R.I.P. Mabrouck

[PrinceMyshkin]

At approximately 6 pm, Thursday Nov 29, Mabrouck, the 14 year old German Shepherd who had lived with and been loved by Sophie (Sweets America) since he was a puppy, died in François, France. Sophie had made a trip home from university in order to be with him in what had been predicted to be his last days, but he died 30 minutes before she got home.

Sophie would very likely appreciate your expressions of sympathy either here or via PM.

[SleepyWitch]

poor doggie :( my toy dog Fuffel is howling for him

[andave_ya]

Oh, Sweets, my sympathies. I know what it's like to lose a very much loved pet. :( you're in my thoughts and prayers.

[Virgil]

Oh Sweets. I know how you feel. It is as sad as any family member passing. The loss of my frst dog was very hard for me. I'm sure it is for you too. If there is any consolation, 14 years for a German Shepherd is outstanding. He lived a good life and was truely loved.

http://www.lindawallackart.com/gallery_2/image/sympathy.jpg

[mtpspur]

From the avatar posted he looked like a handsome devil and his eyes were ful of life. There are several pets lost over the years and each has a permanent place in the heart. Your beloved is irreplaceable but the magic of dogs is that there is room for more in the heart--after the grieving however. Rich

[motherhubbard]

At our house all of the good dogs seem to die and the rotten naughty ones live forever. We just recently got a good dog and my 5 year old son named her Two Tiger Tiger, but my sardonic 8 year old said we should name her RIP. I'm sorry you lost your good dog. I know it leaves an empty spot in your heart.

[Pensive]

Ah it's a pity but that's how life is like....those we care about just go away... I feel sorry for Sweets America...but I hope her dog goes to heaven.

[symphony]

I'm very sorry to hear that, Sophie. I dont keep pets (one of the reasons is the fear of losing them) but i've had a cat for a day when i was a kid and i cried a lot when it was taken away from me and my sis. I cant say i know this feeling, but i do understand, from that one day...

My sympathies.

[Sweets America]

Thank you for this thoughtful thread, Jer. I am back to my apartment. Yes, my dog died just before I arrived. When I entered the basement, I saw my step-father on his knees, caressing Mabrouck who was lying there. I heard something, and I thought 'Oh, Mabrouck is having difficulties to breathe', and half a second later I realized that the sound was actually my step father sobbing, and this is when I realized that Mabrouck was dead. It killed me. I touched him but he was stiff already, I felt I was touching a dead person. I cried, everybody cried.
I have trouble to believe he is dead. He was not just a dog to me, he was a role-model. He was a best friend, a father and a brother all at once. He has taught me everything I needed to know about unconditional love, loyalty and kindness. He has been there during all those years when I barely had any social contact. My mother said 'How could we find another dog who would be as kind as him? It's impossible.' I replied that actually, it was possible. This is the magical thing about dogs, you can actually find a lot who are just wonderful and loving.
I am happy to have known Mabrouck, because I have been loved so much by him, it was so beautiful. He was the kind of person who loved everyone and was always happy to make a new friend.
I have spent the weekend with my other dog Calif, the spaniel. He is great too. I have reversed the roles and watched over him. He had trouble, he was agitated and he had what looked like nightmares in his sleep. So I just stayed next to him and waited that he went back to a more peaceful sleep. I was ok when I was next to him because he acts like a barrier to sorrow, but as soon as I am away from him, the pain comes back.
I know I will be ok though. I have started buiding my own life and I know I can manage by myself, without Mabrouck. I guess he will watch over me from a distance.

Thanks Sleepywitch and andave_ya. :)

Virgil, I know you in particular know how it feels. Thank you very much. I know Mabrouck lived a long life, but we had had another Shepherd before who had lived 17 years! I think it was quite exceptional though.
As I said, I took some time with my other dog, and I also met a great friend of mine who is a dog too, and who gave me a lot of love, which helped.

mtpspur, I agree with you about dogs and their magical side. Thank you.

Mother, thank you too. That is funny what you say about the naughty dogs who live forever!

Pensive, if there is some kind of heaven for dogs, Mabrouck will certainly go there. He was the embodiement of kindness. He might meet his girlfriend there too, she died some time before him. She was a beautiful German Shepherd too, and they would often meet each other and share some kisses.:)

Symphony, thank you. :)

[PrinceMyshkin]

I have known something of your love, ma petite juive. "Something," of course, is a gross understatement. What there is of it that is for or because of me is wonderful, never measured, never calculated, but what I see of it here, for your beloved Mabrouck, is in part what he provoked in you and in equal or larger part what you are incapable of restraining. You are very tender-hearted. Already I have hurt you once or twice. If there were a God to whom I might pray, I would pray for help never to do that again.

Ich hob dir zeier effing lieb!!