"Mum, there is going to be a new ocean tomorrow."
"Why's that, T?"
"Because of all the tears we've cried."
The past two days have been rough. On Wednesday evening, we had to say good-bye to our sweet pup, Tiana. She has been with us since she was 18 months old, when she had a "career change" and left the guide dog training program. She has been in our boys' lives for as long as they can remember and we were all deeply attached to her gentle nature and kind soul.
Each day since she's been gone, we've looked for her at the back door, on her favorite soft bed and beside us as we walk up to bed each night. We can't seem to stop looking for her. Our minds won't let us believe that she is truly gone.
Tiana was not just a pet, she was truly a member of our family. Our memories of daily life, holidays with our families and camping trips are entwined with memories of her.
They are good memories and we will will treasure those forever.
But, oh, how she will be missed.
Rest easy, sweet girl. We love you to the ends of the earth.
Vanessa @ VeganFamilyRecipes
This post made me tear up. It is so tough losing a pet. I lost my favorite dog when I was 12 (she was only 2yrs old) and I still tear up thinking about her. It must be hard on your kids as well. Lots of happy thoughts to your whole family!
Lizthechef
Our pets are so, so special that they will never truly leave us. As sorry as I feel for you and your family, I can tell that you are all grieving together, so important, especially for your boys, to process this painful loss together, as the close family that you are.
Marina Delio
I'm so sorry for your loss. It's heartbreaking to lose a furry family member. hugs to your family.
Frank Mosher
I read your posting two times, and I cannot find where you mention what happened to Tiana? She appeared to be a black Lab, and in all sincerity as a staunch dog lover and former dog breeder, and married to a "blond" Lab, if indeed, as the comments indicate, she is -------- my sincere sympathy.
Susie
Our animals...and it seems to me, our dogs especially somehow...have such an impact on our lives....the pain is immeasurable when they depart....but giving a loving home to another keeps your heart from closing over in grief....a very important thing to be aware of..... It doesn't mean you are trying to forget your beloved pet just keeping the love they opened in your hear flowing forever....
Robin Bennett
Dara, so sorry for your loss. Such a sweet tribute and so nice to have those memories. Thanks for sharing.
Robin
Shawn
How well I know the heart ache having just lost my 2nd pet 2/days shy of 3 months.
An old friend of mine wrote this and I not only use it every time I send one of my crybabies to the Rainbow Bridge, but have also shared it more times than I would like. I hope you and your boys can find comfort in this ritual.
My Deepest Sympathy,
ShawnSite
***THE STAR***
I have used the star three times in my life and it has worked all three times.
I used it when my parents died and in July of l996 when I lost my Golden Retriever Tammy.
Part of the blood that flows through my body is Native American,and the Star was told to me years ago by a wise old lady.
I have felt the pain first hand of loosing a Golden and feel I must share the Star with other Golden owners in their time of need.
When someone leaves this earth they must take a very long and lonely journey,what I am going to tell you is how to find out if that journey was successful.
You must have loved your dog when he was alive and upon his death feel as if your heart has been ripped from your body.
The star will not work if it's a false gesture on your part.
You must follow the steps exactly the way I will tell you to find that star.
Go into the night the first clear night you have in your area.
Go to a spot you and your dog used to go.
Close your eyes and talk to your dog as if he is sitting right by your side,don't rush it, tears will flow like a giant river.
All at once you will feel a very strange sensation,it will feel as if the dog is sitting right by your side.
At that moment open your eyes and look to the sky,look all over ,but mostly in the North,Northeast portion.
All at once you will see the brightest and warmest star in the sky,it will be the one blinking.
It will draw your attention to it.
At that moment close your eyes,then open them again and if you see that star again it is you dog telling you that he has had a successful journey.
That star will stay in the same spot night after night until your grieving is over,then it will disappear- never to be seen by you again until you too have made that successful journey.
When your journey is complete,you too will put your star in the sky.
Doug Coulter
Susie
Such a beautiful contribution, Doug.....I hope we in the Southern Hemisphere can use this special way to farewell our beloved pets.....
Katrina
Such sweet pictures and memories. So sorry for your loss.
Linda
Aw, I've just added some tears to your ocean. I still miss our Bud, but Moe and Riley have added a lot of happiness to our lives since we lost him. Lots of love to you guys!
Cathy
We have just gone through this with our little "Darby"....can't believe he is gone, he was so much a part of our lives...RIP Tiana...see you on the Rainbow Bridge...
Andrea Campbell
Dara,
I'm so sorry for your loss. Losing our beloved pets is such a sad time. We lost our Sally last June and her litter brother Dodger is in his last days. I gave him a bath on Thursday and cried most of the time, thinking of these wonderful thirteen years and how this was probably his very last bath. My heart goes out to you and your family.
Karen Aden
I am so very sorry for your loss and the seemingly unending ache and emptiness that your loss has left behind. Your words described my last 2 weeks as my beautiful kitty Honey left for the Rainbow Bridge as well.
Cindi
Tears in my eyes as I remember all the wonderful pets over the years that we've said goodbye to. Feeling your pain.
Kristen
Oh friend... I am so so so sorry 🙁
Stephanie Hanson
So sorry for your loss - such a difficult thing to go through. Our puppy looks very similar to your sweet girl and this story made me tear up!
wes
“I care not for a man's religion whose dog and cat are not the better for it.”
― Abraham Lincoln
“The better I get to know men, the more I find myself loving dogs.”
--Charles de Gaulle
“You want a friend in this city? [Washington, DC.] Get a dog!”
― Harry S. Truman
“Any man with money to make the purchase may become a dog's owner. But
no man --spend he ever so much coin and food and tact in the effort--
may become a dog's Master without consent of the dog. Do you get the
difference? And he whom a dog once unreservedly accepts as Master is
forever that dog's God.”
― Albert Payson Terhune, Lad: A Dog
“The dog is the most faithful of animals and would be much esteemed
were it not so common. Our Lord God has made His greatest gifts the
commonest.”
― Martin Luther
“Don't accept your dog's admiration as conslusive evidence that your
are wonderful.”
― Ann Landers
“If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went.”
--Will Rogers
"Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside of a dog, it's
too dark to read."
--Groucho Marx
You think there will not be dogs in Heaven?
I tell you, they will be there long before any of us.
--Robert Louis Stevenson
“Heaven goes by favor. If it went by merit, you would stay out and
your dog would go in.”
― Mark Twain
“Never mind, said Hachiko each day. Here I wait, for my friend who’s
late. I will stay, just to walk beside you for one more day.”
Jess C Scott
The story of Hachiko
http://en.rocketnews24.com/2013/12/06/the-last-photo-of-faithful-dog-hachiko-breaks-our-hearts/
Dog...is God dyslexic or man ?
God is Love I know...so I know... we will play again with our loved ones
Hotsy Malone
My heart aches for your loss, I have been there several times and it is never an easy thing to deal with. I'm crying as I write this and I'm sure many other readers have as well. Love the picture in the snow, you can see that she was a sweet soul. I hope my Darby has met her on the other side and that they are playing and romping around together.
Julie @ HostessAtHeart
My heart is broken for you and your family. They are such an important piece of the family that it just leaves a space that's hard to fill.
Tom
I never trust anyone who doesn't like dogs. We've had dogs our whole lives and I wouldn't have it any other way. They provide unconditional love and companionship. They cheer you up when you're down and comfort you when you need it. They add a dimension to our lives that no other being can provide.
Jim Stafford has a line in his rendition of "Mr. Bojangles" that goes something like, "why is a dog's life so short, but he has to die so old." During their short time with us they give us much more than we can ever give back to them,
Louise
Dogs are a blessing to us. I think you were a blessing to this dear girl. She leaves a happy home to another dog who needs one.