I rescued a Human today...

[toastie]

In a final act of loyalty, Hawkeye, the dog of slain Navy SEAL U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Jon T. Tumilson walked up to his fallen master’s casket during the funeral in Rockford, Iowa, and then laid mournfully down beside the body for the rest of the proceedings. Friends and family of Tumilson, who was among the 30 Americans killed in the August 6 Chinook helicopter crash in Afghanistan, took photos of Hawkeye’s tear-jerking tribute. Some of these shots were made into a time lapse video, which you can watch below.

Loyal Dog won't leave fallen Navy Seal - YouTube

[wheel interested]

What a full gamut of emotions here. Wonderful thread and excellent posts. I have laughed and cried. Shane I especially liked your opening post of the shelter dog. I truly believe that pets are God's gifts to us. Here are two of ours that reached out and tugged on our heart strings.

I picked Orie out of a box of give-away puppies in front of Wal-Mart on the way to the Oregon International Rally when I went in for paper towels. Kee Kee walked into our garage when he was a tiny kitten and don't tell him but he thinks he is one of the dogs. He has permanently adopted us as his family. However our German Shepherds came from a breeder in Wisconsin, our late Max and now Koa.

There isn't a day that goes by where their playful antics or expressions of affection don't brighten our day. Some days I feel like we are like the herd in Ice Age. We are all different but we seem to travel everywhere together and get along just fine. DH has volunteered at an animal shelter in New Mexico and stayed for several months and also volunteered here at home at a local animal shelter before he found employment. We love animals. All kinds.

[bwoodtx]

Originally Posted by THEPILL

Never a hijack. Never even entered my mind.

This thread is all about Love. I can see you really Love Alex. I'll stand right next to you and cry.

Shane

Thank you. And I with you for Zeus. May he have many more days with you before God calls him home.

[THEPILL]

Originally Posted by THEPILL

My Pup Zeus is my World.He's an 8 year old Boxer. I work from my home and he's always there for me. He is my Buddy. He needs me. I need him. I come home no matter where I am within 3 hours to check on him. Or feed him or let him out. His joints are already getting stiff and he is getting covered in Gray. He used to wake me up in the mornings,,now he sleeps in. .He used to sit by the shower waiting for me to get out..I could NEVER open the front door without him wanting to go out,,now he barley looks..I can see age catching him.....I'm seriously gonna have a nervous breakdown when I have to take him to be put down. I don't know what I'm going to do.

I will be devastated.







ONE of Gods greatest gift to man is the unconditional love a dog has for man. I see it and it touches me every moment of every day.

Last night was the hardest day of my life. Zeus had stage 3 lymphoma. The house is quiet. I can't stand it.

I miss him so much.

Everyone he came in contact with loved Zeus. He was the most gentle soul a boxer could be. He no longer suffers we caught this early enough and made the right decision to put him to sleep before he got bad. God bless his soul.

Photo at Dr. Last night.



I wish I joined him.

Shane

[bwoodtx]

I am so sorry, Shane. We shall commiserate together. Three years after I posted in this thread about Alexandra, I lost my Jewel on Sept 9th. She had a nasal adenocarcinoma. She is the dog in my avatar.

I truly know and feel your pain, my friend. I, too, wish that I could be with Jewel, but my other puppers still need me.

There is a reason that God has called our beloved furkids back to him. You and I do not know why yet, but at the proper time, we will know.

Just remember that Zeus is always with you. Just listen to your heart, and you will find him.

[Rhonda]

Im sorry for the loss of your sweet Zeus. My heart truly breaks for you. My Jasmine was 16 1/2 when I had to put her down. Going through that made me never want to get another dog so I didn't have to do it again. Time has softened the blow a bit and now I'm waiting for the next perfect furry friend to come along.

[bwoodtx]

Shane, may I share this with you and pray that you find some measure of comfort as I have.

[Foiled Again]

Originally Posted by spenfolder

Thanks Shane,

Here's Ollie, the little border collie mix who rescued me a few years back. It took him about a year until he was no longer afraid of people. Don't know what happened to him before he found me, but I'm sure glad he did.

Stan

Now that is one remarkable looking dog. Bet he makes heads turn wherever he goes!

The border collie is obviously strong in him, but who was his daddy messin' with - a dalmatian?

Paula

[Lily&Me]

So sorry to hear of your loss.

We lost our 13 year old Brittney Spaniel to cancer, and it was one of the most difficult things we ever dealt with.

I commiserate with and understand your grief.

May many happy memories of your years with Zeus comfort you.


Maggie

[kposey]

I lost two of my precious babies this summer. One was 13 and had cancer. Didn't know what it was or how bad until we did some surgery. Just couldn't put her through the pain and suffering for a few more months.

Then I suddenly lost one of my 5 year old Beagle sisters. She developed an abscess on her kidney that ruptured and again, had to make that hard decision. This happened 2 weeks ago. Her sister and I are still not doing well.

But as someone mentioned above, we have to be strong for our other furbabies. My heart goes out to you Shane.

[ROBERTSUNRUS]

Hi, Shane; So sorry to hear of your loss. We all know that Zeus had a good home with you.

[daymonjones]

I am so sorry for your loss.

[CampingDogs]

My new rescue........we lost one and couldn't stand the grief.... being able to rescue another one has given us a lot of joy

[CampingDogs]

Originally Posted by THEPILL

Last night was the hardest day of my life. Zeus had stage 3 lymphoma. The house is quiet. I can't stand it.

I miss him so much.

Everyone he came in contact with loved Zeus. He was the most gentle soul a boxer could be. He no longer suffers we caught this early enough and made the right decision to put him to sleep before he got bad. God bless his soul.

Photo at Dr. Last night.



I wish I joined him.

Shane

After loosing several myself and feel like dying, I can tell you it gets better with time........ For us rescuing another dog helped.... we felt so lonely .... and also there's so many dogs out there that need loving homes.....

[Foiled Again]

Originally Posted by CampingDogs

My new rescue........we lost one and couldn't stand the grief.... being able to rescue another one has given us a lot of joy
Attachment 223967

They are SO cute at that stage - and wow does that pup know how to pose!

[CampingDogs]

Update on our rescued doggie, he's doing great! Here with his 13 yr old sis... Our first trip, all of us, will be in December. He has given us new energy and joy!

[cwf]

I like 'muts'.. like me... We have had some good "AKA" recognized breeds, rarely.

Our current 2 are 'rescues'... a 'red' dog belongs to our son... dog almost like a Ridgeback.. but smaller and about 28 pounds. My wife's dog, we think is a Bichon Frise...

I have held several and each I held as they left this world... as we had to 'put them down'. My wife was the 'brave' one and stayed home as several pups and two cats and I took the last rides together.

At first, there is no hope....then we begin to realize those gone before ARE in a better place and I must have courage to let go of their spirits...after our own time of mourning... then continue on my own path and maybe find another soul who wants to share some of my life... and I realized I am BLESSED again... and in fact, always am... blessed. Be blessed..

[Lily&Me]

I love this...

[xrvr]

Very good.we recently rescued d a maltese, the best dog weve ever had. She seems to appreciate every thing we do for her.

[OTRA15]

Good find Maggie.

Actually, per the first post, it could be said that rescue dogs rescue us!