My Dear Siestas,
I’ve been needing to tell you something but it paled so dreadfully in comparison to the trials of those around us that I wouldn’t have dared share it when it happened. The mention of it would have been an insult. I’ve been looking for a time when we weren’t as mindful of terrible suffering, but the truth is, we daily become aware of astonishing hurts. Only yesterday someone shared another person’s loss in a blog comment that caused me to bawl my head off and get off my chair and onto the floor. This is embarrassingly minute in comparison. It’s just a Moore family thing but since you’ve been so involved in ongoing Sunny sagas, I feel like I should let you know.
On Wednesday, May 21st, I said good-bye to my beloved, faithful shadow and best friend of many years, Sunny. She was an unimpressive medium-size mixed-breed stray when she took up on my porch a jillion years ago but she has been my constant companion ever since and a source of much company and joy through some very lonely times. To tell you that I miss her is an understatement. It has yet to leave my mind.
Right around the time she got lost, she’d started getting really sick. At first, we thought it was an isolated thing but then she continued to have bouts. She got to where she cried much of the time so we knew she had to be in pain. After three different doctors and finally a referral to a specialty vet, we learned that she had a tumor on her spleen and that her liver was already “mottled,” indicating that disease had already spread to that organ. She was only comfortable when heavily medicated by a pain reliever and, if she was awake, she was nauseated. To let her suffer so was no way to treat such a lively, faithful pet.
I got to be with my girl, holding her gray face in my hands and telling her, through sobs, what a great job she’d done when she died. I still can’t recount it without crying. Keith buried her in my favorite place in my garden, right by my bench and surrounded by beautiful flowers. I can’t imagine ever having another little canine companion that will love me like that one did but, to be sure, one day down the road we’ll get another puppy. And she’ll have a hard act to follow.
I just wanted you to know what happened. You’ve been so sweet to care about all our dog drama. I have lots of perspective and am not even asking for prayer. Please spend that energy on people who are desperate to make it through this day. I’m doing fine, Sweet Sisters. Just a tad sad.
Thank you so much for your wonderful company on this pilgrimage with Christ Jesus. He is IT, isn’t He??
I love you like crazy.
beth
Tags: Dogs
Beth, thank you for being so tender towards others. Your humility is precious. Clearly, it has been one tough week for you. I will be praying for you, along with others suffering. Thanks for your incredible selfless example.
Love you sister,
Jaime
Oh, I’m so so sorry to hear that :-(. I feel like I know both of your sweet dogs since you include them in your bible studies! *big big hugs*
Oh Beth-I am so sorry. On the Siesta Fiesta Blog, our sweet sisters proclaimed our theme song to be “We are Family” from Sister Sledge….so just know that as part of our family, we hurt when you do. Love to you-Lissa
What a great picture of you and your precious Sunny. We had a beagle when I was growing up..and when my parents divorced Missy moved into the house…she became my mother’s best pal. When I turned 18 my brother left for the navy and I was busy with college…and there was Missy..taking care of my mom..loving her. At 21 I moved out and headed off to finish school…Missy was my mom’s BEST friend. My mom’s nest was empty..but Missy was there. Missy became so much of my mom’s dog..that even when I was home from college Missy would not come to me before tending to Mom.
I know you miss your precious Sunny but I know what a blessing that four-legged friend was!!
Thanks for sharing with us.
I did the same thing eight years ago to my dear puppy and still cry when I think of it – pets give such unconditional love – just like our glorious Jesus!! I’m feeling ya sister!! DQ Nana
My sweet friend Beth,
Love for anyone–dog,human or otherwise only comes from Jesus Himself. So while I cannot relate to an affinity for dogs, I love love just the same.
Thanks for sharing your heart with us.
Very quickly, I want to thank you for your responding to God’s prompting to do Stepping Up. I am a Bible study leader and was previewing it last night. It blessed me so. The idea of pilgrimage really spoke to me. The intro. video was a glimpse of grace for me which I so desperately needed reminding of.
I love you too.
Oh, Beth…We love you and even when you don’t ask…we are gonna pray for you. I love how He cares about the “minute” things in our lives. As I read through the comments of the hope of All Dogs Go To Heaven, and of so many of us having shared this kind of loss, I wonder, I just wonder, all of my sweet Siestas, maybe all of our sweet darlin’s are running, romping, and playing together! Maybe a stretch, but it sure makes me smile.
Dearest Beth and Moore family, I am crying along with everyone else and I agree too, that you do need our prayers because when we hurt, Jesus hurts too, no matter what it is about and He will carry you and your family through this time because He loves each and everyone of you!
God bless you all, Sacha
i’m crying with you….literally
I understand. Our 12-year-old dog “Tex” recently died. And nothing that matters to you is small to your sisters. We love you!
You know, just a couple of weeks after Sunny was returned to you, we lost our family dog, Katy. She was my husband’s beautiful and talented English Pointer and the first pet my children loved. She was only six years old and began dying around 6:30 in the morning out-of-the-clear-blue. We rushed her to the emergency vet clinic but she died in the car on the way there. While keeping it in perspective, we were all still very sad. She was precious and so sweet. I could tell she was frightened as she was suffering and it made the whole experience even sadder because we couldn’t ease her fears for her.
I’m sorry you don’t get to enjoy Sunny’s company anymore and I appreciate your willingness to pass the news along – even in light of the intense suffering of many you’ve spoken of. It’s still a very real sadness.
The Lord is activly preparing a place for you Beth and I know sunny will be there on the porch 🙂
Oh, Beth . . . I am so sorry to hear of your precious companion’s passing. I have three such buddies and cannot imagine losing even one. They become part of the family – just like one of the kids. I am glad you shared with the blog reader friends.
God Bless!
Beth,
I too, had to say goodbye to my four legged, best friend of 12 years a couple of weeks ago. Savannah Jane was my shadow. I miss her with all my heart (eyes leaking). When I get to heaven I am going to hunt down Noah and give him a big ol’ hug for saving all the animals!
Biggest hugs ever,
Heidi
Beth,
I do understand your feelings and emotions over Sunny….I had to “give” up my cat “Tammy” this last Feb. but it was not because she was sick–our son has been battling with a glioblastoma for the last year–I knew I did not have the time to spend with “Tammy” as she so needed so found her a new home….We are helping our grandchildren deal with our son’s battle with cancer.
Our son is back in the hospital; since May 17th….He has had bleeding in the area of the tumor that was removed….so many complications: high blood pressure, diabetes, etc. They are getting a handle on these “issues” and he is now in Rehab after 2 weeks…Working hard to regain his strength and endurance…God is so merciful and wishes to heal ALL HIS children..Mick is truly a fighter and when they tell him he has done enough for the day; he wants to do more!!
Please continue to keep him and his wife & children in your prayers….We believe in the Healing Power of God in this present day and are looking forward to the time when you will be able to hear “Mick’s” story of where God has brought him from and how he is living in perfect health to the Glory of God!!! I do so appreciate all your prayers…..
Nancy
Oh, Beth. I am so so sorry. I know that Sunny was sick the weekend you were here with us in Boise – and I’m sure it must have been so hard to concentrate.
She was a darling dog. And I’m so glad that God brought her home to you — so that you could properly hug her and say goodbye.
You may have it in perspective – but I know it still hurts. And for that I’m sorry and I understand.
Thanks for sharing something so personal with us.
Hugs –
I am so very sorry, Beth. My heart grieves with you. Blessing Him for giving you such a wonderful companion to see you through some tough years. You’re in my prayers, my friend. Hugging your neck in my heart. Love, Annette
I’m so sorry.
No prayer is too simple for Him.
He loves what makes you, you! Even the
crazy dog-lovin’ part.
Of course we’d pray for you … and the others that have face loss (great and small) this year.
Blessings!
Holy Father, loss is loss. Whether it’s a much loved pet we’ve spoken our innermost thoughts to or a precious child called to heaven. I don’t know how You will do it, Holy Spirit, but comfort Beth in her time of sorrow. Unconditional love is a terrible thing to lose. Thank You that we will never lose Your love. And thank You for sending Sunny to light up Beth’s life. We know she was a blessing sent from You to lighten her load. Thank You for loving her. Be tender with her through this loss. In Jesus Name. Amen.
The Journey Continues ~
Oh Sweet Beth, My heart is heavy for your precious Sunny loss. I spent that day remembering the loss of my father on May 21, 1994.My two boys found their loving Pappy that day 14 years ago. It was such a difficult time and then I lost my precious four-legged companion of 14 years our golden retriever named Kida shortly after. I still miss her dog kisses and loving heart. I will uplift you in my daily prayers ( as I do already) with extra tissues as you deal with heartfelt pain in saying farewell.
I am here for you Siesta!
Please feel my big HUG around you and know that you are being uplifted in prayer!
WITH “HEAVEN BOUND” BLESSINGS,
Kim Safina
http://www.kimsafinathejourneycontinues.blogspot.com
The Journey continues~
I wanted to add to my last post.
I too, said good-bye to my precious Kida as I watched her eyes go dim at the vet.clinic. She too had to be put to sleep due to illness and pain.
My heart is with you!
Our babies are buried in special spots. 🙂
With “Heaven bound” blessings,
Kim Safina
http://www.kimsafinathejourneycontinues.blogspot.com
Beth, I know these little creatures are family and the loss of one leaves such a void. I’m sending all the comforting cyber-hugs I have to you tonight.
Oh Beth,
I know you didn’t ask for us to pray for you but I am anyway. Our sweet German shepherd of 13 years passed away so I totally understand. 🙁
And might I add, I was SO VERY touched by the beautiful entry you had for the Chapmans. It was such a breath of fresh air in contrast to the stark, bland media coverage that is completely void of the spiritual aspect of tragedy that happens within the family of God. You kept it simple and Word bound and it was a wonderful reminder of our GLORIOUS HOPE!!! Thanks again for rising to the occasion and allowing the Lord to you use you inspite of your own loss you were experiencing!!!
Father God, I can’t THANK you enough for ALL that you do through people- broken vessels to further your relationship with us!!! We can’t wait to see how you are going to use these experiences to further your kingdom!!! May your Will be done!!!
Amen
Love and Blessings to you sweet Siesta!!!
Deb W from MI
Miss Beth,
I know just how you feel. My Tigger was such a special friend to me for 12 years. He joined me every morning during my quiet time; and he loved it when I turned the praise music up and made a joyful(?)unto the Lord. If I sat too long at the computer he would walk across my desk and lay himself on the keyboard. Guess it was time for a break. He knit himself to my heart and it hurt when he was gone. I really believe that God gives us special friends in our pets! Tigger always sensed my moods and would comfort me when I was sad. The hardest thing for me was that he wasn’t there to console me in my grief.
And so…Sweet Beth, I will pray for you, because saying goodbye is always hard.
Thank you for sharing. You are a blessing to me!
judie in MN
Oh Beth, I’m so sorry. I know how much you loved her and how very much she loved you. It is not a silly thing, and though you did not ask for prayer, I’m still going to pray for you. Yes, there’s more horrible things happening around us, but losing a best friend, is a very hard, sad thing. I’m glad you told us.
Love you too!
Melana
Oh Beth. I’m so sorry about Sunny. I can’t even read your whole entry, and I’m so sorry about that too, because the pain of losing my beloved Francie is still too fresh. I got to hold my sweet girl as she died as well, and I wouldn’t have had it any other way. We were together for one month shy of 15 years. I’m just so sorry about your Sunny. But now I have to go because I have a sinus infection and my sobbing is not helping that at all. My heart goes out to you like you’ll never know. Your Sunny was a beautiful girl!
Your friend,
Kim (in Albuquerque)
Beth,
What a beautiful picture! I am glad you have it. It is ok to feel sadness as someone else grieves. God knows our hearts, our pains. Timing…
Beth, I am so sorry. Sending hugs to you and your family.
Love ya,
Dianne
Well, I’m going to pray for you even if you didn’t want to ask. I’m so sorry to hear abot little Sunny.
Karen
Dripping SPrings, TX
Our Dear Sweet Beth and Family,
How precious to know that this sweet little dog was around to hear all of your secrets and prayers to our Lord Jesus. To know that this special friend was always at your side to give you a physical love that is just too priceless to put into words. I do believe that God gives us these special friends to let us know that they will love us in spite of any circumstance…just as He does! It is unconditional love for sure and how precious is that?! Enjoy your memories and cherish the precious thoughts of a companion most certainly sent from above!
Blessings to you our sweet angel,
Love,
Donna
Love is love and loss is loss. Yes, the world is full of devastating hurts and loss – there is always something “worse” than our own grief. Does that make our feelings mean less?
There is a time for grief – to mourn those blessings which God has given for a season. It is an honor to Sunny, and to your love for her, that you mourn her. Be gentle with yourself dearest Beth. I am sorry for your loss.
~Bethany
We said goodbye to our dear loyal friend and companion of nearly 12 years, Daisy, on May 6th. Our situation was much like what you experienced with Sunny. I know the feeling. It’s so hard to see them suffer. You want to do what’s right for them and for your family and be a good steward of this life that God has entrusted to you. It’s all just so hard.
I am so sorry.
Donna
Beth,
Many blessings to you and from one dog lover to another I am thinking of you! Thank you for sharing and yes although they are “just dogs” to some they are also some of God’s greatest little blessings with “furry legs”. And as I call mine they are my “furry babies”.
I love you!
Have a great weekend and I can’t wait to start that new bible study!! Very exciting and I plan on trying to recruit some others to join in.
Blessings,
Lori in SW MO
P.S. Melissa, I love your kitchen it looks so cute and what a great little cook you are. I have been married 12 years and it has taken a LONG time for me to start loving cooking. I still have my moments! Thankfully during the summer my hubby helps out by grilling. 🙂 Burgers, brats, pork chops, shrimp, hot dogs on a charcoal grill!!
What a lovely dog, what a relationship worth remembering. I am sure God has already planning your perfect puppy.
Thanks for sharing, I know how you loved her! My dogs are my best little buddies too. I totally understand.
I am so sorry for your loss. Our hearts are with you.
grief is grief.. loss is loss.. the Lord doesn’t weigh our burdens out on a scale, a broken heart is a broken heart. there are many tragic things going on around us but it doesn’t mean that whatever shakes our world shouldn’t hold significance in our heart. part of walking as brothers and sisters is sharing the joys of life, and also the grief.. i pray you have peace and that God fills the heart from your sweet puppy with love and comfort only He can provide.
Sweet Beth, I haven’t cried in years (yes, much healing needs to take place) but this broke me. Thank you for sharing your life with us. Your ministry blesses me every day. I’m not a hugger but a big friendly wave is sent your way.
Sweet dear Beth,
am so sorry for Sunny, it is hard, and you are right, you will get through this, but yu will be in my prayers, because that is what we are taught to do, to lift up our sisters! She was special to us through you.
i love you ,
delilah
I’m so crying for you, Beth! I will probably eventually make myself laugh at myself for crying over a dog I have never even met, but right now, I can’t laugh about it! I’m too sad!
I’ll pray for you, dear sister! Our furry friends can be such amazing friends, indeed.
Bless your heart. I so identify with your loss and your desire to keep it in perspective. I’ve read your descriptions of your loneliness and heard you express your need for friendships. Even though one has a crowd surrounding them and is part of an accountability group, a darling doggy that meets you when you come in the door feeling a bit on the melancholy side, just lifts the spirits. My dog listens to me when I pray, laugh, cry, and on the rare occasions when I talk to myself, he looks interested so I don’t feel so crazy. Since my husband works out of town and all the girls are grown and gone, my dog is my shadow, just as your Sunny was. It’s very difficult to discover that your shadow is absent–painful, diminishing, incomplete. And yet, in perspective we know that the pain of losing a pet is not the same as the loss of our humans. I do believe that if our fullness of joy in heaven requires that our pets meet us there, then our God will have them waiting, tails wagging and ears alert, in the place He has prepared.
I am so sorry ! I know what you are going through Had a choclate lab that got hit by a car. I also had to put my English Budgie to sleep about two weeks ago. Ya get attached and love them alot it hurts and it’s hard and May Our Lord and Savior take your pain away!
Love your sis in Christ
Susan Murphy
Dear Beth,
Talk about it all you want. I feel the same way about my dog and can´t even think about the day he´ll be gone.
I´ve been reading “Feathers from my nest”, and the way Sunny was brought into your home was just precious.
Big hug, Julia
Beth,
It is fitting that because we laugh with you, we also cry with you for your loss. May He bring you His amazing peace in the days ahead. Thank you for not only teaching His Word, but for showing how to live it with passion. We are crazy about you too sweet Beth!
By His Grace,
Donna
Oh….I almost wish I hadn’t visited the blog today. I’m so sorry. Anybody who has loved and been loved by a dog feels your loss.
Thank you Beth for sharing about your loss. She looked like a sweet little friend. I have lifted you and your family up this morning, asking that He comfort you during this time of loss.
Blessings,
Alyce
Well, I cried last week for the Chapmans and I cried this morning for you. You are right that the two sufferings do not compare, but there is a piercing pain at losing such a sweet friend. I’ve walked a mile in those shoes and I know.
You are also right that He is IT. Does it never cease to amaze you that He provides so many, many ways to show us He loves us? Even an unimpressive, medium-sized, mixed-breed stray.
Love to you this day,
Melinda
Beth,
Just last year, also on May 21, my husband and I said goodbye to our “first child” of 17 years, our dog Rotten. My husband sobbed like I’ve never seen him sob before.
I’ll never forget when we left the vet with him that day, and the sweet man working there asked if we were taking his body home or wanted it to be cremated. I said that we lived “in the country,” and we’d be taking him home with us. He smiled with tears in his eyes and said, “I live in the country too; that’s just how we do it.” I cry nearly every time I walk past Rotten’s grave near the back of our property.
Thank you for sharing with all of us. Such a grief may not be of the same magnitude as others presently occuring, but it’s real.
Beth
For me I can’t imagine life without pets. It is always soooo sad when one dies because they are part of the family. I’m sorry & I’m praying for you. Great picture.
Blessings in Christ–
My parents just had to put down their faithful golden on tues. since they got her while both my sis and i were at college they said they wanted “noise” in the house 😉 she was 12, and they too know its for the better. I just thank God for the wonderful companions that He gives us in animals, they do sometimes the funniest things in the middle of such chaos, you can’t help but laugh. thanks for sharing.