I wanted to take a moment to thank everyone who left such heartfelt and kind comments on my recent post about my beloved Huckleberry who passed two days after being diagnosed with cancer. We are still in shock and so sad. I will be back soon to pick up my project.
My facebook page has received more than 80 comments from friends who loved him, including his trainer who was so patient when his silly naughty ways disrupted class. It was fun to read stories that I had forgotten about. He was hard to resist, sweet, silly, and so gentle.
This picture is the unedited version of one I posted in August. I of course, added the text. Please view large if you have a moment - his face close up is so funny.
A quote I liked that a friend sent me yesterday.
“The risk of love is loss, and the price of loss is grief. But the pain of grief is only a shadow when compared with the pain of never risking love.”
Oh, no.....you too? We lost our beloved young horse named Spirit on Monday. He had a form of "Wobblers" that was getting worse, so we had to have him put down. I know how loosing a four footed family member feels. Hugs.
@gizathecat - Oh Lydia - I am so sorry! I was so grief stricken when I lost my horse over 20 years ago that I was never able to get another. Wobbles is really bad in horses. Hugs to you as well. It's very hard!
So sorry for your loss, Jan, and what a shock to lose him so quickly. I am glad you are receiving a lot of love and support and sharing great memories. Such an amazing full-body smile!
@maggiemae - Other people have told me that - but it's along the lines of 'it's better to have loved and lost than never loved at all' and forgive me but I don't remember who that quote was by. No doubt we will at some point get another bullmastiff. We are in a very rural area and I like the security of having a couple of big dogs. Bullmastiffs are perfect because their appearance is somewhat intimidating - but they have hearts made of marshmallows and adore kids. We have to get over the shock and it may be a while. I also think the years of joy they bring will more than make up for the terrible loss when they leave us.
I am so sorry for your loss. I saw this photo on the Trending Page and had to look because I've had the pleasure of being owned by 3 Bullmastiffs! My last one was named Britty and we rescued her when she was 3yrs. She gave us 10 amazing years and passed away in 2010. I miss her to this day and still cry over her. I'd love another but it's not in the cards. The Bullmastiffs are quite special :)
Oh, Jan, I am so sorry to know that Huckie is gone, I was wondering about him and you all today, hoping he had a few more good days. He was such a gentle giant and I know losing him is a gigantic loss, one that you feel to the bottom of your heart and soul. Below is a quote that I found, it says cat but in this moment we are talking dog - specifically Huckie.
For When They Leave Us…
And God asked the feline spirit
“Are you ready to come home?”
“Oh, yes, quite so”, replied the precious soul.
“And as a cat, you know I am most able to decide anything for myself.”
“Are you coming then?” asked God
“Soon”, replied the whiskered angel.
“But I must come slowly
My human friends are troubled
For you see, they need me, quite certainly.”
“But don’t they understand?” asked God -
“That you’ll never leave them?”
“That your souls are intertwined, for all eternity,
That nothing is created or destroyed,
It just is . . . forever and ever and ever?”
“Eventually they will understand” replied the cat
“For I will “Whisper” in her heart – that I am always with her.
I just am . . . forever and ever and ever!
- Unknown
I hope it isn't long before you can think of Huckie and know the peace of loving him well and for as long as you could, that the memories bring smiles and not sadness. I know it takes a while to get there - if you ever really do. My condolences and thoughts are with you.
@sansjuan - thanks Nita - that's beautiful! I thought about you today too and your springer. We had a springer for nearly 15 years. He was such a good dog, too. When we first got Huckie, Sam was already elderly, but he taught puppy Huckie manners. When he lost his sight and hearing, Huckie gently guided him. Thanks for the kind words.
@chard - Thank you, Richard! He liked cats - pretty sure he will be greeting our elderly orange kitty, Walter who passed last year. He will say hi to your kitties, too.
@vskolnik - thank you Vee - so sorry for the loss of you Britty, too. We also have a five year old bullmastiff. They really are so personable. You were blessed to have so many years with Britty. There is so much cancer in the breed now - seems many of them die before they are seven.
wonderful image. No idea how I will cope when my Mol passes although she is still a young dog. They become such solid family members. My thoughts are with you x
Oh Jan, sending you big hugs! I am so, so sorry for your loss. I know all too well what that feels likes. This is a gorgeous, sweet portrait, so I'm faving it, even though it's a sorrowful event.
Really, not a day goes by that I don't think of the kitties we've lost in the last few years, what loyal friends. And yet, I always remind myself that empty place is just right for another friend that needs a home.
Jan, you and Huckleberry have been in my thoughts ever since I read your post. I've had tears in my eyes as I read your commentary and all the messages. I am so so sad for you and your family's loss. All the best to you.
@nanalisarocks - thank you Lisa and I love that you faved it - awesome that my big good got faves. Yes - it's so hard to lose them. We had two elderly cats go in the past three years, as well. Not easy when they get older!
@taffy - oh thank you Taffy - such a kind thing to say. I think you and I are on the same wavelength with regard to our four legged family members. Last year at the farmers market a little boy ran up to me and asked where Blueberry was. Took me a minute to realize he meant Huckie. He recognized me as Huckie's 'mom'. It was sweet!
Jan I am So sorry to hear about Huckie. Can't think how you must feel at the moment . Our dogs and cats become so much part of the family, it does leave a hole when they go but hopefully all the wonderful memories of him and your great photos will keep him close. A fav for this lovely shot of him and the words.
So sad. I'm so sorry to hear about Huckle. Our Lesia is now 10 and slowing up. I dread the day that she leaves us. I know how devastating it will be as have gone through it too many times. I guess that's the price we pay for loving our pets so much. Big hugs being sent to you. He looked a wonderful dog.
He looks like a wonderful character; you must miss him so much. I've been through this a number of times with my cats, and I know how it eels. You and Huckie are in my thoughts.
So sorry Jan but such a fitting and memorable tribute and you will come to remember the great times more than the loss eventually : superb image and my thoughts are with you but the spirit never dies
@cazann - thanks so much Caz for the lovely words and fav. Yes, he was a kind animal - for all his size he was just a pussy cat - he let Rhoda take his toys, treat
@tristansmum - Thanks, Stephanie. So hard to lose them! @allisonraposa - thank you, Allison! @shepherdmanswife - thanks so much! Yes - we have been through it too - it doesn't get easier and those special ones are so hard to lose. @pflaume - thanks so much, Lisa! @bristolrose - thanks so much, Kathryn - and yes - so many pictures!
For When They Leave Us…
And God asked the feline spirit
“Are you ready to come home?”
“Oh, yes, quite so”, replied the precious soul.
“And as a cat, you know I am most able to decide anything for myself.”
“Are you coming then?” asked God
“Soon”, replied the whiskered angel.
“But I must come slowly
My human friends are troubled
For you see, they need me, quite certainly.”
“But don’t they understand?” asked God -
“That you’ll never leave them?”
“That your souls are intertwined, for all eternity,
That nothing is created or destroyed,
It just is . . . forever and ever and ever?”
“Eventually they will understand” replied the cat
“For I will “Whisper” in her heart – that I am always with her.
I just am . . . forever and ever and ever!
- Unknown
I hope it isn't long before you can think of Huckie and know the peace of loving him well and for as long as you could, that the memories bring smiles and not sadness. I know it takes a while to get there - if you ever really do. My condolences and thoughts are with you.
@allisonraposa - thank you, Allison!
@shepherdmanswife - thanks so much! Yes - we have been through it too - it doesn't get easier and those special ones are so hard to lose.
@pflaume - thanks so much, Lisa!
@bristolrose - thanks so much, Kathryn - and yes - so many pictures!