Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Free to Good Home (sad day at our home today)

I really don't expect anyone to read all of this. It is something I wanted to write out for myself and kids to remember my girl (dog) and this sad day of her passing.



I know that people have real problems and there are a lot more terrible things happening in the world but that does not lessen the pain I feel in my heart today.  Our Beautiful 10 year old Australian Shepherd JayCee was put down today.  She has been sick over the last month.  I took her last week and got her started on an antibiotic so she could get over a virus we thought.  Well, she was just worse this week so Ryan took her back to see our sweet veterinarian Barry to do blood work.  Barry called me last night telling me how awful the results came back and the it was probably cancer.  I feel to my knees crying and hugging her.


She was more comfortable standing and was having such a hard time breathing the last couple of days and mostly last night.  I took her to Barry, who was very gentle and quick, to put her down.  I have not quit crying.  We went out to my parents who have a beautiful area with a tree we burry our pets under.  Ryan and my daddy cried and dug a hole while all my parent's cows gathered right behind them to watch.  The kids were bawling, my folks were bawling, Ryan was crying behind his glasses (I have only seen him cry a handful of times in our lives)  and I was out of control trying to pull it together.  Everyone said something nice about Jay girl and asked Jesus to watch over her.


We got her in a "Free to Good Home" add in the paper 10 years ago after we were home only two days from our honeymoon.  She was in a pen and all muddy in someone's backyard. She was really skinny and dirty.  I told Ryan no and he (weird because I was the dog lover not him) said no I want her.  We brought her home and gave her a bath.  She was so beautiful, sweet, submissive, smart and later we would find out protective.


My heart has not ached like this in years.  It was so hard to watch her go.  She was the girl that slept by each of the baby's cribs at night, in their room when they were sick, by me after my heart attack as I recuperated, kept strangers soliciting at the door at bay, cleaned up the floor when the kids dropped food, playing outside with the kids (that made me feel safe), door bell dog, protected us at night when Ryan was out of town.......I can go on and on and on and on........


I don't care what you say but I think they are more like us than not.  Dogs love, protect, care and comfort us.  I am so glad she has been a part of our lives during my whole married life and my children's lives.  She is missed terribly and I pray the ache in my heart eventually wanes a little.  I told Ryan that it is weird not tripping over her in the kitchen while I worked,  telling her to go lay somewhere else because she always tooted in her sleep by my chair, or hearing the knock at the door today because she would always bark before anyone could knock.  We have a lot to get used to.    R.I.P  JayCee Louise Overholt  We LOVE YOU!




She loved playing in the snow!!!


You don't have to be a dog lover to understand, you just have to understand love.  
.........said my friend Jemellia





28 comments:

  1. Sending long distance hugs your way.

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  2. Oh goodness, how sad, Shelley. Of course they are a lot like us, that's why she became part of your family, she just did not speak English. I love those pics of her. RIP, JayCee!

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  3. Oh, Shelley...wish I could give you big hug right now. I have been there, done that and actually gone to bed for days after losing a beloved pet. I look at my bassets today and know that day will come and want to cry. Take your time and cry it all out. You all had such great times together, so she was blessed to be part of your family. Love you, sweetie...

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  4. aaahhh sweetie,
    so sorry for your loss.
    what an angel!
    i will keep you and your kiddos in my thoughts and prayers.
    oxoxo,
    jessi

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  5. Thank you my sweet friends:) I feel your love and it helps. I'm still crying but doing better.

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  6. Awwww, I'm so sorry! What a sweet sweet angel! I know it must be hard. Life is short but memories live on! big hug to you!

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  7. My heart goes out to you! Our pets are part of our family. A part that is faithful, and full of unconditional love. I was very attached to a childhood pet. . . "penny" she was a sweet golden retriever and I loved her to pieces. She passed when I was 18. I am sending hugs as you grieve this sad loss. xo Cassandra

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  8. I'm so sorry, Shelley. Pets really do become part of the family. Positive thoughts your way!

    Jill

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  9. I'm so sorry! Your story made me cry! Your feelings are completely normal and understandable. I have a 10 year old Great Pyr that hasn't been getting around so good lately and it makes me so sad to think she won't be with us one day - I can't even imagine it. My thought are with you...

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  10. Oh Shelley, I'm crying for your family. JayCee was absolutely, hands-down, no argument, the very BEST and sweetest dog I've ever met. You were blessed to have her. I've told you dozens of times I wanted to bring her home with me, and I'm not a big dog person. But I am a JayCee person. I love you and am praying for you guys to be comforted. xo

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  11. Oh Shelley there are tears in my eyes right now, I'm so sorry about your sweet girl. Just to let you know I am thinking about you guys...xoxoxo Mondaie

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  12. Shelley and family I feel for you all. I am so so sorry for your loss!

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  13. She was a family member. It doesn't matter that her beautiful soul was packed in a dog's body. I am so sorry, such a beautiful tribute to her Shelley.

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  14. Shelley, So sorry for your loss. She was a cutie and now that cutie can rest in peace. I know exactly how you feel. These sweet dogs become part of the family and it's difficult when they pass. Take Care!

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  15. shelley,
    i am so sorry you lost your sweet little dog, funny how they love without wanting anything in return and how it reaches our very soul and in turn we give that pure love right back to them. i've lost two sweet little friends and i totally understand your sadness.....franc

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  16. I am so sorry you are hurting! Just because a family member has 4 legs and fur doesn't mean they weren't truly loved, or missed! Big hugs to you!!!


    On another note,if you want to check out Swap-Bot
    it's easy!
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  17. I am so sorry. Your not alone in your grief. I like to believe our pets will be there waiting in Heaven to greet us.
    May God Bless your family
    Marcie

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  18. I'm right there with you... have 15-1/2 yr old 3/4 Aussie and we love her like nothing else. We probably won't have her much longer either and it is so hard. Love and hugs to you and your family.

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  19. Shelley,
    this is my first visit to your blog. I have been wanting to "stop by" since you gave me your card at PCrown. I was so sorry to hear about the loss of your precious pet. Your story about her was so sweet. I love the blog and can't wait to get home tonight so I can read the archived posts. Thanks for sharing.

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  20. I'm so sorry guys!!! This made me cry. We love you!

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  21. Oh Shelley I know how hard it is to lose a pet that is like a family member. My mom had an Aussie named Dundee. He was a big black sweetheart, more like a bear than a dog. Just think of how lucky your dog was to be part of your family and the richness Jaycee brought to you and your family. I have to smile at the pic of her in the snow, Dundee loved cold weather too!
    Smiles-
    Melissa

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  22. I'm totally crying...I love all of my dogs, I have 4, like children. I love the very wise and true words Jemellia gave you!

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  23. Yes, your friend is very correct, all you need is to understand love. Love for a dog or a cat is often profound and pure. Your dog had a happy life, I can see from your photos. Our old cat died this year and that still makes us sad. They are here only for a season and I think they wait for us up in heaven.

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  24. Found you on Amy's blog. I am so sorry about your dog. We lost our beloved Charley in January and it still hurts. They are like our children. Big hugs.

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  25. I am so sorry but dogs have a way of opening our hearts so wide and beyond the world we know ..I love to see that you loved him so deeply. As stewards of these precious gifts they leave us in such enormous pain but it is the pain of gratitude for loyalty and a life well remembered. I pray for swift healing..all my best, Jennifer

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  26. I was so sad to read this post.... and all of the heartache you have gone through losing your sweet pup. What a wonderful story and history you had together, although 10 years just doesn't seem like enough with your fur baby. I just went through the same loss, as we lost our Westie of 12 years on June 5th.

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  27. I hate it that I was sick when she past. She was my favorite! Miss you JayCee! Now she has Mini to be with her.

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