In Memory

in loving memory of my dog Cindy

There is a star shining for her every night and she will always be in my heart. My first dog; like many I am probably not too objective about my first dog, anyway here is my story...

I loved animals since I can remember and always wanted to have my own dog. To satisfy my love for dogs I started to walk other people’s dogs. When I was 13 years old I finally managed to convince my parents to get me one. The only condition was that I had to promise to take care of the animal by my self; otherwise my mother would give her back to the breeder. Of course nobody believed that I would actually do it all by my self, but I did. I walked her, gave her food and water and she was my best friend.

My first dog Cindy

Cindy as a cute puppy

One day we read in a dog magazine that one kennel was looking for a co-owner for a gray 7 month Tervueren; we called and went for a visit the very same day. When I saw her for the first time she looked a little bit strange to me since she had a more pointy nose then I was used to see in the old books about Belgian Shepherds, with wider (lets call it old lines) heads.

I checked all their other dogs and decided to take her. A week later she was Home! On the first walk I went to the woods I met Caroline with her white poodle named Buffy. Caroline asked me to unleash her so they could play together, I hesitated a little since I had her for an hour and was not sure if she would run away. I did let her go and our friendship started. We became inseparable and spent all days together. We trained obedience and talked all days while the dogs were playing. We were a funny bunch.

Caroline and Buffy were training and competing in obedience and agility. Caroline talked a lot about this dog sport and I became interested. Me and Cindy started to train both obedience and Agility together and that resulted in competing year after year. We got many trophies together both in shows and the sports. Cindy was a very spoiled girl, was always with me. She loved to sleep on the couch and never left my side, hack… she even went to the toilet with me :).

Cindy will always be remembered as my very first and best dog. I grew up by her side and she was devoted to only me. If someone would want to hurt me she would be there in a second, willing to die for me. It has gone some time since we had to put her to sleep, but not a day goes by without me thinking of her and the old happy days we spent together. I see her happy face looking back at me like in a dream when I think of her. I see her running on the field we always spent most of our time together. She will sure be remembered for ever, remembered as my first and best dog. Coping with all the sadness when someone who is so near to you dies is not easy. Dogs are our family and they love us no matter what. I was preparing myself for the day when she would go to the rainbow bridge for years but still, I was devastated. Many people who haven’t come to the big decision of letting a dog go, probably wonder how you are able to do it, take your dog to veterinarian to let him or her go. This decision is never easy, since you knowingly go there to end your pet’s life.

My sister playing with Cindy

Cindy's favorite sleeping position

I believe that this is something every pet owner has to be ready to do from the first day they get their pet. You never know what happens (from car accidents to sickness) that may cause your pets life into suffering. Cindy was 16 years old, almost blind, deaf, had trouble walking and epileptic. She was getting worse and worse. Her life became suffering.

She gave me the best years of my life, how could I be selfish and keep her alive just so I could have a little more time with her? I decided that I owe my girl peace and that she had to be put to sleep. It takes love to let go. She went to the Rainbow Bridge in 2004. She was cremated and her ashes are now at her favourite place. Some people feel guilty for doing what had to be done... Stop wondering what could have been done differently or ask yourself what if. It took me a long time to heal my wounds and still I wish she would be right here with me. I believe as long as we remember those who passed away, they are still alive in our hearts.