Farewell Sweet Andy Boy - One Year Ago Today

Andy- April 23, 1997 - July 6, 2010

Dear friends....

Please allow me to share from the archives.....

A farewell to my beloved baby boy, Andy.

One year ago today....we said goodbye. 

....

Andy, 

I miss you every day.....  but I still feel you with me.... and for that I am most thankful.

Kisses to you, baby boy.....

Love your Mommy......

oh sweet andy ... sweet 'doo doo'

how my heart aches today...

i keep thinking i hear your little feet, clip, clopping on the wood floor.

i woke up and instantly felt for you at the foot of the bed...

as i have done every morning for so long.

but you are gone....

13 years ago you leaped out in front of the rest of the litter and barked at me.

and i knew you were the perfect dog for us.

despite what i was told...'don't pick the aggressive one in the litter'

it did not matter..

i felt as though ... you picked us that day.

you loved each of us unconditionally.

you wanted nothing more than happiness for all of us.

i'm so glad you were with us thru the storms andy.

your comforting gaze or hug, your wagging tail...

you never judged or scolded or said mean things.

you just listened.

you were such a crazy puppy. 

and oh my gosh, you could run, and we could not catch you.

your energy was beyond anything we could have anticipated.

and right to the end you still loved your walks.

you and me..... 

it will never be the same sweet boy.

you took a piece of my heart with you.

i love you to the moon....forever and always.

i don't know what i will do without you here andy.

we have been side by side for 13 years.

barely a day were we apart.

you had such personality.

and although some may not have believed me....

you understood every word i said.

you were so much more human than canine.

you loved your spot on the couch....

it allowed you to see both doorways and keep track of the comings and goings.

i loved the way you insisted on that spot...

the way you could talk us right into giving it up for you.

and when we had company you would sit on the floor looking at them in 'your spot'

and i know you were thinking....

'so, when are you leaving?'

i'm so glad we spent this last winter traveling the country side taking pics. 

you in the front seat with daddy. 

oh how you loved those adventures.

jumping out of the car and sniffing about was such a highlight to you.

and despite your achy bones you would bound your way thru the snow....

determined to get the most out of our adventure.

heck your pic even made it into a national magazine.....

not all dogs can say that. :)

this moment of you looking back at me..... captured what we had.

we were just a pair...never far apart.

i miss you so very much....

i pray my heart will heal.

but for now it feels broken and lonely

and so very sad.

love to you 'doo doo'....

thank you for holding on and being with us for 13 beautiful years. 

such a trooper you have been.

forever yours..... mommy..... 

Comments

[Evelyn]

Very beautiful images and a very moving tribute......

[Andrea]

What a sweet boy. I too had a beagle, Brooks, who was the apple of my eye. He was my first puppy love and beagles will always and forever hold a special place in my heart. Funny, my post today is a pic taken of a beagle where my children ride, and I used your Love in Layers texture. There are certainly many layers to a beagle's love.

Sweet memories today of Andy.

[Lynne]

Tears fell from my eyes as I read your tribute to you beloved Andy. The pain is still fresh for me after losing my Yorkshire terrier, Basil, 4 years ago. I have another Yorkie, Razzle Dazzle who gives me much joy now, but I can never forget Basil.Here is my tribute to Basil.
http://blog.photographybylulu.com/2007/02/basils-chicken-noodle-soup-in-memoriam.html

[Stacey Dawn]

Tears pop in my eyes.... I'm so sorry for your loss but so happy you have such wonderful and precious memories.
Hugs.

[lisa]

My heart aches for you my friend, and I truly know just how you feel.

[Lisa Bivona]

They always take a piece of us with them! I miss my Bailey all the time!
I swear I can hear his nails on the hard wood floors at night.
Bless you.

Lisa

[missing moments]

Oh, such a beautiful post ... we too lost our beagle last year ... I love your images!

[Kathryn Dyche Dechairo]

What a beautiful tribute, sat here with tears rolling down my cheeks.

[Becky]

Sob, sob...we all have to face it sometime but it just hurts so. Thanks for making our lives a little brighter!!!

[Kelly]

I remember these.....it's still sad.....You've captured Andy in such a treasured way.
xo
Kelly

[linda makiej]

Such a beautiful remembrance and lovely photos of your dear Andy..... xx

[elk]

.. seems so amazing it has been a year big hugs dear one

[Elaine-]

oh gosh, you have gone and made me cry!! i had my beloved toy poodle crissy for TWENTY years, she refused to die because she knew she had to take care of me, so i had to get her put down in the end, and my heart HURT, physically, an awful pain, for about six months, and i still think about her all the time even tho she died over 5 years ago....

[Michelle]

So, so sorry for your loss. Even with the passage of time, it's hard. They live in our hearts, always. What a beautiful tribute!

[Srlh627]

I too have tears in my eyes especially after seeing the picture of your son with his nose buried in Andy's head. My sons did the same thing to our canine BFF. So hard to overcome losing a beloved pet! Feel better, Kim.

[Sylvia]

So sorry , Kim, I know it's hard loosing such a sweet friend.
Beautiful photos and words, precious memories !
Lovely wishes,
Sylvia

[Marilyn Gallas]

Oh, Kim, what a beautiful tribute. It's amazing what our animals contribute to our lives. They truly live in the moment. They don't care if we are rich or poor, famous or not, educated or not. They love the true inner us!!
I love them for that. As I write this I hear the click of little toenails on the wood floor because their daddy is home.
Thanks for saying what so many of us feel in our hearts when we lose a beloved friend.

[stephanie]

oh, this hits me in so many ways. First what a beautiful tribute to your buddy. I raised beagles, three of them, the mama and her two pups but when I divorced, I had to leave them with my ex-hubby. They have a house and a backyard and I know he takes good care of them, but it breaks my heart that pretty soon they will pass (they are between 13 and 12) and I won't be there. I will have to hold on to the ten years I had with them. And you just reminded me how much i love them and miss them and actually have so many memories of them. Andy was beautiful and so are you! You were blessed to have each other.

[Shelly]

What a nice tribute to a beautiful friend. It is so great to keep such good memories and your wonderful photos do just that. They stay in our hearts forever.

[Anna]

This is such a sad post, but also a wonderful tribute. It is a true blessing to have had a companion so close and loving. I know exactly how you feel. Hugs.

[Suzanne]

Achingly beautiful, Kim,
both words and photos....
A parting that we all know
is coming from the moment
we bring them home....but
decide the joy outweighs
the future sadness.....Your
boy loves you still and will
be the first to greet you someday
when he sees you from that
rainbow bridge. Sending you
hugs, today ~
xx Suzanne

[Becca]

Aw Kim, my heart aches for you right now. Your photos & tribute are so lovely yet so sad. What a sweet boy. I'm saying a little prayer that your heart will heal from hurt and your many beautiful memories of Andy will only blossom more with happiness.
Thinking of you.
Becca

[Jillsy Girl]

I'm all choked up and tears are flowing down my face. Our little guy Simon was born in August of 1997 and we feel exactly the same way about him!

[Sue]

It's always so hard . . .

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge. When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together.... Author unknown...

[Skye]

Awww. How heart breaking. I know b/c we lost our 16 year old Chesapeake Bay Retriever 2 years ago and that was so hard! (Yeh he was 16!!) What a sweet boy your ANdy was! :)

[Scott@My Photo Adventures]

What a beautiful post you wrote for Andy. He sounds like an awesome dog and friend.

[Candace]

I'm sorry, I've lost special animals, too. Well, they're all special but some we are more closely bonded with. It sounds like you had a wonderful synchronicity with Andy.

[julie]

Thanks so much for sharing - what absolutely LOVELY shots of Andy. Our pets are SO special - a very unique relationship. I can completely feel the depth of your love for your sweet Andy, for I feel it for my little Bella too. What a gift they are - a true gift. Sending a warm hug your way Kim :)

[Teresa Schmid]

Beautiful tribute.

[Riki]

I feel your pain Kim. Lost my sweet Chester in April this year. Could not bear to be "dogless", so got sweet Maddie Mae. It helped so much. We can't replace the love, but aren't trying to, just trying to make the pain go away. Take care. Riki

[silviaON]

a wonderful and heartbraking tribute kim..... XOX

[Halie]

This is such a nice tribute to your little boy. I too have lost a my furry baby 4 years ago, he fought hard to the end and we know that he did it for us. I can't help but remember him. I pray that the pain eases.

[Magic Gypsy]

What a beautiful way to honor and mourn tu corazon

[Nikki]

Kim, your tribute to Andy is so beautiful. My favourite picture is the one where he is looking back at you. We had to say goodbye to our beautiful 14 year old dog in March. The house is a bit emptier without him but we have lots of wonderful memories and photographs to treasure. Thank you for sharing.

[Gloria]

I know the feelings that you are experiencing. I lost my beloved Gypsy seven years ago almost to the day. She was Corgi and Beagle and was one of the best friends I've ever had. She came to me when she was five years old. Her life hadn't always been the best and the scars that covered her back proved that. She had found a young woman that loved her deeply but she couldn't keep her so fate brought us together. When I went in the house to met her she sat on my feet and looked up at me as if to say "You know I belong with you!" It ended up, as time went on, that she became a large part of my heart. As my husband put it, we were joined at the hip. When she passed, my heart broke and the emptiness beside me was unbarable. I swore I would never have another dog. But as it happened, I ended up with my Matilda Jeana She came aloing when she was 8 months old and hadn't had much social interaction. She wouldn't let us touch her, She was a wild child one minute and asleep the next. It was about a month after we first got her and I was wondering if I had made a huge mistake. All of a sudden she jumped up on me a gave me a brief, quick lick on the chin. That's when I realized who sent her. That had always been Gypsy's way of greeting me. She never did it again but it did help me realize how very special thesre little creatures are and what a gift the Creator give us.

[Karen]

Oh Kim, your beautiful words moved me to tears. The loss of our beloved animals is so hard to bear. Think back on all the joyous times you shared with Andy and remember "You could have missed the pain, but you'd've had to miss the dance"

Here is a link to a picture of my beloved first flatcoat, Dayna. She was with me for 13 1/2 years. I still think of her though she passed a long time ago, in 1998.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/finlap/144194872/

[Carolyn]

I am so very sorry for your loss : ( There are no words that can relieve your pain...

[Lynn]

Oh Kim.......sniff.... beautiful post , brings back memories of our own Andy boy

[Little Miss Joey]

Such a poignant tribute to Andy... beautiful.

[Barb Ray]

I couldn't allow myself to read this on Wednesday...24 hours prior I had put my 11 year old miniature schnauzer baby down. The feelings were much too raw to hear your sentiments about your wonderful Andy...much too close to home as to how I felt about my Kiley Sue...things are better...less raw anyway...it is amazing how such small creatures take up so much room in our homes and even more so in our hearts. You were blessed to have Andy and he was blessed to have you!!! I feel your pain in remembering... ~Barb

[Sharon Furner]

There is little I can add to your many other friends and their beautiful comments, except to say, I am sad for you and your family to lose such a dear friend. Thank you for sharing these very deep, precious moments of living with your best friend.

[Linda]

Wow, Kim, what a truly exceptional, touching tribute to your Andy. I'm sure everyone who read this, and who has had, and lost, a beloved pet, found themselves with tears falling, or at the very least, a big lump in their throat. I'm so very sorry for your loss! You said goodbye not only with heartfelt words, but with very strong and full-of-love photos (especially 'looking back', OMG!!), and I, for one, got to remember and say goodbye to my own furry friend again, via your beautiful post. May the happy memories soon replace your sorrow.....

[Agnes Fegan]

Hi Kim,
I just read your beautiful tribute to Andy and it brought back so many memories of our dog Sam. He was a yellow lab and we had him for almost 14 years (he has been gone for two years now). At one point, the TV was in a room with just one couch; somehow Sam had a prime armrest spot and my husband could be found sitting on the floor. If Joe happened to have claimed the couch but went inside for a snack, Sam immediately recovered HIS spot when Joe left the room. I love the pictures you posted, especially the one in the snow where Andy is looking back at you! Take care,
Aggie

[Leanne]

Lovely post i understand your feelings so well my girl is 15 not sure I will survive her passing. I like her much more than a lot of humans I meet.

[Melinda]

These special pets come into our lives and hearts- and leave all too soon. Our beloved golden, Murphy made his transition 3 years ago- and we miss him so much. Thank you for sharing this tribute to Andy, Kim. He was blessed to have been in such a loving family.

[Sue@MyArtsDesire]

working my way through your recent posts and then i came to this one. big lump in my throat and crocodile tears sitting on the lids. then i laughed about visitors sitting in "his place"....what a heartfelt tribute to your little beloved Andy.

when we lost our golden after three rounds of cancer several years back i was such a mess. the last week of her life i slept next to her on the floor in order to make sure she wasn't in distress. in reading your post today you so eloquently touched on all the special ways these little furry family members wiggle their way into the fondest places of our heart.

i want to believe that your andy and my millie are up in heaven debating about who loved their owner the most! but then a rabbit runs by and the conversation is over......

hugs to your heart, kim
xo, sue

[SueB]

What a blessed doggie Andy was - and what a blessing he was. God gives us special gifts thru our lives and Andy was His gift to you. I'm sorry he's gone now but you will see him again. We have two boys (4 if you count the 2 legged ones) and they are a source of great joy to us. Our oldest has cancer (he's 10) and we don't know how long we have left with him - but since he still has days we're he's a puppy we're enjoying him and spoiling him - in palliative care you get whatever your heart desires so we figure we should do that too :-) Bless you Kim. Big hug.

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