OT: RIP Ben Herbstreit
- Thread starter Knight Shift
- Start date
People who have never had pets will never understand how painful the loss of a dog is
Agree. Today when I think of Scarlet at Rutgers tailgates, Navy tailgates and on the backstretch in Saratoga, it brings a smile to my face and my mind. But what Kirk is going through now and many of us at some point in our lives it's devastating. It's a different kind of void as they counted on you for everything but paid you back a 100x in unconditional love that only a dog brings. RIP Ben.
RIP Ben
this is for Kirk and all who lost a pet they cared for :
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. their bright eyes are intent.
Their eager body quivers. Suddenly they begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, their legs carrying them 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....
Author unknown...
this is for Kirk and all who lost a pet they cared for :
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. their bright eyes are intent.
Their eager body quivers. Suddenly they begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, their legs carrying them 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....
Author unknown...
18 years ago I would’ve never imagined myself ever writing the following ……..
My baby girl , a 17 year old cat has cancer . She is still pain free but there are a few signs she won’t be with us much longer. It is so heartbreaking to have to make the choice to end her life. We have taken the first step and began to speak to vet about in home euthinasia when she has 2-3 bad days in row. We don’t want her suffer.
On top of that my 17 and a half year old best friend and my Rivals avatar just came home from a 3 night stay in the ICU . He is making a great recovery from kidney issues so far. I would’ve laughed and called my younger self an idiot for putting so much into a cat.
It’s Amazing how a few little furr balls can change your outlook on life in several ways. That little SOB has snuggled on my lap after dinner and laid on me/next to me in bed for 17 years straight. EVERY SINGLE night !!
If you’ve never had a dog or a cat you should definitely give it a shot. Your pet won’t care if the Mets bullpen blew it or the QB missed 3 TD’s vs USC , they just want you to slide over and make room for them on the couch or recliner
My baby girl , a 17 year old cat has cancer . She is still pain free but there are a few signs she won’t be with us much longer. It is so heartbreaking to have to make the choice to end her life. We have taken the first step and began to speak to vet about in home euthinasia when she has 2-3 bad days in row. We don’t want her suffer.
On top of that my 17 and a half year old best friend and my Rivals avatar just came home from a 3 night stay in the ICU . He is making a great recovery from kidney issues so far. I would’ve laughed and called my younger self an idiot for putting so much into a cat.
It’s Amazing how a few little furr balls can change your outlook on life in several ways. That little SOB has snuggled on my lap after dinner and laid on me/next to me in bed for 17 years straight. EVERY SINGLE night !!
If you’ve never had a dog or a cat you should definitely give it a shot. Your pet won’t care if the Mets bullpen blew it or the QB missed 3 TD’s vs USC , they just want you to slide over and make room for them on the couch or recliner
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Our eldest and 1st Great Pyrenees had bone cancer in his back leg and about 10 months ago we had to put Rawley down. He was almost 11 and they only have a 12 yr. life expectancy. He couldn't even walk anymore, but he kept following my wife to the barn every feeding like he always did. We had no choice but to make the decision quickly and it was one of the toughest days of my life.
Rawley was an excellent livestock guardian dog for our farm. He never wanted to come in, unless to eat or reconnect with the family. We used to get on his *** about barking at night. Little did we know, in the three months after his passing, foxes got 4 of our free ranging chickens. He must have looked at us and said, "shut up you dipsh*ts, I'm doing my job here and keeping those foxes in the woods at bay". I still get a little choked up when I see a picture of him.
Rawley was an excellent livestock guardian dog for our farm. He never wanted to come in, unless to eat or reconnect with the family. We used to get on his *** about barking at night. Little did we know, in the three months after his passing, foxes got 4 of our free ranging chickens. He must have looked at us and said, "shut up you dipsh*ts, I'm doing my job here and keeping those foxes in the woods at bay". I still get a little choked up when I see a picture of him.
I grew up with pets and with my wife being Caribbean- she did not. Our first two dogs were brought to us by our oldest son when he had to move across the country. A 100 lb German Shepherd and a crazy Boxer. It took a total of 1 day for my wife to fall in love. The Boxer was only 7 when cancer hit and it hit hard. Our Shepherd pretty much gave up on life and we thought we would lose him too. My wife, still has not gotten over her loss. We got a new puppy Boxer and our big ole GSD hit it off immediately and he just came back to life. He lived until almost 16 and his last 6 months, his back injuries eventually crippled him. But, he got lazer treatments and not in pain, healthy, happy etc. so we cared for him. I woke up every 2 hours to clean and change him. My wife said that when he was ready to go, it would be in her lap and she would be singing to him. Our Vet and I feared that would not be the ending. And wouldn’t you know it, one evening, she comes into my office and asks me to carry out to our front porch. His favorite spot. I brought him out and laid him down on his bed next to her- she told me that she told him it was ok to go…she sat on his bed, put his head on her lap and started singing. It may have been less than 5 minutes and he just took a last peaceful breath and left us.
My wife was a wreck, as was I, and dammit, crying as I type. But it may have been the most spiritual and beautiful thing I have ever witnessed.
I hear of the Rainbow Bridge. What I believe, even if it is there, our pets are always with us. And they watch over us at all times.
My wife was a wreck, as was I, and dammit, crying as I type. But it may have been the most spiritual and beautiful thing I have ever witnessed.
I hear of the Rainbow Bridge. What I believe, even if it is there, our pets are always with us. And they watch over us at all times.
I never understood this and now I do. Our dog (Portuguese water dog) passed away in January. He was almost 11 and “full of life” but he developed an auto-immune illness (myasthenia gravis) and died within two weeks of the first symptom.
I used to laugh at people comparing the death of a pet to the death of a family member. ( I was a non-pet guy for 50 years.) This was a huge loss and a huge void.
We’ve recently welcomed a miniature poodle puppy into the family. This guy makes me laugh multiple times a day.
I still miss my two yellow labs and they died 40 yrs ago. Nothing but great memories of them.
The tribute Scott Van Pelt did for his dog on SportsCenter was pretty good. Tough watch but worth it.
My last pup, Sam, was eleven when the time came to say goodbye. A noble and mystical Irish Setter that was my decade-long consigliere with exceptional comic timing. He knew things. LOL. But squirrels, a sighting or mention of? They were his doggy kryptonite. Totally spun him off his axis....
Dogs really to become part of a family.
I'm glad that carnage that has been going on in Ohio, where they are eating the dogs and eating the cats, will soon come to an end.
I'm glad that carnage that has been going on in Ohio, where they are eating the dogs and eating the cats, will soon come to an end.
On this thread you had to go there, didn't you.
Love that last paragraph.18 years ago I would’ve never imagined myself ever writing the following ……..
My baby girl , a 17 year old cat has cancer . She is still pain free but there are a few signs she won’t be with us much longer. It is so heartbreaking to have to make the choice to end her life. We have taken the first step and began to speak to vet about in home euthinasia when she has 2-3 bad days in row. We don’t want her suffer.
On top of that my 17 and a half year old best friend and my Rivals avatar just came home from a 3 night stay in the ICU . He is making a great recovery from kidney issues so far. I would’ve laughed and called my younger self an idiot for putting so much into a cat.
It’s Amazing how a few little furr balls can change your outlook on life in several ways. That little SOB has snuggled on my lap after dinner and laid on me/next to me in bed for 17 years straight. EVERY SINGLE night !!
If you’ve never had a dog or a cat you should definitely give it a shot. Your pet won’t care if the Mets bullpen blew it or the QB missed 3 TD’s vs USC , they just want you to slide over and make room for them on the couch or recliner
Hard to stay mad about an RU choke when your buddy is just immensely happy to be hanging out with you for the 5,000th time.
We have a rescue from Mississippi that is mostly Great Pyrenees (then boxer and a little lab thrown in).
Once Dixie got comfortable in her new home, we got her last winter, she become very protective of the property. On a walk...squirrel, rabbit, chipmunk, cat, etc., "Hey, how about that." But dare go on HER lawn or backyard, look out.
That was me, not anymore.
So glad Kirk spent so much time with Ben this season, bringing him everywhere with him. Dogs are only with us 10-16 years or so in good health and while it is is fair for non-pet-owners to question the attachments formed.. it is an empathy thing. You have to have an empathetic relationship to pets who cannot just tell you what they want, how they feel, etc. If you care about them, you form that relationship and when it is severed it is hard.. understandable.. expected.. but still hard.
Best thread I've ever read on the forum. My 1st doggo, that I've owned on my own, is almost 3yo and words really can't express how much I love her (even when she drives me crazy). That's her in my avatar pic.
#PrincessLeia
#PrincessLeia
"I’ve had dogs my whole life but Ben was 1 on 1. He was smart-loving-gentle-patient-inquisitive-and welcoming to all. " - Herb.
Pet dogs are often like that because that's how people bred and domesticated them.
Wild Dogs in nature are akin to wolves and hyenas.
People have become more hostile to other people.
Misanthropy causes peeps to look to take-up the human relationship slack with pets.
Like Pinocchio, people descend into animal impulses and the pets seem more human.
I like pets and always had cats and dogs.
However I get apprehensive seeing all the "Dog Mom" stuff on bumpers and in merch.
Real motherhood has been declining while the 'dog mom" thing escalates.
Hispanic immigrants have a different relation with animals (they work with them)
Some - like Cesar (Mexican) - just give dogs a look or gesture and the animal responds.
They have a different connection with pets yet also with their kids.
They like being parents - many of the young women dont see life as a quest to "be hot."
A 25 year old girl can happily have 2 or 3 kids already.
The kids are super nice and polite.
A worker gets greeted at home by kids rushing out - the dog too but the kids are #1.
So they love their pets but their kids more.
America has lost that imo
This is an unbelievable read. So much that it's stuck with me since 2009.
