RIP, Chelsea, 1995-2007

My family's beloved golden retriever, Chelsea, passed away this morning at my parents' house after experiencing massive internal organ failure earlier this week. She was 13, an advanced age for a retriever, and the news was not entirely unexpected. Sadly, I have been 2800 miles away from her for the past eight months. While I had previously hoped that she would live long enough for me to see her one last time this December, I'm glad that her suffering was brief and I hope that she's chasing squirrels and rabbits wherever she is now.

The rest of this diary is a remembrance dedicated to her.

I can still remember clear as bell the night that my parents brought her home on a windy January night in 1995. She ran around the house in circles for hours, sniffing everything in sight. In spite of having lived much of her early life on the streets (our vet suspected that she was between 8 and 10 months old when a co-worker of my father found her running along the perimeter of a field parallel to a major street), she proved to be relatively easy to train and grew fiercely loyal. She loved long car rides, apples, carrots, and any other fruit or vegetable she could get her paws on. And she could make friends with anyone, even my uncle who was (and still is) deathly afraid of most dogs.

She had a mischievous side as well. From the time she was a puppy and up until about 2 years ago, she loved to run. I have fond memories of her chasing after rabbits and squirrels near my family's cabin. She never caught a rabbit or squirrel--mainly because her high-pitched squeak alerted potential prey that she was coming--and that was probably for the best. When I was in eighth grade, she once escaped from our back yard and I chased after her on my bike for close to a mile before I finally caught up with her, spraining my ankle in the process. I couldn't be mad at her, though, not after she licked my face as I laid on the sidewalk bleeding and struggling to stand up.

I want to close with a quote from the late Washington Post columnist Mary McGrory that sums up my feelings right now nicely:

Dogs, bless them, operate on the premise that human beings are fragile and require incessant applications of affection and reassurance. The random lick of a hand and the furry chin draped over the instep are calculated to let the shaky owner know that a friend is nearby.

Rest in peace, Chelsea. I'll miss you.

•  tips

  Feel free to share your thoughts about your beloved pets who have crossed the rainbow bridge.

  by pine on Thu Sep 13, 2007 at 02:35:46 PM PDT

  •  i am so sorry

    chelsea was an important member of your family.  treasure all the time you had with her....

    by distributorcap on Thu Sep 13, 2007 at 02:55:51 PM PDT

  •  Sorry to hear about your loss.

    by darthstar on Thu Sep 13, 2007 at 03:09:05 PM PDT

  •  My condolences...

    It's hard to lose a loved one.

    That said, everyone should know that the Animal Rescue Site is no longer available from TheHungerSite (http://www.thehungersite.com) but has to be directly hit from this URL...

    http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com

    Please update your Favorites for both!

    by ultrageek on Thu Sep 13, 2007 at 03:33:15 PM PDT

•  So sorry, pine.

  Thanks for being such a good human to your pet.

  by One bite at a time on Thu Sep 13, 2007 at 02:36:31 PM PDT

•  I am so sorry for you loss......

  it is like loosing a child.

  peace and love to you.

  by Statusquomustgo on Thu Sep 13, 2007 at 02:37:30 PM PDT

•  I'm sorry.

  It's strange how much we are affected by the loss of a pet. Sometimes it seems like it is felt more than the loss of a human family member. At least that's how it felt to me.

  by Mike S on Thu Sep 13, 2007 at 02:37:57 PM PDT

  •  I like my pets a lot more than

    most of my in-laws. My husband feels the same way too--and they are HIS family.  We can't choose relatives--but we do choose pets, and we choose to love them.

    by irishwitch on Thu Sep 13, 2007 at 02:43:00 PM PDT

    •  I know the feeling

      During Thanksgiving 2004, when my crazy wingnut relatives were rambling on and about how crazy it was that 49% of the country voted for that "crazy traitor Kerry," I grabbed Chelsea's leash and took her on a 2-mile walk. It was one of my loveliest Thanksgiving memories ever.

      by pine on Thu Sep 13, 2007 at 02:46:13 PM PDT

      •  I have 4 cats.

        Trust me I LONG for an excuse to get away from family gatherings.  Petting the cats plus a couple of stiff belts is all that has prevented me from committing murder at times.

        by irishwitch on Thu Sep 13, 2007 at 03:33:19 PM PDT

    •  I was thinking a different way.

      When my father got sick I was able to tell him everything I wanted to. When e passed it was a relief that his pain was over and I knew that all I wanted to say was said. With my pets I was never able to say that.

      by Mike S on Thu Sep 13, 2007 at 02:47:41 PM PDT

      •  I talked to the pets I lost

        Told them how much I loved them, that it was OK to run into the Light, to cross the bridge...I think they udnerstood.

        by irishwitch on Thu Sep 13, 2007 at 03:32:07 PM PDT

        •  Not to laugh in such

          a sad diary but I got this picture in my mind of you throwing a tennis ball into the light and saying "fetch."

          by Mike S on Thu Sep 13, 2007 at 03:33:36 PM PDT

          •  Cats don't fetch!

            Well Torachan did a a kitten... I literally talked my old familiar Corwin over.  I held him till hsi eyes glazed, and then handed him to my husband who walked with him for a few more minutes till he stopped breathing.

            We--or he, to be more accurate-- were military for much of out marriage--from 88 to 2003, so we haven't owned dogs---cats are mor portable,but flying them back from Japan still cost  $700 for the 4 cats.  Then the joy of trundling four cats on a cart through Norita airport. Every Japanese older lady and chiold HAD to stop us to pet them with cries of "Kawaiii!" ("cute" in Jpanaese)

            by irishwitch on Thu Sep 13, 2007 at 03:47:40 PM PDT

            •  I had to help my little fella over,

              he was so sick.... brittle onset diabetes
              with cushings disease.

              I tried in vain to do all the stuff
              the vet said and spent thousands of
              dollars on tests and medicines, even
              learned how to give insulin injections.
              he was just too sick.

              I held him while the vet gave him
              the shot and he looked at me like
              he was saying thank you.  I so loved
              him. He was more family to me than
              all the relatives in the world.

              I took him home and buried him in
              my back yard.  That was 8 years
              ago and I still miss him. I still
              feel him in the house.

              by Statusquomustgo on Thu Sep 13, 2007 at 04:22:40 PM PDT

              •  We had to put my mini-Maine Coon

                Lamis to sleep.  She had a spinal problem--inbreeding.  If I could have kept her in exchange for my neice, Thing 2, I'd have been very tempted.  She was the sweetest, most harmless, loving creature on 4 hairy-toed snowhoe feet.

                by irishwitch on Thu Sep 13, 2007 at 09:06:55 PM PDT

                •  people that inbreed animals should be

                  punished in a very special way.

                  by Statusquomustgo on Thu Sep 13, 2007 at 09:10:49 PM PDT

                  •  Yep.

                    She was rescued from a Japanese breeder along with 2 others adopted by friends. All three had serious problems, and 2 have already died before age 8. The third has an eating disorder.

                    by irishwitch on Thu Sep 13, 2007 at 09:36:29 PM PDT

    •  they sure are.....

      pets are pure love.....

      by distributorcap on Thu Sep 13, 2007 at 02:58:12 PM PDT

•  So Sorry For Your Loss

  and that you never got to say one more good-bye to her. It's tough when you lose someone you love - it's not diminished just because that someone is a family pet.

  They're still a member of the family after all.

  BTW - that's a wonderful quote.

  by Alegre on Thu Sep 13, 2007 at 02:38:23 PM PDT

•  I'm very sorry pine.

  I lost my 18 year old pootie at about this time last year and know hard hard this is. Take care.

  by Bouwerie Boy on Thu Sep 13, 2007 at 02:41:31 PM PDT

•  Goldens are lovely creatures,

  clowns as well as protectors, and remarkably patient with kids.

  Goodbye Chelsea.

  She sounds like a terrific friend. I am sorry you had to lsoe her.

  by irishwitch on Thu Sep 13, 2007 at 02:42:04 PM PDT

•  RIP Chelsea. So sorry, pine.

  I lost my beloved pootie, Mr. Nicky, earlier this year. I know what you are going through.

  by blue jersey mom on Thu Sep 13, 2007 at 02:43:13 PM PDT

•  My beautiful cat Ithaca

  died when I took a weeks vacation.I left her in the care of my wonderful neighbor.She was 16 years old(and we had been together for all all that time)to and was grey and white with intense blue eyes.I have her baby and for a year we looked for her. Around corners etc.I knew she was not feeling well and will never forgive myself for not being there when she died.

  by kayfromsouth on Thu Sep 13, 2007 at 02:45:32 PM PDT

•  Sorry for your loss

  ..

  by egarratt on Thu Sep 13, 2007 at 02:46:33 PM PDT

•  May her

  memory be for a blessing and may she romp in joy at the Rainbow Bridge.

  by KibbutzAmiad on Thu Sep 13, 2007 at 02:48:01 PM PDT

•  Once Again Dogs Prove To Be

  the superior species to humans.

  So many dogs are so much better than so many more people.  Chelsea among them.

  by Limelite on Thu Sep 13, 2007 at 02:50:08 PM PDT

  •  Woof woof to that!

    

    by Asinus Asinum Fricat on Thu Sep 13, 2007 at 02:54:37 PM PDT

    •  love the pic N/T

      by pine on Thu Sep 13, 2007 at 03:02:51 PM PDT

    •  AAF-- is that your new kitten? nt

      by blue jersey mom on Thu Sep 13, 2007 at 03:20:00 PM PDT

      •  Yes, Noodles. I saved him from the forest (where

        people, mostly farmers, dump their unwanted kittens) Today I put out some food and no less than eight of them turned up!

        by Asinus Asinum Fricat on Thu Sep 13, 2007 at 03:28:16 PM PDT

        •  Careful, they replicate quickly

          ... once you take in one the space aliens and faeries tag your roof with a GPS device and infrared visible lettering that says "LEAVE YOUR STRAY CATS HERE !"

          And watch out if you plant cabbages or you'll have one showing up under the leaves you leave in the garden every time you harvest one.  

          by AmericanRiverCanyon on Thu Sep 13, 2007 at 03:41:29 PM PDT

•  I lost my baby

  girl Josie a year and a half ago due to a vet's mistake.  She had a sore foot and he gave her an injection which threw her into cardiac arrest.
  Some friends gave me a new baby who was born the day Josie went to the bridge.  She is half toy poodle and half chi.  I named her Corazon, and she is my heart.
  Thank you my good Mexican friends who saw my pain.
  I am so sorry for your loss and my heart goes out to you tonight.  You and Chelsea will meet again.  I promise this!  

  by mango on Thu Sep 13, 2007 at 02:54:16 PM PDT

•  Pres. Truman once said

  "If you want a friend in Washington, get a dog." It just shows how, no matter how bad things get, your dog will always be there for you. Rest in peace, Chelsea.

  by Kyle the Mainer on Thu Sep 13, 2007 at 02:55:30 PM PDT

•  Pine and Kossacks

  What a sweetie of a dog.  I like the part about the fruits and vegies.  

  It is so wonderful that Kossacks have a safe place to land when they lose a pet.  I think most of us have friends and families who are very understanding, but the loss of a pet is so very painful given the unconditional love we receive from them and their innocence.  

  Anyway, Kossacks are so supportive and understanding in this way.  It makes my heart soar that we share this invaluable resource even though it simultaneously aches with each loss we bear (together).  

  Thank you for sharing Pine with us.

  -Gloria

  by gloryous1 on Thu Sep 13, 2007 at 02:56:03 PM PDT

•  I miss my dog, too

  I said my goodbyes to him (a Siberian husky) about a month and a half ago.  But wherever he is, he isn't chasing squirrels; he's just staring nonchalantly from the porch as they eat from the bird feeder.

  by DH from MD on Thu Sep 13, 2007 at 02:56:25 PM PDT

  •  That

    made me chuckle.

    by mango on Thu Sep 13, 2007 at 02:57:26 PM PDT

•  Dogs...

  There's a bumper sticker that sums up my feelings on this subject:

  "The more people I meet, the more I love my dog."

  Truer words are rarely spoken.  Unfortunately, my 11 year old dog is having so much trouble with his arthritic hips that unwanted thoughts of putting him down are creeping into my mind.  It makes me absolutely sick to think about it because he's perfectly healthy from the waist up, but there are times when he can't get up and can barely walk.  Getting old is hell.

  by KansasLiberal on Thu Sep 13, 2007 at 02:57:18 PM PDT

  •  Glucosamine

    Ugh, making that kind of decision is the worst. Have you tried giving him glucosamine?  I have a 14-year-old cat who was having a miserable time with her arthritic knee.  We started feeding her glucosamine treats and while she's not leaping up on high fences (or tables, thank goodness), she is definitely getting around better than she was.  I think both dogs and cats can actually take the same glucosamine that humans do. It's certainly worth a try if you haven't already.

    by euterpe on Thu Sep 13, 2007 at 03:28:57 PM PDT

  •  Try a perna mussel shell supplement

    ... we put an old dog we had on that and this special senior dog food with added chondroiten and he became a lot more ambulatory the last year of his life, and he could barely walk and we had been dreading the "last car ride."

    Vet gives me the bottle and I thought, yeah, sure, mussels, yuck, ... but it helped him. Having hound dog in him, he even happily snarfed the smelly things right down.   I wonder if fish oil capsules could help, also.

    by AmericanRiverCanyon on Thu Sep 13, 2007 at 03:34:46 PM PDT

•  I am so sorry for your loss

  I recently learned that my beloved cat Dizzy has intestinal cancer and it has thrown me, to say the least.  

  Wishes you get through a terrible time as painlessly as possible.

  by Dizzy on Thu Sep 13, 2007 at 03:01:07 PM PDT

  •  I remeber your recent diary

    Any "new" news?

    by Catte Nappe on Thu Sep 13, 2007 at 03:21:17 PM PDT

    •  Diz had her first round of chemo yesterday

      She's doing good today--a little wiped out from all the meds, but her eating is good and she isn't hurting.  plus she got to spend hours laying on the front porch in the sun on a beautiful day, and I took the day off so she got plenty of attention.

      Thank you for remembering and your concern!

      by Dizzy on Thu Sep 13, 2007 at 04:28:04 PM PDT

      •  If she's eating, that is very, very good

        iirc, that was looking to be a major issue and possible worry, what with hunger striking cats risking serious liver damage.

        I hope you also enjoyed the beautiful day on the porch, and getting some kitty love in return! :)

        by Catte Nappe on Thu Sep 13, 2007 at 04:33:12 PM PDT

•  My Chloe, my bird dog companion,

  died a few weeks ago, humanely euthanized while I was holding her. She had fought a brain tumor for some time, but in the end, the tumor was victorious.

  she was a rescue, and I am going to rescue another english pointer sometime. Not right now, but soon.

  Pets doesn't seem to describe them-- they are family members.

  I'm sorry for your loss.

  by jeffinalabama on Thu Sep 13, 2007 at 03:08:44 PM PDT

  •  Tips for your love & courage

    I've held two of my pets as they were put down, and I know that it's a tough thing to do.  Only your love for them keeps you strong enough to endure the grief.  

    by rb608 on Thu Sep 13, 2007 at 03:34:39 PM PDT

•  Sorry about your dog. Be sad and miss her but

  let her memory live on through another dog in the future. Dogs and cats are the best gift God created. Love a kisses for a few bucks a week is the very best deal.

  by Owllwoman on Thu Sep 13, 2007 at 03:17:26 PM PDT

•  I love it

  that this place is a safe place to speak of grief, and our joy of and love for our animals.

  God speed, Chelsea.

  by pasadena beggar on Thu Sep 13, 2007 at 03:26:50 PM PDT

•  My condolences

  It's clear Chelsea was much loved and well cared for. Her long life is a testament to those who were her caregivers. May she live forever in your hearts and may all of your memories of her warm your heart and bring a smile to your face.

  by Cali Techie on Thu Sep 13, 2007 at 03:28:54 PM PDT

•  Belly scratches for Chelsea

  It's sad fact that we usually outlive our pets, yet we love them unconditionally, knowing well in advance they will leave us.

  We still miss our Maggie, who passed in her sleep almost 4 years ago now.  We hope that in doggie heaven, she has someone to rub her belly all day.  She couldn't get enough of that here.

  Her playmate Pudge is still with us. He was only a young pup when Maggie was old, and he kept her active and annoyed at the same time.  We still think of them as a pair, even though only one remains.   RIP Maggie.

  by rb608 on Thu Sep 13, 2007 at 03:30:17 PM PDT

•  My condolences.

  Take comfort that there'll be a spot in the Whisker's Garden for Chelsea.

  by TheBigKahuna on Thu Sep 13, 2007 at 03:46:47 PM PDT

•  I am so sorry for your loss, we too

  lost our precious dog Bart 2 months ago and have had the hardest time with it. Bart was the most loving and beautiful animal that was literaly part of us. So, my friend please accept my dearest sympathies for your loss.

  by LucyTooners on Thu Sep 13, 2007 at 03:57:37 PM PDT

•  Absence

  Mai Pen Rai and I were kittens together, more than 35 years ago.

  

  One of the greatest disappointments of my life was knowing that I would not be able to make it home from college in time to say goodbye to her. More than two decades on, and that still stings.

  You have my deepest sympathy.

  by Ray Radlein on Thu Sep 13, 2007 at 04:04:28 PM PDT

•  I'm sorry for your loss. Losing dogs or cats

  hurts just as much as losing a human member of the family.

  I had a big gray and white tom for years. He loved to sleep on my chest, whether I was on the sofa or in the bed. If I wasn't available, he loved to sleep under the covers of a freshly made bed. His other favorite pastime was catching crawdads in the creek behind the house and bringing them inside. He died in November 2004 and I still miss him.

  by MadGeorgiaDem on Thu Sep 13, 2007 at 04:06:27 PM PDT

•  (((((hugs))))) n/t

  by marykk on Thu Sep 13, 2007 at 04:41:43 PM PDT

•  I'm so sorry for your loss

  Losing a pet is a sorrowful thing. I still miss my cats Rocky, who crossed the bridge four years ago, and Bandit, who's been gone 13 years.

  by VaBreeze on Thu Sep 13, 2007 at 04:44:41 PM PDT

•  I'm so sorry, Pine

  Chelsea sounds like a wonderful dog!  Losing a furry member of the family is always so very hard but I think those we grew up with occupy a special place in our hearts and makes their loss all the harder.  You must have so many wonderful memories of Chelsea and after the pain of her loss subsides a bit, I know they will bring you moments of love remembered for the rest of your life.

  by Morrigan on Thu Sep 13, 2007 at 05:01:04 PM PDT

•  I lost a Chelsea just a few weeks ago

  It was a kitty, about 12 years old.
   I miss her.

  by gjohnsit on Thu Sep 13, 2007 at 05:31:19 PM PDT

  •  it's a popular animal name

    I've met at least three other dogs and two named Chelsea over the past several years. It must be a popular name. Sorry for your loss--I've always liked kitties.

    by pine on Fri Sep 14, 2007 at 12:50:09 PM PDT

•  My thoughts are with you

  I'm so sorry for your loss.  It is so difficult to lose a loved one, be it a human or a beloved pet.
  I like to think Chelsea is somewhere running through a vegetable patch, eating her fill, and I hope you find comfort in your friends and family.

  by BenFranklinGrl on Thu Sep 13, 2007 at 05:46:00 PM PDT