My Poodle died last night

It's such a sad day, even though my Poodle Mindy lived a long and happy life.
She would have been 17 next month, but that was not to be.
I got her when she was 3 months old.
My grown son called me and told me her met a woman who needed to find a good home for this puppy.
I needed a puppy in my life like I needed a hole in my head. My mother was 1000 miles away dying in a nursing home and we were planning a trip to see her and say goodbye.
But I couldn't refuse this puppy and Mindy took her first trip with us. She was the bright spot in a very sad time in my life.
She was so talented . I loved to take pictures of her. She seemed to enjoy all the silliness I could think of for pictures. Her picture appeared in Popular Photograpy and also in the Washington Post.
I taught her how to run on the treadmill and she was better than me!
She sat up like a chipmunk which made her look almost human when we really got silly and dressed up for pictures.
It's so hard to say goodbye. All you can do is hurt and accept it. I know time helps. I just need to get through each day. Thanks for reading. If you would like to see pictures of my beloved Mindy there are some at my website
http://pupart.1hwy.com/
Bonnie

[Ima saver]

I am so sorry. I have had three black female poodles in my life, one lived to be 20, one to the age of 14 and my baby, Holly, is now 6. I know how you feel and am crying with you. I hope you soon get another bundle of joy, it helps!

Oh those pictures are fantastic. Those dogs certainly seemed comfortable dressing up. I am sure she had a wonderful life with you. Sometimes those animals truly are family to us - thinking back to the cats I have had, and you never think you can find one as special and that you might have that same special relationship with. I am sorry for your loss.

[jeffrey]

Very sorry to hear about your loss and I know how sad you must fee. Our dog isn't doing too well these days and we're not sure how long he'll live and just the thought makes us sad. Remeber to concentrate on the happy moments and know that she had a good life with you.

Originally Posted by Ima saver

I am so sorry. I have had three black female poodles in my life, one lived to be 20, one to the age of 14 and my baby, Holly, is now 6. I know how you feel and am crying with you. I hope you soon get another bundle of joy, it helps!

~~~~~~~~~~~
Thanks for your kind words and understanding.
That's amazing one of your Poodles lived to be 20.
I think 14/15 seems to be the average age for a miniture Poodle.

Except for being totally blind the last year of her life, Mindy was in pretty good shape. Always had a good appetite and was pretty lively. Of course with age she slept alot. but dogs sleep alot anyway.

I have a Chihuahua now who is 12 years old. I think she will be the only one for awhile, but I will get another dog sometime.

Originally Posted by taking charge

Oh those pictures are fantastic. Those dogs certainly seemed comfortable dressing up. I am sure she had a wonderful life with you. Sometimes those animals truly are family to us - thinking back to the cats I have had, and you never think you can find one as special and that you might have that same special relationship with. I am sorry for your loss.

~~~~~~~~~
Thank you for viewing the pics and your kind words.

Bonnie

Originally Posted by jeffrey

Very sorry to hear about your loss and I know how sad you must fee. Our dog isn't doing too well these days and we're not sure how long he'll live and just the thought makes us sad. Remeber to concentrate on the happy moments and know that she had a good life with you.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Thank you.
I am sorry your dog is not doing well. No matter how you prepare yourself it's still so difficult.
I am grateful Mindy died at home and peacefully in her sleep and not in a vets office since she was always scared there.
I laid on the sofa with her last night and knew when I placed her in her own bed she may not live through the night.
I am so thankful I had her for so many years and her last night was peaceful.
I hope when the time comes for your dog his journey is as smooth as Mindys was.

[shengmei]

I am so sorry.

When Chester (my 15-year-old Siamese cat) was stolen from my apartment two years ago, I got Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome. I never really got over the loss of Chester.

[Thrifty Ray]

I am sorry to hear about your little Mindy. She was beautiful.
No matter how long a life she had, it is never easy to say goodbye to a family member.

Thankfully, you have lots of photos and memories of your girl to keep her close to your heart.

A big {hug} from another dog lover.

[markio26]

we are going thru the same thing with my older son's dog mickey.. he is a mixed terrier.. i think he is about 15.. my son got him from the pound, no one wanted him.. he is the bravest and smartest dog, my son has owned.. molly a cocker spaniel had cancer and she had to be put to sleep 2 yrs. ago.. she was 3.. kalie is 2 yrs old and she is a nutcake, a dalmation...
sorry about your loss.. it is troublesome.. animals are lil ppl.

Originally Posted by shengmei

I am so sorry.

When Chester (my 15-year-old Siamese cat) was stolen from my apartment two years ago, I got Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome. I never really got over the loss of Chester.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thank you.
I am sorry about Chester and the trauma you have experienced.
Never knowing would be so painful.
Bonnie

Bonnie, I'm so sorry.

I just had a moment with my 4 year old pointer. Annual checkup, little pimple....tumor. As much as being told knocked the wind out of my sails, seeing him after the operation was just heart wrenching. He just looked so whipped. Been a week and a half though, he's got his spring back, the vet thinks she got it all but I will forever more be on full time "bump patrol" when I'm petting him.

I can certainly sympathize with the attachment and I know how crushed you must feel. You are most definitely in my thoughts.


and if I may ask, the apparent discipline of those little guys in the pictures is amazing, how in the world do you train them to do so well?

Originally Posted by Thrifty Ray

I am sorry to hear about your little Mindy. She was beautiful.
No matter how long a life she had, it is never easy to say goodbye to a family member.

Thankfully, you have lots of photos and memories of your girl to keep her close to your heart.

A big {hug} from another dog lover.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thank you for your beautiful words. They really mean a lot .
Bonnie

Originally Posted by markio26

we are going thru the same thing with my older son's dog mickey.. he is a mixed terrier.. i think he is about 15.. my son got him from the pound, no one wanted him.. he is the bravest and smartest dog, my son has owned.. molly a cocker spaniel had cancer and she had to be put to sleep 2 yrs. ago.. she was 3.. kalie is 2 yrs old and she is a nutcake, a dalmation...
sorry about your loss.. it is troublesome.. animals are lil ppl.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I am sorry for all your loses too and Mickey.
I have known some dogs from the pound who are really amazing.
I have often wondered if they knew thier fate and the pound and are so grateful for being saved they are determinded to show just how special they are!
<of course they are all special in their own unique ways>
Bonnie

Originally Posted by rexdart

Bonnie, I'm so sorry.

I just had a moment with my 4 year old pointer. Annual checkup, little pimple....tumor. As much as being told knocked the wind out of my sails, seeing him after the operation was just heart wrenching. He just looked so whipped. Been a week and a half though, he's got his spring back, the vet thinks she got it all but I will forever more be on full time "bump patrol" when I'm petting him.

I can certainly sympathize with the attachment and I know how crushed you must feel. You are most definitely in my thoughts.


and if I may ask, the apparent discipline of those little guys in the pictures is amazing, how in the world do you train them to do so well?

~~~~~~~~~
Thank you. Having the wind knocked out of your sails is a good discription.
I have seen that whipped look with some of the dogs I have owned who went through any surgery.
Some dogs can get alot of bumps. It is good to keep a lookout.


There is only one dog left in the pics..little Belle who is soon to be 12. Her and Mindy shared the same Birthday. June 27th. I think Belle misses Mindy too..She was sleeping in one of Mindys spots yesterday.

The brown Chihuahua in pics died suddenly 2 years ago.He was only ten. The vet thinks he had heart failure. We didn't know any better and bought him at a pet shop so I think he may have been doomed with bad genes. He was a sweetheart though and was a real ham for the camera.

The years I was doing the pics I worked with the dogs almost every day.
Belle and Mindy sat up like Chipmunks without training. I think Taco could have too, but I really had to coax him and then he did it all the time.

Once I had basic training down with them they seemed to easily pick up different things I wanted them to do, like holding a flower or flag between their teeth .
I think I just established this rapport with them they almst knew what I wanted them to do before I was ready.
I can remember many times they would jump on the platform which was my home made stage.
If I had a small table there they would sit there and put their paws up on the table.
I could almost hear them telling me, Ok, we're ready,, lets get this show on the road!
I do have so many good memories of those times when my trio was all together.
I'm sure some people thought I was nuts, but I was having a great time and I really believe my Taco, Belle and Mindy were too.
Oh, treats were a good training tool too. All of mine loved carrots and green beans. Sometimes they would get a little chicken or beef too.

Bonnie

[cheapbastard]

I know what it is like to lose a pet. 10 years ago, we had a poodle called chips. He had a cancer in his back and had to be put down. I still think of him occasionally and I know what you are going through.

[boefixepa]

Chin up! I know it hurts, but think of all the good times, and remember what a wonderful and full life you gave all your critters! My heart is with you.

[Fern]

So sorry for your loss.

It might make you feel better to memorialize your pets by writing an entry/bio in the Who's Who of Dogs. They publish one for cats too (annually) and it's a great way to remember beloved pets or celebrate the ones still with us!

Thank you to everyone who responded to my note.
It helps a lot to share .

Bonnie

[lillyb]

Wanted to extend my sympathy. Pets are a part of our family and it hurts just as much when one passes. Big (((hugs))) to you.