Chopin

[Joseph Gentzel]

Chopin was a neat dog. He was a littermate to two brothers who were much superior to him conformation wise. Rocky lives with Brian and Susan Price in Canada and Etienne is our dog here in Georgia.
Chopin finished his championship and sometime later went to a special home with foster kids with "issues", both behavioral and health. He did very well there for a few years, but kept bringing up dead cats to the front porch, that belonged to the the same family. They never saw Chopin kill a cat, but became convinced he was killing their cats, when I told them I suspect their border collie was a much more likely candidate than Chopin they never were convinced and always though it Chopin. I told them that Pyrs are known to bring injured or dead members of their group to the attention of the shepherd/owner. They finally said they could not have him any longer, so I went to get him. They did not want to see him leave the property so we decided I would just drive up to the house, let myself into the gated drive and take Chopin.
I had not seen Chopin for about three years when I drove up. He was lying on their front porch. As I drove up and got out of the car, he looked so strangely at me. I called him and he did not get up immediately, but then seemed to remeber me and came to me. I invited hi into the car and he was fine with that. I was so impressed that he would remember me so well to allow me to drive up and then leave with me.
He was a cute dog even in his old age. He always looked like a stuffed toy. He was gentle enev for a Pyr. Even his last year when he was in a lot of pain from his degenerative joint disease, so was friendly most of the time.
He never said no and always tried to do what I wanted, even today he was still trying with all his power to get back up when I coaxed him. At the Vets we said goodbye as the medicine slowly sent him to the hereafter. I'll miss him now as I spent so much time with him trying to get him going again. Even when he could not get up, he lay on his side barking anytime the other dogs barked. His old hourse bark could be distinguished among the rest of the group and I will miss that as well. Chopin was 12 1/2 years old.
So I pay tribute to my special friend Chopin and will miss him now forever more.
Joe

[Jukka Lehtinen]

Hi Joe,
I'm sure he was a superb friend.. You were both lucky to have the time together...

Wish you well,

With kind regards,
Jukka & Giusto

[Karin]

I am sorry for you Joey ....................
But you did what was possible for him and out of love, you had to let him go ....
Big hug from Holland ..
Maybe the following song can comfort you a little ...

CLICK HERE

Time for me to go now, I won't say goodbye;
Look for me in rainbows, way up in the sky.
In the morning sunrise when all the world is new,
Just look for me and love me, as you know I loved you.

Time for me to leave you, I won't say goodbye;
Look for me in rainbows, high up in the sky.
In the evening sunset, when all the world is through,
Just look for me and love me, and I'll be close to you.

It won't be forever, the day will come and then
My loving eyes will welcome you, when we meet again.

Time for us to part now, we won't say goodbye;
Look for me in rainbows, shining in the sky.
Every waking moment, and all your whole life through
Just look for me and love me, as you know I loved you.

Just wish me to be near you,
And I'll be there with you.

[Cat]

Joe,
I'm so sorry for your loss of Chopin.
I think that one of the hardest things we ever have to do is to make the decision to let them go on ahead.
Seems that the pain in our hearts is the price we have to pay for all of the wonderful years.

hugs,

Cat
Lily-Belle and Soleil (Great Pyrs)

[pat ramapuram]

So sorry for your loss of Chopin- he was a lovely animal by your tribute

[Carol Boyle]

Joe,
I am so sorry for your loss. These BWDs are never here long enough.
Carol

[Joseph Gentzel]

Thanks everyone. Chopin would have been 13 the 23 of July, so he was a lot closser to 13 than 12 1/2. That means that Rocky and Etienne are alomost 13. I know Susan and Brian are trying to prepare themselves for Rocky not being around any longer and Rocky is Brian's dog ever special.
Nana, their litter sister preceeded them all a couple years ago. Nana had a storied tenure as a therapy dog in hospitals up in the eastern USA somewhere. She retired one time and as I understand it, came out of retirement as a response to so many requests to have her back again. Nana was one of the prettiest bitches confirmation wise I ever saw. I think from all accounts her temperment and way with infirmed people was even prettier.
So Rocky and Etienne can look forward to joining Chopin and Nana in the great hereafter. I guess I can too.
Joe

[Marion-Silvia Diener]

So sorry about your loss of Chopin.

Marion

[Melissa Metzler]

So sorry for your loss Joe! Our thoughts are with you in this difficult time!

[Tina]

Hello Joe,
I`m so sorry about your loss of Chopin.

Tina

[Maud]

Hi Joe,
What a beautiful story about Chopin. He seemed like a very special friend. I can picture him well by your story.
It is so hard to let them go. He will always be around and guarding you.
Best wishes, Maud

[Jenny Haslett]

Joe,
I'm so sorry to hear that Chopin has passed on. I've been following his progress & was so hoping that his new diet would work for him. Your love for him & understanding shone through the words of his tribute.

Jenny

[Anke]

What a sad news after you being so busy getting him back on his feet again :(
You gave him a chance to live his life in good company and he has reached a very respectful age!
I do wish you lots of strength to live on without your good friend. At least you have many good memories to turn to when you feel sad.
Wish you well,

Anke