As many of you know we are in New York City this weekend for a little family time. Our 4-year-old son is enjoying it but is exhausted from the walking!
I honestly can’t believe I’m writing this post. Unfortunately, we received a call from our vet this morning that our dog Chance (aka my Assistant) was not doing well and was unresponsive. Shortly after, we lost her.
We had no idea when we dropped her off on Friday before heading to the airport that it was our last goodbye. We are stunned.
Chance got her name because we really took a chance on each other several years ago. When we lived outside of Charleston, SC she came wandering through our neighborhood. She basically crawled up to us. At first glance we thought she was pregnant, then we realized she was physically a mess.
Let me say – I am a HUGE dog lover but I had never taken in a stray. I was always very careful with strays. For some reason, I trusted her. I gathered her up, made multiple calls to find a vet that would help me on a Sunday and took her in. They called me later with the news – she had a tumor in her stomach and needed a surgery. However, they would not operate unless she had an owner. I’d like to say it was an easy decision but honestly, it was a LOT of money and we hardly knew this dog! In the end, I decided we’d do it and then we would foster her until she was able to be adopted. That was about 6 years ago and obviously she stayed with us. She was a funny dog – we called her the “hunting school dropout”! We weren’t far from hunting areas and she was the type of dog they would use. However, she was terribly afraid of loud noises and wouldn’t fetch for anything. Her favorite thing was to lay by the fireplace and be left alone. We joked that she came to our home to retire!
When we found her they estimated she was about 4 years old which would make her about 10 now. She had a good life for the last 6 years! She slept a lot, ate well and soaked up all the love we gave her.
Last November we lost our precious Allie dog. She was a Chesapeake Bay Retriever and was our first dog. We loved her deeply and still can’t believe she is gone. She was in charge of Chance – Chance would occaisonally run off and Allie would let her have it! Since Allie’s passing Chance took on a new role – we let her know we expected more out of her – guarding the house and staying up with us (instead of trying to retire for the evening at 8 p.m.). She indulged us at times – other times she would go upstairs to sleep and not come down all afternoon! She would wake us up early howling which was cute and annoying all at the same time!
So here we are – we’ve lost two dogs in less than a year. We hope they will be hanging out together in Heaven. In the meantime, we’ll be going home to a house that has a little less joy in it than when we left.
So sorry to hear this news. How lucky Chance was to have wandered into your yard. Maybe, in the future, another lucky dog will walk into your life…
what a beautiful post. thank you for sharing. believe me, when i say i know your sadness. i see the post is a year old. we have a dog rescue in san diego, ca (http://www.luckypupdogrescue.com) thank you for saving chance and loving her.
Oh Stephanie, I'm in tears writing this. We too had a dog pass while being kenneled at our vets'. We got that same call out of the blue and she passed before we could make arrangements to get back home. Our Justice was a perfectly healthy 6 yr old dog we had rescued from the humane association when she was 2. When we went to find a dog the workers told us Justice had been there 6 months, by far the longest of the other dogs, so we decided we needed to take her home with us. She was a great dog, quirky, but my husband just loved her.
Coming home from that vacation was the hardest thing we had to do. Walking in the door and seeing her favorite ball lying in the middle of the floor just made my husband break down and cry like a baby. I've never seen him cry any other time, before or since.
What I learned from that experience is not to take anything for granted. I hadn't even said goodbye to Justice before Mike took her to the kennel. As a matter of fact, I couldn't remember the last time I had petted her! The dogs I have now get special goodbyes everytime I leave the house for the day, and at bedtime they get "tucked in" by me. I learned the hard way you just never know when it will be the last time.
My heart goes out to you.
God bless you for taking a chance on this needy dog. You will earn a star in heaven for this kindness of many years and giving her such a fine home.
It is so sad to lose a beloved pet. How wonderful your family was to adopt Chance and give her 6 happy years. Her future was bright because of you!
I'm so sorry to hear about Chance. I just lost my lab, Allie, on Wednesday. She was 15 years old and will be greatly missed. I can understand how you are feeling. You gave Chance a wonderful and loving home and a good life! Lesa
So sorry Stephanie!
Stephanie, I am so sorry to hear that Chance is gone. I know this is a super hard time for you all. Know that I am praying for your family and I am happy to do anything I can to help ease the pain a bit. Just let me know.
I am so very sorry for your loses. We had to put our Kiki down last October; it's almost a year and it is still hard to believe she is gone. I still walk into the house expecting her ears to pop up from behind the couch so I can run over and pet her fluffy fur. I am sure Chance was a very happy and well loved dog
It is important to keep the good memories fresh so that your doggies are never forgotten. Again, I am very sorry
Stephanie, your story brought tears to my eyes. I understand how our dogs are like family. I am so sorry for your loss and understand what you are going through. We have an appointment to put our 11-year old Gracie to sleep tomorrow and we lost her brother Henry last summer. So heartbreaking to lose two sweet dogs in less than a year.
Very sorry to hear about your losses…ღ
Oh, my heart is breaking, i am so sorry! This brought tears to my eyes, what a great life you gave him
Carol
Oh nooo…so very sad. Sorry for your loss Stephanie! Laurel
My heart breaks, but please know that she had an awesome last 6 years with you in her "retirement." You gave her a loving home and the freedom she needed. I'm so sorry. XOX
I am so sorry to hear about your loss. I have 3 gorgeous rescue dogs and I really don't know what I will do when this day comes for any of them. Hugs to you from one dog lover to another.
Caroline
I'm so sorry tho hear this – it's always such a heartbreak to lose our animals friends. I think you're right, the two of them are happy & healthy now and running free togehter. Thinking of you.
So sorry for your loss. As a fellow dog lover, I know how hard it can be. Prayers for you and your family.
Oh Stephanie..
I am very sorry for the loss of your beloved Chance!!! You gave her many years of LOVE and rec'd it as well from her!
You have my deepest sympathy..
Warmly,
deb
Awwwww Stephanie! My heart is breaking for you guys, loosing a special dog is like nothing else. I am so sad for you….Virtual hugs from one dog lover to another!
Meagan
So very sorry to hear this. Dogs are such a special part of our lives. Thoughts and prayers for you and your family.
I'm so sorry for your loss. Gentle hugs to all of you.
I'm so sorry.
My heart hurts for and with you and please feel this great big, long hug I'm sending.
I'm so sorry for your loss. Big hug to you and your family.
Hi Steph,
I'm so sad for you and your family. I can imagine your pain…we lost our two Corgis in under a year a few years back. I'm so sorry that you had to find out while you were away and couldn't be with Chance. Try to remember that she knew how much you all loved her.
Big hugs to you and your family…
Stephanie I am so sorry for the loss of Chance. So hard not to have a final goodbye also. I know that Chance and Allie will be in your hearts forever. hugs, LInda
I am so sorry to hear about your loss. Just remember the good years you gave Chance that she would not have had otherwise.
This pain is the price we pay for having an animal to love and who loves us unconditionally in return.
{{{{hugs}}}}
My heart is heavy for you and your family. Our animals are so special to us.
You gave Chance a nice life.
Try to enjoy the rest of your weekend.
xoxo~Sue
Steph,
My heart aches for you. How sad and to not have known when you left. Oh, so sad. I'm sure she and Allie are having a wonderful reunion right now. Hang in there, you are in my thoughts.
Brittany
Aww…so sorry to hear about your loss. I am sure it is hard since you weren't even home and didn't expect it. Our family juts lost our beloved Kit Kat a month ago. He was 20-years-old and I had had him 11 years even before my husband and I were married. Heart-breaking to say goodbye, but just think – you gave her 6 wonderful years that she may not have had if you hadn't adopted her. We adopted Kit Kat at 9-years old and took a chance on him too and it was the best decision ever. He probably never would have been adopted out if I hadn't asdopted him. Praying for you all as you deal with her loss.
Stacey of Embracing Change
Hi Stephanie and family –
Very sorry to hear about Chance – and about Allie. Family members. Never forgotten. We lost our dear Dee 10 years ago and still talk fondly about her and yes we keep a photo of her on the mantle with other family members. It makes it harder when you did not get to say the goodbye. Obviously loved and cherished.