Didn't know where else to post this but we had to have our beautiful dog Bonnie put to sleep today. Nearly 15 years old - a wonderful German Shepherd. A sad day indeed.

Though none of you met her, she was always talked about on my trip to Texas.

Shawn

Shawn - So sorry to hear of Bonnie's passing.  Best wishes to you and Jules.  I know this must be hard....

 S

Ah, Shawn - so sorry for your loss.  These kind and gentle creatures truly become part of one's family.

Marc writes so eloquently about love and loss and while I can't seem to recall any lyrics specifically about pets . . .

"But one day he finds for whatever it's worth

The moon and the stars and blue spinning earth

They'll all come and go through death and rebirth

And the ones that he's lost will be near him"

Shawn,

I wish you the best.  It's so hard to lose a pet.  Those "fur-babies" that live with us can be closer friends that many two-leggers.  It's hard to find anyone who loves us so unconditionally.  This is the kind of grief that many will understand, and some won't.  It will take a while to get through. I didn't find exactly what I was looking for, but I did find a few articles that I hope might help.  Take care.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2006/08/12/HOGOJKDEE21.DTL&type=printable

http://www.sptimes.com/2006/03/19/Floridian/Letting_go_of_Dakota.shtml

Oh my dear, I just got home and this is the news that I read first. You know that she meant so much to me also. I'm with you.

A

Thanks to all. It is a terrible time. Personally I have never experienced loss before. Sue - your comments are so true - unconditional love is a marvellous thing. A lot of our friends knew Bonnie as well and the wishes we are receiving from them are amazing.

It's funny. One of the first things I did was to write down some words which are now forming the basis of a song. That's one thing I've learned from Marc Cohn - writing songs (and listening to them) can help you get through tought times.

And this is a tough time. Speaking about it makes my voice faulter. Some people would say "but she was just a dog". Thankfully I do not know anyone like that.

That's also a great thing about this forum. I had no hesitation in posting the news on here. It is good for the soul.

Onwards and upwards.

Life goes on. It will just never be the same for Jules and I.

Shawn

shawncullen:

Some people would say "but she was just a dog". Thankfully I do not know anyone like that.

I'm glad you don't know anyone like that, Shawn.  For anyone who would has obviously never had a true pet.

I know that you've just lost one of your family.  My condolences.  It's a tough time.  But I'm sure you had 15 wonderful years together.  Remember a few of those moments.  They're worth the pain you're experiencing now.  It's an old saying, but it's true.... it is far better to have loved and lost, than never to have loved at all.

For those interested, a video is now on You Tube set to One Safe Place (seemed apt) - I have put disclaimers on there saying the music is copyrighted etc etc - I hope Marc does not mind this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YsYrPsIfcmw

How sweet, she looked like such a sweet dog!  Hang in there friend.

S

Shawn,

I was looking up some websites for work and ran across this one, Comfort for Grieving Animal Lovers: http://www.griefhealing.com/comfort-grieving-animal-lovers.htm

There are some lovely things on that page.  Take care.

After my Mum died in 2003, I was worried that, after time I would start to forget the little things about her.  The feel of her hands, the smell of her hair, the sound of her laughing or crying.  So, I decided that I would 'trade in' the part of my memory that enables me to remember phone numbers easily!

So, now I have a little corner in my mind dedicated to my mum.  I don't feel the need to have any mementoes or any of her belongings, because it's all still there in my memory.

I know it sounds a bit daft, but it works for me.

when it comes to shuffling off this mortal coil, I like this poem by Don Blanding

Somehow

I've tried for many an hour and minute
To think of this world without me in it.
I can't imagine a new-born day
Without me here . . . somehow . . . some way.
I can not think of autumn's flare
Without me here . . . alive . . . aware.
I can't imagine a dawn in spring
Without my heart awakening.

These treasured days will come and go
At swifter pace . . . but his I know . . .
I have no fear . . . I have no dread
Of that marked day that lies ahead.
My flesh will turn to ash and clay
But I'll be here . . . Somehow . . . some way.