Last night my West Highland Terrier, Skipper, died in her sleep. She would have been 17 on August 18th. I have had her since she was 6 weeks old and she has been such a wonderful part of my life. She had failing health in the last few months and I knew this was going to happen sometime, but I am just having such a hard time with the fact she is gone. She has been with me through my ups and downs in life and had always been there as a friend and companion to me. She has lived in several different states with me, and has even traveled internationally with me several times. She was always up for any adventure or experience. She was extremely smart and loving. She never wanted to be more that a few feet away from me.

I wish I had given her even more hugs yesterday. She seemed tired last night and I was thinking I needed to see the vet again about her meds as she seemed to be slow. She had been deaf for several years and that never stopped her. I taught her sign language and we got along just fine. I have truly lost my best friend!

Right now I just feel sick. I have been crying for hours. I am not sure how I am making it through the day. 3 years ago I lost my Scottie Sasha to cancer and I never wanted to go through that pain again, but now I have it for Skipper. I feel so much sympathy for all you in losing your furry friends. Those of us who love our animals so much really feel pain when they are gone. But even though this is painful, I would not trade one minute of my time with Skipper - to have not had her would have truly been a loss. SHe was a joy to me from the day she came into my life. As a matter of fact, she picked me and it was love at first sight for almost 17 years.

I do have another three year old Westie and she has been trying to make me feel better. She is also very upset with Skipper's passing as she has been with Skipper since she was 8 weeks old and they were very close.

I am attaching a picture of Skipper - this was her 15th birthday.

Scipper looks like such a doll. I'm truly sorry for your loss. We can all identify with your loss. Some of us just lost our companions recently, others are still dealing with the pain years later. I lost my candy just a few weeks ago and she was 16, so I know only too well the level of pain you are going through and for that I'm truly sorry. Sounds like you two had a glorious life of adventure. I wish I could have taken my Candy on trips, especially internationally, that must have been something.

Take care and know that we are hear if you need to vent or share your thoughts.


Big hugz

Candy's dad

What a beautiful picture of a very huggable baby!

I know you said you have been through this before and so have I and many others here and we all know no matter how many times we go through this, the pain is just as intense each and every time.

At first, we cry oceans of tears and then we become exhausted and it is at that time sometimes we are ready for another baby step toward healing.

Posting more pictures or writing your thoughts and feelings should help you. We are always here listening because we all live with the same pain and sometimes if we can ease another's...it circles around and ours may become somewhat less.

We are here so when you feel like it, post what you feel or what feels important to say at this time.
I am glad you are not alone. Everything can help in its own way. Other babies get extra hugs even if they don't know why...it just seems right to do.

Take care.

Good evening Nan!

My buddy Duncan was also in failing health and passed in his sleep after 8 short years of companionship. I can't even describe the horror i felt when i first seen him lying lifeless. A dog who would lick my hand and thank me every single time i gave him food or water, a dog who i know would give his life for me, a dog who was obedient, a dog who was full of life and a dog who basically became part of my existence.

Deep down i knew that time would come although i tried not to think on it but still had fleeting thoughts. First there's the initial shock of our pet's passing followed by the new found void in our lives, the realization they will not be with us anymore. I don't believe any of us who love our pets can be truly prepared when they leave us because they are essentially taking a part of us with them.
The combination of grieving, tears and time will eventually lead to memories. Unfortunately, we have to suffer through that tough mourning period and i truly believe when our time comes, our pets will be there there to greet us.

Take care,
-Ken

Am very deeply sad and sorry for your loss, she was so beatiful and such a sweet doll.. I too lost my Son Buster to cancer about 21 days a go and not doing well at all, you know, a total mess here. We spent 11 years and a month together as one and can't stand life without him, we have never been separate untill now and it has been the longest days of my life since he left me, am so sorry we have to go thru this, take good care and best wishes from Buster and Jorge Click to view attachment

Nanpacific55,
That is a beautiful picture of Skipper. Thanks for sharing.
Oh, your story has hit home, just because of the breed of dog Skipper was. I lost my adorable westie, a month ago today, due to a tragic accident of her getting hit by a car. My sweetheart was right beside me, but from out of no where, she saw a rabbit in the next yard (and you know it's their nature), she took off after it and well.... I can only say ... my heart stopped at that moment and I haven't been the same since. It was so fast and so tragic. It's hard for me to understand why it happened. We only had two short years together, but it was the best two years of my life. She was my shadow. I will never find a more loving, understanding pet that she was. It is very hard for me to be a normal person in society, my heart hurts so much. I think about Zoe 24/7. So sorry to carry on about my loss.

We are here for you to share your thoughts and feelings. I come to this site for support and it really helps. There are some wonderful people on this site, that know the horrible pain we are going through.
Feel free to tell stories and share more pictures.
Much love and support.
Deanna

As you said elsewhere, it has been 2 days and you are still missing her. 2 days is a blink of an eye in grief. It takes time for the grief to lessen. Missing her will be forever but the intensity starts calming down after a while. It is much too soon not to be overwhelmed with sadness. Skipper's pictures show what a darling she is and it can easily be seen how much she is missed. This is the time to cry and cry again...to vent and vent again. Maybe it would make you feel better if you wrote a letter to Skipper about your feelings. This is the hardest time because we don't know what to do with ourselves. We have an emptiness we feel that we don't know what to do with.
To overcome all of this just takes time. The pain never goes away but it becomes bearable and there will be times we don't remember the pain...we only remember the happy, healthy good times and look at pictures to remind us of those times we were blessed to have with these special ones.

Take Care and know we are listening and we haven't forgotten your topic is here.....we watch for your replies.