My beloved, beautiful Tommy

[ParNone]

Hi Jess,

I've been absent from Pettalk for over a year now, but I started lurking again a few weeks ago. I came back, because I wanted to post about Oz, but I just can't seem to come up with the words yet, so I lurk. But once I saw your post about Tommy, I felt I had to come out of lurkdom and let you know how sorry I am for your loss and share some thoughts about Tommy. You get attached to other people's dogs here, from the pictures and the stories they share, and Tommy was one that instantly won my heart. Such a sweetheart! And gorgeous to boot! I think he was easily my favorite Golden here. I still have the picture of him with all his logs and it never fails to put a smile on my face. He did his retriever roots proud. I always felt like he and Murph and Oz would be the best of buds, if they ever met. Maybe they're hanging out with each other now. Tommy laying out his row of logs, Murph stopping to pee on each and every one of'em and Oz barking loud enough, to let everyone in heaven know what they're up to. They're never in our lives long enough, but we were blessed for every moment we did share with such wonderful dogs.



You were one special guy, Tommy and you will be greatly missed.

Les...

[slick]

Big time LES. Jess, I'm so very sorry about sweet Tommy Boy! RIP Tommy and romp freely in the sweet grasses of the RB.

{{hugs}} and

[SadButGrateful]

So sorry for your loss. What a shock you must be in. But how loved he was! I don't know why you're saying you won't ever see him again. Maybe you believe that. But I don't. I believe it's no accident or coincidence that we are brought together with special furry friends. I believe it's meant to be and that we WILL one day see them again. But for right now, and until then, please accept my deepest sympathy. RIP Tommy.

[ramanth]

Still thinking of you Jess.

You're missed Tommy!

[Lori Jordan]

I'm Deeply sorry of your loss of your boy Tommy,Words cannot express how sorry i am.It's never easy loosing our beloved pets,You now have a Beautiful Guardian Angel walking every step with you,He's not far,He will never leave you.

Hugs to you!

[K9soul]

I don't know how to get through this. I went to my mom's yesterday and stayed overnight. It helped distract me for awhile. But when I woke up I just felt a sense of panic that I have to face this again. I have no appetite until late in the day but then when I eat I just feel nauseated. The only time I feel any peace is when I finally feel tired enough to just curl up with the girls and go to sleep.

When I came home, I called his name. I knew he wouldn't come, but I called for him anyway. Maybe I'm losing it.

[chocolatepuppy]

Oh Jess, it's so hard. You're not losing it but I'm sure you feel like you are. It will take time, a long time, to feel better about Tommy.
He will always be in your heart. {{{hugs}}}

[ChrisH]

When I came home, I called his name. I knew he wouldn't come, but I called for him anyway. Maybe I'm losing it.

Jess, I still talk to my Bobby even though I know he's not there. I don't know for sure that it's normal but I don't think it's that an abnormal thing to do after losing a loved one. Heck, I would often talk to my hubby after he died too and I think I stayed relatively sane.

It is so hard I know. I don't know if this makes a lot of sense but maybe it would help a little if you could think of what Tommy would like you do. He was a happy very much loved dog because of you, wouldn't he want you going forward living your life with the legacy of some of the joie de vive he had lodged in your heart, to ease the sorrow a little day by day.

Love and {{hugs.}}

[lolli94]

Oh I am SO SO sorry!!! I know you must be having such a painful day already and I pray you can remember all the happy times together. Praying 4 you! Rest in peace, Tommy

[K9soul]

I lost him a week ago today. It doesn't seem possible that it has been a week.

Sometimes it hits me anew and I feel sick with the shock of it.

Thank you everyone again for your kindness and love, for your reassurances and understanding.

[Sowa]

I'm so so sorry for your loss. I know how hard it is to lose a furbaby when you think they're perfectly healthy. My heart is breaking for you and I wish there was something that could ease the pain.

[lolli94]

I just watched the second memorial video. It is BEAUTIFUL! Looks like Tommy loved life, lived it to the fullest, and had loads of friends, human and canine. I am glad to hear that Tommy is home again an I hope you will heal better with him near. A reminder to y'all... take the time to take pics of your dogs. You never know when they will be gone. February 4 will be 3 years since our family lost our beloved 3 yr old lab mix to a very untimely death. I realized afterwards that I really don't have many pics of her. Partly her fault... she hated pics, but also my fault. Thankfully I had taken two of her with her buddy just a few days before. Praying for you!

[K9soul]

Thank you everyone. There is a sense of finality about it all having him home. I am relieved in that, though the hole he filled in my home gapes so deeply still.

Alysser, thank you for mentioning the book. That has actually been in my Amazon recommendations since I read 'A Big Little Life,' which is about Dean Koontz's golden retriever.

Thank you for keeping me in your thoughts.

[K9soul]

I feel like the hurt and tears will never end. I feel like I should be getting better, and instead I'm getting worse. Just don't know how to deal with it. I want the memories and visuals that keep popping into my mind to just stop.

[ChrisH]

It just takes a long time, Jess. {{hugs}}There is no easy way through, just hug the two that remain and let the tears flow. I've been through loss, both canine and human way too often and what I have come to know is that in time the tears will lessen, and the memories will give comfort instead of pain.

Please don't think because I am planning on giving a home to another dog I don't understand. Tears flow for my Bobs many times a day as I am caught by a memory and wish that I could hug that maddening silly boy just one more time.