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> We Had To Say Goodbye To Our Sweet Quincy Today
Aaron
post Apr 21 2013, 11:37 AM
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After a nearly four month battle with MUE (auto immune disease), we had to make the painful decision to euthanize our sweet Maltese puppy Quincy. Quincy passed away peacefully surrounded by his mommy and daddy, grand parents, aunt and uncle, brother and three cousins. There was no shortage of tears or love out-poured for you. Our vet was kind enough to come to our home and help ease Quincy's pain. He left us next to the jasmine vines that he loved so much. He is now laid to rest next to one of the gardenias in our backyard garden.

On March 28 he had multiple seizures and we admitted him to the neurologist's clinic where he stayed for 3+ days while they got his seizures under control. We brought him home on April 1 and he was not the same Quincy as before he went in or before his MUE set in. Over the last 3 weeks he progressively got worse despite trying numerous medications to suppress his immune system and in turn the inflammation that was attacking his brain. Quincy was a shell of his former self. He did not respond to his parents or his brother or cousins. When he moved it was without purpose. He had poor muscle strength and poor muscle coordination. His mind was unfortunately damaged and we could not get that back. It was painful to see him like that. He was not truly living, he was only going through the motions. After talking extensively with our primary vet and our neurologist on Saturday, we painfully decided we had to set him free, as much as we still loved hugging and kissing a reduced version of Quincy.

We gave our heart and soul trying to bring him back to health. He had to stay in the living room in an area we blockaded for him to move around, as he could not move about normally. We took turns each night sleeping in the living room to keep an eye on him. We had spent more time and effort with Quincy this last month than normal, which is a lot. It is so painful to exert so much energy and love and not be able to bring Quincy back to health. He was only 2.5 years old, which makes this even more difficult. His life was cut far too short.

I will share pictures and my fondest memories of Quincy over the next few days so you can see who the real Quincy was.

Quincy, your mommy and daddy love you so much and will miss you forever. We know in due time we will be able to accept your passing, but right now this is so hard, especially on your mommy who bathed you, brushed you, fed you, and loved you with every ounce of her being. We loved you so much, maybe more than you know. You helped us heal from the loss of our cat Reggie and we will always be grateful for that. We hope that we can eventually open our hearts to another furball and begin a new love affair. For now we will heal as a family with your brother Woodrow.
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moon_beam
post Apr 21 2013, 11:55 AM
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Hi, Aaron, please permit me to offer you my sincerest sympathies in the physical loss of your beloved Quincy. As you are all too familiar, losing a companion is never easy regardless of the circumstances or how long we are blessed with the privilege of their company. I am so very glad that your beloved Quincy's transition to the angels was able to happen in the place he loves the most - - his home surrounded by the sights and sounds and smells - - and the eternal love of his family.

There is no doubt in my mind that your beloved Quincy knows how much you and all of his family love him, Aaron. He knows how much you love him because you gave him the greatest love of all - - you released him from his failing physical body so that he is now restored to his former youthfulness in the company of the angels. Aaron - - there is no greater love than this - - for you put his needs before your own hopes and wants and desires. May your heart find comfort in knowing that your beloved Quincy does indeed understand how much you love him. And the good news in the midst of the deep pain of your sorrow is that the love bond you and your beloved Quincy is eternal - - it is not restricted to the physical laws of time and space.

As you, Kristy, and all your family know this grief journey is one of the hardest experiences you will know on this side of eternity. I know right now there are no adequate words in any language that can soothe the seering pain of sorrow that is in your heart. I can only hope that the words I share with you will somehow be able to offer you some measure of comfort, support, encouragement, and hope as you travel your grief adjustment journey.

Thank you so very much for honoring us by sharing your beloved Quincy with us, Aaron. Please know you, Kristy, and all your family are in my thoughts and prayers, and that I look forward to sharing your treasured memories of your beloved Quincy.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam


--------------------
In heaven's perfect garden there is no grief or pain, and all of God's creation join the angels' sweet refrain.

The most blessed way I have of knowing God's comforting love and grace is to look into the eyes and heart of God's creatures' sweet angelic face.
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LoveMyMickey
post Apr 21 2013, 01:06 PM
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Oh Aaron, I am so sorry for your loss of Quincy. (tears in my eyes)... From the way you described his condition, you all made the right decision. Little Quincy knew that you and your family truly loved/love him. You took wonderful care of him.

Again I'm so sorry. I would love to see pictures and stories of him when you feel up to it.

May God Bless You and All Your Family.

Hugs,

LoveMyMickey


--------------------
"Love knows not its own depth until the hour of separation."
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Aaron
post Apr 22 2013, 01:23 PM
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Kristy and I took today off to be together with Woodrow, our other pup. It was tough going to sleep last night knowing he would never be able to sleep with us again on our bed, which he hadn't really done for over three weeks. Waking up was equally as difficult as he was not there with his belly in the air while he was in a deep sleep. It's all those "firsts" that we will have to encounter and sift through that will be hard but will be part of the healing process. I find myself thinking about what those "firsts' are going to be but I have given up, as they will happen when they happen. It doesn't really matter if I know what those "firsts" will be or not, it won't make them any less difficult to face when they do happen.

Kristy and I have been talking about Quincy a lot which I think is helping. I know it will take a while but I think it is helping us understand and accept that he is not with us physically anymore. But his spirit and memories will live with us always and are as vivid as they have ever been.

We both miss him terribly and would give anything to hold him, hug him and kiss him again. But we know that is not going to happen, so we need to do all we can focus on grieving and healing. I don't think Quincy would want us to be sad for him forever, that is not the way he was.
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Jake'sGrandpa
post Apr 23 2013, 07:09 AM
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Aaron, my condolences to you on the loss of your beloved Quincy. It is, indeed, painful to try so very hard to save our loved ones and not succeed, but you did all that you could possibly have done for him. I am sure he appreciated all the love you had, and still have, for him, and he will be waiting at the Rainbow Bridge for your arrival.
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moon_beam
post Apr 23 2013, 10:14 AM
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Hi, Aaron, thank you so very much for sharing with us how you, Kristy, and your precious Woodrow are doing, and for sharing your beloved Quincy with us.

The BeeGee's song, "How Do You Mend A Broken Heart" certainly applies to the deep grief we feel when our beloved companions precede us to the angels. During the deep grief our hearts and lives feel so empty and our daily routines seem so meaningless. You are so right when you share with us "I don't think Quincy would want us to be sad for him forever, that is not the way he was." Still, your beloved Quincy understands your need to grieve for the HUGE adjustment that is now facing you, Kristy, Woodrow, and all your family without his sweet precious physical presence.

And once again, my friend, I wish to affirm to you and Kristy that you are among friends here who truly do understand what you are going through, and we are here for you for as long and as often as you need us.

Aaron, I hope today is treating you, Kristy, Woodrow, and all your family kindly, and that you will have a peaceful evening blessed with your beloved Quincy's sweet Living Spirit to comfort you. Please know you, Kristy, Woodrow, and all your family are in my thoughts and prayers, and that I look forward to sharing your treasured memories of your beloved Quincy.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam


--------------------
In heaven's perfect garden there is no grief or pain, and all of God's creation join the angels' sweet refrain.

The most blessed way I have of knowing God's comforting love and grace is to look into the eyes and heart of God's creatures' sweet angelic face.
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Aaron
post Apr 24 2013, 10:12 AM
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thank you moon beam, you are a true blessing for everyone here. I can't thank you enough for listening to all of us and helping us through these difficult times.

I am having a hard time sorting through how I feel right now. This might sound bad, but I don't feel as "bad" as I thought I would or as I think I should at this stage of the grieving process. I miss Quincy terribly and have this empty feeling inside of me, but I feel like I am accepting Quincy's passing better than what I had anticipated. It's causing this internal conflict that is difficult to sort through. moon beam, I know you and I discussed this in my other thread for Quincy, but perhaps I knew deep down inside that Quincy was not going to get better and started the healing process before we had to let him go on Sunday. It's almost as if we had already said goodbye to Quincy's personality before we said goodbye to his earthly presence. For the last three weeks Quincy was not the real Quincy and maybe that created some kind of "buffer", but I truly don't know. Perhaps I am taking the attitude that while we need to grieve for his loss, Quincy would want us to remain strong and take care of his brother through this difficult time, which we are doing. We are showering Woodrow with love and attention and he is spending time with his three cousins next door. What is perhaps most painful is to see Woodrow without Quincy. They were best buds and while Woodrow seems to be adjusting well, we know in our hearts that at some point we will need to find him a new playmate as Woodrow is a social, playful dog. I am not sure if that acknowledgement is causing us to accept Quincy's passing faster than we would otherwise? Maybe dealing with a similar loss in 2010 when our cat Reggie passed away is helping us reconcile our feelings better?

These are all thoughts that run through my head right now. I feel horrible that I don't feel more horrible, if that makes any sense. I know tomorrow or next week or next month I might feel differently, but today it seems like I am more at peace with Quincy's passing than I imagined I would. I suppose I need to take each day at a time and reflect on each day's ups and downs and focus on how things ARE, not how they SHOULD BE.
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Aaron
post Apr 24 2013, 11:10 AM
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I promised I would share some of my fond memories and some favorite pictures of Quincy, as that is what I would like all of you to know about him. I don't want to remember Quincy for his final days on this planet but for his BEST days on this planet.

Quincy came into our lives in December 2010. We had lost our cat Reggie in late October and Quincy helped us heal from that loss and learn to be a family again. While we only had Quincy in our lives for 2.5 years, it was incredibly special and we would not have traded it for the world. We feel blessed that Quincy came into our lives to help us through the loss of Reggie. Thank you Quincy for everything you gave us. Your Mommy and Daddy love you so much and miss you more than you know, but we know you are playing with your new friends in heaven.

Quincy had so many quirks and personality traits that made him "one of a kind". While the list is long, some of my fondest memories are of how he would greet you when you first walked into a room. If you were lucky, he would greet you with is special "hello" bark. It was not a normal bark, but he made a point to purposefully bark more quietly just so you knew he was saying hello. When he was excited to see you, he would "go swimmin'". He would stick his rear legs back and his front legs forward and make the cutest little swimming motion until you pet him. Lord how I miss seeing that. While we never encouraged him to bark at anyone, he had the cutest little howling bark you ever heard. It never got old and we laughed every time we heard it. While most dogs are like this, Quincy was especially fond of ear rubs and back massages. If he wanted a back massage, he would let you know. He would come over and lick my hand until I let him sit on my chest so I could massage him. If I stopped before he was ready, he'd lick the hand. Mommy didn't like it, but I never minded him licking me. We gave Quincy and Woodrow nicknames that fit them so well. Quincy was "Squirmin' Sherman" and Woodrow is "Snortin' Norton". Quincy wasn't huge on being held, so when you picked him up he'd squirm his little legs until you had him supported to his liking. His Dad knew just how to pick him up so he did not squirm (too much anyway). One of the favorite times of the day for both our two boys and us was bully stick time. After dinner they would wait patiently for us to give them bully sticks and cow ears to chew on. Quincy would get so excited that he would twirl in circles until we gave them their chew toys. Quincy was a little bully stick thief too. It did not matter what either one was chewing on, Quincy had to steal his brother's chew toy just to let him know he was the older brother. Woodrow eventually resisted and then Quincy would get all frustrated and bark at him. It was cute to see that interaction and we miss seeing it so much.

I picked some of my favorite pictures of Quincy and Woodrow. As I mentioned, they were best friends to the very end. I miss seeing that interaction, but will never forget it as long as I live.

This might be my favorite picture of Quincy



Quincy and his brother looking handsome



Quincy out and about with his brother



Quincy and Woodrow playing like only two brothers can

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Aaron
post Apr 24 2013, 11:11 AM
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Here is another one that I love. It's Quincy and Woodrow with their two cousins (there is now a third cousin who is not in this picture). They were all best buds.

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LoveMyMickey
post Apr 24 2013, 05:41 PM
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Oh Aaron, they are so sweet and cute. Thank you so much for sharing the pictures and the cute stories....God Bless..

LoveMyMickey


--------------------
"Love knows not its own depth until the hour of separation."
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Aaron
post Apr 26 2013, 03:15 PM
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Hey little Q, just wanted to say your Mommy and Daddy and brother think about you every day and we miss you dearly. But you would be so proud of what you have been able to do for other people already. After you said goodbye, I shared your story on a Maltese forum and other people shared their stories about the possible dangers of vaccines, especially in little furballs like you and your brother. While it's only been a few days since you left us, a number of people have already said how grateful they are for us sharing your story so they could make better decisions about how to vaccine their furballs and which vaccines are really necessary. If your loss can save just one little furball and their family from going through the same pain as us, then that will help us accept things a little better. We wish you were with us still, playing with us and your brother, but we know you have left us for heaven and we have to learn to use your passing and turn it into something positive. You always touched the hearts of anyone you met while you were on this Earth and you continue to touch the hearts of people even after you are gone. That shows how special you truly are and always will be.
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moon_beam
post Apr 27 2013, 02:41 PM
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Hi, Aaron, thank you so very, very much for sharing with us how you're doing, and for these WONDERFUL pictures of your beloved Quincy with his brother Woodrow and cousins. He and Woodrow are absolutely adorable - - and I, too, love the picture of Quincy in the field of flowers. There is no mistake at all that he knows he is eternally loved!

I can understand how you're feeling when you share with us: "This might sound bad, but I don't feel as "bad" as I thought I would or as I think I should at this stage of the grieving process." Please bear in mind that this grief adjustment journey is not a straight line from A to Z but rather as you put it so well: "I know tomorrow or next week or next month I might feel differently, but today it seems like I am more at peace with Quincy's passing than I imagined I would. I suppose I need to take each day at a time and reflect on each day's ups and downs and focus on how things ARE, not how they SHOULD BE." There really are no "shoulds" when it comes to grieving, my friend, for everyone has their own way of grieving, and each grief journey is unique to the relationship and the circumstances - - and please know that we are here for you for as long and as often as you need us.

You and Kristy are doing everything in your power to comfort your precious Woodrow in his adjustment to the physical absence of his beloved brother. You and Kristy will know when the time is right to introduce a new companion to him - - and for you and Kristy. Your beloved Quincy is probably already guiding your and your new companion's paths to the moment in time when you will meet and embrace one another as a family.

Thank you again so very much for sharing your beloved Quincy and these wonderful pictures with us, Aaron. I hope today is treating you, Kristy, Woodrow, and all your family kindly, and that you will have a peaceful evening blessed with your beloved Quincy's sweet Living Spirit to comfort you. Please know you, Kristy, Woodrow, and all your family are in my thoughts and prayers, and that I look forward to sharing your treasured memories of your beloved Quincy.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam


--------------------
In heaven's perfect garden there is no grief or pain, and all of God's creation join the angels' sweet refrain.

The most blessed way I have of knowing God's comforting love and grace is to look into the eyes and heart of God's creatures' sweet angelic face.
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Aaron
post Apr 29 2013, 10:55 AM
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Thank you moon beam. Yesterday was a little tougher only because we faced some of those dreaded "firsts" I mentioned earlier. Kristy and I went to the plant store to get some new plants for our backyard pots and we took Woodrow, who LOVES going on "road trips". Quincy loved going on road trips just as much and this was the first such outing without Quincy. Neither of us said anything but I knew we both were thinking the same thing. When we got back we planted the new plants and Woodrow was looking at us out the back door window. There should have been two little dogs watching us out that back door.

The gardenia next to where we laid Quincy to rest is blooming really well, better than the other two gardenias we have. While it's just coincidental, I can't help but think about how those white blooms remind me so much of Quincy. He was such a darling little angel, I still don't know why we were only allowed to share such a short amount of time together on this planet.
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moon_beam
post Apr 29 2013, 02:52 PM
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Hi, Aaron, thank you so much for sharing with us how you, Kristy, and your precious Woodrow are doing. Yeah, those "firsts" can really be hard - - no matter how hard we try to not focus on them. It is so sweet that the gardenia planted close to your beloved Quincy's resting place is blooming so nicely - - a testimony of his sweet Living Spirit, and the eternal love you and your beloved Quincy share.

Aaron, I do understand very well when you share with us: "He was such a darling little angel, I still don't know why we were only allowed to share such a short amount of time together on this planet." Indeed, I can relate to your feelings of you and your beloved Quincy being robbed of what "should have been" for a long and healthy earthly journey. I felt the same way about my beloved number one kitty son Eli and my beloved beautiful baby girl Abbygayle. It isn't fair to lose the precious physical company of a companion when they are so very young. Still, you and Kristy, and all your family, are blessed of being your beloved Quincy's Forever Mom and Dad, and family - - no one else on this planet can ever have that blessing.

I thank you, Aaron, for sharing your blessing with us through the privilege of sharing your treasured memories of your beloved Quincy. I hope today is treating you, Kristy, your precious Woodrow, and all your family kindly, and that you will have a peaceful evening blessed with your beloved Quincy's sweet Living Spirit to comfort you. Please know you, Kristy, Woodrow, and all your family are in my thoughts and prayers, and that I look forward to sharing your treasured memories of your beloved Quincy.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam


--------------------
In heaven's perfect garden there is no grief or pain, and all of God's creation join the angels' sweet refrain.

The most blessed way I have of knowing God's comforting love and grace is to look into the eyes and heart of God's creatures' sweet angelic face.
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Pippin's Mom Kel
post Apr 30 2013, 11:20 PM
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Aaron, this is coming belatedly, but I wanted to stop in and say that I am so very sorry that Quincy has died. You and your wife fought so hard for him - it's so unfair sometimes that no matter how hard we try, they have to leave.

Please know that you're in my thoughts.
Kel


--------------------

When you are sorrowful, look again in your heart, and you shall see that, in truth, you are weeping for that which has been your delight.
- Kahlil Gibran
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Aaron
post May 2 2013, 03:16 PM
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Thanks Kel. It was deflating to say the least to put so much into his recovery only to have to saw goodbye like we did. He deserved so much better than to get sick like he did at such an early age. I miss him so much still, he was such a sweet, sweet dog who didn't have a mean bone in his entire body. Those pictures you see of him, especially the 1st and 3rd, are how he always was. He was a shy, lovable little pup.
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Aaron
post Jul 23 2013, 11:08 AM
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Sunday marked 3 months since we had to say goodbye to Quincy. In some ways it feels like he has been gone for much longer but in other ways it feels like he left us just yesterday. Kristy is doing better but she still misses Quincy so much. I don't think you can ever "get over" losing such a special furball, especially after the traumatic way in which he got sick and we had to let him go. He was such a unique, loving dog that was taken from us far too soon.

We still have the three photos of Woodrow and Quincy on our kitchen wall to remind us of how sweet and gentle he was. Below are the pictures for everyone else to enjoy.





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moon_beam
post Jul 23 2013, 05:19 PM
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Hi, Aaron, thank you so much for sharing with us your and your beloved Quincy's 3 month angel-versary. I know from first hand experience how you're feeling with you share with us: "In some ways it feels like he has been gone for much longer but in other ways it feels like he left us just yesterday. I don't think you can ever "get over" losing such a special furball, . . " Love is never meant to "get over" - - for love is eternal.

Thank you also for sharing these adorable pictures of your beloved Woodrow and Quincy. Who could look at these precious faces and not smile???!!!! As painful as this grief adjustment journey is, you and Kristy are forever blessed being their Forever Mom and Dad - - the heir to the many treasured memories you cherish in your hearts of their earthly journey with you -- and we are blessed with the privilege of sharing your memories.

I hope today is treating you and Kristy kindly, Aaron, and that you will have a very peaceful evening blessed with your beloved Woodrow's and Quincy's sweet Living Spirits to comfort you. Please know you and Kristy are in my thoughts and prayers, and that I look forward to knowing how you both are doing.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam


--------------------
In heaven's perfect garden there is no grief or pain, and all of God's creation join the angels' sweet refrain.

The most blessed way I have of knowing God's comforting love and grace is to look into the eyes and heart of God's creatures' sweet angelic face.
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