Dancer has passed away
Dancer
My beautiful Dancer has passed away. She was almost 14 years old. I still can’t believe it, it happened so fast, she went so quickly and it hurts so much. The grief has turned me inside out.
She was out walking with me when she died. It was her favorite thing in the world to do. She sniffed something and left the trail just like she’d done a million times before. She walked a little ways and then she laid down and went to sleep. She died with her nose full of country scents and a light rain falling on her back.
The instant she died, I felt a tearing panic in my heart. I whirled around to find her and she wasn’t there. It was as if she never was. I called her to me and called again and again, my voice catching in my throat, and she didn’t come. When we found her, she was a stone’s throw away from me, laying camouflaged in the prairie grass that she loved so much. She looked like she was sleeping peacefully and could stand up and keep on going. I’m glad she knew I was right there when she died.
Dancer came to me in a dream the night she died. It was so real. In the dream, she was trotting to me like she’d always done, her eyes on mine and a big happy Terv smile on her face. Her coat was full and shiny and she was whole and well. I like to think that she came to me in my sleep to tell me that she would have come to me when I called her if she could have. That I shouldn’t worry about her. That she’s perfectly okay now and that she’s not alone. The SitStay Dogs who passed before her are with her. They are a team again.
I’ll post more about Dancer. I have tons of stories. She was so funny and intelligent. There is more to her passing. It has to do with tracking dogs. I just can’t talk about it yet. Give me another day or so and I’ll share. I promise.
Here’s a good close up of her. You can see another more recent photo under About Darcie. We were so good together.
I am so very sorry for your loss. May your heart find solace in knowing what a wonderful life you gave Dancer and that her spirit will always be close by.
Brenda Czaya
July 7, 2009 at 4:22 pm
I am so sorry for your loss. Someday, I hope that you will be able to think of Dancer and instead of tears that won’t stop flowing, the memory will bring a smile to your face as you remember a special moment with your beautiful companion.
Darlene
July 7, 2009 at 4:41 pm
I’m so sorry for your loss. Dancer was beautiful and had a wonderful life with you and Kent. My heart breaks for her passing but is warmed by the wonderful life she had.
C Barrette
July 7, 2009 at 4:49 pm
Dear Darcie,
My heart breaks for you and my eyes are over running with tears. I don’t have dogs but have 3 cats that are my babies. In January, I lost my 16 month old Ragdoll in much the same way. He and I got up like any other morning and one minute he was fine and the next he had collapsed. I fell to the ground and pulled him to me while screaming ‘Sammie, please don’t leave me. His eyes were already fixed, he let out a small moan and took two deep breaths and was gone.
I cried for a week straight and the hurt is still so close to the surface that it does not take much for the tears to flow. So I know what you are going through and I will keep you in my prayers. God gave us these wonderful creatures to love us unconditionally and to be our loyal companions but oh, the loss is so deep when we lose them.
Blessings,
Mary
Mary Kennedy
July 7, 2009 at 4:51 pm
Darcie, I am so sorry to read about your loss of Dancer. Thanks for sharing her picture with us, she was beautiful with such wonderful eyes. How wonderful that you were able to spend 14 years with her. I look forward to reading more stories about her when you feel up to sharing them.
Be well,
Cynthia
Cynthia, in Kansas
July 7, 2009 at 4:52 pm
Darcie and Kent,
I’m so sorry for your loss of sweet Dancer. What a girl!!
I remember showing her at the Tulsa shows….she was great at showing, but she had a few little tricks up her “sleeves” that she could surprise you with if she wanted to. Thank you for letting me have the pleasure of showing her.
Just be sure to stop and remember the warm and sweet memories that she left in your hearts.
Vicki Kelley
Vicki Kelley
July 7, 2009 at 5:13 pm
Precious Angel, Dancer, rest in peace. Darcie, my heart breaks for you and Kent during this dark time. May your many cherished memories help bring you peace and comfort through the days ahead.
Sandie
July 7, 2009 at 5:36 pm
I am so sorry you had to say goodbye to Dancer. I know the pain that you must be feeling. We lost our golden retriever, Bailey, 8 months ago, and we still miss her like it happened yesterday.
I could relate to your Dancer being like a person, who understood everything you said. Sometimes, we are just lucky, or our souls are meant to share time together, and we get to be mommies to special creatures like Dancer and Bailey.
I hope that you feel Dancer’s soul with you forever, and know that she loves you, and would never leave you…..she will be a part of you always.
nancy spiker
July 7, 2009 at 5:46 pm
What a beautiful tribute to a very special dog!
I am so sorry for your loss, but so happy that Dancer had such a wonderful, loving, fun-filled life with you and your SitStay family.
I will be hugging my own dogs a little closer…
Jandi
July 7, 2009 at 5:53 pm
Darcie, thank you so much for sharing more about Dancer than just an announcement that she was gone. We just lost one of our beloved goldens the day after Memorial Day, so reading a bit of Dancer’s story helps me with my own grief over our Ruby’s passing.
Blessings,
Ellen
Ellen, thank you so much for Ruby’s story. I loved it. Darcie
Ellen
July 7, 2009 at 6:07 pm
Darcie,
Thank you for sharing your stories. They inspire, tease and yes, sometimes bring us to tears. That is ok, like Tervs (and other loved pets) they bring us joy and make us appreciate our own fur-fellows today/now and not wait until the end of that walk.
Do need to ask you later… the Hunter that persisted? Would that be Sunsets Orion After Dark? Only ask because I have a son of his… who is exactly the same as you describe. I call him the rubber dog – he never gives up! And he loves the girls!
Don’t you give up! Remember the glory that was and is Dancer! She is beautiful!
Our best to your family,
Pat
Pat Heisler
July 7, 2009 at 6:10 pm
Pat, I didn’t know Hunter’s breed name. He was Shirley Chong’s boy. Thank you for your letter. I really appreciate it. Darcie
Darcie
July 7, 2009 at 9:09 pm
Different Hunter. Same inside, it seems.
Several years ago (has it really been 8?), I lost my GSD. Someone told me that in the process of grieving, I needed to tell 30 people. Then I would ’start’ to feel better. I think I burst into tears at the first 25… then slowly, I grieved more quietly. More slowly, the rejoicing in her life came back. I look at photos even now and remember how her head always fell asleep on my foot, the weight of it. None of my other dogs have ever taken that spot. Each one has a special place of his own.
Bless you, Pat
Pat Heisler
July 7, 2009 at 9:23 pm
We know pain of losing a beloved family member.
In Memory of Dancer…..if dog biscuits are in Heaven, Lord pick a bunch for US. Place them in Dancer’s paws and tell her they are from us.
Tell her how we love her and when she turns to smile, place a kiss on her cheek and hold her for awhile.
Remembering her is easy, we do it every day. but there is an ache within our hearts that will never go away.
WE LOVE YOU DANCER!!
We hope these words will help comfort you and your family.
Mogg Family
July 7, 2009 at 6:14 pm
Usually words can never truly express the loss of a loved pet companion. Your article on Dancer’s passing touched my heart. Dancer has crossed the Rainbow Bridge free of earthly burdens, a truly a free spirit now.
Marlene
July 7, 2009 at 6:16 pm
I’m so sorry for your loss. What a beautiful story you wrote of her, yet it brought tears to my eyes. I
m glad she came to tell you she is alright. She is at Rainbow Bridge, waiting for you…….hope she meets my Ben and Cody Bear, she would love them.
Take care of yourself. We all know all too well how difficult a time this is for you.
{{{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}}
Nancy
July 7, 2009 at 6:20 pm
I’m so sorry for your loss. Dancer had such a wonderful life with you.
I also had a dream about my dog when he died. His death was not peaceful so I had tremendous guilt over it. So one night, he came to see me. He was laying down in a field of grass and flowers wagging his tail and waiting for me. I ran & hugged him, then he got up and we began playing together. So I knew he was okay. And I was able to finally work past the grief.
My condolences to you and your family. Dancer was a beautiful, wonderful dog.
Elena
July 7, 2009 at 6:37 pm
Darci,
Sorry to hear about Darcie. i know how hard it is as my first mali rescue left suddenly and too early in life. You will remember the good days sooon, but cherish all that you can now. Yes my lance came to me also after passing. Crying and asking me not to go into work the next day….it was what he did every day. Glad you where there for Darcie. I feel your pain.
Susan
July 7, 2009 at 6:55 pm
Darcie and Kent, I am crying for you. What a beautiful dog, and a beautiful memorial to her and her last day.
I hope you find comfort in the many memories you have of her.
Stacy
Stacy
July 7, 2009 at 7:06 pm
Darcy your message moved me to tears. Knowing the pain and loss you are feeling now I can only say I’m so sorry.
Deborah
July 7, 2009 at 7:10 pm
Darcie: May the heaviness your heart feels be lightened with all that is good that surrounds you, including wonderful memories. I lost my first dog a very smart and sweet Schipperke named Jazzy over a year ago. It still hurts so much, but I am so happy I knew I had to get another Schip named Abby. Dancer’s sweet face and keen expression reminded so much of Jazzy! I so look forward to reading more when you are ready.
Kandi
Kandi Hacker
July 7, 2009 at 7:12 pm
Dear Darcie,
The beautiful heart that was Dancer is so evident in her face. You blessed her with a wonderful life, as she enriched yours for fourteen years. And if all of our elderly fuffy friends could pass so peacefully…But so fitting for a very special companion.
My heart goes out to you. A book I love and have given too many times to friends who have lost their best friend-Eugene O’Neil’s The Last Will and Testament of a Very Distinguished Dog- soothes the loss of a beloved friend, and yet affirms the adoption of a new life as only a masterful writer can.
It’s a treasure that brought much peace to me after loosing my beloved Golden, Teddy.
God bless you with wonderful memories of a very distinguished Dancer.
Carolyn Agoglia
July 7, 2009 at 7:31 pm
Thank you for Dancer. I loved her, especially on posts where you shared her spirit.
We, as dog lovers everywhere, grieve for you and with you. She loved you-look at the picture of her with you.
Many blessings,
Danae
Danae
July 7, 2009 at 7:36 pm
so sorry to hear about the loss of Dancer, she sounds like a wonderful dog. we have had our losses this year too, so i can relate to losing a wonderful friend like that. other dogs come into your life, but they don’t replace a special one, or fill the hole in your heart completely.
kate
July 7, 2009 at 7:47 pm
I am so sorry to hear about Dancer. I had (and still have) tears in my eyes when I read your story. I got my first dog four years ago and cannot believe how attached I am to him or how I ever lived without him. Jake is a shepard lab mix who was a resque from hurricane Katrina. He spent his first few months living at my children’s sleep away camp before he became mine. You should also know that his favorite treats are the one’s I purchase from you. I cannot even begin to fathom the extent of the pain you are feeling. Again, I am so terribly sorry for your loss. Dancer sounded like an extraordinary dog.
Lisa
snowstormlisa
July 7, 2009 at 9:11 pm
How marvelous to have had such a wonderful life… so full of joy… and the stories… While the passing of each of our furry ones brings such pain, the memories that they give us; the change they bring to how we view the world… we are truly so blessed to share their all-too-short lives.
Take care,
Paul
Paul Brady
July 7, 2009 at 9:19 pm
Darcie & Kent — Your tributes to Dancer and the honesty you share is just amazing and please accept my sympathies. It’s heartbreaking that they leave us and we all mourn with you knowing we will experience the same. The photo of Dancer is just beautiful – what a pretty girlie and the way she left this earth is also beautiful in it’s solitude. What a gift for it to be on her terms. What lucky “customers” we are! (hm – feels like friends, eh?)
Best –
Stacy & Guinness in MN
Stacy
July 7, 2009 at 10:06 pm
Dancer left this earth doing what Dancer loved. What better ending or beginning is there then that?
Dancer is off on a new adventure. Celebrate the life, love and great humor she gave to you and all that knew her.
Run Dancer Run.
Wendy
Wendy
July 7, 2009 at 10:42 pm
I didn’t know Dancer but I know the deep pain that one feels on the loss of a special dog. My deepest condolences.
Frank
July 8, 2009 at 6:51 am
Darcie,
I am so sorry for your loss. Dancer was a beautiful dog. Thank you for sharing her life with us. My thoughts are with you and your family.
Amanda
Amanda
July 8, 2009 at 7:09 am
Darcie & Kent
I am so sorry for your loss. The story of her passing brought tears to my eyes. Thank you for sharing your Dancer with all of us. Seeing the picture of Dancer and the way you described her, looking into her eyes, you feel you could see her soul. What a beautiful girl. May you find peace and comfort in the memories that are Dancer.
Debbie
Deb
July 8, 2009 at 7:10 am
I’m sorry for your loss. The passing of a good dog is always a terrible blow.
Dancer and your other dogs will patiently wait for you until you come home to them and you’re all together again…
Maria
July 8, 2009 at 8:14 am
When you lose an elderly bitch or dog
You walk for days in an awful grey fog.
You remember the times of your dear friends youth
When her body was young and her eyes shone with truth.
Now her eyes have grown dim and her body is slow.
Yours is the decision, you must let her go.
Mine was that decision on a sunny April morn
As I held her in my arms I recalled the time she was born.
For thirteen happy years she’d shared my days,
So much love in a tiny body can only amaze.
I thanked God for giving my Dainty to me
With my eyes blinded by tears I let her go free.
There’s a spot in my garden with a small wooden cross.
There’s a place in my heart with a great sense of loss.
Ann Dilley
I wrote this after the Vet told me he could do no more for her and “mine was the decision”.
Ann in the UK
July 8, 2009 at 8:37 am
I’m so sorry for your loss. Dancer looks like my Belgian Sheepdog, Roxy. She walked up to me while I was reading your beautiful story and I started sobbing.
Diane
July 8, 2009 at 10:21 am
Darcie – I am so sorry for the loss of your beautiful girl. What a wonderful tribute to her. Our pets are with us for such a short time, but leave such huge imprints on our hearts. Dancer will always be with you in every soft breeze you feel and will be keeping watch over you from her high perch. I hope your treasured memories will bring you comfort in the hard days ahead.
Pamela Elliott
July 8, 2009 at 1:10 pm
For Dancer: Godspeed to your dancing feet, your dancing eyes, and your dancing heart; you were the first SitStay dog I fell in love with back in 1998. May joyful memories help to heal your mom and dad’s hearts, and may you dance always there.
sincerely,
Kathy & Bogey (Terv) and Chase (Mal x GSD cross)
Kathy Benda
July 8, 2009 at 9:00 pm
Darci
I cried reading about Dancer – I can especially relate as my “old guy” has come close to passing a couple of times the past 4 weeks – each time he decides he is not ready and comes back – slowly, but he comes back. I only hope that he passes the same way that Dancer passed with you – doing what she loved, with the sweet smell of grasses and flowers all around, happy and free to run again…..
Donna
July 13, 2009 at 4:02 pm