Saying Goodbye to a Best Friend

Today we lost our family pet, Princess “Puppy”. She was a 12 year old Harlequin Great Dane with the most amazing, gentle and fun-loving personality. You know, you never really know how much they are a part of your life until they are gone. Yesterday, she was playing in the yard like a puppy – it was nuts, then late last night, around 2 AM, she got to a point where she could not breath, it turns out she had fluid in her lungs. A form of dog-influenza of sorts – we had been giving her medication, but in the end her age caught up with her. Apparently 12 is a ripe old age for a Dane so I am told.

I was the one who was the most against getting her, telling my wife – “No way are we getting another dog, especially one which is so frail and sickly” … You see, my wife bought Princess in a pet store in Ottawa; however she was very, very ill. She had phenomena, was malnourished, and rather odd looking. Deb (my wife) nursed her back to health, she spent countless hours with her, caring for her and getting her back on her feet.

Shortly thereafter, Princess, having a mind of her own, for some reason elected to attach herself to me. Perhaps it was because I am the alpha-male or something, who knows, but that dog would not leave my side. I grew vary, very fond of her, and so did the family. Dylan, our second oldest, use to get dragged around the house by the shirt collar after school when he came home, Princess loved people, especially kids – and she was always very playful. In fact, we eventually coined the term – “Physco-Puppy”, which translated into a 100 pounds of dog running at 100 miles an hour in circles, bumping in to things, running through things, and basically completely a nut-case! She use to develop a look in her eyes just before that would happen, when you saw it, look out – she was gone.

While I was the one who ended up having to take her to be put down, I knew deep in my heart that it was the right thing to do. I will miss her deeply, she was a unique old girl and we will always remember the time she spent with us, the joy she brought to our family, and tons of memories she has imprinted in heart and soul.

She was loved, we will never forget her:)

John Quealy

It wasn’t that long ago we said our good-byes
We held on to you tight as you closed your eyes
Your spirit has flown home on the wings of a dove
Into God’s loving arm’s; in heaven above

Over the days we’ve shed many tears
But the memories we have will live on for years
We feel your presence and we know that your near
You’re keeping us safe and calming our fear

We think about memories from years past
When you were young and strong and ran so fast
We remember all the great times that we all had
How you always made us happy never made us mad

They were the best and happiest years we had
We’ll always look back on them and never be sad
We look forward to the time we’ll be together again
And we thank the Lord for such a great friend

Now you run and play up in Heaven above
Cradled in God’s arms covered with his love
Playing by the Bridge waiting for the day
We come down thru the meadow to the bridge to stay

The love that you showed us we’ll never forget
Because to us you’re one very special pet
You’re like a star in the dark of night
Always watching over us with the Lord’s light

So now we take time to remember our best friend
Who will always be with us even to the end
We’ll always remember you the way you were
One big loveable huggable pile of fur.