New here - grieving loss of Dexter
 

I am new here and grieving the loss of Dexter, our 11 year old Yorkie. His picture is my avatar - it was taken at the vet shortly before he left us for Heaven on July 10, 2006. They had him wrapped in a pink scrub top because of ultrasound gel......he was like me, not a "pink" person......but he always looked good in anything :)

It has been 6 weeks today and it is so very painful to think about. We rescued Dexter in June of 2001. He had a rough life before us but we showed him love, affection and he was part of our family. We loved him from the moment we saw him. He was a momma's boy - he stuck by me and followed me everywhere. I never knew how much it would hurt to loose him.

Six weeks ago on Saturday he got sick - he seemed to be better Sunday but by Monday morning we knew he needed to see the vet. My husband took him (I had a doctor appt for myself). We have a wonderful vet who told us that he had a mass in his abdomen that had ruptured. He was very, very sick. We knew that it wasn't fair for him to suffer and we wanted him not to hurt or be sick, even if it meant him not being here with us.

We spent time with him and told him how much he was loved, took pictures to have for later, hugged him, kissed him and cried. The after about 30 minutes the vet put him to sleep in my arms. It was the hardest thing I have done but it felt right knowing that he was with me at the time.

This has affected me more than I could have ever imagined - Dexter was my little man - he loved me unconditionally. He slept right next to me every time I was in the bed. He followed me from room to room, even if only for a second.

He was so unselfish and loved deeply - even when he felt bad and probably knew it was his last night with us, he came to my side of the bed during the night as he always did to be picked up and slept with me.

I miss him more than words can say -- thanks for letting me get this out.

We do have another little yorkie (Tye is 3) that we rescued in June of 2005 - he is our son's (12) baby. He sleeps with him, follows him, etc just like Dexter did me.

Thanks again - this is a great place and I look forward to getting to know you all,

I am so sorry to hear about the loss of Dexter . Loosing a little one is never easy . You are in my thoughts and prayers .

I'm sorry to hear of your loss. Rest in peace little Dexter. It sounds like you turly loved him, my heart breaks for you.

I'm so sorry for your loss :cry: Rest in Peace little Dexter :rip: He is amongst the angels now :littleang

You have such a kind heart and soul for giving Dexter such a good life before he crossed over the Rainbow Bridge. :rbyorkie:

I am truly sorry for your loss of Dexter. Time will heal your broken heart. It sounds like he had a wonderful Mom, who loved him dearly. Cherish your memories, and know that he is not suffering. God Bless you... Dexter :rbyorkie:

Oh wow ...I'm SO SO Sorry - he sounds like a total joy and my heart goes out to you.

Rest in Peace little Dexter.....you're in very good company with all the little RB Angels....

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge

There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor.

Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.

The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....
Author unknown...

I am so sorry for the loss of your beloved Dexter. I welcome you to YT and hope you find a place where you can share your thoughts and feel right at home.

I am so sorry for your loss.:( I want to welcome you here to our family and i think you are a wonderful person with a very big heart to rescue

First I want to say I am very sorry that you lost Dexter my heart goes out to you and your family. Secondly I want to thank you for giving him a loving home. You provided him with the love and happiness he deserved. I am sorry that you are going through this rough time. You and your family will be in my prayers.

I am so sorry for your loss, Dexter sounded like an absolute darling. You gave him a wonderful life and he is free from pain now. Welcome to YT you will find a lot of suport and help here. R.I.P Dexter :angelyork

Time heals the hurt ,but you always will have your memories. I hope you open your heart and love to another furbaby that needs you. god bless

Your post about Dexter was an absolutely beautiful tribute to him. I could feel the emotion in your post and it brought me to tears. Your little guy was loved more in the few years you had him more than most dogs are loved in a lifetime. I hope you stick around...YT is a wonderful place with people who know the joy and sadness and obsession with Yorkies!

Thanks !!
 

Thank you all so much for the welcome and the kind words about Dexter.

I am very excited about finding this board. It seems to be filled with wonderful Yorkie lovers and I look forward to getting to know everyone.


I didn't mention in my post that when we found out what was wrong with Dexter and had to make the decision to let him go - I told my son that it may be that Dexter needed to pave the way for Honey (my parents poodle).
We gave her to my parents 14 years ago, before our 12 year old was born. She had been sick off and on the last few months with seizures and the vet thought she may have a brain tumor. She had cateract surgery that costs a couple thousand dollars, etc............she was very well taken care of and they were even considering surgery in another city here in GA to help with the brain tumor. She never made it that far - she died 17 days after Dexter. My parents had to rush her to the emergency vet late one night. My dear son (12) was with them, so he saw 2 beloved pets pass in about 2 weeks. My dad said he was a "rock" that he was such a help, etc. I believe that he was able to be that way because in some way he felt like Dexter had paved the way to help Honey pass over the Rainbow Bridge.

My parents are still dealing with their loss too - it is hard to deal with but I know that God helped them in some way by sending Dexter first.

Thanks again for all the kind words,

Welcome to YT, and thank you for sharing your stories with us. I hope that doing so helps you feel just a little bit more at peace. Your guy sounds like he was so special, and please do hang around and tell us more about your other baby, as well!

Special blessings on your son! I have one about that age, and I know that this couldn't have been easy for him, BUT, a good life lesson.

So sorry for your loss.

It's awful to have to welcome you to YT under these circumstances, but you will be so glad you came. I am so sorry you and your family have had so much sorrow to deal with lately. You can't help but fall in love with a tiny puppy, but it takes pretty special people to take an older dog into their home, especially a rescue, who, more than likely never had that love, and give them the security and devotion of a family that they so deserve. You did that with Dexter, and it shows by the way he followed you around everywhere You will find so many wonderful, caring people here that you can turn to for anything. Maybe if your son read some of the threads here, especially the "R.I.P." one, it might help hime deal with his grief. He is at a tough age, and if this is the first time he is dealing with the loss of not 1, but 2 beloved pets, he may be hiding behind the "rock". Let him know it's OK to cry, (I am crying right now) that there are so many tears shed by the people here whenever another little furbaby passes, we could probably fill an ocean. Again, I am so sorry for the loss of Dexter and Honey. Your entire family are in my thoughts and prayers. (((HUGS)))

I am so sorry for your loss of Dexter.

YT has been a wonderful place for me to work through my grief. Phoebe passed away in July and that is why I found this wonderful site. The people here are great and are so helpful.

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

It makes me sad..
 

To see you grieving so......

I am touched by your comments about Dexter.

May he rest in peace and play for eternity...

:)

I'm so sorry for your loss.

Angie - I can relate to your feelings of grief. I still grieve over my little girl today. I think I always will. We had a wonderful bond. I hope that you can find peace. He was a little doll and how lucky he was to have been rescued by you and know the love he so deserved.

R.I.P Dexter....so sorry for your loss hun x

This is so sad. Dexter was adorable and I pray that you and your family will find the strength to cope with his loss. :cry8:

Welcome to YT...we are here for you. (((HUGS)))

Karen

I'm so sorry for your loss.

Rip Dexter And Honey,god Has You In His Keeping
 

Dear Angie,
God has your precious Dexter and your parents poodle Honey in his loving care and all is well with them now. These are of the worst time in ones life. We gave back our Cassie to the Lord for his keeping last November, she was almost eleven. I miss her so very much, the pain has not eased for me. God led us to Baby Blessing and she truely is a joy to the both of us, we are so thankful for her. We love her dearly. Like you, I came to YT after our loss, the people here are so caring. I pray that the Lord will ease the pain from you and your family and also your parents. I am so glad you have your other little yorkie, hopefully your parents will find it in their hearts to get another to love. We are all on loan to one another, our timing is God's choosing and we are his for the keeping. What a difference they have made in our lives,
http://www.karaokeplayer.net/whatadiff.html
Patti and Jack ~~Baby Blessing~~
RIP Dexter,Honey, with Cassie and others.

Your poor family has been through so much in such a short time.
Your 12yr old sounds like a very mature young man. My heart goes
out to all of you. Dexter was a very lucky pup to find a loving home
such as yours. Dexter and Honey are together at Rainbow Bridge.
Welcome to YT. People here are wonderful and supportive. You came
to the right place. Time heals, hang in there.

Hi Angie, I am so very sorry for your loss. I know you must be devestated! Sending hugs...... :ghug:

My sincerest heartfelt sympathies for you. I, too, rescued a yorkie (my first) who had been neglected to the point of abuse. We had five wonderful years together but sadly, at the age of 17, I lost my Chester last October. I do have my Chloe now, with five new puppies, and I love hear dearly also, but I'm afraid no dog will ever capture my heart like Chester did. It does get easier, but even after this many months, I still cry and miss him. Maybe Dexter and Chester will meet and become fast friends, both having had moms that loved them dearly.

I am so sorry for your loss...

Love and hugs to you
Fran

Thanks again for the wonderful replies. You all sure know how to make someone feel at home :)

Chestersmom - I bet Dexter and Chester are running wild and having fun as I type. I know he has met many other wonderful fur babies and is working on missing us as much as we miss him.


I have thought about getting another one but don't know where to start, I looked online for about an hour last night and even found one that looked like Dexter......had to wake my husband up and show him the picture. I just don't know where to begin and worry that a new one may not take to me like Dexter did. He was MY baby from the moment he rode home with us. He slept with me, followed me - I am afraid that a new one may stick to my son and sleep with him. That would probably crush me right now. Plus in some way I feel like I am "dissing" Dexter by putting someone else in my life and bed.

Thanks again for all the support - you people are wonderful !!!

I am so sorry about Dexter. Here are two prayers that I found helpful when we lost Jasmine, our Silky Terrier this year.

The Euthanasia
Prayer
Beloved God,
Help me to understand that you were with me, by my side, helping me make the humane decision to end the suffering of my beloved pet.

Help me to forgive myself, as you forgive me lovingly each day for my shortcomings, knowing my heart. Help me to understand that it is good and noble to have the courage to face such difficult decisions and make them despite how much it hurts to do so.

Help me to realize that, as my decision was made from love, there is no reason to hang onto the heavy burden of guilt that I feel at times.

Help me to realize that, as you have sent us our beloved pets to be our guardians, we are their guardians in return and are responsible for their every need � including their need to be free of pain and suffering.

Help me to realize that our life together was a blessing from you and that it was you who called them home to Heaven, and I only took them to the door, where you gratefully welcomed them in. Amen

Blessings from Chaplain of the Pets

*****************
Laid To Rest
Prayer
Beloved God,
As I lay my precious pet�s body to rest, may I remember that the light and love that came to me through my pet, though expressed through that body, was of their living spirit.

I lay to rest that body, but I can never lay to rest the life that was in it, for it lives within me still. I can feel their life and love in my heart whenever I think of them. That living love does not die.

I have been blessed with the companionship of this dear animal, and though my heart is broken in missing their physical presence, I will rest in the truth, the wisdom and understanding that Spirit is not confined nor defined by the physical form. Because we are living spirit, I know that I will see my pet again when my time on earth is through.

Help me to remember that, as I lay my pet to rest, I will rest in the peace that my pet is living, loving spirit. My pet�s soul was what came through those beautiful eyes, and shown with the light of that love. That light came from Spirit. I know that, as when I looked at my beloved pet after they passed, that Spirit was no longer in that physical form.

I lay their body to rest with this peace in my soul.

**********

(I found these at the time Jasmine died. We now have a little 5 1/2 month old Yorkie named Taylor. We waited but decided finally to do it again. No pet is a replacement for the one you've lost...they each are so different but we've found so much joy in Taylor.) Take care. I know what a hard time it is.