RIP Jo

[mmilard]

Jo was not my dog, but my 15 year old cousins dog. He was a beautiful 7 year old Golden Retriever who lost his life yesterday afternoon.

My cousin was with me all week this past week. Yesterday we had gotten a phone call from his mom telling me to bring Josh home, that Jo had passed away. When we had gotten there, she told us what she found. At first I thought he died from a snake bite, as they live on a lake with cotton mouths and water mockasins, but what she told me, changed my decision quickly. When she had gotten home from work, she noticed Jo was laying out side. She called him, he didn't move, so she quickly threw what was in her hands down and ran down there, only to find Jo as stiff as a board. Jo normally ran loose, as do many dogs out here in the country, but the other night she put him on his tie out like she does every so often. His tie out got caught in one of the other dog's pens and it was wrapped around his leg several times. You could see where he tried his best to get the cord from around his leg, his fur was messed up there with dried saliva all over it and you could see the bite marks on the cord. It was 99 degrees yesterday and where the cord was caught, there was no shade. He must have gotten so exausted from fighting that he just laid there, in the sun with no shade. I checked him out, even though I knew heat stroke had taken his life. We burried him under his favorite tree next to the lake yesterday evening.

My aunt blames herself for putting him out on the tie out. He would have been better off running loose in their yard. But she didn't know this would happen as he's been on it lots of times through out his life. My heart breaks for Josh, he loved Jo dearly.


Rest in peace sweet boy. Swim freely in all of the lakes you can find, and watch over Josh. He misses you dearly, we all do. You will forever be my little humperdink.

[tilly]

devastating
it's difficult enough whenever a beloved pet dies, blaming oneself and rehashing all the what ifs is just unbearable.
RIP Jo.

[Lola B Marie]

So very sorry to learn of this accident. I know your cousin must be devastated. Help him to grieve and let him know we are sending him lots of hugs.I know from experience that kids heal a little faster than adults and perhaps, in an appropriate amount of time, a puppy. Again, I am so sorry.
Jane

[StephanieandToby]

Just awful. I'm so sorry.

[denverday]

This is such a tragic accident...I am so sorry for Josh....poor puppy...
God Speed Jo

[mmilard]

Thank you guys. I brought Josh home with me tonight. Together we are going to look online for a headstone marker. We talked about it today and he seems a lot better then he was yesterday.

Josh has had a rough life when it comes to his biological father. When anything "sad" happens, Josh now just clams up with everyone else, but with me, its a different story. Same as his brother. I guess its easier for them to talk to me about certain things then it is with others, even their own mom.

I will let him read this thread. I'm sure it will make him feel good seeing all of the nice things that you are all saying. Thank you again.


Melissa

[KatMc]

I'm so sorry for the loss of Jo, please tell your cousin that he and his mom are in my thoughts and prayers.

So sad,
Kathy

[slinger]

I am so sorry that Josh is having to go through this. My prayers are with all of you.