Farewell to a great friend

[Leonidas]

As a few of you will recall my father passed away mid January.
Well..it seems 2010 is going to be a challenging year for us!

Our gorgeous Springer Spaniel Rio, has been back and forth to the vets over the last few weeks with suspected arthritis...
We were not happy with progress, Sue and I took Rio back to our local vets yesterday and they discovered she was severely anaemic.

Rio needed a blood transfusion immediately, so we took her to a specialist vets an hour away.
Last night Rio had a blood transfusion and also plasma infusion in order to stabilize the condition so the vets could diagnose the problem, we had a call just after 6.30pm last night to say things were progressing well.

At 9.40am this morning we received a call to say Rio had died 20 minutes earlier.
We were just expecting an update from the vets not the 'I'm sorry to have to tell you' call....
In any case we brought her home as soon as possible to spend some time with her, after which we took her to our local vets to arrange cremation.

The house is much bigger and deafeningly quieter without her....Rio was the first and only pooch who has been with us (from 6 weeks old).
We have been so very fortunate to have a big hearted pooch in our life for so long, I do hope she is at peace, she has given so much unconditional love and never, ever complained....

Here are a few photo's.....just wanted to share these words and images so Rio can be remembered by some like-minded folks.


After an op on her leg in 2004

She knew how to play us....

The original Cheeky Girl

Poster child with an RSPCA look

During the snow in Lincolnshire Jan 2010

Farewell Rio

 

[MartinK9]

Sorry to hear of your loss.

 

[PRKL]

Sorry for your lost,i have had several dogs and i know its hard when they pass away before us.

 

[Shewie]

Sorry to hear that, she looks like she was a lovely companion.

It's always hard losing a pet.

 

[launditch1]

Dont know what to say...heartbreaking i know.

 

[Mesquite]

Really sorry for your loss. As PRKL, it's hard to lose a loved one be it human or a very much loved pet.

 

[coln18]

Hey Tom, Thats a terrible blow to the family, i have 2 wee dogs myself and dread the day that anything happens to them, they never betray you and they just aint on this earth for very long. My 2 dogs are 6 and 8 years old and it just seems like yesterday that we got them.

Im sure you are doing it anyway, but just try to focus on all the great times you had together and all the silly things only a dog could do - you will know what i mean, if a dog can get into a pickle it wlll.... truly the families best friend....

Keep smiling and best wishes to you and your family...

P.S She was a cute looking wee girlie......



All the best. your wee Scottish lavvu buddy..

Colin.....

 

[g4ghb]

My thoughts are with you mate! That seems so inadequate doesn't it but there is little more one can say....

 

[JonathanD]

My sincere condolences. It's hard to lose a faithful pet.

 

[Miyagi]

Thanks for sharing that with us Leonidas, that can't have been easy to do, but us dog lovers on here can sympathise with your loss.

It's worse than a kick in the baws when we lose our best pal.

I've just now given the furry muppet that lives with me a big hug and the sausage meat that was meant for the Scotch eggs for tomorrow's tea.

All the best,

Liam

 

[Spaniel man]

I know I can't add much to what's been said already, but know that people feel your loss, and are as sad as you at the loss of a close friend.
And I know how close they get.
My most sincere condolances to you.

 

[FreddyFish]

I can't find you the words I would like to write here.. It is a been a hell of a year so far..
My thoughts and prayers are with you.

God Bless.

 

[Machiavelli]

I'm so sorry to read about your losses. My heart felt condolances to you.

 

[bikebum1975]

Sorry for your loss man I know how it feels to loose a long time friend and have to pet down a pet you never truly get over it as some might say. She was a beautiful dog looked like a lot of fun.

 

[malente]

Sorry for your loss

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown...

 

[Chris the Cat]

Sorry for your loss Tommy,take it easy fella.
Chris.

 

[Jaysurfer]

I am truely sorry for your loss mate...

It always seems to come at once doesn't it.
We had three Golden Retrievers. They were mum, dog from 1st litter and bitch from 2nd litter.

Unfortunately the mum dies of old age (good age of 16 though)... 6 months later the dog died as he was having spasms/fits (a dogfgy stroke according to the Vet) on a weekly basis and the only way to stop them was to inject him daily which was no life for anyone so we let him go and had him put to sleep.
Unfortunatelyt after that the little bitch just gave up on life and started coughing up blood less then 5 days after her brother died and we found out she had cancer.
So it is never easy and it will feel like there is something missing for a long time.

Dogs always seem to be your best friend when you are alone/ on your own but also seem to be the centre of the family and pull the family together, they create fun and laughter from nothing except time and love.

If only more people were like our lovable companions!

My thoughts are with you

J

 

[Biker]

Can't think of anything that hasn't been said already. Sincere condolances for your recent losses.

 

[coln18]

Where ever you got that Rainbow bridge story from, well lets just say ive never read something so beautifully put about ones dog (best friend), made we want to hug my two dogs and makes me feel guilty that they havent been for a big walk for the past week due to the snow up here.

I am sure Tom read that story and it would have hit it on the nail for him and made him smile.... well posted mate....

Col...

 

[Leonidas]

Thank you, to everyone who posted or simply stopped by....

Malente
The rainbow bridge is a warming thought...if only eh!
Thanks for posting.

Cheers
Tom