We Shall Not Forget Them.

For millions, the relationship between a person and their dog is precious beyond words. Do you still grieve the loss of your wonderful dog? Let us all know what your dog meant to you. Write whatever you want; the anecdotes, the reasons this dog of yours was so special, and anything else that would serve as a lasting memory.

Then please email me the words, including photographs as attachments to your email, to learningfromdogs@gmail.com

Your tribute to your departed dog will be published as a ‘stand alone’ post and then linked to below. Slowly and steadily we will construct a beautiful portfolio of treasured memories.

ooOOoo

Goodbye Buddy – written by Jim and Janet Goodbrod and published on the 2nd February, 2017.

Memories of Diego – written by Laura Bruzzese and published on the 3rd February, 2017.

A Boxer named Sophie – written by Susan Leighton and published on the 6th February, 2017.

Max, Our Dark Prince – written by Samyuktha and published on the 17th February, 2017.

Goodbye dear Casey – the painful loss of one of our own dogs; published on the 1st March, 2017.

Farewell dear Paloma – yet another painful loss of one of our family so soon after losing Casey. The eulogy was published on the 17th March, 2017.

27 thoughts on “We Shall Not Forget Them.”

  1. Once upon a time, there lived a beautiful Boxer named Sophie. My husband fell in love with her at first sight. He had to talk me into taking her home. It didn’t take long for me to see the light. The next thing I know I was carrying her in my arms. She grew and filled our lives with joy. We loved her Boxer curl and the way that she would sit on the couch with us and just lean against our sides. Then around her 7th year, we noticed that she lost her appetite. Concerned like any parents, we took her to the vet. We received the worst news possible. She had cancer that had metastasized in her liver. Her last few months with us were precious. The vet had her on steroids and there for a time she returned to her happy-go-lucky Boxer self. We were fortunate to give her one last Christmas. Our darling passed away in the early morning hours on January 31, 2014. It has been two years but the pain is still there. Every time we see a beautiful Boxer, we see our Sophie in his or her eyes. Thank you for allowing us to remember those companions that have crossed over the Rainbow Bridge. They will always been in our hearts.

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  2. So Many.

    So many I have loved and lost.

    Sam, Victor, Oliver, Phoebe, Lily, Rose, Corrie, Olivia, Ava, Bill, Cooty, Dhalia, Ozzy, Lupe, Poppy, Hazel. Some have passed through my life for such a short time their name has escaped my head but not my heart. They have all given me the great privilege of sending them on their last journey with a gentle caress and a soft word.

    In quiet moments I see their faces. I cry. I smile.

    As long as my body is able I will continue to do my best though my heart often feels broken in two.

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  3. He is not around, but his memories are. He is long gone, but his playfulness lives. It’s been years and yet never more than a moment. This is to all our loved pet better-halves for giving us their everything in return for a hug, a playful nudge, a wink. This is to my German Shepherd, Dollar.

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  4. Hatchett, my sweet little man, left this world November 25th, 2016. He was eleven years old, and he lived an amazing life. He had the most loving soul I’ve ever encountered and was the best friend I’ve ever had.

    I can only hope–and try–that I can emanate the kind of love he displayed throughout his life.

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  5. His name was Mutley. I adopted him from a local shelter in 2002. He was a little chihuahua, alone and afraid. He was an owner surrender, which I do not understand how anyone could have left this little soul. His intake papers said he did not like toys, was afraid of the vacuum, and a few other random comments. None were true. Mutley was guessed to be around 3 to 5 years old when I adopted him. He was the most gentle, loving little man. His love was pure, and he was important. I got to live with his love for fourteen years! With that being said, he would have been at least 17 years old, if not older. I lost him in August 2016, after he began to have multiple grand mal seizures. I had to make the hardest decision a pet owner has to do. I had to relieve him of his pain and suffering. In doing so, I held him in my arms, until his last breath. I crumbled on the floor, having to let my little man go. I know I had to make that decision for him, and be his voice. I know I made the right decision. It doesn’t relieve any pain or grieving knowing I did the right thing for him. He was cremated, and is in a beautifully carved wooden box. He will always be a part of me.

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  7. Placed here on behalf of neighbours Jim and Janet Goodbrod.

    Buddy.

    It was finally time to say the last goodbye to our old Buddy. Life had become an intolerable burden. His spirit wanted to keep going, but his failing body could not keep up. We ended his suffering and gently nudged him into that deep and eternal sleep last Wednesday.

    Rest in peace old man! You made it 16-17 years. You aren’t in pain any longer and can run and play like you used to. We had you for only about 10 months, but loved you and we’re glad we could make your last year a good one. Forget the horrible abuse you suffered as a puppy, and remember only the love and joy you gave us in your last days on this planet.

    A Dog’s Plea

    Treat me kindly, my beloved friend, for no heart in all the world is more grateful for kindness than the loving heart of me.

    Do not break my spirit with a stick, for although I should lick your hand between blows, your patience and understanding will quickly teach me the things you would have me learn.

    Speak to me often, for your voice is the world’s sweetest music, as you must know by the fierce wagging of my tail when your footsteps falls upon my waiting ear.

    Please take me inside when it is cold and wet, for I am a domesticated animal, no longer accustomed to bitter elements. I ask no greater glory than the privilege of sitting at your feet beside the hearth. Keep my pan filled with fresh water, for I cannot tell you when I suffer thirst.

    Feed me clean food that I may stay well, to romp and play and do your bidding, to walk by your side and stand ready, willing and able to protect you with my life, should your life be in danger.

    And, my friend, when I am very old, and I no longer enjoy good health, hearing and sight, do not make heroic efforts to keep me going. I am not having any fun. Please see that my trusting life is taken gently. I shall leave this earth knowing with the last breath I draw that my fate was always safest in your hands.

    — Beth Norman Harris

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  8. Once upon a time, there lived a beautiful Boxer named Sophie. My husband fell in love with her at first sight. He had to talk me into taking her home. It didn’t take long for me to see the light. The next thing I know I was carrying her in my arms. She grew and filled our lives with joy. We loved her Boxer curl and the way that she would sit on the couch with us and just lean against our sides. Then around her 7th year, we noticed that she lost her appetite. Concerned like any parents, we took her to the vet. We received the worst news possible. She had cancer that had metastasized in her liver. Her last few months with us were precious. The vet had her on steroids and there for a time she returned to her happy-go-lucky Boxer self. We were fortunate to give her one last Christmas. Our darling passed away in the early morning hours on January 31, 2014. It has been three years but the pain is still there. Every time we see a beautiful Boxer, we see our Sophie in his or her eyes. Thank you for allowing us to remember those companions that have crossed over the Rainbow Bridge. They will always been in our hearts.

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  9. My birthday gift for my 7th birthday was a beautiful parti-colored cocker spaniel named Toasty. His kennel name was actually Lord Peter White descended from American Kennel royalty My Own Brucie. But he was just our very loved & loving pet, not a show dog. People would remark on his exceptionall looks but he was the most well behaved dog, after his wildly playful puppyhood he settled into what I always thought of as a dignified gentleman dog. Never had to be trained, just inate intelligence. He lived 10 years, loving us all as we lived him. He passed away from.cancer after his second operation-the vet said his heart wss too old to withstand the operation. I have his ashes, he will be buried with me. I always felt he lived much longer than 10 years as I literally grew up with him. Wish I could scratch him behind the ears, give a bellyrub again. Seems like not so long ago. I miss him.

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    1. Judy, Judy, Judy …..

      You are living proof of how so many of us bond, bond totally, with our dogs. Thank you and a very warm welcome to this place. I want Pharaoh’s ashes buried with me when it’s my turn to die.

      Hope to see you again visiting this place.

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    1. Thank you for your comment and let me offer you a warm welcome to this place. I deeply respect your choice regarding your religious convictions and hope you, in turn, will reciprocate in terms of my conviction to be an atheist. Hope to see you again.

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  11. I recently saw a TV show about your wonderful program and wondered if you were in other cities.

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    1. Oh Deborah, thank you for your very kind comment. I write on most days but not necessarily every day being about dogs. Tomorrow being a good example of that! Anyway, welcome!

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