Marley & Me

[sandmaster]

I am just coming to the end of reading this book and the tears poured last night as it brought back memories of my boxer who was put to sleep last year. I didn't realise a film was being released when I started reading the book but I will have to give it a miss. Sobbing in public is not my thing!

[eash]

I saw this film the other night and cried my eyes out!

[gelda]

A friend gave me the book when I was in hospital a couple of years ago and it made me feel more miserable than I already was, it was a lovely story but so so sad, I don't think I could watch the film either!

[paddywak]

I hate to admit it but I've never read a book or watched a film of this type, since I watched "Old Yeller" as kid. Even after 50yrs thinking of Travis having to shoot Yeller can make my eyes water up

[puddicat]

paddy i remember old yeller so sad sniff sniff!!!

[Postdog]

Greyfriars Bobby always gets me - and I'm a grown man.

[Schutzengel]

Agree with all the previous posts. We are a tenderhearted lot aren't we. The songs Old Shep, and Old Faithful (we roamed the range together), upset me so much that I can't listen to either of them anymore. As for the dogs everyone has mentioned, one that also gets me is the true story of Gelert (the faithful hound), who saved his master's baby son from a wolf, and the master seeing the blood in the room drew his sword and killed Gelert, only to find the baby safe and sound underneath the upturned cradle. There's a statue of Gelert in the Welsh town of Beddgelert which was named after the dog. Sandmaster, did you get another dog after losing your boxer. Take care all of you, and keep on caring, it's what makes this world a much better place. Schutz.

[sandmaster]

Hi Schultz - no we did not get another. Ziggy and Tikka were sisters from the same litter and came into our lives about 10 years ago. Ziggy died two years ago from natural causes - my wife and I slept beside her all night and she passed away about 6am. Tikka was put to sleep at the vets last year as I held her. I still cannot help feeling I betrayed her trust. But she was in so much pain. I cannot go through all that again.

[Velvetee]

I couldn't watch it or read the book. I guess he dies in the end.

[tamborine]

They're animals and only respond to their feeder. If you collapsed near them and they got hungry your pets would eat you! Get real, peeps!

[Prudie]

Oh dear I thought this film was just some frothy comedy and I didn't know it was from a book. From what you are all saying the dog dies so I don't want to see it. I too lost a boxer several years ago who got ill way too young and I've never got over it, worse than the deaths of some of my relatives. I am not at all religious or spiritual but if in fact someone comes to greet you when you die I'm sure it will be her.

[Schutzengel]

Sandmaster - so sorry you lost both your dogs, but they did have lovely lives with you and Mrs. Sandmaster. You really shouldn't feel bad about Tikka, because you did exactly what was the right thing for her in the circumstances. I'm so glad you were brave enough to hold her as she started her journey over Rainbow Bridge. The least that any of our animals deserve, is that they have the comfort of the person they trust. I feel that anyone who can't face up to this last service they can give to their faithful pet, should never consider having a pet in the first place. My little cat Tansy will be 22yrs old on 9th April, and although still quite well at the moment. I imagine it won't be too long before I have to face that last goodbye. Best wishes to you and Mrs. Sandmaster. Schutz.

[Schutzengel]

Velvette and Prudie. It is a wonderful story, Marley is such a character and he had a long, and often hilarious life. And yes he does die, near the end of the true story, but then so do all our pets (usually before their owner, as their life span is very different to ours). If you love animals, it is well worth a few tears, because it does have a happy ending after all.

[Schutzengel]

This message applies to all who have lost beloved pets.

If you haven't already had a look, do look for 'Rainbow Bridge' on the internet. It is very comforting. Schutz.

[craft1948]

When my daughter was little we had to ban her from watching 'Lassie' on TV 'cos every week she'd wake up crying 'cos Lassie was lost...AGAIN

[Schutzengel]

Craft - Bless. Is your daughter still a weepie at sad movies.

[sqad617]

Although we are cat lovers, we did have dogs in the past and one incident comes to mind. We got him from a dogs home and he didn't like me and I didn't like him. In a nutshell he was her dog and didn't relate to me at all.He became very ill and the vet said that it would be better to have hom put down. My wife couldn't cope with taking him, so I did the deed.
Bottom line.....I was emotionally devastated and went straight home and had a few whiskies and it took me days to recover.
My wife?.......took it all in her stride.

[Schutzengel]

Hi Sqad. Perhaps Mrs. Sqad had a little weep while you were at the vets, and had recovered her composure by the time you got back. Women are a bit like that sometimes.

[craft1948]

My dog Pixie died last April - I'd only had her 3 years as she was an old rescue dog and I still get choked up thinking about her now.
However I got another rehomed dog in November but made sure he was nothing like Pixie as I did not want reminding of her all the time.
She was a quiet very little chihuahua/yorkie cross and my new dog Casper is an absolutely psychopathic 2 year old westie and is brilliant.

[Schutzengel]

Craft - Hope you and Casper have a long and happy time together. Schutz.