"Not the least hard thing to bear when they go from us, these quiet friends,
is that they carry away with them so many years of our own lives."
is that they carry away with them so many years of our own lives."
- John Galsworthy -
Those who've never established a deep emotional connection with pets cannot fathom the intense grief experienced at their loss. But those of us who share a strong bond with them, and consider them beloved companions and members of our family, understand all too well the heartache that accompanies their passing. These beloved creatures that bring joy into our lives, and offer companionship, comfort, unconditional love and acceptance, wrap themselves around our heart, and when they depart, they take a piece of us with them.
That heartache is being felt right now by blogging friend, Wendy, whose beloved dog died suddenly, and I would like to end this week by dedicating this post and the video below to her. If you feel so inclined, please head over to her blog and offer her some support as she tries to deal with this unexpected grief. A little kindness and a few words of comfort give us strength as we struggle to make our way out of the dark forest of sorrow.
I'm so sorry for your loss, Wendy. May your sweet Barnie-Boy play joyfully as he waits to reunite with you.
I wish you all a beautiful weekend.
Yes, very true, Martha. I know I miss HRH terribly.
ReplyDeleteI know you do, Debra. And your bloggers, me included, miss hearing about her, as well :(
DeleteI read Wendy's post about Muppet this morning. Our pets really do become a part of our heart and soul don't they? They are not pets at all really, they are family.
ReplyDeleteThey sure are. And we feel such grief when they're gone.
DeleteI am so sorry to hear this . I will pop over . Thanks for the lovely post and video , I can begin to imagine what my life would be like with out pets ! Have a good weekend !
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean. Pets bring a special kind of joy into our lives.
DeleteSorry to hear of Wendy's loss.
ReplyDeleteIt is very heartbreaking :(
DeleteI am so, so very sorry, I'll go see her, thanks Martha for bringing to our attention xxxx
ReplyDeleteI knew you'd head over, Lorraine, because you are such a kind person. And you love animals so much. So much cruelty in this world towards animals. It makes me crazy...
DeleteSigh. It is so difficult but they will meet again.
ReplyDeleteIt sure is difficult, Francie. We get so attached to these precious furballs!
DeleteI always hate to hear of someone losing their dog. My dog is getting old, and I know his time is coming soon.
ReplyDeleteOh, Linda, I'm sorry to hear that. I hope it won't be for awhile.
DeleteWe still miss our last pup. They are family in this wonderful way. So sad about Wendy's pup though. Really horrible.
ReplyDeleteIt really is awful about Wendy's pup. Makes me crazy the horrible things people do. It really keeps me up at night.
DeleteIt may have been something he ate at the beach. Our little dog will eat anything that moves.
DeleteThat is certainly possible. It's a question that remains unanswered. But what does remain is the grief when they die.
DeleteIt's horrible. Either way, any way. It's all very hard.
DeleteOh, Martha. I can barely type through the tears. Thank you so much for this extraordinary act of kindness and I apologize for my tardy response, but well ... I've not been on the internet much over the last day or so.
ReplyDeleteThe Rainbow Bridge Tribute, is possibly the most beautiful thing I have ever seen. The music, the words, the images ... and the fact that you thought of me and my loss.
Thank you so very much. I shall be in need of yet another crate of tissues after this, but it's been well worth it.
Big hug xoxox
Oh, Wendy, you don't need to thank me, and you certainly don't have to apologize for a late comment. In fact, I didn't expect a comment at all; you have more important things to deal with. What you've experienced is heartbreaking, and a little support when we need it is always nice. I have some wonderful bloggers that visit here, and I knew that some of them would hop over and offer some comfort. Hang in there, dear Wendy. I know that right now the grief is intense. xoxoxo
DeleteWell said. I always say our pets train us not we train our pets.
ReplyDeleteYou got that right, Red. We learn so much from them.
DeleteI just read her post and left a comment .... how incredibly incredible that some rat bastard has nothing better to do than poison a little guy .... horrible
ReplyDeleteI know, right? Mind boggling. Oh, Carolyn, I tell you, I can't stand it. The horrible things people do. I've heard one too many stories this week about animal cruelty and abuse. It has made me crazy.
DeleteMy dog has maybe five years left, eight if she's lucky
ReplyDeleteAt least there are a few years to go, which is nice!
DeleteIt is one of the most amazing relationships in my life ... my dog who we had for 16 years. Unconditional love and happy to see you ... always. I miss her everyday, and it's been 5 years.
ReplyDeleteWe never stop missing these precious animals. And 16 years is such a long time!
DeleteThis is a lovely tribute to Wendy's Barnie Boy. It is a very difficult time for 'pet owners' to go through.
ReplyDeleteIt certainly is, Jim. Saying goodbye to our furry friends is never easy.
DeleteI just looked at a sweet photo of me snuggling with my beloved Naomi, a cat who owned me and my then husband. It's a heavy grief as you describe. Thanks for this post.
ReplyDeleteIt really is a heavy grief, Robyn. You have to have a love and connection with animals to understand this special type of bond.
DeleteHi Martha,
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, lovely to make your acquaintance. Bless you for mentioning our dear friend, Wendy and the emotional pain she is feeling for the loss of her precious and very much loved dog. Your heart, Martha, speaks of the love that of dogs that awes us. Their love, unconditional, non-judgemental. Lessons they teach us humans.
Bless you and dear Wendy. Those who think our heartache when our beloved furry family passes on, is no big deal, just don't get it.
Thank you for a wonderful, emotive posting.
A peaceful weekend to you.
Gary
Gary, it is wonderful to see you here! This blogging world has made me find the most amazing people around the globe. Really special people. We are so far away physically; yet so close in spirit.
DeleteWendy's story left me so disturbed. I have heard one too many stories of animal cruelty and abuse in the past week that have me tossing and turning at night, but hers was the one that knocked me off my feet. She is part of my blogging circle, and one of the most sensitive in it; someone whose love and compassion for animals is immeasurable. And we certainly need more people like that in the world. For something like that to happen to her is unimaginable. I can only imagine the pain and grief she is experiencing. My blogging friends are really nice people, and I knew many of them would visit her and offer some support. Sometimes we need that.
Our animal friends have plenty to teach all of us. And some of us are learning. I have faith that more and more people will in time.
I hope you are having a wonderful weekend!
Ohhhh.. how lovely, and how comforting. To this day I cannot think of my beloved Lab without tearing up (o gosh, I'm tearing up right now!); his love and faithfulness were just so wonderful, divine almost -- we humans can only strive to be like our furry friends.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like he was a wonderful and loving companion. Our furry friends touch our hearts, and teach us so much while they are with us. It's heartbreaking when they go away.
DeleteKind words that could only come from someone who has experienced such a loss. I've been there too.
ReplyDeleteAnyone who has ever lost a beloved pet can certainly relate to this. It's heartbreaking.
DeleteHi Martha! This was a comforting and beautiful post. I still carry the heartache of my beloved MacBeath's loss, feisty, fierce, and independent Scottie that he was. I miss all my wonderful pets. I gladly accept the heartache rather than never to have loved these wonderful companions. I am sorry for your friend's loss. Thank you for sharing this!
ReplyDeleteI totally agree! I also gladly accept the heartache if it means sharing life with these precious creatures. They bring a special kind of love and joy into our lives.
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