As I make it through Easter without my Tresbien I re-read your story about Jamie. I so hope you're doing better than me.
Apr 01, 2011 Rating
Jamie by: Mary Massey
Bill,
I was just on this website for the 2nd time today and ran across your tribute to Jamie. I just lost my Tresbien in December and I'm still struggling every day not to cry. We have similar stories, because I'm a realtor Tres was able to go with me every day. He came to my office, went to open houses and showed property with me so everybody knew him and just loved him. I got him at the age of 3 from a local rescue organization here in St. Louis. He turned 11 in October and then in December he decided to quit eating and taking his meds for 4 days. The night before I took him in the vet he was up most of the night and was miserably sick. I'm not really sure what it was but felt he just wanted to die so I had him put to sleep. I'm still sleeping with the bag with his ashes in it and I carry one of his toys in my car so I can hold it up to my nose to see if I can still capture his smell. Unfortunately I think it's going away. He was like my child and I'm not sure I'll ever be able to get over it. I do think the older we get the harder it is to lose a beloved pet.
What you wrote in your post about the things you did with Jamie are almost frighteningly scary as I did such similar things with Tres. It's nice to hear that there are people out there who understand what it's like to love your dog. I hope you're doing better by now. You can get a glimps of Tres on my website, www.marymasseystl.com. All of my marketing for my business had him in it. He was definitely the beauty in the picture.
Dec 22, 2009 Rating
So sorry by: Diana
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. We just lost our apricot standard poodle last week. Ginger was like our child, and we are devastated.
As I was reading your descriptions of your standard, I completely understood. Because standards have that wonderful personality and way about them. Ginger was the same way: extremely intelligent, everybodies friend.
My husband and I loved her for (11) years.
I hope that you have a nice holiday, and that the feelings of sadness have transpired to fond memories...
Diana Pelletier
dpelle777@gmail.com
Sep 10, 2009 Rating
condolences by: Anonymous
Dear Bill:
I discovered this blog today, as we prepare to adopt our first standard poodle soon. My husband and I lost our dear springer spaniel, Lucas, last March, he was 14. It has taken this long to decide to bring a new little guy into the family to love. Our kids are grown and both have family pets, but none as great as our Lucas! My heart goes out to you, the pain is real and the loss is forever - but the memories and the joyous times you spent with your best friend will always remain with you. It helps to talk about the loss with people who truly understand. Lucas wasm y husband's dog, and like you, went with him everywhere, and saw us both through many hardships. He looked to me for "mothering" and feeding, and attention, but he was Norm's best friend. Norm trained him in the early years, competed a bit too, but msotly, he was his frined and great playmate. We knew the end was coming for a long time, but tried to deny it. It was Lucas who told us he was ready to go, and willingly went into the vet's when we knew it was his time(he always fought going there, hated that place!)...it's NEVER easy. But time is a great healer, keep pictures around, make an album of your favorite times together, and set aside a few minutes each day to recal your wonderful times together - and the love. it does get easier, but I think I shall always tear up thinking of our Luc-a-duke. He was a CHAMPION, and is in doggie heaven for sure...maybe he and Jaimie are friends! I wish you peace, and in time, I hope you are able to open up to another relationship with another "best friend". We decided to get a poodle this time, because we felt it would be hard to look at another dog who reminded us so much of Lucas...and poodles have very similar traits and charateristics, loyal, loving, intelligent, love the water - so here goes. Your experiences with Jaime that ou described in the blog were so wonderful to read about, it helps me know this is the right breed for us. Good luck to you Bill! Write back in a few months and let us know how ou are doing...
Sep 03, 2009 Rating
Your soul has opened by: Anonymous
We lost very unexpectedly our 11-year-old chocolate standard, Coco, three months ago from unknown causes. She just collapsed when my son was walking her. I have never seen my son (who is 50) cry so hard in his life as when we were burying her in our backyard. She was the my closest companion. My heart goes out to you---you're right, other non-dog people just don't understand. It's no coincidence that "dog" spelled backwards is "God!" for dogs are the closest creatures showing us what unconditional love looks like that we have. Anatole France, the famous writer, once wrote "Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened." XXX Joan P. Washington, D.C.
Aug 29, 2009 Rating
My heart goes out to you by: D
Bill,
I just happened upon your letter and can only imagine your pain...I don't know what I will do when my beloved Jaxon (10-yr old black standard)leaves me. He is fortunately a very healthy dog right now...but know that anything can happen health-wise at any time, like it did with your wonderful dog...so very sad.
Sounds like she had a great life w/you. Please know that the rest of us standard poodle owners feel your sorrow....yes, it sucks. Perhaps soon you can get another wonderful poodle?
Jul 31, 2009 Rating
response to your grief by: babyboomer1001
Sorry for your loss. I know how difficult it must be. I lost my white standard poodle in May. She was 12 and my 22 1/2 year old Seal Point Siamese cat less than 2 months before that. Though no new pet can replace your beloved love, as none could replace mine, you might want to get another one. My new standard poodle will arrive this weekend. I'm 52. The older we get, the more loss we endure. Thank God we don't live to be 200. I feel for you. I still cry over mine and my first standard poodle, who didn't live to be 9 and the vet killed him when he was only supposed to give him a shot of antibiotics. That was in 2005. When I die, I hope to see my beloved pets. Why don't you hope for the same? It might make you feel better knowing that it might very well be possible. In the meantime, give a new puppy a good home and lots of love. I still cry for my loves. You are the best kind of human if you do.
Jul 13, 2009 Rating
I am so sorry by: Anonymous
I really understand what you are going through, I know it is too early, but I have just rescued a beautiful male Standard, he was dumped starved and beated, he has turned into my beautiful best friend after only five months, I have two other dogs that I could never imagine loving another as much, this breed is so wonderful and there are so many that are unwanted, we have at our local rescue a six year old female and you can contact Poodle Rescue of Las Vegas if you are interested. I could not imagine going through life without a Standard, My two are great and my mini is just a joy. my email jamisonpat@yahoo.com
Jul 12, 2009 Rating
your right. by: kathy
Bll,
i reread your note.
Ditto, but, i'm a cowgirl in Texas, and Poo was my side kick traveling buddy , and therapy dog.
Complete with a 77 stepside ford truck.
Yes, it sucks.
u can right me if you need too vent. I can relate.
kj
shangrilaranch@gmail.com
Jul 12, 2009 Rating
me too by: kathy
I can't believe i found others that are going thru what I am too.
I'm lost. My son was by my side for 13 years.
I can't seem to find him, even tough i know he passed on June 25 2009.
He was a magnificant individual,i love him
i understand .
Jul 12, 2009 Rating
Healing by: Deborah
I can only begin to understand what you are feeling. I too have a standard. He is white and just 6 years old as of April 2009.... If I lost him I would be devastated and completely lost. He is my bed mate, my protector, my companion and my best friend. He was my husband's before he had to go to a nursing home in Florida. I inherited the "boy" and have retrained him as my own "service" dog. He is also my constant companion and we do everything together. May your pain heal and hopefully you will try to adopt another to help fill the void. You will never forget or replace the love of your lost love. But each has their own personality and give joy as no other creature on this earth.
