Losing a Dog

Jim & Lea with our darling Kella

KELLA, dearest, smallest and most beloved by all.

Kella was our first Chihuahua brought from Mexico. She was with us for 16 1/2 years.

The sweetheart of all the family from 2003 - 2019

What wonderful memories we have of Kella in Mexico, Washington, Manila and Quito

Rest in Peace dear Sinchi Roca 2005 - 2016

Coya, our sweet mother dog who had two litters of three and five respectively.

Tumi, our lovable chihuahua with the softest fur.

Chimu, our very big chihuahua who had thyroid that caused him to grow.

Mochica, our self-appointed smallbut loud guard dog

In 2016 we lost our "father dog", Sinchi Roca to skin cancer due to the fact that he was mostly white and often exposed his stomach to the Equatorial sun in the mornings to warm up. He was a loyal and true "grandchild" like all the others and was the father of most of them. He was only about ten years of age and we miss him greatly. The fact that we still had seven left did not in any way relieve our sense of loss of our dearly beloved Sinchi. Subsequently we have sadly lost our lovable "mother dog" Coya. Almost all our chihuahuas were the offspring of Sinchi and Coya. Then surprisingly we lost our dear Tumi and shortly thereafter our biggest chihuahua, Chimu, who gained much weight due to a thyroid problem.

~~They tell you not to cry.
~~They tell you that it is only a dog, not a person.
~~They tell you that the pain will pass.
~~They tell you that animals don't know they have to die.
~~They tell you that the important thing is not to make him suffer.
~~They tell you that you can have another.
~~They tell you that you'll get over it.
~~They tell you that there are more unbearable pains.
>> BUT they don't know how many times you've looked your dog in the eye.
>They don't know how many times you and your dog have been alone looking at the darkness.
>They don't know how many times your dog was the only one who was by your side.
>They don't know that the only one who has never judged you is your dog.
>They don't know how scared you were the night your problems woke you up.
>They don't know how many times your dog slept near you.
>They don't know how much you've changed since the dog became part of your life.
>They don't know how many times you hugged him when he was sick.
>They don't know how many times you've pretended not to see how his hair became increasingly white.
>They don't know how many times you've talked to your dog, the only one who really listens.
>They don't know how beautiful you were for your dog.
>They don't know that it was only your dog who knew you were suffering.
>They don't know what feelings your dog made you experience.
>They don't know what it feels like to see your old dog struggling to come to greet you.
>They don't know that when things went wrong, the only one who didn't leave you was your dog.
>They don't know that your dog trusted in you every moment of his life, even at the last.
>They don't know how much your dog has loved you and how little it was enough to be happy, because he was enough for you.
>They don't know that crying for a dog is one of the most noble, meaningful, true, clean and sincere things you can do.
>They don't know about the last time you moved it with difficulty ... being careful not to hurt it.
>They don't know what you felt when stroking his face in the last moments of his life...
...... by Gabriel García Márquez.

Coping with the loss of a pet

You're not just losing a pet when your furry and feathered friends pass away; you are losing a family member and the loss can be just as devastating.
Over 70 million pet dogs in the U.S. are a testament to the natural bond between humans and dogs.
According to a Japanese research team led by Takefumi Kikusui at Azab University's School of Veterinary Medicine, dogs are the only animals that have a neurological connection to man.
It is believed that it is the result of thousands of years of co-evolutional human-dog-bonding.
Upon gazing into each other's eyes, both human and dog produce the hormone oxytocin, which creates a feel-good response.
Very few humans could deny the pure joy experienced as their family dog barks for joy, wags its tail and generously supplies wet kisses upon their return home.
Dogs provide companionship, protection and unconditional love to those they consider their people.
Many dog owners believe that their canine is a member of their family and include him/her in their daily activities, outdoor adventures, special events, birthdays, holiday celebrations and family vacations.
The family dog also shares life's ups, downs, joys and sorrows, becoming intuitively attuned to the emotional well-being of their family members.
Losing a family dog is devastating.
No matter the cause of the loss of a dog, whether by accident, illness or aging-related issues, it is impossible to fully prepare for the extent to which grief is felt.
In a 1988 study by the Journal of Mental Health Counseling, cited in the Washington Post, the human research subjects tended to rate their dogs as closer to them than a family member.
In the same study, approximately 38 percent rated their dog as their closest family member.
Losing a dog can be as painful for some pet owners as losing a human family member.
Though some may suggest that the death of a dog is not as significant, the grieving process is very real and extremely painful.
Every individual copes with and experiences the loss of a family dog in his or her own unique way.
There is no perfect solution for the grieving process, and it can take many months, even years, to come to terms with the loss.
Similar to the grief experienced at the loss of a human family member, the emotional roller coaster of anger, guilt and depression which are natural reactions can eventually lead to acceptance.
There is no cure for grief and the resulting emotional turmoil it can create.
As the emotional pain subsides over time, it can return unexpectedly in the form of a bittersweet memory, triggered by a sound or an event.
The American Kennel Club offers the following suggestions for coping with the loss of a dog.
Express grief openly and freely
Make an effort to be thankful for the positive, joyful experiences
Spend time with others who have lost a dog
Seek bereavement groups for other dog owners
Be sensitive to the loss experienced by all family members, including other pets
Memorialize the life of the beloved family dog
Donate to a dog-related charity in honor of the dog
Place a tribute ad at dog shows, on dog-related websites and in similar venues
Take time to grieve before bringing home a new dog
A new family dog deserves to be celebrated for his/her own uniqueness and personality
If a family dog is suffering from an illness or struggling due to the normal issues associated with aging, it is difficult to recognize and accept when it is time for him to be compassionately euthanized.
The following guidelines from the Dog Breed Info Center are helpful for identifying when it is time to say a painful goodbye.
Signs to look for which can indicate that a dog's health is declining:
Not eating or drinking
Withdrawn or lethargic
Neglecting himself
Incontinence
Signs of pain; crying when touched
Cannot get comfortable
Unwilling to move about
Tumors and/or injuries
Unable to hold head up when at rest
Discussing any of the above symptoms with a qualified veterinarian is recommended to help determine which ones are treatable, or if it is time to say goodbye.
Each family dog brings a unique life experience for the humans who share his/her life.
For the millions of Americans who are fortunate enough to share their life's journey with a family dog, the experience will forever enrich their lives, long after their beloved canine has died and gone to a peaceful place of eternal rest.

Do not stand at my grave and weep.
I am not there, I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn's rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush,
I am the swift uplifting rush
of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there, I did not die..."
-Mary Frye

Read more at http://www.commdiginews.com/health-science/health/coping-with-the-loss-of-a-pet-77183/#etybkZU3fOsJZzQo.99

The number of dogs worldwide is estimated at 400 million, roughly the human population of the United States and Mexico combined.

A dog’s nose has roughly 220 million olfactory receptors, 40 times as many as humans have.

Dogs can hear frequencies up to 45,000 Hz, about twice as high as humans can.

"If you want a friend in Washington, get a dog." - Harry S. Truman