More than a dog he was a Hero!!! (Pet Bereavement)

Member Name: bishopview

Product:	Pet Bereavement
Date:	08/11/09 (16 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: showed so much love and came into out lives to help us through.

Disadvantages: broke our hearts!!

When my mother died aged 40 we were all left devastated. Not only was I grieving the loss of my best friend and mother, I was also worried sick about my dad. He took my mothers death really bad. They had been childhood sweethearts. I had left home by now, and I used to be so upset to find, when visiting my father, him sitting in the dark just crying. We were really worried about him, he lost interest in everything. The only place he would go is to work and my mothers grave. His old friends would be nagging him to go out but he had sunk into such a low state that he had almost given up. (he was a 44 year old man).
My aunty decided to take matters into task and appeared on his doorstep one evening with her king Charles spaniel in her hands. She told my dad that my uncle had developed an allergy to the dog and that if my father didn't take the dog in she was going to have to take him to a rspca centre. (she had no intention of doing this but just wanted my dad to feel he had no choice) My father told her that he would take the dog in as he couldn't see her upset and she could still see the dog if he had him.
Almost immediately my dad began to get mentally stronger. He had something that relied on him, something that would need walking, feeding,interaction. Hence he would take the dog for long walks in the countryside. I used to go with him sometimes and these walks were great for us to chat about our loss and how we were going to move forward.
Marnie saved my dad I have no doubt about that, He was so loving and cute and would snuggle up on your lap for a cuddle. I fell in love with Marnie too, which was a new experience for me, because I had never really been an animal lover. Never one to nag my parents for a pet because I had no interest what so ever. So to feel such love for this dog really shocked me. I must admit I did kind of start seeing it as a baby substitute. I would spoil it something rotten and ask my dad if I borrow him so I could spoil him rotten with big fat cuddles!! I used to bath him and then blow dry him with a hairdryer and my hubby (fiance at the time) was just as bad as me.
About 9 months after he had taken marnie in, my dad knocked the door one night in a hell of a state. He was sobbing and managed to explain that he had been walking the dog in nearby fields and the Marnie had seen a rabbit and had given chase, but had ran out into the road and been knocked down. My dad had cradled the dog in his arms and taken him straight to the vet but the vet had told dad there was nothing they could do and the best thing would be to put him to sleep.
My dad was in bits but was very sensible. I on the other hand was distraught. It brought my grief back instantly and I remember going to a nearby park in the night and sitting on the bench and crying my eyes out. I was completely devastated that this dog who had brought such light into our lives at such a dark time had been so cruelly snatched away. I truly loved that dog and he had taught me that animals can show such love and affection and not just be a pet but a companion and friend as well.
Reflecting back now I still get choked when I think of him wagging his tale and looking at me with those big chocolate brown eyes. I owe him such a lot he may have had a short life but the lives he touched and helped to rebuild was extraordinary.
Even though my dad was devastated when the dog died, he had been dragged out of that dark hole he had been in and thankfully continued to go out and get emotionally stronger but I have no doubt it was the dog that brought him back.
If I could just see that dog one more time I would say thank you for everything you did for my family. I love you and you will always have a huge place in my heart.

Summary: How the love of one dog helped us all to rebuild our lives.