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Keeping afloat

By Diana Sprain posted 04-13-2014 14:00

  

Today is my first shift back to work after losing my beloved companion, Moshuh.  Now, I know I shouldn't compare the loss of a dog to a person, but it's still tough. Moshuh was 13 1/2 when he took his last breath on Friday, April 11th. He joined our family on September, 2000. He was my shadow, ever underfoot or at my side.

Needless to say, these past couple of days I've been a wreck.

I am trying to maintain my composure at work. It's not easy keeping my voice under control. Unfortunately, we just don't have the available staff right now to let me take an extra day or two off. In fact, it's just me for the next two days (we are a small dispatch facility and we're not twenty-four hours).

The last time I went through the loss of a companion, I was with a different agency. I went in that day as scheduled but they sent me home. This time, someone has t lookout for the field units and that person is me. So I'll swallow my angst and do my job. Isn't that what we (dispatchers) always do?

We all deal with tragedy in different ways. I wrote about my buddy on my web blog. He will have a memorial page in the breed's magazine. I know he had a good last day before the end, spending some time in the sun. I have the memories of a good friend.

After today, a new dispatch trainee starts. That's good news. I'll have something to concentrate on besides what is not waiting for me at home.

I hope this shift goes by quick.

Goodbye buddy, until we meet again.

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Cheryl Konarski
04-18-2014 13:15

My prayers are with you. We just had to put down our beloved Mitzi after almost 15 years. We know it was the right thing to do but it is still so hard. We know she had a great life and she was well loved. The grief is just as real as we have for a person and the need to grieve just as real. Take care and remember the wonderful times.

Jody Hickey
04-18-2014 08:36

Diana my sympathy to you, four legs or not they are family and loss is difficult. May memories help you find peace. My dad sent this poem to me when my childhood dog Freckles died while I was in college. I have kept it near and dear since. Hope it helps,
Jody
Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to 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...

Linda Ford
04-15-2014 23:50

I can relate only too well-I am about to lose my 14 year old Shepard and just the thought of it brings a well of tears and I choke up. Hang in there and do the best you can do.