Last year about this time I introduced you to DollieMae, the working Great Pyrenees farm dog who has lived here on the farm for over 14 years.
The past few weeks have been extra tough for DollieMae. Our vet removed a tumor from her hip about 6 months ago, but more recently cancer moved to the bone in her hind leg. This afternoon, Alan and I drove miss DollieMae up to the vet's office one last time. The bone cancer on her hind leg got to be too much for her and it was time to let her rest. She'll always be here on the farm, where she can forever nap in the sunshine.
Anna, I'm so sorry for your loss. Pets are such a part of the family and it's so hard to see them leave us. We are fighting the same thing with our 11 year old dalmatian. I hope we have your strength and know when it's time to say goodbye.
Cheryl
Posted by: Cheryl Rowley | March 28, 2008 at 02:33 AM
Anna,
My deepest sympathies to you and yours. I know how difficult it is to say good-bye to a loyal friend and companion. She sure was a beautiful dog, and it sounds like you took very good care of her, and vise versa.
A fellow animal lover,
Kelly
Posted by: Kelly | March 28, 2008 at 12:54 AM
Dollie Mae will be forever in your heart. She looks like an absolute sweetheart. I wish I could have met her to snuggle her. My Tucker says he'll send some doggy love her way in heaven.
Take care.
Posted by: Lisa Stein | March 28, 2008 at 12:17 AM
Even though your pain is great now, it is a very loving thing you have done for your pet who lives forever in your heart and memory. A dog lover always...
Retired Heather
Posted by: Heather Fullerton | March 27, 2008 at 11:18 PM
I am so sorry. I know how really hard losing a loved one is. My deepest sympathy to you and your family.
Posted by: Laurie | March 27, 2008 at 11:06 PM
Anna, my deepest sympathy on your loss. Know that you are in our thoughts and prayers. Many, many hugs.
Posted by: Judie C. | March 27, 2008 at 10:41 PM
Oh Anna! I am so sorry to hear about Dottie Mae. Sending you hugs and hoping that you are doing okay.
Posted by: Rachel | March 27, 2008 at 10:30 PM
What a beautiful girl. I am so sorry, Anna. :0)
Posted by: Tracy | March 27, 2008 at 10:27 PM
Anna, I'm so sorry for your loss. Many blessings to you as you go thru this time.
Posted by: aileen | March 27, 2008 at 10:27 PM
So sorry for your loss. My heart is with you and your friend!
Posted by: Leslie Springer | March 27, 2008 at 10:19 PM
So sorry for your loss!!! ((((HUGS))).
Posted by: SusanH | March 27, 2008 at 10:18 PM
(((HUGS))) Anna! So sorry to hear about your loss. Your last sentence had me in tears.
Posted by: Alli Miles | March 27, 2008 at 09:58 PM
Anna, My heart goes out to you. It is so difficult to lose a pet. What a good long life Dollie Mae had though. You've probably seen this little poem on a stamp, but I include it here in the hope that it brings you comfort. Hugs to you...
"fluffy beds and endless treats, gates to guard and friends to meet, long slow walks and petting hands, safe with God in dog heaven"
Posted by: Barb S | March 27, 2008 at 09:56 PM
I have been in this situation many times and always hold my babies to the end so the breath they take stays a part of me-to live on forever. I have my little garden for them too. As a fur parent, you made the right decision but it takes a heap of courage each time, doesn't it?
Beautiful Dollie-will you go running with Clancy, Fletch and the others for me and tell them I miss them? And can they send some common sense down for Jackson-thier nutso brother? He could use one of you as a guardian angel right about now. Be well in the clouds pretty girl.
Posted by: Jan Scholl | March 27, 2008 at 09:40 PM
Anna, you and Alan made a courageous and compassionate decision to let DollieMae go home. It is one of the most difficult decisions we have to make in our lifetime when our pets are so very important to us.
Posted by: Kate Hart-Sampson | March 27, 2008 at 09:37 PM
Oh, Anna - I am so sorry. She is such a beautiful girl...you will miss her - so much to hug!! We are so thankful for our dogs (we've had to have three put down in the 40 years we've been married) and I know the girls we have now won't last forever - in fact our beloved Springer, Stormie, had a huge tumor removed last year, and now she has gotten so fat and waddles. I know she doesn't have too many years left, and our older border Terrier, Angel, was 7 mos old when she had Parvo...so that was touch and go...she's 10 now - a miracle. They are so sweet. But we keep replacing them because we love dogs so much. Dogs rule! You will have wonderful memories of sweet DollieMae, and many, many beautiful photos, I know! God bless you and Alan...xoxo from (snowy again) Idaho - Jeanne
Posted by: JeanneH | March 27, 2008 at 09:29 PM
So sorry to hear about your loss. It is never easy and words sometimes aren't enough. She is gone, but I am sure she will not be forgotten.
Posted by: Denise | March 27, 2008 at 09:26 PM
Oh Anna. I know how you are feeling right now, unfortunately. That's an amazingly long life for a Great Pyrenees. She must have really loved her family and home (and work), because she stayed a very long time. Just as a point of trivia, my breed, the Briard, is the only other breed also known for the double dew claws on their hind legs. They're not listed as one of the relatives on your link, but I'm sure they are somewhere way back when. My deepest sympathies to you and Alan. Linda
Posted by: Linda Bullard | March 27, 2008 at 09:24 PM
We raise sheep and cattle and have had several Great Pyrennes as guard dogs. I love these gentle dogs. They have a quiet beauty about them..
Your's was a beauty... May she always guard your home...
Peace be with your family...
Posted by: Andi Sexton (rrlscrapgal) | March 27, 2008 at 09:22 PM
My heart goes out to you, Anna. I love my dog. I have lost pets before so I know how much you'll miss your sweet DollieMae. God Bless her.
Hugs,
Lori
Posted by: Lori | March 27, 2008 at 09:20 PM
{{{{Anna}}}} I'm so sorry. :(
Posted by: trudee | March 27, 2008 at 09:19 PM
Sorry to hear of your loss , but thank you for being a compassionate enough person to ease her pain . Fourteen years is a good long life for a big dog ...What a beautiful photo ! Blessings to you and Alan.
Posted by: Cheryll | March 27, 2008 at 09:19 PM
So very, very sad. I'm sure you are feeling that tonight. It's so hard to lose a beloved pet.
Hugs,
Karen
Posted by: Karen L | March 27, 2008 at 09:18 PM
Oh gosh Anna,
So sorry to hear about your loss but you did the right thing not letting her suffer.
Hugs,
Liz
Posted by: Liz | March 27, 2008 at 09:18 PM
Sniff Sniff...I'm so sorry!!!
Posted by: Kerry Fitzpatrick | March 27, 2008 at 08:58 PM
Anna losing a pet is such a difficult thing and my heart goes out to you. These Great Pyrenees are such great dogs, very loving and devoted. Blessings.
Posted by: Jean | March 27, 2008 at 08:27 PM
Anna, so sorry to hear about your loss. I've gone through this and know how hard it is. Hugs to you all.
Erin
Posted by: Erin aka efromhawaii | March 27, 2008 at 08:26 PM
Oh Anna, I'm so sorry that she had to be laid to rest...I feel for you and Alan. It's so hard to lose our furry friends. I'm glad Dollie Mae had a long, happy life...I'll be thinking about you all with much sympathy. Hugs to you...
Posted by: diane mcvey | March 27, 2008 at 08:20 PM
How sad for you. We had a dog for 17 years, and it was hard to have to make that decision to let her go. Sounds like Dollie Mae had a really good life with your family and will be missed.
Posted by: Doris | March 27, 2008 at 08:16 PM