Comments on: Saying Goodbye: How We Knew (part 1)

By: The Spirit of Ol Jer At Luckenbach | tripawds.com

The Spirit of Ol Jer At Luckenbach | tripawds.com — Sun, 03 May 2009 00:30:13 +0000

[...] those who don’t know, my people still continue their fulltime RVing adventures after saying goodbye to me seven months ago. And while it’s difficult for them to go back to places where we traveled [...]

By: admin

admin — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 16:39:21 +0000

Many cheers back atchya! It’s great to know Jerry’s story is touching so many people out there who “get it” … thanks for taking the time to comment.

By: jerry

jerry — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 07:38:03 +0000

i cry everytime i watch this n show, my friends who r animal lovers as well n i think we r parents to them but they r teachers to us n we live healthier by knowing n learning from what they offer..amazing how they r to show us how life should be without anger violence n complete undertanding without proper words just the power of knowing. its a different kind of communication but if we as humans had it the way animals do there would be less violence..cheers to gerry and all the animals we all love n cherish like our own children i wish i could save them all

By: admin

admin — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 19:57:36 +0000

Thank you for taking the time to share Bella’s story. You have our deepest condolences.

By: Bella's Dad

Bella's Dad — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 03:04:02 +0000

What a beautiful story of love and devotion. I didn’t walk your path exactly, but something similar. Our Bella, a nearly 5 year old Shepherd, was diagnosed in June 08 with an enlarged heart, aortal valve lesions, and it was inoperable. It was devastating news. They gave her less than six months to live, definitely less than a year. We took her to the best veterinary cardiologist we could find. He put her on some lasix, a blood pressure reducer, and a heavy dose of antibiotics. Told us no swimming, limited exercise, restrictive diet. Bella was a lot like your Jerry – full of life and joy, active, intuitive smart, relational, playful. We have a large yard in Florida, and lots of trees and squirrels and birds; two cats. Bella played out there as often as it was not too hot. I took her on daily walks which got increasingly longer over the months. I asked a group of special friends to pray for her, for a miracle of healing. She seemed to be responding; a followup showed the lesions healed and the valve problem was still there, but seemed to be a little better. Maybe that was what I wanted to hear, but watching Bella live day to day, she seemed to be well as ever. We sometimes took walks along the bayshore and she’d go into the shallow water to jump around. Her joy was so great when we did this. But around the last week in January things began to change. She had a mild cardiac episode one night while playing in the yard; a strange cat had ventured into the yard and Bella charged to chase it – and she fell. I wasn’t totally sure if she hadn’t slipped on a wet spot; she seemed surprised and sheepish, but after a couple of seconds got up and we went inside. About five days later in the middle of the night she fell again beside my bed. This time she didn’t shake it off so quickly, but by mid-morning she was more like her old self – energetic, playful. But I called her cardiologist, whose assistant suggested we visit our regular vet and get an EKG. It showed some pretty serious irregular heartbeats. Long story short, it was starting to look like Bella’s heart condition was advancing. I took her home and she seemed fine, so we went to bed hopeful that this was just another scare. But in the middle of the night, she started coughing and coughing, like you described Jerry’s cough. This was Super Bowl Sunday. We hoped and prayed she’d come around, but Bella couldn’t lie down or even sit without coughing. So for much of the day she stood in the yard, walking around to all her favorite places. She wouldn’t eat or drink. I knew this was bad. We finally took her to an ER in Tampa, and they attempted to give her oxygen and reduce the ominously growing signs of congestive heart failure (rattling, rasping sounds). But Bella’s valiant heart just couldn’t hold out any more. We were there, my wife, our daughter, and I, when the vet told us they were losing her – that we might want to come see her. It was awful to see our Bella lying on that blanket on the floor of the ER. She knew we were there, but she had nothing left to give and was fading. Went into respiratory arrest, heart still beating but no breathing. Vet asked if she could humanely assist Bella at this point in her dying. We said yes amidst the tears. And in seconds, our Bella died. The grief we are feeling over her death has been huge; it’s affected me especially, but also our daughter. Even my wife, who is mostly a cat person has been hurting. Bella was such a wonderful friend, companion, and member of the family. Her place in our home is shockingly empty now; but we carry her love and memory in our hearts and will forever.

By: Why We Love Cats and Dogs: Thank You Ellen, Thank You PBS | live. work. dream.

Tue, 17 Feb 2009 00:02:24 +0000

[...] have spent the last day answering the many heartfelt comments people are leaving on our posts about Jerry’s last [...]

By: Thank You PBS Nature for Why We love Cats and Dogs | tripawds.com

Thank You PBS Nature for Why We love Cats and Dogs | tripawds.com — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 23:27:46 +0000

[...] the feedback has simply been overwhelming. Just check out some of the heartfelt comments people are leaving on our posts about Jerry’s last [...]

By: jerry

jerry — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 22:33:36 +0000

Cat, you are an awesome person for being such a great friend to animals. Thank you so much for sharing your story, and all the love you have in your heart for rescue animals. Many hugs to you.

By: admin

admin — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 21:32:59 +0000

The world would be a much better place indeed with all of us animal lovers in charge. Bless you for adopting a senior dog, and thank you for sharing our story here.

By: admin

admin — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 21:22:48 +0000

Thank you for taking the time to comment, Barb. They are bittersweet memories indeed, but all the good times do help ease the pain. Thanks for the reminder!