My Dog Scooter Died

It is, and I'm VERY sorry for your loss. My girlfriend of 4 years had her dog pass, and even knowing the dog for only 4 years it was hard. It may be heartbreaking, but judging by the pic he had a good and happy life!

I'm sorry for your loss. I lost my 15 year old cat last summer and I can't foresee having another pet.

Oh, I am so sorry :(

He died at 6:10 this evening. He died quietly and painlessly, Thank God. I believe tht he is running and playing in Heaven with my other pets who have left me as well, Pepper, Duke, Cleo and Shadow.

Sorry to hear such sad news Hal, you have my sincere condolences.
I know how you feel about not getting more, I been thinking the same thing once my two pass on.

Sorry to read about your Doggie.

My heart goes out to you, Harold, for the loss of your beloved companion, Scooter.

Thanks guys. He lived with us for 15 years (a very long life for his breed, a Mini-Schnauser) and he had a very happy life. That's what I have to keep telling myself so I can stop crying like a baby.

Im getting ready to go to Home Depot to purchase a hard plastic container so that I can bury him with my other pets on the backside of my property.

I am very sorry to hear that Harold. I know they are truly like fur kids.

Oh, I'm so sorry Harold. {{{HUGS}}}

So sorry Harold. He looks adorable, I can see why you are missing him so. It is a hard decision about whether to have more pets. My 2 cats are getting very old and I dread so much having to face this again. I am thinking also about not getting more pets. But I do not know how I would like being "petless" since I have had pets my whole life.

I'm so sorry for your loss, Harold. I've been there.

Hal, so sorry to hear of your loss. They get to be very much like members of the family.
I have had my old mare for nearly 23 years, I raised a colt from her and lost him when he was 10.......that was very painful. Losing her will be even worse.
I have lost other pets I dearly loved......and loved others just as dearly, that came into my life.
All we can do is treasure the time they are a part of our lives. And know they lived a good life with us.
It sounds like Scooter went peacefully.
I am a big believer in the Rainbow Bridge. It is so comforting and hence my painting "Rainbow Portal".

Horrid news Hal :(

Harold, I'm so sorry to read of Scooter's passing.

Hal I am so sorry.

Sorry for your loss, Harold, as many of us have gone though it and know the heartbreak. My oldest Siberian, Chief, passed last year at 16 yrs old, and his younger brother is now at that age and getting around very slowly.

Very sorry Harold....

I am sorry for the loss, it is hard. However at least he died on his own. My last 2 dogs I had to have them put down because of old age health issues, you were actually fortunate you didn't have to go through that. Talk about hard.

I know the pain. They are with us so brief in time, and unselfishly they share their lives with us with complete adoration and dedication. Tonight is going to be very lonely for you and days will follow. Take care.

You were a faithful companion for 15 yrs., take comfort in knowing that you provided your friend with the very best love & care.
I am very sorry for your loss, I do hope in time that you will be able to open your heart to a new love. Animals have a tendency to find us.

Harold I am so sorry for your loss. There are no words I can say to make your heartache feel better. I have a cat "Happy" and we have been together for 14yrs, I don't know what I would do without him by my side. All I can say is Scooter is still by your side in spirit. As silly as this sounds my cat Molly passed about 15yrs ago and I still feel her presence. My thoughts are with you and may time heal all your wounds. Lori

So sorry to hear of your loss Hal.

I know just how you feel. There's nothing so wonderful as a loving pet, and nothing so sad as when they leave us after so many years of companionship.

But your right, He's running and jumping in Heaven.

Harold - please know that we are all thinking of you - especially the animal lovers here. I lost my little jack russell a while back - I had her since she was six weeks old and she passed away from cancer - she was 15 as well. I cried for days till I was sick - it's ok to cry Harold, you need to get it out of your system - grieving is not a bad thing - it just means we loved them with all our hearts and find solace in the fact that they lived a happy, long and well loved life.

I want to say one thing though about not getting another pet - I know it seems like we can not take more pain in our lives after losing a beloved pet but we have to look at the big picture - there are so many animals in shelters and rescues that need homes and if we don't take them in to love them and make a better life no one will, too many animals are put to sleep because there are not enough homes or room for them in the shelters.

Blessings to you and your family - the painting of you and Scooter is wonderful and I am sure will be treasured for years. Rest in peace, Scooter.

Thank you everybody for your concern and comments about my friend Scooter's passing.

I cannot understand how anything or anybody could love someone unconditionally like a dog does. You can mistreat them, beat them or starve them, yet all they return to you is that unconditional love. At the risk of Beth cancelling this thread out I think that God almighty created dogs so that we could have a better understanding of how he loves us - unconditionally. My dog Scooter had a wonderful life living with me and my family. All of us loved him. I think that Scooter must have eaten more doggie treats than any other dog because every time somebody would enter the TV room and see Scooter laying at my feet they would get him a buscuit or Pup-Peroni (his favorite treat) nd pet him on the head and then say, as if they just noticed me, "Oh, hi Dad." I didn't mind because I did the same thing.

If I got up out of my chair and went into a different room, he would get up and follow me. He always had to know where I was. I am sitting here at the computer and keep looking to my left where the doorway is expecting to see the little guy peering around the open door just to see if it's me doing the typing on the keyboard. Already, I miss him so much and he is laying in the other room in the plastic container, the same type I have buried my other pets in. My sons and daughter want to see him one more time when they come over to the house this weekend to help me bury him.

Guys, when it comes to my pets, I'm just a big cry baby and I'm not ashamed to admit it. To keep myself from crying, I keep trying to remember all of the funny things he did. One of those funny acts was to try to find one of my pockets to put his foot in whenever I picked him up. I tried to show that in the painting pictured above. It used to irratate me because when I would put him down his little foot always got stuck in my pocket and it threw me off balance. God, but I wish I was trying to dislodge his little foot again.

Sorry, Hal...I hope the lingering memories of all the happy times you spent with Scooter will help sustain you during your time of sadness.

You wrote this, Hal: "...I don't think I will have another pet. It's too heart breaking when they die."

I suggest you make a trip to the nearest animal rescue facility in your area, where you're likely to find a pooch or two that needs Hal Shull as much as I believe Hal Shull needs them.

After all...how can you know with any certainty that one of them won't outlive you? (Play it safe anyway and choose a small breed ;-)

He loved you...and you loved him.

There may not be room in your heart for another one right now. But...I think Patrick is right. Soon...choose another one to love, and to love you. It would be a shame to stop yourself from the joy of sharing love only because you know one day...they will die.

We will all die one day.

He came to bring us life, enjoy life as much as you can Harold.

A new dog right now, may be exactly the balm you need to heal your soul.

My heart breaks for you; I know the pain. All they ask of us is to love them and, as a result, we love them to the depths of our very being. Our family lost many beloved pets over the years and we always said "No more". Then, in time, another animal needing love comes into our lives and helps to fill the hole in our hearts.

Have not read all the postings Harold and I am so sorry that you dog has died but the best thing to do now it to move on and get another dog, not to replace Scotter, you will never be able to do that , but to have a friend.
Best of luck.
Conor

Hal,

Very sorry and I know what you mean about losing a friend. But I also can't imagine not having a cat or a dog in our house and hope you reconsider. Beyond what you can do for a rescued dog, giving them another chance at having a loving person to spend time with, for as long as that is, you benefit 100 times more. Doesn't have to be today, this week, this month, but think about yourself and what you have to gain and give and go find another friend,

Rich

Harold, so sorry to hear of your loss.....and not surprised that you would say "never again"....however, any time that I ever said those exact same words, life took over and things happened. We have never been without pets....cats or dogs, or cats and dogs. We have never bought an animal. They just happen to show up at our door and refuse to leave! Eventually, of course, it gets too cold to leave them outside, so in they come, and voila! Another pet. They do not take the place of the departed pets, however, they do add another layer of life. Right now we live here with two stray cats, and two budgies that the owners were going to abandon. Never sat never.

Much sympathy...

So sorry for your loss.

So sorry for your loss, Hal. Even when they've lived to a ripe old age, we're never ready to lose someone we love.

Sorry for your loss, it does take time to completely feel comfortable but you will. At first its difficult but you remember all the good times spent together on walks, and taking photos and drawings. Michael Hoard

So very sorry, Harold... the painting of you and Scooter is beautiful and I am glad he went to sleep and went peacefully - I love my Mom and Dad's mini Schnauzer, such a love ... we lost our 16 year old mixed breed five years ago and it was like losing my best friend but my 7 year old mixed breed is my "new" best friend - it sounds like you have enjoyed a lot of best friends and you are lucky (they have been lucky too !!! ) a good owner is all they want and looks like you have been the best ever - sending big hugs and I bet our doggies are playing up in heaven together and happy - my dog will guide yours and show him the ropes ... Hang in there Harold, you have been loved and you did a great job loving back - that is all he wanted so he is happy

I'm so sorry about your loss Harold! Your amazing self portrait you've painted is a wonderful tribute to him and memory for you!

Thanks again everybody. It's very difficult going from room to room in my house because I see every spot that Scooter would lay down in and they bring back memories. Also at breakfast, lunch and dinner times I really miss him because there isn't that little mouth to feed. Here is the last picture I took of the little guy. I posted it when I won the "Tony Award" last year.

*hugs*

Sorry to hear it, Hal.

sorry to hear that harold.

ooooo :( ....I'm VERY sorry Herold

It's amazing how such a small creature can leave such a huge void. My miniature Schnauzer, Sam, looked a lot like Scooter. Sam died in 1980 and I still miss him.

My deepest sympathy - I understand your pain

Sadness is the measure beyond numbers that allows us to re-establish the value of life. Those people who cannot feel such sadness, thus, cannot value life. I say this, having only two days ago buried my sister's 16-year-old cat, who only in his last two years befriended me, after fourteen previous years of standoffish behavior with me.

Hal, sorry to read about the loss of your pet. You don't have to apologize about being a cry baby about your pets, as I am the same way. Years ago I woke up one morning and found my cat not moving and looking very ill. I rushed her to the vet, and he said all her organs were shutting down. He recommended she be put to sleep, as there was nothing he could do to help her. I was tearing up and crying as I made the decision, as she had been with me for 11 years.

Hal I think the hardest part in the loss of a best friend, is the next day and the days after. The collar, the food bowl, the bed, the memories of it all takes in. What wonderful gifts they are, and their voice cannot be replaced, ever....but sometimes a beautiful creature walks in and says, "We belong to each other."

I'm sorry for your loss. I still think about my dogs from when I was a child. Their lives are too short and sweet.
That's a beautiful portrait.

I am so incredibly sorry for your loss Harold. I can only just begin to imagine how life might be like without my beloved Gunther. You have to remember the wonderful long life he had because of you and take heart. :(

Thanks guys.

The last two years of Scooter's life cost me over $7,000. Two years ago after several very costly visits it was discovered that Scooter had Mitro Valve Prolapse. Thank God I had the money to pay for this expensive ailment and also Thank God it was painless. The only problem the little guy had was the throaty coughing he did occasionally. If it would cost me another $7,000 for the next two years, I would gladly pay it. The other night my brother told me that Scooter would have died two years ago and thanks to Janice and me Scooter got two more years to live. I try looking at it that way but I know that in reality his old age just took the little guy. My daughter is coming tonite and the rest of my family is coming Sunday when they will help me bury the little guy.

I am with you, Harold
I am not able to think at the time i will lose my little furry friends.
They are precious for us and they love us without limits or conditions.
And what you have done for your Scooter is admirable.
He will always be with you, in your heart.

A hug, Raffaella

I'm so sorry for your loss. I know how it feels when you lose a part of your family. I too have lost several over the years and I have two more that are getting up in age. they have helped me through some of the worst times of my life, but the unconditional love that they gave me gave me hope. I love your painting.