For me a home is not complete without a dog or two lounging around it. Over the years I’ve had some fabulous canine companions to sprawl across the sofas with. They’ve always been rescued dogs who have enjoyed a second bite of the cherry and the most recent hound to join us has been Honey the Skinny Dog.
taking the occasional rest
A dog of very little brain but a huge heart who has given us so much love since bursting into our lives back in September 2010. I have not met a creature who fizzed with energy like Honey. For her, every day was an adventure that had to be attacked at 100 miles an hour. But sadly, last Saturday morning Honey suffered an embolism in her spine leaving her back legs totally paralysed and her front legs partially so. 48 hours in the vet’s care saw no improvement. Honey was not a dog to lay still for the rest of her days watching the world go by, so, we had to make the heartbreaking decision to say a final farewell to this beautiful dog.
Honey had springs for legs
A great pal for Mischa the Skinnydog
But I don’t do sad or regrets. Yes, sure, I bawled my eyes out holding her head in my hands, feeling it grow heavy as her life ebbed away. And heaven knows what her world was like before us; she was found as an emaciated stray. But we had two and a half fabulous years together. My regret would’ve been not to have given her a home and not to have known her.
Honey inked up
So raise a glass to all those pets who bring so much love and companionship to us feeble human beings. Tip your head back and give a howl of happiness.
Ziggy Shortcrust 
I’m smiling as instructed, but my eyes are a little wet anyway. Yay for Honey Skinnydog, and yay for you because you made those two and a half great years possible for her.
Please do smile Sharon. She was a fantastic dog and will be missed.
I lost my lurcher in a similar manner four years ago. I have tears in my eyes as I type this.
Oh I am so sorry. It is a horrible thing to say goodbye in such circumstances. Lurchers are fabulous dogs.
My heart goes out to you and I find it hard to smile having been through the vet thing twice.. but how wonderful that she had happy time at the end of her life 😀 I love the inking you have done of her ..
Thank you Helen. Yes it is hard to smile and I don’t want to appear churlish. We’ve all had a rough week. She was a young dog who should’ve had many more years of fizzing.
Much loved pets really do become part of the family and their loss is felt acutely.. sending cyber hugs x
Thank you Helen.
Oh Ziggy, I’m so sorry to hear about Honey. I can’t think of anything more heartbreaking then having to make that decision-it was the right thing to do for her as you said but for you, it’s so difficult. I can’t bear to think of our home without either of our two running around. It’s the it downside to sharing your life with a dog-it’s never long enough. I love your doodled Honey.
I’ve had many dogs but they’ve all lived to a ripe old age. Seeing a young dog cut down like that was horrible. But she really was fab, one in a million, and I’m glad we were the ones she chose. Because I always think when you go to adopt a dog, they do the choosing.
Oh, I am so sorry for your loss. Honey sure looked like a sweetie.
Thank you for your kind words Tara. Honey was indeed a sweetie 🙂
I am so sorry to hear about Skinny dog.
Completely teared up as I read this heartfelt, moving post just now!
It is so difficult to lose a loved one, and only pet lovers understand how it truly is the same as losing a member of your family, as that is what they are.
All my love is being sent your way. Think about the good times, it really does help.
Thinking of what a wonderful life was had by Skinny dog all because of you and your wonderful family.
x x x x x x
Oh thank you Gabi. You’re right, they are members of the family, and we’ve had a tough old week getting used to Honey not being around. And I’m feeling the love…thanks x
Sorry for your loss Ziggy, but so happy for the time you had with her.
Thank you so much. We were very lucky to have her around.
AWROOOOO…GOD’S SPEED LOVES…AWROOOOOOOOOOO
Yay! A howl of happiness. Thank you Donna x
My pleasure Ziggy. I did a bit of happy howling for my own Bella only a few months ago…I feel ya. :0)
Oh I’m so sorry Donna. It’s a horrible thing to have to say goodbye. Take care.
So sad Ziggy. My condolences.
Thank you Katherine.
So glad that you could bring happiness to Honey’s life and your own. Your drawing is fantastic, what a great way to remember her
Thank you Joyce. She was a great dog.
It is always so sad to lose a dear friend. You gave her a wonderful tribute in the beautiful illustration. Here’s to Honey and her wonderful life with you!
Thank you so much Susan for your kind words.
Awww…. ;_____: She really was a beautiful animal. I am sorry to hear about this :<
Thanks Moof…..she was a bit gorgeous.
So sorry for your loss. And thanks for giving Honey a chance to know happiness in the form of a loving home
Thank you so much Claudia.
What a beautiful tribute to your sweet dog! We, too, have a very similar dog, Lily, that we adopted and love with all our hearts. I can’t imagine the day when she is no longer with us – your tangled portrait is gorgeous!!
It’s hard to say that final goodbye whatever the circumstances. Give Lily a tummy tickle from me.
Bye Bye Honey skinny dog. The world is a better place from having you in it.
It certainly is 🙂
I am so sorry. It’s heartbreaking when a dear pet dies. You gave her a wonderful life. *hugs*
Thank you Rosie.
ps your drawing is gorgeous. Would make a lovely linocut.
Ooh I’ve not done that before. I shall investigate 🙂
It would be gorgeous!
Pets seem to become family members. I understand your loss.
Thank you Hansi
A beautiful dog and a beautiful tribute to her.
Oh thank you, that is much appreciated.
Beautiful tattoo of Honey there. She’s such a beauty in her golden honeyness. I’ve only ever owned skinny dogs vicariously through you, she will be missed, along with those wonderful stories of your adventures together (although I wouldn’t be surprised if they didn’t stop). Big hugs from me, and a special one for Mischa too who I’m sure is also missing Honey xx
Thank you for your kind words. Today is the first day that I’ve seen Mischa with a spring in her step while out for a walk. It was good to see.
Honey, so full of spirit! You have drawn a stunning tribute, Ziggy.
Thank you so much Karen.
i’m sure there are good fields for bouncing and running on wherever we go when we leave. ❤ honey and ❤ you.
I bet there are. And huge squishy sofas that no-one tells you to climb down from.
Seems you were both lucky to find each other 🙂
Beautiful tribute Ziggy.
I’m so sorry for your loss. Poor, sweet Honey dog….may she R.I.P. I’m so glad that Honey was a rescue and knew what real love, tenderness, and care was all about before she passed. My heart goes out to shelter animals everywhere and I wish for them the same happiness that Honey found in you. xx
Sweet Honey dog, so sad, but happy that she had a lovely time with you, you can see her happiness in her eyes.
I have nominated you for the “Supersweet Boggers Award” Pop on over for a peek!
So sorry for your loss Ziggy. We recently lost one too. We wouldn’t give up a minute of time with ours. The time with them is precious and what you did for Honey was a blessing to her. She had those wonderful years with you.
Thank you so much for your lovely words. It really is a privilege to build up such a great relationship with a dog or indeed any other pet. They have no idea the happiness they give.
So true.
I have just passed on to you the ‘Great Moment in My Life’ award.
Please feel free to pass on or simply put on your mantle and admire.
The post can be found at: http://experiencedtutors.wordpress.com/2013/05/14/a-great-moment-in-my-life-award/
Cried when I read this. I had exactly the same experience with Holly at Christmas and I wish I could have written as lovely tribute to her as you have for Honey. thank you.
I didn’t mean to provoke tears. Here’s to Holly and Honey and all the other dogs that give their owners so much pleasure.
Like you said Ziggy, no regrets, and I am sure Honey would have really lived every bit the last 2 years with you.
She really did. She was a full on kind of dog.
I’m so sorry to hear about Honey. Your ink image of her is truly beautiful. Take care.
Thank you so ,much.
It’s great that Honey had two good years with you. She was a beautiful girl.