One week ago today I lost my longtime buddy Major. Major was a black Lab that had been with me for twelve years. I got him from my sister when he was about six months old. She couldn't keep him because he was being a typical Lab (chewing everything, dragging the neighbors things from their yards). I was single and didn't have a pet at the time so we became inseparable. No matter what time I arrived home or what the weather we had our daily walk. I loved to carry him to a lake to swim and retrieve. I got married in 2002 and over the next few years had to give up some of my time with Maj for my new family. But Major was always ready to go and anxiously awaiting our time together. I felt guilty that I didn't give him as much attention as I did when I was single. About two months ago, Major developed a bad cough and started wheezing some when we walked. A few trips to the vet didn't provide much relief. Then the vet asked me to stop by so he could talk with me. The x-rays showed lung cancer so I knew our time together would be short. I talked with the vet to ask what signs I should be noticing to know that it was time to let him go. That night, I went out to check on him before going to bed and he couldn't get up. He was sitting by his water bucket and couldn't stand. I tried to help him but he just couldn't do it. So the next morning the vet came out about 6:00 and I had to say goodbye. I never dreamed that our time would end so abruptly and I underestimated how much and how long it would hurt to lose him. I'm hoping that sharing with all of you that have similar experiences will be somewaht therapeutic but right now nothing seems to help. I just miss my buddy. Every day I hope that it will be better but the pain is still there. Thanks for "listening"! I miss you Major.

Dear Brent,

I am so sorry for the painful loss of your handsome Major. One week is a very short time is this journey of grief, so it's no surprise you're not feeling any better. Your pain is still so very raw. It's important not to rush this journey (I say 'journey' because that's what grief is - a whirlwind rollercoaster of emotions) and to allow yourself to grieve. It will get easier with time, but you will probably have to go through a mixture of emotions before you get there. You loved your dog, and you spent 12 wonderful years with him, it will take some adjustment. But in time we do learn to adjust. In the meantime, we are all here for you for as long and as often as you need us.

Hang in there, buddy. Cheryl x

Hi, Brent, please permit me to offer you my sincerest sympathies in the loss of your beloved Major. Losing a beloved companion is never easy regardless of the circumstances or how long we have been blessed with the privilege of their company. Euthanasia is the last gift of love that we can give to our precious companions - - at great sacrifice to us - - so that they can once again be healed to their former youthfulness in the company of the angels.

Brent, even though your "quantity of time" in sharing time with your Major changed after you married, please know that he never felt neglected because you always had "quality" time with him. He is ever and always a part of you, and continues to be a vital part of your family unit.

Brent, this grief journey is a very painful one - - both physically and emotionally. The love that our beloved companions bring to our lives is devoted to us and only us - - they give to us their undivided attention and unconditional love. We, in turn, surrender ourselved to them completely without reservation, and this is one of the many reasons why it is so painful - - both physically and emotionally - - when they precede us to the angels.

Hopefully in time you will come to know that Major's sweet Living Spirit is forever with you wherever you go and whatever you do as you continue your journey on this side of eternity. He is forever imprinted on your heart and in your memories. The bond of love you share with Major is no longer confined to the physical laws of time and space.

For now, though, Brent, it's going to take a huge amount of healing from the deep sorrow for you to come to a peace in your heart - - to begin to adjust to the physical absence of your precious Major. One of the most important things for you to remember during this grief journey is that you are not alone. Each of us do understand how you're feeling, and we are here for you for as long and as often as you need us.

Brent, thank you so much for sharing your precious Major with us. This past Sunday, August 29, was the 9 month anniversary of my Black Lab Oslo joining the angels (see the post on Oslo if you'd like). Please come here frequently - - as often as you would like - - to share your wonderful memories of Major and how you're doing. Sharing our memories helps to keep our precious companions alive, and here we can honor them to our hearts desire and content.

Brent, please know you are in my thoughts and prayers, and please do let us know how you're doing.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

Dear Brent

I am so sorry to hear that your precious Major's time has come to join our Angels. I am pleased that you found this forum. I have been helped so much over this last year, since my Noushka had to leave me. There are some wonderful people here, and we share the bond of knowing the love of a fur/feather companion, and the pain we suffer when they have to leave us.
As Cheryl said, one week is so very soon, it's understandable that your pain is intense. I'm a year down the road on this perilous 'grief' journey and I can say from my heart that, yes it does get easier, and yes we can think of our Angels without feeling pain and despair, but it does take time to get to that state. Remember how sad they are when we feel worried or sad. How they always want to help us when we are down. Major will be watching over you and will be with you forever in your heart and soul, your special bond can never be broken.
He looks so handsome in his photo. I too was honoured to be 'mum' to a wonderful black lab, Soot, who has been an Angel now for 18 years. My two Samoyeds Tasha and Noushka are with him now, along with all the wonderful Fur /feather companions I have known over my 59 years on this Earth. Each and every one of them has a special place in my heart and we are soul mates forever.
I do hope that you can find some peace, knowing that your dear Major is free from his Earthly pains. He knows how much he is loved.
Please post some more about Major , when you feel able, and let us know how you are.
Thinking of you and your Major
Hugs Jan and my Angels and Pixie x

My goodness...what a handsome man your Major is. I'm so sorry for your loss. We know how hard it is for you right now, and the weeks to come. I know how hard it is to look for him in his favorite places and not see him....looking at his toys on the ground....waiting to be played with. Be patient with yourself, this is a hard road to travel. Just take one day at a time, let your body do what it needs to do. Its been 4 weeks today for me...I have yet to get through one day without crying...no...its not the horrible sobbing and crying out her name anymore...but the tears still come when I look at her pictures and her things. I know for some this is a long holiday weekend and traffic here might be a little slow...but please stay with us and let us know how you are doing....or if its just to send Major message.

Again I'm so sorry

Annette

Thanks for the thoughtful replies. It is very helpful to know that others can commiserate with me and provide helpful tips. I had ordered Mark Levin's book Rescuing Sprite and received it today. I read about 50 pages during my lunch and I'm captivated. I'll give a review when I finish. The book was recommended by a friend when he heard about Maj. One little story that helps me to deal with the grief.... I have a 4-month old little girl that lights my world. She briefly met Major but I really couldn't wait for her to get to know him. Sadly, that won't happen now. But she loves the outdoors like her daddy. So every day we take a little walk around the yard. We stop by Major's grave to say "I miss you." Somehow it seems to help a little. I know when she's older she'll want a puppy and I'll have to relent. I guess I dread for her to have to feel the pain that comes from losing such a close friend. But I think these experiences teach us a little about how much God loves us. I keep that hope that Major and I will be together again some day.

Hi Brent,

I am so sorry to hear about your loss, Major is very handsome.

I have lost my two babies in 10 months time. The first one I lost was Callaway, he was my soul mate, it will be a year September 16th. The other one I lost was Brando, I had to decide to put him down on July 24, he was my first dog and I loved him very much. This has been the hardest thing I have ever been through, I have a whole in my heart that will never totally heal but as I learned after Callaway died, I will get better with time and you will too. Please just let yourself feel all of the emotions, this is the only way to get through the grief.

I bought Rescuing Sprite about a month after Callaway died, it is an amazing book! I had a lot in common with the writer as far as his relationship with Sprite. Please let me know what you thought about the book after you've read it.

Take care,
Rhapsedy

Hi, Brent, children do have a way of comforting us in times of great loss. As a parent of course you want to protect your daughter from harm and sadness. But you have said it so well about facing a future decision to embrace another furchild into your heart and home: it will teach her a little bit about how much God does love her and her family. Our beloved companions give to us their undivided attention and unconditional love. And her four-footed companion will teach her how to share her heart and love without fear of rejection, and will be there for her to comfort her when life has not been kind.

And when it comes time to have to make the "decision" for her beloved companion, she will do so knowing that she has the love and comfort of her dad and her family - - and each of us here on this forum, too - - to help her through her grief journey. She will not have to bear the grief burden alone.

As your little girl gets older you can talk to her about Major, show her pictures, and tell her the wonderful memories you have of him. This will help her to share a connection with him through you. Major knows her and will continue to be a part of her life, watching her grow and enjoy love that is in her life - - in whatever life form that is.

Brent, thank you so much for letting us know how things are going, and hope that you will continue to come and share with us whenever possible. And please know you are in my thoughts and prayers.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

I am so sorry for you loss. Major is gorgeous. Brutus was also 12 when he passed, a week before his 13th birthday. This grief process is a very difficult journey. I have finally (almost a year later) been able to look at pictures of Brutus and not bawl like a baby. There are still tears occasional, but laughter has replaced the majority of them. Labs are real characters and I'm sure aside from so much unconditional love, Major gave you plenty of laughs as well. I will be praying that laughter and smiles fill your face and not tears.

Brutus and Major are playing in the most beautiful lake ever at the Rainbow Bridge.

Many Hugs,
Brutus' Mom

I finished Rescuing Sprite this weekend. It was painful because I totally understand the pain Mark felt leading up to Sprite's last day. It was also helpful in changing my focus from the last moments with Major to the memories of all the good times we shared. I recommend it to anyone who has lost their friend. I'm going to drop my copy off at my vet's office for someone else to read. Tomorrow will be two weeks since I lost my buddy. I sure miss you Maj! You'll always be my puppy dog!

Today is Major's and my birthday. He would have been 13 today. It's been two and a half months and I still miss my buddy. Fall has definitely arrived in Alabama and Major loved the fall. It was our favorite time of year. I have great memories of spending fall days in the woods exploring with him. I miss you buddy!

Happy birthday to you and Major. Thank you for sharing with us how you're doing. We are blessed with these wonderful memories, and nobody can take them away from us.

Take care,
Cheryl x

Hi, Brent, birthday greetings to you and Major. I know the angels and all of heaven's sweet companions are throwing a party for the both of you, and I can hear Major saying, "Yep, that's my dad - - happy birthday, dad!!!" My Oslo's earthly birthday was Monday, so I know he's sharing in Major's celebration. And like your Major, he also enjoyed the autumn, so I imagine they are both exploring heaven's perfect garden together, sharing their stories of their earthly journey with us.

Brent, thank you so much for letting us know how you're doing. Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers, and please know we are here for you.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam