Last night Lagniappe finally lost his remaining ability to walk. We sat together on the floor and shared a last bag of popcorn, then I lifted him up onto my bed and talked to him and petted him until around one AM. This morning, he didn't even want to get up, so I didn't make him. I cooked a nice breakfast of sausage and potatoes and gave him half, on his own plate on the bed. Then we took a long ride among the fall colors, stopping to buy a couple of donuts on the way to the vet. He went peacefully. He just closed his eyes, and then he was gone.
He's in a better place now, able to run and play again while he waits for me, no doubt in the company of another German Shepherd and a Golden Retriever that went before him.
Lagniappe, it seems like just yesterday that you came to live with me.
Thank you for eight great years, my friend.
I'll miss you.
Sorry for your loss my friend.
ReplyDeleteIt is never easy to lose such a beloved and good companion.
We'll miss Lagniappe.
Aaron, Tash, Abby and Leah
So sorry to hear he's gone. Glad you two had so many great times and great memories.
ReplyDeleteOh, R. I knew this day was coming but I was really hoping it would be later than sooner.
ReplyDeleteSo very sorry for your loss, my friend. Lagniappe was special.
I am so happy that I got a chance to meet the big lug.
I am sure they have Swiss Miss soft serve in heaven.
Thinking of you today,
J
In a perfect world, our dogs would live exactly five minutes longer than us. Alas, the math of canine longevity dictate that we will go through this numerous times.
ReplyDeleteFrom your recent posts, it was apparent that this was looming in the future, my deepest sympathies that it has finally occurred.
His suffering is over, that is the good thing. Sadly, yours begins.
Again, deepest sympathies,
Schmoe
With immense sadness, thank you for allowing Lagniappe to enrich our lives.
ReplyDeleteEveryone has their own beliefs and manage grief in deeply personal ways. I believe that the pain felt for the passing of a loved one is, obviously, an inability to let go, to be unable to fend off the human nature of wanting them with us always. I try to take solace in knowing that they are in a better place and that I should rejoice, not mourn, to treasure what time I had with them. I try. Sometimes, often times, I succeed. But, there is always the presence of their absence.
Condolences for your loss. Please know that Lagniappe will be remembered by distant and unknown friends.
I am so sorry for your loss.
ReplyDeleteSorry for your loss. He was a special dog.
ReplyDeleteDude.
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh!! *HUG*
ReplyDeleteI too have been seeing this coming for some time now. Being the animal lover that I am, I had hoped it would not be this soon. It sounds as if you gave your companion the best possible send off. I am sure he appreciated it.
ReplyDeleteMy sincerest condolences on the loss of your friend.
ReplyDeleteI wish I could have met him. But I feel like I knew him well through your vivid and hilarious descriptions of his life. (My favorite was when he drank your whiskey!)
ReplyDeleteA great dog is a great friend, and you have been blessed to have him. I share your sorrow, but the joy and the fun you had together is what you will remember.
Thanks for sharing him with us, LG.
So sorry for your loss... Lagniappe was definitely a special animal.
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear of your loss, and glad you were with him and the end was peaceful. My sympathies sir.
ReplyDeleteI am sorry for your loss.
ReplyDeleteI will miss hearing of his adventures.RIP Langniappe
Oh no!
ReplyDeleteWe knew this day was fast approaching, but still...
I am so sorry for your loss.
What a magnificent beast! My heart goes out to you. I wish I didn't know how you feel, but I do. Bless you.
ReplyDeleteThrough your sharing of him with us, Lagniappe has become a part of all our lives. We grieve with you.
ReplyDeleteRest in blissful peace, Lagniappe.
Oh, I am so, so truly sorry to read this and hear the news. I can only imagine the loss you must be feeling. He was as much a part of your "cyber" family for us as he was for you. We will miss him dearly and your retelling of his funny antics.
ReplyDeleteI know he is in a better place. There are no words that can ease this pain for you, so I will simply say, I am sorry.
I've been dreading this post. I'm so sorry for your loss, and I'm glad I got to see him again in October before I left.
ReplyDeleteStay strong bro!
Oh, gods. I've been dreading reading this inevitable blog post. Thanks for sharing it. I'm sorry for your loss.
ReplyDeleteI am sure we will all miss stories of his escapades! We recently had to put our dog down two years ago and we went for a while without any animal but you feel like you lack something with out them. In the end I had to find a new buddy so I got another dog. Unfortunately, like Capt Schmoe said above, they do age a lot faster than us!
ReplyDeleteSorry for your loss..
We will carry him in our hearts throughout our remaining days. We are grateful for having shared his experiences upon these pages. RIP my friend Lagniappe.
ReplyDeleteI am so very sorry to hear this. He had the best friend in you ever.
ReplyDeleteOur thoughts are with you. we'll miss him too.
If there aren't dogs in heaven, I don't want to go.
ReplyDeleteMy sincere condolences at the loss of your friend.
I'm sorry for your loss but you did the best you could for your companion. I only hope I will have the strength to handle the same situation with the dignity and love that you did.
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry to hear of the loss of your friend. He was so lucky to have you taking such great care of him and knowing him so well.
ReplyDeleteYour post about his last night and day is beautiful and touched my heart. Especially since this is coming for my dear friend. We are sharing your feelings and are thinking of you. We are only a little behind.
Lagniappe-I remember him at the litter pick up's. Running and happy, along side you. Right now, he is in waiting, but one day (I believe) we will be back by your side.
With my deepest sympathy. I hope you get to smile twice for every sad moment about the great life you gave him.
Alexandra (&Shiloh)
My deepest sympathies on your loss...
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing Lagniappe with us through these pages - it's truly been a vicarious pleasure.
ReplyDeleteGood to know he's at peace and that he had such loving care these past eight years.
May God bless Lagniappe and give you comfort.
Near this Spot
ReplyDeleteare deposited the Remains of one
who possessed Beauty without Vanity,
Strength without Insolence,
Courage without Ferocity,
and all the virtues of Man without his Vices.
- Lord Byron
I'm so sorry for your loss. I remember my German Shepherd, Jack, gone these 17 years now. They stay with us for such a short time, and leave such a void when they leave.
I've read your blog for a couple of years now and feel like I know Lagniappe. It's a sad day and I'm very sorry for your loss.
ReplyDeleteI'm so very sorry. Lagni was such a gentledog....he didn't even growl when I took his hedgie from him...just looked at me with an expression of 'Um....s'cuse me???" I will miss him. He was a wonderful pooch.
ReplyDeleteThis brings tears to my eyes. So sorry for your loss. Your love for him was very evident in the words you wrote and the stories you shared. He was your dog, but the way you shared him with us made us feel he was part ours, too. I, too, was hoping not to read something like this every time I visited. The day came, and I am truly sorry for your loss.
ReplyDeleteMy condolences!! Though there currently are no pets in our household, we have been through the loss of animal companions on several occasions. You no doubt will be grateful for the good times Lagniappe has given you, and remember him with affection and fondness.
ReplyDeleteI never personally (canineally?) met Lagniappe, but through your Blog, I did develope a friendship of sorts with him.
If I were a bookie, I would give odds that in the near future, you once again will have a canine companion. I've seen it so many times (and my wife had a number of successive dogs when she was a little girl).
Keep on blogging (and do apprise your loyal readership of any address changes in the blogosphere).
If only we could keep them longer. Lagniappe will be greatly missed by acquaintances who never had the opportunity to meet him in person. My condolences.
ReplyDeleteGodspeed trusted friend.
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry my friend.
ReplyDeleteSorry, man.
ReplyDeleteI've walked this same road recently with my own canine friend. Peace be with you...
ReplyDeleteSo sorry on your loss. Lagniappe was a special pal and is missed and remembered well, even by those who only know him through your blog.
ReplyDeleteTom (also a longtime dog guy)
Condolences. We all walk this well-traveled road.
ReplyDeleteYou were so good to him all those years...he stayed only to be with you, I imagine.
ReplyDeleteLagniappe was an amazing beasty, singular in his hatred of cats and love of hedgehogs.
Thinking of you...
I couldn't let myself read this for a few days, having seen the post's title, but I'm very glad I finally did.
ReplyDeleteYour recounting of Lagniappe's final day was moving, touching, and evidence of the selfless love you bore for that fine, funny animal.
I so very deeply mourn your -- and our in the blogosphere -- loss. But, I believe that he is indeed romping and playing with other dogs and people who have loved you and await you.
Thinking of you. Don't wait too long to have some ice cream -- he wouldn't want you to deprive yourself.
So sorry for your loss. Always enjoyed the photos and the antics of Lagniappe. What a good dog. He will be missed.
ReplyDeleteDonna & Riley the sheltie
Saukville, WI
My condolences. I enjoyed the opportunity to read about the adventures of you two.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry for your loss. You are the companion every dog should have through life.
ReplyDeleteMy condolences.
ReplyDeleteI know the pain you are feeling, he is getting all the ice cream he wants now. Hang in there
ReplyDeleteStar Rider
The pain of loss is the price of love.
ReplyDeleteJust 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...
I'm so sorry. :(
ReplyDeleteSo sorry this time came too fast... Thank you for sharing him with us. May God grant you peace until He gifts you with another of His amazing creatures!
ReplyDeleteWe haven't met, but if it was worth Brigid's time to write about then that tells me (beyond a doubt) that your life with your dog should be a part of your life to carry with you wherever you go now. I'm sorry you didn't have more time, but it sounds like you made the most of what you did.
ReplyDeleteJim
so very sorry for your loss
ReplyDeleteI am so so sorry! I will miss his antics.
ReplyDeleteMy condolences on your loss. As a K9 Handler I have followed your blog for several years and have laughed too many times to count as I followed Lagniappe's adventures with you. I recommended your blog to many people who enjoyed keeping track of him just as much.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing his life!
As I write this my partner is sitting at my feet. I dread the day he has his final watch.
Whenever I hear of the loss of a dog I am reminded of Sir Walter Scott and his quote:
I have sometimes thought of the final cause of dogs having such short lives and I am quite satisfied it is in compassion to the human race; for if we suffer so much in losing a dog after an acquaintance of ten or twelve years, what would it be if they were to live double that time?
Sir Walter Scott
Take care, stay safe!
Oh, Lagniappe. We will miss him so much, even those of us who never got to meet him in person. I loved hearing his tales of mischief and dogged :) determination and laughed out loud many a time at how crazy he could get. I know you loved him, and there is no doubt he loved you. It is so hard to lose our faithful friends. So hard. I am so sorry for your pain, so very, very sorry. He was a tribute to his species, and I hope my Fifi has shown Lagniappe where to get a good cone of Soft Serve up in heaven. That's the kind of dog she is. ;)
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry......
ReplyDeleteWe're so sorry for your loss. My husband and I are long-time followers of your blog and enjoyed Lagniappe's antics. We recently had to say goodbye to our Golden who also suffered from hind-end mobility issues. We feel this loss keenly with you, knowing how you feel.
ReplyDeleteHis degrading abilities were too sudden for such a young dog--our hearts go out to you. Thank you for sharing him with all of us.
Oh my Lord- I just found this. I am so very sorry. He was a hell of a dog. Damn, I'm sorry.
ReplyDeleteI am sorry for your loss. Although I never met Lagniappe I felt like I did. The posts of his and your adventures never once failed to lift my day.
ReplyDeleteCondolences…
My daughters and I are so very sorry to hear about Lagniappe. Our hearts go out to you. We will miss Lagniappe's adventures.
ReplyDeleteChris, April and Nicole
Ezra (1995-2007)
Duke (2010- )