Our little family has suffered a loss. Stella died peacefully on Friday afternoon.
Stella was not my dog. She was Favorite Young Man's faithful friend.
But I knew Stella for many years. She first visited me about ten years ago when I lived in Illinois. She and FYM came to see us for a holiday.
When I moved to Florida, FYM and Stella lived with me for almost a year. She chewed on some of my furniture, for which I promptly forgave her.
She often stayed with me when my son had to go out of town.
I teased her about her smooshed-in face and told her she looked like she'd been chasing parked cars. I loved to kiss her right in the middle of the top of her head because that's where her fur was the softest. I let her sleep in my bed even though she was a bed hog. She had a thing about peeing on my rugs. I didn't like that, but how could I not clean it up and get over it?
Several months ago Stella moved in with me because she needed more care for health issues than my son could provide. Stella and I visited the vet together many times. She had a problem with a disk in her back. It caused her to drag her back legs. She often slipped and fell. The medicine she took for her legs damaged her liver, so she took medicine for her liver.
I knew the end was approaching on Thursday when her back legs stopped functioning almost completely. Then Friday morning, she began to vomit.
Friday afternoon, she sat in the chair next to me that she could no longer hop into on her own. I had boosted her up. When I realized she had stopped breathing, I kissed my favorite Stella spot on the top of her head one last time.
We are sad. We are so sad. Franklin and Penelope search for Stella.
I know it's saddest of all for Favorite Young Man. Stella was his beloved companion. He was her daddy.
She always gazed at him with her sweet brown eyes that showed exactly what was in her heart. She was absolutely and completely devoted to him.
Stella, you are loved forever.
Infinities of love,
Janie Junebug
It's so hard to lose a beloved pet. My condolences. I know she's running in the Elysian Fields, romping and playing with all the other pets who have given us so much joy and love.
ReplyDeleteOh, yes. I'm sure she's happy.
DeleteOh no, I'm so sorry. Losing a pet it like losing a member of your family.
ReplyDeleteI think it IS losing a member of the family.
DeleteMy heart goes out to you and FYM. Goodbye, Stella.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Wilma.
DeleteI'm so sorry, Janie. I know how much you love all your fur children!!
ReplyDeleteEach one is precious to me.
DeleteCondolences to FYM and you on sweet Stella's passing.
ReplyDeleteAnother good one gone. Do you believe their spirits are waiting for us? I do.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely. We will all be together again.
DeleteOh no. Stella. I'm so sorry that she passed. I know words will not make it better, but know that I love you very much.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Rachel
I love you, too, honey.
DeleteOh Janie, it always breaks my heart when we lose our fur babies. It sounds similar to when I lost my Daisey Mae a few years ago. You all have my thoughts and prayers and Stella is now with my Daisey and Sport, playing happily in a field of daisies, across the Rainbow Bridge.
ReplyDeleteShe doesn't have to drag her legs behind her anymore.
DeleteOh this is so sad and I'm so sorry for your loss and your son's loss. This always hurts to the core and there are no words to express the hurt. Thank you for sharing such sweet photos and memories. I am certain he is so happy and enjoying jumping and running in the flowers. He had a beautiful life and was loved...that is a great thing.
ReplyDeleteWe loved Stella very much.
DeleteI'm so sorry about your loss. It's so very special though that she was right there by you as she passed.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad we were together.
DeleteOh, Janie, I'm so sorry about your loss. This is a beautiful tribute to her. I know how much you adored her and I can only imagine how much you are grieving. My sincerest condolences to all of you.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Martha.
DeleteIt's hard losing a fur companion. So sorry for everyone involved.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Stephen. I'm sorry you lost your mother. You have a lot of good stories to tell about her.
DeleteI am so sorry for you Janie! It is so hard to lose a family member even if they are the furred variety. Wishing you lots of happy memories.
ReplyDeleteI have many happy memories of Stella.
DeleteI am so sorry for your loss. Only animal lovers truly understand the heart break of losing a pet.
ReplyDeleteMy friend Carol and I laugh about people who say dogs are dumb. No one is smarter than a dog unless it's a cat.
DeleteI'm so very sorry for your family's loss. Losing a beloved dog is the worst.
ReplyDeleteI am so, so sorry to hear that. I can only imagine how you're feeling. At least she's not suffering anymore. I have to admit, that picture of her smiling next to the Stella Artois bottle put a big dopey smile on my face. I hope once the hurting starts going down that you can begin to savor those awesome memories you have of her.
ReplyDeleteI'm very sorry, Janie.
ReplyDeleteThank you, John.
DeleteDamnit, I feel like crying. I am so very sorry, honey.
ReplyDeleteI love you.
Cyber hugs to you and your son.
Dear Janie and FYM .. so sad to hear of Stella's going, but you have done your best for her in these last months ... take care and with thoughts - Hilary
ReplyDeleteThank you, Hilary.
DeleteI'm so sorry you lost Stella, but I can tell you that I feel joy knowing she died at home in her favorite chair. We had a dog with cancer and I prayed that she would just go in her sleep at home, but she didn't. The most painful decision to have to make is the one to end a living creature's life, a pet that looks at you with nothing but love. It was one of the worst days of my life and I'm crying now as I type this. Stella was so lucky to have a good life with a loving family. Hugs to you.
ReplyDeleteWe had a poodle when I was growing up. After I got married and moved away, my dad had him euthanized because he was old and very sick. My dad said it was the hardest thing he'd ever done.
DeleteThat is so profoundly sad. Hopefully, while it still being incredibly difficult to witness, there's some measure of comfort in the fact you were there by Stella's side as she passed. So sorry for your loss. RIP Stella.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad I was with her. I think she didn't want to live in trump world.
DeleteI know! I know!
ReplyDeleteKarma left yesterday.
Can't talk yet.
*hugs*
It's the worst.
DeleteIt broke my heart reading about Stella's passing. RIP Stella.
ReplyDeleteThank God for Franklin and Penelope.
DeleteShe loved well and was well-loved. Neither a person nor a fur-baby can ask for much more. Thinking of you and your family at this time of sadness.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Susan.
DeleteOh Stella how could you leave us. Your have broken our hearts and I only knew you for a short time.
ReplyDeleteShe was loved as any and every gud dug should be.
I cried when I read this.
cheers, gayle
I cry every time I think about her.
DeleteHugs and some more hugs.
ReplyDeleteStella must have been a huge part of your life. From what you have written I see how pets become like people, family members and even more than friends.
As much as you will miss her remember that Stella is in a better place now and is not suffering.
My family's and my prayers are with you at such a sad time. Take care of yourself.
What a sweet comment--thank you.
DeleteWow, so sorry and sad to hear that you and FYM have lost a family member.
ReplyDeleteShe was with him for such a long time. I'm not even sure how many years it was.
DeleteWhat is going on, first Karma (Rita's cat) passed, the Bert (Nicole's dog) and now Stella so many loved pets passing away
ReplyDeleteI don't know Nicole, but Rita is quite distraught about Karma.
DeleteAwwwww, Stella-sweet girl. Thankful it was peaceful in a place where she felt love (I know that doesn't make it much easier).
ReplyDeleteIt could have been worse, though. It can always be worse.
DeleteSo sorry. This is HARD.
ReplyDeleteYes, we'll always miss her.
DeleteSuch a loving tribute to Stella. It's so hard to loose our beloved pets. Sending you and your FYM each a big hug!
ReplyDeleteThank you. I feel your hug.
DeleteOh, I am so sorry Stella is gone. I always think how hard it is for the other animals because you can't explain to them what's happened and then they go looking for their friend and they're just gone. My condolences to both you and your son. Losing a dog is awful, just awful.
ReplyDeleteIt is awful. Franklin and Penelope are so confused because our lives revolved around Stella's needs for a while.
DeleteOh Janie, that is so sad, my heart goes out to you and I am beaming you and your family lots of love and hugs xxx
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sol. Keep on being.
DeleteNormally, I wouldn't publish such a tirade from someone who chooses to hide behind anonymity. But here it is, for all the world to see. That you would send such a screed to a woman whose post is about a beloved dog who died demonstrates why women hate you--not men in general. YOU.
ReplyDeleteI teared up as I read about Stella, then I saw that ignorant man again, the one I have seen before. Maybe he should apply for a job in the new White House. As an immigrant woman myself, Swedish, we don't go for creeps like him.
ReplyDeleteBack to Stella, I am so sad for you, your son, and your dogs.But I'm glad she passed away at home, next to you. That you were able to give her that final kiss. It was a beautiful and peaceful passing. Thinking of you all.
I am so sorry to hear about Stella. Losing a loved pet is so difficult. My sincere sympathies go out to you and your son.
ReplyDeleteI hate those rants from "anonymous" blog intruders. I am sure American women long ago wrote that particular idiot off.
Thank you, Cheryl. Sadly, some women put up with men like that and even join them in their hatred of women. We have to remain vigilant and aware of hate groups.
DeleteJanie, I am so sorry for Stella's passing. I know how much one can love a pet. And thank you for your kind comment and support on my blogpost today. Linda@Wetcreek Blog
ReplyDeleteThank you, Linda. I was moved by your blog post.
DeleteIt's always so sad when they go. 😞
ReplyDeleteYes, but I'll see her again some fine day.
DeleteI'm so sorry for your loss and for your son's. What a wonderful tribute to Stella; she was certainly well loved.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Elle.
DeleteSo sorry. Losing a pet is awful.
ReplyDeleteYes. Sometimes I think it's harder than losing people.
DeleteWhat a heart-breaker. No matter what the circumstances, it's always sooooo hard to lose one of our four-legged furry kids. You wrote a lovely tribute to Stella, and know that she was one lucky dog to have such a loving family. Hugs, kiddo.
ReplyDeletePoop poor little creature :((( I hate it when that happens and why do they live only so few years.... I'm sorry for your loss, Janie. I know when a little furry friend means to a person. It's so sad.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Blue. We're recovering.
DeleteDammit, Janie. Did my big fat fingers type poop? That's so inappropriate. :( Shame on me.
DeleteWell, she did poop.
DeleteOh no! I'm so sorry about Stella. :( Sincere condolences to you and your son, Janie. She had the best care possible and a loving home. May she rest in peace. ♥
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry she couldn't be with my son (he couldn't work and give her the care she needed), but I was glad to spend so much time with her before the end.
Delete