Really depressing content. Entirely OT.

AxeYrCat · Post by **AxeYrCat** » Fri Mar 16, 2007 5:03 am

I think this is the worst night of my life since my mom died...

If it's inappropriate to be posting this here, I'm sincerely sorry.

Two of the sweetest, kindest, and gentlest creatures I’ve ever had the joy of knowing were killed by a car tonight (Thursday the 15th). Our two greyhounds, Cohen (male, 5 years) and Nico (female, 11 months) were in our backyard playing and doing typical dog things. Somehow, they managed to get out of our yard (something they’d never done before). The gate was shut and latched, and they’re not jumpers or climbers; I have no idea how they got out. As I opened the back door to call them in, I heard Nico start to cry. I ran outside to see them both lying in the street. They were both still alive when I got to them…

I felt so damned helpless, and I still do.

Cohen was in bad shape. I went to him first. His jaw was broken, and he was bleeding badly, and he looked at me. He didn’t look scared or afraid. If I could put his expression into words, it would be ‘I’m sorry. Please help me.’ I petted him and went to check on Nico.

I thought that Nico wasn’t in as bad a shape as she was – she wasn’t visibly injured like Cohen was – and I tried to move her. That probably wasn’t smart. I must have hurt and scared her pretty badly: my hand is wrapped in bandages from where she bit into it.

Cohen didn’t last very long. I ran inside to put a towel on my bleeding hand and get keys to take the dogs to the emergency animal hospital. I’m not even sure that he was still alive when I went inside. We started to move Nico, but she stopped breathing as we were getting her ready and stable enough for the ride to the vet. She had a similar peaceful expression to Cohen’s on her face when she stopped... I was petting her gently while she was lying there. It was the same face that she would make when she’d fall asleep when we would pet her.

I love my doggies. And I can’t even begin to describe how much I already miss them… My house feels so f*(king empty, and just so wrong without them.

I hate that my two beautiful, innocent greys are lying dead in my backyard now and some bastard who didn’t even have the decency to stop after he hit them is out there somewhere…

Anyway...

This is Cohen:

This is Nico:

And this is Cohen, Nico and Stacey:

I think I'm going to go alternately cry, drink, and ice my hand... Typing all of this hurt a lot, in a lot of ways.

jaded · Post by **jaded** » Fri Mar 16, 2007 5:45 am

I'm so sorry for your loss.

hermitgirl · Post by **hermitgirl** » Fri Mar 16, 2007 5:58 am

I am so, so, so sorry. Words aren't enough.

jediblues · Post by **jediblues** » Fri Mar 16, 2007 8:09 am

thos are good looking dogs. my most sincere condolensces for your loss.

lou76 · Post by **lou76** » Fri Mar 16, 2007 8:12 am

ellen · Post by **ellen** » Fri Mar 16, 2007 12:24 pm

I'm so sorry Axe.

I know a lot of people who say that this poem really helps them get though times like this.

Rainbow Bridge

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...

EBee · Post by **EBee** » Fri Mar 16, 2007 12:34 pm

Axe, so sorry...to say that really sucks is an understatement. It's hard enough to take to lose a pet to natural causes, but much worse when it's an injustice on top of everything else. Wish there was some way to catch the asshat responsible but unfortunately you know that's not going to happen and you'll have to let that part go. My heart goes out to you...it's going to be really rough for a while. Hang in there.

louie · Post by **louie** » Fri Mar 16, 2007 12:37 pm

So so sorry AxeYrCat. I'll be thinking of you.

rajron · Post by **rajron** » Fri Mar 16, 2007 12:53 pm

I’m very sorry for your loss.

jrsjr · Post by **jrsjr** » Fri Mar 16, 2007 12:53 pm

Sorry for your great loss. Don't be shy about grieving in whatever way and for however long it takes to do their memory justice.

rickyd410 · Post by **rickyd410** » Fri Mar 16, 2007 1:37 pm

I'm so sorry for your loss. This is something that will linger in your heart for quite some time, perhaps forever, but it will get more and more managable in time.

I'll be thinking about you guys.

brat · Post by **brat** » Fri Mar 16, 2007 2:10 pm

I am very sorry to hear this news. I am tears thinking about your pain and theirs. My pups mean the world to me, so I understand what they would mean to you. I wish there was something we all could to to help you during this time. But there really isn't. So, do the best you can not to blame yourself and find a wonderful way to remember them. They loved you with all they could and they don't blame you for what happened.

But it really sucks that the A$$ that hit them did not stop to help!

hugs and puppy kisses,
Susan, Mojo, Dewi and Sumba

gt1000 · Post by **gt1000** » Fri Mar 16, 2007 2:30 pm

We lost a long-loved family member a few years ago. Not as suddenly and horribly as you, we saw it coming and prepared for the day we knew was coming. I still think about her, and that moment, all the time. And whenever we see another Airedale, which is pretty rare actually, the memories flood back. I certainly have no words of wisdom or advice but you guys will work your way out of this.

I guess the most troubling thing for me is the fact that hit and run incidents now seem to be the norm. Whether it's a family getting mowed down crossing the street in downtown Denver or someone's dogs, or some lone motorcyclist or scooterist on a dark back road, what is it with these low-life scum who floor the throttle instead of stop to help? I'm not a fan of the death penalty, but road-side executions for hit and run drivers sounds pretty fair to me. And yes, I'm exaggerating.

vitaminC · Post by **vitaminC** » Fri Mar 16, 2007 2:44 pm

That sucks

Very sorry for your loss.

RIP Cohen and Nico.

lobsterman · Post by **lobsterman** » Fri Mar 16, 2007 3:36 pm

AYC,

Man that is really hard. Go ahead and cry, I nearly did just reading about it. My dog is a family member too, so I know you must really be hurting.

Micah_Prophet · Post by **Micah_Prophet** » Fri Mar 16, 2007 3:43 pm

Very sorry to hear about your loss and glad to see you have friends here to share it with.

SteMer · Post by **SteMer** » Fri Mar 16, 2007 3:51 pm

Oh man, that's painful and shocking. I'm sorry. Thank you for sharing this with us and allowing us to grieve with you.

paige · Post by **paige** » Fri Mar 16, 2007 4:28 pm

We are very sorry for your loss. My dogs are getting extra hugs today and we are thinking of Niko and Cohen.

Post by **ericalm** » Fri Mar 16, 2007 5:24 pm

AYC, So sorry to hear about this. Despite having had a similar experience, I can't imagine the shock of losing two adored animals at one time.

LeopardGirl · Post by **LeopardGirl** » Fri Mar 16, 2007 9:07 pm

AYC,

Not inappropriate at all.

I am so sorry for your loss. You're description of Greyhounds is perfect. They really are the sweetest of dogs. My Mom worked with REGAP for a while, if any dogs deserve to hate the human race it is Greyhounds. (For those who don't know, REGAP finds homes for retired racing dogs so they aren't destroyed when they can no longer race.) She would get dogs with "bedsores", and other things from being transported and living in poor conditions but not one of those dogs was ever aggressive. Not to any of the other dogs nor the people around them. They are really wonderful creatures. I had to have my Nikki put to sleep almost 3 years ago and I'm still not over it. He was a Siberian Husky and so very nice, too. That was the loneliest night of my life.

I share your tears. Take your time and grieve in whatever way you need to and let us know how you are doing.

Rene'

Bryce-O-Rama · Post by **Bryce-O-Rama** » Fri Mar 16, 2007 10:42 pm

I've always wanted to adopt a retired greyhound, and someday I probably will. Yours were beautiful, and I'm sorry they are gone.

peabody99 · Post by **peabody99** » Fri Mar 16, 2007 11:33 pm

what sweethearts and even though they had a short life it was better than a race track life. You can make the them their own memory web page on dogster.com

Elm Creek Smith · Post by **Elm Creek Smith** » Fri Mar 16, 2007 11:40 pm

Damn. Sorry for your loss.

ECS

sunshinen · Post by **sunshinen** » Fri Mar 16, 2007 11:55 pm

Hurtin for ya. Some things in life, like losing a parent or the helplessness of watching loved ones pass away, you just don't get over. I'm not sure I'd want to get over it. It does ease up though. Remind yourself that when you need to.

Warm thoughts. Take care of yourself.

Keys · Post by **Keys** » Sat Mar 17, 2007 12:06 am

My profile states that animals are my favorite people, so I empathize. I'm very sorry for your loss.

--Keys

mybuddy · Post by **mybuddy** » Sat Mar 17, 2007 12:36 am

Damn man sorry to hear that. My thoughts are with you.

Scootin_in_MS · Post by **Scootin_in_MS** » Sat Mar 17, 2007 1:52 am

I am so sorry for your loss...

Jody

ellen · Post by **ellen** » Sat Mar 17, 2007 4:32 am

So many states still have greyhound racing. And in most of these states have rescue groups. We have a track here and this is a link to my local greyhound rescue group who helps find homes for the dogs who can't race anymore. http://regapct.com/about.html They either get placed in homes or....... Anyway, I made a donation tonight.

LeopardGirl · Post by **LeopardGirl** » Sat Mar 17, 2007 5:37 am

AYC

You and yours have been in my thoughts all day. I had to wait to get home to find this. I have always thought this a most eloquent tribute. This is a famous epitaph. It was written about a Newfoundland but I think it is fitting for all dogs.

Near this Spot
are deposited the remains of one
who possessed Beauty without Vanity,
Strength without Insolence.
Courage without Ferocity,
and all the Virtues of Man without his Vices.
This Praise, which would be unmeaning Flattery
if inscribed over human Ashes,
is but a just tribute to the Memory of
BOATSWAIN, a DOG,
who was born in Newfoundland May 1803
and died at Newstead, Nov. 18th, 1808

Kevin K · Post by **Kevin K** » Sat Mar 17, 2007 3:23 pm

I'm very sorry to hear about your hounds. Having lost two in the last 14 months (fortunately to old age) I can understand the feeling that things in the house are not the same without them there. I can only imagine your feelings of anger and frustration over something that never had to happen. I don't know how I would handle a situation like that--I think it would overwhelm me.

Our thoughts go out to you.

Kevin, Susan, Jesse (red-fawn) and Greta (dark brindle)

rockgirl · Post by **rockgirl** » Sun Mar 18, 2007 1:08 am

I'm very sorry for your loss. I have 2 dogs and love them dearly; I have no idea what you must be feeling. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

This might be a dumb idea, but here goes: I own a rock company in Boise, ID and we've done some small pet memorials for folks in the area. If you were interested, I'd be happy to create 2 for you for at no cost if you'd help cover shipping. I would imagine that it wouldn't be much-we typically use river rocks or sandstone which are pretty light. I'm sure someone in your area probably does something similar and I know that it's helped some of our clients with their loss.

Elm Creek Smith · Post by **Elm Creek Smith** » Sun Mar 18, 2007 1:15 am

There's a special place in Hell for someone that runs over dogs in a neighborhood and doesn't stop.

ECS

AxeYrCat · Post by **AxeYrCat** » Sun Mar 18, 2007 1:34 am

My most sincere thanks to all of you.

Cohen and Nico were more like our children than they were our pets, and neither Stacey nor I are dealing particularly well without them. They meant so much to us, and to lose them the way we did wasn't right at all.

We never took our dogs for granted, and almost daily we'd literally say to each other 'we're so lucky to have such wonderful animals. I'm so happy that we have them'. And they knew that. They knew how much we loved them.

At least we have that...

Again, thank you very much for your posts and support. It really does mean a lot to me and to Stacey,

soundofsingles · Post by **soundofsingles** » Sun Mar 18, 2007 4:12 pm

I'm very, very sorry to hear of your loss. Remember that the time that they spent with you was as precious to them as it was to you.

We adopted a greyhound six months ago and love him dearly. They're very sweet creatures and I'd highly recommend that folks looking for a companion animal to check out The Greyhound Project.

www.adopt-a-greyhound.org

They do have some special needs that other dogs don't have, but they are sweet, don't really shed or bark. Our dog, Pede loves people and kids and riding in the car. He wants to ride the Buddy but can't figure it out.

Gerald

polianarchy · Post by **polianarchy** » Mon Mar 19, 2007 1:59 pm

O, AxeYrCat, I'm so so sorry for your family! Me & Rudie (the Cat) send our best hugs and condolences to you & your folks and your puppies. What a horrible awful thing to have witnessed! I hope y'all are allowed to grieve as long as you need to. We're thinking of you & your household. XOXOX

AxeYrCat · Post by **AxeYrCat** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 1:13 am

Stacey and I have been absolutely blown away by the amount of love and support that we've received from all of you...

We cannot begin to thank you enough.

This is one of the most difficult things we've ever had to endure, and our friends (even if ones that we've never actually met in person) have been absolutely instrumental in us doing as well as we are...

Thank you so very much.