R.I.P. Coco (bear with me please)

Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
1
  1. The Space Shuttle Challenger exploded. The Mets won the World Series and Boston’s 1st baseman Bill Buckner became a scapegoat. There was also a puppy born. There was nothing exraordinarily special about this puppy; she was was one of a litter of 10 and being sold through an ad in the paper.

I remember answering the ad with my mom and picking her out. She was the quiet puppy, hiding in the corner away from the other dogs. Not barking, not jumping around, just lying there, looking a bit lost. She reminded this awkward 12 year old of himself.

At 12 I was out of place. Being in the junior high “gifted” programs labeled me as a nerd, so there wasn’t much of a social life. My time went to training the new puppy. I taught her to sit, fetch, play dead, roll over, shake hands, etc. She was the best friend for an out-of-place kid.

As I got older and started playing baseball, she was still part of that. I wasn’t very good at the plate and I would take extra batting practice at the park. Just me, tossing a baseball in the air and hitting it. Coco would chase the ball and bring it back for me.

When I got bronchitis my senior year, missed two weeks of school and lost my voice. I didn’t leave my room much so no one else in the family would catch it. Coco seemed to always be in my room though, either at the foot of the bed or lying by the door.

After graduation, I enlisted in the Air Force. My parents got a new puppy to keep Coco company, a fox terrier. I trained this puppy too, but never seemed to share the same bond as I had with Coco. Coco was meant to be the family dog, but as the family soon learned, Coco had pretty much adopted me. She was my dog or I was her person, depending on the point of view. When I made it to military tech school I called home and my mother told me about Coco waiting by the window and not eating.

My dog missed me.

Now I miss her.

15 and a half years is old for a dog. I’ve been expecting this for a while, and I thought that would make it easier. It doesn’t feel easier. I just would’ve liked to have seen her one last time. Every time I saw her, she was happy to see me, tail wagging, hopping around like a puppy, even as late as last week when I came by to feed them while my parents were out of town. Last night she died. My mom came downstairs (the dogs have a little bed in the laundry room) early this morning to feed them and Coco just didn’t wake up.

At least it was peaceful for her.

Rest easy, old girl.

Good dog.

2

{{{Crunchy}}}

Ah, Crunchy, I don’t know what to tell you. I lost my cat, Fluffy, just last year in August, at the age of sixteen. I had her since I was six years old, and it seemed like she was a permenant fixture-she was always there.

I still miss her, and still think about her all the time.

It bloody hurts losing a pet. I don’t think I’ll ever stop missing her.

My baby also went in her sleep-it is the best way. I can tell you that sometimes you’ll think you’re okay, and then you just lose it. You may get angry, or scream at people, and there will be insensitive comments. But if you need to talk, I think I speak for all Dopers in saying that we’re here.

3

Crunchy,

You have my numbers and my email addys, don’t hesitate to use any of them.

After all the stories you told me about her, I felt I knew Coco too.

{{Ron}}

4

{{{Ron}}}

It’s going to hurt, even though you knew it was coming. How could it not? She was always there before and now she’s not, and you’re going to miss her.

5

{{{Ron}}}

I know how much she meant to you, and it’s never easy, even if you’re expecting it. I told you about Tzas, so you know where I’m coming from.

Phone’s open tonight, if you want/need to call… and e-mail is always open.

RIP, Coco.

6

My heart goes out to you and your family. It is a blessing when our pets pass without pain…but it is a loss also.

Thanks for sharing the story of Coco with us. She sounds like she was a fantastic friend and companion.

7

Sorry for your loss. :frowning:

8

((((((((((Crunchy)))))))))))

Coco sounds like a really wonderful dog. You and she will both be in my thoughts. [sub](I also had a dog named Coco… She passed away when I was fifteen. Actually, we were both fifteen – my Coco shared my birthday. I still miss her.) [/sub]

9

{{{{{Crunchy}}}}}

I am so sorry that this happened. I know how you feel. When our dog (Brijette) died, I was devistated. I was crying and screaming. I was basically hysterical. But she had to go sometime and she was getting old. I just treasure the years I had with her. She was like your dog, a friend and guardian. Someone who was there when you needed her. A shoulder to cry on and a face to brighten your days. Yes, we have a new puppy now, but I haven’t bonded with her. I think she is scared of me actually. I love her, but there was a deeper love for Brijette.

Rest well, dear Coco. And Crunchy, she will be there waiting for you when you pass into the next life.

Crunchy, cry. Cry with all your heart and with all your soul. It is really the best thing that you can do. Also, make a little memorial or something (not a shrine). Just write a poem or find one. Then cry some more. But never, NEVER let go of the memories you have of her.

10

Big hugs for you, my friend. Losing a good dog (as Coco was) is like losing a member of the family.

There’s a fiction series out by K.A. Applegate that “explains” the origin of dogs . . . supposedly there was an incredibly superior race of sentient beings who created android-like beings to live with them (as friends, etc). When this superior race was attacked by another people, an organic weapon was used that killed that superior race. In order to save the souls of their benevolent makers, this android race put them in dogs.

Anyway. Do what works for you. If a poem is it, then go for it. If it’s a screen-saver or a t-shirt, power to you.

“People like to talk about the way he died. I prefer to talk about the way he lived.” —Linda Lee

11

:frowning: I ache for your loss, my friend. It’s never easy losing a part of your family. It sounds like she was one heck of a dog, and a part of you. I am glad for her sake, and yours, that her passing was peaceful, quiet, being at home. Hold fast to the good memories, and she will still be there to comfort you in your heart.

Each pet I had that died took a part of me with them, and I will never forget them. I have been blessed by them in my life, as I can see you have been by Coco. You know how to reach me, and if you want to talk, email me with your number and I can call you. <I have free long distance on my cell phone and gobs of minutes>

holding you close in a bear hug, being silent, just lending you some of my strength
RIP, Coco.

Be at peace, Ron.

12

Crunchy, my condolences on your loss. When “Bear Dog” died 13 years ago, it was like someone chopped of my arm. He was my first dog too, so I know how you’re feeling right now. Two weeks ago I almost lost Zen too (he’s a carbon copy of Bear Dog). I feel for you guy, Coco sounds like she was a great pal…

13

Crunchy - I know too well how this feels and share your sense of loss. I am really sorry.

Not more than half an hour ago I sat down here and found myself checking the chair to make sure Hamish wasn’t sleeping in it.

When I left for work I looked for him and when I got home I just sat in the van waiting for him to come running and walk me to the door.

I’ve been looking for him everywhere these past few days, out of habit and out of a sense of loss.

He died this past Sunday.

He was a good cat who thought he was a dog.

Maybe that’s why I liked him so much.

:frowning:

14

:frowning: very sorry

15

I’m so sorry for your loss, Ron. I know how it feels to lose a loved pet. My puppy is only three months old, but I had to see that he was okay when I realized he’s not going to be with me forever and always.

It hurts like hell, and I’ll personally mutilate anyone who tries to tell you “It was only a dog”. We both know it wasn’t. It was a best friend.

{{Ron}}

16

oh, crunchy, i’m so sorry. i put my sweet old lady cat to sleep last spring when she went into respiratory failure, and i still cry over her. it hurts so much. i wish it wouldn’t, i wish i was one of those people who thinks of them as “just animals”, but i’m not, and it sounds like you’re not either. don’t let anybody tell you that you should, because people like us know how very special these non-human friends are. coco sounds like she was the band-aid for a very young, very tender, very hurt heart, and that’s what she’ll always be. she was more than “just a dog”, she was your solace in a world that can, at times, be very frightening.

find a picture of her, from when she was young and healthy and happy, and put it somewhere that you’ll see it every day. my old lady is on the fridge, and every time i see the picture, i smile and remember all the times we snuggled, and the way she would lick the tears off my cheeks when i cried, and what a wonderful friend she was, and it helps with the hurt a little. try to remember coco as she was. i’m so glad she was able to go at home. my old girl went in the vet’s office, but at least i was able to hold her and tell her how much i loved her. i wish she could have gone at home. coco was lucky to have a friend like you, and you were very lucky to have her.

{{{{{crunchy]}}}}}

17

Crunchy, I’m so sorry. I’m glad she went peacefully on her own, though and you didn’t have to make a decision like I had to make for my old Mikey. That was incredibly painful. I know this is, too, but maybe knowing it was peaceful will help you.

18

My deepest condolences to you, CF, on your loss. If there’s one thing I’ve learned over the last few months, very little makes it easier to take when it comes (expecting it, not expecting it–doesn’t matter–it hurts JUST the same). May you find comfort in your good, warm and happy memories of Coco.

19

Sorry for your loss, Ron.

We’re here if you need us.

:frowning:

20

Sorry about your loss. I bet Coco is having fun running like a 6 week old puppy and playing fetch with God.