Jude has Passed Away.

[robinb]

I just wanted to add that Jude always had a special place in my heart. You (and Jude ) "welcomed" my own standard poodle here on the DIS when we brought her home almost 4 years ago. It was nice to hear about things that Jude and Darci had in common ... all those little standard poodle quirks . Thank you so much for sharing your love for Jude and the love of the breed with me .

 

[puffkin]

Dawn- I was off the DIS all weekend due to the snow and digging out and other stuff, but I thought about Jude often and wondered how things were going. I am so sorry to hear this news, but I am glad it was so peaceful. You can't ask for much more than that. Jude was extremely lucky to have found you! Take care and many hugs to you and your family in this difficult time!

 

[DawnCt1]

I just wanted to add that Jude always had a special place in my heart. You (and Jude ) "welcomed" my own standard poodle here on the DIS when we brought her home almost 4 years ago. It was nice to hear about things that Jude and Darci had in common ... all those little standard poodle quirks . Thank you so much for sharing your love for Jude and the love of the breed with me .

It was my pleasure. Of course I am very biased. I wish everyone could have a standard poodle to love. They are quirky and funny. Annie had a great sense of humor. When I first brought her home, I had her on a leash and the other end of it hooked to my waist, so I could take her with me through out the house, work on training, housebreaking etc. One evening I was at the sink doing dishes, she grabbed the leash in her mouth and pulled me! DH said, "that is scary. I am afraid to know what she is thinking". Poodles are always thinking.

 

[DawnCt1]

Dawn- I was off the DIS all weekend due to the snow and digging out and other stuff, but I thought about Jude often and wondered how things were going. I am so sorry to hear this news, but I am glad it was so peaceful. You can't ask for much more than that. Jude was extremely lucky to have found you! Take care and many hugs to you and your family in this difficult time!

I am cleaning the house this morning, and we have a low kitchen window that Jude always looked out of, especially when he was watching for me. I saw those "nose prints" at the bottom of the window and put down my cleaning rag. Those nose prints are staying.

 

[SundaeAfternoon]

I am so sorry Dawn. I know how hard it is to lose a sweet pet. They are like children. I know sweet Jude will be waiting for you at Rainbow Bridge.

 

[snapppyd]

I am cleaning the house this morning, and we have a low kitchen window that Jude always looked out of, especially when he was watching for me. I saw those "nose prints" at the bottom of the window and put down my cleaning rag. Those nose prints are staying.

I'm so sorry for your loss. I would leave those prints there too!

 

[Buckalew11]

Dawn, I haven't been around much and just popped on the CB and saw this thread.

I am so very, very sorry. I completely understand. I lost Buckalew (Bucky) after having him about 17 years. We were heartbroken. About 2 years later we were able to give love to another little dog and I hope, in time, you will be able to give your love away also. You have much too much puppy love inside of you not to give it away to another dog someday.

Praying for comfort and peace for your hurting heart. Hoping the memories, pictures and stories will help you heal. God Bless you for loving one of God's creatures so much. You gave Jude the best life ever!!

 

[mfd25wife]

I'm so sorry, Dawn.

 

[TerriP]

I am cleaning the house this morning, and we have a low kitchen window that Jude always looked out of, especially when he was watching for me. I saw those "nose prints" at the bottom of the window and put down my cleaning rag. Those nose prints are staying.

I agree, keep those nose prints. We lost our almost 16 year old Beagle, Beags, last July. He had a favorite blankie that I would wash and fold out neatly in a corner of our living room for him...his favorite spot to rest and watch the world go by. He would scratch and scratch at that blanket to get it "just so" before he would lay on it. When he passed, I left that "just so" blanket in place for over a month...I just couldn't bring myself to move it. When it started getting cold, I covered our bed with it. And now, each night, I still think of Beags when I cover up with his favorite blanket before I sleep. It's as close to him as I can get...and I'm so glad I have it.

Keep those nose prints as long as you want...and smile when they remind you of your Jude.

 

[Muushka]

Dawn, I am sad that Jude is no longer with you. But oh, the memories you and he have.
I hope the sadness is replaced with these memories quickly.

 

[SpecialK]

I'm so sorry.

 

[Deb in IA]

I am very sorry for your loss.

I'm sure Jude is happily running and playing somewhere, and is no longer sufferning.

 

[Muffy]

I'm so sorry for your loss.

 

[Jockaroo]

Because he was so stoic and strong, and I was hopeful that the medication was holding the cancer in check, we thought he had a longer time with us. Those of you who had been through this before knew that wasn't the case, and you did tell me a couple of days ago. I was not ready to act, but please don't think that I didn't "hear" you. We did. Yesterday, it was clear that there was no good way for this to end. There was just a better alternative. "C" pointed out to me, that what we thought was a distended bladder, was actually a solid tumor. TCC is an awful disease.
Anyway, today isn't easier. Its harder. I was careful how I turned in bed, as usual, so I wouldn't disturb him, he wasn't there. This morning I emptied out the food that I cooked for him, packed away his dishes, hung his picture over my kitchen desk but yet as DH and I had breakfast, we half expected him to come to the table and ask to go out.

Dawn, I was one of the posters who "knew" and I hoped my post didn't come across as harsh. I won't be graphic, but when my dog was in her final days and we were trying to make our decision, my family vet explained in great detail what we faced. It made our choice clear. I didn't want to get "that" call from the animal hospital and not be able to be with my girl one last time to say goodbye. Like your Jude, my Tipper was a "second-hand" dog who had a previous life and was an adult when she came to us. Like you, we didn't have as much time as we would have liked.

Please take care of yourself during this time. I don't know your situation, but I wasn't working when we lost Tipper. My job was to provide her care 24-hours a day while she was sick. When she died, my heart was broken, but I also lost my sense of purpose. That was also difficult. I would wake up every night at 2 a.m. for weeks since this was a time that Tippy needed medicine. The same for 6 a.m. My whole world revolved around my dog's care. Although Tipper passed from kidney failure brought on by her medicine to treat TCC and her cancer never progressed to the degree that Jude's did, I think I can understand how you feel. I went through the house ridding it of all the medications/medication charts, special foods, etc. Not to erase Tipper, just the reminder of her illness. I know it is hard right now and your memories are of the illness. These will gradually fade--Jude was so much more than his illness and the happy memories will win out with time.

I lost my very elderly 14+ year-old Scottie in September. His illness was quick and we had to make our choices for him in just a few hours (advanced liver cancer). I found this quote that I used for his memorial. It brought me comfort; I hope you can find some comfort in these words as well:

"It came to me that every time I lose a dog they take a piece of my heart with them. And every new dog who comes into my life gifts me with a piece of their heart. If I live long enough, all the components of my heart will be dog, and I will become as generous and loving as they are." -- Author Unknown.

 

[Doe]

So sorry.

 

[mousey]

So sorry to hear about the passing of Jude. I told my beloved Mr. Bojangles and Smokey to look out for him and take care of him. I hope each day gets easier for you and your family.

 

[DawnCt1]

"It came to me that every time I lose a dog they take a piece of my heart with them. And every new dog who comes into my life gifts me with a piece of their heart. If I live long enough, all the components of my heart will be dog, and I will become as generous and loving as they are." -- Author Unknown.

That really is lovely, thank you. I took your advice in the spirit in which it was intended. To help me make that decision. Believe me, it was helpful when I was faced with this decision to reflect on all that was said to me. For that I thank you, and the other poster who shared that. I got rid of the "illness stuff", just like you did. Judes illness was short, just a bit less than the 60 days that his vet had predicted. Most of that was a quality life, especially the first month. I thought he could be one of those dogs that would go into remission, despite the metastasis that the ultra sound showed. It wasn't to be. We will get another poodle again one of these days. Hopefully another dog that is done working and wants to hang out with us for a while. Hopefully longer. We will love him while we have him. I just need to wait a while right now. I don't want a dog to replace Jude. I want to love another dog because of who he is.

 

[It'sWDW4me]

I'm so sorry, Dawn. The death of a beloved furbaby is just so amazingly difficult. I do believe that you'll be with Jude again someday. He was loved greatly and I'm sure he loved greatly in return.

 

[LindaG4458]

I am so sorry to hear about Jude. He was such a great dog. I always enjoyed your posts and stories about him.

We are facing a similar choice sometime soon. Harry is 13+ and failing a little bit every day. For over 30 years we have had more than one dog so there was always one with us. We comforted each other when the time came for one of them. Our other dogs were 10, 10, 13, 14, and 15 when they passed. This time, because of condo restrictions, there is only Harry (aka Dude). It will be heartbreaking, but he has been a good boy and we will do what is best for him.

 

[DisneyMomx7]

So sorry.

We lost our beloved dog 8 years ago and I still haven't been able to get another. They really become part of your family.