Socks, a remarkable old gal

Sounds like she was a real fighter!! I am sorry to hear about your loss.She looks like a real sweetheart. Hugs to you!

I am so sorry for your loss...run free Socks...you were very much loved.

So sorry for your loss.

I am sorry for your loss.  She sounds like she had a strong will.
 
Run free Socks [sm=angel.gif]

What a lucky dog she was to have you as parents!   How lucky you were to have her so long, what a gift!    Run free dear Socks, say Hi to Holly ,  Kisses   

Toward the end, I don't know what was more painful for her; the actual pain in her body or the indignity of not being able to get up or see or hear in front of the other dogs. She was a real trooper and was always a noble and excellent companion. Her best friend was Crystal, my old border collie mix who died about 3 years ago. They would sit and groom each other and sleep together, legs entwined.

My rescue dog, Grace, was very kind and respectful to her and seems to be most aware of her absence. She actually goes through the house trying to find her. Trudy, my setter is more concerned by Dad's grief.

I am so sorry run free Socks

I am so sorry for your loss

My sincerest sympathies.  I got a catch in my spirit when I saw the title and it's taken me TWO days to be able TO type a reply.
 
See, WE had a "socks, a remarkable old gal" except my Socks was often called "Ms. Socks".  I often used to say that if Socks had been human ... well, you remember the old gal who was the bus driver that all the kids secretly LOVED but she was the gruffest, no-nonsense bus driver there was and nobody messed with her??  She chain-smoked off duty and had a 'cough' and a rough voice, but she'd been around and there was just NO foolin her???
 
Yep -- that was MY Socks. Except my Socks had life really rough til she was 10 1/2 when she got dumped on us, majorly heartworm positive and literally at death's door.  I took her thru the 'long' treatment (took me a year of miniscule doses of ivermectin to get her to a spanking clear occult blood test). 
 
She coughed (her heart and lungs were badly damaged from the heartworm), and she took a ton of meds, including Lasix which made her 'leak' so she wore bitches britches with human continence pads in them.  But she found her niche in pet therapy and was dearly loved by all the folks at the Alzheimer's facility, who just thot a dog in diapers and a t-shirt (helped calm the cough to keep the chest warm & dry) was THE coolest thing going.  Ms. Socks made it 6 1/2 more years with us, and was proud as she could be of her CGC and her Therapy Dog tag!
 
This was my Socks on a pet therapy mission:
[linkhttp://www.critturs.com/images/PICT0017socks.jpg]http://www.critturs.com/images/PICT0017socks.jpg[/link]
 
It was cancer that ultimately claimed her, altho she lived with that for a LONG time. 
 
I think it's a pretty safe bet that my Socks has met your Socks at Rainbow Bridge (after waiting a respectful time for your Socks to catch up with her buddy!) and I betcha they had a good old chat.  I found so very much that your Socks and mine had in common, besides the love of a good family and a good, full life and a family with a lot of fond memories of a dog who was worthy of respect.  And my guess is they're both pretty proud of that.  I've noticed it's very common for people to talk about how much their dog was loved ... but the words "respect" and "remarkable" aren't frequently used, and I think it says a LOT in memoriam about our girls.
 
My sincere condolences to you.  May your memories overflow with love.  I'll guarantee you that HER memories are full and wonderful and it's likely she and Crystal haven't nearly "caught up" with each other yet!!  Is there anything on this planet better than "catching up" with an old, dear friend?  Now THAT *is* Heaven, isn't it?

Run free, Socks.

Callie:
 
Thank you for your post and for recognizing a truly noble dog like your own.  You gave your Socks the opportunity to shine.  Perhaps she was giving back to the people she visited the opportunity that you gave her, to have joy and dignity.  Even though her heart was damaged, she had a lot of it to go around, and much of it came from you.
 

Run free, Socks [sm=angel.gif] 

What a precious little fighter.  I can tell how much she was loved and adored.   

I'm so sorry to hear about your loss of such a special friend.  Socks blessed you with so many years and a wonderful spirit, and I'll bet she felt it was the least she could do in exchange for the gift your DH gave her when he saved her from what could've been a miserable (and probably short) life. 
 
What makes the absence of my beloved dog bearable (he died 7 months ago) are the images I keep in my mind of him reunited with his most cherished friends and family (human and animal), doing all their favorite things, feeling strong and healthy.  I also like to think he's met new friends, too -- dogs like Socks and lots of others from this forum who were truly special.
 
Run free, Socks.  Watch over your family as they adjust to their days without you.

I really think the old girls are the best - they must be, 'cuz it's so hard to let them go...[sm=angel.gif]