I taught her to pee on a area rug that I kept plastc under. Keesha is one lucky dog to have you. Keesha did not want to be with the other family any longer, her heart was with you my friend.
I'm so sorry for your loss of Kaala, but when a window closes, another opens.
Take Care
I have a pic of my friends dog somehwere here, I will post it when I find it.
Funny story, I was driving down the street one day, and looked over to see two dogs walking down a major street in the next town over. Low, and behold it was my friends dog, walking with another dog they were side by side. It was as if they were having a conversation, while they were walking. I wish I had a cell phone on me to record this it was so cute. I called my friend to tell her that I thought I saw her dog , and she told me that he did get out of the back yard.
Sadly I forgot her dogs name, but it will come to me. They are amazing dogs, I'm so glad you have Keesha, I'm sure the family is a good family. However, they wanted to take her straight to the shelter, no investagation as to why she was urinating? I adopted a cat who would urinate in my bed, I kept her anyways. I taught her to pee on a area rug that I kept plastc under. Keesha is one lucky dog to have you. Keesha did not want to be with the other family any longer, her heart was with you my friend.
I'm so sorry for your loss of Kaala, but when a window closes, another opens.
Take Care
Words cannot express just how much I want to help ease the pain and grief you are now experiencing as a result of your recent loss of Keesha.
You can be rest assured that Kaala was there to greet Keesha when she passed from this earth and into God's loving hands. The holes that are in your heart will fill in with time. Your loving memories of both Kaala and Keesha will make your heart whole again.
May your aching heart be blessed with peace, comfort, and love.
You can be rest assured that Kaala was there to greet Keesha when she passed from this earth and into God's loving hands. The holes that are in your heart will fill in with time. Your loving memories of both Kaala and Keesha will make your heart whole again.
May your aching heart be blessed with peace, comfort, and love.
I appreciate the kind words. I don't know if anyone noticed the link in my post from yesterday... it is here (re-t*itled). Please click it to see my very first post, about loosing Kaala, Meeko and Shannon.
My first post <<< Click here
This story is important, in order to understand what I am about to say. I consider it proof that dogs both LOVE, and that they MOURN their own losses... I hope it's not too hard to follow.
Meeko of that first post had also been raised by the previous owners of Keesha. My daughter took Meeko, because he was, apparently, a little too excitable for that family (he was energetic!) Meeko lived with us for 3 years, however, he and Keesha had not seen each other since Meek moved in with us. One of the things we were excited about when we were preparing to board Keesh was that she and Meek would see each other... Unfortunately, Meek died suddenly before Keesh moved in. They did not get to cross paths again.
Dogs were never of much interest to Keesh. She could care less. She ignored them completely. No barking. No tail wagging. No sniffing introductions. Nothing.
Christmas, 2006, I drove, with my wife and Keesha, to visit my son and his family, in Ft. Knox, Kentucky. It was a wonderful Christmas. He has a pack of dogs, himself.
On the way home to Maine, we stopped at an artisan's villiage along I 75, just south of Richmond, KY (we were taking the long way home). My wife went into the shop, while I prepared to let Keesh take care of her personal needs, and to get some water.
I placed her on the ground, and we began to walk towards the dog walk area, when she stopped. I noticed two things... 1, she was intently watching something and 2, her tail was wagging furiously. KEESH RARELY WAGGED HER TAIL, AND THAT WAS RARELY MORE THAN A CURSORY WELCOME HOME that was reserved for me. What could possibly have my canine curmudgeon so enthralled??? I looked up, just as she began to bark frantically... and saw a beautiful American Eskimo dog, that bore a strong resemblance to her friend, Meeko! He was close enough to be able to smell by that time... and she realized that this was not who she thought it was. She quieted, and looked sadly at me. She no longer wanted to walk, and she tried to lead me to the truck. I had a lump in my throat and had to fight back tears myself, for a moment. How sad that was. I hurt for my little Keesh...
These are sensitive, feeling creatures. I take some comfort knowing that she is now with her friend... but, I sure miss her (and him, and all of my lost pups)
Thanks for listening.
Keesh:
Meeko:
Kaala (smiling):
Keesh and Kaala:
My first post <<< Click here
This story is important, in order to understand what I am about to say. I consider it proof that dogs both LOVE, and that they MOURN their own losses... I hope it's not too hard to follow.
Meeko of that first post had also been raised by the previous owners of Keesha. My daughter took Meeko, because he was, apparently, a little too excitable for that family (he was energetic!) Meeko lived with us for 3 years, however, he and Keesha had not seen each other since Meek moved in with us. One of the things we were excited about when we were preparing to board Keesh was that she and Meek would see each other... Unfortunately, Meek died suddenly before Keesh moved in. They did not get to cross paths again.
Dogs were never of much interest to Keesh. She could care less. She ignored them completely. No barking. No tail wagging. No sniffing introductions. Nothing.
Christmas, 2006, I drove, with my wife and Keesha, to visit my son and his family, in Ft. Knox, Kentucky. It was a wonderful Christmas. He has a pack of dogs, himself.
On the way home to Maine, we stopped at an artisan's villiage along I 75, just south of Richmond, KY (we were taking the long way home). My wife went into the shop, while I prepared to let Keesh take care of her personal needs, and to get some water.
I placed her on the ground, and we began to walk towards the dog walk area, when she stopped. I noticed two things... 1, she was intently watching something and 2, her tail was wagging furiously. KEESH RARELY WAGGED HER TAIL, AND THAT WAS RARELY MORE THAN A CURSORY WELCOME HOME that was reserved for me. What could possibly have my canine curmudgeon so enthralled??? I looked up, just as she began to bark frantically... and saw a beautiful American Eskimo dog, that bore a strong resemblance to her friend, Meeko! He was close enough to be able to smell by that time... and she realized that this was not who she thought it was. She quieted, and looked sadly at me. She no longer wanted to walk, and she tried to lead me to the truck. I had a lump in my throat and had to fight back tears myself, for a moment. How sad that was. I hurt for my little Keesh...
These are sensitive, feeling creatures. I take some comfort knowing that she is now with her friend... but, I sure miss her (and him, and all of my lost pups)
Thanks for listening.
Keesh:
Meeko:
Kaala (smiling):
Keesh and Kaala:
I am so very sorry about all of your losses. Your loss of Keesha is so recent...that truly is the hardest time of all. I'm sure those barely 4 years seemed very very short in time.
I agree that animals do sense many things beyond our understanding. You have been through this before so you remember it takes time for the hurting to ease enough to be bearable.
From your stories, I can tell Keesha was a very smart dog...almost human in a sense.
My last 3 special ones were siblings, born to a feral cat who decided my backyard was safe. It was quiet there because we had to put down a very beautiful sweet German Shepherd, Lady, and we knew we would be moving so for the first time we said no animals until we were settled and then I would get another GS puppy. My first one, I got as a puppy. Her name was Gypsy. She was the smartest and most sensitive dog I ever knew. It was her and me for many years and wherever I lived, my neighbors wanted her puppies but I had her spayed so she wouldn't get cancer there. The doctors lied about that one cause cancer there is what made me put her down some years later. So I got a puppy named Lady who needed a home and she was with us for about 12 years. So...I can understand your stories so well and can nod my head "Yes" as I read about Keesha and how she acted with the other family. There is no doubt she was meant to be with you. I wish for you that you had more time with her but I am also glad you had the time with her that you did.
That final decision is so devastating and we only do it so they can be at peace and not have to suffer in passing but even then, there is no satisfaction that one usually gets when they help another...because it is something we never want to do and when the time comes..it tears us apart..but we will have no choice when the time comes.
And so, not only do we cope with the decision but then afterwards we have to cope with the feeling of emptiness that we are left with. We know in time our good memories will take the place of the sad ones..but at the time we lose them..that seems so far away. We love them, we will miss them, and we know they will always be a part of us forever. Their pictures and their stories will be precious to us.
I have two sayings that I have found comfort in at times and maybe they will help you at this time:
A member of this forum wrote: The pain of losing her will never ever be bigger than the joy of knowing her.
A member elsewhere wrote: One can ask with the depth of pain we go through ......WHY do we allow ourselves to become so attached to pets? All one has to do is think of the tremendous amount of unconditional love we get from them and then we can ask........... WHY wouldn't we?
When I lost my girl, Gypsy.... I was helped by finding a puppy with her markings and the new baby distracted me as only puppies can do. That puppy was Lady. When we lost her, the feral kittens were born in our yard and in Sept 2007, we lost the last of them, Little Guy. I guess it's kind of like Bue's Mommy says..when a window closes, another opens.
Whether we look or not, these babies seems to find us, don't they?
I hope the length of this reply distracted you from your sadness, even for only a short while.
Take Care. I wish you peace. Most of all, come back here and post your thoughts and tell us any stories you think of. As you read the topics of others and see the pictures here of so many special ones...I hope they make you smile as they do the rest of us. Warm Hugs to you You know by coming here your pain is shared by many and it can help to know you are not alone in your feelings.
I agree that animals do sense many things beyond our understanding. You have been through this before so you remember it takes time for the hurting to ease enough to be bearable.
From your stories, I can tell Keesha was a very smart dog...almost human in a sense.
My last 3 special ones were siblings, born to a feral cat who decided my backyard was safe. It was quiet there because we had to put down a very beautiful sweet German Shepherd, Lady, and we knew we would be moving so for the first time we said no animals until we were settled and then I would get another GS puppy. My first one, I got as a puppy. Her name was Gypsy. She was the smartest and most sensitive dog I ever knew. It was her and me for many years and wherever I lived, my neighbors wanted her puppies but I had her spayed so she wouldn't get cancer there. The doctors lied about that one cause cancer there is what made me put her down some years later. So I got a puppy named Lady who needed a home and she was with us for about 12 years. So...I can understand your stories so well and can nod my head "Yes" as I read about Keesha and how she acted with the other family. There is no doubt she was meant to be with you. I wish for you that you had more time with her but I am also glad you had the time with her that you did.
That final decision is so devastating and we only do it so they can be at peace and not have to suffer in passing but even then, there is no satisfaction that one usually gets when they help another...because it is something we never want to do and when the time comes..it tears us apart..but we will have no choice when the time comes.
And so, not only do we cope with the decision but then afterwards we have to cope with the feeling of emptiness that we are left with. We know in time our good memories will take the place of the sad ones..but at the time we lose them..that seems so far away. We love them, we will miss them, and we know they will always be a part of us forever. Their pictures and their stories will be precious to us.
I have two sayings that I have found comfort in at times and maybe they will help you at this time:
A member of this forum wrote: The pain of losing her will never ever be bigger than the joy of knowing her.
A member elsewhere wrote: One can ask with the depth of pain we go through ......WHY do we allow ourselves to become so attached to pets? All one has to do is think of the tremendous amount of unconditional love we get from them and then we can ask........... WHY wouldn't we?
When I lost my girl, Gypsy.... I was helped by finding a puppy with her markings and the new baby distracted me as only puppies can do. That puppy was Lady. When we lost her, the feral kittens were born in our yard and in Sept 2007, we lost the last of them, Little Guy. I guess it's kind of like Bue's Mommy says..when a window closes, another opens.
Whether we look or not, these babies seems to find us, don't they?
I hope the length of this reply distracted you from your sadness, even for only a short while.
Take Care. I wish you peace. Most of all, come back here and post your thoughts and tell us any stories you think of. As you read the topics of others and see the pictures here of so many special ones...I hope they make you smile as they do the rest of us. Warm Hugs to you
You know by coming here your pain is shared by many and it can help to know you are not alone in your feelings.
I went back to re-read your original link. The stories you tell are wonderful but what meant the most to read was your last line which although I will use the term "special ones" when I write it as... although I had a number of beautiful dogs in my lifetime, I also have had cats and others have had other special ones and your line would fit us all.
In case you don't remember, you said:
I believe that dogs go to heaven...but, if they don't, then I want to go wherever they go.
Sometimes we can say so much in a few words, and you have added a sentence to my list of special comfort thoughts. Thank you for that.
Again, I am sorry for your recent loss of Keesha..but I am glad you were able to bring her into your home and heart and have her when you did. That she didn't meet Meeko here on earth is so sad but I am sure they have had a joyous reunion at the Rainbow Bridge. You have 3 precious angels in your heart forever.
In case you don't remember, you said:
I believe that dogs go to heaven...but, if they don't, then I want to go wherever they go.
Sometimes we can say so much in a few words, and you have added a sentence to my list of special comfort thoughts. Thank you for that.
Again, I am sorry for your recent loss of Keesha..but I am glad you were able to bring her into your home and heart and have her when you did. That she didn't meet Meeko here on earth is so sad but I am sure they have had a joyous reunion at the Rainbow Bridge. You have 3 precious angels in your heart forever.
QUOTE (LoveThem @ Apr 11 2008, 02:25 PM)
I believe that dogs go to heaven...but, if they don't, then I want to go wherever they go.
Where else can they possibly go? God instilled in them the very qualities that we strive so hard to achieve ourselves and HE loves us anyway. Big and small....God hath made them all.
Found this in my camera's memory stick a couple of days ago. I had no idea that I was such a skilled photog!!! 
Thought I'd share it. Keesh was a little annoyed with me at the time I took it... she wanted to stay out, I wanted her to come in. Snow was her favorite thing in the whole world. The more, the better.
Thought I'd share it. Keesh was a little annoyed with me at the time I took it... she wanted to stay out, I wanted her to come in. Snow was her favorite thing in the whole world. The more, the better.
Pictures are so wonderful to have...and to share.
Look at her eyes.........one could just lose themselves in the love there.
Thank you for sharing such a beautiful moment.
Look at her eyes.........one could just lose themselves in the love there.
Thank you for sharing such a beautiful moment.
QUOTE (Countertrey @ Jul 6 2008, 07:01 PM) 
Found this in my camera's memory stick a couple of days ago. I had no idea that I was such a skilled photog!!!
Thought I'd share it. Keesh was a little annoyed with me at the time I took it... she wanted to stay out, I wanted her to come in. Snow was her favorite thing in the whole world. The more, the better.
Thought I'd share it. Keesh was a little annoyed with me at the time I took it... she wanted to stay out, I wanted her to come in. Snow was her favorite thing in the whole world. The more, the better.
What a beautiful picture. I wish I took more pictures of Candy.
I am sorry for your loss. I went back and read the original thread and I understand too well the level of pain us animal lovers have when we loose one of beloved companions. Especially in the span of time you've had to dealt with.
God bless
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