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A Protector to the Very End

This weekend was a roller coaster of emotion for our family.  
Friday we spent the evening packing for a mini-mom-and-dad-only-vacation to Cincinnati.  We had a wonderful time……..
and while my hub was at a business meeting during the day on Saturday I got to hang out with my girl Andrea.  We had such a great time together, and I’m truly blessed for the blog friends turned real life friends in my life!  Her home is absolutely gorgeous, and I loved getting an up close house tour!  
Saturday evening as my hub and I were getting ready for his company Christmas party, our dog sitter called to let us know that our dog, Prince, seemed like he was having trouble moving around.  He’d been battling some arthritis issues for the past year, so we didn’t really think too much of it.  We told her to give him his arthritis medicine and a little extra loving before she left him for the night.  
The next morning when our dog sitter came over to let the dogs out, she discovered that Prince had not made it through the night.  He was almost 13.  He had not been sick.  When we left him early Saturday morning he was perfectly fine – tail wagging and all.  We think maybe he had a heart attack.  I don’t think he suffered at all.  I think he went very quickly.  
We drove home immediately after her call.  
Prince was always the protective one of our two dogs.  
I think he knew.  I really believe he waited for a time when we wouldn’t be home.  I think it was his last and final act of protection for our family.  He knew we would never be able to handle having to put him down; so he went out peacefully on his own, sparing us the pain of having to make that decision.  
I spent many nights hugging that dogs neck with tears rolling down my face during my almost 2 year journey to get pregnant with my son.  I shared numerous orders of french fries with him – telling myself the calories don’t really count since I’m sharing them.  
I don’t really know what else to say  – except that my heart hurts.    
Telling the kids was the hardest part.  Watching them say goodbye  – there are no words.   
He was a mischievous little devil sometimes, but he would’ve taken a bullet for this family.  
We’ll never forget him.  


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  • I have major chills. What a beautiful tribute. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. Love you!

  • I'm so sorry to hear this Carmel. Losing out furry family members leaves such a hole in your heart – the hardest part of being a puppy parent. It sounds like he lived a long and loved life with his family.

  • Oh, I'm so sorry. It so hard to lose our animals because they really are a part of the family. I cried for two months when we lost our cat. Hope you find peace in your heart soon.

  • My love- I am reading this in bed with the kids. I couldn't do it in front of you. I love this. What a great way to say bye. He saw us decorate and make five houses home. He saw two children be born. He saw them grow up. Through all of it, he was there. Every morning tail wagging seeing them off to school, waiting for us to come home after date night. Always guarding them until we returned. He would walk up as if to say, all safe, your little ones are ok, I did my job. You always said he was so aggressive to strangers, he might bite the kids. He never did. Always loyal. Always guarding. I love you for picking him out, for trusting me with letting him guard the kids when we would cross the street. I don't know how many more tears I have. They keep coming. I miss him so much.

  • oh carmel i am SO sorry for your loss. i had a golden retriever when i was growing up and i will never forget the last time i said bye to him. i was 13 years old and headed away for a couple of days to maine with my mom. when i said bye to my dog, i knew…. something was weird. i felt a sadness and had a hard time saying bye to him. we got a call that night that he had passed away… he had gone into the woods behind our house and laid down for the last time. i still to this day believe he knew and he was waiting for me not to be home because he was my buddy. i am telling you this because maybe prince did it while you weren't there and maybe he knew, too. our old dog now, charlie, he's arthritic and in pain sometimes, and i worry about him, but i can hnoestly say that i worry, but pray that he goes like your prince did. that i don't have to make any decisions. thinking of you and your family and sending you all a big hug.

  • I'm so sorry for your loss and fighting tears from reading this – and the comments, too!

    The little four legged critters touch our lives so deeply, its unbelievable.

    They are truly members of our family, and this tribute for Prince was wonderful. I'm sure he's wagging his tail remembering all the good times up in doggie-heaven <3 <3

  • I am so sorry for your loss. Having lost a best friend in our bulldog, I know the pain you are feeling. I find comfort in knowing we will see him again one day. I am so sorry. Prayers for you and your families healing and comfort.

  • Oh goodness. This breaks my heart, and is so near and dear to me as our family golden passed away last summer before we got Hope. It was devastating…I think Shasta was much like Prince was to your family. Know that the pain will heal and bottling up those memories, printing pictures, and talking about your sweet pup all you want will help you through it. Shasta has a new friend running in doggy heaven with her now. What a special member of your family. Praying for you, Carmel!

  • I'm so sorry, losing a pet is so hard and especially when you have children as well. Glad you can have photos and memories of Prince to cherish. Sorry your fun weekend had to end on this note. 🙁 You both look beautiful as always, thanks for sharing your weekend with us.

  • Tera's are streaming down my face and my heart is breaking for you and your family. Losing a pet is so difficult. They are truly family members who are there for us, comfort u s, and care for us as well. He knows that he was loved and had a great lif

  • This is so so sad and so sorry for your loss! I have 2 dogs right now and can't imagine losing either one of them. Pets really are just like our family and losing one is just so sad. Sorry for your loss and hope you and your family get through this rough time!

  • I am so sorry… He sounds like the best dog friend you could have asked for. I have one of those too and it would destroy me to lose him. Take care of yourself and your babies and know that Prince is looking out for you from above now.

  • Oh my goodness…I teared up reading this. I hate to hear this! I pray for peace for your family. Even though he was a furry member, it's still so sad to see them go.

  • Hi Carmel! I just sat here reading your post about Prince and I cried the whole way through. My heart truly hurts on your behalf. I cannot even imagine and I am so, so sorry you lost your furry family member. I have a dog as well and we consider her very much apart of our family and not "just a pet". I can't imagine losing her. I will be praying for you and your family for peace and comfort during this time. (And I will be praying for your dogsitter as well.) Now, I will go squeeze my Roxy a little bit tighter. Many blessings to you and your family.

  • Dear Carmel,

    The loss of a dog is one of the hardest things to deal with. I wish you the speediest recovery.

    Perhaps one way to help cope with this tragedy is to focus on projects that help capture his spirit and keep him forever a part of your family.

    Love,
    A fan

  • To say goodbye to a pet is to lose a little piece of your heart. Anyone who has loved a pet can understand your loss. May it help to know how much others care. Your sweet Prince has peacefully crossed the Rainbow Bridge and is frolicking pain free.

  • I'm so sorry to hear of this, we have two dogs and I can't imagine what it will be like when this time comes for our family. I'm thinking of you all and hope the heartache passes quickly for your family.

  • I am so sorry to hear about sweet Prince. I know how pets are definitely members of the family. I am going to give Riley and Zoey an extra squeeze tonight.

  • I am so, so sorry to hear of the loss of your beloved Prince. May you find comfort in your memories and in knowing that he knew how much he was loved.

  • I am so very sorry that your sweet Prince has gone home again, my dear friend. He was loyal til the last beat of his pure heart & much loved during his life. He will continue to be loved in memory. Having lost our Hiro this past summer, I know all too well the vacancy in your heart. The house feels different & your heart hurts. It will get easier but you will never stop missing him & that's OK b/c we owe it to our furry family members' memory. Thinking of you. <3

    xoxo

  • I am so sorry for your family. Our pets are our wonderful loving friends and family and it hurts to lose a family member He sounds like a wonderful dog, and I'm sure you are right that he waited till you were gone. Bless his heart!

    Maggie Fieger

  • What a beautiful tribute. What love we have for our furry friends. I'm sorry for you loss. It sounds like in 13 years he was everything you needed, all the way till the end. What more could you ask for?

  • I am so very sorry for your loss. Those guys have a special way of curling up right in your heart and living there forever. I lost the lab I grew up with nearly five years ago and out of no where I had a dream about him last night. I got to pet him, smell him (and his cute paws), and play with him. I woke up thanking God that I got to see him again even if it was in a dream. The love and pain from the loss never really goes away but I don't know if I would want it to. Many thoughts and prayers to your family.

  • After reading this I have such a lump in my throat…..honestly losing a beloved family pet is heartbreaking. I've been through it and after went out and got 2 dogs. Now I am going to have to go through it twice……I am so so sorry girl……big hug.

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