My little girl has crossed the Rainbow Bridge.

[Mr.Bill]

Last edited Mon Oct 14, 2024, 02:09 PM - Edit history (1)

She was a rescue dog, and we had her for almost 16 years. She was full grown, but really young when we got her. We think she was likely around 18 years old.

She was a mixed breed, probably a terrier/poodle mix. The year after we got her, I spent several months with her at the local AKC club doing obedience and rally training. That year the AKC instituted the Canine Companions program and we she was actually one of the first mixed breed dogs to be registered. For the new show season, she was allowed to compete in several programs. I chose the pre-novice obedience trials.

She was very obedient and I had thought she had a good shot in this program. As soon as I walked her into the judging ring, she took a dump as soon as we got started, which was an immediate disqualification.

Since this was the first time for mixed breed dogs to compete, with only four shows happening in the country, she may have been the first dog to leave mixed breed poop in an AKC judging ring. I was quite proud of that and immediately retired her from competition. This was her pinnacle.

She left us last night, appropriately soiling herself as she passed.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

1. It is hard to say goodbye to a family member

[spooky3]

2. Condolences to you 😢

[debm55]

3. I am so sorry for your little girl. What a great post. I can tell you really loved her and she you. Remember the

memories of her and the good times you had together.

[SheltieLover]

4. Deepest Condolences to you.

My heart aches for you.

[True Dough]

5. Sorry to hear it, Mr.Bill

She left you with many fond and olfactory memories.

[Permanut]

6. Wonderful tribute..

Wonderful dog. Thanks for posting.

[LuckyCharms]

7. I'm so sorry for your loss, Mr.Bill

[Karadeniz]

8. Im so sorry for her loss...she was a good girl!

[TexasBushwhacker]

9. I'm so sorry

If it's any consolation, she knew she was loved.

[FM123]

10. So very sorry dear Mr. Bill.

Thank you for sharing your wonderful story with us, so obvious how much you adored her!

[gademocrat7]

11. Condolences, Mr. Bill

on the loss of your beloved dog. Take care.

[Donkees]

12. 🌸

''A flower does not think of competing with the flower next to it. It just blooms''



''The Dung and the Blossom are One'' - Buddha 🌸

[kysrsoze]

13. R.I.P., little lady. She had a long run and obviously a very happy life.

[nocoincidences]

14. I'm so sorry for the loss of your long-time friend.

There's never a good time for them to leave and 16 years is a long time to love each other.

[Fla Dem]

15. Rest in peace sweetheart. You were loved and will be missed.

[onecaliberal]

16. I'm so sorry for the loss of your little girl.

Hugs.

[littlemissmartypants]

17. ...

❤️

[wryter2000]

18. Rest in peace, sweet doggie

[twodogsbarking]

19. Hang in. Give them a good life and a peaceful crossover. They will love you more than you can imagine.

Recently said good bye to 12.5 yo Golden. Peace.

[montanacowboy]

20. So sad for your loss

may her memory forever be in your heart

[OldBaldy1701E]

21. I am sorry, Mr. Bill.

My husband and I lost our second doggie five years ago. The first we lost about five years before that.

I am still not over it.

[Solly Mack]

22. I'm so sorry.

[FoxNewsSucks]

23. Sorry to read that

Sounds like a really good girl

I've never really understood that poop disqualification, just pick it up and keep moving

[Evolve Dammit]

24. You were a great Dad. And I'm sorry to hear she has moved on. But maybe not? Always be with you.

[bluboid]

25. so sorry to hear of your loss...

[70sEraVet]

26. So sorry, Mr. Bill

[cate94]

27. I'm so sorry

[DENVERPOPS]

28. Sorry for your loss. This may help

We just went through the same thing.........someone sent this to us...........



When Tomorrow Starts Without Me

When tomorrow starts without me, and I’m not there to see,
If the sun should rise and find your eyes, all filled with tears for me,

I wish so much you wouldn’t cry, though I know your heart aches so,
But remember it was for the best……it was my time to go……..

I know how much you love me, as much as I love you,
and each time you’re thinking of me, I know you’ll miss me too.

When tomorrow starts without me, don’t think we’re far apart,
for every time you think of me, I’m right there in your heart.

If it should be that I grow frail and weak, and pain should keep me from my sleep,
then you must do what must be done for this last battle can’t be won….

You will be sad, I understand, don’t let your grief then stay your hand,
for on this day, more than all the rest, your love and friendship stands the test….

We’ve had so many happy years, what’s to come can hold no fears,
take me where my needs they’ll tend, only stay with me until the end,
hold me firm and speak to me, until my eyes no longer see……..

I know in time that you will see, it is a kindness that you do to me,
although my tail, it’s last has waved, from pain and suffering,
I’ve been saved………

Do not grieve, it should be you who decides, this thing to do,
we’ve been so close these years….
Please don’t let your heart hold any tears……………

Unknown

[calimary]

30. OMG! I haven't even read this all through and I've got teary eyes already.

Beautiful poem. Painfully beautiful.

[DENVERPOPS]

32. It can be brutal

but it actually helps.....at least I though so. Much more than the classical Rainbow Bridge.......

I will keep reading it, over and over, every day until I no longer cry when reading it....

Again, I feel for your grief.........

I tell people I wish our dogs could live a human lifetime, and Politicians croak after a few years in office....
(McConnell, Grassley, etc etc etc to name a few)

[calimary]

59. Or at least limit how long they can live the good life on Capitol Hill.

[calimary]

29. Deepest condolences, Mr. Bill.

Rescues are probably the dearest critters of all. Sounds like you gave her a good home and a really nice life.

[underpants]

31. ❤️

[Clouds Passing]

33. Little Girl

[JoseBalow]

34. I am sorry for your loss

I will be giving my old girl extra belly rubs tonight, thinking of you.

[LoisB]

35. I can't imagine how much you will miss a pistol like her. I am so sorry.

[Mad_Dem_X]

36. So sorry for your loss.

May she rest in peace.

[Skittles]

37. so very 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

[Niagara]

38. Rest in Paradise Mr. Bill's little girl

[TomSlick]

41. I was ok until I read this. Then I lost it.

I have buried enough pets that I know the truth of your post.

The problem with pets is that their lives are so much shorter than ours. The pain at their loss is the price for their unconditional love.

[Niagara]

45. I concur with your heartfelt response, TomSlick

We never "move on" from grief... we only move forward with it, so let it all out.


Some days are abundantly harder than other days, no matter if we lost a beloved human or furry family member.


I'm going on 15 months without a furry family member pitter pattering around in the home. I just don't think I have it in me to say goodbye due to how short their lives are. It's never enough time.

[ProfessorGAC]

39. So Sorry

We lost 2 beasties this year, too.
Very tough.
Take care.

[sinkingfeeling]

40. So sorry for your loss.

[CousinIT]

42. I'm so very sorry for your loss!

You loved her till the last and she surely knew it. It’s all you could give her.

[UpInArms]

43. I am so sorry, Mr. Bill, for your loss

Our precious fur babies never stay long enough

[Different Drummer]

44. Very sorry for your loss, Mr. Bill!

[Teacher of the Year]

46. So sorry for your loss. :0(

I hope your pup is up there playing with my pups, waiting for us to catch up.

[mountain grammy]

47. Awwww great story.. thanks for sharing.

I'm so sorry for your loss. You're in my heart tonight.

[MLAA]

48. I'm so sorry for your loss. I love her spunk! She did the equivalent of giving the judges the bird!

[texasfiddler]

49. I love rescue puppies. My wife works as a veterinarian at a no kill shelter (worked for over 25 years).

We have sheltered countless number of dogs and cats at our place. I love these beautiful animals, and it hurts when they pass away. I find so much joy when a dog that has been stuck in a dog crate for weeks comes out to our ranch and runs around and feels the freedom that is so needed and deserved. We have a 17 year old rescue that is on his last few weeks of life. I will cry my eyes out when he passes, but he had a damn good life and he gave us so much joy.

[debm55]

50. kick

[The Roux Comes First]

51. So Sorry for Your Loss

I wish I had your ability to be glib about it, although I bet there is some serious ache.

My recent pet losses have been very hard to take. I had so much shared love there.

Take care of yourself.

[Mr.Bill]

54. Partly it's because it's just beginning to hit me.

Another thing that helps is we have another dog. She is an 11 year old maltese/yorkie mix. She's a runt of the litter and weighs just a bit over four lbs. She's never lived in a house without another dog. I'm going to spoil the hell out of her. Thanks to you for your kind words.

[Figarosmom]

52. Nice story

Evidentiary she didn't want to compete. Sorry to hear she's gone. But I bet you gave her the best 16 years she could have dreamed of.

[Ferrets are Cool]

53. ...

[virgdem]

55. Deepest condolences to you on the loss of your girl.

May she rest in eternity.💔🌈

[area51]

56. I'm sorry for your loss.

[DemonGoddess]

57. Sorry to hear that

[ailsagirl]

58. I'm so very sorry

I've gone through it many times and it.never.gets.easier

[KT2000]

60. I'm sorry for your loss

of such a good friend.

[BigmanPigman]

61. My 17 year old baby died in 2020

and I am still missing her.

Sometimes her doggie spirit visits me when I am half asleep. It is very cool. My first dog did that for 10 days after she died and my dad did the night he died and then after my second dog died and they were together and communicated without words. She still visits me occasionally. These experiences lead me to believe that something DOES happen after you die and I'm an atheist.

[peacebuzzard]

62. so sorry for your loss of little girl.

[get the red out]

63. I am so sorry

Pets are our angels on Earth! Your girl sounds like she was a wonderful part of your life!

I am training my 2 year old Mini Aussie in Obedience and Agility. Forming that bond of working together is something special. I try not to obsess that my BC mix is 14, but I will always laugh when I remember her, as a seasoned agility competitor, pooping at the top of the A-frame at a competition and little brown chunks chasing her on down.

[Trueblue Texan]

64. Awww, I am so sorry...

I am sending healing thoughts to you and all who loved your little girl. So glad you were blessed with so many happy years together.

[dawn5651]

65. i am so sorry for the loss of your puppy

[Hotler]

66. I too had a pound puppy, German short hair pointer curlled up sleeping in her food dish. I said I'll take that one.

We both went through novice and open obedience classes. Got a couple of trophy's too. Total off leash control, but, she didn't need it because she developed great manners. She loved everybody and everybody loved Suzie. My heart was ripped out the day she passed. That was back in the 1980's. I've had many dogs since and they all have been great. Suzie was a standout.

A toast to all our dog friends past and present.

Epitaph to a Dog
George Gordon Byron1788 –1824

When some proud Son of Man returns to Earth,
Unknown to Glory but upheld by Birth,
The sculptor's art exhausts the pomp of woe,
And storied urns record who rests below:
When all is done, upon the Tomb is seen
Not what he was, but what he should have been.
But the poor Dog, in life the firmest friend,
The first to welcome, foremost to defend,
Whose honest heart is still his Master's own,
Who labours, fights, lives, breathes for him alone,
Unhonour'd falls, unnotic'd all his worth,
Deny'd in heaven the Soul he held on earth:
While man, vain insect! hopes to be forgiven,
And claims himself a sole exclusive heaven.
Oh man! thou feeble tenant of an hour,
Debas'd by slavery, or corrupt by power,
Who knows thee well, must quit thee with disgust,
Degraded mass of animated dust!
Thy love is lust, thy friendship all a cheat,
Thy tongue hypocrisy, thy heart deceit!
By nature vile, ennobled but by name,
Each kindred brute might bid thee blush for shame.
Ye! who behold perchance this simple urn,
Pass on, it honors none you wish to mourn.
To mark a friend's remains these stones arise;
I never knew but one—and here he lies.

[Mr.Bill]

67. Yesterday was quite stressfull for me, to say the least.

So stressfull that I neglected to include my dog's name.

Her name was Katy. Her AKC name was Katherine the Great.

She was a very special doggy and I am missing her today more than I did yesterday.

Thanks to all who have posted here.