My dog Ferris, who was rescued from a bus stop in Monrovia by my wife Anne almost exactly 8 years ago, had a heart attack and died this morning. It happened very quickly, and I was with her, which is supposed to make me feel better, but at this moment all I can feel is nearly-unbearable sorrow, and the empty space in my life left behind by my awesome dog.
Bye bye, Ferris. I love you and miss you. You were the best dog ever.
A small request: if you choose to comment, please don't post that Rainbow Bridge thing. I know you mean well, but it has always made me uncomfortable.
I had to deal with this recently as well. We lost our sheltie, Kirin, last year due to complications. It’s funny how good memories bring sadness in these times. But those memories are the driving force in honouring and remembering their life. This is her:
http://mr-bosch.deviantart.com/art/Sleep-well-dearest-pt-1-103873229
In any rate, I also wanted you to know that listening to your audiobooks, and the stories about Ferris are always some of my favorites, as they always bring back good memories of Kirin. This was a big help after we had to put her down.
Keep well, may your memories stay strong.
Awww, Wil, I’m so sorry. I know right now it’s not bringing you comfort that you were with her at the end, but eventually, you will be glad to have spent those last moments together. It just doesn’t feel like it when your world is crashing around your ears. When I lost my beloved cat Tommy, I couldn’t understand why the sun came up the morning after his death – how could it, when my heart was so broken? I have a feeling you may’ve felt the same way today.
As I was reading your post, the Beatles’ “In My Life” started playing on the TV. I think the lyrics are a bit appropo for the situation: “Though I know I’ll never lose affection/For people and things that went before/I know I’ll often stop and think about them/In my life I love you more.”
Blessings of comfort to you and your family, Wil. And blessings to Ferris as well.
Wil, I’ve been through the same thing and know whats it’s like. My condolences to you and your family.
I’m so sorry. :*(
All condolences to you Wil. We lost our black and tan pound pup a couple of years ago, and Ferris reminds me of her. I wish you well in your grieving process.
I’m so sorry for your loss, Wil. My thoughts are with your family at this time.
I’m so sorry for your loss.
My condolences. My pets are my children and each passing is a knife through the heart. Yet they bring so much love and joy they bring to my life. sigh.
As somebody who has recently adopted a dog rescued from a shelter before he was euthanized, I can sympathize. I dread the day it’s my dog’s time to go. In the meantime, I’ll do what you did; love him, and make him part of my family. I feel for you Wil, my thoughts are with you today.
My condolences. My pets are my children and each loss is a knife through the heart. Yet they bring so much love and joy into our lives. sigh
That’s heartbreaking, Wil.
It might be weird or comforting to know that strangers are crying with you over your loss of your Ferris.
It might be because it is a sad reminder of a pet they’ve lost, or they may fear the loss of a pet they dearly love, or they’ve just connected with you, your words, over the years and feel for their friend Wil.
So sorry.
Oh, I’m so sorry. This has been a bad summer, so many people I know have lost pets in the last couple of months. I don’t even know Ferris and I’m crying. *hugs*
I know how hard it is to lose ones pet. I have lost quite a few in my life, but it was always worth having them in our lives. Ferris will be missed and know he had a great home with people who loved him very much. That meant the world to him I’m sure. My thoughts are with you and your family during this tough time. All the best.
Ugg Wil, I’m so sorry to hear about Ferris, my wife always got a kick out of it when I would read your Ferris stories to her. 🙁 Our thoughts are with you and your family.
That is so full of suck. I’ve lost pets in the past the were more family than pet, so I understand the grief.
The worst part of hearing your story, for me, is that we’re seriously considering a new dog now that we’ve got a new house – we want a dog to watch for bears/moose/dear – the things we live with in the cold north of Canuckistan. Something to bark and herd the children back to the house when needed.
Sadly, all I can think of is how heartbroken I’ll be when it finally passes, and it makes me not want a dog. I guess I’m more damaged goods from dogs dieing than I’ve ever been from women. Make of that what you will.
My sincere condolences Wil. That well and truly sucks.
I’m glad to see other people have some really great things to say. All I can say is I’m sorry she is gone.
Wil, I am so sorry. I lost a dear pet last year. It really sucks.
RIP Ferris.
Oh no. I am so, so sorry 🙁
I’m very sorry to hear it, Wil. Our animal companions can transcend the moniker “pets” and become “family”. I know that I have always felt that my pets were my family and it seemed that you felt that way with Ferris as well. I hope that you and your family are able to move past the sadness and remember just the joy and happiness you all shared with Ferris.
Wishing you peace in you and your family’s time of grief.
I’m so sorry to hear… 🙁 Losing a best friend like that sucks as they really are a part of the family. My (15yr old) puppy is on his way out with possible kidney failure and/or cancer, and he’s on the other side of the country so I can’t even be with him when he does go. I can understand, and just know that Ferris is prolly happy up in doggy heaven causing all kinds of mischief.
I am sorry for your families loss, Wil. RIP Ferris. At least you know she could not have had a happier life.
Let me be one more out of over 300 so far to express my heartfelt expressions of sympathy to you and your family.
You can at lease take solace in knowing that Ferris lived 8 very happy years with you and the Wheaton clan, and spent every single day finding different way to thank you for rescuing him.
I will tip a mug of Guinness in his memory!
I’m so sorry for your family’s loss Wil. I’ve enjoyed various Ferris stories over the years. As someone who lost her 17 year old cat earlier this year, my heart goes out to you.
I am so incredibly sorry. I know she will be missed by you and your family. My condolences to you all!
Wil, I am so sorry for you and Anne. I’ve had pets all of my life from cats to horses and no matter how often you have to go through this it never gets any easier. Ferris was AWESOME! One of my favorite posts was when she and Riley were not the least bit impressed by the Stealth Bomber fly-over.
My thoughts go out to you guys
Aw, so sorry for your loss, I had two dogs that passed, Annie and Delilah, Annie was chow mixed huskey. Delilah was black lab mixed German short haired.
Had Annie for almost 11 years.
She was old.
So sorry. Sigh.
Wil and family
My deepest condolences on the loss of your beloved Ferris. Losing a furry member of the family is one of the hardest losses you have to bear. *hugs*
Damn. But I’m happy that you had so much time with her. And that you all clearly loved her and enjoyed her company, and she yours. You all are very lucky to share something so special. Best wishes to you all.
Sorry to hear, Wil. Looks like a great dog. A rescued pup like that surviving in a loving home for 8 full years is probably more of a blessing to Ferris than you will ever know.
Damn.
That’s terrible, my condolences.
So sorry to hear about Ferris, Wil. Hope you and your family are doing okay.
I’m sure I get too attached to my dogs. Lost little Taz over 4 years ago and still miss the little guy. Just shows how great pet owners you are when you hurt when one passes. Pets love us unconditionally and I try to return that love. Really sorry for your loss.
The world would be a poorer place without dogs. You’re richer, however, for having had Ferris.
Not to be rude or anything, but what came to mind was Jack Nicholson from “As Good As It Gets” playing the piano, visibly upset after little Verdell is gone. He stops abruptly saying to himself, “…over the DOG.”
I lost Sheba probably 20 years ago now. I still have her picture up. Good luck with it.
OMG Wil I’ve been reading about Ferris for probably 7 of those years, she’s family for sure. Such a sweet thing, I bet Anne and the boys are inconsolable as well. I am soooo sorry for you all!
Sorry for your loss Wil. Lost my own “best friend” a couple months back. It was hard. Still is.
Ferris was lucky to have been welcomed into your family. May we all go as she did, quicky and in the company of someone we love. I’m very sorry to hear this news, Wil. I’ll be sending you kind thoughts today.
I’m so sorry for your loss, Wil. Giving my Summer girl extra skritches in memory of Ferris.
My condolences. A loss like this is never easy.
Sorry for your loss. It’s always difficult when a loved one passes. The only thing that can help is friends and family and time.
I have no words equal to the task of lessening your pain, but you have my sincere condolences.
I don’t have a prayer for departed dogs the way I do for departed cats, but I have every confidence that Ferris will be enjoying the Happy Hunting Grounds as much as Star is presently enjoying the Eternal Catnip Fields.
Of course, those of us who are left behind still miss our faithful friends. I’m sorry you lost yours, Wil.
I’m terribly sorry about the death of your beloved dog, Ferris.
We lost our Maltese, Bailey, in March at the ripe old age of 14, and we still miss him every day and in our dreams at night.
It does get better, but you’ll always miss her.
Whoa – that really stinks. We lost our 11 year old lab last month, and the house feels totally lonely now. All you can do now is know that you gave her years of happy life, like she did for you.
I’m sorry.
Scott.
I’m so sorry Wil. I liked reading about her – she did sound awesome, and I’m sure she was very lucky to spend 8 years as part of your family. Best Wishes.
So very sorry to hear of your loss. It is absolutely the hardest part of having a pet – the time will come when you have to let them go…….