SAYING GOODBYE

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Years ago I found a photo on the internet, and saved it to my computer.  It captured the photographer’s wife moments before taking their aging, sick dog to be put to sleep.    I remember staring at the image with tears in my eyes, because it was so touching. Today, a couple of years down the line, I can finally give credit to this unique photo. Amazing how the internet works, I did not find the author of the photo at the time I posted, but he found me. A cycle is completed.


(PHOTO CREDIT: COPYRIGHT JUAN DE SANTA ANNA – see all his work at http://www.bigguys.zenfolio.com)

Today our beloved dalmatian is running free  in some far away virtual place, chasing squirrels, wagging his tail, hopefully unaware of the deep sadness he left behind.

42 thoughts on “SAYING GOODBYE”

  1. Oh, that picture just breaks my heart

    I’m so very sorry for your loss – I know dog heaven is a beautiful place though, I have several friends there.

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  2. A candle is lit here in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada to celebrate the life of your beloved Dalmation. I too had to release my Irish Wolfhound awhile ago to a place they call the Rainbow Bridge. I know my husband Bob, our 2 wolfhounds and 7 cats will have given your boy a joyous welcome with pizza crusts for all.

    Run free, run fast Beloved Dalmation Boy…

    And to you and your family I extend my heartfelt sympathies and healing thoughts.

    Mar

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  3. Hello! congratulations! for the wonderful recipe site! your fan from Brazil! that beautiful picture of love and resignation, I love doggies, I have a york who was ill, is still recovering, I believe, only, special people , has this feeling of love, neighbor, and love the animal, are yes, people greatly special, like you, with all this affection, in reporting!
    Caroliny!

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  4. I’m so sorry for your loss, and my heart goes out to you on this very sad day. I know how you are feeling, for I, too, have lost so many beloved furry and fuzzy friends over the years…the most recent being my beloved tabby of 12 years, named Mollie. This coming 20th of October marks one year since she left, in search of the Rainbow Bridge, where all my other beloved cats and dogs over the years are now residing, ever-joyous, ageless and playing, and pain-free forever. Keep your beloved friend in your heart and your memories – he will always be with you there, to bring you comfort and wonderful moments shared.

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  9. Our companions leave such big holes when they go. My black and white pound rescue is chasing dream rabbits from a field in West Virginia. A year after Pepper died, a black and white “tuxedo” cat found her way to me. Annabelle has so many personality quirks that remind me of Pepper that I can only believe they are somehow connected.

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  11. Gosh, I’m so sorry to hear about your loss. I can empathise as our precious six year old little dachshund had to be put down after a fierce battle with lymphoma in May this year. It was one of the worst decisions my husband and I have ever had to make in either of our lives till now. My heart still aches for our little furry baby, and I’m genuinely sorry you’ll be going through the same roller coaster of emotions. My thoughts are with you.

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  12. Sally, I am so sorry to hear this. I know that you will hold him in your heart, and that he keeps you in his. In the place where he is, they have a lot of cookies. Love, Vickie

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  13. So sorry to read about this. We’ve gone through this so many times, I can wholeheartedly commiserate. At least the love and affection we receive from our furry (and too short-lived) companions more than compensates for the pain of losing them.

    My sympathies and condolences to you and your husband.

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  14. Sally, I’m so sorry to hear about your loss. It is very hard to let go of a beloved family member… I know.
    Peace to you….

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  15. I’m saddened to hear of the passing of your beloved pup.
    My concept of an afterlife is that we will be united with the pets and people that we have loved.
    Condolences to you and Phil.

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  16. That’s a wonderful photograph. I’m wiping away tears as I write to tell you my heart goes out to you today and for a long while to come. I hope there is consolation in the knowledge that your lovely dog had a good life with you. He wouldn’t have wanted any other life.

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  18. Oh Sally I am so sad for you and Phil. Someone once said to me that dogs leave such a huge gap when they go because they offer so much to us in the way of love and devotion. I think it’s because the relationship is so physical and so full of little nuances which no one can replace. It is extremely hard to lose your beloved companion after he has travelled so far with you through life. I am sure he went off on his last squirrel hunt knowing he was loved so very much.

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  22. Thank you very much to all of you for your kind comments, as well as those left on Facebook

    We get some comfort knowing we did the right thing, it’s just very hard to accept it, and we miss him terribly.

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  24. I have it on good authority that all good dogs spend their next life with a single ability – to only recall all that was pleasurable, and joyous, and fun in their prior life. And it is our province to do the same.

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  27. A pet is the only species that gives unconditional love without any expectations except only to be loved back. I have been present at the death of 8 companions in my 65 years, and even though my memory is fading from time to time, I will always remember the names of each pet that graced my life, and just by their exsitance, hopefully made me a better person, because they taught me about love, & life, and saying good-bye.
    Bless you & you pet person.

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  29. Thank you, everyone.

    Chief is very sad and depressed, we absolutely need to get a new companionship for him (and us). It is heartbreaking to see him sniffing the air in the backyard, but we are trying to give him a lot of love and attention.

    I appreciate every single message left, it is comforting to know that so many people understand and care about what we’re going through.

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  30. Oh, Sally… I can’t keep myself for crying along with you as I read your post, as my dearest Nisya has been put to sleep on Oct. 5 and it is one of the sadest things I have ever been through…
    Poor Chief… please give him a big hug from me and let’s believe our old dogs are now running and playing joyfully for ever.
    Very warmly,
    Flo

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    • Flo, so sorry to hear about your Nisya, just days before it happened to our dog…. it is indeed heartbreaking, and I hope you find comfort in the memories, that are with us forever

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  31. Oh Sally, my heart goes out to you—I’d hold your hands and cry with you.

    It’s a blessing that while we are busy living life, we can enjoy it so much, and we even have the luxury to take it for granted.

    Many times, I talk to my people and pets who have died. They remain with me.

    That photograph expresses so much.

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  32. Oh Sally… I’ve only just read this post, when I popped in and smiled to see the new dog, then spotted the comment about sadness… No words can console for the loss of a beloved pet but we know it is the unavoidable flip side of all the years of love, cuddles and companionship. I’m sure you gave your dog a wonderful life. A big hug to you and your family.

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  33. Thank you, Tess & Pauline

    we still tell “Pits and Chief, out!” when we want to get the dogs out of the house, because after so many years saying it, it’s almost impossible to change. It brings the sadness back, but we are glad he is not suffering anymore, and that’s what matters the most.

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    • I agree with you and actually tried to search for the source before posting. However, I could not find it, and believe me, I tried hard. I thought it was too beautiful not to post, and keep hoping that someone could see it and point me to the original photo.

      I have never included a single photo in my blog without permission, and this is an exception that I allowed myself to cross the line on.

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      • I am glad you like my photo…how ever, integrity means doing the right thing when nobody is looking. If you would like to keep using the photo Please add ‘Copyright Juan de Santa Anna’ to the credit line. This way when someone else goes to use the picture with out permission you won’ be responsible for them…as well. thank-you for understanding.

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        • IT IS YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It is you??
          Oh, you made my day, my month, my year!

          I will add it right away… you know, I found your photo long time ago, before I even dreamed of having a blog, and saved it in my computer. When my dog was put to sleep, I debated whether I should use it. Kept searching in the net hoping I would find the source, but then gave up.

          I am so glad you popped up, and now I can say that I don’t have A SINGLE photo in my blog that was not “officially” allowed to be here, or taking by me!

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        • Also, if you have a site that you want me to include as a link, please do so…. I am sorry I used your photo without your permission, but very glad this could be corrected!

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    • Thank you! I am trying to buy the print, but when I try to put it in my checkout basket, apparently I need to do some type of cropping? I am not sure how to deal with it, so I will buy it and allow you to set the photo the best way you can, ok?

      I am absolutely thrilled to have found you and your site!

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