Good bye, Zen, my prince

[flvegan]

Tonight, my great dane lost his fight with bone cancer. I wanted to thank everyone here for their kind thoughts and for asking about him often.

There's a huge hole in my life right now. He truly was my very best friend, and he saw me through an awful lot.

The suffering is over my sweet Zen. Rest easy, big boy. I miss you already. A lot.

[amitten]

1. He's out of pain now. Sorry for your loss.

:hug:

[LeftyMom]

2. He was sweet and cuddly and a wonderful dog.

I'm heartbroken for you, but glad you had each other for as long as you did.

:hug:

[Bullwinkle925]

3. I'm so sorry flvegan.

My heart goes out to you. I know you did everything (and more) in your power for your little guy.
He loves you for it, too.

:hug: :hug: :hug: :hug:

[DeposeTheBoyKing]

5. I'm very sorry for your loss

He was beautiful, and I know you loved him. Take care. :cry: :hug:

[TOhioLiberal]

4. He was a cutie...

...sorry about your loss, flvegan.

[Robeson]

6. I'm so sorry flvegan....

...so very sorry...:hug:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

7. My dear flvegan...

Safe passage to your beautiful boy Zen....

And for you, this poem:

I explained to St. Peter,

I'd rather stay here,

Outside the pearly gate.

I won't be a nuisance,

I won't even bark,

I'll be very patient and wait.

I'll be here, chewing on a celestial bone,

No matter how long you may be.

I'd miss you so much, if I went in alone,

It wouldn't be heaven for me.

:hug:

[S n o w b a l l]

8. oh, geez....

I'm so sorry. My heart hurts for you. What a lucky guy to have had you in the end to care so much for him. What a beautiful boy he was.

:hug:

[yewberry]

9. Oh, buddy, I'm so sorry.

What a loss. It's amazing to really understand how much of our lives and our selves are wrapped around the lives of the ones we love, and it's so hard when we lose them.

Take care of yourself, and know that, somewhere, Zen is knowing you love him and thumping that big tail for you.

[BarenakedLady]

10. I'm so sorry

I know that hole well. :(

:hug:

[Midlodemocrat]

11. Flvegan, I am so, so sorry.

Sleep well, Zen. And you also, flvegan, knowing what a wonderful home you provided that beautiful dog. :hug:

[wildhorses]

12. may he rest in peace

:hug:

[ThomCat]

13. I'm very sorry.

:(

I hope he went peacefully.

[wildhorses]

14. sorry for your loss

how did i do a split double post:shrug:

[Flaxbee]

15. oh, damn, flvegan. I am so sorry.

My heartfelt condolences; I know how much you love him and will no doubt miss him. I am sure he knows how you feel/felt about him and he no doubt loved you and appreciated everything you did for him, when he was well and ill.

My heart aches for you. I'm so sorry. At least he is no longer in any discomfort or pain.

[SeattleGirl]

16. My condolences to you, flvegan.

I know your heart is hurting right now, and mine hurts for you and your sweet boy. He was so lucky to have you, as you were to have him.

Rest easy, Zen.

And for you, flvegan: :hug:

[Left Is Write]

17. I am so sorry.

:hug:

[Starbucks Anarchist]

18. I'm very sorry for your loss, flvegan.

:hug:

[idgiehkt]

19. So sorry for your loss.

:hug: :hug: :hug:

[VenusRising]

20. My heart goes out to you, flvegan.

Animals are so precious and give us so much love in the time we're given with them. You were lucky to have found and loved each other.

:hug::hug::hug:

[MadAsHellNewYorker]

21. my thoughts are with you flvegan

:hug:

[MonkeyFunk]

22. I'm very sorry Flvegan...

I love Great Danes. We had one when I was a kid.

You took very good care of him 'til the end.

[flamingyouth]

23. I'm so sorry for your loss.

You loved him very much.

[Pushed To The Left]

24. I'm sorry to hear about your loss

:hug:

[begin_within]

25. Wow, sorry to hear that. He was the luckiest dog in the world, because

he had you for his owner. You're the best dog owner in the world, period. So he was blessed. Sorry for your pain now, I know what that's like, I have been through it 8 times with my cats.

[swag]

26. I'm so sorry.

I am sure that he was well loved.

Take care.

[Guava Jelly]

27. Shit Dude...

I'm Sorry :(

[LaurenG]

28. I am so sorry about your beautiful Zen

What a love he was. I know that you were both very lucky to have had the time you did together but I'm deeply saddened for you by the loss of your friend. You really are a good "dad" to your babies. :hug:

[Maine-ah]

29. damn, that sucks.

he looks like he was a great dog! :hug:

[warrior1]

30. Bless his heart

and yours too.

My baby Sara has bone cancer in her jaw, and for the moment is hanging in there. Take care.

My baby, this was yesterday.

[jane_pippin]

31. I'm sorry for your loss.

You were good to him and gave him a safe, happy home, and I know he loved you for it.

[In_The_Wind]

32. You have my deepest sympthay, .

Rest in peace, Zen, just this side of The Rainbow Bridge.



Rainbow Bridge


Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

www.petloss.com/poems/maingrp/rainbowb.htm


He was beautiful!

I hope this helps, if only just a little bit.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

33. That's so sad... I'm sorry..

RIP, Zen.

[terrya]

34. My condolences on your loss, flvegan.

Losing a loved friend is so hard.

I'm sorry for the loss of your friend.

[LostinVA]

35. I'm so sorry, Flvegan

[Sanity Claws]

36. RIP Zen

I'm sorry for your loss. He looks like he was very well-loved.

[Call Me Wesley]

37. Safe passage, Zen.

Might your suffering be over. Peace and comfort to you and yours, flvegan.

[buddhamama]

38. i'm so sorry, flvegan

May Zen be at peace! my sincere condolences :( *hugs* :hug: :hug:

[xchrom]

39. for zen...

Dear God, protect and bless all beings that breathe, keep all evil from them, and let them sleep in peace. Amen.
--Albert Schweitzer, "Memoirs of Childhood and Youth"


Eternal Spirit, we bring you our grief in the loss of Zen and ask for courage to bear it. We bring you our thanks for Zen who lived among us and gave us freely of his love. We commit our friend and companion Zen into your loving hands. Give us eyes to see how your love embraces all creatures and every living thing speaks to us of your love. Amen.

ONE MAN'S SPECIAL TRIBUTE TO A DOG

The one absolutely unselfish friend that
a man can have in this selfish world,
the one that never deserts him,
the one that never proves ungrateful
or treacherous, is his dog.

A man's dog stands by him in prosperity
and in poverty,
in health and in sickness.
He will sleep on the cold ground where
the wintery winds blow,
and the snow drives fiercely,
if only he may be near his master's
side. He will kiss the hand that has no
food to offer, he will lick the sores
and wounds that come in encounter with
the roughness of the world. He guards
the sleep of his Pauper master as if he
were a prince.

When all other friends desert,
he remains.
When riches take wings and reputation
falls to pieces, he is as constant in
his love as the sun in it's journey
through the heavens.
If misfortune drives the master forth
an outcast in the world, friendless
and homeless, the faithful dog asks
no higher privilege than that of
accompanying him to guard against
danger, to fight against his enemies.

And when the last scene of all comes,
and death takes the master in it's
embrace, and his body is laid away in
the cold ground, no matter if all other
friends pursue their way, there by the
graveside will the noble dog be found,
his head between his paws, his eyes sad,
but open in alert watchfulness,
faithful and true, even in death.


-From a speech given by
Former Senator George Graham Vest
of Missouri. Delivered in 1870 when he
was acting as a lawyer in a suit against
a man who had killed the dog of his
client. -- He won the case.


************************

[RFKHumphreyObama]

40. My thoughts, prayers, condolences and sympathies Flvegan

I'm sorry:hug:

[Vidar]

41. I'm so sorry.

[jpgray]

42. My ma and her fiance are putting down their border collie later in the week

It's always rough to lose a great dog. :(

[driver8]

43. flvegan, I am so sorry for your loss.

[crim son]

44. I'm sorry for your loss.

:hug:

[City Lights]

45. Oh flvegan, I'm so sorry for your loss.

:hug: I know how it hurts. :cry:

RIP, Zen.

[Blue Diadem]

46. Oh Flvegan, I'm so very sorry.

:hug:

[dropkickpa]

47. I am so very sorry!

You made his life wonderful and he seems to have repaid that in spades.

[Wcross]

48. My sincere sympathy for your loss, he will be waiting for you.

Zen will be waiting for you at the bridge flvegan. Comfort yourself in knowing he had the best possible life as a result of your friendship. Rest in peace Zen, you were a good ol' boy.

[MrScorpio]

49. My condolences on your loss

He looked like a sweet dog

[Inchworm]

50. I'm sad for your loss

:hug:

[Darth_Kitten]

51. I'm so sorry.......

He looks like such a big sweetie in that picture. :hug:

[HEyHEY]

52. Sorry to hear about that... he looks like a good boy n/t

[Richardo]

53. So sorry, flvegan

:hug: to you for Zen

[bigwillq]

54. I am very sorry.

May he rest in peace.

:hug:

[querelle]

55. Oh flvegan...........

I read your very touching posts about how you cooked him London broils and tried your best to ease his transition. Your posts made me cry. I'm so glad that Zen is now at peace and his suffering is over.

You are truly the type of person that every fur-person deserves.

Peace and solace to you flvegan.

Q

[Maestro]

56. Accept my sincerest condolences.

My family has had to put two dogs to sleep in the past 6 years. It's never easy, but your great dane is at peace now.

[GenDem]

57. So sorry for your loss, flvegan.

May your Zen rest in peace.:hug:

[Blue-Jay]

58. I'm sorry to hear that, man.

I bet he was a Good Dog.

[UrbScotty]

59. Oh dear.

My love to you.

After my dogs died in 2003 and 2004, we waited a few months, and eventually got another dog - and then, a year later, another dog. The dogs I have now have filled the void left by those who came before them. Perhaps after a few months you may want to get another dog, but don't rush into it.

At any rate, here's a :hug:

[flvegan]

60. THANK YOU, everyone.

Your wishes and kind words mean a lot to me. I read every response, and every one made me tear up more and more.

It was a long, crappy night and a long crappy day today. The house seems so empty. Zen was also the Alpha here (after me), so the rest of them are also out of sorts.

Anyway, thanks again DU. All of you.

[Sheltiemama]

75. I'm so sorry

I lost two dogs to cancer earlier this year, and I have a human cousin fighting bone cancer. It's pure evil. I love that picture of Zen on his back.

[EFerrari]

79. flvegan

:hug:

[lizziegrace]

61. I'm sorry I'm late on this

:hug:

I know how much this hurts. :(

[RetroLounge]

62. So sorry to hear this my friend...

:hug:

hang in there... he had the best owner possible...

RL

[Missy Vixen]

63. I'm so sorry to hear this, flvegan

He's not gone. He's at the Rainbow Bridge.

Thinking of you,
Julie

[nuxvomica]

64. I'm very sorry for the loss of your friend

Peace to you, Flvegan. :hug:

[Swede]

65. I'm sorry for your loss flvegan.

nt

[malta blue]

66. I am sorry for the loss of your Zen...

He looks like a wonderful guy and I know that you did the very best you could for him.:hug:

RIP Zen.:cry:

It seems that too many of our furbabies are leaving us these days....

[LeftyFingerPop]

67. I'm so very sorry...

:hug:

[Critters2]

68. I'm so sorry, flvegan

I've been there, and wish I could say something that would really help. Be grateful for the ways he enriched your life, and that his illness is ended. And cry when you need to. I'm thinking of you.

Critters
lost 4 companions in 4 years
and still misses every one

PS He was beautiful!

[NewWaveChick1981]

69. I'm so incredibly sorry, flvegan...

:hug: :hug: :hug: I know all too well what that's like. Zen gave you so much, and you gave him the world in return. :pals:

[Dastard Stepchild]

70. I'm so sorry!

As a fellow anipal fanatic, I know the immeasurable joy that these little guys bring to our lives. I'm sorry to hear that your fine gentleman has passed on, but am delighted that you and he were able to share so many wonderful years together.

:hug:

[LeftyMom]

71. Uh, about your sig line

If that means what I think it means, congrats!

[Dastard Stepchild]

72. It does.. :)

We've waited for this for awhile, so we're really delighted. The world could really use another progressive vegan activist, I think. :)

[LeftyMom]

73. If this means no more pics in pleather pants,

you're going to break my man's heart you know.

[Dastard Stepchild]

77. lol....

Just give me a few good months with the trainer following the birth and the pleather pants will be rocked again.

[cwydro]

74. Sorry bud, I am sad for you.

I don't always see eye to eye with you on the board.

But you love your animals and I do too.

Very sorry for your loss. I was crying when I read your post. It is very hard to lose a fur friend.
Keep on keepin' on.

[femmocrat]

76. I'm so sorry, flvegan.

He was a beautiful dog.

[michaz]

78. I am so sorry. Run at Rainbow Bridge sweet Zen.

The loss of a true pet is so hard. Remember the good times.

[stuntcat]

80. I'm glad he had you

he had someone who really loved him and saw him for the doggie soul he is.
We help the animals through their lives, the ones who get love & affection & care are so lucky I'm glad he had you :hug:

[judaspriestess]

81. oh my god, I am so sorry

my sincerest condolences to you. What a beautiful boy he was.

[Dangerously Amused]

82. It well may be

That we will never meet again
In this lifetime
So let me say before we part
So much of me
Is made of what I learned from you
You'll be with me
Like a hand (paw)print on my heart...

[Skittles]

83. so sorry

"Grieve not, nor speak of me with tears

but laugh and talk of me as if I were beside you..

I loved you so---

'twas Heaven here with you."

Isla Paschal Richardson