Dear Harry
Posted on Sunday, 5th September 2004 at 11:04pmI was going to take you for a walk Friday afternoon Harry, it was the second day of spring and the sun was out, also, my back seemed up for a walk. It had been so long since we went for a walk, I could hear the bushes and poles crying out for you to pee on them, your pee was the coolest, the other dogs pee wasn’t the same.
I was just about to come tell you about the fantastic walk we were about to set upon, when I was told that you didn’t look well and I had better come see. I really didn’t expect to see you in the state you were in. You were on the ground, struggling to breathe, and you didn’t respond to anything I said Harry-Boo. You’d start howling now and again and move your legs like you were trying to run, but your eyes were rolled back and you couldn’t move, it’s was horrible. I had to hold your jaw open so you could breathe.
We took you to the local vets and they said you were probably bitten by a snake and we let them give you an injection of anti-venom. It cost $400, but we didn’t care about the cost, we were told it would save you. Then we were told to go home and wait a few hours for it to take effect, those hours were so long. Finally the phone rang and a nurse told us to come pick you up, when I saw you I didn’t know what to think. They said you were stable, but you looked like you were in a coma. They told us to take you home and watch you over the weekend; they were all going home and couldn’t look after you. We asked if you might have had a seizure and they said no, it was not a seizure. They also said you were burnt and your hair was failing out, we saw no signs of burns or your hair falling out before we took you up there.
We decided to take you to another vets even though the local vets said you would make it through the night, we felt that we couldn’t care for you at home and you’d be in better hands at a vets. We didn’t want to be in the situation where you stopping breathing and we couldn’t do anything. We took you to an Emergency Vet Centre which was about an hour away - we told them all the details and waited while they assessed you. After 15 minutes the vets finally came to talk to us. They told us you were in a coma, you had severe brain damage and they wanted to know why we brought a comatose dog in. They told us they had to put you down, they could not send you home with us or put you in the ICU because you wouldn’t recover. This was a far cry from what the local vets told us earlier on.
You apparently had a brain tumour, which caused the massive seizure that you had, I’m told you didn’t feel any pain - I hope that is true. Even if the local vets had of treated you properly it wouldn’t have made a difference, you’d been having the seizure for too long and it cut off oxygen to your brain. It would have been less traumatic for us though. I feel so angry - we listened to them because we thought they knew what they were talking about. I’m not a trained vet, but even I could see you were in a coma.
I wish you could have talked old chap, told me you weren’t well. Looking back, you clearly had a few signs of a brain tumour. You definitely had Geriatric Separation Anxiety and your personality had changed, it was like you were a little puppy again. Remember how we told the local vets about this ages ago and they said you were just being ‘a blue heeler’? We shouldn’t have listened to them. Just four days ago I was outside throwing you your dog beer - it’s hard to believe you’re gone.
Did you know the dog next door sounds exactly like you? It barked a few times today and for a split second I thought “What is Harold barking at?” and then I remembered that you weren’t there.
I miss you Harry, Saturday morning pancakes and TV won’t be the same without you.
73 Responses to “Dear Harry”
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September 5th, 2004 at 11:39pmLovewine Says:
Sad…
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September 6th, 2004 at 12:04amNicola Says:
oh hun,
*big hugs for you* Im so sorry for your loss…
Long live the memory of Harry!!
xxxxxxxxxxxx
(ps I hope your gonna have a word with that local vet of yours, even though they wouldnt have been able to do anything more to help.. they got $400 out of you that wasnt needed)
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September 6th, 2004 at 12:15ammetao! Says:
Wow. Im really sorry, dude. This is a great tribute.
Im sure he is chasing children and barking at birds in doggy heaven, where the air is clear and the trees and plentiful and its Smackos all day long.
RIP.
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September 6th, 2004 at 12:17amCristina Says:
I am so sorry Kitta! I know how it feels to lose a pet, a member of your family. *hugs*
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September 6th, 2004 at 1:03amstu Says:
awww kitta, thats so sad, so sudden, he had a good life and was well looked after and cared fore, rest in peace harry,
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September 6th, 2004 at 1:09amSwifty Says:
My Condolences.
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September 6th, 2004 at 1:48amKeddy Says:
Hey kitta,
I know how you feel on thursday my 3 1/2 year old iguanna died too. I miss him lots, also so hey hang in there I know loosing a pet is rough they are part of the family.Anyway hope you feel better soon. Sorry for your loss.
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September 6th, 2004 at 1:58amDaniel Says:
I’m so sorry
It’s awfully tough losing someone close to you like that.I wish you the best.
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September 6th, 2004 at 2:19amjayjay Says:
Dude I never met harry, but I always thought he was a handsome little guy. I’m sorry for your loss. I’ve lost 3 dogs so I know how you feel. *hugs and kunis*
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September 6th, 2004 at 2:28amPeter Says:
!
o
OA tear came to my eye. Sincere condolences, Kitta.
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September 6th, 2004 at 2:52amMelissa Says:
I’m so sorry Kitta…
I hope you and your family feel better soon… -
September 6th, 2004 at 3:28amCK Says:
I’ve been through the same thing twice this year, so I know the feeling
My deepest sympathies and condolences. -
September 6th, 2004 at 5:28amRachael Says:
Aw, doll. It’s so sad to lose a pet, especially when you are close to them. I hope you can feel better soon in knowing that he is better off now. *Hugs*
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September 6th, 2004 at 5:30amLoddy Says:
Oh Kitta I’m so sorry. My condolences.
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September 6th, 2004 at 6:19amAnita Says:
*sigh* I too have a little dog and my boyfriend and I talk about him not being with us sometimes and how we cant imagine it. He is 2 now , still but a puppy but i really cant imagine him not being with us when we go to walks. He goes with us everywhere, hes like an attatchment to our hearts, which is how Id like to put it. The posts you write about Harry always made me smile and made me think how much like my Boofy he is, so attatched to his toys. Boofy too has a toy beer and a pooh bear which he always hassles me with! I really can imagine the pain you are in at the moment, and i can truly sympathise. I got attatched to Harry too. Im ready to cry
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September 6th, 2004 at 6:26amYang Says:
So sorry to hear that ,cheer up and Harry must be looking forward to your smiling not tears there.
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September 6th, 2004 at 6:37amDarkhorse Says:
Cheers for all the good times you and Harry had together! I’m sure he led a happy fulfilled life with you, Kitta.
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September 6th, 2004 at 6:54amTiffany Says:
Oh my God I am so sorry hun. I went through something similar with my puppy a couple months ago - he got stepped on and was clearly dying and no one would take him. Finally an emergency vet said even though he was sick he’d come get him, and luckily Bandit is okay.
I wish your dog could have been as lucky. I really hope you do something about those vets, because they clearly aren’t doing their job. It sounds like they hurt Harry, and maybe caused his death.
I really hope you are okay. I would be devastated if I were you.
If you need anyone to talk to drop me a line.
Lots of hugs and kisses for you.
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September 6th, 2004 at 9:18amJohn R Says:
I’m so sorry to hear of your loss, Kitta. I read your eulogy for Harry and immediately went and stroked my two dogs, Charlie and Sam, to show them I love them. Rudyard Kipling says it best in his poem “The Power of the Dog”:
When the body that lived at your single will,
With its whimper of welcome, is stilled (how still!);
When the spirit that answered your every mood
Is gone–wherever it goes–for good,
You will discover how much you care,
And will give your heart for the dog to tear.Love to you and to the memory of Harry.
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September 6th, 2004 at 9:32amWe might as well dance Says:
Giving your heart for a dog to tear
Kitta has posted a eulogy to her dog, Harry, who died at the weekend. I was reminded of the poem “The Power of the Dog” by Rudyard Kipling, where he says “Buy a pup and your money will buy Love… -
September 6th, 2004 at 9:32amGiving your heart for a dog to tear
Kitta has posted a eulogy to her dog, Harry, who died at the weekend. I was reminded of the poem “The Power of the Dog” by Rudyard Kipling, where he says “Buy a pup and your money will buy Love… -
September 6th, 2004 at 9:32amJP (Columbia, South Carolina) Says:
Take what comfort you can from knowing that we all share in your loss.
Here, all the way around the world, someone whom you’ve never met or spoken with is wishing you strength and happiness.
There must be some hope in that.
Smile.
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September 6th, 2004 at 10:29amRachel Says:
*hugs* I’m sorry that happen Kitta. I’m actually crying here. I can’t believe he is gone. RIP Harry
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September 6th, 2004 at 12:35pmPritam Pal Says:
Unfortunate. But life goes on …
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September 6th, 2004 at 2:59pmBecky Says:
I’m sooo sorry about your loss. I can’t imagine how much it must hurt.
RIP Harry -
September 6th, 2004 at 3:01pmEvent Horizon Says:
I’m sorry about Harry. I understand how it is to have lost a dear friend.
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September 6th, 2004 at 3:30pmbob Says:
kitta, I’m a lurker and never comment. I can’t helpt but say sorry to read about Harry. You were the best thing that ever happened to him.
I’m certain he was glad to have been with all of you.
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September 6th, 2004 at 4:41pmNoodlez Says:
My condolences to you Nikita.
It is always sad to loose a friend. -
September 6th, 2004 at 4:46pmAbhay Says:
My condolences.
Having a dog of my own (a Boxer named Pluto) who was recently involved in a serious accident, I could identify with the anguish and pain of seeing your loved puppy go through all that. Pluto is fine now but for a few minutes, I thought I’d lost him and I knew what he means to me and how much he’s part of my life. I suppose every dog lover knows how that feels. Here is a small poem that might help you through the pain.
The Rainbow Bridge
by Steve and Diane BodofskyBy the edge of a wood, at the foot of a hill,
in a lush green meadow where time stands still.
Where friends of man and woman do run,
when their time here on earth is over and done.
For between this world and the next,
is a place where every beloved creature finds rest.
On this golden land, they wait and they play,
until the Rainbow Bridge they cross over one day.
No more do they suffer in pain or in sadness,
for here they are whole, their hearts filled with gladness.
Their limbs are restored, their health renewed,
their bodies have healed, their strength is imbued.
They romp through the grass with nary a care,
until one day they start and sniff at the air.
All ears prick forward, eyes dart front and back,
then all of a sudden one breaks from the pack.
In just that instant, their eyes have met,
and there reunited - both person and pet.
So they run to each other, these friends from long past,
there time of parting over at last.
The sadness they felt while they were apart,
has turned to joy once more in each heart.
They embrace with a love that will last forever,
then side by side they cross over together.[a]
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September 6th, 2004 at 8:03pmSimon Says:
My condolences to you.
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September 6th, 2004 at 9:05pmggb Says:
cheer up…you know…like the movie…all doggies go to heaven…and stuff. =]
Be happy and don’t dwell on it…Harry would have wanted it that way. ^.^
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September 6th, 2004 at 9:16pmBob Says:
I’m so sorry for lost such a good friend. There is nothing like the adoration and love of a dog. Their lives are shorter than ours by nature and I think it is in part so that we learn to appreciate those that are special in our life. He will live on for you in your remembrance and in your heart. It is so sad isn’t it, but I urge you to reflect on the wonderful life he had. Sleep now Harry, rest.
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September 6th, 2004 at 11:58pmAna Says:
Aww… My sincere condolences go out to you hun’. Petowners like ourselves, never EVER imagine our babies will be gone. That one day, they will eventually have to go, we outlive them. But when it actually happens, it’s too much to bear. I have 2 dogs and a cat. I cant’ imagine the day I have to let them go… *sigh*
Many Blessings to you and I know Harry is in heaven looking upon you.
***Hugs***
Ana -
September 7th, 2004 at 6:59amKayhadrin Says:
Sincere condolences. May your spirits meet again.
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September 7th, 2004 at 7:33ammatt Says:
sorry
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September 7th, 2004 at 7:46amLis Says:
So sorry to hear about little Harry.. I hope you will be comforted to know that so many people care about you and hope your spirits will be lifted one day soon…
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September 7th, 2004 at 8:26amNick B Says:
Im so truly sorry Kitz. It’s always hard loosing a dearly loved pet. Thanks for letting us get to know Harry through your blog and photos.
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September 7th, 2004 at 9:09amKris Says:
I’m sorry to hear that. I know how much he meant to you from all your posts. It is always hard to loose a family member. I dread the day when I will recieve the same news of my 11+ year old dog who has trouble breathing. When you’re done grieving, consider action against the vet so that the next time a sick animal goes in there, they treat it with care and respect.
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September 7th, 2004 at 10:28amCandy Says:
:o( *hugs* Awww Kitta you got me crying again that was beautiful.
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September 7th, 2004 at 11:22amDan Mac Salem, Ma Says:
I am so sorry to hear about this. I wish there some thing, I could say to help you though this and take the pain away.
No matter what he will be with you. Time will ez the pain.
you had me teary-eyed Pets be come family, and it hurts to lose a love one. bigs hugs for you.Dan M. Salem, MA USA
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September 7th, 2004 at 12:33pmRoy Says:
Condolences and hugs from Mexico =`( ….
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September 7th, 2004 at 1:26pmSeraphena Says:
Oh Kitta…..that’s so sad. Reading that post made tears well up in my eyes. You’ve talked of Harry so much in your past posts and it is indeed, hard to believe he is gone. None the less, we can be sure he’s content and no doubt having a ball of a time, while always holding fond memories of the wonderful life and happiness your brought him.
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September 7th, 2004 at 4:16pmSammie Says:
Aww Kitta. This brings tears to my eyes.
I want to say something to make you feel better, but I know theres nothing that can do that. I know how hard it is to loose your baby. Someone thats been in the family for so long. My cat died from cancer. I will never forget the day I woke up to feel him not breathing and my whole body just sunk.
I hope you can keep all the good memories for as long as you live.
God bless luv.
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September 8th, 2004 at 12:38amGreg Says:
That’s a heartbreaking story Kitta. Harry seemed like a wonderful little dog. I’ve usually taken the loss of a pet harder than losing a relative. Somehow saying goodbye to the little friend you’ve loved and protected from the world is almost too much to bear. If heaven awaits when this life is over, I know Harry-Boo will be waiting for you.
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September 8th, 2004 at 1:11amZinke Says:
Sorry for your loss of Harry. I bet he was a great pal and you’ll always have fond memories of walks and playing together! Best Wishes!
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September 8th, 2004 at 2:01amShane Says:
My condolences, Kitta. I had a collie pass away years ago from illness, and I still miss him. He was a happy dog with a happy life, though, as he let us know every day. I think Harry would want you to know the same about him.
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September 8th, 2004 at 3:51pmshaan Says:
thats sad news kitta, dont know what i would do without my blitzen …
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September 8th, 2004 at 4:32pmdrea Says:
aww, sorry for the loss
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September 8th, 2004 at 5:48pmIan Says:
Sorry for your loss …………Know How you feel still think of my best mate …..on and of after 5 years .
Hope all is well ………..have good memorys ….thay always
stay with you .
Ian
PS. Love your site. -
September 8th, 2004 at 8:54pmerin Says:
So, so sorry. I hope you’re okay.
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September 9th, 2004 at 4:50amHi Kitta,
I just me again. I hope you are recovering form the lose of harry. You do have a way woth words to move us all so deepy to tear up. You should be a writer with the gift that you have. Anyway, Hope you are feeling better and as I said before, time will heal the pain.your friend
Dan M. MA, USA -
September 9th, 2004 at 6:04amkenny Says:
Sorry for your loss
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September 9th, 2004 at 6:23amChar Says:
My condolences.. x
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September 9th, 2004 at 7:25amvictor Says:
thats too bad, sorry, harry boo was a nice doggy
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September 9th, 2004 at 12:30pmensie Says:
This is my first visit to your blog, and I’m typing this in tears. You’ve written a wonderful tribute to a great dog. So sorry for your loss.
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September 9th, 2004 at 12:42pmRoderick Howard Says:
My condolences to you. Just think about the good times you had with Harry.
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September 9th, 2004 at 6:45pmJamey Says:
So sorry to hear that your dog died.
My brother died in a motorcycle accident last year. (2003)
I’ve prayed to my brother to look after Harry in the afterlife.
He loved dogs while he was alive so Harry will definitely be a great companion for him.
Dogs don’t go to Doggy Heaven…
They go to the REAL Heaven and hang out with our deceased friends and relatives!
Check out my brother’s website at:
http://www.corychapman.com
Please take a moment to sign his Guestbook and/or Guestmap.
(P.S.) Kitta, I’m the guy who informed you of some other girl using your pic on HotorNot.com) -
September 9th, 2004 at 9:44pmSoBo jb Says:
Nice eulogy. R.I.P. Harry.
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September 11th, 2004 at 1:59amolkgal Says:
i can relate to your loss. my dog passed away in her sleep while i was at work. i never got to say goodbye. till today, i miss her so much. at time, i still dream of her. it’s so real that when i wake up, i still think that she’s asleep on the bed with me.
dogs love you unconditionally, so how can you not do the same back? hence the loss is so great.
Just remember that harry was loved by you and he loves you back in his silly doggy way
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September 11th, 2004 at 2:11amZOP Says:
I’m so sorry for your loss Nikita….my family, we’ve been life-long dog owners and over the years we’ve lost I believe five. Every singl time it’s devastating. They’re your best friends, a memebr of the family, a little four legged brother or sister.
I don’t know what else to say, but words dont’ help much at times like these anyway. Just know Harry would certainly want you to go on.
*hug*
~Z
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September 11th, 2004 at 8:39pmMaThIbUs Says:
That’s so sad! My condolences.
To hell with those local vets. “A blue heeler”, poor dog! If they wouldn’t have been so shitty back then, Harry might’ve still been alive.
A couple of years ago, I experienced that our local vet was lying to us, too. Our oldest dog, Boomer, had to go on a routine investigation. The vet claimed he had heart problems, and subscribed expensive (not that we ever care about price, as long it helps Boomer) pills, which we had to buy in her practice. (Later we found out the local drugstore was selling the very same pills at a much much lower price.) As we never noticed anything wrong with Boomer before, we found all this very strange. He seemed like a healthy dog.
As we started giving Boomer the pills, nothing changed.
Eventually, we went to another vet in a city nearby for a second opinion. He investigated Boomer, and came to the conclusion that nothing was wrong. The pills, in fact, would harm him if we continued on giving them to him unnecessaryly.
I needn’t say we never ever visited the first vet again.Two weeks ago—but that’s a whole different story—, Boomer had serious breathing problems, too. We all were so afraid to lose him… I’m saying this, because that’s why I can imagine what you are and have been going through. I’m really sorry for your loss.
(Luckily, things ended out well for Boomer—he’s sitting right next to me as I’m writing this comment.)
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September 11th, 2004 at 8:48pmlove the shirt, dorothy!
like the chix0r and the I eat boys shirt lol
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September 12th, 2004 at 3:44amMarie Says:
We put my dog, Precious, of 13 years to sleep on 4-24-04. It was the worst day of my life. I still cry often. It sounds weird to some people when I say this, but she was my life. I could never even love a human the way I loved her. We had to put her to sleep because she was getting so old she could barely walk. Good luck hun. Visit petloss.com if it helps. That site just makes me cry.
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September 12th, 2004 at 4:22amI haven’t seen joyful but you remember how she was she lost jilly. check out some cool dance moves and put lil smile on. http://dickcream.com/history/0611/
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September 12th, 2004 at 11:06pmapex Says:
sorry to hear about the lose of ur beloved harry, he’s up in doggy heaving looking down on you
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September 13th, 2004 at 12:33amSteve Says:
I recently discovered your site by mistake but was pleasently surprised. Very sad news about Harry, keep ya chin up.
Time heals all wounds.
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September 13th, 2004 at 12:37amPaul Says:
holy crap! that would be that worst thing! a pet dying when you thought they were fine. Feel sorry for you. Don’t worry, he’ll always be in your memory and i think that’s the most important part of him you can have (well except from him being alive of course). hope you feel better soon.
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September 13th, 2004 at 2:13pmVela Says:
That entry made me so sad
Harry, even I miss you <3 -
September 14th, 2004 at 4:32amColin Says:
R.I.P. Harry
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September 14th, 2004 at 6:22amMemphis Belle
While reading a recent entry from the sparkling aussie, Kitta, about her recent loss of her beloved Harry, it made me remember all over again the recent passing of Belle.I remember Belle (our Bouvier des Flandres) when she first arrived to our hous…
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September 14th, 2004 at 9:07amkelly Says:
My heart breaks for you, Kitta.
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September 20th, 2004 at 7:13amLilly Says:
That is so sad, I was in tears as I read your entry. I can only imagine what it can be like to lose someone/something you love. A pet is like a family member, similar to a brother, a sister sometimes even a child. To lose them is to lose a family member, and I can understand your pain. I pray that he is in heaven (where he belongs) looking down at you and smiling. He knows you loved him, and that’s what matters. You made his stay on earth a pleasant one, it was his time… and one day you shall share heaven with him. Take care kitta and I am trully sorry.
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September 24th, 2004 at 2:02amgirlwonder Says:
wow. there are very few PEOPLE that i feel this strongly about and to see you feel that way about your beloved harry makes my heart break. sorry for your loss.
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