R.I.P. Nanuk, we'll miss you

[Steve St.Laurent]

Lost my best friend friday night and this is the first I've been able to bring myself to post about it. I was in the U. P. trail riding with friends when I got a call from my wife that Nanuk was acting strange - breathing heavy and lethargic. We don't have a regular vet because he's had perfect health his entire life, we just get his shots and heartworm each year from a traveling vet that comes to town. Since she had the kids at home alone I called my mom to have her take him to her vet saturday morning. She said when they were taking him into the house he was wobbly on his legs, breathing heavy, and any time he moved around he'd froth at the mouth a bit. She checked on him a couple times in the middle of the night and he'd open his eye and then go back to sleep. When she woke up in the morning he was stone cold. He was going to turn 9 in October. My only regrets are that we didn't have more time with him and that I wasn't able to be there at the end. At least he didn't suffer any pain. The vet figures he either had a heart attack or stroke. It's been rough on the entire family - my 6 yr old is taking it especially hard. We all feel like a piece of us is missing and the house seems empty. I like to think that he's waiting at the rainbow bridge for me (except that he's in the part with endless fields of white snow!):

<center>Rainbow Bridge</center>

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.



When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.

There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.

There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.



All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.

The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.



They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.



You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.



Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together... .

<center>R. I. P. Nanuk - we'll miss you #ad
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[RobertP]

i am very sorry to hear about your loss. i know how hard this can be i just recently lost a dog due to the parvovirous. losing a pet is getting harder and harder these days.

 

[mcoleman]

Sorry to hear about the loss Steve. We lost our Akita/St Bernard back earlier in the Spring that we have had for 13 years. More tears were shed for her than were on some relatives. :{

 

[Boomer II]

Beautiful Dog Steve, sorry for your loss, dogs are such a big part of our families.

 

[RustyJC]

Steve,



Please accept our condolences for your loss. We just went through this on February 28th when we had to put down Bandit, our male tri-color Sheltie, at age 6-1/2 due to kidney failure. It's hard enough after a dog has lived a good, long life, but it's even harder when they go before their time.



Rusty

 

[JPope]

Condolances Steve!!!!



Every one I have lost over the years, dogs, cats, and horses, I hope is waiting for me!



No easy way around it, takes time for it to be less sharp pain, but keep the memories close!

 

[RustyJC]

Every one I have lost over the years, dogs, cats, and horses, I hope is waiting for me!

As a notable American philosopher put it:

"If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went. "



Will Rogers, 1897-1935

Rusty

 

[lschultz]

Sorry for your lost Steve a good looking dog. I have lost a few in the past most recent one was a chocolate Lab my brother in law hit and I had to him put down. Got a place in one corner of the pasture where they are waiting for me. Four of them waiting for me now. Just got me a German Shepard he is 5 mos now.

 

[GFrance]

Sorry for you & your families loss Steve. It just isn't fair that we can't have our beloved pets live as long as we do. Been there done that & don't look forward to the day our chocolate lab has to head over to Rainbow Bridge.

 

[RobertP]

wow i didn't see the pic till now due to my work comp. but seeing he was a husky it makes it much harder. huskys are a very compassionate breed. kinda looks like my demon. im really sorry for your families loss

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[DieselTweaker]

steve



very sorry to hear about your loss.

 

[Bob Wagner]

Steve, sorry for your loss.

 

[The patriot]

Sorry to hear of your loss Steve.

Eric

 

[ToolManTimTaylor]

I feel your pain Steve. "Whiskey" My husky had to be put down when I was younger. He was indeed mybest pal being I lived in the sticks of VT at the time. We were inseperable. He ran with a pack of cyotes and would allways come back ... except one. We found him hurt bad frozen to the road and he was too far gone. Scince then I have taken the vow not to get another dog because I get too attached. . . well that and the two cats shed about one Malamute a week :-{}



R. I. P Friend

 

[Got Smoke?]

:{ :{ :{ :{ :{

Steve I'm so sorry for your loss! I know how much you loved Nanuk! I've been a member here for a few years, and I remember various Husky threads and late night talks in chat. There's nothing that can be said to ease the pain of a lost love one, be it human or pet. Sorry for your loss doesn't even come close.

 

[ACoyle]

Steve,

The night before I had my first hip replacement my cat "Axl Rose" died in my living room. I have always been afraid of surgery and this just seemed like a orewarning.



I understand a bit of what you are feeling, and I am sorry. They share our lives for such a short time and they love so much.



AC

 

[AMink]

Steve, I'm sorry to hear of yoru loss. We've lost 3 dogs and 2 cats in the last three or four years, most recently Maggie in April. It's hard when your friend of 16 years heads off to the big dog house in the sky. We haven't got another one yet, as work and school schedules are keeping us on our toes and we couldn't be as attentive as needed with a new one. I think all dogs go play with each other somewhere else!

 

[rrausch]

What a beautiful dog. So sorry Steve.



I know what you all are going through. Kitty (rescued her off the streets 6 years ago) died in my arms last year. She had been through a lot with us, and at night loved to sleep in our bed with her face in the palm of my hand.

 

[Amish Elegance]

My condolences Steve.



We've got two dogs that are our only kids. I naively wish they would outlive me so I wouldn't have to experience their loss. Truly mans best friend.



I wish you strength as you grieve. I too, have shed more tears at the loss of a family dog than many close family members. Their unwavering devotion and gratitude is not found in any human being.



May you find another friend to warm that spot in your heart where you hold the memories of Nanuk.



- AE

 

[Jdonoghue]

Condolences from our family to yours, Steve. It's amazing how much a part of the family pets become.