Oh Unhappy Day

[Julie]

Today, my Jesse went to the Bridge. He would have turned 15 next Tuesday, but he just couldn't make it that long.

Jesse was the most layed back Dalmatian in dogdom. For him, heaven will be one BIG sofa. And he will know where all the best "spots" are. He always had his favorite areas on the sofa and if one of the other dogs got there first, he would run to the dog door and bark so that the other dogs would come running to see what was up. Then he would run back to the sofa and get his "spot."

Jesse was the little "boy-faced dog." Even Gordon called him that. He always looked like a puppy, but he outlived all the other senior Dals in our house. We had a senior crew of five that were all about the same age. Jake went first at 13 years old in Jan. of 2009, then Mya (almost 14) exactly two weeks later, then Charlie at 13 in Oct. In June 2010, we lost Peter who was not yet 4 years old. Then in Feb (last month) we lost our Danny boy and today Jesse went to join them all. I hope they all behave themselves in heaven. I miss them all desperately.

I love you, little boy-faced dog. Just rest on the sofa till mom gets there to love on you.

[lynndar]

i am so sorry. Ken and I were talking about you and your dogs last night. We've been through this with a group of dogs, too, and realize it may happen yet agan with these two.
How lucky these guys were to share their lives with you and the crew.
Hugs going out to all of you.
PS Jesse may have competition for that sofa. Tootie, our Dal mix, could pull similar tricks to keep her spot.

[susan w linden]

Julie I am so sorry to hear of the loss of Jesse. I understand about wanting so much for them to "make that birthday". It seems so sad when they can't. But you love them enough to not force them to stay when their bodies just can't.

[jakester]

I'm so sorry Julie. I wish he could have stuck around longer for you, but I guess it was not to be. (((Hugs))).

Jesse will have to compete with Brooke as well as Tootie for that special sofa "spot". No tricksy maneuvers for her though. She had her special whine/woof that she repeated endlessly until she got Jake to move. Then again, being Heaven, I'll bet there's a special spot for ALL our beloved pets.

[dottydog]

Hi Julie. I was so sad to see your news...it is heart breaking seeing the old crew diminish and Jesse was part of the first wave of guys to get international families through the board. I'm confident that there are lots of HUGE sofas in heaven (covered in white hair) and that somone will budge up a bit and give him a place and tell him where the cheese is kept...there are a few ahead of him that will have worked our where everything isand keep him company.
I know there's nothing anyone here can say to make you feel Ok but everyone here gives their dogs the best lives and being strong for them at the end and not hanging on to them selfishly is perhaps the real sign of that....
david

[michellec]

David is right--it wouldn't be Heaven without HUGE sofas. Hugs, Julie.

[Bemo]

I'm so sorry Julie! He will be waiting for you.

[matt]

My condolences, too Julie.

[Julie]

Thanks, everyone, for all your kindness. It's still hard, and will be for some time, I guess. But you just have to keep on keepin' on. Right now, I'm looking forward to the National Dalmatian Specialty. Gives me something to work towards with the other dogs, and keeps my mind busy.

Julie

[lynndar]

Do let us know how things go at the national specialty. I had fun last year and look forward to being there again in Tulsa. It just didn't work for me this year.

[dleosmom]

Julie - so sorry to read of your losses - sorry to be so late with this - may they all run free at the Rainbow Bridge. love you and hugs from the Oklahoma crew of dals