General Chat

Having lost one GSD we thought we could never love another but KOYLI came into our lives and is really someone special. The following poem was given to us by the breeder, And if I can see through the tears here go's My gift from God I'll give to you for just a while A shepherd pup God said, For you to love the while he lives, And mourn for when he's dead. Maybe years just eight or ten, Or only two or three, But will you till I take him back, Take care of him for me? He'll bring his charms to gladden you And should his stay be brief, Your'll always have his memories As solace for your grief I cannot promise he will stay As all from earth return. But there are lessons taught below, I wish this pup to learn I've looked the whole world over In search of teachers true And from the folk that crowd life's lane, I have chosen you. Now will you give him all your love Nor think the labour vain Nor hate me when I come to take My shepherd back again? I fancied that I heard them say "Dear Lord, thy will be done" For all the love this pup will bring The risk of grief we'll run We'll shelter him with tenderness, We'll love him while we may And for all the happiness we've known Forever grateful stay, But should you come to call him back Much sooner then we planned We'll brave the bitter grief that comes And try to understand If by our love we've managed Your wishes to achive In memory of him we loved To help us while we grieve When our lovely faithful bundle Departs this world of strife We,ll have another shepherd pup And we'll love him all his life Our KOYLI is now nearly 10 and I'm sad to say because of our age's will be our last dog. I have had dog's all my life and alway's held them at the end.. Got to go now and find the tissue's Julia

Derek, Have e-mailed you. The lovely poem brought tears to my eyes!! Have been in hospital and only just picked up the remaining thread. I thought other dog (or cat) lovers might appreciate the lovely words of the poignant poem sent in by Derek. With belated thanks to everyone for your concern, Love to all, Kathy xx

I've nudged this so that everyone has the opportunity of reading the lovely poem a few messages down.

Kathy So very sorry to hear about Portia.We have a dog and 2 cats. The dog, Lady is 10 ish(a rescue)has liver probs and the arthritus has started in front legs.Smudge (cat) is 19 in April,Jimmy coming up for 12. Smudge has her up days and down days and we know she is not going to improve,(liver and kidney probs) but she is so agile and loving still. We know the day will come when we have to say goodbye - but as someone else has just said - we will remember the good days.She's been so faithfull and such a poppet. Jude x

Hi Kathy, I know the hurt you must be feeling, but what comfort you must feel from all the caring messages and especially the lovely poem that Derek contributed. I was so close to our two little Schnauzers that losing them in the past 2 years has left a void that can't be filled. But I remember all the good times we had together, and I know that we did the right thing in letting them go. I also know that we'll all be together again some day, and that's a great comfort too. So remember the good days you had together and know that we're all thinking of you. Love, Di.xxx

Kathy, hope you and your family are ok. Derek, really lovely verse. M.

Hi Derek, That is such a lovely verse. I am going to keep a copy of that. Hi Kathy, I do hope you and your family are doing well. Regards Margaret

Kathy, Sorry to read of the loss of your much loved pet. When we've had to let one of our beloved Rough Collies go I find the following verse of great comfort. IF IT SHOULD BE. IF IT SHOULD BE THAT I GROW FRAIL & WEAK, AND PAIN SHOULD KEEP ME FROM MY SLEEP, THEN YOU MUST DO WHAT MUST BE DONE, FOR THIS LAST BATTLE CAN'T BE WON. YOU WILL BE SAD, I UNDERSTAND, DON'T LET YOUR GRIEF THEN STAY YOUR HAND, FOR THIS DAY, MORE THAN ALL THE REST, YOUR LOVE & FRIENDSHIP STANDS THE TEST. WE'VE HAD SO MANY HAPPY YEARS, WHAT IS TO COME CAN HOLD NO FEARS, WOULD YOU WANT ME TO SUFFER? SO, WHEN THE TIME COMES, PLEASE LET ME GO. TAKE ME WHERE MY NEEDS THEY'LL TEND, ONLY STAY WITH ME TO THE END, AND HOLD ME FIRM AND SPEAK TO ME, UNTIL MY EYES NO LONGER SEE. I KNOW IN TIME THAT YOU WILL SEE, IT IS A KINDNESS THAT YOU DO TO ME, ALTHOUGH MY TAIL ITS LAST HAS WAVED, FROM PAIN & SUFFERING I HAVE BEEN SAVED. DO NOT GRIEVE IT SHOULD BE YOU, WHO MUST DECIDE THIS THING TO DO, WE'VE BEEN SO CLOSE, WE TWO THESE YEARS, DON'T LET YOUR HEART HOLD ANY TEARS. (anon.) We found this some years ago in the (Scottish) Sunday Post. Hope it gives you the same comfort we found in the words. Best wishes. Derek.

Kathy Am so sorry. It is hard to loose a companion, as faithful as a pet. We lost our border collie (name of Nuts) 5 years - due to kidney trouble. Remember the good times. Liz

Kathy , so sorry to hear of whats happened - at least she was at home in a place she loved and surrounded by you all xx

dear Kathy. I am so very, very, sorry. Though it breaks your heart, rejoice in each memory of Portia, May each tear you shed dull the pain a little .

Thank you all for your very kind words. We knew this day would have to come and so I believe did our lovely Portia. It would have been unfair to keep her alive like that, just because we couldn't bear to let her go. But she was a family member and such a loyal friend!! However, she did go peacefully, in her own garden, and being stroked and loved by the people she loved too. But she will be so missed.... Kathy xxx

Polly, Toby , Jasper , & last wednesday Kelly, all have their own plot in our tiny garden, three great big rescued bounding Dogs still fill our lives, when the ache subsides Portia might like to see another running about in Her garden ? Steve in Chester.

Hi Kathy, My thoughts are with you and your family after losing your faithfull friend Portia. We lost our Border Collie Zak after 13 years so I know how you must all feel. I'm sure that she is in a happy place now. Kind regards Margaret

Kathy Last September I came home from a wonderful holiday to find that my old companion my cat Queenie had died while we were away.She was 13 and seemed to have had a heart attack , my son found her dead one night after coming home from work.He was so upset thinking he had done something wrong,that he could not tell me until we got in the house. Of course I cried buckets tried to think how she had been before we left ,thinking I had missed something. On reflection could not say she had been any different. She is laid to rest in a part of the garden which was one of her favourite spots,so she isn't gone really. I know things will be painfull now, they will be for awhile,you will laugth about things she did soon and remember her with love.

kathy i'm thinking of you and i do know how you are feeling as we had our beautiful, gentle, loving cat poppy. put to sleep on friday ( see cats thread ) i can actually feel a physical pain in my chest so love and hugs to you lou xx

Kathy My heart is with you.I had my Border Collie Sally for 8 yrs before she got leukemia. I had her for 6 months once we knew what was wrong.I never wanted her to suffer so asked the vet to put her to sleep when we first found out Thankfully he refused and said that we were close enough that she would tell me when she had, had enough and she did bless her I still miss her to this day and I lost her 8 years ago.She was so beautiful and intelligent she hardly ever left my side . Huggggs to you Jan

Dear Kathy, I feel your pain. My Ruffy had to be put down last October aged 13. Talk about the happy times you had together. Portia will always be in your heart. Lindy

Sorrowing with you Kathy............. I feel that Portia (what a beautiful name) had such a loving and happy life with your son and family, so she was one of the lucky ones. What joyful memories you must have of her. But memories are just not enough at a time like this are they? Big Hug Norah

My heart goes out to you and your family Kathy. My cat, Spook, died a couple of weeks ago. She would have been 18 in April. And her sister, who is still on the go, keeps going round looking for her. They really do become one of the family. Have a good cry and let it all out. And I'm sure Portia will be keeping an eye on you all from doggy heaven. Big hugs Jeanette