Monday Morning Musings on Wednesday — My Dog Died
Buckey, our beautiful Golden Retriever
2003 – 2015
I realize that it is Wednesday and not Monday.
Two things happened to delay my post on Monday:
Classes resumed, which I absolutely despise.
Secondly, but more importantly, my golden retriever, “Buckeye”, passed away and it has been very difficult to even think. Buckeye would have been 12 years old in February. After one year of battling epilepsy, he passed away at home in our bedroom, unable to move any more . . . but to just breath.
I laid on the floor with him and told him how much we loved him and that it was ok to go to sleep. We told him to go run and see his best friend Abbie across the Rainbow Bridge. After 15 minutes, he breathed his last breath . . . at home.
Buckeye was absolutely the best animal friend that I have ever known and his constant devotion to me is now gone. He was forever by my side, even waiting outside the shower door when I would be showering. Buckeye was the last to say goodbye in the morning when I would leave for work in the morning and the first to be waiting at the door when I returned.
In his entire short life, Buckeye never did anything ‘wrong’, his behavior was exemplary. He was perfect. The only thing that ever frustrated us about Buckeye was when he was a puppy, he ran a few acres away to the creek on our acreage and romped around the water and rolled in the mud and returned hours later to worried parents wondering where he had ventured off to and if he had possibly become lost.
Our second golden retriever passed away in April of throat cancer . . . the two goldies were 2 weeks apart from separate litters. When puppies they took the drive every day to the acreage while we built the house we live in today. Every day of our lives in this house and on this acreage included Buckeye and Abbie.
Now this house is empty of their large presence.
There is no sound of their loud thumping paws on the hard wood floors.
There are no loud barks at strangers.
They will no longer walk up the long front pasture to the mailbox every day.
It is all too quiet.
Oh Roz…so sorry for the loss of your friend and family member. 🙁 Lots of hugs.
Thank you so much for your understanding and sympathy MJ. I appreciate it very much,
Hugs,
Roz
Roz, I am so so sorry! My heart hurts for you and your husband. I am glad you were able to be with him at the end and tell him good-bye. Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Thank you so much Shari! Just your kind words have helped me feel a lot better.
Roz
Oh sweetie, I am so sorry. They leave such an aching hole in our heart, don’t they?
Pam, thank you so much for leaving such a loving and supportive comment on the passing of my golden retriever. Your friendship means a tremendous amount to me. It’s times like these that I know who my friends are.
Hugs, Roz
Dear Roz, My heart is so sad to hear this. I am so sorry for the loss of your dear friend and the quiet that has been left. I will keep you in my prayers. xoxoxo Catherine
I appreciate your prayers so much Catherine. Thank you for your kind visit and comment about the loss of my dog in January. I apologize for replying so late, but it has taken some time to talk about it without feeling so much sorrow. You’re the best!
Roz
My heartfelt condolences to you, Roz. Our fur babies become so intertwined in our lives. I lost my last pet last August. Like you, the house feels so quiet and empty. Prayers to you that your grief will ebb and flow– and that one day, we will all be reunited under the Rainbow Bridge. Hugs, Debby.
Hi Debby, I know how you love animals too! Yes, they do become such a big, wonderful part of our lives. Thank you for stopping by with your sweet words.
xo
Roz
Oh Roz – this is terrible news. Buckeye sounds like such a sweetheart and I’m sure his death leaves a big hole in your heart. Our pets become so much like members of the family, and we do suffer after they are gone. I am so sorry for your loss. It will be hard getting used to his absence, but I hope the passing of time makes things a little easier for you.
Ciao Linda, Grazie for your kind words about the loss of my dog, Buckeye. I would have visited sooner, but January has proven to be a tough month . . . we all go through down times and I’m looking for the positive to return!
xo
Roz
I am truly saddened by your loss my friend I send you gentle hugs across the miles.xo
I am so grateful for your compassion and kindness to leave a comment about the passing of my beloved Buckeye. Your friendship means so much to me.
Hugs,
Roz
Oh, dear, I can perfectly understand you and I’m near to you.
I send you a bear hug.
Grazie Ilaria, for your kind comment and understanding in your comment about the death of my beloved dog. Thank you for sending me a hug all the way from Italy. I feel your compassion.
Baci,
Roz
My ❤ is so wicked heavy with the sadness of your great Loss.
There are new paw prints on the Rainbow Bridge that belong to your beloved “Buckeye”. Belief has it that when one of our beloved pets dies before us, their soul goes to a place that restores them to Health. There they know only Happiness and Joy. They wait so that one day they will join You on your trip to heaven. Then, You will never be parted again. Once again ~~~ I’m so sorry for your ‘Goodbye’ to “Buckeye”; however, always remember that LOVE is never lost. It waits.
Hi Marianne, Your description of the feelings in your heart are perfectly spot-on to how it feels and felt to have lost my wonderful friend, Buckeye. I, too, think of the Rainbow Bridge and look forward to seeing all of my loving friends who leave us so early.
Blessings and thank you again,
Roz
I’m so very sorry to hear of your loss, Roz. Buckeye sounds like he was a wonderful family member! Though our dear, furry kids spend limited years with us, the love they give is immeasurable. Love and strength to you and your family. <3
I agree Nancy, that our little furry friends have such a short time with us, yet during that time fill us with so much unconditional love. Thank you for your kind comment that truly gave me comfort after the death of my golden retriever, Buckeye.
Hugs,
Roz
Roz, I’m so sorry to hear about your dog. Sending prayers your way.
Thank you so much Andrea! I truly appreciate your thoughtful comment about the passing of my Buckeye! I would have responded back to you earlier, but it has been hard to think about this for awhile. I hope that you’re doing well and staying warm in this very cold winter month!
Roz
I am soooooooooooo sorry for your loss… I have been in your shoes…and I know the emptiness u must feel… Unfortunately, I had to make the choice to put our Cairn down.. this choice was made 4 mos. after my husband was killed, being unsure I asked my kids if the decision to put her down was ok w/them… they agreed… anyway, she was always afraid of the vet’s but when I took her on that car ride,the look in her eyes said ‘ well, its about time u understood’… the look alone dumbfounded me…. I still carry her in my heart and I know u will carry your fur baby as well.
What a beautiful story of your beloved Cairn, Chris. Thank you for your kindness in sharing it with me at the time when I lost Buckeye. I’m sorry that it has taken me so long to write back to you, but as we know, it takes time to heal.
Thank you again,
Roz
Oh Roz,
I am so very sorry for your loss, my heart hurts for you. I understand that empty quiet after they are gone.
Hugs,
Miz Helen
Dear Miz Helen, Thank you so much for your kind message that you left regarding the loss of my golden retriever last month. I’m sorry, but I’ve just now been able to write back to you about it and to thank you. Time heals, thank God!
Blessings,
Roz
So sad. I am so sorry for your loss and know also first hand how this feels.
Hopefully when the dust settles you’ll bring home another sweet dog that will love you
and train you again. Big hug and thank you for sharing your heartfelt story.
Warmly, Carol from Chicago
Thanks Carol! I appreciate your thinking of me! Hope all is well with you in Chi-town!
Roz
So sorry for your loss – losing a beloved pet is so hard.
Thank you so very much for your visit and your thoughtful words that have helped the healing from my furry friend’s passing. I truly appreciate it Ady!
Have a beautiful day,
Roz
Oh Roz, we are so sorry to hear about your loss and weep as we read your post. We can only imagine how you miss them dearly. So sad and we feel your sorrow. Thinking of you this week.
xoxo Anna and Liz
Liz and Anna, I truly appreciate your friendship and your thinking of me when my golden retriever passed away. I am just now being able to reply to your comment. Time heals, thankfully.
Roz
Oh, I’m so sorry. My best friend’s dog died at home last night and we’re smack dab in the middle of big decision making for our cat. Plus, I’ve been worried about our 13 year old dog the last few days. A lot of tears have been shed for four-legged family members the last few days. I’m so sorry for your loss. They really do complete us, don’t they?
Dear Mindy, I know it’s been a month since you left a comment about the passing of my golden retriever. I’m just now able to reply back . . . time heals (thank goodness). I hope that things are going well for your precious dog too; it’s hard to have them leave us in such (relatively) short lives. Yes, they do ‘complete us’ as you said.
Hugs,
Roz
I’m so sorry for your loss, Roz. Our fur babies leave big holes in our hearts when they leave us.
Dear Arlene, you are so right: our fur babies do leave a huge hole in our hearts when they pass away. Thank you for your thoughtful message,
Hugs,
Roz
Honey, I am soooooooo sorry for your loss. I SO owe you a phone call and this may be the best time to do so. I know how difficult losing a pet can be, yet it is much harder for those that are animal lovers through and through. Especially to have all those years and unconditional love they bring. God Bless you my sweet friend. I love you.
My sweet friend, Bobbi! I haven’t written back on this blog post for the past several weeks because it is so hard to respond about losing my wonderful Buckeye. It’s been a rough 2 weeks, with other things also happening, but there is nothing like the love of my fantastic and beautiful friends to help me get through all of things.
Kisses and hugs,
Roz
Roz: My heart goes out to you! We have said goodbye to two precious dalmatians, Cooper and Argos. They are at the Rainbow Bridge, romping and playing and waiting.
Best,
Bonnie
Hi Bonnie, I’m just now able to reply to all of the comments including yours about the passing of my golden retriever. It’s still hard, but time heals. I hope that Buckeye meets your Cooper and Argos at the Rainbow Bridge.
Hugs,
Roz
o Roz, I am so sorry to hear your loss…. (((HUG)))
I remember years ago when my mom told me that our family dog passed away when I phoned home and I just couldn’t help but cried and cried..
Oh Angie, your kindness means so much to me; it’s been a rough couple of weeks, but the healing will soon come. Thank you again,
Roz
Roz, my dear friend…I am so sad to hear of your loss and send out many hugs to you and your family. Loosing a cherished family member is so hard and all I can say is to take care and after a few weeks the crying will lessen.
It means a great deal to me that you stopped by to leave a caring message to me about the passing of my wonderful dog, Buckeye. Friends like you help me get through the down times that are part of life and yet never easy. I wish you all good things Phyllis,
Hugs,
Roz
So sorry for your loss, Roz! I could barely read this as my best “fur buddy” ever died of a heart attack right before Christmas. Take care…
Thank you for your kind comment Pam. I am just now able to reply back about the death of my golden retriever. Time heals and we have a new stray puppy that has arrived who fills our days with laughter! unbelievable timing, huh?
Hugs,
Roz
So sorry to hear about your loss – my heartfelt condolences.
Thank you so much for your kind sentiment about the loss of my dear furry friend,
Roz
Oh Roz, I’m so sorry to hear of Buckeye’s passing. It’s awful losing one {let alone 2 in the same year} of our furry kids. But, you did the right thing in telling him to go and play with his friend over the Rainbow Bridge. I had to let my 4 1/2 yr old Benny go in December 2013. He was suffering so. It’s not easy. My heart breaks for you. Stay strong…and I’ll be praying for you.
You are so kind Jan. I appreciate your prayers, it’s been really hard without Buckeye and I hope he is running over the Rainbow Bridge!
xo
Roz
My most comforting thoughts are with you and your family <3
Thank you so much Holli! I appreciate your friendship so much. It’s been a rough month and friends make things so much better!
xo
Roz
Oh Roz, so sorry to hear of the loss of such a good friend – I know how sad that is. If a human wants to see what unconditional love they can merely watch a dog. I often wish they lived longer than us so we wouldn’t have to go through this inevitable loss.
So true Larry, dogs are just the best of friends! Sorry that I took so long to reply to your comment, but this has been something that I just couldn’t talk about it very much until now. Thank you for your kindness Larry!
Roz
Oh U.S Roz. I’m welling up in tears as I read this!!! I’m am so, so sorry about the passing of sweet Buckeye. I know all too well the hole in your heart that forms when we lose a beloved pet. May your memories of his antics and unconditional love carry you through this difficult time! HUGE hug and love being sent your way. Canadian Roz xo
Thank you sweet Canadian Roz . . . I am just now being able to reply about the loss of my golden retriever. Thank you for your compassionate sentiment. Much love, U.S. Roz