BS: A Wee Postcard From Hell Pt. 2

Subject: BS: A Wee Postcard From Hell Pt. 2
From: Áine
Date: 22 Aug 00 - 09:17 AM

Sad news from our house in Texas, where the temperature remains well over 100F every day and the air pollution alerts are at the 'red' status several days a week.

My dear companion, Clyde, the best dog I've had, died Sunday night. The vet called yesterday and said that his heart couldn't take the heat anymore, and he'd suffered a massive heart attack.

Clyde, a 12 year old Labrador/German Shephard mix, was our family's protector and loving friend. He saved my son's life by putting his body between my son and an attacking pit bull, which resulted in severe injury to himself. He also alerted the family to a burglar one night and scared the intruder off before he managed to enter the house. He was a friend to the pizza delivery boy and the bane of the postman. All in all, a great friend and companion, and we are deeply saddened by his death.

Please take care of your animal friends, Mudcatters, and remember that they too can become victims of severe weather conditions.

Rest in peace, dear friend.

-- Áine

Subject: RE: BS: A Wee Postcard From Hell Pt. 2
From: jeffp
Date: 22 Aug 00 - 09:27 AM

My deepest sympathies go out to you, Áine.

jeffp

Subject: RE: BS: A Wee Postcard From Hell Pt. 2
From: catspaw49
Date: 22 Aug 00 - 09:31 AM

Well dear, you know how I feel about animals and you have my best wishes. They are indeed important family members and the worst part of having pets is in the losing.

If you have never read "Rainbow Bridge"....Click Here

All My Best,

Pat

Subject: RE: BS: A Wee Postcard From Hell Pt. 2
From: Catrin
Date: 22 Aug 00 - 09:32 AM

Aine,

Very sorry to hear it. My thoughts are with you.

Catrin

Subject: RE: BS: A Wee Postcard From Hell Pt. 2
From: JedMarum
Date: 22 Aug 00 - 09:38 AM

I'm very sorry to hear your news, Áine. 12 years is actually a ripe old age for a Lab, and I am sure you had many wonderful years with him. He sounds like a wonderful dog. I always loved Labs. Our Whippets are great dogs, too, and they seem to fit comfortably in our backyard ... but Labs are so bright and fit right into the heart of the family!

Sad to loose such an important old family member. Our thoughts are with you.

Subject: RE: BS: A Wee Postcard From Hell Pt. 2
From: Wesley S
Date: 22 Aug 00 - 09:40 AM

Aine - I love to quote a line I saw on Kinky Freidmans website. It says that when we die and go to heaven that all of the pets we've ever owned will come running to greet us. I'd like to think that you'll see Clyde again. My sympathies on your loss.

Subject: RE: BS: A Wee Postcard From Hell Pt. 2
From: Kim C
Date: 22 Aug 00 - 10:00 AM

Aine, I am so sorry. But I know Clyde had a good family!

Subject: RE: BS: A Wee Postcard From Hell Pt. 2
From: MMario
Date: 22 Aug 00 - 10:02 AM

*damn*

In some ways losing a four-footed family member is harder then other losses, because society in general doesn't recognize it as a true loss, and thus doen's offer the support. I think a much higher percentage on the 'cat are more aware how this can affect a person.

Subject: RE: BS: A Wee Postcard From Hell Pt. 2
From: Brendy
Date: 22 Aug 00 - 10:05 AM

Here's a wee postcard from Hell. Played there last year. Chewed a bit of fat with Peter Green. Great spot.

B.

Subject: RE: BS: A Wee Postcard From Hell Pt. 2
From: Ebbie
Date: 22 Aug 00 - 11:30 AM

I am so sorry.

Subject: RE: BS: A Wee Postcard From Hell Pt. 2
From: Naemanson
Date: 22 Aug 00 - 11:47 AM

I'm so sorry to hear your news. The heat is the worst thing. Please be careful.

Subject: RE: BS: A Wee Postcard From Hell Pt. 2
From: catspaw49
Date: 22 Aug 00 - 12:08 PM

Yeah Naes......I hear it got to 51 yesterday in Maine. Be sure to keep Kendall inside and his waterbowl filled.

Mario, you are certainly correct. Karen and I still cry at the drop of a hat over a cat that's been gone for 10 years now! I don't think all pet owners understand either at times. "Luff"--the cat I'm referring to was a red point Siamese (tecnically now a "Colorpoint Oriental"...whatever), had the most distinctive personality of any animal I have ever known. Six years after he died, we went to a cat show to look at possibly getting another. A lady had a beautiful kitten that looked like Luffy and Karen just completely broke into tears. I am standing there crying like an idiot too and we manage to tell her a little about Luff. She then asks when did he die and Karen says 6 years ago. The woman looks at us as though we are escapees from an asylum and herds us away from her spot. Just as well though, because we realized we could NEVER have another red point again.

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: A Wee Postcard From Hell Pt. 2
From: Brendy
Date: 22 Aug 00 - 12:11 PM

A h Áine.

Hopefully you got my PM.
Tá brón orm, mo stór.

B.

Subject: RE: BS: A Wee Postcard From Hell Pt. 2
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 22 Aug 00 - 12:12 PM

Oh, Aine, I'm so sorry. It's hard enough to have to endure the weather you've had, but to suffer such a loss... my heart goes out to you.

Subject: RE: BS: A Wee Postcard From Hell Pt. 2
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 22 Aug 00 - 12:16 PM

Hang tough Aine. Our two little beasts are mighty precious to us. We sympathsise.

Heather and Rick

Subject: RE: BS: A Wee Postcard From Hell Pt. 2
From: Áine
Date: 22 Aug 00 - 12:44 PM

Dear Friends,

I can't say how much all your words and kind thoughts mean to me and my family. A simple 'thank you' just doesn't cover the gratitude we feel for each and every one of you. My mother always said that a burden shared is a burden lifted. Isn't it amazing how smart your parents become as you get older?

The kids and I are working on 'Clyde's Book', and we're drawing pictures and writing down our favourite memories of him. I thought it would be a good thing for the kids; but, to tell the truth, I think it's better therapy for Mom.

With a grateful heart, Áine

(agus a Bhrendy, fuair mé do theachtaireacht. Go raibh míle maith agat, a chara chóir. Seacht mbeannacht ort.)

Subject: RE: BS: A Wee Postcard From Hell Pt. 2
From: DougR
Date: 22 Aug 00 - 01:17 PM

Aine: Believe me, I can equate to the hot weather. Phoenix has been miserable this summer. So sorry the heat contributed to the loss of one of your best friends.

I had to have my two cats (age 18) and another (age 19) put to sleep late last year, and I haven't recovered yet.

DougR

Subject: RE: BS: A Wee Postcard From Hell Pt. 2
From: Cobble
Date: 22 Aug 00 - 02:03 PM

Aine : Our thoughts are with you, we lost two of our family last year, Kim a rescuded cross breed aged 13 and Morag a Skye Trrier aged 12. Although we still have 3 Skyes we still feel the loss very deeply. How they tear at our heart strings!!! Remember all the good time. margaret and Brian

Subject: RE: BS: A Wee Postcard From Hell Pt. 2
From: SINSULL
Date: 22 Aug 00 - 02:08 PM

Aine,
I'm sorry.

Subject: RE: BS: A Wee Postcard From Hell Pt. 2
From: CarolC
Date: 22 Aug 00 - 04:48 PM

Aine,

I'm sorry about your dog. He sounds like he was one of the best.

Carol

Subject: RE: BS: A Wee Postcard From Hell Pt. 2
From: Little Hawk
Date: 22 Aug 00 - 04:54 PM

Aine,

My condolences on the passing of your dog. I have seen many pets come and go, but I will never forget their personalities. Dogs in particular give a kind of unconditional love that is something to behold. It is a very sad thing when they go.

Subject: RE: BS: A Wee Postcard From Hell Pt. 2
From: Sorcha
Date: 22 Aug 00 - 06:25 PM

Aine, all of the above. I know how badly it hurts, and my sympathy for all of you.

Subject: RE: BS: A Wee Postcard From Hell Pt. 2
From: Seamus Kennedy
Date: 23 Aug 00 - 12:17 AM

Aine, sorry for your troubles. My own dog was killed last year, so I can truly sympathize. But you had 12 great years with him. All the best. Seamus

Subject: RE: BS: A Wee Postcard From Hell Pt. 2
From: Áine
Date: 23 Aug 00 - 09:55 AM

Thanks again to one and all of you, dear Mudcatters, who have helped me bear these sad days. I will hold your kind words and thoughts in my heart forever.

And to repay your kindness, I want to share a happy story from Hell of a beloved four-legged friend:

Yesterday, the local paper carried the sad news that Persia, the 18 year old Arabian horse and companion of 15 year old Shanda who suffers from cerebral palsy, was missing from her pasture in Azle, Texas. The family feared that Persia had been stolen when they were unable to find her after a search of their property. They also feared for the foal that Persia was carrying. Shanda and Persia have won more than a dozen Special Olympic medals in riding competitions and Shanda dreamed of qualifying for the international Special Olympics in 2002 in Germany.

The local community answered the family's call for help and mounted search parties set out on the hunt for Persia. Late yesterday afternoon, Persia was located trapped in a 10 foot gully, entangled in brambles and barbed wire, by a volunteer from the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association. With the help of two Tarrant County sheriff's deputies, Persia was cut free from the wire and brush and returned to Shanda. Persia suffered cuts, a gash in one knee and dehydration, but she is expected to recover with no residual effects, and the foal is fine as well. Although Shanda's family cannot afford all the injections that Persia needs to complete her recovery, the neighbors are already pitching in to make sure the expenses will be covered.

So there's a tale to put smiles on your faces, and to lift up your hearts. Thanks to all once again, and keep yourselves and your furry friends safe and well.

-- Áine

Subject: RE: BS: A Wee Postcard From Hell Pt. 2
From: Wesley S
Date: 23 Aug 00 - 05:57 PM

In another related story in the Dallas area some scuzbucket broke into a local SPCA and stole all the food for the animals. When the story got out lots of locals headed over and dropped off food so the "residents" would have something to eat. What kind of person would steal dog and cat food from a pound??

Subject: RE: BS: A Wee Postcard From Hell Pt. 2
From: DougR
Date: 23 Aug 00 - 06:02 PM

Aine: That's a great story!

Wesley: A scumbag.