Holding on to Clarence
Saying goodbye14 total reviews
Comment from barbara.wilkey
This contest entry made me cry. I am a huge dog lover and have had to put a few of my dogs down. It's horrible. Good luck with the contest.
He leaned down and scratched Clarence behind his ears. "What's wtong, buddy?" (wrong)
reply by the author on 08-Sep-2016
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This contest entry made me cry. I am a huge dog lover and have had to put a few of my dogs down. It's horrible. Good luck with the contest.
He leaned down and scratched Clarence behind his ears. "What's wtong, buddy?" (wrong)
Comment Written 21-Aug-2016
reply by the author on 08-Sep-2016
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Thank you so much for the wonderful review and the understanding words. Gretchen
Comment from Rubylou
I have to say I am not a pet person either. We have had dogs, cats, fish , guinea pigs, might even etc.
It is funny how those critters can wiggle their way into a person's heart. When they pass, they leaves a hole.
As I have said, I am not the biggest pet fan but I certainly can relate to your story which is very skillfully written.
Rubylou
reply by the author on 08-Sep-2016
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I have to say I am not a pet person either. We have had dogs, cats, fish , guinea pigs, might even etc.
It is funny how those critters can wiggle their way into a person's heart. When they pass, they leaves a hole.
As I have said, I am not the biggest pet fan but I certainly can relate to your story which is very skillfully written.
Rubylou
Comment Written 21-Aug-2016
reply by the author on 08-Sep-2016
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Thank you so much for your wonderful review. Gretchen
Comment from nancy_e_davis
Well I am an old softy when it comes to animals. I have had to
make that decision too many rimes in my life. You really get attached to pets and it is hard to say goodbye. It is usually the right decision when we do, but the guilt has always there after the fact. This story brought a lump and a tear Gretchen.
Well done. Nancy
reply by the author on 08-Sep-2016
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Well I am an old softy when it comes to animals. I have had to
make that decision too many rimes in my life. You really get attached to pets and it is hard to say goodbye. It is usually the right decision when we do, but the guilt has always there after the fact. This story brought a lump and a tear Gretchen.
Well done. Nancy
Comment Written 21-Aug-2016
reply by the author on 08-Sep-2016
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Thank you so much for your wonderful review. Gretchen
Comment from barkingdog
It was the kindest thing to do.
I've see dogs suffer because their owner's think it's better to put them though multiple surgeries when there isn't any hope for survival.
We just had our Frodo put down two months ago. At nineteen, he was miserable and his eyes begged for relief.
Just as with your Clarence, Frodo simply went to sleep. He's buried in our yard next to his mother Laia and father Trooper. All loving gentle pugs.
I hope you do well in the contest, knowing how difficult you story was to write.
:) ellen
reply by the author on 08-Sep-2016
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It was the kindest thing to do.
I've see dogs suffer because their owner's think it's better to put them though multiple surgeries when there isn't any hope for survival.
We just had our Frodo put down two months ago. At nineteen, he was miserable and his eyes begged for relief.
Just as with your Clarence, Frodo simply went to sleep. He's buried in our yard next to his mother Laia and father Trooper. All loving gentle pugs.
I hope you do well in the contest, knowing how difficult you story was to write.
:) ellen
Comment Written 21-Aug-2016
reply by the author on 08-Sep-2016
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Thank you so much for your wonderful review. Gretchen
Comment from Phyllis Stewart
I read this with interest. Well done, both the writing and the decision.
I AM an animal lover, and it was verrry hard to take Alex to the vet to put be down. But the cancer in his mouth had returned months after surgery, and it started bleeding and he began whining. This all happened quickly while I had a student (I tutored). She had ten minutes left till her mom picked her up. Then I rushed him to the vet. Just wanted to end his suffering. I stood there and petted him while he went to sleep for the last time. He was 15, and we still miss him, even with three currently. He was a bad dog. LOL! Sneaky and stubborn, but it was adorable. :)
reply by the author on 08-Sep-2016
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I read this with interest. Well done, both the writing and the decision.
I AM an animal lover, and it was verrry hard to take Alex to the vet to put be down. But the cancer in his mouth had returned months after surgery, and it started bleeding and he began whining. This all happened quickly while I had a student (I tutored). She had ten minutes left till her mom picked her up. Then I rushed him to the vet. Just wanted to end his suffering. I stood there and petted him while he went to sleep for the last time. He was 15, and we still miss him, even with three currently. He was a bad dog. LOL! Sneaky and stubborn, but it was adorable. :)
Comment Written 21-Aug-2016
reply by the author on 08-Sep-2016
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Somehow those sneaky bad ones sneak into our hearts. Thank you for your kind review. Gretchen
Comment from Sankey
Thanks for sharing this very sad tale. I am with you. No such thing as doggy or cat heaven. But so many people cling to the idea of seeing their pets in heaven. Mind you, those that believe that way are probably not headed there, themselves? One spag. It last(ed) for several minutes.
reply by the author on 08-Sep-2016
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Thanks for sharing this very sad tale. I am with you. No such thing as doggy or cat heaven. But so many people cling to the idea of seeing their pets in heaven. Mind you, those that believe that way are probably not headed there, themselves? One spag. It last(ed) for several minutes.
Comment Written 21-Aug-2016
reply by the author on 08-Sep-2016
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Thank you so much for your kind words and the nice review. Gretchen
Comment from Jay Squires
Well, this is a touching story, Gretchen. I've been through the same thing by staying with my dog when they injected him with the lethal dose. And I agree. He just looked up at me, and then his eyes went dead.
Here are some things to look at:
mice or any other four legged creature [... other FOUR-LEGGED creatures.]
Usually he was ready to go home for a well deserved [... for a WELL-DESERVED ...]
. He let me pet him and would come lay beside where I was sitting. [... come LIE beside ...]
"What's wtong, buddy?" [What's WRONG, buddy?"]
"I can't tell you what to chose. [... can't tell you what to CHOOSE]
I thought it was going to to be an ugly end. [Remove a "TO"]
reply by the author on 08-Sep-2016
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Well, this is a touching story, Gretchen. I've been through the same thing by staying with my dog when they injected him with the lethal dose. And I agree. He just looked up at me, and then his eyes went dead.
Here are some things to look at:
mice or any other four legged creature [... other FOUR-LEGGED creatures.]
Usually he was ready to go home for a well deserved [... for a WELL-DESERVED ...]
. He let me pet him and would come lay beside where I was sitting. [... come LIE beside ...]
"What's wtong, buddy?" [What's WRONG, buddy?"]
"I can't tell you what to chose. [... can't tell you what to CHOOSE]
I thought it was going to to be an ugly end. [Remove a "TO"]
Comment Written 21-Aug-2016
reply by the author on 08-Sep-2016
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Thank you so much for your wonderful review. Gretchen
Comment from janalma
Well told story. You made the reader care about the old dog, too. I hated that he had to be put down, but I would have done the same. I had a little dog that got cancer and we had to have her put down. Such a decision is hard, but sometimes the best thing to do.
Saw a couple little nits...
It didn't matter what my objections(were?), I could tell by the smitten look on Chuck's face that Clarence was here to stay.
Within fifteen minutes he had a seizure. It last(ed) for several minutes.
reply by the author on 08-Sep-2016
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Well told story. You made the reader care about the old dog, too. I hated that he had to be put down, but I would have done the same. I had a little dog that got cancer and we had to have her put down. Such a decision is hard, but sometimes the best thing to do.
Saw a couple little nits...
It didn't matter what my objections(were?), I could tell by the smitten look on Chuck's face that Clarence was here to stay.
Within fifteen minutes he had a seizure. It last(ed) for several minutes.
Comment Written 20-Aug-2016
reply by the author on 08-Sep-2016
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Thank you so much for your wonderful review. Gretchen
Comment from Lovinia
Hello Gretchen
What a sad decision to have to make. In the circumstances, I'm think you made the right one. Some hang on to their beloved pets, beyond the comfort level and well-being of their pets. The nicest thing I think for Clarence is that he had two years of love and care. Not many would take on such an old dog, a stranger.
Your story is well written, tight without waffling on and genuine. You were kind to the dear dog and gave him peace in the end. Your story is one of fondness, mild tongue-in-cheek - you're sincere about your POV on pets/animals. Your story is a lovely goodbye, though sad. This piece of writing held interest and drew emotions; a fine tribute to the final years of a dog's life and the kindness and care he received. Kudos to you for caring for him and being there in his hour of true need. Warm Regards - Lovi xoxo
reply by the author on 08-Sep-2016
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Hello Gretchen
What a sad decision to have to make. In the circumstances, I'm think you made the right one. Some hang on to their beloved pets, beyond the comfort level and well-being of their pets. The nicest thing I think for Clarence is that he had two years of love and care. Not many would take on such an old dog, a stranger.
Your story is well written, tight without waffling on and genuine. You were kind to the dear dog and gave him peace in the end. Your story is one of fondness, mild tongue-in-cheek - you're sincere about your POV on pets/animals. Your story is a lovely goodbye, though sad. This piece of writing held interest and drew emotions; a fine tribute to the final years of a dog's life and the kindness and care he received. Kudos to you for caring for him and being there in his hour of true need. Warm Regards - Lovi xoxo
Comment Written 20-Aug-2016
reply by the author on 08-Sep-2016
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Thank you so much for your wonderful review. Gretchen
Comment from Ric Myworld
Dying isn't the hardest thing us humans or our pets ever have to do. It's what we might have to go through to get there. In Clarence's case you could have put him through the pain of surgery to learn he couldn't be saved, or even if you had been able to save him for the time being, you wouldn't have known for how long. We save animals the pain, but we let humans suffer as long as they can hang on, even when we know there is no hope. Do we do it for them, or is it our own selfishness of not wanting to give them up? Of course, with humans, I don't guess we let our children or whoever make the choice to euthanize us, because so many might want to hurry us alone for the inheritance. LOL! I guess it's not really funny, but we might as well laugh. We can't change it. Thanks for one of those touching stories of true love. Yes, that's what I said. Great job. :-)
reply by the author on 08-Sep-2016
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Dying isn't the hardest thing us humans or our pets ever have to do. It's what we might have to go through to get there. In Clarence's case you could have put him through the pain of surgery to learn he couldn't be saved, or even if you had been able to save him for the time being, you wouldn't have known for how long. We save animals the pain, but we let humans suffer as long as they can hang on, even when we know there is no hope. Do we do it for them, or is it our own selfishness of not wanting to give them up? Of course, with humans, I don't guess we let our children or whoever make the choice to euthanize us, because so many might want to hurry us alone for the inheritance. LOL! I guess it's not really funny, but we might as well laugh. We can't change it. Thanks for one of those touching stories of true love. Yes, that's what I said. Great job. :-)
Comment Written 20-Aug-2016
reply by the author on 08-Sep-2016
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Thank you for your wonderful review and the nice words. Gretchen
