Posted: Fri Dec 28, 2007 9:40 am Post subject: quarantine - my boy has died
My wife and myself lost a child before they were born a few years ago. Since then we have tried fertility treatment but have eventually come to the realisation that we can't have children.
I say this to let you know how much our dogs mean to us, they our family, there when we go to bed, there when we wake, and ther occupying our every waking hour, and we love them for it.
Our dogs were/are a gorgeous little terrier cross called Sophie (a sensitive little soul) who is seven years old and rescued by my wife, an rspca inspector at the time,after being dumped in a woods at 4 weeks.
My other dog, my beautiful boy was Sydney, a black Labrador and my first ever dog, and the best friend a man could ever have.
After my wifes miscarriage, and after both of us struggling with work and financially, I made the descision for us to emigrate to Australia so that I could re-train and we could start a new and better life for our little family. My wife was generally in agreement, but was so, so worried about our dogs, the flights and the 30 days quarantine they would have to go through.
I reassured her that they would be fine and that they were both strong and the picture of health and that the 30 days would pass before they (or us) knew it.
We left them with my in-Laws while we settled for a few months and bought a house, perfect for them both, with a large garden, a pool, near a beach and mostly fenced in. We also bought a big 4x4 with boot guard and rubber mats so we could take them out as much as we could. We then proceeded to spend weeks exploring our new home, searching out all the best places to take the dogs.
When they eventually flew over and we knew they were fine, my wife dragged me around all the pet shops, buying beds, toys, bowls and food - she was so excited about seeing them again and us being reunited as a family - we both were.
Last week on one of my regular calls to the quarantine station to check on their welfare, I was told that Sydney had been found dead in his run the previous afternoon, my beautiful boy was dead - he was only 5 years old - Sophie was in the run with him and had seen him die and had been with him until the animal attendants found him a few hours later on one of their checks. I was on my way to pick my wife up from christmas shopping and had to hold back the tears and pretend I hadn't called yet, until we got home. It was the longest half hour of my life.
Christmas was cancelled and we are both devestated - I am racked with guilt - our little boy is dead. My wife has not stopped crying since.
All that has been found out so far is that his post mortem showed his lungs collapsed and his chest filled with blood and fluid (god, why did they have to cut my beautiful boy?) - I don't understand it? They say he was fine that morning and bounding about as usual.
I have learned of the rainbow bridge, and know that my Sydney, my boy, is there now with friends, with Scoobie, Jasmine, Zen - I just want to be with him myself, to hold him and to tell him how proud I am of him and how much I love him - Please Syd, forgive me and look after your mum (and me) and we will be with you again when it's our turn to cross the rainbow bridge. Goodbye my son, I love you.
How desperately sad, my deepest sympathies to you and your wife and little Sophie for loosing such a treasured member of your family.
I am shocked by the apparently, callous attitude of the quarretine kennels. They have a duty to care legally as well as morally, and it seems like they were lacking in this in the way that you found out and, as I have taken it from what you have said, carrying out a postmortem without you permission.
Maybe when you have had some time to grieve for Sydney, you may want to persue this further with the kennel.
I shall have you and your wife in my thoughts today, and I so hope that you'll find happiness in time, and will be able to look back and enjoy your precious memories of your Sydney,
How devastating. I'm sat here in tears which I know is nothing to how you are feeling.
My deepest sympathies to you and your family.
I once had to have my horse stabled away from me for a couple of weeks whilst I had been persuaded to join the family on holiday. I didn't want to do this as she was very old and not too well. I found out the same way you did that she had died. No one called me or anything and it was a couple of days after the event when I called to check on her. I really do understand the guilt you're feeling but as you say, he was fine up until that day so you couldn't have predicted it and i'm 1110% certain he knew how much he was loved. I know that doesn't help you right now but in time the guilt will get less, I promise, and you'll be able to remember all the good memories you had together.
I am so so sorry, its tragicand although I don't know you, I have felt your pain through your words.
Nothing can bring back that which we have had taken away from us, but what we do have is our memories, hold onto them and Sydney will be forever with you.
WHEN TOMORROW STARTS WITHOUT ME
Author: Unknown
When tomorrow starts without me
And I'm not there to see;
The sun will rise and find your eyes,
All filled with tears for me.
I wish so much you wouldn't cry
The way you did today
Remembering how I'd lay my head
In your lap that special way.
I know how much you love me,
As much as I love you,
And each time that you think of me,
I know you'll miss me too.
But when tomorrow starts without me,
Please try to understand,
That an Angel came and called my name,
And petted me with her hand.
She said my place was ready,
In Heaven far above.
And that I'd have to leave behind,
All those I dearly love.
But, as I turned to heel away,
A tear fell from my eye.
For all my life I never thought,
That I would have to die.
I had so much to live for,
So many sits and downs to do,
That it seemed almost impossible,
That I was leaving you.
I thought about our lives together,
I know you must be sad.
I thought of all the love we shared,
And all the fun we had.
Remember how I'd nudge your hand,
And poke you with my nose.
The squirrel I would gladly chase,
The bad guy "I'd bark and hold".
If I could relive yeaterday,
Just even for a little while,
I'd wag my tail and kiss you,
Just so I could see you smile.
But, then I fully realized,
That this could never be;
For emptiness and memories,
Will take the place of me.
And when I thought of treats and toys
I might miss come tomorrow,
I thought of you and when I did
My dog-heart filled with sorrow.
But then I walked through Heaven's Gate
And felt so much at home;
As God looked down and smiled at me
From His beautiful throne.
He said, This is eternity,
And now we welcome you.
Today your life on earth is past,
But here it starts anew.
I promise no tomorrow
But today will always last;
For you see, each day's the same day
There's no longing for the past.
Now you have been so faithful,
So trusting, loyal and true.
Though there were times you did things,
You knew you shouldn't do.
But good dogs are forgiven,
And now at last you're free.
So won't you sit here by my side,
And wait right here with me?
So when tomorrow starts without me,
Don't think we're far apart.
For every time you think of me,
I'm right there, in your heart.
____________ Natalie x
LAB LINK RESCUE Co ordinator and Forum Administrator for my sins
Jack, Molly & Maia, watched over by Tara Banana from the Bridge
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