He was over 14 years old, and had cancer. I am so filled with grief, I can hardly function.

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I really don't know why posting it here seems like a good thing to do. I know I will get a lot of genuine sympathy and probably similar stories from a lot of you. Hopefully it will help with my closure.

His name is Winston and I have had him since he was 8 weeks old.

I am so, so sad.

Gridlok[/img]

I'm truly sorry to hear that, gridlok. Dogs are just as much a part of the family as the people we love.

We had to put down our 12-year-old Sheltie about five years ago, and I still get choked up when I think of her.

I hope you can take some solace in the long life that Winston shared with you. You have my deepest sympathy.

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I really like all them "Aster" guitars. You know, like the Stratoc, Telec and Jazzm.

Hey gridlock, I am truly sorry about your loss. It is so true that they are man's best friend and with their own life going so fast, we don't realize that the pup we got years ago is now a senior citizen and that his time is up. I can tell in the way you are talking of him, that he had a great life with you, and you were both lucky for the time you shared. You have my sympaties.
Claude.

My heart goes out to you,we had to go through the same thing with our much loved German Shepherd and with our beloved cat a year later. You form a love and attachment to a pet much as you do a human family member and they are family members because they are an integral part of your household and when they are gone it leaves a huge empty void. When we had to get our cat put down the vet sent us a poem called Rainbow Bridge it was very comforting.The poem suggested that our pet had gone where it's always young and playful and it has no pain or suffering,it also says(as the pet speaking)not to grieve too deeply for you will be reunited some day but to take in another pet that needs your love and caring as much as they did.My prayers are with you, God Blless.

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'65 Strat,65 Mustang,65 Jaguar,4 more Strats,3 vintage Vox guitars,5 Vox amps,'69 Bassman with a '68 2-15 Bassman cab,36 guitars total-15asst'd amps total,2 vintage '60s Hammond organs & a myriad of effects-with a few rare vintage ones.

Gridlok my friend, My prayers and thoughts are with you. My mastiff is not too far off from the same. Winston is a beautiful dog...........Mike

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The blues ain't nothin but a good man feelin bad.

hey grid, i'm truly sorry. i'll bet my life savings that your pup loved you as much as you loved him. in fact, i know it.

Sorry to hear of your loss. I've lost a few pets over time. My wife died in September last year. Some people will tell you to run out and get a new dog, but grieve for a while first. If you get a new dog right away, it won't seem right.

As I sit here looking at the site my 11 year old female is at my feet and my 6 year old is about 2 feet from her. Golden's are the best dogs and the only dog I will ever have. If you have not had a Golden Retriever in your life there is no way to understand the sense of loses.. My heart goes out to you. Please think about getting another Goldie... Mark, Gidgit and Hattie

Hey Gridlok, My heart goes out to you... I know exactly what your feeling, been there myself. MoJo from Mountain Home your way

Bill

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Hey, Boy Blue is back!

Sincerest condolences, Gridlock.

This may bring you comfort......

*********************

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.
All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.
You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....
Author unknown...

Arjay

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"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY

Gridlok,
My heartfelt condolences on hearing of your loss of a loved family member.
We experienced the same about four years ago, having Abi put
out of her misery(cancer). We still miss her and still have our memories of her.

Thank you all so much!!!

I guess that's why I posted. I knew I'd get these incredible responses and let me tell you something...they help. Thanks to all who wrote. I really appreciate it. You're a classy group.

I miss my dog.

Gridlok

Hi gridlok: it can be kind of hard to talk about this because a lot of people seem to think it is inappropriate to feel this strongly over an animal. But many of us absolutely get what you are going through, and I just want to add to those expressing sympathy and understanding. We receive an unconditional love from animals we are close to, and it leaves a huge gap when they go.

It is right and proper and I feel for you strongly. One thing: it makes you a decent person that it affects to you this way. Hang in there: people out here in cyberland are with you.

Best to you - C

You lost a family member, sorry for your loss. We had two Dobermans. The first had to be put down. The second passed at home. Now we have two mixed breeds at the same time. If and when one of them goes, I don't know who would miss the other more. The surviving dog, or the humans in the family.

gridlok, did he ever sire any pups? Perhaps one those could help you to feel better. Sorry about the loss of your friend Bro. All good thoughts coming your way.

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you can save the world with your guitar one love song at a time it's just better, more fun, easier with a fender solid body electric guitar or electric bass guitar.