It is with so much sadness that I write that my black minipoodle Mozart went into total liver failure with his kidneys failing as well and died Wednesday..... for the last several days my vet and I tried so very hard to buy more time in the hope he would improve.He had been sickly since early May so I've been feeding him every day with a turkey baster and my liquid homemade food which really helped.He was doing so well until last Saturday.This has all happened so quickly.I just can't believe he is gone.

I will miss him more than anyone will ever know..... he was my "lifetime" dog ( a dog you only have once in a lifetime and I've had 7 in my life) He was so very special..he slept next to me every night ( like velcro) for 16 years, and never let me out of his sight. I have cried for days over all this.I can't stop crying..... I loved him so.

Since I am dealing with a number of very serious health issues myself, he was my rock whenever I felt low.After my surgery, radiation and chemo treatments, he was always there to greet me with a kiss and his beautiful tail held high. No matter how bad I felt his presence lifted me in a way only another animal lover can understand.

Life isn't much fun right now......time will help,with this is so more intense then losing my others...perhaps because my own health has become an issue.

Terry

Ziggymonster, I'm so sorry about losing your baby Mozart. I'm new here, but you've found a good place. There are plenty of sympathetic and understanding folks here....in other words, lots of other broken hearts.

I know the pain of having a pet go so quickly, even when you knew they were sick. I had to say goodbye to my Sadie just 10 days ago, on Tuesday 9/28. On the Friday just prior, we were sent reeling when the vet dx'd a very aggressive cancer. We were in shock at the thought of just a few weeks left with her, but that turned out to be only 3 days.

We don't have kids, and she was our only pet, so you can imagine how we doted on her, spoiled her, showered her with love, treats, etc. etc. We feel like part of us has been violently ripped away. I see her and hear her everywhere...every shadow or movement in the corner of my eye, I think for 0.000001 second that it's her. Funny how the mind works. You know they're gone, yet....

I can only imagine the extra pain of losing a pet who helped see you through cancer treatments.

I find comfort in something someone here pointed out to me...that now are babies are with us all the time, in our hearts...we are never apart.

Peace to you,

Kim

Dear Terry

Please accept my heartfelt condolences on the loss of your Dearest Mozart.
It is so hard to find the right words to help you as I know you are heartbroken, but please know that I am thinking of you and sending my love and prayers to you and your Dear Mozart.
Your days have been so busy with the caring and loving of Mozart over these last few months, that right now you will be feeling lost and empty. He knows that you have been there for him, as he was for you , and he will want you to take care of yourself now. I do truly believe that our fur/feather Babies, never , ever leave us, they are with us forever on our journey through the different stages of our 'existence'. It's just that they have to move to another 'physical' or some would say 'spiritual' state,quite often, before us. Probably because they are so pure and full of that unconditional love, that they are ready, while we still have much to experience and learn. We have to try and put into use the wonderful things they teach us. I'm sure that you will have signs and be able to feel his presence, his way of letting you know that he is forever there for you, in your heart and soul.
When you feel able it would be lovely if you could post a photo of Mozart, and maybe tell us more of all the times you two have shared. You must have some great memories. He sounds to be such a character.

Hugs
Jan and My Angels and Pixie xx

Hi, Terry, please permit me to add my sincerest sympathies in the loss of your beloved Mozart (I love his name - - my mom was a musician!!). Losing a beloved companion is never easy regardless of the circumstances or how long we have been blessed with the privilege of their company.

Terry, this grief journey is a very difficult one. Losing the precious presence of a beloved companion - - whatever the life form - - can raise so many different emotions in addition to the numerous ones we experience with the grieving process. It can bring back memories that we thought were long buried, thoughts and feelings we thought we had "dealt with" many years ago, and can cause us to ponder the "reality" of our own physical mortalness.

I do so understand what you are feeling not having your precious Mozart physically with you to be your comforter and cheerleader through your medical struggles and triumphs. Many years ago I, too, was going through a very prolonged recovery and rehabilitation, and my precious Samson, a mixed Border Collie / Lab and a gift to me from my mom, became my "therapy" partner through it all. When he joined the angels in March 1998 it deeply grieved me, for he was not only my earthly soul mate but he was also the last furchild I shared with my mom who greeted him when he entered into heaven's perfect garden.

I also can understand what you're going through with surgery, chemo, and radiation therapy. I was my mom's caregiver, and she, too, experienced cancer - - non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. So, I do understand the toll - - both physical and emotional - - this entire experience is putting on you.

Terry, it doesn't matter if the grief journey is our first or fiftieth - - each grief journey is unique because of the individual relationship we have shared with our beloved companions and the circumstances that are going on in our lives at the time. One of the most important things for you to remember, Terry, is that you are not alone in your grief journey. Each of us here do understand what you are going through, and we are here for you for as long and as often as you need us. Please don't ever hesitate to post here on the forum or to contact any of us individually if you need or want to correspond privately.

Terry, thank you so much for sharing with us about your precious Mozart. As Jan has so eloquently encouraged, I also hope you will want to post a picture of him here to share with us as well as any precious memories of his earthly journey with you. And I also add my sincerest hope with Jan's that in time you will come to know that your precious Mozart is still with you - - still sharing your daily journey whatever you do and wherever you go, for his sweet Living Spirit is forever with you.

Terry, please know you are in my thoughts and prayers, and please do let us know how you're doing.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

Thanks to all for the kind responses......it means a lot.....I've tried to post his pic but for some reason it won't upload. There are many things that made him special.....one thing was he could sit for hours at a time on my sofa and look out the window watching the birds in the yard and going nuts when he saw one up close. He was the alpha dog in my house...I have 2 other poodles...he would take his toys (all the toys in the house were his) away from either of the other two. Bubbles was his favorite game....I had a sword that when dipped would blow bubbles everywhere...he would chase these all over the yard until he could barely move.He loved his man ( stuffed toys) and would flip them around and play for an hour at a time.But most of all he was the most devoted dog I've ever had...he loved me even after getting discipiled for picking on my other kids.In time my memories will provide comfort but now it is so surreal that he isn't here.

Terry

Hi, Terry, I'm sorry you're having a hard time posting a picture of your precious Mozart. I know there are some guidelines for doing that but I can't find them on the LS instructions. If you e-mail the administrator I'm sure he will be glad to assist you with this. Perhaps one of the other participants who is "techno skilled" may also be able to help you. We'd so love to see a picture your precious Mozart.

Your precious boy sounds like a real character. How are his two companions doing now? When there is a physical absence in the family unit - - for whatever reason - - the dynamics of the household change, and it's a very difficult adjustment to put it mildly.

Terry, please know you are in my thoughts and prayers. I hope the Administrator, or one of the forum participants, is able to help you post at least one picture of your precious Mozart. I will look forward to knowing how you're doing.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

Terry,

How are you doing today? You've been in my thoughts.

Sandy

Thanks AngelCareOne...what a nice tribute.....my Mozie was my angel and my rock as I faced the myriad of health issues these last 5 years. Everyone here has been so understanding while each one has been dealing with their own grief. I've lost furkids over the years and it is always painful, but for some reason this time it knocked the wind out of me....perhaps this bond was the strongest of all ,perhaps my own mortality is more apparent. Thanks Moonbeam for your kind words of encouragement.

Sandyp thanks for your concern especially with all your sorrow......our spirits are strong and we will survive and there will be better days for you and I andall of us kind loving souls on this board.


Terry

I can relate to how you feel about your Mozart. I lost my once in a lifetime mini Poodle coming up on 2 years the end of this month. I've had many dogs, and a few Poodles/Poodle mix dogs and she was the special one.

There seems to be some sort of connection to certain pets for some reason. Maybe the timing of when they were in our lives, the health issues of the pet OR the human Mom/Dad, personality, length of time they were with you, things you went through together or just because.

We have another dog now who is not a Poodle (swore I'd only have a mini Poodle IF I ever even considered another dog!) The sweetest dog and in many ways a better all around dog than my Flossie was. She picked us and is perfect in every way. She came to us a few months before I lost Flossie & I told my husband she belonged to him as his responsibility...... not really a problem as she was attached to him from the first day.

I still really miss her and still get teary eyed but it was her time at 17+ years and many hard health problems over that time. There will be another like her nor will I feel the same connection but our new dog does help as well as the cat we also aquired just prior to the loss of Flossie.

I am so sorry for your loss. It may be a long road. Expect ups & downs but one day there will be more ups than downs.

Well, it has been a week since my Mozie left me.....the intense pain is just a bit better....I'm not crying as much. Still when I'm out doing shopping or whatever, I find myself thinking about him and crying. He was very much the alpha dog in my home, and that presence is missed so very much. My girlfriend and I will be camping on the ocean for the weekend....it was Mozie's favorite place, so I expext some heavy emotions. If we can bring ourselves to it, we will let a balloon go with his favorite toy attached....I just don't know if we are ready yet. My days are still filled with sadness....and guilt.....I didn't know he was so sick when I took him in,he was supposed to come home....I can still see his face which fills me with sadness and guilt.

Terry

Terry,
I so understand how you feel. Dear Mozart.
I have Squiggy's favorite hedgehog on my nightstand. I am also flooded with pain too. All my prayers for you as well. I would love if you saw the beach for me too. I think the tide is healing, I wish I could go watch it myself. I'm a mom of 3 and a full time job (btw i have twins). I don't know how it works when the world keeps going and I'm standing still, but we endure. We endure for eachother tonight.

many blessings,
-Di