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RIP Chime the kelpie

I don't think we are ever really prepared for the loss of a pet.  Even when they are getting old, like both our dogs and you start thinking about what might happen, you still aren't ready when it happens.

Chime died on Monday, around midday.  She had been active all morning, but then Pete found her lying down and unable to get up.  He lifted her into the car and rushed her to the vet, but she didn't make it.  We're not sure what happened, it was too quick for a paralysis tick, he couldn't find a snake bite, we can't think of any poison that she could have eaten, maybe it was just old age, she was 12, nearly 13.

I realise now that most of the photos I have of her she is sleeping.  She must have really slowed down, but we hadn't noticed.  We only looked after her for 2 and a bit years, she belongs to a friend who is overseas, but she came everywhere with us and slept inside, and she had bonded with our dog Cheryl.

At first it hurt so much we thought we could never keep another dog.  But I can't imagine missing out on all the affection and company that a dog gives you.  The joy of having a dog in the house is worth the emptiness when they are gone.  I'm sure there will be more dogs in the future, after we've had some time to grieve.

I'm not very good with posts about feelings.  My posts tend to be about facts and information.  How tos.  How to grieve for your dog: I don't know yet.  How to keep an old dog happy: daily bone, occasional milk, yoghurt, eggs, offal, scraps of meat; somewhere cool to lie in the heat of the day, somewhere sunny to lie on cold days, somewhere soft and cuddly to lie at night; the occasional short walk out to the paddock; grass to roll in; no baths or nail clipping; another old dog to get up to mischeif with.

We take some comfort from how quickly she went.  She didn't have to suffer through old age.  We didn't have to make that agonising decision to let her go.  She had a good life and lots of people will be missing her.

If you haven't had a dog in your life, maybe you can't understand the impact they make, but our dogs are part of our family and we are really feeling this loss.

Hug your dogs everyone, you just don't know when they are going to go....


Chime (on the right) with Cheryl

Chime sleeping on the mat I made her

Chime and Cheryl snuggled up

Young Chime in a dog coat I made her


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Comments

  1. Horst in EdmontonDecember 17, 2013 at 7:09 AM

    So sorry to hear about your pet, at least she went peacefully with your husband at her side. She lived a long life, most big dogs don't make it to 12 years.

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  2. Crunchie's MumDecember 17, 2013 at 7:36 AM

    Sorry to hear about your loss. We lost our Amber last week to cancer, she was only 5. Today we will be looking for a friend for our remaining dog. She has always lived with another dog and misses her friend. I'm glad it was quick for Chime and you were there to say goodbye.

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  3. KimDecember 17, 2013 at 7:52 AM

    Hugs, Liz. I think it is really good that you talk about a loss of an animal on the farm, so many people neglect to mention things like this and it is such a part of farming life. We lost our dog of 23 yrs a few years back and it still hurts a little , we had such a great connection..... he was addicted to catching balls. I don't know if you will believe this because you are always so practical, but I believe our animals stay with us and still hang around in spirit.... I still turn because I think Frosty is trotting along next to me , and there is nothing there. The most healing thing when you are ready is to find another pup and cuddle it.xxx

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  4. UnknownDecember 17, 2013 at 8:20 AM

    My condolences Liz. It is never easy to lose a loved one, especially a fur kid.

    Gav x

    ReplyDelete
  5. RachyDecember 17, 2013 at 9:57 AM

    I'm so very sorry to hear about Chime, Liz :(

    Sending hugs xxxx

    ReplyDelete
  6. africanaussieDecember 17, 2013 at 10:54 AM

    So sorry to hear about the loss of your dog, but glad she didnt suffer as you say. We remember our past animals very fondly.

    ReplyDelete
  7. UnknownDecember 17, 2013 at 12:13 PM

    Liz i so know how you feel having recently had to make the decision to put a family pet to sleep. I think that you have expressed your feelings very well and i also found comfort in being able to post and thereby share my grief with others. Our loss, left such a big big hole that grief seemed to fill our house for weeks and so we decided to get another pet. She is young, cheeky, cute and loving and although she will never replace Peppy, our little Tilly certainly has filled the hole and helped to revive us all.

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  8. LindaDecember 17, 2013 at 3:59 PM

    So sorry Liz. You will miss her terribly at first. It's so hard to lose a special pet!

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  9. UnknownDecember 17, 2013 at 8:45 PM

    Thanks for all your comments, they have been a huge comfort to us, it helps to know that we are not the only ones missing dogs.

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  10. Fiona from Arbordale FarmDecember 17, 2013 at 8:47 PM

    Thinking of you Pete and Cheryl. I know Chime will be missed by you all and I feel a bit teary on your behalf. I hope poor Cheryl does not pine for her too much.

    ReplyDelete
  11. JoyDecember 17, 2013 at 11:27 PM

    It is best she didn't suffer and she had a good life on the farm. I could never be without a dog, or better two. Cheryl might need a new friend? Joy

    ReplyDelete
  12. thingsforboysDecember 19, 2013 at 7:20 AM

    I'm so sorry, Liz. Losing a pet is just like losing a family member. My thought are with you and your family xx

    ReplyDelete

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Thanks, I appreciate all your comments, suggestions and questions, but I don't always get time to reply right away. If you need me to reply personally to a question, please leave your email address in the comment or in your profile, or email me directly on eight.acres.liz at gmail.com

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