This is so hard for me to type because of so many tears, but I'll try...my poor baby boy Gabriel drowned while my husband & I were out of town last week. We got the call while we were on the road. He died last Friday. My daughter was watching our dogs for us & she was in a hurry last Friday so she let Gabriel out to go potty & went to get dressed. She came back less than 10 minutes later & found him floating face down in the pool.

He was my rescue pug. He was hard of hearing & couldn't see well. I took care of him every day. I cleaned his eyes & his ears & I washed his face & brushed him. I could tell he really, really loved me. We had a very special bond, more special than anyone else. He had gotten to the point of wagging his tail & ##ing his head back & forth when I talked to him in a high-pitched voice. He even barked for me a couple times, which was very odd for him. My heart is so broken I don't know if it can ever heal. I've lost dogs before, but this one is especially hard for me & for my daughters. I am so guilty for not being home with him & for not thinking to at least tether him if he couldn't be watched 100% while he was outside. It makes me sick to my stomach to think how he must have struggled to stay afloat & when he took his last breathful of water. That's what I see when I close my eyes. It's just horrible. This was a totally preventable death & a death to a very special, loving little guy. He was my baby boy, my little Gabey.

My poor daughter is just devastated. She keeps saying that he died at her hands. She can't understand why she left a blind dog near a huge vat of water in the first place. I keep telling her that it was meant to happen, that God wanted Gabriel to come home. That his death was not in vain. We have 2 grandchildren, ages 2 & 3, who are getting old enough to try & open the sliding door that leads to the pool. We have been slack about keeping the door alarm turned on. Well, it's on nonstop now. Maybe Gabriel's death was a warning for us to heed...to be extra careful so the children are not harmed.

I loved that dog with all my heart & soul. I know that time will help with my heartache & my pain, but today I'm just so broken...I love you, Gabriel. I always will...

Gabriel's Mom--

I'm so terribly sorry to hear about Gabriel. You and your daughter shouldn't blame yourselves-- you didn't do anything intentional to harm him. I know it's easy for someone else to say this right now...

I hope you find comfort in this group. Someone may come along to share their similar loss: I have seen a couple other posts here where people were grieving because they had lost their dogs in the same manner.

God bless you and your family. You took wonderful care of Gabriel, and he and God know that. That will not be forgotten. I believe you will be with him again someday.

Sincerely,
hope2heal

I am so very sorry to hear about the loss of your precious Gabriel. How fortunate he was to be in your life. I always admire people that do animal rescue. Gabriel sounds like he was a very special fur baby to you and your family. I am sorry that you lost him in a traumatic manner. I hope that this board can offer you some comfort during this difficult time. Many posters have lost their babies in an accident as well.

May the happy memories of Gabriel comfort you through the grief you now feel. In time your tears will end and be replaced by smiles. Just picture his beautfiful face looking at you. He has left pawprints on your heart to remain forever. He thanks you for giving him a wonderful, loving home.

I am so sorry to learn of your sweet Gabriel's passing. Naturally you are heartsick because you have lost a beloved member of your family. Gabriel knew how much he was loved and would never hold blame either to you or your daughter. I'm sure he loved you just as much as you loved him.

I am a true believer that these little furloves that come into our lives do bring important lessons for us to learn along with years of happiness and enjoyment. Each has a mission and when that mission has been completed they move onto the next world for even bigger missions. Perhaps it was Gabriel's final gift to you to make sure you remember always to keep those precious grandchildren of yours safe and sound. What a wonderful Gabriel was.

May the Lord bless you and keep you and your daughter and bring you peace.

Hugs to you both,
Beth

Dear Gabey's Mom,

I so agree with what Beth said. These precious babies come into our life for a reason. It is so hard to lose them and we all beat ourselves up wishing that we would have done something different. God has his plans, though they make no sense to us sometimes. I feel so bad for your precious Daughter. I hope she is able to forgive herself, this was not her fault.

You were so Blessed to have precious Gabey. I had a Pug once and lost her to an ex that completely took her away and I never saw her again. It's a different kind of loss, but I learned how special pugs are. Such little clowns.

Please come back to this board as much as you need to. There are so many wonderful people here, and we have all felt your unique depth of pain. Without my friends here at LS, well, I don't even want to think of how I would have gotten through the pain.

I will keep you and Gabey in my thoughts and Prayers. I am soooo sorry for your loss.

((((HUGS))))

Michelle

I am so sorry to hear about Gabriel.

I too have lost two cats young and unnecessarily and I understand your pain.

One thing I want to mention is that drowning is supposed to be very peaceful. I know someone who "died" by drowning and was brought back to life and he said that it was peaceful and pleasant. I have heard this from someone else as well.

I understand that doesn't help with the haunting images and guilt. Whenever these things happen we cannot help but blame ourselves, yet of course no-one wanted this to happen.

Wishing you healing and light in your journey.

Jan.

What a heartbreaking story. Although, I can imagine him running freely with no ailments with all of our precious pets who have gone on. As all of us tell our stories, they are all running and playing in endless fields as bestest buds...

Minute-by-minute, breath-by-breath...for now that's all you can do. My thoughts and prayers are with you, your daughter, and little Gabey.

~Shannon

Dearest Gabriel's Mom, I am so very sorry for your loss. Your heart is breaking and the "what ifs" are eating at you something fierce. Please accept my deepest condolences. Gabriel sounds like an extremely special, loving, dear fur baby and you're a wonderful Mom! I take comfort knowing that my baby is not really gone. He's still very close and only a breath away. A breath away is not far at all to where Gabriel is, Dear One!

Those who know me here realize that I express myself far better using images, songs, poems and the like. Please let me explain how Gabriel is right there with you and only a breath away. I hope you are able to hear and see videos. If not, I've typed in the lyrics for you and pray they bring you some small comfort at this very difficult time of your sorrow and grief. God Bless!







I send many comforting Hugs and wing many Loving Angels to soothe and guide you through this most difficult time, Gabriel's Mom. And please remember, he's only a breath away, Dear One.
Big Tight Hugs!!!

Always,
Dottie xoxoxox

Hello again, Gabriel's Mom. Here's a poem that I pray will bring you much comfort also. See the Rainbow Bridge hugging all our dearest most beloved fur babies and feather babies? The Rainbow Bridge is also at the bottom of this poem where our hearts are joined with our most cherished fur and feather kids for all eternity and it's just a breath away. God Bless!







Lots of Comforting Hugs, Peace, Love and many Angels to You and Your Fur Baby Gabriel!!!

Always,
Dottie xoxoxox

I am so sorry for your loss of Gabriel. No one should be blaming themselves. This was an unfortunate accident. I also agree with what you said about him sending you a warning regarding the kids. What a lucky and special pug to have had you enter his life and care and love him the way you did. I know all to well how hard it is to let this image go right now, but keep focusing on the good times you shared together and you will get thru this...Hugs to you and your family.. Ann

Hi, Garbrielsmom, please permit me to offer you my sincerest sympathies in the loss of your beloved Gabriel. Losing a beloved companion is never easy regardless of the cir%%stances or how long we have been blessed with the privilege of their company. Your loss of Gabriel is tragic in many aspects. Unfortunately we do not have the privilege of foresight, only the benefit of hindsight, and it is the hindsight that is the source of the guilt that is always a part of the grief journey in the beginning. I'm sure your daughter would turn back the hands of time if she could to change the events so that Gabriel would be safe. None of us of every life form ever know the cir%%stances under which we leave this side of eternity, and that is why we need to make each day with our loved ones - - of every life form -- filled with love as much as posible. Gabriel knows you love him with all your heart, and his sweet living Spirit is forever in your heart and your memories. And part of his legacy to you is to ensure that his family is safer. What love reaching to you across time and space!! Please know that you are not alone in your grief journey, for each of us here understands the abyss of grief in the loss of a beloved companion. We are here for you for as long and as often as you need us, Gabrielsmom. Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers, and please let us know how you're doing.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam