My Lady girl, a 4 year-old Great Dane, has lost her last fight for life(one of many) and passed away last week. I am deeply grieved and saddened. She had cancer and will suffer no more, but it is so very hard. My last dane died of cancer at the age of 13 years old and that almost did me in. Lady was so young...
I have Lady's ashes as well as Katie's, Samson's and Brutus' ashes. I haven't been able to scatter them nor bury them. They are in separate urns, because I was always so afraid of moving and leaving them. They all lived, played and loved here at this home and large back yard. They all loved to lie under the apple tree or under the shade of the berry bushes. I don't know if I can or should leave the ashes here. What do you all suggest? I guess I just can't let go...or say goodbye to any of them.
The ashes of my beloved one sits on top of my computer monitor, for the same reasons you describe.
I want to say I am so sorry for your tragic loss, and she was so young.
There are no right or wrong ways to deal with these kinds of losses, just what is right for the individual.
I have been comforted in the past by these words.....
THE POWER OF THE DOG
by Rudyard Kipling
There is sorrow enough in the natural way
From men and women to fill our day;
But when we are certain of sorrow in store,
Why do we always arrange for more?
Brothers and sisters, I bid you beware
Of giving your heart to a dog to tear.
Buy a pup and your money will buy
Love unflinching that cannot lie--
Perfect passion and worship fed
By a kick in the ribs or a pat on the head.
Nevertheless it is hardly fair
To risk your heart for a dog to tear.
When the fourteen years which Nature permits
Are closing in asthma, or tumour, or fits,
And the vet's unspoken prescription runs
To lethal chambers or loaded guns,
Then you will find--it's your own affair
But . . . you've given your heart to a dog to tear.
When the body that lived at your single will
When the whimper of welcome is stilled (how still!)
When the spirit that answered your every mood
Is gone wherever it goes--for good,
You will discover how much you care,
And will give your heart to a dog to tear!
We've sorrow enough in the natural way,
When it comes to burying Christian clay.
Our loves are not given, but only lent,
At compound interest of cent per cent.
Though it is not always the case, I believe,
That the longer we've kept 'em, the more do we grieve:
For, when debts are payable, right or wrong,
A short-time loan is as bad as a long
So why in Heaven (before we are there!)
Should we give our hearts to a dog to tear?
I don't know the answer.
But we all do, don't we?
My sincerest condolences. There are so many of us out here who know just how you feel right now.
