We had to say goodbye to our very special friend last night. He was an old man, twelve and a half - a good age for a labrador and he had a good and happy life in a family where he was very much loved, but I never anticipated it would be this hard to say goodbye.
I think for people who have never had a dog it is difficult to imagine what a huge gap they leave. He was always there, a constant presence, a part of our family. If we went out, whether for two minutes, two hours or in some cases two years, he was there when we got home wagging his tail always delighted to see us. I don't want to go out today because I don't want to come home to an empty house... but I don't want to stay home without him here either. He was a calm, gentle giant of a dog who loved everyone. He was my reason to get up in the morning. Whatever the weather, rain or shine he got me up and out of the house for a walk before I did anything else. A time to appreciate the seasons, get my thoughts in order, put the world to rights... and it won't be the same without him. It has hit us all very hard in what has not really been a great year!
Goodbye Barley, our beautiful dog. I never imagined I would miss you this much.
Oh Gina ... sending all of you a big hug. I haven't had a dog - but Charlie Cat was 17 when he died so we can appreciate the quiet empty void that is left.
ReplyDeleteCelia xx
The saddest of posts Gina. Our much loved cat died earlier this year and I wasn't able to put it into words. These animals bring so much to our lives.
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry that this sad thing has happened to you and your family, sending love. x
ReplyDeleteReally really sorry Gina, sending you all a big hug. The quiet emptiness left by a pet is something huge. x
ReplyDeleteThat's so sad, Gina. I really feel for you and know how difficult it is to lose a pet - they are so much more than that, they are a much loved and constant member of the family.
ReplyDeleteBe comforted that he had the best life with you, lots of lovely walks and was loved.
xxxx
Oh Gina - I'm really feeling for you this morning. It is so hard to lose a much loved pet and I've done it too many times. Barley looks very like our Rusty who was a part of our family for nearly 17 years. Even the children who had grown up and left home mourned his passing. Thinking of you and hoping that the happy memories will be able to bring you all some comfort soon and that 2013 will be a better year.
ReplyDeleteOh Gina, I am so sorry for your loss. It is like loosing part of the family. Lots of hugs.
ReplyDeleteGina and the whole Flame household,
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry for your loss and know the emptiness you express. The tears will flow but the smiles will come, honest.
So sad, as Heather said I have lost many dogs and it is never easy.It took me 6 months to find Max, my rescue dog, he is learning to trust and be part of the family, another who one day will break my heart, but at the moment my constant companion.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry, it is awful losing a pet x
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry Gina, you'll miss him so much.
ReplyDeleteAnnya
So sorry Gina but he must have had a lovely life. Vera.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful boy. I'm so glad you had a wonderful life together. XX
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry to read this Gina. I understand how you feel and the hole that is now in your life. We still miss Sparky but enjoy remembering the good times.
ReplyDeleteThis is such sad sad news Gina. I'm truly sorry. He was a wonderful dog, always friendly and cheerful and waggy. I know you must miss him terribly. I'm thinking of you xxxxxxx
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry to hear you have lost your much loved Barley, Gina. It is one of life's hardest things losing an animal family member, so painful.
ReplyDeleteJust know I'm thinking about you and sending a hug, I do know how it feels.
V xxx
I was so sorry to hear about the loss of your beautiful dog, I know just how bad it is, having lost our boy 3 years ago last month, my thoughts are with you.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry to hear this Gina. Dogs are wonderful companions and like part of the family.
ReplyDeleteGina, we lost our black lab,Cody, this year, too, after 12 wonderful years together, so I understand the empty feeling of the house, and how difficult it is to come home and not have that familiar greeting.
ReplyDeleteI like to picture him in heaven's fields, playing fetch, and romping through the grasses, as he waits for us to join him.
Sending you a big hug.
Barley, a wonderful name for a splendid pal. Yes, Gina, I can well imagine your sadness, yet how lovely to be able to remember joyful days shared.
ReplyDeletexo
That is such sad news Gina, one of my guinea pigs died on Monday and I was very upset, so goodness knows how bad you must feel. Remember the happy times, sending a big hug
ReplyDeleteTwiggy x
So sorry Gina for the loss of Barley. Our pets are a significant part of our lives and they are greatly missed. Sending a big hug.
ReplyDeleteSo sad to have to say goodbye to a faithful friend. Thinking of you and sending hugs.
ReplyDeleteSending hugs!
ReplyDeleteOh Gina, I'm so sorry,, and having been a previous dog owner, I now how sad you must all be xx
ReplyDeleteNo words can ever begin to fill the empty space that they leave in both our homes and our hearts.
ReplyDeleteAh, but he wouldn't have moved on if he knew you weren't going to do the same. Thinking happy thoughts of Barley, I am reminded of that night at the Abbey and Joe's famous 'what's for dinner' text, followed by the equally famous response 'who's walking the dog?'.
ReplyDeleteSaying goodbye is the hardest part.
ReplyDeleteMy beloved Kai (also a yellow lab) will forever be by my side, in spirit as he was in life. I'm sure Barley will remain at yours too.
Such treasured memories always remain xxx
Oh Gina that's so sad to hear. I did meet Barley once and I remember thinking what a lovely big softie he was. You'll have lots of precious memories of him to comfort you a little.
ReplyDeletexxx
I'm so sorry Gina. Thinking of you and sending hugs.
ReplyDeleteDiana xxx
Oh Gina, I do feel for you. Big 'internet hugs'.
ReplyDeleteOur son has a Goldie, and we just love her to bits. Even though she doesn't actualIy live with us, I take her for walks and I can only imagine how difficult the next while will be.
I'm so very sorry to hear your sad news. I understand the hole in your heart that a beloved pet leaves behind. Many people don't understand the unconditional love and devotion that a pet brings into your life. No one could ask for a better friend than that of a dog. My love to you and your family as your mourn Barley's passing and remember the good times.
ReplyDeleteOh Gina, I'm sorry to read this sad news. What an awful year you've had. I think the other comments sum it all up. There with you in spirit. x
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness Gina, how very very sad. I completely understand what you mean about not wanting to leave the house and yet not wanting to stay at home either. We can't imagine life without our Boy (although we sometimes say otherwise, we don't really mean it). Thinking about you - take good care, and go and have that walk anyway, it will help - a little bit xxx
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry Gina. It's so hard to lose our beloved pets. I've often wondered why the length of their lives are so unbalanced to the length of our lives. Barley looks like a beautiful dog -- I know you'll have good memories of him. XO
ReplyDeleteOh Gina, what a lovely tribute to a very special member of your family. I am so very sorry. Thinking of you and sending you all best wishes x
ReplyDeleteTruly sorry, know exactly how you feel.
ReplyDeleteSo Sorry about your doggy- we lost both Barney and Lucy this year and they left a tremendous hole even though we still had our Ted- They did send us a Splodge (part monkey part cat!) to keep us company but even now I still keep saying 'lets take the dogs (rather than dog) for a walk'.Big hugs.
ReplyDeleteOh Gina, I am so very, very sorry to read your sad, sad news. As a family who have always had multiple dogs we've of course lost a few along the way and the awful pain of that is a measure of just how much we loved them. I have always found some comfort in the thought that they knew that they were loved soooooo much. Run free Barley, you beautiful boy xxx
ReplyDeleteI'm so so sorry, Gina - nothing can prepare you for the pain of losing such a beloved pet. I'll never forget Barley sending Moog one of his biscuits - and Minx still remembers it.
ReplyDeleteI know just what you mean about not wanting to go out. I used to hate coming home after we lost Meg as I was so used to saying hello to her and going straight to the back door to let her out.
It takes a while but the sadness does fade and you will be left with sweet memories of your very special dog.
Sending you love and a big hug xxx
I'm so sorry and I know how big the hole is that you have to learn to live with. I have discovered that there are certain things that trigger the memories and I welcome them because it brings back happy times and the feel of a dog pressing against your leg. Sending you a hug.
ReplyDeleteIt is so sad when a pet dies as they really are part of the family, no matter how much you know they have had such a good life they just don't live long enough. Thinking go you all. Xxx
ReplyDelete