I m sorry that you re dogless. I had the same decision thrust on me age 70 and I seriously considered the odds and got a pup. I m not a gambler ever so it was uncharaceristic but as a hermit I m taking the chance Ill still beat my cancer and be here for him. I m gaining on 80 and doing very well, with those great genes and good behaviour. If I dont make it he has a very loving home lined up with a bequest for his needs. After that, if I can still be on my own, Ill foster if they ll let me, probably an old or ill one. That will bring more pain but I cannot imagine living without a 4 legger. Family and friends all gone, it happens fast. A dog s love never waivers.
I am a long-time dog person. From my beagle Louie at my age of 14, to a sequence of 6 English springer spaniels, to 5 rough collies, I have been with dogs my entire life. They have taught me a lot. How to just 'be'. How to love, and how to accept love.How to say 'so long, we will meet again'. I openly admit that I need their unconditional love. Few humans are capable of that. To my great surprise, and endless gratitude, I met a man who is capable of that, as I am, and we have shared 3 1/2 years together thus far. My dogs love him and he loves them. I am blessed.
God Bless you Fred, you have made me cry. I have the ashes of three of my beloved dogs beside me.. on the floor next to me are Bert and Poppy. Bert is ten and Poppy nine, I cannot imagine life without them. I am still grieving for Max, who lost his life two years ago. He was my soul dog. We had a special bond . Bert grieved for him, so we adopted Poppy. There will not be any more dogs, these will be the last, not because of me, but because they grieve too.
We too had 40 years of 7 Bernese Mountain dogs - could never say the words we owned them, loved how you gave me the phrase they owned us. What fun life is with goofy,intuitive,loyal,faithful dogs. We mostly had two at a time and always male, they loved a houseful of people- they had a lot of love to give❤️ we came close to another a few years ago but age and health changed our mind. Our home often has a dog present as am the family dog sitter and often neighbours too. Am grateful for that
Thank you for the beautiful sentiments. It is heartbreaking to lose a person's best friend. It feels like a solitary and empty life without dog. I have cried harder and grieved deeper and longer for my beloved dogs than for some people. Our little pug is 11 yrs old and each day is more precious than the last. She likely won't outlive me, but I'm sure gonna try to out-love her.
Have you thought about adopting a senior dog from a shelter? What better way to share love than to take an older dog to live its last days in comfort and love.
Like you, my husband and I feel that, if you are lucky enough to have a dog love you, that relationship is till death do we part. We are in our late 70's and lost our final dog last fall. The love and affection we have had for all our dogs is always with us. Every time I see a dog in a park, or eating an ice cream cone, or looking into my eyes with acceptance, the memories of our own dogs are vivid in my heart. Every one was individual and unique, and they all made us laugh, then finally, cry. You have a big heart, Fred. I have sent your NFLD story to many Newfoundlanders that I know, and it made every single one cry, but also have a heart bursting with pride for their homeland. Thank you.Liz
I m sorry that you re dogless. I had the same decision thrust on me age 70 and I seriously considered the odds and got a pup. I m not a gambler ever so it was uncharaceristic but as a hermit I m taking the chance Ill still beat my cancer and be here for him. I m gaining on 80 and doing very well, with those great genes and good behaviour. If I dont make it he has a very loving home lined up with a bequest for his needs. After that, if I can still be on my own, Ill foster if they ll let me, probably an old or ill one. That will bring more pain but I cannot imagine living without a 4 legger. Family and friends all gone, it happens fast. A dog s love never waivers.
Thank you, Bev.
Your pup sounds very lucky to have you. I hope you have many more years together.
I am a long-time dog person. From my beagle Louie at my age of 14, to a sequence of 6 English springer spaniels, to 5 rough collies, I have been with dogs my entire life. They have taught me a lot. How to just 'be'. How to love, and how to accept love.How to say 'so long, we will meet again'. I openly admit that I need their unconditional love. Few humans are capable of that. To my great surprise, and endless gratitude, I met a man who is capable of that, as I am, and we have shared 3 1/2 years together thus far. My dogs love him and he loves them. I am blessed.
🐾❤️🍁
God Bless you Fred, you have made me cry. I have the ashes of three of my beloved dogs beside me.. on the floor next to me are Bert and Poppy. Bert is ten and Poppy nine, I cannot imagine life without them. I am still grieving for Max, who lost his life two years ago. He was my soul dog. We had a special bond . Bert grieved for him, so we adopted Poppy. There will not be any more dogs, these will be the last, not because of me, but because they grieve too.
🐾❤️
We too had 40 years of 7 Bernese Mountain dogs - could never say the words we owned them, loved how you gave me the phrase they owned us. What fun life is with goofy,intuitive,loyal,faithful dogs. We mostly had two at a time and always male, they loved a houseful of people- they had a lot of love to give❤️ we came close to another a few years ago but age and health changed our mind. Our home often has a dog present as am the family dog sitter and often neighbours too. Am grateful for that
🐾❤️
Luv This !!!! Thanks for sharing Fred.
Thank you for the beautiful sentiments. It is heartbreaking to lose a person's best friend. It feels like a solitary and empty life without dog. I have cried harder and grieved deeper and longer for my beloved dogs than for some people. Our little pug is 11 yrs old and each day is more precious than the last. She likely won't outlive me, but I'm sure gonna try to out-love her.
Have you thought about adopting a senior dog from a shelter? What better way to share love than to take an older dog to live its last days in comfort and love.
🐾❤️
Like you, my husband and I feel that, if you are lucky enough to have a dog love you, that relationship is till death do we part. We are in our late 70's and lost our final dog last fall. The love and affection we have had for all our dogs is always with us. Every time I see a dog in a park, or eating an ice cream cone, or looking into my eyes with acceptance, the memories of our own dogs are vivid in my heart. Every one was individual and unique, and they all made us laugh, then finally, cry. You have a big heart, Fred. I have sent your NFLD story to many Newfoundlanders that I know, and it made every single one cry, but also have a heart bursting with pride for their homeland. Thank you.Liz
Thank you, Liz.
I smiled when I read "they all made us laugh, then finally, cry."
That pretty much sums up the deal we make with every dog we welcome into our lives.
And thank you for sharing the Newfoundland series.
Of all the compliments I receive, hearing that Newfoundlanders felt proud reading it is one of the best.
That story deserved to be told.
I appreciate your kindness. 🐾❤️
A tear jerker, Fred.
I completely understand the loss of a pet. In my case, it was a cat. I am also too old to
go down that road again. I refuse to leave an animal an orphan. But you never get over
their loss, for all of the reasons mentioned.
Great piece today. I love Buddhism. So many words of wisdom.
Thank You, Fred.
Thank you, Carol-Ann.
You understand exactly why I made the decision I did.
The love remains. So do the memories.
I'm glad you enjoyed the piece. 🐾❤️
I find a similarity in good friendships. Non judgemental, non demanding, empathetic, sharing good times and bad. And so much more.
🐾❤️