Gretchen Nunziata (1996 - 2007) - Page 2

Sorry to hear that, losing an animal really stings.

Someday you will most definitely get another dog but it will be a while. I lost my dog in '03 and I still don't feel ready to commit myself to a new pet.

That is really sad to hear.

This thread is about to make me weep. I'm sorry you lost your friend, Nick. That never gets any easier. My rottweiler Gunther is going downhill fast, and we're faced with having to make the big decision soon. It's one of the hardest things I've ever had to deal with.

Sorry to hear this news. I had to have my dog put down a few years ago, and haven't felt ready to replace her yet.

That's depressing. Losing an animal is one of the hardest times to deal with. I lost my dog, that I had literally taken care of from it's birth, just two months before my mother died. Worst year ever.

I suggest adopting a pup. It will make you feel better.

Honey (with both of her ACL's blown-out) sends her sympathies to Gunther and condolences to Nick & the Nunziata fam.

You guys are killing me with the pictures and the stories and everything. Plus it's cloudy out. I think one of the reasons why hearing about dead pets is so much harder than hearing about dead humans is that your relationship with something like a dog, while definitely more interesting creatures than we sometimes give them credit for, tends to be pretty simple. You take responsibility for them and in exchange pretty much become their reason for living. Plus, unlike people, who can piss you off for a number of complicated reasons, anytime an animal wrongs you it's just being messy or agressive because that's what animals do sometimes. They're also much softer and cuter than most people, and at no point do they outgrow you or become too "cool" to play with you or cuddle up with you.

At least in my life experience I've learned that if you're really broken up about something like a pet being gone, that's pretty much the final confirmation that it was entirely necessary and good for them to be in your life to begin with. Grief is sort of the price we pay for joy, but once the initial sting wears off you find that you got the better end of the bargain.

If Mr. Nunziata needs something to cheer him up, he has to find some comfort in getting so many nice messages from almost complete strangers.

My condolences, Nick.

After my first dog died I thought I will never get another one, but I did and didn't regret it. The only reason I haven't got a new one (second one passed away a few years ago) is that I live in a downtown apartment and don't spend too much time at home.

My deepest condolences, Nick.

I'm truly sorry, Nick. My dog's health started to deteriorate rapidly earlier this year (she's been okay for a while though, now) and it completely tore me up inside.

From the sound of things, that dog passed very much loved, and respected. That's a gift way too few animals get these days. If she's anywhere right now, she's happy, and that's your doing.

You have my sympathies.

I'm very sorry to hear this, Nick. She was a great dog.

What he said. My condolences as well. I had to go w/ my dad last year to put down the dog we got when I started law school in 93, and in 93 went w/ him to put down my childhood dog who had been hit by a car. My wuss brother couldn't go either time, althought he at least helped me dig the holes in the yard. It's never easy. My mom swore whe'd never get anotehr dog after the last one.

3 months later she had a chocolate lab. They're like tattoos; once you've had one, you always want another one. Give it time. They're more than worth it.

Nick, I am so sorry to hear about Gretchen. My heart goes out to you and your family.

My condolences as well, Nick. As long as you keep good memories of her, it'll all work out.

Nick, very sorry to hear.

I don't understand people that don't love dogs. The day I lose my daschunds, Rusty and Shelby, I know I'll be blubbering like a baby. My boys are great pals of mine and family. Take care, man.

So sad.

Sorry about your dog Nick. She sounded like a fantastic pet.

My condolences also.

I remember feeling utterly destroyed when both our childhood dogs had to be put down within a year of each other about 3 years ago (at ages 16 and 14 respectively), and I'm tearing up now thinking about it again, but knowing you did your best to give them a good life despite any mistakes you may have made is some comfort.

After a while I know my folks just missed having some furry faces around so they're now going through the closest thing to grandparenthood (as they're likely to get atm anyway) with 2 new sibling pups who've just turned one a couple of months ago. I was staying with them when they/we made the decision and having helped bring them up from 8 weeks old til a few months ago, and now babysitting them on the odd weekend, I can definitely agree as I probably couldn't with our first two, that they really do give a person building blocks for human parenthood (especially in the sleep deprivation, patience and tolerance for messes departments).

I hope you and your family and your beagle are doing okay with this very sad loss.

I'm getting teary as well.
SO sorry.

Something about animals rips all of our collective hearts out.

Take comfort in the fact that she immeasurably improved your quality of life, as you did hers. My heart goes out to your family.

Really sorry to hear about this, Nick. I had to put down my lab last year, who had been my companion since I was eight years old, and it destroyed me for a good while. I still haven't been able to bring myself to get another pet, because I don't know if I'd ever be able to find another dog that was as damn smart as she was. And since we had literally grown up together, I know that special bond isn't something that is going to be easily replicated.

I'm also hoping your beagle is doing ok. I also have a daschund and an orange tabby that were both like children to my lab--she was very much the mother of the pack (even for the cat, who has always acted like a dog). They both went into a pretty deep depression for about a month after my lab died--my daschund in particular stopped eating almost completely, would only go outside to relieve himself and spent pretty much every day curled up on my lab's old floor pillow and cry. Yes, dogs can actually sob, I found out. I asked my vet if there was anything we could do, and all she said was that we could just give them plenty of attention, and to try and coax them into eating as much as we could. Depression hits them just as hard as it hits us, except it's doubley compounded because they don't have anyone to talk to about it.

Sorry Nick. My condolences.

Sorry, Nick. I love dogs but haven't owned one since mine died at age 12. The love between a pet and the owner i's a completely pure relationship, and as a result it's a unique kind of grief.

My deepest condolences, man. I know how you feel.

Take care & be good.

My condolences, Nick. The loss of a pet is always a very painful one.

I'm sorry to hear about Gretchen, Nick. It sounds like she was a great joy to you.

If you haven't already, I recommend taking some time to throw out all her belongings. After my Lab died, I spent the next couple of weeks innocently opening doors and getting punched in the gut because his bowl or his bed or that damn thing he chewed on was sitting in the middle of the room, and it didn't help.

Sorry, man.

This fucking blows. Sorry, Nick.

I vowed to not have a dog until I can love it properly and give it the attention we'll both want and need. My last dog was stolen from my backyard a week after getting it.

Sorry for your loss, Nick...our cat conked out at 21; we got her from a friend whose 3 other cats (all younger) decided to gang up on her and she retreated to hiding in corners...I'd like to think that we gave her last years a bit of peace...

She is still missed.

Again, condolences...
I'm not a 'dog'-person; but not to mean, 'I don't like dogs', they're great, I just don't feel I could give them the attention they deserve.

I envy those that met her.

Nick, I am so sorry. She was one of the sweetest dogs I have ever met.

So sorry for your loss Nick. It's never easy. No dog (or other pet) will ever be the same as Gretchen, but all dogs are crazy and loveable in their own ways. Who knows what the future will hold for you and your family.

A few years back we lost a cat that we had for almost 21 years (long time for even a cat), a dog we'd had for 11 years, and my grandfather too, all within a span of about 8 months. That was a sucky year.

Condolences.

Sorry to hear about the loss of a loved one, Nick.

Getting teary eyed here too. My condolences as well. She must've been a great great friend. I'm sorry for your loss.

Condolences, Nick....

I've had more experience with long-lasting cats. Had one from my toddler years that made it through college with me. That one still hurts twenty years later.

The worst one was my last cat. He was about fifteen and the most loving cat imaginable. Sonny took over my baby son when we brought him home from the hospital. I did have to explain to Sonny after he took an exploratory nibble of Kid Vivisector's tiny finger that he was family, not food.

After that, they were inseparable. When Sonny finally passed away, with my son sobbing with his first real brush with loss...well, that broke my heart.

I don't recommend getting a new dog right away. Mourn for Gretchen first.

Sorry to hear about your loss Nick. I lost a good dog several years ago to diabetes (who even knew dogs could get that?). It took time for me to be able to even think about getting another dog and I'm sure when she goes I'll be devestated.

It's heartbreaking how that happens. The same thing happened to our dog (a mutt named Baby) when we had to have our cat Hobo put to sleep when I was in high school. That was her buddy - they grew up together, and we nearly lost Baby after Hobo died. She stopped eating, stopped drinking, and just laid in one spot on our kitchen floor for over a week. What snapped her out of it was a very sweet moment with my Mom. I walked into the kitchen and saw mom, with her back to me, sitting on the floor next to Baby. She was stroking her fur and telling her, "Sweetheart, please - you just have to eat, honey. We already lost Hobi - we can't lose you too. We'd cry forever if we lost our girl." And I swear, the next day, she started to eat and drink again. To this day, I don't think my mom knows that I overheard her. But Baby knew Hobo was gone. We buried him in the back yard, and whenever I wanted to put flowers down for him, I'd say, "Baby, come on - let's go see Hobi." And she'd run out to the yard ahead of me, she'd sit on the exact spot where he was buried, and wait for me till I'd picked enough flowers. Then when I walked over, she'd move off of his grave and sit next to me while I put the flowers down. They mourn, absolutely.

Nick, I hope you're doing a little better today. It'll take time, but please take care of yourself. Hug your beagle alot today - he needs you.

Let me add my condolences as well, Nick.

Dogs are the only animal I know of that willingly sacrifice their lives for humans. They get us better than most other people do. Sorry to hear about her death, she went too early. You might want to wait a bit before deciding on a similar breed, it's kind of like cloning a lost child.

Sorry for your loss, Nick.

I remember her being an especially friendly dog the few times I visited your house several years ago.

I grew up with two dogs and my first dog passed away around the same age and it was hard for me to cope with her loss.

Sorry about your loss, Nick. I lost my dog just two years ago and it was painful as hell. That said, time will help.

Very sorry to hear of your loss, Nick.

I'm sure most of you have seen this before, but:
And...

The "ridgeback" is actually a sort of spina bifida lesion, so make sure you get one that has a normally functioning spinal cord and no dermoid sinus communicating with the cord. With any purebred dog, the genetic pools are narrower than with mutts, so you have an increased incidence of inherited issues. Check out a lot of breeders to find ones that do appropriate screening (OFA certified hips, never breeding dogs with communicating dermoid sinus, etc). Talk to your vet and the local breed association. Dog breeding is a small world; ask several breeders if there is someone they'd recommend other than themselves. The name that comes up over and over is the one you want. Buy a pet quality puppy from a reputable show breeder. It's expensive, but you're more likely to get a nice dog.

Or, contact Ridgeback Rescue and adopt an older or possibly mixed breed dog, for much less money and you get a dog whose adult behavior has already been screened for you.

A bit late to the game on this, Nick, but condolences to yourself and your family with the loss. I've only had to deal with this once, but I'm sure that the day that my Sibe passes, I can pretty much guarantee that I'll be weeping like a baby.

Aw, man... Nick I am SO sorry to hear about this. Gretchen was a great little lady. The sweetest dog ever. Indeed, this is a huge loss for you and the family. My condolences.

sad to hear the news chief. my first dog had a good 12 year run - a husky named Jojo. Crazy fucker. Had the girth of the beast from Brotherhood of the Wolf but was kind as hell.

We've been considering getting a new dog of late, but I'd rather wait until we ever move back to Canada.

Of course there is. She wasn't "just a dog", she was family. Give yourself time.

You can always tell the animal lovers from the non-animal lovers in any given crowd - they're the ones that realize that you just don't accept the loss of a pet overnight.