Saturday, September 10, 2016

A Sad Good-Bye to George

Friday marked the end of two very long days, and a day that I truly was not ready for.  It was one that came less than a month from losing our precious Sheba.  I said good-bye to George.  He'd been doing pretty well, and silently I was celebrating because the herbs that I was giving him to slow the growth of the oral tumor seemed to be working. But a few weeks ago, I realized that the tumor was getting bigger. Unfortunately no matter what supplements and medications I tried increasing or adding, they didn't work.
~A first photo of George, April 2015~
The last couple of weeks had been hard for George for several reasons that were all related to the tumor. I talked to the holistic vet, and we decided to increase the amount of pain medication he was taking, and add one more herb.  It helped, and he was able to get the rest he really needed.  But by Thursday he was getting more and more reluctant to get up and was needing more help. Friday, he didn't want to get up at all, and he didn't want his breakfast, which was a first.  I knew it was time to say good-bye, even though I wasn't ready.  Not that I ever would have been.
~July 2015~

I called the Mobile Vet and he came. He felt that the cancer had probably spread internally and that nothing more could be done. With a shake of his head and so much like the gentleman that he was, George quietly left this world for the next.
~5-12-16 -- One year and one day after we met George~
What came afterwards was truly a unique and special experience.  The service that will cremate and return George's remains to us, came to the house after we let him go.  The vet left about 30 or so minutes prior to their coming, which meant I was left alone with George.  It was without a doubt the perfect chance to say that final good-bye and not feel the rush of being at a vets office, or having anyone around.   Time truly stood still in those solemn moments and the house seemed filled with peace and calm as I said all those things to him that come only from your heart in moments of sadness.  I also allowed the dogs to see George one final time.
~March 2016~
When George was taken from our house, I walked with the two gentlemen outside,  I noticed a butterfly in our garage. It lazily and magically fluttered around the door of the garage going inside and out, I couldn't help but watch it as it floated around the van the two men were driving. In the Old World, the butterfly was thought to be the spirit of the dead.  Other legends say it's a sign of transformation.  I could only think at that moment of the quote that says "Butterflies are free."  ........  

Fly free my handsome Georgie until we meet again one day at the Rainbow Bridge.
~One of the last photos taken of George 9-16~  

31 comments:

  1. oh, i will miss your sweet, gentle boy... i'm sorry.

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  2. Sorry for your loss, Kim. He truly was a beautiful George. He will be missed.

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  3. Yes...fly free sweet George, your friends await you over the Rainbow Bridge. So sorry Kim, he was such a beautiful gentleman.
    Hugs,
    ~Jo

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  4. They are all missed big time. Your place is now a ghost town because it is emptying. It's also a ghost town in the form of butterflies.

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  5. Hello, I am so sorry for your loss of sweet George! George is free like the butterflies. Wonderful photos of George! {HUGS}

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  6. I am soo sorry for your loss of sweet George . Yes he is free like the butterfly's to once again frolic through the fields of heaven with all your angel friends . xo

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  7. A true gentleman, and that special time, the others able to say farewell in their own way too, then a beautiful butterfly, all adding up to give George messages of love. He will be so missed, and so soon after Sheba is so hard.You have given him all and more the love and so much care he needed and deserved, hold his memories close. Hugs from NZ.

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  8. What a good life George had with you. What beautiful care you give these lovely souls. He was blessed to have spent this time with you and to become part of your gang.

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  9. So sorry to hear that George has left you, but Sheba will be waiting to greet him - he won't be alone. What a lovely thought that the butterfly is George's free spirit.

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  10. I'm so sorry to hear about George. What a magical experience with the butterfly. I think George was telling you that all was well.

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  11. So sorry for the loss of your George...love that there was a butterfly!

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  12. I'm so terribly sorry for your loss.

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  13. Dearest Kim
    I so wish that we could take away some of your pain and emptiness,
    You give so much of yourself,, and now so much has happened,, so many letting go,, and so many losses.,,
    We are so sorry... sorry that again,, the air has been swept out from under you, Were sorry about George and how you hoped so much that he would get better.
    Kim,, the cancer came to claim George, but I believe you and George had made a pact that when the time ever came when cancer was pulling him down, you would walk him to the gates of the Rainbow Bridge,, and let him run free, That is what you did,,, I know Sheba and all the others were there waiting..
    The special time that you had with George,,, all alone and then letting the other dogs visit,,, and the butterfly,,, it was all special.. and the butterfly really was a sign Kim.. a real sign.
    And when the day comes for all of us to cross to the Rainbow Bridge,,, we will be met,, by so much love.
    We love you,, our sweet friend,,,, we always said you were "an angel" of the animals.,... I wonder which animal you once were.... I believe angels cry too.
    love
    tweedles and georgie

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  14. Bless his heart... so sorry for your loss of George.. love that he is free from his pain. There will be quite the reunion at the Rainbow Bridge... one day.. (((HUG)))

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  15. So very sorry for your loss. But when it IS time, it is the best gift we can give to our dearly beloved furries. Soft woos and gentle hugs from all of us.

    Woos - Ciara and Lightning and Mom

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  16. Oh George, run free and eat happily! When Gizmo went to the bridge I had a similar couple of hours waiting for the CalPets gus to come. We just hung out, and Bart and Ruby said good by, too. Sending hugs...

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  17. Once again sadness fills your home. Kim, I'm so sorry. I also believe that butterflies are some kind of sign. Since we moved our memorial garden to our new home, there is always at least one butterfly fluttering through it. I know George is running young and pain-free again chasing those butterflies at the Bridge.

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  18. God Speed, dear George. Enjoy your new pain free life of freedom.

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  19. We are saddened to hear of George's passing. the butterfly - how very special. sending lots of hugs
    Mr Bailey, Hazel, Mabel & Mom

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  20. Oh Kim, I am in tears. Fly free, sweet George. We all miss you here on Earth and Kim most of all.

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  21. Sad, sorry, sad again . . .
    So many thoughts . . .
    Loved that you shared about the butterfly . . .
    Rest in Peace George Boy . . .

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  22. I have tears in my eyes, but I'm glad he's out of pain. He was such a sweet boy.

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  23. Saddened by the demise of dear George but how fortunate he was to have so much loving care during his last months.
    I am sure you are right about the butterfly and it was there waiting to escort George to the Rainbow Bridge.
    RIP George. No more suffering, only happiness now.

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  24. So sad to hear about George. RIP. Boy George.

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  25. Big hugs to you today Kim...George sure was a gentleman to the very end. I agree with you about the butterfly...and hopefully George is running free now. I am so very sorry.

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  26. Run free sweet George.
    Love and hugs to your family. Thinking of you during this difficult time.

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  27. always tears here. and love. for you and your beloveds.
    oh George. you beautiful big black bear of a dog.
    we will miss you.
    and dear heart. i've never heard of anything so peaceful and wonderful as the time you got to spend with him alone. and that you let the other dogs say goodbye to him too.
    and the butterfly kim! yes.
    i don't find that hard to believe at all.
    my love to you dear one.

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  28. Dear gentleman George. The days of illness are behind him. He looks like a really grand dog. My sympathies are with you, Kim.

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  29. You have such a big and loving heart and I am so very glad that George and so many other unwanted beautiful dogs have found their way to you. I am so thankful for your devotion and caring. I am sorry for each and everyone of your losses but I am also glad that you are in the world for them.

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  30. That butterfly, letting you know that George is free.
    Such a wonderful, magical and spiritual moment
    and definitely a sign from him, I would say!
    You have my deepest sympathies.
    XOXOXO

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Speak--I really enjoy your comments! Thanks for stopping by today!!