Hello friends
So much can happen in a week. We evacuated from the beach for Hurricane Irene, one of my sons turned 7, and two of the boys started a brand new school year. Unfortunately during this time something awful happened, and I can barely bring myself to post about it here. We lost our dear friend and family member, Hodgie. This little guy came in to my life back in 1995 as a first Christmas present from my husband. We were living in Monterey, CA and we had a new life ahead of us. Hodgie was as loved as a puppy could be from that first moment I saw him. Hodgie has been a part of my life spanning 3 decades. He would have been 16 in 2 months. I posted about his 15th birthday here.
I’ve dreaded this day for a long time. I knew one day it would have to come but oh how I wanted to put it off forever. It’s been especially hard late at night when the house is quiet, and my constant companion is not there nearby. Or when I come home and he’s not there to look up and greet us. We’ve had so many wonderful years though and I will cherish them every day. I’ve relived many memories over the last few days, looking through old pictures, many on old 35mm film and not yet scanned. I wanted to share a few favorites here on my blog, in honor of our dear pups Hodge. I am heartbroken but so thankful for all of the years that were graced by this special friend.
-Cindy
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Cindy,
I am so sorry for your loss. It’s so hard to do the right thing for our pets. I know your heart is broken right now but in time the pain will lessen and you will be left with those wonderful memories of your beloved dog. He was lucky to have a home like yours.
-Michelle
Oh, Cindy, I am so sorry, sweetheart! What a good friend and companion you had…what a good doggie he was!
Many hugs for you and all your boys.
Hugs Hugs and more Hugs!
Ohhhh Sweetie,
I am so heartbroken for you & your family…to see the pictures of your boys growing up with this little friend right by their side makes me cry for your loss. I hope all your wonderful memories can bring you a little comfort, I believe there’s a special place in heaven for all our loyal & loving furry friends.
Big Hugs…
Susie
Cindy – I am so sorry for your loss! It looks like Hodgie had a wonderful and love-filled life with your family. Just know I am thinking of you all.
Molly
I am so sorry sweet Cindy for your loss..I just know he was a happy little guy and with a family like yours he felt loved every day.Hugs,Cat
Oh Cindy….I am so sorry to hear about Hodgie. I hope the knowledge that you were able to provide him such a good, long and happy life with your family is a comfort during this time. *hugs*
Cindy-
So sorry for your loss. Sending positive thoughts and vibes your way. He looks like a cute little puppie and I’m sure this is very hard! Hang in there.
as soon as I saw the title of this post pop up in my feed my eyes welled up in tears 🙁 So so so sorry Cindy…
Oh Cindy, I am so, so sorry. Losing a beloved pet is so hard. I am sending you hugs.
Cindy,
I am so sorry to hear about Hodgie!!
My thoughts and prayers are with you,Randy and the boys!
Love, Amy E
Aw, Cindy! It’s so hard to lose a pet because they’re a member of the family. I know you’ll miss your little sidekick. He was a part of your life for so long. I’m sorry this day had to come.
I am so sorry for your loss. They hold a special place in the family. You are lucky to have had him in your life and even though it sounds like it was a long time I know it’s never long enough. May your happy memories of him soon take over the painful ones of your loss.
Oh no!! I am so sorry Cindy! Prayers to you and your family as you grieve this unanticipated loss.
I feel so sad for you and my heart hurts for you!
Chapters are so hard to close..many many huggs across the miles to you Cindy. I think one fine day we will be reunited with all the animals we loved, but that another chapter! We have a pug in the family and he wont be with us but for about 4 to 5 more years…so short of a life they have. Your pictures are really beautiful of you and youre family.
What a sweetie. I love that picture taken from above, hanging out in the stroller, looks like you were heading to a Forth of July parade. So sorry for your loss, but it sounds like he had a great life with you and your family.
Oh Cindy! How upsetting for you and your family, I’m so sorry for your loss!
Cindy –
I am so sorry. Our pets just get right into our hearts and become family. I am sure your adorable boys are sad too. Hugs to you.
I am sad for you too sweetie…can’t image having to be in your shoes right now :o(
hugs all round
hello gorgeous xxx
I am so sorry to hear that Cindy. I know the adjustment will be difficult, he was in essence your first baby. Thinking of you and your family.
that wasn’t a smiley face that was def a sad face :o(( xxx
Cindy, I am so sorry. I really do understand how deeply you feel your loss. Our furry friends are just as much family as the rest of us aren’t they.
I am so sorry for your loss of such a dear family member.
grrr……sad! {leaving out the faces now!} xxx
Oh Cindy, I am so sorry for your loss. I am sitting here with tears welling up in my eyes thinking of the day that our Bailey makes her way to doggy heaven. She’s getting up there in years (almost 9).
My condolences to you, your husband and the boys. God bless!
Dear, dear Cindy. I am so sorry this had to happen. I think that pets, like children, should outlive us. I’m sorry that can’t happen. The pictures of you and the boys as they grew were poignant and sweet. I hope your grief is short and includes all the good memories.
Hugs and more hugs!!
I’m so very sorry for your loss, Cindy. It’s so very hard to lose one of your fur babies. The anniversary of the death of one of mine is coming up in a few days, and although it has been long enough so that I can celebrate how lucky I was to have him in my life, I remember the pain so clearly. You and your family will be in my thoughts. I am glad that you were safe during the storm. Take care.
Nancy
It has been a week for you hasn’t it?! I was thinking about you and wondering if you had to evacuate the beach or if you were already home. I am sorry to hear about the loss of Hodgie. Thanks for sharing all the wonderful pictures of him and your family. He was beautiful!
so sorry to hear about your little dog…looks like he had such a great life..
So so sorry! It is so hard on the kids to lose a pet that they have grown up with (we had 2 cats and I still think about them all the time). I’m thinking about you!
So sorry for your loss. I am facing the same thing, but my beloved Maddux is only 7 years old. he is in Renal failure and has about 6 months to live. I envy you and all the time you had with your baby. Pets fill such a special place in our hearts and homes. They cant simply be replaced when they are a “heart” dog. Sounds like your Hodge has a piece of your heart that no other can fill. Gentle hugs to you. So sorry.
Cindy my heart is with you. Since I am childless my furry kids are so dear to me. They quietly steal into our hearts and love us. Many hugs to your family.
Oh Cindy i am so sorry for you and your whole family for the loss of Hodgie! It is so evident in all of your pictures just how much a family member he was and I know he will leave an empty place in your home and your hearts that I hope will heal and be fulfilled again someday, although I know that day won’t be anytime soon. Love and Hugs, Laura
I know that pain, and I sympathize. It is heart wrenching. But Hodgie is immune to pain, and there are so many canine companions welcoming him at the Rainbow Bridge. ( Tearing up myself…) Thinking of you…
Oh Cindy, I am so sorry. I know the love we feel for our pets is as strong as any. I did not understand that fully under we got our dog, Koa. Now I know! ((hugs))
Awwww honey I’m so sorry for the loss of your beloved pet 🙁 *hugs* I had to kiss my sweet baby girl goodbye a few summers ago. She was *MY* first pet I bought at 17. Our animals become our family so it’s just as heart breaking when they die. Wishing you love and healing in your time of loss.
xo Genea
When I heard the news, my heart just sank because I know how you feel (Buddy). It leaves a hole and I wish I had the right words but you know I’m always, always here for you. I am SO GLAD you have those amazing photos of him — your photo-taking is such a gift.
Love you.
Oh Cindy, what a difficult time for you and your family. Hodgie had a long and happy life with you all. Those photos will bring back treasured memories for a long time.
Cindy, words just can’t express how much we all share your hurt. Please just know that our prayers are with you. A pet is such a wonderful expression of love and joy in our lives. I’m so glad that you have great pictures and memories. Blessings, Shirley
Cindy, I’m so sorry about your loss. Losing a pet like Hodgie is like loosing a member of the family. My goodness, but I’m really at a loss for words here. Just know you and your family are in my prayers.
Cindy, I am so very sorry. We lost our yorkie of 15 years 2 years ago. I still miss her so. Losing Chelsea was the most painful loss I have experienced. I wrote about my grieving on my first blog…cindisnotes. It helped me work through the emotions by writing it out. I will be praying for you and your family in the days ahead as you mourn your loss and celebrate the joys Hodgie brought to you and your family.
Cindy, I’m so very sorry about the loss of your dear beloved companion Hodgie.
Therese
Dear Cindy,
I am so sorry for your loss. I know that the boys must really miss sweet Hodgie. He will be waiting for you on the Rainbow Bridge. You and your family are in my thoughts.
Awww, such a little cutie! Sorry to hear you lost your friend, Cindy.
Dear Cindy,
I am so sorry for your loss…afterall he was a very important part of your family. I understand what you are going through, as I have lost 5 pets over the years who were very dear to me. I know Hodge will be waiting for you on Rainbow Bridge. I will be praying for you and your family. May your memories of Hodge comfort you and your family over the years till you all meet again.
Cindy, the loss of a companion pet always leaves a heavy heart. I wish you and your family comfort in knowing that Hodgie had a good life with the Wimmer family.
Oh Cindy, I am so sorry for this loss in your life. I wish that I had words to say but there are none. {{{HUGS}}}
Cindy, I just read your comments about your dedicated and loved little guy. Our furry friends hold a place in our hearts forever, they are so loving and acceptable of us when no one else understands our moods. I do believe that Heaven has a place for our wonderful four-legged “family members” and he is probably already running and playing with his new found friends.
You can probably tell I am speaking with my heart…..having to part with one of my “best friends” two years ago. Hang onto the memories, that is why we make them, right? My love and a special hug to you and a hug to my “favorite nephew, Randy”. Your “boys’ are precious and I hope someday to meet each of them in person. Auntie Joan
I know you will miss him, but how blessed to have had him as part of your family.
I am so sorry to hear about this Cindy, I always saw him in your photos and knew he was such an important part of your family and your life. Sending you all good thoughts and big hugs.