3.02.2012

Sad, sad day...

Heidi, July 1999 - March 2012

My beautiful baby girl is gone.  Oh Heidi, how I miss you.  You were so sweet, but also stubborn at times.  You let us know if anyone was in our yard... or if they were even CLOSE to our yard.  You never did anything you didn't want to, and back-talked more than I can count :)

Heidi & Thor making snow angels 2007
My dear sweet baby girl, my heart is breaking and I don't know how it will mend.

Daddy & Heidi 2007

You were Poot & my first fur-baby.  We brought you home when you were six months old.  And even though your papers read "Foster's Revenge of Missy", which was a combination of your parents' names & ours, you were lovingly called Heidi.  My beautiful blonde K9 kid.

My Sleeping Beauty 2008

Heidi's favorite spot at the top of the stairs 2008

When you were younger, you would play fetch & Frisbee until daddy & I were pooped... and you STILL wanted to play :)  Oh, those ooey-gooey slobber-soaked toys (yuck!).  Thankfully we found an automatic ball-thrower so you could play even when we weren't home.  I guess I should say TWO ball-throwers, since you wore out the first one.  

So cute!  How could anyone say "no" to that face?  2008

You loved swimming at the lake and didn't know when to quit... that's when we made you start wearing a life vest.  And every summer you got a new baby pool in the backyard.  You loved to just climb in to cool off, maybe play ball for a bit, then plunge back into the pool.

I remember the day that you brought me "a present".  You came bounding in the door with a dead bird.  Uh, eewww.  You were so proud, you dropped it beside me and looked up at me with a smile and a wagging tail.  Of course, I freaked-out.  It happened to be the night of your daddy's bachelor party, so every guy I knew was out and about.  Your grandma Bev had to come to my rescue and disposed of it.  Thank goodness.  You obviously didn't know that your were not a hunter's bird-dog :)

So angelic... 2008

And though for the last year or two you haven't been able to jump up on the bed, before that it was your favorite place to be :)  I have countless pictures of you snuggled up in our covers, or spread-out on your back like a little person.

Soooooo lady-like.  2009

You had a thyroid issue and had been on meds for years.  Evidently, a long-term side-effect was that it caused your tear-production to stop.  You lost one eye because of this, but with surgery you were able to keep the other.  Oh my little one-eyed bruiser.

And this is tame compared to how muddy you would get!  2009

You were a tomboy from day one.  You loved to follow daddy on the lawnmower and throw your tennis balls in his path, just to watch them shoot out the side and chase them.  Your feet and forearms would be grass-stained for days, but you had fun.  Not to mention the rainy days when you would play in the puddles and mud holes.  Yes... tomboy.

Awww.  2009

You didn't like other bitches, but you were fine when we brought home a brother for you :)  You two were so different... you were very hyper & major licker, while Thor was (is) laid back.  You were a daddy's girl and would follow him everywhere.  But when mommy was home, you were by my side, laying on my feet, or constantly underfoot (especially in the kitchen).  Oh how I will miss that.

Gee, babies... there is a lot of blanket left over.  So sweet, 2010

These past few months your health seemed to spiral down, and there was nothing we could do.  We knew you were getting old, especially for a dog your size.  We tried to prepare ourselves, but I don't think there really is a way to do that.  Your poor little back legs would sometimes buckle under you, and you just couldn't walk well.  Sometimes it would take two of us to help you go outside just so you could go potty.  We knew this was no way for you to live.  It would've been so selfish of us to let it go on.  We had to let you go.  Oh gawd, it was so hard.  I'm having a meltdown as I write this, my dear sweet baby girl.  I'm glad I spent the entire day with you yesterday... though I was crying through most of it.  I'm glad daddy was by your side today, so that you were not alone in your last minutes.  I was afraid you would be shaking and scared, like you knew what was to come, but he said that you were fine, and that it was just as if you drifted off for a nap.  Oh, my angel.  Daddy came home and we both broke down.

Everywhere I look, I see your sweet face.  Wonderful and bittersweet memories around every corner.  Your favorite spot at the top of the stairs.  The floor next to daddy's side of the bed, where you would sometimes nap.  Daddy's office floor, my craft room floor right next to my chair.  The edge of the sink countertop in the hall bath where you chewed the corner off when you were a baby.  Your food bowl.  The rug in front of the door.  Your bed.  Duckie.  The tooth marks on every wooden spindle going down the stairs from when you were teething.  You are everywhere, my girl.  And I love you.

Heidi & Duckie 2011

28 comments:

Eva said...

Oh My Gosh Barb...I am so, so sorry for your loss. Our fur babies are such a HUGE part of our lives...they hold a very special place and provide us such unconditional love. You have captured some fabulous memories in your photographs. I LOVE the muddy paws. You and your husband are in my thoughts and prayers.

Laurie Unger said...

My thoughts are with you! Never easy to lose a family member! Your pictures are precious! Take care!

Danni said...

I'm so sorry Barb! Hugest hugs! Maybe your Heidi and my Heidi are up there running around together..thinking of you!

Unknown said...

Oh! I know how you feel right now...it will get better, but it will take some time. Hugs & Prayers for you! Leah Ann

Rosa Witten said...

Barb so sorry about your loss. She was loved and will be forever in your heart.
xxx
Rosa

Cheryl Valadez said...

Barb, I am so sorry. Heidi was a gorgeous girl and looked so happy in the pics on your post. You gave her a great life. I know this pain all too well and my heart is breaking for you and your family. I wish I could reach through the screen and give a you hug.

Helen Dooley said...

Im so sorry for the loss of your dear dear friend. Its hard for us when they love us sooo much and give us such joy. Big hugs!!!

Anonymous said...

Barb I am so sorry to hear of your loss. This is never easy, big hugs!

Teresa Jenkins said...

I'm so sorry Barb. Thinking of you.

Kay said...

I'm sending lots of hugs your way, Barb. One of the very hardest things to have to do :(

Patti J said...

Oh, no. I'm so sorry, Barb. My prayers are with you, dear friend.

Lisa T said...

Big {hugs} Barb. I know how much you love your fur babies. Heidi reminds me so much of my own Lab who is starting to get "lumpy" and I worry about her all the time. It seems I just went through losing a dog not that long ago. It takes a long time before you stop thinking you see them out the corner of your eye, in their favorite spot, etc. Try to remember the funny things Heidi did - it's hard but it helps. I know your heart is breaking and I am so very, very sorry. I know that you gave Heidi the best life a dog could ever have. She's probably bragging to all the other dogs up in in Heaven that her Mommy and Daddy were the best owners a dog could ever have. :)

Trina said...

I know the pain that comes with the loss of a fur baby, so I'm sending you some hugs and some prayers...

Creepy Glowbugg said...

Misery loves company. I am sobbing for you (or me) right now Barb. I know the pain and it is not permanent, although it sure feels that way. I am so sorry for your loss, but she is thanking you for the decision you made to set her free. She can see clearly and has been on every bed in doggie heaven already. The automatic ball throwers NEVER get worn out either. Maybe my Mickey is up there right now giving her a run for her money with that ball machine. Gotta go wipe my snots now.... Much love, Glo

Michelle said...

I'm so sorry, Barb!! This is such a difficult time. I know how much your fur babies mean to you!! Your post is so loving and caring full if wonderful memories to always be treasured! My thoughts are with you....sending tons of hugs to hopefully help with some of the pain you are feeling!

Barbara Sproatmeyer (LM2) said...

Best regards to you and I'm so sorry for your loss. :( You've created a lovely post for Heidi and a beautiful way to remember her. *Hugs

Jen Carter said...

Oh Barb!! I am so sorry! I know how much she meant to you! My parents just went through this recently too and I saw how much they struggled. You wrote a beautiful post for her. Big hugs!

Rita said...

Barb - so sorry for your loss. Our fur babies are so very much part of our families. And we cry and grieve when they leave us. Hugs

Rita

~ Connie said...

Barb, I'm so sorry for your loss. I have tears running down my face; BIG ANGEL HUGS to you and hubby. So glad you shared the pictures and loving memories. I believe we will see our furry family members again in heaven -- oh what a reunion that will be! Take care.

Janine said...

My heart goes out to you - reading this had me streaming in tears - been there and know the pain! Anyone who says its only a pet does not have a clue. Take care and remember the good times.

Glittered Paws said...

As I was reading and looking through your beautiful/sad/funny pics it was through tears. We have 2 big fur babies and I can't imagine our life without them. My thoughts and prayers and with you and "Dad" - Heidi is truly crossed the RAINBOW BRIDGE.

Chris said...

Oh Barb, I'm sorry for your loss - it's such a sad feeling, I know. What fabulous memories you have and I know she had a good life with you!

Jodi said...

Barb,

My heart breaks with you. I can't even imagine what your going thru. Out dog has been having some health issues for awhile and we are facing having him put down in the future. I dread it and can only imagine how much your heart aches...My deepest sympathy

Catherine said...

Sending furry hugs of sympathy to you and your family, Barb. Thanks for sharing your Heidi with us through this beautifully written, heartfelt post.
For similar reasons, we had to put our family dog down when I was 15. The tears fade eventually, and the memories just get sweeter and sweeter.
Take care, sweetie, and take time to mourn. (((hugs)))

Laurie said...

Sending you huge hugs my friend! I love you to pieces and I know how much you loved that puppy! I'll be thinking of you!!

kssdesigns said...

what a beautiful tribute to your fur baby. i hope you find some peace in the coming months and find comfort in having Thor by your side. BIG HUGS!

Kim said...

Oh Barb... I'm so sorry to here of your loss! Hugs to you!!!!

Crystal said...

So sorry to hear that..... we lost our beloved Booboo last Oct. He was 14 yrs. old. The hubs even bought him a headstone for him.
Crystal R.