"In Memory"
 

I woke up & she was dead in the backyard. I think she may have choked on something. Her eyes were open.

Her name is Indy. She would have been 10 years old in January (she was a pound puppy, so I don't know her real birthday - I just assumed it was in sometime in January as I got her in March & she was about 8-10 weeks old when I got her). She was an Australian Sheppard/Husky mix - a purebred mutt from the Harrisonburg, VA SPCA. She was named after Indiana Jones because he was named after his dog & that was one of my favorite sets of movies grown up as a kid.

We just moved to Las Vegas about a month & a half ago. At the recommendation of FT'ers, I drove her out her in 5 days rather than flew her. I'm glad I did. It was the first time she had ever had a fenced in backyard with a doggie door. She loved sitting outside in the backyard & just lying there. She also loved to play frisbee and go swimming.

She came from the Harrisonburg SPCA. When I went to pick out a dog, she was the runt of her litter. I actually didn't want the runt & took her and her 3 bigger sisters out in the yard to play. When I went to go fill out the paperwork, I decided to go back one more time to the cage to make sure I was picking the right dog. The runt came up to me & started jumping up & down and was so excited to see me that she peed on my shoes. How could I say no? I always told people that I didn't pick her, she picked me.

She was sort of a hippie dog in the sense that she didn't care much for the leash. I used to always take her everywhere on a leash, fearful that she'd run away. Then one summer, I took a 2-month cross-country roadtrip 1/2 personal travel & 1/2 working as a traveling chef. A good friend of mine, Jessica, watched her that summer. Jess took her to work with her at Natural Chimney park every day where she ended up running wild in the park with the other park employees dogs. That's how she became an off-leash dog.

I used to take her camping at the Boy Scout camp I worked at as a teenager during the off season. She was the kind of dog who you could let out of the tent in the morning & she'd wander off & go chase deer and rabbits and come back when she was ready. One time, I couldn't find her & I went down to the lake & she was swimming chasing ducks around, having the time of her life.

When I was in college, my roommate had a dog too - we built a large dog pen with a 6 foot wire fence for them in the backyard, so they could hang out back there (they would jump our four foot fence) while we in class. One time I came home from class & she was sitting on the couch staring out the window. I gave her a stern look & was confused because my roommate's dog was still in the backyard. It turns out, she had dug out under the fence, clawed through the screen door in the backyard (it was Harrisonburg, VA - a town where it was okay to leave your backdoor open) and gotten into the house. When I got home & looked at her, she knew she did something wrong & actually went back through the hole in the screen door, and crawled under the fence back into the pen & pretended that she had never crawled out.

She had commands like "take a bath" where she'd actually jump in the tub & wait for a bath. She loved to go on roadtrips and walks. She'd crawl into my bed at night when she was cold. She was scared of flashlights & vaccum cleaners - even brooms - pretty much any floor cleaning device. Greenies were like doggie crack to her - she loved them!

Indy was my first dog. She's wrapped up in a blanket in my living room right now as I've never had a true pet die before. I don't really know what to do. I think I'm going to get her cremated and take her ashes back to Virginia over the holidays & take her up to the Blue Ridge mountains and spread them.

My dog hasn't even been dead for a half day and I completely miss her already.

I love my dog.

How very sad. I'm glad that you got to spend the time with Indy on your cross-country trip. You and Indy were a great team. I know how heartbroken you are. I am so so sorry for your loss.
O2K

I know how hard it to lose such a close friend. So sorry to hear about this, but glad you did have that time on your trip x-country together.

Please accept my deepest sympathy in your terrible loss. I am sure that Indy sincerely appreciated the love that you had given to her over these many years.

If you do decide to cremate her, they make some beautiful urns and also picture frames that will hold the ashes so Indy will always be with you.

Oh I am so sorry for you. How dreadful and sad. I wish you fond memories of your dear Indy and warm thoughts. She was a happy, happy dog.

people underestimate how loving owners grieve when they lose a pet, sorry for your loss and just remember you both made each others lives better :)

I'm so sorry to hear about Indy! She sounds like an amazing dog.

I'm so sorry. Thanks for sharing the stories about Indy. Sounds like you two had a great time together and were fortunate to have picked each other.

What a wonderful life she had. You were both lucky to have had each other. So sorry it wasn't for longer.

I worked in animal hospitals and think cremation is a great idea. Snip a piece of her fur to keep, if you like. And if you need to, give the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine's Pet Loss Support Hotline a ring. Being new in LAS, they may be able to recommend a reputable vet office/cremation service. Or tap the regular LAS folks for info. (Not sure any of them have pets though.)

Hang in there.

Thanks for condolences. I just dropped Indy off at a pet crematorium & will be flying her remains back to Virginia on Saturday. My roommate from college & one of my friends who used to work at the camp with me are all going to head out into the mountains on Saturday night and spread her ashes at one of our favorite camping spots. I feel that's where she was alive the most and would be at home as her final resting spot.

I'll be donating most of her toys & leftover food, etc, to the SPCA here. I think I'm also going to make a donation to the Harrisonburg SPCA in her memory.

I'm so sorry you've lost your precious Indy. You gave her a long, wonderful life and she was well loved - a pound puppy's dream.

It sounds like you know exactly where she'd like to be. I think a donation to the Harrisonburg SPCA in her name is a wonderful memorial as well.

Remember, we're all here for you if you need us.

Those donations will be greatly appreciated I am sure.

And please accept my condolences on your loss. What a wonderfully quirky dog Indy must have been; how lucky you were that she found you.

bhatnasx, I'm sooo sorry for your loss. :(

I'm so sorry. Loosing a pet is devasting. I am glad you had the trip to enjoy together.

OP, my deepest condolences for your loss. My cat died a couple of years ago - I'd had her since childhood, so I entirely understand your grief. Since then I got 2 new kittens (now cats) who are entirely wonderful, but more than 2 years later, I still miss her.

The SPCA will greatly appreciate your donations - it's a generous gesture.

My thoughts are with you.

iI'm truly sorry to hear this, and can't even imagine how I'll handle things when my little dog passes away.

I'm so sorry. Whatever you do don't jump into getting another dog in a hurry. Let another one find you.

You deserve the best!

I'm so sorry for your loss ... your memories will keep your baby alive for you. Don't hurry to give her things away ... you might want to keep a few mementos to look at later. Put some in a box and put it away for now. Also, google "Raiinbow Bridge" ... it's a beautiful poem and there is a video online that is very inspiring ... it might make you cry, but that's what you need to do right now. Soon you'll be laughing over the memories of her antics. Best wishes.

Condolences
 

What a beautiful tribute you wrote. I'm sorry for your loss. We go into these relationships knowing our hearts will be broken sooner or later, but reaping the tail wagging rewards every day in between.
Bless you,

I'm so sorry to hear about Indy. :( :(

From the tribute you wrote, Indy was quite a best friend to you, and you were to Indy.

When you're ready, another dog will find you. My thoughts are with you.

I am very sorry for your loss.

I'm so sorry for your loss and thank you for sharing your story. Indy had a wonderful life with you, and she'll be watching over you across the rainbow bridge.

Man, that's a tough loss. Dogs are the most loving and adoring creatures-it doesn't matter how bad a day I've had, my dog is always there wagging his tail to greet me at the door.

Enjoy the good memories.

Again - thank you for the condolences...if anyone's interested - here are some pictures of her...unfortunately, the puppy picts I have of her are from before the digital camera days & I don't have a lot of them...

http://picasaweb.google.com/samirb/IndyDog#

She was a hell of a dog...

Condolences. It sounds like the time she spent with you was good for the both of you. Thanks for the story about her.

Just to add to the list of condolences here. I am really sorry but have a little insight having lost two dogs of which I was very fond in my lifetime. My parents still have pictures of our Irish Setter in their home as he was so much part of their lives. I still have pictures of the Rottweiler I had in my home.

Take care.

My condolences.

I know Indy said it every time she wagged for you, but please allow me to voice it for her one last time:

"Thank you for saving my life, loving me and giving me 10 wonderful years of adventures with you."

Continuing to spread the gospel of shelter pets might be a fitting tribute to her...

Bless you both.

bhatnasx... let me join everyone in extending my condolences as well.

Dogs and Cats become like members of the family and we can grieve for them as much as we grieve for our two legged loved ones.

A beautiful tribute to Indy... and I'm glad you had so many wonderful times together.

What a beautiful girl Indy is and what a great life she had with you! My sincerest condolences on your loss. We do always go in knowing that a relationship with a dog will never last long enough but the years you had her are well worth the grief. At least, that's what I have told myself.

I lost my Yorkie, Willy, last year and I'm from Las Vegas. If (and it's much too soon to even think about this) you ever decide you're ready to adopt a new best friend, feel free to PM me or ask on the boards because there are great groups here to adopt from. I found my Charlie from a fantastic agency here.

Jennifer

Indy was a cutie pie! She looked so happy in some of those photos. :) I love her ears, and especially this photo.

Her ears were definitely too big for her head & one was always flopped down! :)

Thanks, Jennifer - I'm not sure when I'll be ready, but I'll be in touch if when it gets to that point. I dropped some of Indy's stuff at the SPCA earlier in the week (food, treats, etc) - I was thinking about fostering a dog in the spring maybe.

Aww what lovely pics of your Indy :).
I am so glad I came to reread this thread to find you had posted pictures. Hope you are doing OK.

bhatnasx

I am also very sorry for your loss. It does get easier, but it takes a lot of time. Try try try to remember the good times now.

I'm also sure the Jacques the basset is being a true gentleman.


lala

But that's what made them so adorable! :D

In memory of Indy:
===========================================

Live simply.
Love generously.
Care deeply.
Speak kindly.
Remember, if a dog was the teacher you would learn things like:
When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.
Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.
Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure Ecstasy.
Take naps.
Stretch before rising.
Run, romp, and play daily.
Thrive on attention and let people touch you.
Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.
On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.
On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.
When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body.
Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.
Be loyal.
Never pretend to be something you're not.
If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.
When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by, and nuzzle them gently.


ENJOY EVERY MOMENT OF EVERY DAY BECAUSE THAT IS HOW MAN'S BEST FRIEND WOULD WANT YOU TO DO IT!

Many, many thoughts are with you this weekend.

I am so sorry for your loss....

condolences to bhatnasx
 

As my beloved Caitlyn (a CKSC) sleeps on my lap, I read your post and shed a tear. Please also accept my condolences for your loss

I am so sorry for your loss. Next time we LAS FTers get together, you get an Extra big hug from me...