Dear Aunts and Uncles

[Mike]

I want to thank you for all the rays and love you have given me the past 10 years.  I know they have helped so much.  Dad says he is so proud of me for being strong for so long. 

I am tired now and my body needs to rest.  Dad and I are going to go a ride and then I’ll take a long nap.  He tells me when I wake up I’ll be able to run again and I see others from the Board and we’ll all watch over you just like I used to guard my yard to keep it safe.  I know Dad loves because he tells me so every time he leaves and comes home again and I give him lots kisses to say I love him too. 

Please give all my pals here a hug and kiss from me.

Until we meet again over the Rainbow Bridge….

Love

Clifford

[DeeanDave]

Clifford, you will always be a part of our hearts and our prayers are with you as you take this journey to the Rainbow Bridge.  We love you and hugs to your Dad. 

Love, Dee, Dave, Sarge, Duggie and Earl

[Kari]

Clifford, we love you and you will always have a place in our hearts. As I write this I cry tears for your Dad as I know he will miss you so much. Until we meet again...

Mike...a big hug going out to you. We are thinking of you 

[Roberta]

Oh Mike my heart goes out to you. Its so hard to say goodbye, even though we know its the right thing.
Love and hugs from all the Down under gang

[Spanish Teckels]

God Bless you, sweet boy, and give you a peaceful sleep and wonderful time with all our old pals when you meet them again.  Thanks for all the love and kindness you have shown us and all who have known you.  Your Daddy is very, very special and is so brave in gently helping you to leave for a better place now. We will all miss you.

with all our love,
Islay and Red,
Andrea & Miguel

[Delia and girls]

Mike, I'm so very sorry. It's funny how we get attached to these guys even though we never met them. There are tears here also, as I write this. Big hug to you as you do the right thing for Clifford. 

Clifford, God Bless you. Until we meet again on the other side.

[papbouv]

Hugs to you for being able to put Clifford first at his time of need, very hard to do at any time Hugs again to you.Very sorry for your great loss may you Rest In Peace Clifford.

[Barb]

Clifford, my heart hurts for your Dad - he loves you so much and will miss you like you won't be able to imagine.  I know in his heart, as in ours, we will rejoice that you are running free and have no aches and pains.  I know you will be front and center at the Bridge to welcome your friends and your ever after will be complete when dad comes strolling up.  We know that will be a long time, but you won't change a bit and he will be thrilled to see you as your young spry self.

My tears fall as many will when they read this and cry at how thoughful you were to tell us this.  You are special Clifford and you will be so missed.

Godspeed sweet Clifford 

[Kelly]

I am so sorry to hear about this Mike! You will be in our thoughts and prayers! 

[Merion]

Mike,

We are really shocked to hear about Clifford.  I was sure he was going to take over the senior wiener spot when Zack left.
Zack is sending you some special kisses for the wonderful care you took of his buddy Clifford.
We know he is running free with the others at the bridge no longer sore or stiff and waiting patiently till you join him.
We are really going to miss you Clifford!!!!!!!
Sending you a ton of HHHHHHHH's & PPPPPPPPP's for you and Clifford.

Merion & the ZZ's

[doxielady5569128]

We are very sorry to hear about this. Clifford will be greatly missed!!    We are praying for you Mike.   

[Dee Dee and Hallie]

OH no I can't believe this Mike, I am so sorry! I didn't realize Clifford was doing so poorly. Please post and let us know how you are I have tears for you and Clifford too, nothing is harder. You are in my prayers.

[Merion]

How are you doing Mike?
It is so hard to lose one of our buddies.
I know I have cried a few tears here about Clifford.
You and Clifford were very lucky to have found each other and had each other for so long.
When you can, post and let us know how you are.

Merion & the ZZ's

[Mike]

Merion, thank you, and everyone else who has posted for Clifford and me.  It has been a very surreal 48 hours since Friday night.  I have gone from being completely owned by a dachshund, to bereft of a companion I could not have imagined 16 years ago.  Clifford’s journey over the Bridge was very peaceful and I would not have missed being there for anything. 

We were able to spend time together at home.  We sat and looked out the window at the garden just starting to return from winter.  One of the little things that developed over the years was when I would sing Marc Cohn’s “The Things We’ve Handed Down” he would come and ask to be picked up.  As I sang the song he would relax in my arms and close his eyes as if to sleep.  At the end of the song he would raise his head and give me a kiss.  Friday, I sang to him one last time and even though he barely could hear, still he gave me that kiss.

The drive to the Vet was very calm.  He snuggled into my arms and I hummed nothing in particular to focus my mind as I drove.  We proceed through check in and were put into our room.  I stood for the next 20 minutes and rocked back and forth while we both relaxed.  Dr. McBride (a wonderful, caring person) came in and explained the process.  She gave Clifford the initial injecting to relax him further and said she would return in a few minutes.  I could feel him relax and I told him again that I loved him and he gave me one last kiss before falling asleep.  After she returned and we waited a short time, she whispered “he is gone now” as my tears fell on his head. 

We were given time alone and I began my new journey without him.  I hugged him, touched his little feet and finally gave a last kiss to his forehead and left.  As I walked out of the building I felt a great peace come over me.  I drove home in the dark of the evening knowing that I had done all that I could, and when I could do no more for him, helped him to be at peace. 

I alternate between normalcy and sudden moments of deep grief.  I expect this will continue for a good while.  Little things bring this on: I turn and don’t stumble over him waiting for manna to fall from the sky as I make dinner.  No nose is poking my ankle to indicate he is waiting for a bite.  I haven’t waked at 3a.m. to see if I need to take him outside.  I looked at the chest in the living room and “suddenly” saw the Royal Copenhagen figurine I brought back from Denmark of a brown haired boy with blue eyes sitting on the floor and holding a red dachshund in his arms.  The list will continue to grow as I learn the real depth of our bond forged over 15 years and 4 months together. 

If there is a Wiener Gazette, here is Clifford’s obituary column:

At the age of 15 years and 10 months, Clifford LaGow passed away quietly on Friday, March 26, 2010 after a year long decline in health.  At the last, he was attended by his loyal slave, Mike.  Besides Mike he is survived by his grandparents as well as multiple loving extended family and friends.  He was proceeded in death by his cousins, the Poodles Who Lie, Sasha and Sienna. 

A willing and able hunter, he counted among his trophies, 3 possums, a bird, wolf spiders (OMG he’s foaming at the mouth) and multiple near-misses with skwirls and wabbbits.  Even greater was his abililty to bring countless persons of hooman persuasion to the realization that dachshunds are a unique and wonderful breed of Dog. 

Donations can be made in his name to the Shelter or Rescue of the donor’s choice.

Goodnight sweet Prince.  And flocks of Angels sing thee to thy rest.

Again, thank you all for your support.  The community we have here is incredible and I love you all. 

Guiness, congratulations on your promotion to Senior Wiener, 2nd in Command. 

[Rich]

Mike, there are no words that can tell of how Cilifford touched so many of us. I know we were captivated by his strong personality and friendly soul. I am sure our little herd at the bridge, led by Stormy, is running with him now. Your story of his last hours touched us deeply. Shared tears.
Rich and Deb

[papbouv]

That was a wonderful tribute to your little Fur Kid I should also mention its a great tribute to you that Clifford had a very long and happy life with you shows what a wonderful Fur Kid Parent you were to him.Hugs to you in your time of sorrow.

[doxielady5569128]

What a beautiful tribute for Clifford.      Thank you so much for sharing that with us. 

[Leslie]

There is nothing I can add to what the others (and yourself) have written about this profound loss. This will hurt for a long time, my friend.  Please let us know how you are doing.

Thank you for sharing the wonderful stories over the years.  He will be missed for all.

We all love and support you, Mike, as you wander through this new territory of grief.

God Speed, Cliffie.

[cheryl186]

Dear Mike, I am so sorry for your loss.  Clifford has touched all our hearts.  God Speed sweet boy...the tears are flowing....God Bless you Mike.

[Barb]

oh Mike, wow.... tears pouring right now....  A donation will assuredly be made, in the name of Clifford LaGow, the boy who was your heart.   We are here always when you are ready to share.....and will just be here for you. 

[Dee Dee and Hallie]

I don't think there could be a dry eye after reading that...what a wonderful tribute to an even more wonderful companion. I don't know how we survive such losses sometimes but it would be an even greater tragedy to never have had them in our lives. Praying for you and dear Clifford you are right I'm sure life won't seem quite real to you for some time it is a huge adjustment to make and it takes time. But it does get easier. We will all miss him too he was part of our online family and will never be forgotten.

[Merion]

Mike,
You have done a wonderful tribute to Clifford.   We will miss your tales Clifford.  I am crying again. I don't know how you managed to write it...I would have made a big mess of it and wouldn't have been able to see the key board.
I know some of my feelings are because this really makes me realize that we will be losing Zack. He has made it longer than any other doxies we have had except Moosie.  I hope he makes it to 18 but I am not holding my breath on it.
I wish we could take away some of your pain and I hope you will continue to share anything you want to with us on this wonderful board.     We will be here for you!!!!!!
If I get down that way for a show with them we will have to see about meeting you.  You are very special to all of us

Merion & the ZZ's

Zack is sending you some more special kisses  and  Zena is sending her special hugs    

[Gail]

Oh Mike, my heart is breaking thinking of you losing your precious, devoted little Clifford. The tears are still streaming after reading your last message. There's one thing for sure Clifford was a little guy who knew love like most people can never even imagine, both in how he gave love and in the love that he had every day from you especially and from everyone that must have known him including all of us here, your extended family, who have loved him through your stories of that wonderful little man.

You're in our thoughts and prayers. Clifford will have had an amazing reception over Rainbow Bridge with lots of sweet little doxie kisses waiting for him. xxxxxx

[DeeanDave]

Mike......a beautiful tribute to a faithful and loved Clifford.  Your words made me feel as though we were right there with you and the tears are falling.  Clifford-Angel will always watch over you from the Rainbow Bridge.  God-speed Clifford......many hugs and prayers for you, Mike. 

[Clarese]

Mike,

I am so sad to read of Clifford's passing. He was a really great dach - truly one of a kind. I am glad that I had a chance to meet him in his life.

My thoughts are with you.

Clarese