A puppeh came home after surgery, and this happened:

[Are_grits_groceries]

His pal sat by him all day.

@sulia

We all need a pal like this.

[Drew Richards]

1. Damn gotta stop chopping onions while surfing...

[ChisolmTrailDem]

10. Funny how a pic like that can instantly move one to tear up, even a grown man like me =). nt

[Glassunion]

39. The internets sure are dusty today. Got some in my eye.

[840high]

49. ...

[SamKnause]

2. So very sweet.

I have a very depressed puppy at my house.

She lost her best friend, my beautiful Newfoundland Hannah, on January the 20th.

[Stonepounder]

7. So sorry for you loss.

Folk who are not animal people don't understand the depth of loss we feel when one of our furry family members pass on. We lost our beloved Cavalier Sancho 15 months ago and I still get a lump in my throat when I think of him. And you are absolutely correct about your pup going into a depression. Our Cavalier Dulcinea took almost a year to get over her depression over losing Sancho.

Give your pup lots of extra love and let him/her love you back to help heal you both. And, when you are ready, consider getting another dog. Not to 'replace' Hannah, for nothing can do that, but to help fill your home with love.

[SamKnause]

9. Thank you for your heartfelt response.

[Justice]

23. We lost our Cavalier three weeks ago.

The little moments get me when I think of her - the face and wagging tail greeting us at the door, the predictable arrival when you have popcorn, how she rolled around on grass warmed by the sun.

[Stonepounder]

43. They never stay with us long enough.

And leave a gaping hole in our lives when they leave us. Those special Cavaliers (and other furbabies) leave a part of themselves in our hearts forever. There is nothing anyone can say when you lose a beloved four-legged family member other than to say how sorry we are. Take care and know that while the ache never goes away, time will lessen the hurt and help you remember the good times.

[Leith]

26. We Have a Great Attachment to Our 4 Legged Family Members

I lost my kitty, King, about a year ago. I was opening a can of mushroom soup this morning to add to meatballs in the crockpot and I looked around for him. He absolutely loved mushroom soup (go figure?) and he wouldn't leave me alone until he got some. I can't stop tearing up.

It's wonderful to see the puppy with a friend to help him through his rough time.

[CTyankee]

40. It took me many years to get over having to put down my beloved "Marvy" dog.

I wrapped her in a blanket coming home from the vet's office. We buried her on the hill our house was on. That was nearly 40 years ago...I still get a bit sad, but the good memories of her far outweigh the sadness. There is acceptance now (that I didn't have then) that we had the responsibility to end her suffering. I had asked the vet if we couldn't just continue to give her painkillers but he said "no." I now realize that was more for ME than for her...I wanted to keep her alive because I couldn't bear the thought of losing her. But now I see the humanity in what we did.

[loudsue]

18. Oh Sam, that is so sad.

If one of my two dogs passed away, I don't know what the other one would do. They are so close. That has to be really hard. I send my condolences to you and your family.

[SamKnause]

57. Thank you for caring.

[fasttense]

56. My 81 year old Mom says that heaven

is where you get to be greeted by all your long lost four legged friends.

[SamKnause]

58. Thank you for that kind response.

[leftyladyfrommo]

61. It really helps to get another puppy. n/t

[SamKnause]

62. Thank you for the suggestion.

[leftyladyfrommo]

63. I've had a lot of dogs and I pet sit for a living.

My dogs have never seemed to care when one of them disappeared. Bandit was obnoxious and the other dogs really didn't like him. They threw a party when he was gone.

But it really does help to get another puppy. It gives the other dog something to do and pay attention to.

[calimary]

64. Damn. Sorry to hear that. They have such feelings! They know. They understand.

They realize when someone's not around anymore - either two-legged or four-legged. They are thinking, feeling, loving beings. I don't know what we'd do without them!

[SamKnause]

65. Thank you.

[laundry_queen]

3. I'll say it

AWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!

[warrior1]

4. And people just call them pets

They are so much more than that.

I hope you baby feels better real soon.

[xchrom]

5. du rec.

[dionysus]

6. awwww, good puppehs.

[Triana]

8. Awwwwww....good dog!

Hope surgery puppeh is OK. Poor little bubbeh.

Sweet babies!

[2naSalit]

11. What love looks like!

[Auntie Bush]

12. AW! How beautiful.

That picture tells a thousand words about dogs ability to feel for other dogs...such compassion, understanding and love being expressed in one picture.!

[beveeheart]

20. Not just feel for other dogs.

When I don't feel well, my dog will stay by me until I'm up and moving around.

[Auntie Bush]

33. Mine too. Once I had a stomach ache and my dog curled up tightly next to mine.

I was uncomfortable so I turned the other direction...facing the edge of the bed.
So Rosie got down...then carefully crawled back up again and settled in next to my stomach. There was so little room I was afraid she'd fall on the floor so I laid flat on my back. Well if she didn't lay lengthwise right on top of me! I was amazed... first time she ever did that. Can't tell me dogs not only know we ARE sick but they also know WHERE the problem is. Three cheers for dogs...they're so much smarter than we give them credit...as with all animals.

[beveeheart]

53. Yes, mine seems to know where I hurt too.

[pink-o]

60. Oh Yeah! When I was a teenager, experiencing the drama queen ups and downs

and I'd get depressed and cry in my room...my ****PREGNANT***** Irish Setter would come in and comfort me. Never mind that she couldn't have felt so good, she was always sensitive to my moods and gave me what I needed.

That was 40 years ago, and I still miss my Cassie.

I swear, every adolescent should have a dog like that, there'd be far fewer suicides. When a kid can't tell their parents or their friends what's eating away at them, they can hug and tell the dog.

[Flatulo]

13. Dogs are really something special. We lost our chocolate lab Maddie last year and were devastated.

After a few months we brought a new one home. No, she can never replace Maddie, but her presence has filled a huge void in our lives. Completely different personality, but all labs are comedians at heart.

If I had to choose between living out my days deprived of the company of either people or dogs, it would be an easy choice.

[BrotherIvan]

32. I often I believe this for myself

If I had to choose between living out my days deprived of the company of either people or dogs, it would be an easy choice.

But then I feel guilty. I don't say it out loud very much, as people call me a misanthrope. Perhaps it's just the simple, straightforward love and connection one gets with animals. People are complicated and bring a lot of baggage. As an introvert, I admire people who feel good helping people. I often just feel drained, especially when a person struggles so hard against help, though I do keep trying. But animals are so easy to please. My idea of heaven would surely include a whole bunch of fuzzy people.

[MissDeeds]

37. I feel the same way

My dogs have always loved me unconditionally, never lied to me, never betrayed me, and ask only to be with me. Next to my dear husband and beloved grandmother, dogs are the best people I know.

[marew]

48. I am so very much with you- including the introvert part! n/t

[marew]

47. No, the are certainly not interchangeable but...

I see giving a home to another creature who needs one as a witness to the great love and affection once shared with another who will forever remain in our heart.

[malaise]

14. Lovely

Thanks

[CherokeeDem]

15. So sweet to see how much they care about each other....

I had a Golden Retriever who was so compassionate... when anyone was sick...furry or human, she would stay right with them... I suffered from migraines for years and she would be right with me in the bathroom as I threw up, then would lay quietly beside me until I felt better. She had a buddy... a Flat-coated Retriever who we lost when she was only 8. Aussie, my Golden grieved and carried a little squeaky toy of a hobo duck around everywhere, wouldn't even go outside with it. She was depressed and missed Ruffian. Six months later, we go another Flat-coat and when we brought Brittany into the house, Aussie dropped the toy and never picked it up again. She had a new buddy.

Love seeing this pic... thanks for sharing!

to puppies!

[shenmue]

16. Soooo adorabells! :)

Squeeeeeeee!

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

17. Simple anthrpomorphism

Not.

[Jack Rabbit]

19. Sweet

For the full recovery of the puppy . . .

[pansypoo53219]

21. i brought my cat home from a vet trip + the other one hissed at him for a few days.

i figured out why we lose pets, to have more. i grew up w/ 2, then it was 1, no cats is awful, 1 is ok, but then i discovered spares, 3 cats is the best, but i hope i have a wait.

[brett_jv]

30. I subscribe to 'always have 3 dogs/cats' ... assuming you have the space/funds/time ...

That way, when one passes (as it's nearly certain they'll go 1 at a time), the other one is not suddenly left all alone when they lose the furry companion that's been at their side for years or even their whole life.

Dogs DEFINITELY (and some cats too) get very sad and depressed when their best bud is suddenly not there anymore, and it's so heartbreaking to us owners that we have no real way to explain to them 'what happened' ... the sadness we feel for our own loss can really be compounded terribly when we see our remaining animal seeming all miserable and/or seeming to be looking for their buddy for weeks or even months on end. Even those times they're really probably not looking for them or missing them, it can still appear that way to us and make us more sad.

The WORST ... is when you have to make decision to let a pet go or put them down for financial reasons. Like, if they get hit by a car and they tell you it'll cost $5K to MAYBE save them, and there's just no way you can do it. Try looking at your other remaining, lonely dog in the eye after that ... talk about heartbreaking, man. I've seen it happen.

So that's why I think it's best to always keep 3 animals if you can ... or just one, if you think you can 'survive' losing that one, and suddenly having 0 pets ... keeping exactly 2 is kinda the 'least best' scenario, IMHO.

AFA the cat/vet thing goes, that's very normal. Every cat I've ever had is like that. Cats really rely on smell to identify one another, and when you take one to vet, it comes back with the smell of all kinds of other critters on 'em.

It's funny to watch sometimes ... the cat that stayed at home, who's known the cat you're bringing home from the vet it's entire friggin' life ... suddenly thinks that there's this brand new interloper to it's territory until such time as the vet smell fades away. It's kinda comical because the returning cat is always just like baffled. I imagine him thinking "DUDE?!? DUDE?!? CHILL, it's ME, DAVE! Don't you recognize me, man!?! Why you tripping?". I mean, okay, it's kinda sad, but also kinda funny, as long as they don't actually fight ... which does sometimes happen.

Anyways ... on-topic ... AAAAAAWWWWWWSSSSSSS!

Hope puppeh gets well soon!

[Merlot]

31. My other cat will hiss at whatever cat comes home from the vet

I think he smells "that PLACE" and feels very betrayed that anyone would go there. Of my three cats, he hates the place that shall not be named more than the others.

3 cats is nice!

[okaawhatever]

22. Unconditional love...........doesn't get better than that. nt

[Justice]

24. beautiful. thank you for posting

[tblue]

25. I worship dog.

I believe they are beings of the highest order, and we should all take a lesson from them. My gosh, this is so sweet. Oh, how beautiful!

[llmart]

27. OMG

That is so precious!

Dogs are amazing.

[WillowTree]

28. Pets are just AMAZING people!

[pecwae]

29. How sweet! nt

[arthritisR_US]

34. Beautiful! :) nt

[a la izquierda]

35. When one of my dogs had emergency intestinal surgery this summer...

his dog brothers were so incredibly gentle and loving with him (they are usually three wild savages together).

[MissDeeds]

36. OMG! How precious

Big tears here - I'm such a sap for dogs; they show such pure and unconditional love. I wish I had such a good buddy. Best wishes for your pet's swift and complete recovery. I'm sure it will get lots of TLC.

[BlancheSplanchnik]

38. awwwwwwwww!

Wish i could leave work right now and go home to my Shrimpy.

[OldBoss]

41. That is beautiful and warms my heart ...

This little poem has helped me tremendously through the years:

"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."

- Anonymous

[gopiscrap]

66. welcome to DU

[Enthusiast]

42. I love puppehs.

[SammyWinstonJack]

44. Doggies make the BESTEST friends...EVER!

[Sophiegirl]

45. That is just precious. n/t

[cntrygrl]

46. Couldn't have timed this post

any better. I'm going in on Tues (the 11th) for my back surgery and my best friend(s) will help me work through recovery.

[redstatebluegirl]

50. Love this!

They give the same care to their people when they are sick. After surgery mine would hardly leave me to outside and do their business. They became agitated if I needed something and my husband didn't come right away, they would whine and bark . Love those fur babies, prefer them to people most of the time.

[louslobbs]

51. That's just so beautiful. n/t

Lou

[Flaxbee]

52. Oh, that's just beautiful. Give them both hugs for me - such wonderful companions

all misty over here.
Wonderful photo. Such compassion.

[hrmjustin]

54. K&R!

[catbyte]

55. Damned onions! What an awesome guy...

Puppeh is one lucky puppeh. So are his humans too, I suspect.

[Nictuku]

59. Cross-Species Compassion

It is real. My kitty Mina was bitten by a rat when she was pretty young. I didn't figure out what happened until I discovered the infection/abcess (and remembered that I found a dead rat a few days before). So I took her to the vet where she was treated (and given rabies shots), and when I got home, Rosie the dog wouldn't leave her side, you can see the compassion between these to beloved pets:

[URL=.html][IMG][/IMG][/URL]

[demigoddess]

67. AAAAAAAW, dogs and cats are practically human

we had a 'healing cat'. I had eye surgery and he tried every which way to lay on that side of my face.