Something made me sad today
By Gabs
@gabs8513 (48686)
United Kingdom
November 29, 2009 8:32am CST
Ever since we moved here 3 Years ago, we have been passing a House where a lovely German Shepherd lives, Gissi loved to tease him as he knew Benson (that is his Name) could not get out
Benson always went mad at Gissi, bt little Fellow did not care, he even watered Bensons nose ones lol as you can imagine Benson was not happy with Gissi, Benson's Owner always knew when Gissi was about by Benson's bark lol
Gissi used to run around in front of the Gate and tease him
The last 2 weeks we have not seen Benson, but I thought nothing of it as it is cold and his Owner never let him out to long in the Cold
We went that way today and Gissi was looking for Benson, as I told Gissi he is not out, Benson's owner came round the Corner, she knew Gissi was looking for Benson and she said to me ' You won't see him again, I had to have him put to sleep, he had a Tumour, he was 13 years old and the Vet said he was to old to survive the Operations ( this was the same with our Max 5 years ago)
I was sad, I had tears in my eyes, I told her how sorry I was, she said it is one of them things when we have our Babies, but she was so upset still
Gissi must have understood something as he stood by her Gate with his little Head down, he then came to us and jumped up at the Lady as if to say 'It is ok he is in Doggy Heaven'
She stroked Gissi and said Sorry to him but Benson had been very Ill and in the end they had to let him go
I am choking up now, as I feel the poor Woman's Pain, we will not see Benson again, but I will remember the bit of Fun Benson and Gissi used to have, specially the Day he came towards us with his Owner on the Lead and Gissi just stood still lol as if to say 'Oh no, he is not behind the Gate' Benson just looked at Gissi and then nudged him with his Nose lol , I am sure Gissi was frozen to the spot lol, but it did not stop him teasing Benson next time we walked past
I just hate it when Pets are lost to People who love them, I know the pain so well I have been through it so many times as I have always had a Dog, it hurts so much when they go
But we know Benson is in a wonderful Place and Pain free now
9 people like this
35 responses
@whiteheather39 (24403)
• United States
29 Nov 09
I absolutely agree with you since my childhood I have gone through that pain with 9 dogs, 5 cats, 2 birds and 2 hamsters. Each time I have said never again no more pets then I fall in love again and just pray they will have long healthy lives. Now I have 3 more dogs to just enjoy their love and not think about how short their life spans are. Now at my age I may go before them so I have put a clause in my will for their care if that should happen.
3 people like this
@gabs8513 (48686)
• United Kingdom
29 Nov 09
Like me Heather you have lost a lot of Pets and it is hard each time
You will live a long Life but I am glad that you did put a clause in the will for the Babies
I know if anything should happen to me My Son and Daughter will have Gissi and love him and take care of him
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
30 Nov 09
I glad whiteheather that you kind of reconciled yourself and changed your mind about NOT having a pet again and instead got a new furbaby. The new one can never replace the one that has left us, but I for one couldn't even imagine life without a "baby" as I've had pets since I was five years old.
2 people like this
@whiteheather39 (24403)
• United States
30 Nov 09
My first pets, a dog and a cat, were also when I was 5 years old.
I even brought my two cats (Siamese and Persian) to the US with me when I immigrated. So they, like myself, were legal immigrants! 
2 people like this
@cloudwatcher (6861)
• Australia
29 Nov 09
Hello dear Gissi.
I am so sorry to hear you've lost your friend and "sparring partner" Benson.
3 people like this
@tamarafireheart (15384)
•
29 Nov 09
Hi Gabs,
It is always inbearable to lose your beloved pet, I know because I have lost few of my cats to cancer, one cat I had was 23 years old and in the end cancer got her, I know Benson is runnubg around in Rainbow Bridge and not suffering anymore, but it is till so ver sad. Love and hugs.
Tamara
xxxx
3 people like this
@Opal26 (17679)
• United States
29 Nov 09
Hey gabs~ I am so sorry to hear about Gissi's friend Benson. It
made me cry too to think about how much it hurts to lose one
of our "babies". It is one of the most painful feelings I can
remember losing some of mine. It still hurts to think about them.
I feel so badly about this, but I know that Benson is happier
and not in pain and playing on "Rainbow Bridge with all of our
lost babies and he is smiling now~
3 people like this
@gabs8513 (48686)
• United Kingdom
29 Nov 09
Yes Opal that is where he will be
It Hurts Sweet but just try to remember the happy times you have had with them and that they are happy over the Rainbow Bridge looking over you it will ease the Hurt for you as it does for me there are many of mine up there and they are all together up there Pain free
Hugs
2 people like this
@LadyMarissa (12148)
• United States
29 Nov 09
Gabby....
Give Gissi a kiss for me please. I know he will miss proving his manhood to Benson. I had a Golden Retriever/German Shepherd mix that was the absolute BEST dog I ever had!!! When he was very young, the vet broke the news to me that he had hip dysplasia which is extremely common in German Shepherds. He said I would be lucky if my baby lived past 5 years old before he was too crippled to walk. I was blessed as he made it to 12 years old before getting so bad that his back legs no longer worked Even after he could no longer walk, that dog followed me every step I took dragging his rear end behind him. He was scraping the skin off his legs following me & I couldn't make him stay behind no matter what I did. I couldn't stand to watch him. His current vet was shocked he was still getting around & had told me that I would know in my heart when the time came. He was right. I could NOT let him torture himself just to be with me, so I called the vet & scheduled to have him put down. The vet assured me I was doing the right thing as he had to be in terrible pain as the hip dysplasia was terribly painful even without the dragging himself around after me. I just couldn't take him when the day came, so my Dad was kind enough to take him for me & he & a friend buried him in the back corner of our yard so I didn't have to deal with confronting his body afterward. That was 20 years ago this year & I still miss him terribly. I've had several dogs since then, but NONE as kind, loving & protective as that dog. I know Gissi will look for Benson every time you go near his house, but I pray he won't realize what happened as it will break his little heart!!! Hugs & Kisses to BOTH you & Gissi!!! 
@GardenGerty (160491)
• United States
29 Nov 09
I know you and Gissi will both miss Benson, but I respect his owner for letting him go as it was necessary. I do not see keeping a pet and leaving it in pain.
3 people like this
@abbey19 (3106)
• Gold Coast, Australia
29 Nov 09
That is such a sad story Gabs, and I know how upset you must have been when you found out why you hadn't seen Benson for a while - and of course, Gissi must have been wondering why too. My heart goes out to that poor lady for the loss of her companion and friend.
I still feel raw from the recent loss of our little Penny as you know, and even though we have lost dogs in the past, it's still hard to bear.
We all have our own treasured memories of our pets which is a comfort. Benson is free from pain now, and safe over Rainbow Bridge. Hugs xx
@gabs8513 (48686)
• United Kingdom
30 Nov 09
Hi Abbey
I to miss Penny still she was a part of you and the stories with her and Poppy
It did upset me when she passed on, as I knew how hard it was for you and Paul to loose the Baby
I have lost many to in my Life and it is hard very hard
Penny will always be in our Heart as we felt we knew her so well
1 person likes this
@sparkofinsanity (20471)
• Regina, Saskatchewan
30 Nov 09
I'm sorry to hear about Benson Gabs. It is truly heartbreaking when a pet passes away, and it sounds like Gissi will miss him too, so extra treats for him eh? I don't know what I'd do without Spunky. She's my rock.............
2 people like this
@gabs8513 (48686)
• United Kingdom
30 Nov 09
Well Gissi looked again this morning as he always does I suppose it will take a while
He was a lovely Dog
As for treats for little Man, my Living room looks like when the Children where little just it is not toys all over the Floor it is GISSI TREATS
2 people like this
@sparkofinsanity (20471)
• Regina, Saskatchewan
30 Nov 09
LOL...........the other day Spunky found her bag of dog bone treats I give her for her teeth. I forgot to put it away in the cupboard and the next thing I knew I was stepping on them as they were all over the floor and Spunky's looking at me all sad eyed because I'd crushed a few! LOL Oh, and tell Gisse, Spunky licked his pic on my computer and sent him a kiss.
2 people like this
@savypat (20216)
• United States
29 Nov 09
This is the pain pet owners suffer, we always try to talk about our old pets and remember the good times, we try to have some pictures to help us remember, since we are in our 70's and have had pets all of our lives we have gone through this often, it's never easy.
2 people like this
@moneymakingtoday (4061)
• Philippines
29 Nov 09
Yes, it is always painful for the pet owners to lose their pets. Pets and pet owners bond with each other. It is such an unexplainable feeling when you are there communicating with them. They seem to understand you. We also talk to our pet kittens and dogs. We now have new additions to the house, 4 puppies. We recently lost one kitten, leaving us with two others. They have grown bigger now and are very active already.
3 people like this
@chulce (1537)
• United States
29 Nov 09
So sorry to hear about Gissi's loss. It makes me wonder about out pets and the bonds that they make during their lives as well. Especially like the story that you just told us about Gissi and Bensen. I am sure that both animals loved visiting with each other even though most of the time it was through the fence.
It is amazing the bonds that we make with all of the different animals we have brought into our lives. It is all the joys that we remember and the happy times we have shared that enrich or lives. Hold on to these good feelings and keep them close to your heart, if you feel stressed revisit them and let them be the ways to help you relax.
3 people like this
@PeacefulWmn9 (10420)
• United States
29 Nov 09
It it always hard to lose a dear pet. Like you, I've been through this pain a number of times. And other animals sense, as Gissi will, when one of their own is missing. I am glad Gissi tried to comfort and reassure Benson's owner. Dogs are lovely that way :)
Karen3 people like this
@arcticwolf (21)
• United States
1 Dec 09
Hey Gaby!!
Yes, My first loss was when i was 8; on my first communion day.I remmeber it well.Our golden retriever ccouldn't t up the stairs and was whining.I said,"Daddy whats wrong with Laddie"He came over and saw he had somehow gotten into some rat poison.My dad told me to say goodbye,I said," I don't want to make my first communion !!I want my Laddie."
I watched as my dad loaded him in the back of the car and was crying n crying.He wa my only companion as we lived in a big city and mom didn't drive.
My grandma called and said forget that silly ole dog its your communion day much more important.I threw the phone down started bawling and ran upstairs,saying I don't want to make my first communion.
That was the first loss.
I also lost a 13 yr old companion of my husband and i,another golden.She lived a full wonderful life but couldn't stand up anymore.We had 3 kids and Rusty left Daisy in the livingrm with us for a couple days.He would Pick her up to take her out to go potty a couple times a day.Finally he said ,"we need to put her down its not fair to her."
He couldn't bear to have her thrown in the garbage and burned in a mass--as they did-so asked for her body. We all drove out to somewhere by a river,he dug a grave had everyone say soemthing we rememebred and buried her.
Our other golden at the time was 3 and couldn't get over the loss, so wouldn't leave the basement.I couldn't lift her up all the stairs everyday and she would run back down and sit and cry and whine so we had to give her away to a ranch owner.
I now have a sweet baby,a St BErnard,she is a lover girl but 3 yrs old.I do not know what I will do when she goes... as she is so attached to me, I hear St Bernards don't live as long but I can't think of that.
SO Gaby in response-I have had 2 losses that were deep,and a couple more we had to give away --where i can hope they lived long.
It breaks my heart as I am a dog person.They ARE people too,and will tell you if you ask them!
Just ask Gissi and Leia!! Who KNOWS she's Princess Leia lol
hugs to dry your tears my dear,
Rosemarie:o) roseinmn
@gabs8513 (48686)
• United Kingdom
2 Dec 09
Oh Rosemarie this brought tears to my eyes I know the Pain to well I have lost 5 Dogs in my Life, 6 Cats, 1 Kitten, 3 Chinchillas and it hurts so bad
Our last Dog Max was a retriever he had to be put down at the age of 13 as he had cancer and the vet said he was to old to survive the treatment and also his back Legs where giving way
I have little Gissi now and I have to say I am dreading the Day he leaves me as he is so close and special to me
He has a Heart Murmur and a couple of other Health issues, he is a little Rescue Dog and we found each other at the right time
So I know what you mean but like me don't think about it now enjoy her as long as she is with you which sounds like a while as she is only 3
Thank you for sharing this with me
@ladygator (3465)
• United States
30 Nov 09
That is very sad. I personally have mostly had cats. I have had a few dogs thow. There was one that went missing when I was young and always wondered what had come of her. Then there was another dog that moved when I had to move away with my mom. I had a cat that I had since it was just a tiny kitten. We had a very special relationship and nine years back he also went off missing. I was so very sad and tried to find him. There was one incident that has to be the hardest for me. I had a pit bull that was the best with our family and listened perfectly fine to me, but I was not home one day and she grabbed onto my father-in-laws jeans. He had teased her in her crate several times prior, so it was a bit egged on. But I was so worried that she would get out and hurt someone that I had to put her down. I loved her so much and cried my heart out all the way there and back. At times I still get choked up about it. But I do know I made the right choice.
1 person likes this
@ladygator (3465)
• United States
1 Dec 09
I was so upset with them about it. I felt like they "won" they didnt want us to have her. They said Pit Bulls should never be around the kids. But she loved our family. We had no worries about her with any of us. It was other people. She was also highly protective. I happened to get very sick when I was carrying our last child, so we stayed in for several months when she was small. She watched over me. But once a guy came over from across the street and started to yell at me. She was angry even about that. She was growling at his voice and would run over there at times when I went out. (They had horses and she liked to play with them) But the guy threatened to shoot her. I still get so mad about what I had to do and upset. It was 4 years ago too. But one day I will get another dog when my kids are all older and I can take it to obedience class and spend all kinds of time with it.
1 person likes this
@gabs8513 (48686)
• United Kingdom
2 Dec 09
It is hard to get over I know specially where there is such closeness and I am so sorry you had to go through this I really am I just wish it would have been different for you
I hope that you will get a dog again soon and find comfort
Remember your Dog is over the Rainbow Bridge waiting for you and knows that you had to do this and she still loves you very much and always will
@gabs8513 (48686)
• United Kingdom
30 Nov 09
Oh Lady that is so sad
But your Father in Law was at fault there and it is his fault you had to take that step
I understand what you are saying as yes it could have happened worse specially if he was teasing, but I am so sorry you had to have this done
1 person likes this
@ElicBxn (63568)
• United States
30 Nov 09
I'm sorry to hear that Benson has gone on to the Rainbow Bridge, but it is better than suffering any further. I have certainly lost a lot of cats over the years, even a few dogs and there is a hole where the pet used to reside. My condolences to your neighbor.
1 person likes this
@gabs8513 (48686)
• United Kingdom
30 Nov 09
Yes it is best that he is not suffering any more Elic, I think we can all feel her Pain as we are all People that have lost Furbabies over the Years the only good thing I guess is there are so many out there that I need our Love and care, they will not replace the ones we have lost over the Years but we can love them and care for them
1 person likes this
@gemini_rose (16264)
•
4 Dec 09
It is so sad losing a treasured animal, I remember having to have my dog put to sleep because she had heart failure. Without doubt it was one of the most hardest things I ever had to do and is the main reason that I will not even consider having another dog. I just could not go through that pain again of losing another animal!
1 person likes this
@Hatley (163776)
• Garden Grove, California
29 Nov 09
oh gabs that makes me have tear in my eyes. it is so sad when our pets have to go. gissi probably was very sensitibe to your friend's grief and tried to tell her Benson is at the Rainbow bridge so all will be okay. Its so cute how Gissi reacted when he realized benson was there in the flesh, then Benson just nudged Gissi on his nose. just goes to show what a personality Gissi and Benson had too.Some dogs Gissi's size would have run out of fright but Gissi stood his ground, and I bet Benson was being really sensitive of Gissi's small size too. Dogs are so wonderful, cute, funny, and unpredictable.
2 people like this
@minx267 (15527)
• Hartford, Connecticut
30 Nov 09
Ok, Now you have gone and done it. You made me cry.
That is a sad story, poor Benson.
I have had that happen to me before. I always note all the dogs in the neighborhood on our walks, And am always saddened when I see someone who is no longer there and find out that they are not with us anymore..
I lost My T.K. baby to cancer. I feel for your neighbor - you never get over the loss of your baby. I still miss mine and they have been gone for years.
@minx267 (15527)
• Hartford, Connecticut
30 Nov 09
Yes, don't worry about it- I responded on so many since that had good memories- they made me smile and laugh at the memories..
And that is why we have them.. I feel for people who go through their lives petless and never know the joys
1 person likes this
