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Thursday, August 2, 2012

And So, We Let Him Go


That's our Dion, Memorial Day 1999.
He was 10 weeks old, asleep on a desk,
tuckered out from the parade festivities.
(Thank you, Suzanne, for finding this puppy picture and sending it; I'd lost it!)

Dion, December 2010, at 11-and-3/4 years old

Yesterday, August 1st, Howard, Anne, and I
fulfilled the promise we made to not let him suffer,
and said goodbye to our beloved boy.
A snuggle with Daddy, yesterday morning

My friend Karen posted a quote on Dion's Facebook page:
"Godspeed!  Be thou comforted little dog.
Thou, too, in the Resurrection shall have a golden tail."
-- Martin Luther


A good dog.
There is no better epitaph.


Thank you all for your kind and understanding comments
the past couple of days.  I know so many of you
have traveled this same path. -- Cass



50 comments:

  1. Oh, Cass, my thoughts are with you and your family. Dion will always be with you, of that I am sure.

    xo
    Claudia

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  2. Oh, Cass.... I dreaded this day for you... I'm literally crying up here in this side jersey. (((((((hugs to all of you)))))))


    gena

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  3. Oh, Cass. You did the right thing. I'm crying. I loved your little Dion too and will always remember the "Happy Franks Giving Day" post he penned. My heart goes out to you and all your family.

    Louise xo

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  4. I am so sorry, I know that this has been very hard for you and your family. My thoughts are with you. I know the pain because we had to let our little dog Max go. My girls grew up with him and he was our baby, but we could not let him suffer. It has been several years and even though we still miss him, we are able to remember and talk and laugh about the fun times we had with him.

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  5. Just adding my voice to those affirming you decision to be Good People to your Good Dog.

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  6. Cass, I am so sorry for your loss. We have all grown to love that little pup and feel your pain now. How lucky he was to have such a fun and long life with your family. Thank goodness that he is suffering no more. Lots of love, AnneMarie (and Ellie and Molly) xx

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  7. I don't even know him/you guys...but feel so sad for everyone...if you haven't ever heard it, listen to Godspeed by the Dixie Chicks....http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VqaBof47pmY

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  8. It's been 9 years since we had to let go of our sweet Chelsea, and I'm crying after your post. I dreamed of her quite often at first. One night I dreamed a dinosaur skeleton had her in it's mouth. I was kicking it to make it let go of her. My husband woke me saying,"DeeDee, you've got to stop kicking me."
    My prayers are with you in your grief.

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  9. Very hard day for you guys! Im very sorry for your loss.

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  10. Oh, Cass my thoughts are with you and your family. I have had to make this decision and it is not an easy one to be sure but how loving that you made it for him. I have enjoyed his comments on "uprights" and lack of proper meals with a smile.

    Take care my friend.

    Carol

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  12. Bless you for not letting him suffer. He was a good dog and I enjoyed your posts about him. My heart goes out to you and your family.

    Cassandra from Renaissance Women

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  13. Oh Cass.

    I'm not even a doggy owner and I feel tears welling up.

    I know you will miss him.

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  14. My heart aches for you. I'm so sorry for the loss of your beloved dog. Sending hugs to you. Pamela

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  15. I am sorry for the loss of your beloved friend. Hugs for you. Jen

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  16. It came to me that every time I lose a dog, they take a piece of my heart with them, and every new dog that comes into my life gives me a piece of their heart. If I live long enough all the components of my heart will be dog, and I will become as generous and loving as they are.

    Martha

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  17. Cass, my heart just breaks for you. I am so sorry for your loss. Take care dear.
    -Shelley

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  18. I'm sorry, Cass. Tearing up here, I'll be back. Take care. Hugs, Deb

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  19. So sorry to hear of your sad loss Cass - they give you so much love and then when they go they take a little piece of your heart with them don't they? Hugs from me xxx

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  20. Aunt C, sending comforting hugs to you and all of Dion's other humans...he was a sweet good dog and we'll miss slipping him food at thanksgiving. Love, Emily

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  21. So sorry :( It's so hard.... xoxo

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  22. I know he is in a good place but I am still sad for you and your family.

    Blessinds and prayers are being went your way.

    M :)

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  23. Dear Cass,

    We were so sorry, having had just recently, to let Barris precede Dion to the bridge. You and your daughters may find some solace in this memorial description of another dearly beloved Cavalier, whose pet girl was named Victoria. Sound like they were very similar...

    Here lies
    DASH
    The favourite spaniel of Her Majesty Queen Victoria
    In his 10th year
    His attachment was without selfishness
    His playfulness without malice
    His fidelity without deceit
    READER
    If you would be beloved and die regretted
    Profit by the example of
    DASH

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  24. I pray you will find comfort that you gave him a loving home all of those years in exchange for his unconditional love,Godspeed,will see Dion on the other side,phyllis

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  25. Oh, Dear Cass, my thoughts, prayers and heart are with you today. As hard as this was, you really did do the right and loving thing - letting little darlin Dion go on. Cherish those sweet memories and all of the puppy kisses.
    Blessings,
    Shelia :)

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  26. Bless you, Cass. While many folks doubt it, I truly believe that we will be reunited in Heaven with those that we loved on earth ... including our pets. I'm sending you hugs.

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  27. My heart aches for you. God Bless Dion and those that loved him. (((hugs)))

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  28. It's heartbreaking to lose a beloved pet. My heart goes out to you and your family.

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  29. Oh- Cass....you know I am sitting here bawling like a baby for you. God bless you and I know that Dion will be waiting at the Rainbow bridge free of aches, pains and illness....a puppy at heart again- xo Diana

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  30. I loved seeing Dion's precious little presence in your photos. If I enjoyed just his images how much more his family must have enjoyed his presence. I know you will miss him....so much. I've been thinking about you today. Praying that you find comfort.
    Becky

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  31. Such a sweet sweet boy....I just had a friend have to put her third dog down in three years....it is so hard to say goodbye, but believe he will be on the other side of the Rainbow Bridge waiting patiently for all of his family.....Big Hug, Sandy

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  32. I am so sorry for the loss of your beloved Dion. I always loved seeing his photos on your blog and the stories you wrote about him. He was a sweetheart!!

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  33. A most difficult heartbreaking decision but in the best interest for Dion. My thoughts are with you and your family as you cope with your loss. I'll miss seeing pictures of Dion. He was a cutie.

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  34. My heart is aching for you and your family, the day will come for us too, they become like family! My thoughts and prayers are with you!

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  35. Tears for a sweet dog....tears.
    May his memory be for a blessing.
    Kari

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  36. Your lives are so much happier for having Dion and so was his. Many of our pets are welcoming Dion to be with them.

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  37. Cass, So sorry to read that Dion had passed. He was such a beautiful Cavelier and I do know how you must feel. I can only imagine how I will feel when it is time for Miss Scarlet. Such a sad day when you lose your beloved Dion. {{{HUGS}}} to you.

    Carolyn/A Southerners Notebook

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  38. Cass,sending love and hugs your way...so sorry. Gina

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  39. Thinking of you and your family Cass, I know this is one of the hardest things in the world. Our pets truly are our children and losing one is so incredibly hard. We have an older Cavalier as well and I'm just trying to cherish the days with her now. I will miss your sweet pictures of Dion, he's such a beautiful boy. Your family is in my prayers tonight.

    Lauren

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  40. I too have a Cavalier and I so enjoyed reading about your Dion these past years. My heart is breaking for you today. You made an incredibly difficult decision out of love, it is so hard to see our little family members suffer. You gave him a wonderful life, and I know that someday he will be there to greet you in heaven, with your other pets. What a joyous reunion that will be!
    Blessings and comfort to you and your family.

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  41. Oh Cass...I am sorry that Dion is gone....this is such a heart wrenching decision to have to make...I had to make this decision about my 15 year old Jack Russell a few years ago..it was so hard to do....hugs to you...

    Mona

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  42. I am so sorry for your loss. Hugs, Meghan

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  43. My most sincere condolences. I'm so very sorry for your loss...
    Brenda

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  44. Oh Cass, I am so sorry to hear about Dion. It is the hardest decision we have to make with our pets and I'm so sorry that you had to make it. Hugs.

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  45. I don't even know you only through your blog but I follow you and I'm praying for your family. My family and I know your sorrow.
    Kelly

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  46. Oh Cass, I'm so sorry that Dion is no longer with you. What courage you showed in making his exit from this world peaceful. I am thinking about you. My little Buddy is sick and we will be making the same decision soon. Blessings,
    Genevieve

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  47. Oh honey, I'm so sorry for you loss.. I've been out of the loop for a bit now or would have responded sooner... many hugs and much love as you take the journey without your beloved friend...the memories shall substain you the tears heal you... hugs ~lynne ~

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  48. Sending love and hugs! Unfortunately yes, been on that journey. You will never forget that sweet puppy!!! Praying for you and your family. donna

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