Grieving the Loss Of My Basset Hound

[MaggieMae]

Sunday we lost our beloved Basset Hound. Maggie Mae was 15 years old. We got her when she was just 8 weeks old. We were never able to have children, so she was our substitute child. She passed away in the house on her own terms. We were only gone one hour to visit a friend in the hospital. We believe she wanted till we were gone to go. She had heart disease but was just tired and worn out. We are so sad. We were so lucky to have her for so long. She gave us so many years of laughter. Please pray for us to heal from this loss. I know she is in a better place and resting in peace.

Maggie Mae's Mommy

[Catfish]

((((( MM Mommy))))) I am so sorry to hear this. DH and I are animal lovers and last year we lost three of our ferrets, it is never easy.

Are you familiar with the poem "The Rainbow Bridge" if not I will be happy to post it for you.

I thought this link might be of comfort
http://www.petloss.com/poems/maingrp/dogangel.htm

Also this web site has been helpful to me in the past http://www.petloss.com/



Your Pets In Heaven

by Ken D. Conover

To have loved and then said farewell, is better than to have never loved at all.
For all of the times that you have stooped and touched my head, fed me my favorite treat and returned the love that I so unconditionally gave to you.
For the care that you gave to me so unselfishly.
For all of these things I am grateful and thankful.

I ask that you not grieve for the loss, but rejoice in the fact that we lived, loved and touched each others lives. My life was fuller because you were there, not as a master/owner, but as my FRIEND.

Today I am as I was in my youth. The grass is always green, butterflies flit among the flowers and the Sun shines gently down upon all of God's creatures.
I can run, jump, play and do all of the things that I did in my youth. There is no sickness, no aching joints and no regrets and no aging.

We await the arrival of our lifelong companions and know that togetherness is forever.
You live in our hearts as we do in yours. Companions such as you are so rare and unique.
Don't hold the love that you have within yourself. Give it to another like me and then I will live forever. For love never really dies, and you are loved and missed as surely as we are.

Your Pets In Heaven

[afreet]

MM, having had animals ever since I can remember—dogs, cats, rabbits, ducks, guinea fowl, chickens, hamsters, doves, ponies, lizards, sheep—I know what it is like to lose a beloved pet. In some ways it is even harder than losing a loved human, because you tend to get comments such as, "It's just a dog/cat/etc., just get another," or even, "I don't see what all the fuss is about, it's just an animal." The bond between us and our little 4-legged babies is very precious and the most unselfish form of love, the kind we humans should try to practice among ourselves. Only our animals know what it is like to truly give us their unconditional love, unreservedly and unafraid. My heart goes out to you, and I will certainly pray that you find comfort. Maggie Mae knows she'll see you again. A part of her will stay with you till then.

[Grandma Linda]

I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. ((((((((MM's Mommy)))))))).

[marshgirrl]

I am so sorry you have lost your little basset. They are such sweet dogs.

[Cricket]

I'm so very sorry for your loss. My heart goes out to you. I know how devastating the loss of a pet can be, especially when they're like children to you. You'll be in my prayers. Time will help to heal you. {{{hugs}}}

[shopsticks]

I am so sorry about your basset. We had bassets growing up. They are so sweet. I'll be thinking of you.

[luvmyhunny]

MaggieMae - I'm so sorry to read about the loss of your wonderful furbaby. They are such a joy - especially when they truly are your children.

[ed-gar]

I'm sorry about your Maggie. We lost our old friend GIRL about 2 months ago, and her ashes sit right by me as I write to you.
We were not as luky as you, having her go at home, but we take comfort knowing she lived a better life than she would have, if we had not picked her up from the streets as we did almost 10 years ago.
We also have no children,but we have 3 other dogs. We are luky to have them.

ed-gar

[scbshell]

Oh, I am so sorry to hear this. Right now my dh and I don't have children and our boston, Zoe, is our fur child. So, I know how you feel with having a fur baby.

That is great that you all got 15 wonderful years with her. I know a lot of other folks aren't that lucky.

I will keep y'all in my prayers.

[Lucky_Lady]

My heart really does feel for you, our pets are such wonderful parts of our every day life....sometimes better friends than our spouses....sometimes being the thing that make husbands and wifes closer....my children always think our hubby loves our Bassett more than us, we know better.....Pets don't fuss with us, gripe about how much money we spend, or if we forgot to do something.....they love us....and you loved your Maggie, she was lucky to have you....I noticed that your name is also that of your Bassetts, lol, the two names I use for different things on the computer are also my 2 favorite pets names...do others of you also do this?

[afreet]

Yes, my adorable orange marmalade tabby kitty Afreet is my screen name! he and my little BatCat are my babies...

[Dor1949]

We too lost our 15 yr. old Westie in June. She had cancer and we had the vet come to our home and inject her while she lay in her favorite chair in the family room (she wasn't upset or afraid like when we've taken pets to the vet); in the weeks leading up to her death, she would crawl up my chest and put her little head on my shoulder and I would pat her for what seemed like hours. She was so loving and took such comfort from being cuddled. I had to carry her outside to go the last few days and she seemed to accept that - never even had an accident in the house. We buried her next to a tree outside our kitchen bay window and I can look out daily and think of her. Funny thing too...I use her name as my password for just about everything...you see I never had a little girl and I used the name I'd chosen for a girl when we got her...it just seemed the logical choice as I wasn't going to be having anymore children (had two boys)...she was a character! She chased golf balls, went wild at the sight of chipmunks or squirrels and sneaked up on the kitchen table when we were out so she could see what was going on outside. She slept in the kitchen at night but, once we took her with us on a trip staying at a motel...I remember waking up during the middle of the night (she was allowed to sleep on the bed with us) and she had wakened up and was so thrilled to be in bed with us that she was kissing me all over my face. Our pets are so much work but they give us so much joy and unconditional love. We all know how you feel; been there, done that.

[Marcy]

I am so sorry for your loss of MaggieMae.I know you love her very much as I know she loved you and I hope you find comfort in that.When I have lost a beloved furbaby=I plant a perennial in their honor. We rescued a Basset a couple of yrs.ago and he is a character indeed=== he could just be sleeping on the couch and provide us with entertainment.Great dogs. Maybe you could post some pics of her to share with us.Hugs to you.

[LisainVA]

My pets are my babies. I'm so sorry for your loss but you had 15 wonderful years together and that is a lot. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. Time wil heal.

[renee43]

I'm so sorry to hear about your dog. I lost my ****er spaniel Coco a while back and I still miss her. If there's a doggie heaven, maybe MaggieMae and Coco can play together and chase cats.

[MaggieMae]

I'm hoping this works. This is the picture from her 15th Bday on October 25, 2005. http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b323/BooKittyMaggie/100_0425.jpg

[jonron]

I'm so sorry to hear about the loss of your sweet dog. I can feel your pain as my dh and I lost our wonderful pet Boxer over a year ago . I never thought the grief would hurt as much as it did,we truly felt as though our Mitzi was a a major part of our family. Time helps to dull the pain but your wonderful memories will last forever.

[Marcy]

Aww MaggieMae, she was a beautiful girl indeed!! And so are you!! I can just look at the picture and see the love you have for her.I like the chalk board too-very nice!! I, in no way mean to be insensitive but wanted to share with you Cleatus, a character that we rescued a couple of yrs. ago.But I want to make sure you're up to it.Just let me know. I would love to see some puppy pics. of MaggieMae ; Cleatus was aprox.8yrs. old before we were blessed with him. Basset's are a great breed.(((hugs)))

[MaggieMae]

Marcy:

I would LOVE to see pictures of Cleatus. Seeing other "angels with fur" is so comforting and helpful. Please do share the pictures. MM's Daddy did the chalkboard sign. We sang "Happy Birthday" every year for 15!!! She was the light of our lives. We miss her dearly and are so proud of her.

[palandmagee]

I'm so sorry about Maggie Mae. She looks like she was so kissable! She will always be your baby. {{HUGS}}

[Marcy]

Well this is the character I told you about. He was found about three yrs. ago abandoned on a construstion site,his nails had curved almost under his pads and had severe weight loss.Vet. said he was around 9yrs. He was very shy for the first few days but quickly got over that.He stayed with us for about nine months and I found him a wonderful home =and he is the official varsity softball mascot,lolol.I miss him but I do get to see him during softball & baseball.His name fits him to a T.
<img src="http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y242/cookiescream1/CleatusLeland03.jpg" alt="Image hosted by Photobucket.com">
<img src="http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y242/cookiescream1/Cleatus4.jpg" alt="Image hosted by Photobucket.com">

[Veecee]

({({({MaggieMae's Mom})})})
I am sorry for your loss of your sweet Maggie Mae. Bassett Hounds make me smile, how lucky that you enjoyed her for 15 years. She was a cutie, and as previously mentioned, you are indeed lovely.

Our family has three dogs, one of them is "our old girl," an 11+ year old Golden Retreiver. Her vet tells me to consider ourselves lucky if she gets to be a 12 year old as Goldens age rapidly. My kids ask me how long we'll have her, I tell them enjoy every day with her. She is family, she and the kids have grown up together, and I know when her day comes we will grieve her loss too.

My DD's religion teacher told the class one day that dogs and cats do not go to heaven because they are a lesser species. :rolleyes:

DD came home and told me this, to which I responded that they are in heaven WAITING for us. They are our angels of unconditional love on earth, then continue on in heaven, with us. That's where your MaggieMae is too.

[WhammerJammer]

So sorry for your loss. Have been through that several times. Here is a website with a beautiful short story: http://www.petloss.com/poems/maingrp/rainbowb.htm

[Veecee]

I can't read Rainbow Bridge without tearing up.

[Chickadumpling]

I am so sorry, Maggiemae! I know exactly how you feel.

We also have no children. When my husband and I had been married a few years, we lost the most wonderful pet we've ever known, the sweetest little guy you could imagine. He had not exhibited any symptoms that we could tell, and became ill and was gone in a few days. I know how much it hurts and I am so sorry.

This isn't right for everyone, but we quickly searched for a new puppy, not to replace our little guy, but to bring fun into the house. Now, this little guy is 11 years old and still makes us laugh.

Time has made thoughts of our lost pet not nearly so painful.

[cel]

I am so sorry for your loss and glad she didn't suffer- take care!

[MaggieMae]

Today we took a ride to a breeder in Gainesville, FL, a 2 hour drive from our house. We fell in love with a red & white basset hound puppy. She is almost 5 months old. We decided to name her "Mabel". She is so beautiful. She is really relaxed and laid back. I can't wait to have another hound to love.!! We get her on 2/8/06!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[cel]

how exciting! love the name! what color collar are you going to do?

[Marcy]

Oh MaggieMae,

I'm so happy that you have opened your heart & home to another furbaby!!! Mabel- Love that name too!!! I hope that you will post pics. of Ms.Mabel soon after the 8th (like the 9th lololol). I can't wait to see a baby, as Cleatus is quite mature(only in age). Congratulations are in order this time!!:)

[MaggieMae]

Bad News! We aren't getting Mabel! I got a nice sympathy card from Maggie Mae's Vet. She included her home number on the card. I called her tonight to tell her about Mabel. She was excited to hear all the details. I told her all about her and she asked about a health quarantee in the contract. I told her the only thing it said was that she would take the dog back is we couldn't care for it or didn't want it. Nothing else. Maggie Mae's breeder 15 years ago guaranteed almost everything! Unfortunately she is retired!

Anyway, the Vet asked about the hips. Long story, short!!!!!!!!!!!! They weren't rated that great by the Vet! I don't want to get a puppy that already potentially might have a hip issue. Not for the money we were going to pay! So, the search continues! But we will name whatever hound we find, Mabel. We just haven't found her yet!

[Veecee]

Carry on Maggie Mae's Mom - your puppy is waiting for you somewhere. Sorry to hear that this pup isn't going to work out, poor thing. Those hip problems are nasty.

Just curious - Did you choose Maggie's name from the Rod Stewart song? Whenever I read your dog's name that song pops into my head.

[MaggieMae]

Yes, that is exactly where we got the name! Thanks for your kind words!

[Veecee]

Yes, that is exactly where we got the name! Thanks for your kind words!

How about that - I love Rod Stewarts music. The Maggie Mae song puts me right back to freshman year in high school. (Oops, dated myself). Funny how music will do that.

My best friend had a basset hound they named Humphrey. I used to laugh to the point of tears when I heard him bark. It sounded like: ARMF! ARMF! Bassett Hounds are just adorable. (Although I must admit, there is something lovable in every dog).

[Marcy]

Well, MaggieMae I'm sorry :( that the new pupper didn't work out for you all. But I'm confident that you will find the right baby for you. Have you maybe looked into the prospect of adopting one from a Basset Hound rescue group? Just a thought.:)

[Kukka]

I am very sorry for your loss of Miss Maggie Mae
She sounds like she was a well loved dog.

[IndiaInk21]

It is so unbearingly sad to lose a pet. We lost our sweet Westie "Jenna" last March. I can't believe it's almost a year. She had heart disease too & made it to almost 12. For those that are suffering from a similar loss, I pray for peace & healing from this pain. We got a Westie pup a few months after that really helped us heal, but Jenna will always be with us in spirit.