Members Login
Username 
 
Password 
    Remember Me  
GAL Website -> GAL Forum -> Announcements -> Tribute to Sam
Post Info TOPIC: Tribute to Sam
mabel


Graduate

Status: Offline
Posts: 15
Date:
Tribute to Sam
Permalink Closed

I'd like to mention Sam, my beautiful greyhound. Sam died last Saturday 10th June. One day before our first ever meet up with other greyhounds and lurchers at John Muir Country Park. It is quite difficult for me to meet up with other folks and their dogs because i look after my elderly mother who is quite ill and i need to be at home most of the time. I had organised some much needed time away, even if it was for just a few hours down the beach. I am also a very shy person and having Sam made my quite difficult life much better. Sam came into my life very unexpectantly and i fell in love with her instantly. Sam was nine years old when she died. I have no idea what her life was before she came to me as when i got her it was because i had found her as a stray and as no one came to claim her, i got to bring her home almost 1 year ago. My life was transformed and now it is so empty. I can't explain how Sam died as it is too painful right now. I'm typing this and am expecting to see Sam lying on her bed close to me but she's not there. It's not real, i'm in a very strange place and i never realised how much impact a dog would have on my life. The loss and grief, I can't bear it. I'm quite new to the forum and i don't take part much. Alot of my time is spent looking after my mum. I don't know why i'm typing this here except no one cares or understands in my family. You'd think when you get older you get used to pain and grief but it hits you so hard everytime.


I want to say to anyone who has lost a dog under any circumstances, i know how it feels and it is so so awful. I know i loved Sam however, I now realise just how much i loved her, with all my heart and i shall miss everything about her. Mabel xx    



__________________
Amanda


Master

Status: Offline
Posts: 467
Date:
Permalink Closed

Mabel I am so very sorry for your loss I can asure you that everyone on the forum cares and the majority of us know how it feels to loose our best friend and sole companion.

This forum is great the people on it are always ready to listen but sometimes it's hard when all you want to do is give someone a hug.

When you feel up to it and get the time I am sure everyone would still love to see you at one of the walks

Take care Mabel we are all thinking of you

Sleep tight Samxx

__________________
BOWGANG


Master

Status: Offline
Posts: 351
Date:
Permalink Closed

Mabel


So sorry to hear of your loss. I know exactly how painful it is to lose a much loved companion as do many folks on this forum. Perhaps through time you will be able to think and talk about Sam without it hurting quite so badly and this is a great place to talk as you know that people understand and want to help.


Take good care of yourself and try and think happy thoughts of Sam.I'm sure you have lots of happy memories and I'm sure Sam knew how much you loved her.


Shirley


 



__________________
NO MATTER HOW LITTLE MONEY AND HOW FEW POSSESSIONS YOU OWN,HAVING A DOG MAKES YOU RICH.
Valerie


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 510
Date:
Permalink Closed

Mabel


you have taken a very brave step forward in sharing your grief, that is never easy. Hopefully, you won't feel so alone and that folk don't care or understand, when you read these messages.  Folk here do understand how your dog can mean the world, but just as Sam brought you so much, she would want you to try and remember the good things, and in time, you will.


Valerie



__________________
Mere beginner
glendy


Master

Status: Offline
Posts: 465
Date:
Permalink Closed

Hi Mabel

So sorry to hear about Sam. Many of us have experienced the loss and felt the gap in our lives that losing a loved dog leaves. Feel free to share as you need to. There are people here to listen.

__________________
Best Regards
glendy
Nicki


Big Cheese

Status: Offline
Posts: 911
Date:
Permalink Closed

Hi Mabel,


So very sorry to hear about Sam, it is so very painful and the loss is overwhelming. Although she is now no longer with you, she will always live on in your heart and memories of her.


Just remember we are all here for you. Please try and look after yourself.


Night night Sam, sleep tight.


Nicki and wee janie.xx



__________________
janie loves her cuddles!!!
Teresa


Enlightened One

Status: Offline
Posts: 1341
Date:
Permalink Closed

Mabel, my thoughts are with you at this difficult time.  I do understand how it feels to lose a valued member of the family and it's very hard to bear.  It's a cliche but very true - time heals.


With love from neil, teresa, dave and daisy xxxx



__________________
if it's not a greyhound, it's just a dog Dog 2
max


Enlightened One

Status: Offline
Posts: 1819
Date:
Permalink Closed

Mabel, I am so sorry for your loss, please do not feel you are alone we are all here for you if not in body, but in words. Feel free to put your feelings into words and if there is anything we can do please just ask. TO SAM AT RAINBOW BRIDGE Norax

__________________
"YOU OWE IT TO YOUR DOG TO BE WORTHY OF IT,S DEVOTION".
Jax


Master

Status: Offline
Posts: 211
Date:
Permalink Closed

Hi Mabel


I just read your post and it was very moving. I'm so sorry to hear about your loss. A dogs love and companionship is unique and, again the cliche, it takes time to heal after losing that special friend. I lost my dog, Odie, almost two and half years ago, she was 15, but still not a day goes by when I don't think about her. I'm quite new to this forum too and have found everyone to be exceptionally supportive and caring. Please keep in touch with the forum and let us know how you are doing.


Jax xx



__________________
Gail


Big Cheese

Status: Offline
Posts: 770
Date:
Permalink Closed

Hi Mabel,


I share what everyone has already said and hope knowing people are thinking of you has brought you some comfort.


It takes a special person to deserve a dog's unconditional love and for a whole year you were Sam's special person and no-one can ever take that away from you. He was loved at the end and for giving him that you should be proud. You will always miss him but remember the happy times and someday they will make you smile again,


Gail. x



__________________
My Boys, My Dogs.....My world!!
Lorna


GAL Shop Co-Ordinator

Status: Offline
Posts: 124
Date:
Permalink Closed

Hi Mabel


 


So sorry to hear of your loss.  My thoughts are with you,


 


Lornax



__________________
Calatria


Master

Status: Offline
Posts: 254
Date:
Permalink Closed

Hello Mabel


just as you consider yourself lucky to have had Sam in your life, she was also lucky to have had you.  People who don't feel about dogs as we do will think the loss of a dog is something you don't even need to get over.  They don't mean to be unkind, they just don't get it that to people like the posters on this forum the dog is family.


I hope you start to feel better soon and will be able to smile when you think of Sam.  You can post on here knowing that we understand how you feel, as many of us have lost a much-loved dog.



__________________
Isla


Enlightened One

Status: Offline
Posts: 1519
Date:
Permalink Closed

Hi Mabel


I truly feel for you and your loss.  You are both lucky to have found each other and Sam will have had a much fuller and richer life for having known you.  They are never "just a dog" are they - they are so much more.  A dog is your best friend, someone who is always delighted to see you, make you welcome, comfort you when you are sad, keep you company when you are lonely and who will give you their unconditional love always. 


I hope you take comfort and strength from knowing that, despite the fact that most of us are strangers to you, we do care - very much and are happy to listen and offer support where we can.


Take care.


Karen, Wills, Millie and Tigger.



__________________
Karen Maclagan
Christine Young


GAL Newsletter Editor

Status: Offline
Posts: 1632
Date:
Permalink Closed

Hi Mabel


I can only echo what everyone else has said before! Most of us have lost a much loved pet at some time or another and we all understand how you feel. Words are so inadequate when a hug is needed so much!


Please come along to at least one of our events over the summer, Mabel! It doesn't matter whether or not you have a dog, it would be great to meet you. And please keep in touch through the forum when you can. You'll have lots of happy memories of Sam to share with us!


Christine



__________________
FAJ


Enlightened One

Status: Offline
Posts: 1288
Date:
Permalink Closed

Hello, Mabel

I'm so sorry to hear about your very sad loss. I can't begin to imagine how you must feel as I've never lost a pet, but even the thought of anything happening to my babies is bad enough. Sam sounds like a wonderful girl and it's great that you shared a year together. It would be lovely if you could come along to the walk in Edinburgh on Sunday coming.

Thinking of you.

Fiona

__________________
Disorder, panic, chaos; my work here is done.
weeewelamb


Old Hand

Status: Offline
Posts: 75
Date:
Permalink Closed

Hi Mabel


So very sorry to hear about Sam and your sadness. There are no words to describe the hurt and despair one experiences when we lose that special friend, and never mind what we do or which way we turn, the pain is still there. We all cope with it in different ways and you will find your own way to get by from day to day just now.


I like to think those very special doggy friends never really leave us and although we cant see them we can feel their presence and I’m sure Sam will be somewhere nearby.


I hope you get a wee bit of comfort knowing that there are a lot of people here who care about you and we are all ready to listen.


Julie



__________________
GreyGal


Graduate

Status: Offline
Posts: 8
Date:
Permalink Closed

Mabel,


I have nothing to say that the others have not said so well already.  Only that, I too, have lost a special doggy friend and I think of him every single day.  Two years on, and although I still have my moments and shed a tear for him, the thoughts of him are mostly happy now and I remember the things that he used to get up to and I smile.  I do not regret a single day with him and I always hope that I made a difference in his life and he certainly knew what it was to be loved.


I'm sure Sam knew what it as to be loved and cherished too and when time moves on you will have lots of lovely memories of her to make you smile too.


It's a very great loss and it doesn't help that so many people don't seem to understand.   You are certainly not alone though.


Take care of yourself.


Pamela.



__________________
Ambers Mum


Old Hand

Status: Offline
Posts: 54
Date:
Permalink Closed

Hello Mabel


I am so very sorry to hear of your loss of Sam.  She sounds like she fell on her feet when she found you and I'm sure you made her life complete.


You are among friends here Mabel.  Many of us know exactly how you feel right now and we are here to support you.  I always find it comforting to write my feelings down (as you have) - its a wonderful way to say exactly how you feel whilst at the same time not being worried about putting on that brave face....  We are here to listen and to share your thoughts - we understand how you feel.  Dogs are very special friends - they never judge us, they stand by us, they cheer us up when we are down and their love is unconditional.  Because of this they have special places in our hearts that will never be reached by people.  That's why people who never have the priviledge of sharing their lives with pets don't understand how they make you feel and how you will be feeling right now.


You have had that priviledge Mabel, as everyone in this forum has and don't be afraid to talk to us and share your grief - it will help, honest.


In the last 12 months I have lost 2 wonderful pets.  I have shared my memories and my pain with the forum and there are many great people right here who will support you, as they did me.


Chin up Mabel.  Look back and think about the happy memories - there will be lots of them no doubt.  In time, the tears will turn to smiles as you reflect on those happy memories.  No-one can ever take those memories and happy times away from you.


We are here Mabel, take care, Love Kate x


Sleep well Sam xxxx



__________________
mabel


Graduate

Status: Offline
Posts: 15
Date:
Permalink Closed

Thank you to everyone who has responded to this post. I feel very humbled. The last 4 days have been unreal and surreal. I'm so glad that i mentioned what had happened with Sam on this forum. You are all so kind. Does anyone know if there are any good pet bereavement services/helplines? Sam has been cremated and i will be going to collect her ashes this week. I'm not sure where to scatter them, does anyone have any idea's? I'm sorry because my mind is finding it difficult to cope with the loss of Sam and it's hard to grieve when i have to get up everyday to look after my mum. She is so far gone with Dementia to understand much and i just wish i could talk to her. I would like to chat to people about sam. I just wish i had given myself the opportunity to talk more when she was alive. Rest in Peace Sam x



__________________
Amanda


Master

Status: Offline
Posts: 467
Date:
Permalink Closed

Hi Mabel

I am sorry but I don't know of any bereavement services for pets perhaps your local vet would know?

The scattering of ashes is a very personal thing. There is no hurry wait until you feel strong enough. Did Sam have a favorite walk or a favorite place in the garden?

I don't know if you have read the rainbow bridge poem? I found it quite a comfort when I read it even though it was hard to read without crying.

We are all here and would love to share the memories you have of Sam. Hope to meet up with you one day at one of the walks/events

Take care of yourself

Amanda

__________________
weeewelamb


Old Hand

Status: Offline
Posts: 75
Date:
Permalink Closed

Hi Mabel


You could try this:   The Pet Bereavement Support Service


                            Tel:  0800 096 6606


It's a nationwide telephone helpline for pet owners.  I dont have first hand experience of it but it's worth a try and hope it's of some help.


Julie



__________________
Ambers Mum


Old Hand

Status: Offline
Posts: 54
Date:
Permalink Closed

Hello Mabel


I'm afraid I can't help you with a pet bereavement helpline but I noted your comment about the scattering of Sam's ashes.....  have you given some thought to keeping her ashes at home with you?


Our vet organised the cremation via a pet creamation service for both of the pets we sadly lost.  They retained their ashes and we got them back in little wooden casks.  We now have them sat on our bedroom window sill with their ashes inside.  It means that I can say hello to them every morning and goodnight to them every night.


Some people may think this sounds silly but each individual deals with their grief differently don't they?....  It was just a thought for you - you may have already considered it, but if not, I hope it helps you make the right decision....


Whatever you do Mabel, I'm sure it will be the right thing for both you and Sam.


Take care, Kate xx



__________________
emma


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 617
Date:
Permalink Closed

Maybel,


 I have sent you a personal message, Pm me back if you would like to talk to me and I will send you my contact details.


Thinking of you Emma x



__________________
glendy


Master

Status: Offline
Posts: 465
Date:
Permalink Closed

I have a couple of documents with some resources that I'll post now in the reference section under Helpful Information.

__________________
Best Regards
glendy
Page 1 of 1  sorted by
 
Quick Reply

Please log in to post quick replies.
GAL Website -> GAL Forum -> Announcements -> Tribute to Sam
Tweet this page Post to Digg Post to Del.icio.us


Create your own FREE Forum
Report Abuse 		Powered by ActiveBoard