Sunday, January 17, 2010

A Rough Weekend






We lost a very special four legged family member on Friday, our sweet Yorkie Casey was called to the rainbow bridge. It's been difficult. Casey was my parent's dog but he was mine too. He lived to be almost 15, just about half my life. When I was in high school, I really wanted a dog. My mom and I drove out to a breeder that had a litter of both Yorkies and Maltese. I fell in love with tiny Casey and the breeder said she would hold him so that my mom could bring my dad back to meet him. I had to work that night and my parents took the drive back out.






When I came home from work there stood my mom in the kitchen holding my little baby puppy. I didn't think I could be more thrilled....until my dad walked into the room with a Maltese puppy. You see, my dad fell in love with another dog....but my mom had promised me the Yorkie. So they came home with two. We named them Josh and Casey and they were like brothers, they were buddies.






They ran around the house like crazy as puppies, playing and wrestling. Casey could fit behind the couch but Josh couldn't so there would be a lot of teasing as Casey stuck his head out just a bit from the couch and Josh would go nuts of course. They were fun and we loved them. Like any dog lover knows, they were part of the family.






Josh passed on a year and a half ago and now Casey has gone to join him. The kids are heartbroken. I know going to my parent's house for the first time will be difficult on them. Like my mom said, even at just 3 pounds, that pup had such a presence in the house. He will be terribly missed.






We've gone through periods of sadness this weekend, along with pangs of guilt as well. There are people suffering in Haiti and here we are crying over a dog. But I'm going to not let the guilt take over. He was special to us, to our family, he was our "Casey Doodle," our "Noodle" and our family.




Rainbow bridge picture source: http://ottawadogblog.ca/tag/remembering/

44 comments:

Unknown said...

I'm so sorry. I know it's very hard when losing a family pet, who is really a member of the family, like that. They bring such joy. I hope the memories you and your family have of Casey help to ease the pain.

God Bless,
Nancy

Confessions of a Plate Addict said...

Oh, Michelle...I am so sorry! I know what a huge hole you must have in your heart losing a little furry member of your family! I have been feeling guilty, too, knowing that even my cats are faring better than many of the people of Haiti right now. :-( The photo is precious. I am sending a big hug to you and your family....Debbie

Julia @ Hooked on Houses said...

Oh, that's so hard!! They really do become like members of our family.

Happy To Be/ Gl♥ria said...

Girl I'm so sorry to hear about your fur baby...I had 5 Yorkies and loved each and everyone of them to pieces...lost my last one in 05 and won't get another one...Many blessings to your children...Hugs and smiles Gl♥ria

Rue said...

I'm so sorry Michelle. You know I understand. Dogs are not just dogs to us either, they're our kids.

Do NOT feel guilty for being sad.

(((hugs)))
rue

Jo said...

Please do not feel guilty about your loss. A week ago I lost my baby dog and many people had so many kind words but one stuck out at me - "We bring pets into our lives knowing it will be for a much shorter period than we would like it to be yet we do it any way. That must say something about how important they are to us", please take the time to mourn, as well as celebrate the time you had with your fur baby...........

Anonymous said...

I know what your pain of losing your Yorkie is like. So I am sorry for what you have had to go through. My 2nd Yorkie is almost 12. Her name is Bebe2 and she seems like a puppy at times but then other days she sleeps the whole day. They are precious dogs (Yorkies)and I know when I lost my first Bebe she was 17 and in pain, so it was time.
Think of all the good memories and that will get you through this difficult time.
Thanks, JolieAnne

Folkman's said...

I am very sorry for your family's lose. We have a 5 pd. yorkie that my daughter named Princess. They really are a big part of your family. There is always going to be something worse going on than what you are going through at the moment, but we all have feelings, and need to heal from them.

Rita Mireles said...

I'm so sorry for your loss. I have a yorkie as well and we lost her older brother a year ago. I never quite understood "dog lovers" until I had these two yorkies.Now I get it. It isn't that they are furry friends or house pets, it is their spirt and their character that brings out so much more in me as a human. I've learned so much more about myself than I ever could have withouth them and I'm sure you and your family feel the same way. Just wanted to say I'm sorry for you and your family and that...I GET IT. ~Rita

Dawn said...

I'm so sorry, Michelle! I know how difficult it is to lose a beloved pet. It's especially hard on the kids.

Darlene said...

I am so sorry! I definitely know that pets become so much a part of your family. It is so hard to lose a dear "friend" that never judges you and only wants to give you love. I hope all of your memories of sweet Casey will help to ease all of your pain.♥

jamie said...

So sorry. I can tell how much love you had for Casey just from reading through your post. Take care.

Decor To Adore said...

I am so sorry for your loss. As someone who is owned by a dog I can only imagine the loss is indeed truly painful. Don't feel to badly about world events in relation to your own. I know that if you love a dog so then you must also have a deep compation for those people you don't know.
Be blessed.

Unknown said...

sorry for your loss :(

Mid-Atlantic Martha said...

Oh I know how it is to lose our hearts to our pets and the great sadness when they pass on. Actually, I believe that when we care for creatures who are vulnerable, it gives us great compassion for the needs of others in our world. That, I think, is one of the gifts that they teach us.

Claudia said...

I am so very sorry. Don't apologize a minute for grieving. When I lost my dog I told people, "It isn't 'as if' I lost a member of the family, I did lose a member of the family." Our pets are so important and the loss of one is heartbreaking. Take care.

xo
Claudia

Theresa said...

You grieve, that's what we do. I am so sorry about that cutiepie. What a sweet memory. Hugs!

Adrienne said...

sending love and hugs to your family... we went through the same thing this past June.

Laurie said...

I am so sorry to read about Casey's passing. We, too, are dog lovers and after losing 3 of our dear friends to old age, I know how hard it is. You will have lots of wonderful memories of Casey. Thank you for sharing his story with us.

Christina said...

So sorry about your loss. Its amazing how they really become part of the family.

Julie said...

Oh Michele so sorry to hear about your loss of Casey they are family members and create such a hole in your heart when they pass on. 15 years what a wonderful life she had. Sending prayers that the sadness passes and your left with all the wonderful memories. Dont feel guilty she was family.
Heres to a better week for all of you:)
julie

Kathy said...

So sorry for your loss. We experienced the same thing in our family about 6 months ago. It is very hard on the kids as well as the adults! But you will have sooo many fond memories.

Thanks for sharing! Kathy :)

LuLu said...

I'm so sorry for your loss. Pets are such a special part of the family. We love doodle and she completes our family too, so i feel your sadness,sending you hugs and prayers,
xo,
LuLu

Katy said...

That is a really sad time, I know. I'm sorry for your family's loss. hugs to all of you.

The Tall Skinny House said...

You are not being selfish at all; to me, an animal is just like another member of the family. I wish you and your family comfort as you remember your special Casey. :)

Kristin :)

Unknown said...

Breaks my heart. So sorry , sounds like he had a great life here though.. mishelle

Melissa Miller said...

Ah Michelle I am so very sorry my friend. Believe me I do understand how this feels. Our animals are so special to us always and forever.
We never forget.

My prayers and blessings are with you at this time.

~Melissa

PS Your girls are so beautiful.

::cottage instincts:: said...

OH I'm so sorry for your loss....Pets weedle their way into our hearts and spirits, and it's hard to see them pass on.

Here's hoping the grief gives way to happy memories very soon.

Jen Kershner said...

It's so hard to lose a pet. I'm so sad for you all.

beth said...

I'm so sorry to hear that, Michelle. I know how hard it is to lose a pet. They become just like family, don't they?
Sending hugs your way, Beth.

Heather said...

I'm so sorry. I know they are so much like family members.

the wild raspberry said...

so sorry to hear this...
i don't think it is trivial in the least
hugs~
chasity

Its So Very Cheri said...

I am so sorry. This is my second visit where a animal has passed away.

cheri

Lynne (lynnesgiftsfromtheheart) said...

Oh Michelle, I am so sorry for your loss. I know the huge hole it leaves in your lives. Our animals become part of our families and so important. Our Scooter dog is a life saver with Mr.P's illnesses. I'll pray your family finds comfort in the wonderful memories your beloved pet...many many hugs~lynne~

Anonymous said...

I am so sorry for your loss. Losing a pet is like losing a family member. My prayers are with you.

Miss Mustard Seed said...

It's always hard to loose a pet. Especially one you've had for a long time. We lost a cat a few years ago that my parents bought when I was 10. She was linked to so many family memories, so it was sad.

luciwallis said...

I am so sorry to hear about your dog. I still miss my childhood dog.
On a lighter note I enjoyed visitng your blog~
Bristol

Jenny said...

Oh, I am so sorry. I came visiting from Theresa's and saw your sad news. What a totally sweet little furry friend. I'm sorry for sorrow in your life right now.

Unknown said...

Many hugs Michelle! I'm so sorry to hear this heartbreaking news. I know how difficult it is to lose a pet... they really are family. 3 years ago when we lost our lab I cried for a week straight and in many ways I'm still not over it. May your memories warm you and take comfort in knowing that your little baby is watching you from up above and waiting on rainbow bridge. Take time to mourn. We'll still all be here when you are ready. Blessings, Jackie

Ellie Mae's Cottage said...

PS, I signed with my alternate user ID and it came through as "Josephine". It's really Jackie at Ellie Mae's Cottage in case you were wondering who Josephine is... I'm signed back into google with my blog account... darn... too many user IDs these days to keep track of!

tara said...

oh I am so sorry Michelle..it seems those furry critters are just as much a part of the family as our children...big hugs, Tara

Lisa @ Fern Creek Cottage said...

I'm so sorry to hear about the loss of your little doggie. Our pets are part of our family and something would be wrong if we didn't greive their passing. I'm sending your family a big HUG.

Angie said...

So sorry for you and your family's loss. You should not feel guilty because it is a huge loss, a family member is gone.

Pam @ Frippery said...

So hard to lose a sweet furry member of the family. We had our 17 year old kitty put down last Monday. Not the first loss of a pet and definitely not the last. It is never easy but pets are definitely worth the pain. I know what you mean about guilt but we are allowed to grieve for ourselves as well as the rest of the world. Hope your memories of Casey make you laugh through the tears.