While the children and I are devestated at the loss of our friend,
We are grateful he isn't suffering anymore.
So sad here.
He's been a part of our family and life for almost half of mine.
Rest in Peace Ben Pig.
We loved you so.
Hugs,
Geneal
Posted by Tincup (Member # 5829) on :
Oh G...
Pig or parrot... he was loved by you all.
And my bet is Ben loved you all back ... no doubt.
So sorry for your loss!
Sending hugs and comfort your way.
Posted by Geneal (Member # 10375) on :
Thanks TC.
I was his "Mom" for so long.
You always think that you are ready to accept loss.
Gosh knows I've had plenty.
Still even while we were praying for his suffering to end,
It leaves this aching void inside of me.
He was a well traveled pig.
Moved from New Orleans to Covington, La.
Went from La. to Tennessee after Katrina.
Came back with us.
Had to move him many times due to flooding.
It wasn't easy moving a blind, 250lbs+ Pig.
I always got the rear end too.
I know he only survived this long as he was loved.
He came to me at 2.5lbs.
Had pneumonia. Almost died then.
I am grateful that Ben Pig was a part of my life and family.
Hugs,
Geneal
Posted by map1131 (Member # 2022) on :
Gosh darn, you sure are being tested these days.
Pam
Posted by dmc (Member # 5102) on :
My sympathies to you and your family. It is always hard to say good bye to a four legged loved one.
Posted by DakotasMom01 (Member # 14141) on :
Sorry to hear your pet has passed away. Hope you can find peace soon.
Posted by Geneal (Member # 10375) on :
Thank you all.
My eyes are so swollen from crying.
I can't swallow over the lump in my throat.
Yet I know how selfish it would have been for me to keep him here.
Especially since he was suffering.
He was like a 2 year old. For almost 15 years I raised this 2 year old.
Smart. Funny.
Found a picture today of him after we gave him some whipped cream (treat).
He was a black pig. Except in this picture, his face was completely white.
Still have the "rescue" pig left....Mr. Piggles.
He is acting depressed. Won't come out of his house today.
We saw him lick Ben Pig all over. He lay beside him at night.
I think I am going to go down and spend some time with him.
I know how lonely it is to lose a friend and companion.
My husband (Thank you Lord) had already buried him when my kids and I came home.
We were at Wally World to get him some bananas when he passed.
I sat with him this morning. He had fallen and couldn't get up.
I got him up. Propped him on one side with a pillow.
Rubbed his side and talked to him.
I think he waited for me to leave to die.
I was pretty sure today would be his last.
I hugged him, rubbed his tummy (he loved that) and told him that
It was okay to go. That I loved him and didn't want him to suffer.
My children haven't stopped crying. We put flowers on his "grave".
However, we all draw comfort from your words and support.
Thank you.
I know he'll be on the other side of the Rainbow Bridge waiting for me.
Hugs,
Geneal
Posted by bettyg (Member # 6147) on :
geneal, my sympathies on the loss of PIG BEN; your beloved pet!! when it rains, it pours, and i wish the downpour hovering over you/family would go away for good! Posted by Tracy9 (Member # 7521) on :
Oh Geneal, your beautiful post brought tears to my eyes. What a lucky little pig he was to be so loved and have such a wonderful life.
I am so very sorry for your grief. It is much deserved and doesn't disappear just because you understand his suffering has come to an end. It doesn't mean you can escape suffering his loss.
xoxoxo
Posted by feelfit (Member # 12770) on :
Awww Geneal,
So sorry. I feel your hurt, your big lump in the throat, and your kids sadness. It is soooo hard to loose a beloved companion.
Only a true animal lover could ever understand. They bring us such joy and unconditional love.
Hugs to you and your children. Hoping all of your memories of Ben are warm and comforting.
Feelfit
Posted by Starfall1969 (Member # 17353) on :
Geneal, I am so sorry for your loss!
It is so hard to lose a pet, no matter what anyone else may say.
Please accept my condolences.
And what you said about Ben Pig waiting for you to leave before he died, I think both humans and animals do that.
Both my parents waited till we all had left before they died. Even though I wanted to be there.
But I know your sweet pig knew he was loved. How could he not?
I pray that you will be comforted during this time.
((((hugs))))
Posted by glm1111 (Member # 16556) on :
Awwww Geneal,
I feel your pain, I really do. Just goes to show, Love has no bounds. I'll bet you have some cute/funny stories about your Ben.
If it helps and you want to share, please feel free to do so. So sorry you're hurting,
Sending you thoughts of healing,
Gael
P. S. If you believe in an afterlife, the psychic Sylvia Brown has written a book about pets on the other side. Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Awww, Geneal. I'm so sorry to hear this!! You didn't need that. I'm so glad Ben is in a happier place though.
Hugs to all of you!! I'm sorry you are all so brokenhearted.
Posted by Geneal (Member # 10375) on :
Thanks so much to my best friends.
He was a Special Ed kind of pig.
Came normal looking, but we soon found out he was missing some vaccinations.
One for something called atrophic rhinitis.
His nose didn't grow.
His bottom teeth always protruded (much more lately).
He looked like he had been punched in the nose.
Blind, deformed legs. Big.
However, very loving. Even this morning before he died.
You could take one finger and rub his belly 3 times when he was a piglet.
He would fall over as if in a coma in bliss.
Of course as he got heavier and heavier, we didn't do that as much.
Was afraid he'd break his leg. Then he would of had to been put to sleep.
However, he loved to be touched. When you touched him his hair
Would rise up. Straight up.
Hair felt like an elephants too.
He once escaped our yard (about 4 months old and could still see).
He made it down to the local laundry mat.
Luckily, someone brought him back to us.
When we moved from New Orleans to Covington,
Our vet advised us to give him valium.
So he didn't stand up in his wooden pen on the way over.
We were afraid he'd fall and that would break his leg.
My husband had Ben in the old Suburban.
We had to get the Movers to lift the pen and pig into the SUV.
There he slept. With valium on board,
We felt confident he would sleep the whole way.
I called my husband about 5 minutes after he left.
I could hear Ben "talking" in the back.
My husband stopped and gave him another one-half of valium.
Checked back about 30 minutes later....he was still "talking" away.
Well he made it 60 miles without falling and talking to my husband the whole way.
We parked the SUV, had the movers move him and his crate out.
Opened his crate and out he walked.
Right up to the first pine tree.
Then he laid down and immediately fell asleep.
He slept for 3 whole days!
Once the valium kicked in...it kicked in.
He started off in our house.
Was litter box trained.
Once he lost his vision and we found his behind
Hanging over the back of the litter box while "going"
We had to move him outside.
He couldn't tell day from night.
Had us up and down all night long thinking it was time to go "outside".
He had a fan in the summmer with a swimming pool.
A heater in the winter with pillows and blankets.
I miss him so already.
Thanks for letting me share some stories.
He was one in a million.
With a face that I adored.
Hugs,
Geneal
Posted by glm1111 (Member # 16556) on :
Geneal,
He sounds like a cutie and I enjoyed reading about him. Would make a cute childrens book. You write so well and creatively, it could be possible.
Hope you are doing better,
Gael
Posted by Ocean (Member # 3496) on :
So sorry Geneal!!
I'm glad that he had a good life with you and your family. It sound like he loved you too!
I had a goat as a teen and I swear, I was closer with her than I was our dog. She was so smart and sensitive. I cried so much when she died. I still miss her and dream about her and she has been gone for 11 years now.
Take care,
Ocean
Posted by Robin123 (Member # 9197) on :
Sorry for your loss today, Geneal. Thx for sharing these stories with us - the valium story is something else! At least you gave him an awesome home.
Posted by tdtid (Member # 10276) on :
Geneal,
I'm sorry to hear of your loss of Pig Ben. As an animal lover, I can certainly relate to the loss of an animal that we have become so close to and cared for.
My thoughts and prayers go out to you.
Cathy
Posted by bejoy (Member # 11129) on :
So sorry you have lost a family member. Ben Pig sounds very much like a loveable special needs human. It is so hard to lose someone you love.
Posted by glm1111 (Member # 16556) on :
Hey Geneal,
Just thought I would check up on you and see how you are doing today. I hope you are having a better day and finding some peace,
Gael
Posted by Geneal (Member # 10375) on :
Thanks Gael.
I only cried a little this morning.
Still can't believe he's gone.
I keep looking outside for him.
My children aren't sad anymore.
They see him in fields of jelly beans and gummy bears (his favorite treats).
Whole again and happy.
How could I not be happy for him.
Love you all so much for being there for me.
I've also decided to "choose" my attitude.
As it was Mardi Gras today and doxy and loads of sun don't mix,
I braved Chuck E. Cheese for my children.
It was the first time I didn't panic due to the over stimulation of my senses.
Hooray!
Hugs,
Geneal
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Take care of yourself, Geneal. Hugs to you and the kids.
Posted by SuZ-Q (Member # 5903) on :
So sorry to learn of your loss. Take comfort in knowing that you provided such a loving home for Ben and that he had a good life with your family. Not all pets are that fortunate and it sounds like Ben was truly blessed to have you.
Please accept my condolences.
Hugs, Suzy
Posted by njlymemom (Member # 15088) on :
my heartfelt condolences
our pets touch our hearts and lives
I hope that the memories that bring pain and longing now
will someday turn into joyful recounts of your beloved pet Ben
take care
Posted by lymeinhell (Member # 4622) on :
Oh Geneal I'm so sorry for your loss.
Sounds like you gave him a wonderful life.
Keep telling his stories, the good and the bad, and he will never leave you. And someday, when you're not looking, you'll find he's found his way back to you in the guise of another pet. They always do!!
Hugs
Posted by aklnwlf (Member # 5960) on :
Oh Geneal,
I'm so sorry to hear about the loss of Ben Pig. He sounds like a wonderful pet and like you said, 'one in a million'.
You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
I had tears in my eyes too while reading this post and thank you for sharing a little of Ben Pig's life with us.
I love animals and we used to have a pet chicken in Okinawa that would try and follow us to school.
I think those animals that we have a special bond with will always live on in our hearts and minds and yes, we'll see them again coming across that Rainbow Bridge.
Posted by AZURE WISH (Member # 804) on :
I am so sorry you lost ben. May your memories of happy times with ben bring you comfort.
[ 02-26-2009, 03:06 PM: Message edited by: AZURE WISH ]
Posted by MissMari (Member # 11274) on :
Oh Geneal, I am so sorry!
So many parts of your post show what a true angel you are ----
All of the caring and love you showed to your pig!
After all, yes, they are family members!
It is so wonderful that you gave him a good home, shelter, food, warmth, and the love of a family!
And you were there for him when he needed you most.
I believe that our animals are really angels in their own forms....
They bring out the godliness in us.
Posted by Geneal (Member # 10375) on :
My Mom came today.
Brought big rocks and paint.
The children and I painted pictures of Ben Pig on the rocks.
We are going to place those on his grave.
It was sad but therapeutic.
Animals don't care what we look like.
They don't care if we are sick or have bad breath.
They don't care if we are Catholic or Jewish.
They love us......unconditionally.
Even when beaten or starved.
It is as close to a "perfect" love as I can imagine.
Next to the Lord's of course.
The lessons we can learn from them.
I thank you all for your support.
I will never forget Ben or your ability to comfort me during this time.
God Bless You all.
Hugs,
Geneal
Posted by Melodymaker (Member # 16434) on :
Geneal, so sorry for your loss. Losing a beloved pet is so hard. Wishing you all peace and healing.
Posted by bettyg (Member # 6147) on :
geneal,
glad you had your special ceremony and painted rocks!!
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