I wanted to let you all know that China passed on to the bridge on November 15, 2001. She laid down to take a nap and didn't wake up. My heart is breaking. I didn't even get a chance to take more pictures of her loving self. I knew she was going to go but I wasn't ready for her to go THIS soon. Dang it.
I put my son down for his nap yesterday and he wouldn't go without holding on to China's collar so I let him take it to bed with him. He knows it was China's collar. When I came home yesterday morning from taking China for her last car ride he looked at my face and then to China's collar and said "Nina bye bye" and kissed the collar. Some how he seems to know. But he won't let go of her collar. I know that eventually he will but until then I won't force him to let it go. He will when he is ready. He even took it to the bathtub with him for his bath last night and took it to bed with him.
I made something for China and added it to my website. Go take a look when you have a chance. China will be greatly missed by all. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

April,
I lost my GSD on September 14th and he was only 8 1/2 years old. He was fortunate to not have had to go through what yours did. He was owned by us all of his life and was very loved. He had cancer that was on his left kidney. We did not find it until the 24th of July and it was because of lumps on his skin that looked like cysts but they would not rupture like the others. We did a biopsy and found it was already in his chest. It was the hardest thing I have ever had to do but he just looked at me that Friday and did not want to walk up the two steps to the clinic where I work. I knew it was time. I was fortunate that he was comfortable with everyone at the clinic so he was very relaxed with his friends all around him...not everyone has that luxury!!! He held onto his tennis ball even after he had passed away and was cremated with it in his mouth!! As much as he loved it, it seemed only right!!!

If you want to chat sometime let me know through private e-mail...I have been there and understand.

Pets4me361@aol.cm

April,

Heart-wrenching story. Very tough to take. Hang in there, my thoughts are with you.

I lost my friend on September 28. Her name was Blackfoot. She was a pretty black German Shepherd. She didn't belong to me, she was the "property" of the person next door to me. She was never played with until I came along. I had to teach her how to act. She never had anyone to take care of her. I had to wait until the owner went away just to be with her. But I like to think that I was the one bright spot in her life.We played and trained like the best of friends. She learned all of the commands that I taught her, and if she were mine, she would have gotten a Utility Dog title, or better, that's just how trainable and intelligent she was.I will miss her, but I'm glad that she has gone to a better place, away from the 'people' who owned her. Goodbye Blackfoot, I'll see you up there.

I completely understand how you feel. I had to put my almost 4yr old shepard to sleep last June and it hurts as much today as it did then. I miss her so much. I think about her every second of the day. And I can't really talk about it to anybody - because they don't understand that kind of bond I had with her.

I dreamed just last night that I had given her up to the local German Shepard Rescue because she was in danger of getting real sick. And that there wasn't any danger any more so I called Rescue and was going to get her back, but they had already adopted her out to another family. Some days are just easier than others.

I lost my friend and partner, Uran V. Burbrink on 20 September. He was V-1, SchIII, AD and all the rest,but it really doesn't matter because when they leave, they are all loved the same, regardless of what letters or number came before or after their names. I stll work in the same city where "Ronnie" found armed robbery and homicide suspects. He found his share of dope, even if his method was unorthodox. I run into the first lost child Ronnie found, the poor boy has his problems too and always asks about his "fiend" that found him in the helicopter he managed to hide in when he wandered away from home one day. If I may be so bold, I recommend you revel in the fond memories and not wallow in the sorrow of your loss........it will do you a lot of good and it it will do honor to your dog's memory.

My condolences,
Gordon Beyer
Winslow, Az