Guest HeatherDemps Posted August 28, 2009 Share Posted August 28, 2009 (edited) I wish I had the words to honor Dempsey the way he deserves.... It absolutely stuns me that it's been a year since we said goodbye to our sweet hound. A year ago tonight, we had rushed Dempsey to the ER vet and around 1am on 8/28/2008, we said goodbye to that amazing dog. The past year has been rough for me... I've alternated between numbness, sadness, disbelief, anger, and actual rage. In my head, I know that we couldn't have done anything different and we did right by Dempsey, but my heart still aches. For those of you who never knew Dempsey, he was truly extraordinary. You may have been lucky enough to be blessed with an irreplaceable dog- the one that will stick with you for life. For me, that dog was Dempsey. He was truly my best friend and we loved each other unconditionally. I would have done anything for him without question. Demps came into my life during the first year of graduate school. It was honestly a miserable time for me. He had some "significant" issues with separation anxiety- to the point where I feared he would need to go into a home with another dog. But, that dog and I were destined for each other. He was with me through each miserable exam, graduation, the ending of an engagement, buying my first home, marriage, and every insignificant moment in between. No question, that boy was by my side. Dempsey tolerated others and may have even liked some, but it was always clear that he was MINE. Dempsey might have come to you if you had a treat or an ear scritch, but if I walked into the room, he'd drop you in a heart beat to come to his mama. I thought the worst day of my life was when I learned that Dempsey had osteo. He was 11 1/2 and it was right before Christmas. On January 16, 2008, we had the front leg amputated- again thought that was the worst day of my life. No one thought that I should have this surgery done. I knew my boy though and knew he would want to be with me as long as possible. He came through that surgery and took to being a tripod better than anyone- even I- could have expected. He was with me a little over 7 months after the surgery. He lost the use of his back legs and there was nothing that could be done.... I'm still working on letting of the anger and trying to accept that it is what it is.... Like I said before, there's been many signs from Dempsey.... My boy is waiting at the bridge for me and someday we will be reunited. Edited August 28, 2009 by HeatherDemps Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest jerrybird Posted August 28, 2009 Share Posted August 28, 2009 I remember your postings about Dempsey. He was a remarkable fellow and put up a good fight. You are blessed to have had such a special relationship with your boy. Remember the good times. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crazygang Posted August 28, 2009 Share Posted August 28, 2009 In rememberence of Dempsey.......it was special what you shared together Quote Run free our beloved Sir Snowy, Pip, Queenie, Sadie, Tess & Rosie until we meet again......I would rather feel the thorn than to never see the rose Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest ss556 Posted August 28, 2009 Share Posted August 28, 2009 You shared a wonderful time together. Hugs to you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Batmom Posted August 28, 2009 Share Posted August 28, 2009 So very handsome. Rest well, special boy. Quote Star aka Starz Ovation (Ronco x Oneco Maggie*, litter #48538), Coco aka Low Key (Kiowa Mon Manny x Party Hardy, litter # 59881), and mom in IllinoisWe miss Reko Batman (Trouper Zeke x Marque Louisiana), 11/15/95-6/29/06, Rocco the thistledown whippet, 04/29/93-10/14/08, Reko Zema (Mo Kick x Reko Princess), 8/16/98-4/18/10, the most beautiful girl in the whole USA, my good egg Joseph aka Won by a Nose (Oneco Cufflink x Buy Back), 09/22/2003-03/01/2013, and our gentle sweet Gidget (Digitizer, Dodgem by Design x Sobe Mulberry), 1/29/2006-11/22/2014, gone much too soon. Never forgetting CJC's Buckshot, 1/2/07-10/25/10. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 3greysinPA Posted August 28, 2009 Share Posted August 28, 2009 What a beautiful tribute to Dempsey, i feel your love thruout the whole story... my love dog is my lilly and i share that same unconditional love.... so my heart breaks for you that you are without your special best friend. I'm so sorry that he had to leave you.. but he is pain free and running and playing at having fun at the bridge and yes.. someday you will see him again... thank you for sharing your special story about Dempsey ... and the pictures are beautiful... Remember the love and the fond memories, for they will keep you going.. with deep sympathy now during the one year anniversary of the passing of your beautiful Dempsey. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaliforniaGreys Posted August 28, 2009 Share Posted August 28, 2009 Quote Missing my little Misty who took a huge piece of my heart with her on 5/2/09, and Ekko, on 6/28/12 For the sick, the lost, and the homeless Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Gingergrey Posted August 28, 2009 Share Posted August 28, 2009 So sorry for your loss. The one year mark is very difficult. Run free sweet Dempsey! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
45MPHK9 Posted August 28, 2009 Share Posted August 28, 2009 beautiful boy. sorry for your loss......... Quote Tricia with Kyle, our senior mutt dog Always missing Murray Maldives, Bee Wiseman, River, Hopper, Kaia, and Holly Oaks Holly“You don't need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows.“ -Bob Dylan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grey14me Posted August 28, 2009 Share Posted August 28, 2009 Quote Michelle...forever missing her girls, Holly 5/22/99-9/13/10 and Bailey 8/1/93-7/11/05 Religion is the smile on a dog...Edie Brickell Wag more, bark less :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest EmbersDad Posted August 28, 2009 Share Posted August 28, 2009 (edited) for dempsey...play it loud & proud! take comfort knowing he is running with ember and they both have 4 good legs..... Edited August 28, 2009 by EmbersDad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest brandi007 Posted August 28, 2009 Share Posted August 28, 2009 I miss your boy too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest LANDOLISA Posted August 28, 2009 Share Posted August 28, 2009 I didn't know your Dempsey, but I am sure he was wonderful boy. He looked it in the Pictures. I know your pain of loss and my thoughts and prayers are with you... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hawthorn Posted August 28, 2009 Share Posted August 28, 2009 (edited) I remember all your posts about Dempsey too, and it really doesn't seem like a year ago. He looks so happy in those pictures! Edited August 28, 2009 by Hawthorn Quote When a relationship of love is disrupted, the relationship does not cease. The love continues; therefore, the relationship continues. The work of grief is to reconcile and redeem life to a different love relationship. ~ W Scott Lineberry Always Greyhounds Home Boarding and Greyhounds With Love House Sitting Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheFullHouse Posted August 28, 2009 Share Posted August 28, 2009 The year has gone by so quickly hasn't it. Emmy's anniversary was yesterday and I too have gone through those emotions during the past year. I remember Dempsey well. I'm so sorry the year has been so rough. Many of us join you in honoring your sweet baby. Quote Judy, mom to Darth Vader, Bandita, And Angel Forever in our hearts, DeeYoGee, Dani, Emmy, Andy, Heart, Saint, Valentino, Arrow, Gee, Bebe, Jilly Bean, Bullitt, Pistol, Junior, Sammie, Joey, Gizmo, Do Bee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VinnieAndRexsMom Posted August 29, 2009 Share Posted August 29, 2009 Love the picture f you and Dempsy He's running with all the old boys at the bridge. They were a great group of pups, weren't they Sending hugs to you today, Heather... Quote Tonya, mom to May, and my angels Vinnie, Rex, Red, Chase, and Jake. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest car3fan Posted September 5, 2009 Share Posted September 5, 2009 What beautiful pictures! i've lurked here for years, and i remember your posts on Dempsey. What a happy boy - great smile! i hope you take comfort that all our boys and girls are running free with no pain. I surely do! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest houndstooth4 Posted September 5, 2009 Share Posted September 5, 2009 I can sympathize so much! We lost Treat a year ago in May, and she was as close to me as you were to your boy. Coming home every day without her here was so hard! I made up my mind a bit to sort of let it go at the one year anniversary of her death. That's not to say that I don't want to think about her and remember all the wonderful times that we had together. I needed to let go of the pain part, though, and move on and live my life for me and for her. She was so full of life and she would not have wanted me to keep grieving for her. So, I wrote a blog about all the funny, wonderful memories I had of her and made up my mind to celebrate her life. I had really dwelled for a long time on the end of her life, the five or six weeks when she was sick before she died and the day I had to help her to the Bridge, and it was that part that I had to let go. When I read your posts about your boy, I always feel it tug on my heartstrings, because it's so close to how I've felt myself. I hope that you can move on to possibly love another hound at some point and to find peace for yourself! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MerlinsMum Posted September 5, 2009 Share Posted September 5, 2009 I cried so much when Dempsey died. :cry1 I still think about him. The pictures you had taken professionally were just so beautiful I have never been able to forget how they made me feel, and some days, when I feel that the world could use more love, I let my eyes soak up the love in those pictures and it helps me get through the day. Heather :grouphug We miss you, Dempsey Quote Kerry with Lupin in beautiful coastal Maine. Missing Pippin, my best friend and sweet little heart-healer 2013-2023 Also missing the best wizard in the world, Merlin, and my sweet 80lb limpet, Sagan, every single day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest TaraCoachCougar Posted September 11, 2009 Share Posted September 11, 2009 Hugs to you, Heather. I so enjoyed those very first posts when you first shared Dempsey with us. What a character! I felt like Coach was there during my "growing up years", those first years of adulthood when exciting things are going on in your life. Coach and Cougar joined me shortly after graduation and marriage. They were there for all the good times. Frankly, while I have a blessed life, I am just not sure that I'll remember this decade with the joy I do my 20s. I'm so glad you had Dempsey in your life, but so sorry about the pain that comes after they are gone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest SueG201 Posted September 11, 2009 Share Posted September 11, 2009 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobinM Posted September 11, 2009 Share Posted September 11, 2009 He was an inspiration to many. Hard to believe it's been a year. Hugs to you. Quote ROBIN ~ Mom to: Beau Think It Aint, Chloe JC Allthewayhome, Teddy ICU Drunk Sailor, Elsie N Fracine , Ollie RG's Travertine, Ponch A's Jupiter~ Yoshi, Zoobie & Belle, the kitties. Waiting at the bridge Angel Polli Bohemian Ocean , Rocky, Blue,Sasha & Zoobie & Bobbi Greyhound Angels Adoption (GAA) The Lexus Project Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest jeannejj Posted September 12, 2009 Share Posted September 12, 2009 Love never dies.....You hold him in your heart and memories........ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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