A4A : Sad Day At The Office
(Photo : Me and Pnut last week)
Yesterday Marc (A4A founder)’s dog died tragically. Marc just got a place last week in NYC and brought his dog with him coz’ he wanted to live there few months per year because he really loves the city. Today in the morning, he had to fly to Montreal for meetings and decided last night to put his dog at a “air bnb” style service for dogs, where sitters keep your dog while owners are traveling. Marc loved his dog so much that he wanted her to be with someone who loves dogs too, not in a hotel where all dogs are treated like numbers. I usually was the sitter for Pnut, in Montreal, I kept her many times over the last few years, I loved her a lot and she was getting along with my dog as well.
To make a long story short, few hours after Marc dropped Pnut to this couple’s house, he received a call that the dog was dead. From what the couple told Marc, the dog went from their 6th floor apartment up to 7th floor (rooftop) where the door was open, was probably searching for her daddy and was running away from them. The dog fell off the rooftop and immediately died. I’m not sure I believe this story because it’s not Pnut’s style to escape. She was a very intelligent dog and VERY well trained and obedient.
Marc was alone in NYC, he doesn’t know much people there, he called me last night in shock to announce the sad news, he was not himself. I know him for over 10 years and he was not well. I was very sad too and even more so because I was not there to comfort him. Pnut was his little baby girl. I helped him find a 24h vet (BluePearlVet in Union Square) to take care of her which they did very nicely.
All this to say, be careful who you give your dog too. Some people might be negligent and not everyone is trained to take care of someone else’s dog and certainly not random strangers. It’s something to take care of your own dog, but to take care of someone’s is totally different. If you are a dog owner, I think the best option is to to bring your dog to a vet hotel, but for Pnut, it’s too late now:(
So that’s my post today guys, sorry…I really don’t feel like writing about gay stuff or sex right now.
RIP Pnutty!
Dave
Horrifying. That’s why I don’t go out much anymore…I have a dog and cat at home, and I do not trust “sitters,” after having some less-than-satisfactory experiences. Keeps me out of trouble! My condolences to Marc on this tragic loss.
MistrFistr: thanks man!
:(((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((
If I could say anything to comfort the grief, I would. There are no words.
p.s. something sounds fishy with the sitter’s story.
Marc … My deepest and sincerest condolences upon the loss of your beloved Pnut! Being a cat-lover and having 3 felines here, I know all too well how close your “children” can be at those times when it’s needed the most. My heart goes out to you and the terrible loss that you’re feeling at this time, but please do keep in mind that Time *does* heal and makes things easier after a while … Believe me, Marc, I KNOW!! I’ve had to put down at least 5 earlier feline pets in my life and losing each one is like a knife in the heart. But keep strong and know that Pnut was loved all of her life by a good person and that that person also loved her enough to let her go. Blessings to you, Marc … Be strong.
I agree with MistrFistr. I adopted a kitten a few years ago when I retired, I knew me being a homebody I would need someone to take care of, and what a great buddy my Joey has turned out to be. I don’t know what I would do without him.
My heart goes out to Marc, I had a cat years ago I had to put to sleep after many years of companionship. It took me till a few years ago to adopt another baby. Glad I did. RIP Pnut. 🙁
First call should be the Humane Society…or NYC equal…
My condolences to Marc and you dave.
Can’t imagine losing my dog that way.
It’s weird though, my dog knows about heights and stays away from the edges of stairs and balconies.
Something definitely not right with that story.
as a gay masculine guy who owns 4 labs i am so sorry to here of the bad news,i understand being upset,my dogs are my kids
i dontdo this much but after readying your story i am so so sorry for your lose!!!!
just so you know that your dog will be waiting for you accross
the rainbow bridge.
My heart goes out to you all. I am sorry for your loss Marc.
I would die if something happened to my Lola. Im crying thinking about Marc’s Loss. Im am so sorry, and I agree with PeetC there is more to this story than being told! If not i apologize…. My heart goes out to Marc !
That why I don’t want pet. Because of story like this.
Tragic- losing a pet is just so awful -lost my little
guy 2 years ago and think about him every day. My sympathy to you and Marc !! I would be heart broken and with the way it happened-no words – I never trusted anyone with my dog-so sorry guys !
Marc,
I am terribly sorry for your loss.
I am very attached to my dogs, and would probably have a heart attack if this happened.
I guess the lesson here is travel with your dog as I do, or only leave them with people you know..
Much Love Marc
My heart goes out to your boss, it’s like losing a member of your family. here is something that might helps him:
Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.
All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.
You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together….
Author unknown…
Marc. I am so sorry to hear of youy loss. Lost my little one a few years ago so I know the pain you must feel at the moment. Surround yourself with good friends and family. A big hug. C
My heart goes out to you Marc. Losing not only your best friend but your dog is also your child. That is a pain no one wants to feel. Just remember you have good friends to comfort you, shoulders to cry and lean on.
I do have to agree with Dave and PeetC things just do not sound right or add up.
You also have a shoulder here to lean on if you need one.
So sad, my condolence to him…..
A neighbor’s cat, really a kitten of 7 months, was hanging out at my house. I started to feed it; it was very skinny. Long story short, last Sunday I noticed it hardly moving. By he owners were not home. I didn’t know what I should do of if what I knew would harm the animal. On Monday it was gone. I learned yesterday it died.
I feel like I should have done more. Now I am morning the cat’s death; it was smart and friendly even to my dogs.
Moral to the story, lend a helping hand to our animal friends.
I vow to do more the next time I see an animal neglected.
Sorry for Pnut, send my regards.
My supreme condolences, guys… I agree; no sense to “try something new” when it comes to our little loved ones… If that negligent sitter has any conscience or soul, they deserve to be Wracked with Guilt & Shame to equal the immense loss that P-Nut’s father/family feels for her. Karma is a Bitch, & Shade is her Sister; if there’s a business name or a yelp page, inform the public.
Marc- so sorry for your loss. Sending prayers for you & pnut your way
You have my deepest sympathies. Only people who have a pet can relate to your loss and understand your grief.
Oh my…. For the bottom of my dark little heart, and from the love of my own little goober Emo. I feel so utterly sad and upset for Marc right now!
Having a loving dog to come home to after facing humanity all day really is the only way to go. And to happen while he was out of town, when you truly do worry the most.
Happy thoughts, well wishes and a big bear hug from me and mine Marc.
OMG What a terrible tragedy. I know because I had to put my little guy to sleep over a year ago because of cancer. I had him almost 16 years. I know what the loss feels like. It gets better after a while but doesn’t go away. He will always be a part of your heart. Just grieve as you must.
I don’t want to trivialize this person’s grief. I know this is devastating and as a pet owner I sympathize. But I feel compelled to say why on Earth would anyone leave their pet with people they don’t know? I don’t care how much they seem to love pets. I would be searching for a reputable kennel with references and trained staff in the area before handing my family member over to complete strangers I found on the internet. Hindsight is 20/20 I guess. This is such a sad story. That poor little dog.
To lose your baby that way. How horrible. I’ve lost pets and almost lost my mind. I am so very sorry. I wish I could give you a hug. Something not rite about the sitters story. I know you can’t concentrate on that rite now. Time for that later. Again I am so sorry. Take care of yourself.
Marc you can’t trust a man let alone trust someone to watch your precious Pnut. So sorry to hear that. As things happen in life it takes time to heal, you never forget but as time goes but it gets easier. Best Wishes to you.
My heart goes out to Marc. I lost my baby girl almost 3 years ago and still call her name every day. Some do not understand the pain and grief you go thru but pet parents truly do. I found excellent support at association for pet loss and bereavement
As John also said. He will always be with you Marc.
Many hugs.
My condolences to Marc on this tragic loss. For many of us our pets are our kids and mean the world to us.
so sad I wish I was closer to him I love animals and would have taken better care of his dog it’s to late now my deepest sympathies though
That is awful what happened to Pnut. I think there are holes in that story as well. I have three dogs that go to the neighbors when I work and don’t know what I would do if anything happened to them. They are what keeps me going. Sorry, Marc. Hugs to you.
So sorry to hear of your loss. I have a Calico Cat and I travel a few times a year but I have a lady that comes and feeds her and plays with her and send me pic 2 or 3 times a day. My cat loves her and she really likes my cat even though she has dogs only. I read your story and why would this place have any doors open I would seriously sue this place and I bet they have had complaints before. For the sake of your precious dog do not sit on this and put it to rest but fight, complain make them pay for what they are now putting you through. Hugs to you guy-
The end of a relationship and friendship is a difficult time. Especially when it is in a situation such as this. You have my deepest sympathy. I am very much a dog lover and can not begin to imagine your emotions. I encourage you to focus on the positive memories and keep her alive in your heart. ~Peace.
I always worry about my dog when I go away and have to leave him, I don’t think any one can care for him like I do, this is a pet owners worst night mare
Condolences to you
WTF!…How the hell does someone offer services like that and not secure the facility where the dogs are being kept? I know this must be extremely painful for Marc but he should seriously consider legal action to make sure this does not happen again. I suspect that this may not be the first time a pet has died under their care. I am really sorry to hear that he has to go through not only losing a dog but under circumstances where he was going out of his way to ensure his dog’s security and comfort.
My deepest sympathy to the both of you. I have lost dogs to natural causes and to lose her the way Marc did is horrible. My Gidget loves me so much that she goes into a panic if a stranger comes near. I can see Pnut doing the same being with total strangers the first time and running to find him. So sorry for your lost. 🙁
My prayers are with you. I know the feeling of losing a pet. It not easy. You have friends here @a4a to comfort you in this time of need. Be strong.
My condolences to marc. When my dog passed away after 14 years I was inconsolable.
I hope he can find room in his heart to visit a shelter and find a new companion. There are as many dogs out there in need of loving homes as there are homes that needed love in them.
You can never truly replace a pet, but a wagging tail and a lick to the face can really help your heart begin to heal.
Men or women, Gay or straight, Something that all people do at a point in our life when we solidly have our own identity is we separate our self from our Blood family and make our own family.
This is when the friends we make along the way become our new brothers and sisters, and of course, Dads and moms. We also have the special little ones that we love so much we think of them as our children.
Two years ago last week in a loading dock in the very wee hours of the morning (don’t ask) I saw this hunk of something and knew it wasn’t a glove and it’s not a rat. As I approached it, this hunk of black fur opened it’s little red mouth and almost black blue eyes, arched it’s soaking wet back at me and kissed and then dropped to the ground.
After a few times of this I headed to the nearest Walmart and bought a fishing net and grabbed a cardboard box. I brought the little hunk of scared fur back to the all night animal hospital and an hour later they said “He’s Healthy (Yea!) and he’s yours (Huh?)
I never had a cat. I brought this little guy home and in the space of a week, he ruined carpeting, wood work, wrecked my first oil painting and has a penchant for piss more than any guy I’ve dated.
That was two years ago last week and I can’t imagine what my life would be like without this little guy waiting for me to come home. He even reminded me why I go on and push to do more every day, especially for those Vet bills.
Our pets are a cross between our child and our best friend. we talk to them and tell them things we never tell anyone else. even when they make a mess, we get made for a minute and then go back to loving them. just like our parents did.
I’me extremely sorry for your loss.
Omg this post made me want to cry… I’m so sorry for the loss and I will pray for mark and u dave… 🙁
I can’t imagine your pain mixed with emotions. I take care of pets all over the Palm springs area and always meet the pets with the owner to make sure the level of love and comfort is there for both the pet and the owner, I think it little late to say that if that happened there wouldn’t have been a dog running away.
My Heart goes out to you with deepest sympathy
Joe R
Marc you have my sincerest condolences over the loss of your dearest friend and companion. I know it was a great shock for you and I’m so sorry that you had to endure such a loss.
Adam
Marc, so sorry to hear about your baby. I’d be devastated if something happened to my Mimi. She’s a 4 y/o Min Pin. The best dog I’ve ever had. You have my deepest sympathies.
Walt
Thats horrible, very sorry Mark for your loss. Pets are better companions than people. They give unconditional love.
So sorry for your loss, I would have to take to my bed for a month if that event happened to my LULU! Have an investigation into that story…sounds awful fishy to me, and have the SPCA look into them, sue!!! no one should have to experience this loss of a loved one!!! Condolences and a wet nose…
So sorry for the loss. Losing a pet is so difficult. Know that Pnut will now be with you always in spirit.
My condolences, I to am a animal lover and just this past valentines day I had to put my male lab down (old age) then 5 weeks later my female lab due to cancer. I was not going to get another dog but they are great company so I decided to get a dog from a rescue place and he is a great dog. They are like family. Not sure about the story thou as it seems really strange, Again my deepest condolences
I’m truly sorry for your loss! ! it breaks my heart!
Thank you so much guys for all your love, for your comforting thoughts, and for sharing your stories. David mentioned he posted about Pnut yesterday but i didn’t have the heart to read it until now. Im really glad i did though because after reading all your comments i do feel a little better already.
Thank you David for that and for the framed photo of Pnut you gave me yesterday. That was so very sweet.
Thank you so much Pnut for making me smile everyday for 5 years! I miss you so much.
P.S. It was my first time using this type of service and it never crossed my mind to check the safety of the bldg. Lesson well learned.
Marc
Deepest condolences! Awful thing. I will never trust my dog with anyone -period-
Really, really sorry that happened, Marc. I still miss my little Snoopy…she was with me for over 20 years. Her passing hurt terribly. It must have been even worse for you when Pnut died so unnecessarily. That saddens me…a lot.
When I was up to it, I took in an abandoned stray. Mutt isn’t Snoopy, and he’s a little delight. I see him as a person, as my “kid”, just like I saw Snoopy.
Life is a tear and a smile. Only that which brings us our greatest joys can bring our greatest sorrows. Don’t give up the smiles in life to avoid the tears. Take in another “kid” when you are up to it. There is one out there who really needs you.
God bless.
So very sad for Marc on the loss of his dog. My deepest condolences. I’m going through my own doggy nightmare right now. My beautiful and lovable pit mix escaped from the property during a violent thunderstorm over two weeks ago. We lived alone and were each other’s worlds. I called him “my little spirit.” Our home seems so quiet and empty now. I miss him so much…
Angel-Falls : OMG my worst nightmare if my own Tobi would escape! Marc’s dog death is also a scary story…. I loved her so much and she was so amazing. I suggested to Marc to use “urns bios” product to burry her at his country house. She loved to run over there. She felt free. So the country house is where she belongs. Urna bios is an urn with seeds and a tree will grow out of her ashes. Marc liked the idea, so he will do that, to celebrate her life!
Thanks Angel for your comment 🙂
Dave
Awful awful awful! I have to dogs (girls) and ill die if something happen to them. Im sorry for your loss Mark. There are no words to make you feel better. Think of the wonderful moments you gave her. :’-(
sorry for your loss
Marc- sorry for your loss of your beloved dog. Always cherish and hold dear in your heart thoughts and memories of your baby.And know that other people who you have touched in your life share your grief. May the days ahead bring you Peace and Comfort.
First and foremost my condolences to Marc for his loss. Often people see that I have two big dogs,one is a rescued shepard and the other is a lab. But in truth I have two furry children. The bonds I share with my girls goes well beyond mere words. To lose one would be tragic, but to lose one in such a manor as described in the story is very disturbing. My thoughts are with you at this moment of sorrow. I know that over time your heart will mend but your loss will never truly heal. Again my condolences. What a tragic ending to a otherwise wonderful relationship.