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You are here: Home / Open Threads / Open Thread: Pet Rescue Updates

Open Thread: Pet Rescue Updates

by Anne Laurie|  January 29, 20115:08 pm| 40 Comments

This post is in: Open Threads, Pet Rescue

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Sad news from commentor Joe F. (His note actually arrived early in the week, but I kept looking for “an appropriate time” to post it):

After my first email, Clover lost sight in his left eye and began to lose his motor skills on that side as well. We tried to see if a few days would find progress, but in fact it went the other way, so he has gone to a better place. It was a very difficult decision to make, but after snuggling with him for an hour today, there was nothing except resignation and detachment in every part of his body, so the choice made itself. Once the tears dried, I realized that it was absolutely the right thing to do.
__
My best friend is gone and the hole is bottomless, but I have such a sense of gratitude for having this beautiful animal come into my life and profoundly changing how I look at the world; he will always be with me.
__
I am so grateful for all your warm wishes, it left me in tears every time I read them. If you could do me (and Clover) one final favor of posting the sunlight picture one more time with the sad update and my great thanks to all who posted wishes which made this tragic time just a bit more tolerable.
__
Thanks to them all, I can never truly express how much their thoughts meant to me. No new dog on the horizon for me right now, but when (not if) I do bring another dog into my life, it will be a Wheaton Terrier in Clover’s honor.

***********

Better news from commentor Patty, about her feral-cat-rescuing aunt in North Carolina. (Patty mentioned that she and her husband are in Germany, where he’s stationed, which is part of the difficulty):

thank you so much for the links. there are many more resources in the rdu area than i realized. right now i am in kind of a holding pattern; my aunt hasn’t come to the realization yet that she can’t afford to keep caring for all of these cats. i am waiting to give her the list until she is ready. i respect her too much to push her; i’m just ready when the time comes. she has gone through so much lately that she doesn’t need pressure from me.
__
the good news is that my husband contacted some people regarding her house situation and she is not in immediate danger of losing her house. so that is a big relief.
__
it is truly humbling that so many people have come forward with suggestions and caring. the power of the internet and good hearted people is awesome.
__
thanks again for all of your help! will let you know as the situation progresses.

***********

And good news from commentor Redshift:

The update on the Howard County hoarding case rabbits is that there are now only 33 [out of the original 78] left at the shelter. Still a lot, but that’s an amazing number that have been adopted or gotten into foster homes.

(He sent me a clip of the seven baby bunnies he and his wife are fostering, but I have to get an embeddable copy to share for the Lunar Year of the Rabbit.)

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Reader Interactions

40Comments

  1. 1.

    Svensker

    January 29, 2011 at 5:15 pm

    So sorry, Joe F. Big big hugs.

  2. 2.

    stuckinred

    January 29, 2011 at 5:19 pm

    Aw Joe, it’s so hard but, as you said, it was the right thing for your sweet pup. That picture may not say it all but it says a great deal.

  3. 3.

    Yutsano

    January 29, 2011 at 5:19 pm

    Clover ran right up that sunbeam to the next chapter in his existence. Good puppeh.

    And yeah, I squeed at the bunny vid. Big deal. Wanna fight about it? :)

  4. 4.

    stuckinred

    January 29, 2011 at 5:20 pm

    Silly wabbits!

  5. 5.

    robertdsc-PowerBook

    January 29, 2011 at 5:20 pm

    RIP Clover. So sorry, Joe F.

  6. 6.

    stuckinred

    January 29, 2011 at 5:24 pm

    @Yutsano: Get some sleep?

  7. 7.

    Jenn

    January 29, 2011 at 5:25 pm

    I’m so very sorry, Joe F. I lost my old dog not long ago, and miss her dreadfully. My pup, though, is needing some extra canine companionship, so I’ve been visiting rescue orgs.

    Patty, I’m so glad to hear that your aunt doesn’t have to leave her house.

    Bunnies!

    The internet really is an amazing thing. Best to all.

  8. 8.

    Yutsano

    January 29, 2011 at 5:25 pm

    @stuckinred: Some at least. When kitteh wasn’t in full play NAOW!! mode. Speaking of which, need to run to the store to get food for her. I’ll be back shortly.

  9. 9.

    Beeb

    January 29, 2011 at 5:35 pm

    I’m so sorry, Joe. When you are ready, there will be another Wheaten who needs you and will love you too. Not Clover, of course, but perhaps a lucky Shamrock. They really are wonderful dogs. In the meantime, thank you for sharing Clover with us.

  10. 10.

    gogol's wife

    January 29, 2011 at 5:39 pm

    I’m so sorry about Clover. Thanks for letting us know — I’ve thought of you often since the first post. Really very sorry, but your love lives on.

  11. 11.

    Sko Hayes

    January 29, 2011 at 5:43 pm

    It’s always tough to lose a dog, they’re only on this earth for a short while. I have a 16 year old lab that I know won’t be around much longer.
    Hope you don’t go dogless for long, remember:

    One last request I earnestly make. I have heard my Mistress say,
    ‘When Blemie dies we must never have another
    dog. I love him so much I could never love another one.’ Now I
    would ask her, for love of me, to have another. It
    would be a poor tribute to my memory never to have a dog again.
    What I would like to feel is that, having once
    had me in the family, now she cannot live without a dog!

    The Last Will and Testament of an Extremely Distinguished Dog

  12. 12.

    stuckinred

    January 29, 2011 at 5:49 pm

    @Sko Hayes: Wonderful. Ralph, Henry, Luke, Mr Big and Boo Boo agree!

  13. 13.

    TaMara (BHF)

    January 29, 2011 at 5:52 pm

    @JoeF, I was so hoping for better news, my heart goes out to you. Everyone one of us who has loved an animal here, knows what you’re going through. So big hugs and remember Clover was loved, happy and had a wonderful life with you.

    And I’m with Yutsano, he went right up that sunbeam. And every time you see a sunbeam shining down, you’ll know he loves you.

  14. 14.

    stuckinred

    January 29, 2011 at 5:53 pm

    @Sko Hayes: More from that:

    No matter how deep my sleep I shall
    hear you, and not all the power of death can
    keep my spirit from wagging a grateful tail.

  15. 15.

    JPL

    January 29, 2011 at 5:54 pm

    Such happy and sad stories. I wondered about Clover and he was loved. That’s all a dog asks.

    The wabbit video is hilarious.

  16. 16.

    Linda Featheringill

    January 29, 2011 at 5:56 pm

    The love shared between us and the other animals is very, very real and is one of the nicest things about life itself.

    And, yes, sometimes we hurt, too.

    Happy trails, Clover.

    [and great news otherwise!]

  17. 17.

    jayjaybear

    January 29, 2011 at 5:56 pm

    So sorry, Joe F. I’ve had to make that decision for my fur friends and I know how hard it is.

    Those bunny babies are very…erm…industrious? About working their way through the yummy greenery. I love the gray-brown one with his fuzzbutt right in the food bowl!

  18. 18.

    stuckinred

    January 29, 2011 at 5:57 pm

    @JPL: Nice day huh?

  19. 19.

    Kay Shawn

    January 29, 2011 at 6:03 pm

    Joe F, we are all thinking of you. When we lost our 18-yr-old doggie, we were comforted that we did the right thing for her when the time had come. And that is what you have done. It also helped me to write a little notebook with tiny anecdotes of life with our dog, the little details that may become hazy in the future. We got our notebook out recently, and we laughed at the memories. Keep well; Clover will always be with you. Hugs and smiles to you.

  20. 20.

    You Don't Say

    January 29, 2011 at 6:11 pm

    So sorry about Clover. You did the right thing. Thanks for letting us know.

  21. 21.

    sharl

    January 29, 2011 at 6:12 pm

    My condolences, Joe F.

  22. 22.

    Erin Siobhan

    January 29, 2011 at 6:14 pm

    RIP Clover. Good dog.

  23. 23.

    Redshift

    January 29, 2011 at 6:16 pm

    @jayjaybear: Yep, they love their greens. We named the gray-brown one Magellan, because he was the first to explore outside the cage the day we brought them home (though they were all out by the next morning.) That may be awkward if he turns out to be a girl, but oh, well.

    They all love to sit in the food dish; they take turns there, probably because it’s just the right size for them.

    It is very hard to get much done with baby bunnies in the house. Any time either of us walks by, we stop to look “just for a minute” and before you know it, it’s fifteen or twenty minutes later…

  24. 24.

    Redshift

    January 29, 2011 at 6:23 pm

    Sorry for the sad news, Joe. At such times, I’m always put in mind of Klaatu’s “All Good Things”:

    I know it sounds a trifle odd
    To those who’ve never had a dog
    But I never had a closer friend than you

  25. 25.

    Violet

    January 29, 2011 at 6:31 pm

    Oh, Joe F., I’m so sorry. You made the right decision but that doesn’t mean it’s an easy one. I just love that Clover sunbeam photo. What a beautiful spirit.

    Patty, so glad things are looking a bit better for your aunt. How wonderful that so many people were able to help you so that you could help her.

  26. 26.

    You Don't Say

    January 29, 2011 at 6:41 pm

    Patty, best of luck with your aunt. Glad to hear she’s keeping her house.

  27. 27.

    wolvesvalley

    January 29, 2011 at 6:45 pm

    @Sko Hayes:
    What a wonderful piece — thank you for posting the excerpt and the link to the whole thing.

    Joe F., thank you for letting us know about Clover.

    there was nothing except resignation and detachment in every part of his body

    He was telling you to let him go in peace, and you did. This was the last loving gift you could give him.

  28. 28.

    Josie

    January 29, 2011 at 7:16 pm

    I’m so sorry, Joe. You did the very best you could for him. The hurt is the price we pay for loving pets who have shorter lives than we do. They are definitely worth it.

  29. 29.

    JasonF

    January 29, 2011 at 7:29 pm

    This post really hits home. This morning, we had to say goodbye to our rabbit, William. Even though he had a great, long life, and even though I know it was time to let him go, it was still the most painful thing I’ve ever done.

    So rest in peace William and Clover. Joe F, you have my condolences. Redshift, thank you for taking care of those bunnies. If they are even half the rabbits my William was, you are in for a wonderful experience.

  30. 30.

    Lesley

    January 29, 2011 at 8:04 pm

    So sorry for your profound loss, Joe F.

    May Clover be chasing sunbeams and sitting in them and keeping a watchful eye on you.

    Though I know it is cold comfort right now, I sense another wonderful dog who needs you is in your future. You are obviously meant to be with dogs on a permanent basis.

  31. 31.

    trollhattan

    January 29, 2011 at 8:53 pm

    My sincere condolences to Joe F on the loss of your Supergood Doggie Clover. Sigh.

  32. 32.

    Linda

    January 29, 2011 at 8:56 pm

    Joe, I’m so sorry. I had to say goodbye to my cat Walt just before Christmas. It was hard, but I know that it was the right thing to do. He was 15 and beautiful and I miss him every day. One day I’ll blog the story of when I brought Jane and Ralph home (8-week-old kittens) and he took to them like a mama cat.

    I have pictures of him all around and think of him everyday. The love never dies. Never.

    Clover was beautiful. You will always have those memories. Thank you for sharing his story and that amazing picture with us.

  33. 33.

    Phoebe

    January 29, 2011 at 9:46 pm

    Three cheers for Joe F and for Clover. I know that sounds weird and wrong and not sad, but they both rule.

  34. 34.

    Mike S

    January 29, 2011 at 9:58 pm

    Joe,

    I am very sorry for your loss of your buddy clover. Treasure your memories of him.

  35. 35.

    asiangrrlMN

    January 29, 2011 at 10:25 pm

    Oh, Joe F., I’m so sorry for the loss of your best friend. May he check in on you from time to time to make sure you’re all right. My deepest condolences.

    Redshift, BUNNEHS! They are cute.

  36. 36.

    bystander

    January 29, 2011 at 11:00 pm

    Aw, Joe F. I am so very sorry. Clover’s presence may be gone, but his spirit will live forever tucked safely beneath your heart.

    One could say the heartache you feel is just Clover moving in and rearranging the furniture. Hold close the times you laughed with him.

    Hugs.

  37. 37.

    Ash Can

    January 30, 2011 at 12:51 am

    Deepest condolences to Joe F, and hats off for giving Clover such a good home — the kind of home every doggie deserves. It was obviously the right decision, and you are both in my thoughts tonight.

  38. 38.

    Rick Hill

    January 30, 2011 at 4:26 am

    One of the bitterest ironies is that our best buddies are only around for a short time while the assholes of this world never seem to die.

  39. 39.

    Sko Hayes

    January 30, 2011 at 9:27 am

    @stuckinred: Every time I read that part, I cry.

    @wolvesvalley: Thanks, it’s one of my favorite “condolence” pieces to send to friends who have lost beloved pets.

  40. 40.

    NorthernMNer

    January 30, 2011 at 1:35 pm

    @Rick Hill: Its just not fair, somehow, that dogs, one of our greatest friends and companions, can only be with us for a piece of our lives.

    Clover, may you find doggie treats over every cloud in doggie heaven.

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