Who would we be without broken hearts?

[georgette]

<FONT size="4"><FONT COLOR="Pink">Heather who works the DRNA with me here in NJ responded to a call last Thursday from a shelter in Ocean County - they had a gorgeous and sweet little boy just languishing there since Oct. 20. He was partially paralyzed but with an excellent prognosis for surgery (or so they said). So I scurried down there & snared the little dreamboat, but I became extremely concerned by his inability to function. He never once complained and enjoyed his food enormously though. I kind of frantically got him to a good vet on Sat to be told that his prognosis was extremely poor, and that even if surgery were successful that his quality of life would be very trying. It seems that the time period in which he could be helped was long past and that his neck injury had worsened considerably.
So,there wasn't much to do except to end the
little guy's time here. He kept kissing my face and even my hands - licking aways the tears - so I asked the vet if he knew I was upset and she said, "Yes, he's trying to comfort you." Barkley was a smooth black tweenie with huge and beautiful searching eyes and gorgeous symmetrical brown markings. He was very long and 15 pounds even after his ordeal. That one night he slept in bed and was given many kisses. I don't think he had ever tasted real food and I still regret that I didn't feed him before I took him to the vet. (He had breakfast though & treats the night before.)
I never really knew what you guys meant when you say that a dog "goes down" - now I do.
I think that the one day with Barkley has impacted my life forever.</FONT c></FONT s>

[weenie]

Georgette,

My heart goes out to you at this time of great sadness. Little Barkley is at the bridge now and I am sure that many of my pets who are now at the bridge will help to guide him across.

Please know that I went through a similar circumstance with a stray cat that I found with a spinal injury. The prognosis and outcome was the same but at least he knew that someone had cared and loved him enough to let him go in peace.

Fondly,
Kris

[pluto'slanie]

http://216.74.85.16/ubb/smilies/crying.gif Georgette, my heart aches for you. It doesn't matter how long we have these wonderful little babies but they really get under your skin. I'm glad you could give this little one the love and affection he deserved, even for a short time.

[dutchman]

Georgette,

Thank you so much for being there when Barkley needed a friend the most. Those of us on the sidelines know this must be the hardest part of rescue to have to be there to give support to a little one who has been abandoned in his time of need.

Perhaps Barkley's people couldn't afford his surgery and put him in the shelter in the hope that someone like you would take him and be able to help him. Many dogs loose weight in shelters so don't let his weight alone be a judge of his past life. The shame is that the shelter didn't contact rescue sooner. It's hard to tell if he could have been helped sooner but we will never know.

The important thing is that he spent his last night in a loving home and was helped across with someone who cared for him being there when his time came. I can't imagine that it is any easier to make these decisions for a rescue animal than it is to make for our own lifelong companions.

Barkley will be there waiting at the bridge for that last friendly face he remembers seeing. That face of course is you. If he isn't at the bridge waiting for you then take comfort in knowing that his old home did care for him and he has already crossed with his old master or is still playing waiting for the day they will come.

Again thank you and all of the rescuers for being there. I know many of you have had to face hearbreaks we can only imagine. You help abused sick and dying animals that had no one to care for them before you came along.

Tom and the boys (Frank and Tanner)

[Tanya]

Georgette,
I've been following this on the DRNA board, but did not know Barkley didn't make it. I'm so sorry. To lose Barkley and Mr. Beasley so close together is such a shame. Try to take comfort in knowing that you gave Barkley love and he knew that. Rescue can be heart breaking at times, but the choice you made for Barkley was a choice you made out of love for him. I would have done the same. Prayers to you Georgette and Heather as I know you played a role in saving Barkley as well. Remember that he is whole now and probably playing at the bridge with my Punkin...
Tanya

[WOTANSMUTTI]

Georgette,

I'm sorry that Barkley is gone. He sounds like the type of dog that made people respond to him despite his sickness.

Your description of him makes me sad that you lost him (as did we all, for at this point when one rescue makes it we all root in the corner! ).

Georgette- you made Barkley's last hours what he'd have wanted them to be like. He comforted you and that's a good dog's job well done...

http://dachsie.org/ubb/smilies/sad.gif Sonja

[Dolly's Mom]

Georgette,

If only I could truly reach across the miles and give you a hug. What a loving person you were to see to this poor little guy. He was happy when it was over. That's important and you did an important and correct thing. You didn't let him suffer. Bless you. http://dachsie.org/ubb/smilies/angel.gif


Sandi

[Mickamack]

Oh Georgette, I am so sorry to hear about Barkley. You must be heartbroken. I too wish I could reach across the miles and give you a big hug. It was so kind of you to get Barkley even though you knew he had some problems. You gave him love when he needed it most, and you didn't let him suffer. Even though it hurts so much right now, you did the right thing. My heart is breaking for you and you will be in my thoughts and prayers.

Karen

[Oscar's Mom]

Georgette - Your story brought tears to my eyes, I'm so sorry about Barkley. You really have a big heart to have taken him in and love him, even just for one day. I cant imagine how heartbreaking it must have have been for you, but take comfort in that you did the right thing. Take care. Debbie

[Roxane]

Georgette, you are not grieving alone. Every "Barkley" we hear about becomes a personal loss. For me, the frustration of knowing these premature ends did not have to be, if someone before you, had only cared enough.
Bless you,
Roxane

[georgette]

I guess you know from your own experiences how much all of this empathy means to me. Loving dogs is really a spiritual experience isn't it?
Love you all, Georgette

[Krista]

oh I am so sorry Georgette. You did what you could and thats what matters.

We are sending rays for your heartache. Thank you for caring and doing something about it.

It does hurt even more to hear about both Barkley and Mr. Beasley so close together....I guess it will nudge us all to continue to act quickly when we hear of other dachsies in need -in their memories.

[Augie Dog]

georgette,

I look at Aug and I feel so lucky. Then I see this.

I hope one day I can give as much love as a doxie can give.

Daivd

[isobelsmom]

Georgette,

Bless your heart for being open to the spiritual experience of dogs. That takes courage and a sweetness of spirit so many of our kind lack.

I went through this with a Dobie. His spirit was strong, but his body was not. He kissed me as he was leaving for the bridge.

Barkley knew love when he looked into your eyes; he will be waiting for you, my friend.

Love and hugs,

mary