Monday 20 February 2017

Dakota 2004-2017

Dakota's health has deteriorated over the past week. She lost most of the use of her back legs, stopped eating, and likely was succumbing to late stage spleen cancer (both common GSD problems). This morning she was put to sleep, before she could suffer. Yesterday morning, she accompanied me for one last (very slow) walk, to feed the lambs -


Her ashes are coming back to be spread in the orchard where all the dogs play. I put her collar on my bedpost so she can still sleep next to me every night.

She was a good, loyal, loving companion. I miss her so much already.

16 comments:

Barbara said...

So very sorry. I wish you every possible comfort to ease your heart ache.

Seester said...

I remember when you got Dakota as a skinny, stressed-out young dog. She hated men and cowered anytime someone lifted a hand to pat her. Clearly she had a terrible life until you came along. It took her a long time to feel secure that you wouldn't abandon or beat her, and that she could trust people (except the mailman, of course). She became such a happy and engaged working dog and such a fantastic companion (or as you say, "noodge") and I know you will miss her helping you when you're on the computer and when you're knitting and when you are making tasty food in the kitchen. I will miss seeing her nose pop up when we skype. All my love and hugs to you and Pip.

Anonymous said...

Sorry 😥
KJ

Janice Bendixen said...

Oh no! Jen, I'm so very sorry. But you did the kind, loving thing and eased her across the Rainbow Bridge. Tears in Alaska for you all. Please love on sweet Pip for me. Sending love and salmon treats from the sub-arctic. Now I'm going to wake up my Cherni Girl for kisses and hugs. She'll be confused but I don't care... Be kind to yourself today. :-(

Christine said...

I'm sorry to hear about Dakota, it's hard to lose such a good friend. Reading about her for the last several years made me feel like living with a farmdog verminator was all in a day's work instead of strange (for this part of Massachusetts anyway). Wishing you peace and many good memories.

Anonymous said...

I'm so sorry for your loss. I'll just echo Barbara above and hope life brings you soft days and comfort to balance the sadness.

Maria said...

So sorry to hear this.. Dakota has been a fixture of your blog for as long as I've been reading it and you've been writing it... As others say, you gave her a good life and eased her going without suffering. hugs and be kind to yourself.

Unknown said...

So sorry to hear your news. It hurts, and I completely understand. Sending best wishes from the USA.

Paula said...

One of the tough things about having dogs is that they eventually leave you. I'm feeling for you especially hard right now because Steve and I made the decision to re-home Jessie- she just had too much energy and we couldn't give her enough exercise. Losing a dog is hard, no matter which way they go, and nothing but time softens the ache of missing them.

I hope that time goes by very fast for you.

Sara Eldred said...

Sorry, Jen. It's never easy, but what can you do? Just love them is all.

Anonymous said...

Sorry for your loss. We had to put out Basset down after 11.5 years when he lost the ability to walk on his own. It was a real trial. It's been over a year and I still miss him daily. Take comfort in the fact that your Dakota had the very best of lives, with people devoted to her care. At the end of the day, it's the best we can do. When you ease their passing and let them go, it's the last act of love and of kindness we can show. I wish you peace.

Anonymous said...

Sorry for your loss. We had to put out Basset down after 11.5 years when he lost the ability to walk on his own. It was a real trial. It's been over a year and I still miss him daily. Take comfort in the fact that your Dakota had the very best of lives, with people devoted to her care. At the end of the day, it's the best we can do. When you ease their passing and let them go, it's the last act of love and of kindness we can show. I wish you peace.

Fran in Aus said...

I'm so sorry to hear of the death of your lovely companion and friend. The only compensation is that she will not suffer. Hugs.

Karen Douglass said...

My condolences. I put my Cairn down at the end of November and I still expect him to be here when I come home. Glad you saved her from suffering. That's a kindness.

Cottontailfarm said...

I'm very sorry to hear you went through this. We've had to make that decision on an eldery cat with kidney failure (Moses) and our dog (Chloe) with advanced cancer. It's really a blessing to be able to make that choice for our friends and save them from that suffering.

Janice Bendixen said...

Hi Jen. Thinking of you and the Posse. We have a 'local' Facebook page for the pet-obsessed. A very nice woman (I'm sure) was giving away a miniature goat. My husband intervened, otherwise I would be a) chasing trouble and 2) divorced...