So long, old friend
![[Picture of Jerry asleep on the couch]](/images/beyond30/jerrywater.jpg "One of my favorite pictures of Jerry")
Well we had to bid farewell to our faithful Jerry today.
We found out at the end of October that Jerry was not doing well, and the vet basically told us to keep an eye on him and that it would be a matter of time. Since then we've had a lot of good days and bad days together, but we had another holiday as family, and he seemed to be doing OK.
This week he really started to seem to be a lot worse. We were hoping we could have the weekend together, but we realized that we were doing that more for us than for him, and it was time to let him go. His eyes told us we were right.
Tonight we went down to the vet's office and helped him on the last little way to the The Rainbow Bridge. He went in peace with us right by his side.
So until we meet again, dear friend, enjoy the warm breezes, the long runs, comfy beds on which to sleep, and all the other desires of your heart. We will miss you greatly, we loved you always, and will never forget our 5 years and 7 months together.
Comments
You can't imagine how sorry we are to see this day. You are all in our thoughts.
Posted by: Rita and family | January 17, 2003 08:30 AM
And That Is Dying
I am standing upon the seashore. A ship at my side spreads her white sails to the morning breeze and starts for the blue ocean. She is an object of beauty and strength. I stand and watch her until at length she hangs like a speck of white cloud just where the sea and sky come to mingle with each other.
Then someone at my side says: "There, she is gone!"
"Gone where?"
Gone from my sight. That is all. She is just as large in mast and hull and spar as she was when she left my side and she is just as able to bear her load of living freight to her destined port.
Her diminished size is in me, not in her. And just at the moment when someone at my side says: "There, she is gone!" there are other eyes watching her coming and other voices ready to take up the glad shout: "Here she comes!"
And that is dying....
Henry Van Dyke
Posted by: Meg Az. | January 17, 2003 09:18 AM
Now he is with Gabriel. The thought of them running together in the tall grass makes my tears sweet as well as bitter.
Posted by: Mimi | January 17, 2003 11:51 AM
Thank you for blessing us by sharing Jerry and your love for each other with us. Rest in peace, dear Jerry. Our hearts are with your family that misses you.
Posted by: Lisa C. | January 17, 2003 12:03 PM
We share your sadness on the loss of a great friend, family member, and a fine Beagle.
He was much loved by all.
God speed Jerry.
Posted by: Greg and Shandy | January 17, 2003 12:28 PM
Godspeed, Jerry. We'll miss you for now but we'll see you again.
Posted by: Rebecca | January 17, 2003 01:05 PM
"If you can start the day without caffeine... if you can always be cheerful, ignoring aches and pains... if you can resist complaining and boring people with your troubles... if you can eat the same food everyday and be grateful for it... if you can understand when your loved ones are too busy to give you any attention... if you can overlook it when those you love take it out on you when, through no fault of yours, something goes wrong... if you can take criticism and blame without resentment... if you can ignore a friends limited education and never correct him... if you can resist treating a rich friend better than a poor friend... if you can face the world without lies and deceit... if you can honestly say that you have no prejudice against anything... then you are almost as good as your dog."
Posted by: Wayne & Halsey | January 17, 2003 02:47 PM
Your little friend is not so far away and you will all see him again some day.
Sending our sympathy to those left behind,
Marilyn & Roodi
Posted by: Marilyn Otterson | January 17, 2003 03:46 PM
Death is nothing at all.
I have only slipped away into the next room.
Whatever we were to each other -that we still are.
Call me by my old familiar name.
Wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow.
Life means all that it ever meant.
Why should I be out of mind only because I am out
of sight?
I am waiting for you, for an interval, somewhere
very near-just around the corner.
All is well.
from the play "Andre's Mother"
Posted by: Meg R. | January 17, 2003 03:59 PM
Jerry, you will be very missed. I wish there were some magic words to ease the pain we all are having with you not with us any more. Never to be forgotten and loved forever. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family as they are truly missing you now. May you rest in peace until the day you will all be reunited again.
Posted by: Lynne | January 17, 2003 05:24 PM
What a great dog, that Jerry Luoma. What a kind, dignified gentleman. Look at Jerry's picture and know what "regal beagle" really means.
Jerry introduced Ethan to the world of beagles. Now he's romping with Ethan's brother.
Posted by: Mary & Hutch | January 17, 2003 07:58 PM
Jerry's spirit runs free with ears flying, his tail wagging and carrying with him the memories of a family that loved him for who he was.
Posted by: Nancy | January 18, 2003 12:09 AM
When I come to the end of the road
And the sun has set for me
I want no rites in a gloom filled room
Why cry for a soul set free?
Miss me a little while but not too long
And not with your head bowed low;
Remember the love that once we shared
Miss me but let me go
For this is a journey we all must take
And each must go alone
It’s all a part of the Master’s plan
A step on the road to home.
When you’re lonely and sick of heart
Go to the friends that we know
And lose your sorrow in doing good deeds
Miss me, but let me go.
Posted by: suzanne | January 18, 2003 03:12 AM
Tim, Tracey, Ethan, Sadie & Scout -
I know that there is a Jerry sized hole in your hearts. The absolute worst thing about living with a Beagle is they never stick around long enough. The pictures of Jerry & Ethan are wonderful :-) Take time to grieve & hold on to your memories.
Jerry has found lots of friends at the bridge and I'm sure that he & Gabriel will look after each other.
Denise
Posted by: Denise, Rio, Taylor, Tory & JT | January 19, 2003 10:02 PM