Family portrait by durleybeachbum
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No AI - This artwork was created entirely by hand or with traditional digital tools.
Description
This morning we brought Hetty's life to a dignified end. She had stopped eating, her heart murmur was a 5 out of 6 and she was no longer really enjoying a walk. It all happened in the last fortnight, and I decided to do the deed while she was still comfy and in no distress.
Please don't feel sorry for me, I am not sentimental, and in fact I feel most relieved not to have the stress of the constant worry about her welfare.
I took this picture yesterday with her boys. They came with me to the vets, and we gave them the body to sniff as it is important that they know she's dead.
Only Fritz was really interested, and he too seems relieved as he has been concerned about her for the last few days.
Ralph continues to heal well after the wound sustained during the murder he committed. The victim donated us a few fleas, so on with the systemic parasite killer!

Comments (52)
I am so sorry to hear about Hetty I am glad there was no pain I know how much you care for these dogs and they you It's a great family portrait Hugs Susan~
VERY VERY CUTE
Terrific family portait, Andrea. Sorry about Hetty, otherwise, much too poignant for me to comment on much further.
A wonderful family portrait to have. How did you keep them all so still. I'm sure Hetty really enjoyed her time with you.
They certainly obey the photographer's commands...while on the couch anyways! Very nice shot!
Geez 4 souls adorse you...gotta love this shot and find a place to put it up on the wall or the edge of the fireplace...
You honored her sweetly here and have one last foto to remember her.
The old saying begins "If you love something let it go" but it is still hard to say goodbye. This image is a wonderful keepsake. What are the boys going to do without the boss?
Cute and gentle four! Wonderful shot!
The one regret I have about my Mitzi is not calling out the vet a day earlier. It was a selfish act and one I shall never repeat. This is the most beautiful image of your four furred folk and and not only a true reflection of their love for you but of your love for them. I am so happy to see Ralphie continuing to improve. Oh yes - and it really wasn't murder you know. More like - manslaughter! He may even have been trying to protect the others....^=^
Beautiful family portrait. A fine memory....
Aaaah Hetty, She live a long and wonderful life. She ruled well and wisely. She lived with dignity, and died with dignity. I know this may sound silly .. but God Speed, Hetty. This news brought a tear to my eye as well. If there is a life hereafter, I suspect she is ruling wisely there as well, smiles. A beautiful family portrait, a dignified one. Reminds me of the old Victorian portraits where all the members of the family group always would be posed looking so very serious. Yet there is a love that shines from those eyes, looking right at you. How did you manage that? My boys (and Gracie Anne too) do (did) not like to look into the camera.
Beautiful capture!!!
there are so many images I could comment on, were it not that I have to get to other galleries before it gets too late (I've been gone so long, and I want to touch everyone at least once if I can), but I came to this image to wish goodbye to beloved hetty. I too got a tear when I saw this, because I know how much a pet becomes part of one's family. I understand you're not sentimental about it, you had to do it. And I've heard of letting other pets smell the body of the deceased pet, as it helps them move on (rather than walk around in confusion for so long). You celebrated Hetty's life with a beautiful portrait, and (with rita), I'd ask, "how did you do that?" beacause I've photographed domestic dogs & cats several times now, and almost never gotten such a fine camera-aware shot. A beautiful shot with a beautifully chosen background (you're always so intuitive at that), and my condolences for the loss of a member of your life.
touching remembrance
Sorry to hear about Hetty and I understand the process. This is a wonderful final group photo Andrea. Ralph does look like he is healing well. Dana
just love your family! they are so well educated... :)
Beautiful memory you presented us. Excellent photo
Such sweet dogs - great shot.
Beautiful family portrait and remembrance of a lovely girl.
The more neutral background adds quality indeed! stunning image!
What a lovely shot of the dynamic four, I guess one cannot afford to get overly sentimental with pets as we know there are seven years to every year of our own life and it's inevitable we shall lose them during the course of our own lifetime... all we can do is enjoy them while they are with us. It is terribly sad.. in some ways as a kid it can be the first experiences of death short of grandparents.. and in my case one parent too. You bring so much hope to the dogs you rescue and give them a loving and happy home for the remainder of their lives. Sympathy can be negative.. I would say the sadness is purely for the fact they are no longer in your life but nobody likes to see loved pets suffer and the day to day burden of having to countdown that sad time can indeed be stressful as you know it will eventually come. But the wonderful shots like these last forever as do the memories.