Two weeks ago tomorrow my 15 1/2 year old Westie Scooby passed away in my arms. We both knew it was time, I had been back and forth to the vets for months and I watched him, with real dignity slowly suc%%b to the inevitable. On my last visit to the vet, two days before he died, I was told that he was just like the vets Gran, had bronchitis and needed antibiotics and steroids to give him a bit of respite, also got some water tablets, and to expect some little accidents if he couldn't make it outside in time!!! Didn't happen as he didn't mess even at the end. Anyway on the Friday night his breathing was pretty laboured, so I spent most of the night with him trying to make it easier for him, I told him not to hang on any longer for me as I knew how difficult it was for him. In the morning he went outside and did what he had to, came in and was very unsteady on his legs, I took him up on the sofa beside me, and he was falling onto his knees, so I lifted him and he just pulled himself onto my lap, I felt something course through him and we was gone, as quickly as that!!!!!! Even then I felt so privileged to have been given that honour. I was able to lay him on the sofa for my son and my Mum to see him at peace, and it really helped them, especially my son who is ill. I know that we were lucky to have had our time with him as he had a tumour removed two years ago and we got a bit more time, he also went through an operation a few months ago for an ulcer in his eye, he fought with all his might to stay. My Mum suffered a mini stroke a few months ago and at that time a white feather fell from the sky as I walked along the street, I believe my guardian angel sent that to reassure me, before Scooby died a black and grey feather fell out of the sky on me and I said to my mother then that I didn't want it!!!!!!!!!!! The day after Scooby died the sky was full of great big white fluffy clouds and I was cooking Sunday lunch and saw this huge colud in the shape of a Westie, I called everyone to see it and we all agreed it looked so like him. I alos had a 16 year old cat pass away in my arms, but not as peaceful as Scooby, and and 18 year old cat that that was euthanised. On the brighter side, my brother bought me a kitten 8 weeks ago, who in a way is a godsend. He lies in Scoobys place, he does a lot of things he did, he will never be him but he is a character in his own right and has been a huge help. For me, the hardest thing is coping day to day, Scooby was just such an amazing little man, it will take a long, long time to come to terms with.

Hi, westiemum, Please permit me to offer you my sincerest sympathies in the loss of your beloved Scooby. Losing a beloved furbaby is never easy regardless of the cir%%stances or how long we have been blessed with their company. It sounds like you have had some multiple losses of furkids in addition to the worry and concerns of your son's and mum's health difficulties. All of these combined experiences can deepen your grief. I am glad you have a new little kitty child who needs your love and attention, and hope that your son and mum will find comfort in this new little life in your home. No one of any life form can ever replace your precious Scooby. He shared your life for 15 1/2 years, and has indelibly imprinted his individual Spirit in your heart and memories that no one and nothing can ever replace or take away from you. Westimum, please know you are not alone in your grief journey. Each of us here knows first hand the grief of losing a beloved fur and feathered companion. We are here for you for as long and as often as you need us. Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers, westiemum, and please let us know how you're doing.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

I am so very sorry to hear about Scooby. It was wonderful to read you had him over 15 years. I know it is never long enough but anytime I hear over 10 years...it seems like a privilege.

I wish you had been able to take a picture of that cloud you saw that looked like a Westie..that really sounds like something special.

I have had canine best friends in the past and one thing you said I remember always amazed me..that no matter what was happening these sweethearts would do their "business" outside as if everything was normal...it was so much a part of them.

It sounds as if he left peacefully and in your arms..that is something special to remember.

I'm glad you have the kitten to distract you. It is something like that ...that always helped me.
What did you name the new one?

You and Scooby certainly did everything over the years to be together longer. I have always believed that when it is the final time to go...we cannot prevent it. It is taken out of our hands.

I love a saying from a Mom here about her special one...it helps me cope. She said:
The pain of losing him will never ever be greater than the joy of knowing him.

You said: For me, the hardest thing is coping day to day, Scooby was just such an amazing little man, it will take a long, long time to come to terms with.

It is too soon since it happened to expect a lot of coping. It might help to post here your thoughts, your feelings about Scooby...maybe tell some stories of him that make you smile to remember..for it is the good healthy happy memories that help us cope and heal. Post some photos here if you feel like it. Many here have written a note to their special one..a way of "talking" to them again..just to let them know what more we would have liked to say to them.

Anything that helps you feel a little better is a good thing to do. Grief is physically exhausting and overwhelming. Having a best friend for over 15 years is a huge part of your life. Rest assured that Scooby will always be a part of your life because now he is a part of your heart and so can never be taken away from you. His sweetness, his very being, will live in your memories and so, he, too, will live again.

Know that we all share the same pain of losing that someone so very special in our lives. That's
why we understand exactly how you are feeling...we are all there also. Everything you think or feel is normal. When you are here, you can never feel alone because we are all truly one.

I wish you peace and healing. It takes time for the pain to become bearable but focusing on the happy memories when you feel the time is right...will help. It is baby steps we must take.
And, sometimes, we fall back into grief and we are allowed to do that. There is no time limits. There is no right or wrong way to grieve.

Keep posting. We are always listening.

Judy

I am so deeply sorry for the loss of your Scooby and other furkids. They all lived such long happy lives. You were so lucky to have had eachother. I'm glad he went peacefully. The emptiness is the hardest and will take time to get thru. I'm so glad you have a new kittty. New furbabies will never replace the ones we had, we enjoy them for who they are(just like they do us) I wish you all the best..Hugs.. Ann

Dearest Westiemum, my most sincere condolences for the loss of your precious fur child boy Scooby. Please know that you and your Angel fur child Scooby are in my thoughts and prayers, My Friend.





Winging Many Angels to You and Your Beloved Fur Child Scooby for Comfort, Love, Hope and Peace!

Always,
Dottie xoxoxox

I am so very sorry to hear of all you pets passing. We all know deep down inside the price of loss is what we have to pay to get to Love our furbabies. No matter-we all Love them anyway. I would pay that price over and over again. It never hurts us any less tho. Yes, It will take you time. It does get better.
Anyway it sounds like you gave so much love to many furbabies.
When you are ready please add stories and pictures we love to read them.

Many Hugs to you!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am so grateful for the replies I have received, they have helped me so much, it is so nice to know that there are such lovely people who care and most of all understand what it's like at a time like this.

Thank you moon_beam for your kind words it is so nice to know that there are others who know exactly what it's like, it means a lot.

Judy, thank you for taking the time to reply to me, so nice of you, I too wish I had been able to take a photo of the cloud I saw but I just didn't think that clear at the time. I am so glad I found this place, I don't feel so alone now

Dottie, thank you for your thoughts and prayers, also for the butterflies, the video was beautiful and such a help, so nice to have met new friends at a time when I least expected it, amazing.

Thank you too Ann for taking the time to give me your support, can't quite believe how wonderful this site is and how lovely everyone is.

Thank you too sissycat, just to have others who have gone through the same experience is such a big help.

Well, it was two weeks yesterday since my best pal left me and it's a strange kind of anniversary, I found myself concentrating so much on the actual day it happened, going over every minute detail, comforting myself with the way that he went, in my arms and so peaceful. Then I drifted to the day I got him and how he just seemed to know that this is where he was meant to be. How he cried to go outside to relieve himself and how we all looked at each other in amazement. Then I thought about how much joy he gave us, he was such a giving little soul.
The little tricks I taught him and how he used them to the maximum, he had a habit of sitting up and begging and waving his paws around, faster and faster, to get a treat from me. I taught him to say "out" and it was a bit scary sometimes. He did it one day when the doctor was here, and the doctor looked at me and asked had he heard right? We all fell about laughing!!!!!! Then I used to tickle his tummy and he would scratch the sofa repeatedly for more, I even managed to smile at that. He would throw things up in the air and do any trick he could think of to get an extra treat, who says animals are dumb??????

I think the hardest part is that in all those 15 1/2 years we spent only one night apart, and that was recently when I had to rush him to the vet when he couldn't breathe. He always slept in my bed beside me, and would tap my back in the morning to tell me it was time to get up. The bit I can't understand is other people, the amount of times I am told to get another dog just freaks me!! Even my Mum tells me the house is so quiet since he has gone, I think it may take a while before I am the life and soul of the party, but I am taking the advice given and have started the "baby steps".

I am just so glad to have found this "haven" where people understand!!!!

I have to tell you of my new furkitten who is named "Ollie", he is at the moment running riot through the house and is a big help, he is full of nonsense, but very cute and is helping me on the road to sanity!!!!!!!!!!!!

I will attempt to upload a couple of photos of Scooby,
Thank you all for your help,
Margaret

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Ooh what beautiful pictures. He is a real doll. Kind of reminds me of another here who has been lost..by the name of Zoe. In fact, I just visited the topic about Zoe whose "mom" is Deanna and told her about your boy. The pictures of Scooby and the pictures of her Zoe are amazing to me. If you have a moment...see her topic here and her pictures. You two share not only a love of the same breed of babies but also their loss...I know I feel a tiny extra special bond with those who have lost a black cat that looks like mine..in addition to the bonds created by losing our very best friends that we share with each other.

I am so glad to hear you have a distracting kitten....having a home not completely empty has always helped me a lot.

What wonderful memories you have over all those years. How blessed we feel that they came into our lives....our special ones. Yes, it truly was a "joy" to know them.

No matter how long we have them...it is never long enough. It never will be. But we are thankful for each year they are part of our lives.

I think others who say to get another right now...mean well. They think...well you enjoyed having your puppy, now he is gone...and so another puppy would be enjoyable too. That may be true but we need the time to grieve. After all, 15 or more years is not a blink of an eye. Different people have different timelines for healing. And, you do have that sweet kitten racing around your home...that is a big help right now. It would be for me.

Your stories of Scooby are precious and I am sure there are many more and lots of pictures..talking about him and posting special pictures that make you smile....does help.

I am sorry it was his time to go. That is so heartbreaking. But what a sweetheart he sounds like...just adorable. I think your Mum saying the house is quiet is her way of saying she misses him too...because he was just such a part of everything.

I wish you peace and healing and yes it does start with baby steps. It takes a lot of effort to heal. We will love them forever and miss them forever and..wherever they go...that's where we want to be when it is our time. Right now...they must be sitting on a fluffy cloud watching over us....cause that's what Angels do.

Hugs to you and your kitty...and your Angel..Scooby...a beautiful boy and best friend forever.

Judy

Hi, Margaret, thank you so much for sharing pictures with us of your sweet Scooby. He is such a sweetie. Anniversaries are difficult because they remind us of who we are missing. But it is the memories that we have of our lifetime together with our furkids that eventually help us through the difficult moments. Have you thought about doing a memorial for Scooby - - like a journal or a scrapbook or a booklet or a garden or - - whatever? Some folks find it helpful with the healing journey. The journey is a one day at a time journey, Margaret, very much like baby steps. Just remember we are here for you whenever you need us and for as often as you need us. Thank you again so much for sharing your pictures of Scooby with us. And please know you are in my thoughts and prayers.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

Great pictures!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!