Sad day today

[+ David-SF]

Update since this thread was started on 2008

A few years ago I became a dog walker in order to make ends meet.

Never in a million years would I have guessed my life would change forever.

The dogs I walked taught me so much about love and patience and being human.

The owners that trusted me to care for their dogs inspired me even more.

Courageous wonderful caring folks that rescued these dogs from uncertain futures.

 

One of these dogs was Sally she was a Katrina rescue.

Yesterday March 5th she left us. She was found to have a rare form of lymphoma she lived and gave us all hope that we can make it through.

She filled me with laughter during those days I was a walker.

I grieved when I closed the business a couple years ago for all my charges.

This was sure to come but ....

 

well I miss her.

 

I already missed her but I know she did her job here she delivered her message.

Thank you Sally for all your love you will surely be missed.

 

I thought some of you would remember her from way back when I posted about my day job in 2008

so I thought I would fill you in.

 

[video=youtube;-98v83iWUwY]

xo David

[josephga]

sorry about sally. i still miss my dog going on 17 months now. maybe ill get one this summer

[Okliehomo]

God Bless Sally....

 

When I first met David in 2007, he sent me me a video of him and all his clients... they were dogs back then. (no doubt, some of them still are, but I digress..)... He truly was connected to each and every one of them. He had them at the beach and they all walked in single file down this path until he whistled and to quote him, it was "on like Donkey Kong"... and they were off, all over that beach in pursuit of the much revered dead seal... but David kept an eye on them all the whole time and called them back whenever necessary. They really listened to him and responded to him. He was their Alpha Male but in the most loving way possible.

 

Sally was very special and very lucky to have met David. David is very special and was very lucky to have met Sally. Dogs are such HUGE blessings in our lives. It's unconditional love all the time. And trust. It is the most fucked up thing that they have such short lives compared to us. Because losing one of them always feels like losing your baby.. that little creature that you were solely responsible for, that couldn't tell you what was wrong, that just counted on you with her big brown eyes to know and to do the right thing.. fix it, Daddy, you know?

 

And sometimes, try as you might, you just can't and there you are on that slippery slope, having to say goodbye to the kindest, most loyal friend that you had been blessed with in your whole fucking life. Never easy.

 

Hits too close to home. So...

 

Hats off to Sally!!!!!!!!! Much loved and missed.

 

Okie

 

Ps...

 

Off now to watch "Old Yeller" and cheer up.

[JackTwist]

Sally was such a beautiful dog. I enjoyed your video tribute, David. Thanks for sharing it with us.

[Bart]

Whatever the unique nature of dogs, they are man's companion. Their loyalty and good nature are almost always unyeilding. Always there, always waiting for us, how difficult for those displaced by Katrina, earthquakes in Hati and New Zealand. I know we must take care of our fellow man first, but who can turn away from lick on the face of gratitude all they want someone to play with. They dont say not now I am busy, they did not have a bad day, maybe bad hair day.

 

I am so sorry to hear about Sally. So as a tribute go hug dog or better yet go to your animal shelter and adopt in the name of Sally or least send a donation to the animal shelter in her name.

[ChiTown]

David, I'm so sorry to hear about the loss of Sally. The dogs in our lives give us their unconditional love and ask for nothing in return. When we lose a canine friend, it leaves a hole in our hearts that can't be filled, thanks for sharing the beautiful video tribute.

 

xo

[+ honcho]

David,

 

I can truly empathasize ... although I haven't had a dog of my own in 40 years, my ex had one from puppyhood that I also grew

complettely attached too, and went through wrenching grief when it was time for him to go.

[justaguy]

David, I know the feeling. I had to put my baby down a number of months ago. Just the other day I was driving past the vets and the loss really hit me.

[BSR]

If it's a good dog (and all domesticated dogs, no matter the breed, can be a good dog if raised and trained properly), then you can only love a dog. You can only love a dog -- no ambivalent feelings, no ancient resentments, no long-held grudges -- because a dog can only love you. He or she greets you with an excited bark, a wagging tail, and eyes full of love -- every single time, no matter what. My dog was suffering from a brain tumor and was losing his faculties -- first eyesight, then hearing, finally even smell. But toward the end, no matter how "lost" he seemed, he still managed to find me. He'd walk very slowly (that's all he was capable of) from his bed, somehow some way find me, sit down next to me and look up at me with those eyes that could no longer see, asking me to pick him up and hold him. In his last few days, I think he was eating only out of instinct; he no longer seemed to enjoy food or treats. But he still loved to be held and cuddled. When he couldn't see or hear or smell any more, he could still love. I'm tearing up now just thinking about it.

 

David, I am so sorry for your loss. I truly believe that all dogs go to heaven. Animals may not have a human soul, but they have a spirit, and that spirit must go somewhere after leaving the physical body. Hopefully your Sally and my Sugar are bouncing around and playing together up in Doggie Heaven.

[Toulouse]

David, my sincere condolences on your loss. Your loving video tribute is poignant and moving.

 

I take my dogs on two long walks each day along the Canal Street Riverfront, winding through the French Quarter and on up to Lafayette Square Park. People who know about us often say that these hounds are living the perfect dog's life! Truth is, I'm the one enjoying a great life with two dear old canine friends who show unconditional love, respect and admiration to their "master." from morn to night. Maybe we humans need to re-think our vocabulary so that "leading a dog's life" is what we want and "going to the dogs" is where we wish to go.

 

RIP Sally.

[leigh.bess.toad]

David -- I opened the video with a great deal of trepidation. I will tear up at a stupid commercial so I knew that a tribute video you put together of a dog you loved as much as Sally would probably have tears going quickly -- it did. Such a beautiful, wonderful dog. I grieve for your loss. I celebrate that she was able to be bring such joy to your life.

 

It is the time that every dog owner dreads. I have had 4 dogs in my life (I'm a one at a time dog owner) and the loss of each of the first three made me swear I would never get another one. The pain from the loss of my first one may have been the most pain I have suffered in my life because I had never lost anyone or anything before him and it was unexpected and it ripped my heart out. But we heal. And we laugh when we remember the crazy stupid things they do (at least mine do). And we remember why we have them in our lives, so we get another friend. But each one is so different, so special, so loving and they find such an easy path into your heart that, even knowing the day will come, you can't imagine not having them in your life.

 

Sally had a remarkable friend in you. And you in her. My condolences on your loss.

[Diverdan]

David,

Thank you for sharing this loss with your friends here on the Forum. My condolences and thank you also for the moving tribute.

DD

[Poolboy21409]

David-

 

There is a story about the Rainbow Bridge where animals wait for their masters before going into heaven together . I am sure there will be someone there for you when that time comes. Have been showing and breeding Bouviers des Flandres for nearly twenty years. Ia m still saddened whenever I hear that one of our dogs that we have bred has passed and of course the deaths of our own are horrible. My utmost sympathy to you. If you think about one for yourself, please consider the breed rescue program for whatever breed you like. That emakes a real contribution to real deserving animals.

 

PB

[Racketjock]

Simply beautiful.

[+ sf westcoaster]

A magnificent, touching and moving tribute to a super lady! Memories of Sally will always be with you and will be a confort during this time of grieving. Good thoughts and prayers go out to you.

[SteveStacks]

Condolences

 

So sorry to hear that David.

So sad...

A beautiful animal and a beautiful tribute!

[Bosguy]

David,

 

My deepest thoughts go out to you on the loss of Sally. I am a total dog lover, particularly rescue dogs, and I have truly come to believe that they are not just our companion who shows us constant and consistent love and loyalty, they become an integral part of our very being. "The Rainbow Bridge" says it all.

My one little piece of advice to you is to never think the words "should of", "could have", or "would have". To Sally you did everything right--you loved her exactly the way she loved you.

 

Stay positive and rejoice in the wonderful memories you shared.

 

Bill K.

[Decatur Guy]

I'm sorry to hear about this. The man-dog connection is deep and special.

[GoodFella69]

David, SALLY was a lucky lady to have you as a companion and caretaker. I share in your loss and admire your gentle spirit and sensitivity. We should all aspire to love

the way our dogs love us.

 

Goodfella

[rob3174]

My Condolences, David.

As a Louisianian who did not have too much damage after Katrina and was able to keep my dog safe, please also accept my heartfelt thanks for helping rescue one of the many innocent victims of Katrina.

[+ glutes]

The price of a fine dog is a broken heart at the end. ~ Rudyard Kipling

[gcursor]

I'm so very sorry for your loss David. It was a very nice tribute. It was nice that both of you were able to enrich each other's lives for however brief a time that it was. my thoughts are with you.

 

gcursor

[NYTomcat]

My sincerest condolences. But the reason we choose dogs is to celebrate the unconditional love they give so willingly. You have been most blessed. Truly if you spiritually believe in such all dogs must go to heaven for their steadfast purity of heart. Sally will be missed. And that's probably more than she ever asked for in her life.