# Goodbye to a dog **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [July 2, 2017, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goodbye-to-a-dog/790324 "2017-07-02T01:42:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Sailboat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sailboat/32/461_2.png) [@Sailboat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sailboat)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2017, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goodbye-to-a-dog/790324/1 "2017-07-02T01:42:08Z")
This morning we said goodbye to our little Simone, the best-natured dog I have loved. She would have been 11 in August, but a cascade of medical problems caught up with her. This is a picture from ten years ago, when she was still a puppy, resting after a particularly good day. [![Imgur](https://live.staticflickr.com/1329/540823436_4d225535e1_b.jpg "Dangerous Dog?") ](https://www.flickr.com/photos/pinfeatherphotos/540823436/) Simone had a birth defect that led to neurological deterioration, and gradually was able to walk with great difficulty and precarious balance. Nevertheless she persisted, trusting me to keep her from falling, loving everyone she saw, human or canine, even when in pain and disoriented. She never in her life took out her problems on anyone. Her faith in me was absolute – no one has ever had such confidence in me. Even if I stepped on her foot or hurt her accidentally she knew I didn’t mean it. Simone was always tough, but a peaceable pit bull. In September of last year, another dog bit down on her backside hard enough to require stitches, and her reaction was to turn around and try to greet her attacker. She was a complete nurturer. When she walked with other dogs and me in charity events like the Poplar Spring Run for the Animals or the Fairfax County 5k K-9 Krawl (her favorite things in the world!) she always looked out for the other dogs, doubling back down the column to encourage stragglers. In the summer of 2014, she was temporarily paralyzed by a spinal injury. Watching her huddled in pain then, I thought we were losing her, and I have been keenly aware that every day in the 3 years since has been a gift. But really, every day before that was a gift as well. She has taught me so much about pit bulls, about relationships across the species barrier, about patience, about love, about real courage in adversity. This little being has been for 11 years the daughter of my heart. I do not believe there is a rainbow bridge where we will meet again. But we got to meet here, on this good green earth, and I will always have her inside me. While I do not totally share her unquestioned faith that everyone would be kind and loving, it is a good principle to live by, and the world would be a better place if we lived up to it. Goodbye my little love. ---
**Author:** ![cwthree](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9de0a6/32.png) [@cwthree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cwthree)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2017, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goodbye-to-a-dog/790324/2 "2017-07-02T01:44:52Z")
I’m so sorry for your loss, **Sailboat**. ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2017, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goodbye-to-a-dog/790324/3 "2017-07-02T01:56:43Z")
Beautiful tribute. ---
**Author:** ![RivkahChaya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rivkahchaya/32/8919_2.png) [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2017, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goodbye-to-a-dog/790324/4 "2017-07-02T02:10:35Z")
I have had a Pit and a Pit/GSD mix. They are the best dogs ever. I’ll bet she slept with you. I am more sorry for your loss than you can know. ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2017, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goodbye-to-a-dog/790324/5 "2017-07-02T02:34:56Z")
Dammit, not Simone! **Sailboat** , I am so sorry; words are never enough. One of my goombahs is right beside me; I’m going to dry my eyes and go skritch her belly til the cows come home. ---
**Author:** ![Periwinkle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Periwinkle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Periwinkle)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2017, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goodbye-to-a-dog/790324/6 "2017-07-02T02:47:13Z")
What a wonderful and loving tribute to your best friend. I am very touched by your words, and am so sorry for your loss. ---
**Author:** ![Whatever4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f04885/32.png) [@Whatever4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whatever4)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2017, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goodbye-to-a-dog/790324/7 "2017-07-02T02:52:14Z")
Hard to be annoyed with the fireworks next door when I still have my little dog and you don’t. I’m so sorry. ---
**Author:** ![FloatyGimpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/floatygimpy/32/7750_2.png) [@FloatyGimpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FloatyGimpy)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2017, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goodbye-to-a-dog/790324/8 "2017-07-02T03:18:03Z")
I’m so sorry - sounds like you were soulmates ☹ Everyone should be so lucky to have had a buddy like that. ---
**Author:** ![Sunny\_Daze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunny_daze/32/438_2.png) [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2017, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goodbye-to-a-dog/790324/9 "2017-07-02T03:19:45Z")
I am so sorry. ☹ I know how much she meant to you. My condolences to you and your family. It’s so hard to lose a beloved pet. I hope the memories bring you consolation and peace. ---
**Author:** ![movingfinger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ab992/32.png) [@movingfinger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/movingfinger)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2017, 5:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goodbye-to-a-dog/790324/10 "2017-07-02T05:50:10Z")
I’m so sorry for your loss. You were a very fortunate person to have such a good, loving companion. ---
**Author:** ![Rhiannon8404](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rhiannon8404/32/17929_2.png) [@Rhiannon8404](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhiannon8404)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2017, 6:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goodbye-to-a-dog/790324/11 "2017-07-02T06:07:00Z")
Oh, my heart is breaking for you! I’m so very sorry. ---
**Author:** ![Helena330](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/helena330/32/531_2.png) [@Helena330](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Helena330)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2017, 8:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goodbye-to-a-dog/790324/12 "2017-07-02T08:03:47Z")
What a sweet soul. I’m so sorry. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Merneith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/57b2e6/32.png) [@Merneith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merneith)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2017, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goodbye-to-a-dog/790324/13 "2017-07-02T14:13:23Z")
I’m so very sorry, Sails. Simone was a good dog, and she had a good family. ---
**Author:** ![StGermain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stgermain/32/2868_2.png) [@StGermain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StGermain)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2017, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goodbye-to-a-dog/790324/14 "2017-07-02T15:07:18Z")
I’m so sorry. I lost my Annie last week in a similar situation. It hits you hard. I say nothing is without a price, and if years of love given and received cost some pain at the end, that’s a bargain. StG ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2017, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goodbye-to-a-dog/790324/15 "2017-07-02T15:28:21Z")
Damn, I’m crying at the computer. I’m so sorry for you. The pain of losing a beloved pet is almost worse than a human loved one. I know I’ll see my relatives again, but we aren’t told about whether or not pets have an afterlife. Tkae care. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2017, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goodbye-to-a-dog/790324/16 "2017-07-02T17:42:31Z")
Goodbye Simone. ---
**Author:** ![GusNSpot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gusnspot/32/436_2.png) [@GusNSpot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GusNSpot)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2017, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goodbye-to-a-dog/790324/17 "2017-07-02T17:53:07Z")
Hang tough. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2017, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goodbye-to-a-dog/790324/18 "2017-07-02T18:09:40Z")
So very sorry to hear. ---
**Author:** ![CairoCarol](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cairocarol/32/3825_2.png) [@CairoCarol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CairoCarol)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2017, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goodbye-to-a-dog/790324/19 "2017-07-02T19:00:44Z")
Sniff. Ah, what a lovely tribute. Sorry for your loss. ---
**Author:** ![Patx2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/73ab20/32.png) [@Patx2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patx2)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2017, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goodbye-to-a-dog/790324/20 "2017-07-02T20:06:55Z")
I am very sorry for your loss. I hope you can feel the hug I am sending to you. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goodbye-to-a-dog/790324.md?page=2)