Monday, October 19, 2009

Goodbye my sweet Tink

Lounging on the couch
Tink is on the right
Bossing the dogs in the camp set-up next door


Enjoying her bed at a dog show in Chattanooga, TN

It's a very sad day at my house today. I have to help one of my beloved babies cross the Rainbow Bridge later this afternoon. I hate it! I know it's best, but I hate it! Oh, how I wish our 4-legged babies could be with us longer.
Tink is our 14 year old Miniature Dachshund that I rescued 9 years ago from a horrible lady that had her only for making money. She is one of the sweetest, most patient, loving little rescues I have ever had. She is very easy going, wants to please and for a baby that lived such a horrible life before I saved her, she gets along well with the rest of my menagerie. She's very sociable and yet, in typical Dachshund style, could be stand-offish at times. She is very protective of her pack, especially me. She was a wonderful companion to my son while he still lived at home, loved him dearly and would *protect* him from any number of *boogey men* that might come into his room at night.
The first 5 years of her little life was spent in a dirty crate, pregnant most of the time. She had 6 litters of puppies by the time she was 5 years old! SIX!!! That means she was bred every time she came into season, starting with her very first one! She came from a horrible woman who is now sitting in jail, thank goodness, after being convicted of animal abuse! HURRAY!
I got Tink a few years before her POS ovwner was arrested. At the time, I was grooming at one of the local veterinarian's clinic and the POS that owned her had brought her in to be euthanized. Her reason? (and I quote) "the bitch only gave me one puppy last time, I can't make money that way" So rather than do what a responsible breeder would do, place her in a loving home, she didn't want to be bothered and wanted to euthanize her instead. I asked her if I could take her and find her a good home. She told me I could *have* her for $150, otherwise, put her to sleep. Well, I wasn't about to give this POS any money for her, so I left the room. I was so mad, but what was I going to do? Anyway, the vet came out and asked me if I really wanted to try placing this little girl and of course I said I would. The vet then went back to the room, told the lady (I use that term loosely) we didn't have time to euthanize her right this minute, but if she would sign the release form and leave her with us, we would euthanize her that afternoon. POS said fine, signed the form and left. The vet then brought little Tink to me and said, "Here, take her and find her a forever home."
I brought her home and began working on her evaluation and getting her adjusted to living a *normal* dog's life. She had obviously rarely been out of that crate. She was terrified outside and would stand there so stiff I thought she would break. She didn't want to stay on the couch, or in a dog bed, or walk around on the carpet or hang out with the other dogs. All she wanted to do was go back to her crate. I had to keep the door to the crate closed just to keep her from going inside. She would sit there, by the door, waiting for me to open it back up. She had no idea how to potty anywhere besides her crate. She was afraid to eat anywhere except in her crate! In other words, her world consisted of her crate. It took me nearly a year to get her housebroken and acting like a normal dog and of course by then, I was so attached there was no way I was placing her. She stayed with me from then on. That was 9 years ago.
I vowed she would live a happy life if I could give it to her and she would not end her life in pain or suffering. She had enough of that in the first 5 years to last 2 lifetimes. So, the time has come for me to honor that vow and keep that promise I made to her all those years ago and let her cross over. She has been a wonderful companion and has brought me and my family joy ten-fold and I thank the Lord above for allowing me to take this little Princess home with me that day 9 years ago.
Goodbye my sweet girl. Thank you for your years of love and faithfulness and companionship. Go play with your old buddies, Pixie, Blarney and Marilyn. Be sure to kiss your *Nanny* for me and tell her I love her. (*to my wonderful Mother: Please take care of her for me until I get there Mom)










17 comments:

Woodrow, Luna, MJ Campanella said...

Dog bless you for saving this little girl - we hate people like that - the bullies should go rough her up - we will light a candle for her safe passage - and know we are sending bully hugs and kisses to you during this incredible hard time

Woodrow - Sweetie - MJ

Deborah said...

I am so sorry for your loss, that was a beautiful tribute. She knew you were a wonderful Mom and a great family. She was lucky that you rescued her.

Chloe and Libby said...

Angie,
I am sooooo touched from your posting of your Tink. I don't know what her problems are now that you are helping her cross over but whatever it is, she will no longer be in pain if she is at this time.
I know this will indeed be one of the hardest things, and I pray you will be ok, I will say a little prayer for you.
Run Tink run, and have no pain and no worries again!
Chloe and Libby

Erin said...

Sooooo sorry to hear that!! But wow is she lucky to have come in contact with you!! Sounds like she had a wonderful full life in your care;

My gang sends lots of puppy kisses your way.

Erin, Victoria, Gideon, Texas, Bubbles and Mensa

Cole said...

I'm so sorry for your loss. Losing a piece of you is never easy; but you gave her the best life possible. Tink was blessed to have you as her mom.

sprinkles said...

Having to put a pet down is always soooooo hard. I'm so sorry for your loss. I teared up reading this, thinking of my past pets that I've had to put down. I feel your pain.

Hopefully it will help knowing you gave Tink a good life.

Paint Girl said...

I am so sorry for your loss of your beloved Tink!! You did an amazing thing for her, saving her life from that nasty woman!! And you gave Tink the kind of life she should have had from the beginning!!
Every time I hear a story on the news about these puppy mill breeders, it just makes me sick.
My thoughts are with you!

Anonymous said...

Im soooo sorry to hear this, But you are giving her the last most beautiful gift, to let her go when she is ready. Bless you for taking her in and loving her all these years. She will be welcomed at the rainbow bridge by sooo many of our babies how have gone ahead.

Candle lit and prayers on the way.
Hugs!

Tiffany and the Munchkins said...

I am so very sorry. I know this was a difficult decision but I believe you made the right one. Tink led a full and wonderful life with you. I know how difficult it is to lose a pet and my heart really goes out to you.

RIP sweet Tink.

Anonymous said...

Our hearts go out to you. It's never easy to lose one of our precious pets. Bully hugs and smooches coming your way from Gavin and Patty!

Anonymous said...

blessings and prayers for your heart loss

shalom
gp

Farrah said...

I'm sorry sweetie. I know you're hurting.

Ziggy Stardust said...

I found your blog on another doggy blog and it caught my eye because of the word groomer. I am so sorry to read about your little Tink crossing the rainbow bridge. I know how hard it is and I am sorry. I have a shih tzu that is our love, we rescued her and she is almost impossible to groom. I am tired of getting bit. No groomer will take her. We end up going to the vet, but it costs a fortune. When you are up to it and there is no rush at all, can you offer any advice?

Thanks Anne
licks and sniffs, Sasha

Anonymous said...

I'm sorry you lost Tink. She had a loving home and you'll be blessed forever for it.

I just found your blog. : )

Jamie said...

First off Thanks for your comment on my blog! Second. . .sorry for your loss. I had a Chinese Pug named Geisha and she was my "rescue" I got her from a family who locked her up all day and she was terribly overweight and had major skin problem. I fixed her all up over about 2 years. She was at the babysitters while I was hospitalized just before my transplant and got out and was hit by a car. . . I feel your loss, but you gave your baby a better life for a long time!

Cool Pet Picks said...

I am so sorry for your loss, that was such a beautiful tribute. It's always sad to loose a member of the family! I had to put one of my beloved cats "to sleep" because he was in kidney failure a year ago. It still makes me sad so I know how you feel.

catsmum said...

Sweetie
I couldn't leave you a comment the first time I read this - back last month when it was all happening - I was too upset.
Today I'm re-reading and still sitting here crying... in fact I had to stop reading halfway through a couple of hours ago and just now came back to finish
hugest hugz from me, Bear and the rest of the menagerie.