My dog died on Sunday

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EmJovial

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My 9 year old lab mix, Hannah, died this past sunday. She’s been ill since April so we knew it was coming. But she was holding her own for a while, in fact she was very energetic last friday and we thought she was making a come back. Then literally overnight her body gave out so we had to put her down.
I’ve spent a lot of time with this dog, especially this summer taking care of her while she was ill. I loved her so much and was very attached to her (I’m crying as i’m typing this). I’m having a difficult time with this but here’s my request:
To help me heal, I want to read up on St. Francis and his love for animals along with anything else that has to do with God and animals. Does anyone have any online resources or books they could refer me to?
Thank you.
 
Not sure the source or author, but, I find this beautiful:

"
God summoned a beast from the field and He said, “Behold man, created in my image. Therefore adore him.
You shall protect him in the wilderness, shepherd his flocks, watch over his children, accompany him wherever
he may go - even unto civilization. You shall be his companion, his ally, his slave.”

“To do these things,” God said, "I endow you with these instincts uncommon to other beasts:
faithfulness, devotion, and understanding surpassing those of man himself.
Lest it impair your courage, you shall never foresee your death. Lest it impair your loyalty,
you shall be blind to the faults of man. Lest it impair your understanding, you are denied the power of words.
Speak to your master only with your mind, and through your honest eyes.

"Walk by his side; sleep in his doorway; ward off his enemies, carry his burdens, share his afflictions;
love him and comfort him. And in return for this, man will fulfill your needs & wants –
which shall be only food, shelter, & affection.

“So be silent, and be a friend to man. Guide him through the perils along the way to
the land that I have promised him. This shall be your destiny & your immortality.” So spake the Lord.

And the dog heard and was content.
 
I’m so sorry for your loss. May God bring you comfort and peace as you grieve the loss of your beloved dog, Hannah.
 
**Sorry, no resources for you, but lots of hugs and prayers. Last year we had to put our dog down that I got for my 15th birthday! I am almost 32 years old:eek:. It was heartbreaking so I can understand what you are going through. I also have a current pooch who is over 9 years old (and 130lbs) so I don’t know how much longer we will be blessed with his presence.

The pain will lessen, like any grief, over time. Slowly it will be replaced with only the fond memories and you won’t always be brought to tears when she comes to mind. For now, let yourself cry. It’s ok to be sad. There are many people out there who do not understand the bond between people and their beloved pets so they will think you are weird for being this emotional over “just a dog”. Don’t pay attention to them. God gives us so many gifts, your Hannah was certainly one of them:console:**
 
I’m so sorry for your loss. Losing a pet is awful, especially when people tell your “it’s only a dog”. We animal lovers know that our dogs/cats etc are never “only a dog”.
We have lost several pets over the years and what helped us was when we felt ready, a trip to the dogs home. Having a new pet that really needed love and attention helped us over our loss.
Gearoidin
 
I appreciate all of the kind words, unfortunately I’m a college student living in scholarship housing where no pets are allowed (I’m living at home for the summer right now) so it will be years until I can get another pet. Trust me, I want nothing more then to go out and buy a black lab puppy haha! But my mom cannot care for any more animals, we have 3 other pets, so in a way this was all in good timing I guess since Hannah required a lot of care and I will be leaving here soon.

But thank you all so much, this is very helpful.

(Hannah’s dogster page: dogster.com/dogs/441692)
 
Check the community around your school. There is likely to be a Humane Society or other rescue orginization who would WELCOME a loving pair of hands to volunteer. You do not have to adopt to help out 👍
 
I was given a golden retriever when I was 16 whom I loved dearly and still do. She lived to be 13 years old, and finally was put to rest due to severe arthritis. She was the purest loving soul I have ever or will ever know. I’ll always always miss her.

I’m so sorry you lost your Hanna. Just give thanks to God for having known her! You’re so blessed to have had her as a part of your life.

The only reading I can suggest right now is to read about the patron saints of dogs and dog lovers. They are:
Hubert of Liege
Roch
Vitus

Also the Dominicans are closely associated with dogs:
Dominic was born in Caleruega, half-way between Osma and Aranda in Old Castile, Spain at the castle of the Guzmáns. He was named after the patron saint of the Benedictine Abbey of Santo Domingo de Silos, a few miles north of Caleruega. A legend stated that before his birth, his mother dreamed she saw her son under the figure of a black-and-white dog, with a torch in its mouth. This legend seems to use the medieval pun on the name of the Dominicans, Domini canes, “dogs of the Lord”.
Click to expand...
source

I’ll keep an eye out for you for any more reading material such as you’ve requested. 😉 God bless you.
 
EmJovial said:
My 9 year old lab mix, Hannah, died this past sunday. She’s been ill since April so we knew it was coming. But she was holding her own for a while, in fact she was very energetic last friday and we thought she was making a come back. Then literally overnight her body gave out so we had to put her down.
I’ve spent a lot of time with this dog, especially this summer taking care of her while she was ill. Does anyone have any online resources or books they could refer me to?
Thank you.
Click to expand...
I am so sorry for your loss. All animals fill a special place in our lives if we let them and they are truly gifts from God. It’s good you were able to care for her during her last few months but these death watches are horrible. I’ve been on three in the past 12 months with our 21 year old cat that we put down last Oct, a 14 y.o. cat that had to be put down in March, and a 10 y.o cat with cancer that doesn’t know she’s sick but we do as we see the tumor growing and know there’s nothing we can do (it was removed once but grew back right away).

Even when it’s expected, we’re never quite ready for the end. One thing I’ve noticed with animals and people that are seriously/terminally ill - there always seems to be a rally near the end. They act almost like their old selves and then they crash. Don’t know why that happens.

As far as saints and animals, there is a legend about St. John Bosco and a dog called Grigio that my CCD kids love hearing about. Either scroll 2/3s of the way down the page or do a find for the word grigio. cin.org/saints/secboscc.html
 
I’m so sorry for your loss. Been there, done that, bought the T-shirt.

My response was like a PP, immediately got a new puppy that had been abused and neglected and needed a mommy. I think one of the other PP’s suggestion was fabulous – volunteer at an animal shelter.
 
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