Otto

[DAL]

Hello Friends,
It is my sad duty to inform you that our little Otto, who would have been 12 years old on the 6th of August died suddenly and unexpectedly at 10,30am this morning at the vets.
Yesterday he was quite happy and healthy, yesterday lunchtime he was doing roly poly tickle tummies. Then yesterday evening about 8pm he coughed once, and I said jokingly to my wife Betty "If that happens again I will ring the vet". He then coughed several times before we went to bed, and I said " If he coughs in the morning we will take him to the vet". He was coughing this morning so we took him at 8,45am. The vet examined him and said he seemed to be congested and gave him anti-biotics by injection. He suggested we leave him under observation and ring again at 2pm. We arrived home from the vets at 10,35am. The phone rang, my wife answered it as I was putting the car away.
As I entered the house my wife handed me the phone, and I heard the terrible news. We feel totally bereaved now as we are still mourning little Sigi.
Neither of us are well at the moment. My wife has just had one cataract removed and has an appointment at the hospital in the morning to examine the results of the first op and arrange the second. I have just been in hospital for a week following a particularly nasty Kidney infection and am going to receive a CT Scan on the 29th of this month.
We wonder if Otto was getting fed up with all the upset taking place around him.
We send our regards to everyone and also appreciate that there will be many members who we are sure are in a far worse plight than us.

[Meemoo]

to hear of the sudden loss of your beloved Otto. When it rains, it pours. Otto lived a wonderful life with you and he is now playing and romping with all the other dachsies at the bridge.

I hope you and the Mrs. are feeling better soon. Keep in touch and again my condolences on your loss.

[Mark]

Donald, we are so sorry you've experienced these losses, especially so close together.

There are no words that can be spoken to soften your grief . . . just know that we grieve with you. We are right here for and with you, if you need us.

In time, perhaps you and Betty will give your love and home to another furkid. In the meantime you have our deepest sympathies.

[alfina]

So sorry DAL about your sudden loss!

I do believe in saying when it rains it pours. This year didn't seem to start right for a lot of people I know and ourselves. I hope it will get better not worse as the time goes by.

[Me&DappledDuo]

Oh, life is so unfair sometimes. You can be sure that Otto's years with you were wonderful, though- I'm sure he's going to patiently wait for you, with Sigi! I wish your wife well- and both your hearts relieved of grief.

[TessieMom]

I am so sorry, I know how difficult it was when Sigi passed and now to lose Otto so suddenly. It is never easy, but it sounds like he did not really suffer. He and Sigi are probably running through the meadows and along the coast leaving footprints in the sand for you to follow as they play with the others at the Rainbow Bridge.

[carpet gator]

Our condolences for your loss. Otto was fortunate to have such loving humans. He and Sigi will be waiting for you on the other side.

[minicooper]

My heart goes out to you both.
I can not imagine the pain you must be going through, to lose two such beloved companions in such a short time:(

Look after yourselves, and take comfort in knowing that Otto is with Sigi at the Bridge, patiently waiting.

[DAL]

Thank you all for your words of comfort and strength. We have been comforted and helped by your kind thoughts. I would like to leave the last picture I took of Otto with his mummy, taken in March - I think it says it all. Thanks, Betty and Don.
http://www.lucking.fslife.co.uk/EM2004_0305otto0002.jpg

[quavec]

Our prayers go out to you. Take comfort in knowing the Sigi and Otto are together with all the others who have crossed the bridge. Their pain is gone. I hope you and your wife can get through these tough times. Otto looks very content and loved in the picture.

[Heide]

there are never the right words to say when this happens.
Just take comfort in knowing that Otto and Sigi are now together at the bridge playing and never knowing any pain or sorrow.
Just waiting for the one day when you are all together again.
I know its an awful time to endure. Just know that you have friends here. Please know we want you all, to cry on our shoulders if you ever need them.
Big ((((((((HUGS)))))))) to you both.

[isobelsmom]

My deepest sympathy to you and your wife for your losss of Otto so suddenly. I second everyone else...Otto and Sigi are playing without pain. They are awaiting you both and will receive you with great joy! Big hugs to the both of you and lots of love from my home to yours!

[Kim H.]

Thank you for sharing that special picture with us.

I lost a little one about a year ago... fine in the morning, then gone before I saw him again. So painful.

I wish you and your wife the best... happy memories and a new little friend when you are ready some day.

[onebigmickeyfan]

Donald and Betty,

I know how much both of them meant to you and how hard life will be without them. I wish there were words to take away your pain.
I remember your wonderful pictures of them on their beach patrols, and the picture of Otto alone on the beach after Sigi passed away. That picture was very good and it broke my heart as the grief of Sigi's loss resounded in it.
Just the other side of rainbow bridge through the fields and past the hills they've found the beach and together once again there are two sets of paw prints in the sand side by side, manning their patrol till the day they are with their mom and dad once again.

Please know we are all here for you both. You are in our hearts, thoughts and prayers in this most difficult of times.

Please take care of yourselves and I pray you both feel better very soon and keep up posted on how you both are doing.

[doxunzX3]

What can I possibly say that hasn't already been said. Just know that my heart goes out to both of you. Your in my thoughts and prayers.
So sorry that this has been such a rough time for you both. I'll be praying for healing for you both and that your hearts can find some joy in the fond memories of Otto and Sigi.
:tears:

[Patt]

I am so sorry to hear about Otto please accept my sincere sympathies, I do believe he and Sigi are waiting for you at the Bridge. Those we love never leave us, thinking of you in your time of sorrow and sending prayers for both of you.

[DAL]

Our grateful thanks to all you kind lovely people for sending such sincere condolences on the loss of little Otto. Many of you know from experience what we are going through. We still cannot believe how quickly it happened. We have wonderful memories of the gorgeous little fellow and of precious Sigi who is never far from our thoughts. We feel privileged to have cared for them.
I can picture Otto now-standing in the kitchen with his head on one side while I made our lunch and hoping I would drop something. I very often did (on purpose of course).
I cannot bring myself to move their toys. They had a big boxful to choose from but old favourites were picked out over and over again. They were great game boys and would push a ball to one another across the room. Our prayers are for them to be happy together again.
A big "Thankyou" to you all.
Love Betty.

[lena]

I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

[Funny Girl]

I have e-mailed you.

Those of us here who have gone through this know your pain.

That is a sweet photo of Otto, you can tell he was loved very much.
Thank you for sharing.

~Susan~

[samiam]

I wasn't home yesterday. I don't want to be a reminder but want you to know how sorry I am for your loss. There are no words to bring you the comfort that I would like to send to all involved. My deepest sympathy to you!

[dutchman]

Donald and Betty,,

I know you have most likely seen this one before but there are times I find finding the correct words difficult so here goes.


The Spirit of a Dachshund

I was standing on a hillside
In a field of blowing wheat
And the spirit of a Dachshund
Was lying at my feet.

He looked at me with kind dark eyes
An ancient wisdom shining through
And in the essence of his being
I saw love there too.

His mind did lock upon my heart
As I stood there on that day
And he told me of this story
About a place far away.

I stood upon the hillside
In a field of blowing wheat
And in a twinkling of a second
His spirit left my feet.

His tale did put my heart at ease
My fears did fade away
About what lay ahead of me
On another distant day.

"I live among God's creatures now
In the heavens of your mind
So do not grieve for me, my friend
As I am with my kind.

My collar is a rainbow's hue
My leash a shooting star
My boundaries are the Milky Way
Where I sparkle from afar.

There are no pens or kennels here
For I am not confined
But free to roam God's heavens
Among my Dachsie kind.

I nap the day on a snowy cloud
Gentle breezes rocking me
And dream the dreams of earthlings
And how it used to be.

The trees are full of liver treats
And tennis balls abound
And Milkbones line the walkways
Just waiting to be found.

There even is a ring set up
The grass all lush and green
And everyone who gaits around
Becomes the Best of Breed.

For we're all winners in this place
We have no faults, you see
And God passes out those ribbons
To each one, even me.

I drink from waters laced with gold
My world a beauty to behold
And wise old dogs do form my pride
To amble at my very side.

At night I sleep in an angel's arms
Her wings protecting me
And moonbeams dance about us
As stardust falls on thee.

So when your life on earth is spent
And you stand at Heaven's gate
Have no fear of loneliness
For here, you know I wait".

~author unknown~

Take care and you know our thoughts are with you. Please keep in touch and let us know how the two of you are getting along. Perhaps some day the right little one will wander your wy and once again there will be the patter of four little feet in your home. I just did a home check for dachshund rescue in a home with an 80 year old woman.

We know you will miss Otto perhaps even more than Sigi but just remember they are now running and playing like pups again at the bridge. Your little guardian angles looking down on you.

[DaeJ]

We are so sorry to hear of your loss. You are in our thoughts and prayers.

God Bless :angel:

[ShewShew]

So sorry to hear of your sudden loss. It's very difficult, especially when you yourself are not well. Grieve for your loved one, and if you need a shoulder on which to cry, know that we are all here for you.