My sweet Emma passed away this morning.

[lavenderdiva]

Emma, my parti-variety cocker spaniel crossed over the rainbow bridge this morning. She had been suffering from kidney failure for about 2 weeks. I had tried to help her with subcutaneous fluids that I would administer daily, but it was really too late for that. This morning, when we awoke, she had spit up some blood, and we felt it was time for one last trip to the veterinarian.

The vet told us that Emma would be gone on the count of 8, after the injection started. She was laying on a table, with me and Mr. LD holding her, right next to a large bank of animal crates. On top of the crates were some items, neatly stacked. On the count of '8', a large purple disk-like object flew down from the very top. The vet said she had never seen anything like that before. I don't know if perhaps my mother's spirit was there (her favorite color was purple), or Emma's.

I adopted Emma from Cocker Spaniel Rescue. She had such a hard life filled with abuse before she came to share my life. After several years of continued reassurance, she learned that kisses and cuddles feel good. Our time together was too short, but she was too ill. My eyes are sore from crying and my head hurts from thinking about all that has happened since this morning.


Emma

[Pathwalker]

1. My deepest condolences, lavenderdiva.

She sounds like a truly wonderful pet, and you sound like a truly loving owner. She looks very sweet, and I'm sure she leaves a giant hole in your heart. :cry: When you feel like it, maybe you could share a story about her.

Hugs and kisses to you and yours.


:hug: :hug: :hug:

[DemExpat]

2. My heart aches from your pain, dear.....

I can only say that I know what you are going through, and how bittersweet all of the love, and love seemingly lost, can be.

:hug: :hug: :hug:

:cry:

DemEx

[LaurenG]

3. I' m so sorry to hear this lavenderdiva

I think it was Emma feeling really frisky. When my dad died he told me that he felt so good, that he couldn't remember the last time he felt this good and I felt his hand cupping my face as he said it.
(he'd been really ill for months) :hug: :hug: :hug:

[lavenderdiva]

4. if it were her, I think its amazing that she knocked down the

purple thing, as that is my favorite color too! It really startled all of us in the room, as it was quiet and so unexpected. It happened RIGHT on the count of '8'! I know it was some spirit letting me know they were there, and if it was Emma's feeling good finally, that would make me very happy.... :hug: :grouphug: :hug: :cry:

[DemExpat]

6. My Dad's watch stopped at the moment of his death

and he was a real "time freak".....it felt so much like a strong sign of spiritual strength and ongoing life.

DemEx

[Desertrose]

5. Its always tough to say goodbye.....

I know how you feel, lavenderdiva.....they leave such an empty place after they're gone....but Emma is not suffering now and is very grateful that you loved her & took such good care of her ...and for all your kindnesses to her.

:hug::hug::loveya:
DR

[DemExpat]

7. Hi, dear DR.....

How are you doing? :hug:

DemEx

[Sanity Claws]

8. My condolences

It sounds like you gave her a good life.

[japple]

9. Your Emma loved you so much and had a great life after you

rescued her. She was a lucky dog and was probably jumping for joy at being out of a sick body. I remember when the Animal Planet had the Pet Psychic show, she (can't remember her name) talked with the animals who had passed over and many of them communicated that they were so happy to have known and experienced the love of a human companion, even those animals who had been through sad situations earlier in their lives. Thank you for sharing Emma's story with us. She was a beautiful girl.

[I Have A Dream]

10. I'm so sorry for your loss, lavenderdiva. Emma will be patiently...

waiting for you on the other side so that you can kiss and cuddle again. :hug:

[Ecumenist]

11. I.m so sorry to read this Lavender...

I wish there were some way for me to contact her now but just like humans, there is a short time when they "check in" and get settled. When I get some information, I will pm you with the the message. Iknow that she loves you very much and it would not surprise in the least to find out you feel her on your feet or brushing against your calves with her wagging tail. When you took her in to be let out of a painful body that no longer working, make no mistake, she gave you the indication that it was time to let her go. The purple disc was her way of letting know, in no uncertain terms, that she still lives and just like frisbees fly through the air, effortlessly and smoothly, she is now able to get around with absolutely no problems. May I ask you if she had problems with her back legs, I believe it was either the hip or back directly above the hip, the pelvic girdle? I keep getting tht picture and she also shows me a leash that she has , almost like she's offering it but actually it's the way for her to show that she is free.....one last thing, she shows me when she got to the Other side, a short, "round" lady, ( i believe this lady has short, what looks like permanently waved hair, round face with what seem to be VERY light blue eyes with a VERY sharp nose, almost pointy, wears metal rimmed glasses, goldtone in colour, she seems very fair with roses in her cheeks.), met her and she's drinking water and eating like there's no tomorrow. NOw, I don't know what this means, if it means' anything but I keep getting impressions of, for all the world, chicken noodle soup, heavy on the noodles. I don't know if I'm picking this up from her or from someone else in the forum. Let me know if I can help you further. I'll say this in closing, she will visit within the next week.
God bless you LavenderO8) :hug:

[lavenderdiva]

14. Thank you Ecumenist for sharing these insights with me...

you will never know the comfort they have given me, knowing that she is alright, and feeling 'free' and so much better in her new body!

About 1 month before she passed, she jumped down off of a very high antique brass bed, and hurt her back left hip terribly. She screamed in pain, like I've never heard her before. My husband had her up there, and we don't normally let her jump down from there, but he looked away for a second, and she leaped down. It always looked to me that her back left leg at her top hip was where the injury was. We took her to the vet who thought she might have torn some cartilage or something. Once we determined that she hadn't broken anything, we kept her off of the leg, as best we could. We would carry her up and down the stairs, and put her in her dog bed. After a couple of weeks, she was mostly better, but she would still limp and let me know that that leg was bothering her on occasion.

She LOVED it and got SOOOO excited when we would bring out her leash! Just the thought of going 'bye-bye' was fantastic for her! Lately, she was so well-behaved, that Mr. LD would take her for walks in the park next door to our house, off her leash. And she really enjoyed that. The last 2 days she indicated both days that she wanted to go down behind our house to a bayou that runs there(really more like a creek, but they call it a bayou). Mr. LD carried her down there, and she walked all around and just LOVED it! She loved the water that was running past her.

We always thought Emma was really Italian at heart, that was how much she loved pasta! She didn't really ever eat chicken noodle soup, but she loved pasta! So maybe that's why you are seeing the emphasis on the noodles!!

I can't think of anyone this woman with glasses reminds me of, but the thought that such a kind spirit was there with her and welcomed her brings me great joy! As does the thought that she is eating and drinking to her heart's content! Emma LOVED all sorts of foods that one wouldn't think a dog would enjoy! She loved salad and all sorts of fruit, and every imaginable pasta dish-- basically anything that didn't eat her first!

One thing that always saddened me was that Emma never learned to give kisses. After adopting her from Cocker Spaniel Rescue, and learning she had been abused previously, it took me nearly 2 years to get her to eventually let me kiss her, but she didn't know how to respond. She also never really learned to play with toys. I had been praying for such a long time, that she would be able to give 'Mommy' just one kiss before she passed away, but it was not meant to be. I know though, that when I see her again, she will cover my face with more kisses than I can possibly imagine! What joy that will be for me!

Thank you again, and I look forward to your pm, should you get anything... Sending many, many of these to you: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug:

[japple]

18. Well, well, why am I not surprised. DU Animals group has it's own Pet

Psychic! Thank you Ecumenist for your gifts and for posting your message for all of us to read. You are an O8), Ecumenist and :hug: to you Lavenderdiva. This really made me :-)

[FreedomAngel82]

21. Do you communicate with already passed animals?

Dogs that have been gone for a long while?

[lavenderdiva]

12. Thank you for giving me such comfort today by sending warm words and hugs

you are so generous of spirit in this group, and I genuinely felt embraced and consoled. Thank you. :hug: :grouphug: :hug:

[Cleita]

13. Losing our beloved pets is always so hard.

It's as hard as losing a member of the family and for me, sometimes harder. My pets have always come back to me in a dream and they show me the heaven that they are living in. You too will get a sign if not a dream that they are happy on the other side.

[lavenderdiva]

15. Thank you Cleita...

I will be eagerly awaiting some sign from Emma. When my Mother passed away, she visited me in a dream, to let me know she was alright. It gave me so much comfort and peace.

I know I have the reassurance that I will see Emma again, and that she is safe and free from pain, and with my other 'fur babies' and loved ones that have passed on. That too, is very comforting.... Hugs to you. :hug:

[Chi-Town Exile]

16. Don't worry, your sign will come, they always do.

I know exactly what you are going through. I lost my beloved Shelties over the past year. One was almost 17 years old and had Cancer. The other was 13 and the loss of him was completely unexpected.

These animals were so much a part of our family it was very hard to get through. We did, however, you will learn to go on without your beloved Emma. Just remember how much she loved you and think of how wonderful it will be when you are eventually reunited!

She will be waiting for you and thrilled to see you once again.

My heartfelt sympathies, I wish you peace and only happy memories of your wonderful companion.

[TankLV]

17. My heart goes out to you.

I have been there - 4 times in the past 8 years.

I would not have missed their love for anything.

I would do it all over again, and have.

It does get easier over time, but it also still hurts.

Peace be with you.

(She is still with you, you know.)

[crikkett]

19. I'm sorry for your loss.

very.

[FreedomAngel82]

20. Aw I'm sorry

:hug: I know how it feels to lose a dog. :( I lost my little one when I was in seventh grade and cried for days. I think that it was Emma who did the disc thing.

[Tammie]

22. Lavenderdiva......

I share your pain. This past Saturday, 2/18, I also had to make that last trip to the vet with my cat Stevie. I am still struggling with my decision.....the grief is unbearable, I can't stop crying. Rest assured in knowing that Emma, like Stevie, will be waiting for us on the Rainbow Bridge. In the meantime, cherish the moments.

I will miss my Stevie but we will meet again.

[Chi-Town Exile]

23. I'm so sorry for your loss Tammie ...

It will get better. Don't fret, you made the right decision.

I hope it gives you peace to know that you and Stevie will see one another again.

[Tammie]

29. Chi-Town......

Thank you very much for your kind words.

[lavenderdiva]

26. Tammie, I am oh-so sorry to hear of Stevie's passing...

as you well know, these decisions are far too hard, but as much as we love our fur babies, we know that we don't make these decisions lightly, and are making the best decision for the welfare of our little loved ones. Please stop struggling about having made this decision. You must know in your heart of hearts that you made a well-informed decision and were a responsible 'parent'. You made the decision out of love for Stevie. Like you, I truly believe and know that I will see Emma (and you will see Stevie) in heaven. They are totally free from sickened and tired bodies, and have renewed spirits!

I am sending you lots of hugs, and you will be in my prayers-- :hug: :cry: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug:

[Tammie]

30. Lavenderdiva

Thank you so much for your compassion while you, yourself, are also feeling such enormous sadness. You have a big heart and I wish you all the best.

[bliss_eternal]

24. I'm SO sorry for your loss--

Lavenderdiva! :hug:

How are you doing today? I'm hoping you are taking things as easy as you can--mourning takes so much out of you. Don't hesitate to vent here as you need to. There are many here that understand and will support you.

Be gentle with yourself. :grouphug:

[lavenderdiva]

27. you are so right about mourning taking a lot out of you....

I have been so tired all day yesterday and today. I had a bit more energy today than yesterday, but just a bit.

We buried Emma last night right beneath my bedroom window, so when I got up this morning, I had a conversation with her. That will always be comforting to me, having her so close still.

Thank you for your concern, and for checking up on me- It means a lot.... :hug:

[bliss_eternal]

28. I'm so glad she's still close...

that must be comforting. Take some time to just take things slow. Some underestimate the loss when it's a pet--but they truly are family to us, aren't they? You took Emma in when she needed someone and she became a part of you--your family, your life. There's no underestimating that loss. (((lavenderdiva)))

Be gentle with yourself--it will take some time before you are at your usual capacity. :hug:

Big healing hugs to you,
bliss_e.

[linazelle]

25. So sorry, you have my heartfelt sympathies. nt