Thank you all so very much

[bluespirit]

I just want to say a huge thank you for all the love & support at Rascal's passing.
I will reply to everyone but I'm still a bit numb at the moment.
I keep hearing him around the house & expecting to see him in his basket or coming to wake me up with a big black nose in my face first thing in the morning (the best way to be woken up ever!)
I haven't been able to put his things away yet - his beds & toys are still where he left them. I don't even want to hoover 'cus I'd be hoovering up his hairs.
I'll do it in my own time - perhaps when we get his ashes & bring him home for good.

In the meantime I've felt the need to be doing a lot of gardening for some reason. We've bought a rose bush to plant in Rask's memory. It's called 'Sunseeker' which we thought was appropriate as he always loved to lie in the sun - he'd follow a patch of sunlight all around the carpet & we had the conservatory built so that he could lie in there when he wanted. I'm comforted by the fact that even on his last morning with us he lay out on the patio in the sunshine.

I've ordered two big canvas prints of Rask - one for the lounge & one for the dining room (though I may get more.) We already have lots of photos of him around the house but I felt the need to stay connected, to be doing something Rascal-related & so I ordered them. They should be gorgeous (because he was) & I can't wait for them to arrive.

I know it's true that Rask had a good, long, happy life & that we have so many (many, many!) wonderful memories of him. However, at the moment I can't help wanting more - I have this gaping hole in my heart & I want him to be here. I know it will get easier with time but he was such a huge personailty.
My beautiful, silly, sweet boy. ♥


Here he is, soaking up the sun last year. (This is exactly where he lay on Wed morning - his favourite patio sunseeking spot!)

Comments

[dalehead.livejournal.com]

Oh baby, I am so sad for you. He was a beautiful dog, full of character and I can imagine how awful you're feeling right now.

When Shap, Bert's predecessor died, mum could only bear to be dogless for three weeks before we went in search of another and thus Bert came into our lives. I wish I could say something more helpful but it will get better in time.

[bluespirit-star.livejournal.com]

We will have to have another dog. No one could ever replace Rask - we'd never try to replace him - but we have such a void in our lives now & all this love we need to share with a new little boy. I know Rask would want us to be happy.
I keep crying & looking at his pictures - not the videos yet, though - I don't think I'm ready for them yet.
But we're bringing his ashes home this evening & I think that will help - to know that he's finally at home with us, where he belongs. &hearts.

*big snuggles & ear kisses for Bert*

[caffyolay.livejournal.com]

Huge hugs to you, P, it's such a tough time for you at the moment. P sends his best and says how sorry he is too. Rask couldn't have had a better home, P, he really couldn't. Enjoy your garden.

[bluespirit-star.livejournal.com]

Thank you both so much.
I miss him terribly but it was time, I know that.
I've planted his rose bush & sprinkled some of his hairs into the soil around it. ♥

[morgaine-71.livejournal.com]

To be honest words just won't cut it right now so I won't even bother:( I've only just read about Rascal..hey, I lost our dog in 2000 and his dish is STILL in the cupboard!! It was the one thing I haven't been able to get rid of......and the hairs were around for AGES. I even found one in amongst the plates a few months after and it made me cry. Again!! It's only natural to mourn the loss of family and that's what dogs become - if treated properly. Which Rascal undoubtledly was;) *hugs*

[bluespirit-star.livejournal.com]

Thanks, sweetheart. Knowing you care is more important than the words.
*hugs*

[nakeisha.livejournal.com]

*More hugs for you, P and for Mr. B*

Of course you're still numb and expecting to see him and want him back. It's only natural.

It does get better in time, really it does. And he had such a lovely home and life with you.

[bluespirit-star.livejournal.com]

Thanks, N.
I know it'll get easier eventually. We're bringing his ashes hom this evening & I think that will help. I'll feel happier/better once he's back hoome with us.

[tularia.livejournal.com]

God, I'm just sitting here in tears, so I can imagine how hard this is on you.
*giant hug*

[bluespirit-star.livejournal.com]

Thanks, sweetheart - a hug is always good.
*hugs*

[kaaatie.livejournal.com]

Oh honey, I'm so sorry to hear that. He was such a lovely, beautiful boy. I can only imagine how hard it would be for you. *hugs*

[bluespirit-star.livejournal.com]

Thank you - I know you know how it is with dogs.
*hugs*

[elikiros]

HUGHS YOU TO PIECES! <3 'cause there aren't words right now.

[bluespirit-star.livejournal.com]

Thank you so, so much.

[grey853.livejournal.com]

So sorry you're feeling so blue. Don't feel like you have to respond to this. I know it's a terrible loss. Just take it easy. {{{{Hugs}}}}

[bluespirit-star.livejournal.com]

Thank you.
*hugs*
We're bringing Rask's ashes home this evening. It'll be good to have him with us again. ♥

[mangst.livejournal.com]

I'm so, so sorry for your loss. I loved hearing about Rascal's adventures on your journal and I'll miss that. Your love for him will ensure that he'll be remembered by more than just your family. He has a whole world full of lj users keeping him alive in their hearts.

[bluespirit-star.livejournal.com]

That's a lovely thing to say & really does help - thank you so much.

[jaekayelle.livejournal.com]

Aww It's difficult to lose a family member, especially the furry ones because they don't stay with us nearly long enough. I was a mess after Scotty left me. I'd had him 17 and a half years. It's tough to endure. But Rask is off chasing birds and playing with other dogs and even some cats-- maybe he and Scotty are goofing around together. He's fine. He's pain free and a vibrant pup again and you'll see him again someday. :)

*HUGS*

[bluespirit-star.livejournal.com]

That's a lovely, comforting thought - thank you.
Yeah, I bet those two are tearing around the place, having fun! ♥

[ariadni.livejournal.com]

*cuddles*

[bluespirit-star.livejournal.com]

Thanks, sweetheart.

[zooz.livejournal.com]

*HUGEHUGS* stay strong hon...

[bluespirit-star.livejournal.com]

Thank you!
*hugs*

[bitofaspaz.livejournal.com]

I can't even begin to tell you how sad this makes me. My heart goes out to you. Rascal was such a well-loved dog. He was lucky to have found such wonderful people. You're in my thoughts.

*hugs*

[bluespirit-star.livejournal.com]

He was a rescue & we tried to make sure that he always felt secure, safe & loved. He was such a sweet, special boy - we were so lucky to have him. ♥

*hugs*

[andnolewen.livejournal.com]

I'm so sorry to hear he's gone!
I have totally missed this because I was away.
I know how much he meant to you and you must miss him dreadfully. Of course you have great memories of him but that only softens the pain a little.
Take care luv and sending you strenght and hugs!!!

[bluespirit-star.livejournal.com]

Thanks, Tonny - that's so kind.
*hugs*

[jackieville.livejournal.com]

I wish there was something I could say or do to help you, sweetheart. My heart breaks for you and Mr. B. I'm crying as I look at Rask's picture. Things do get better with time, just be gentle and patient with yourselves. A rose bush in his memory is such a lovely thing to do and the name of the rose is perfect *squishes you*

[bluespirit-star.livejournal.com]

He was my baby, you know? I just miss him. But I know we were lucky to have had him for so long. ♥
I've planted the rose & sprinkled some of Rask's hairs in the soil & I've put a solar light by it - to act as a candle for him.

[betagoddess.livejournal.com]

'Sunseeker' sounds just PERFECT for Rascal! What a lovely way to remember him by! Not that you'll ever forget him, of course!

It's been eight months since Sparkle died and yet every single night when I go to bed, just for a second, I think of being careful not to bump her. For seventeen and a half years she slept on her rug on the floor right at the head of my side of the bed.

I still have her collar with her name tag and license hanging from the shelves in our bathroom.

Their lives are just never long enough, but such love and happiness they bring to ours. =>}

::biggest hugs::

[bluespirit-star.livejournal.com]

I've planted the rose! I mixed some of Rask's hairs into the soil around it & put a solar lamp by it too - like a candle for him. ♥

It is the tiny, routine things, like you checking not to bump Sparkle, that get to you, isn't it? So many habits & loving routines that we build up over the years.
*hugs*

[rifleman-s.livejournal.com]

What a gorgeous, gorgeous picture - I will always like to remember Rask looking like that . . .

A small poem:

MEMORIES

"Not the least hard thing to bear when
they go from us, these quiet friends,
is that they carry away with them so
many years of our lives. Yet, if they
find warmth therein, who would
begrudge them those years that they
have so guarded?
And whatever they take,
be sure they have deserved."

--- John Galsworthy ---

Thinking of you and Mr B.

*hugs tight*

[bluespirit-star.livejournal.com]

That's absolutely beautiful. I'm sobbing but it's good to see it written down. It is worth this pain now - to have had all those beautiful years with our baby boy.

*hugs*
Thanks you, S.

[liresius.livejournal.com]

*big hugs to you and Mr B* (and Rascal in spirit).

[bluespirit-star.livejournal.com]

Thanks, L.
I do so miss being able to put my arms around him, to kiss his ears & his soft little nose.

[lijahlover.livejournal.com]

*hugs you tight*

[bluespirit-star.livejournal.com]

Thank you - hugs are good.

[lostiawen.livejournal.com]

*big hugs* Take care of yourself.

[bluespirit-star.livejournal.com]

Thank you. I can't believe quite what a wreck I am to be honest but it was worth it - to have had him in our lives. ♥
*hugs*

[bloodygoodgirl.livejournal.com]

Oh hon I'm so sorry. But he had a wonderful life and will always be remembered.

[bluespirit-star.livejournal.com]

Thank you - that's so comforting to know.
*hugs*

[araestel.livejournal.com]

*hugs* I can understand the feeling of not being ready to move on. He was a part of the family and the loss is no less then it would be if it were a human you lost. Take your time. And take a pic of your prints for us when you get them up. :)

[bluespirit-star.livejournal.com]

Thanks, sweetheart. And it's true - I'm feeling Rask's loss like I did losing my Dad & I can't make any apologies for that.

*hugs*

The canvas prints look amazing - I just stand gazing at them. I'll post some pics when I can.

We brought Rask's ashes home on Friday & I do feel a little more settled. I finally managed to wash his bedding over the weekend - though I cried beaucse it still smelled like him. (I've kept two of his blankets though, I want to be able to sense him on them.) Now I need to sort his toys out & see if I can find a rescue centre that could use them & the bedding.

[sonicbookmark.livejournal.com]

Oh, baby.

He looked like such a sweet dog and I know how much you loved him. I'm so, so sorry.

*hugs hugs hugs* ♥♥♥

[bluespirit-star.livejournal.com]

Thank you.
I know I'm biased but he really was a sweetheart - so affectionate & loving. He just loved to be with us & us with him. ♥

*hugs*

[pixiequeen10thk.livejournal.com]

I've been offline for awhile so I didn't realise. I'm so so sorry to hear that. The passing of a loved pet is always so hard. I still miss my lovely black cat Sootica even though she died many years ago. The canvas prints sound like an excellent idea. I keep a little pic of Sootie in my wallet. It always makes me smile. Sending many sympathies and hugs.

[bluespirit-star.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much & I am sorry to hear about Sootie too. I know how you feel. I still miss our family dog, Lordy - I was only four when we had him & nineteen when he passed. He was my childhood companion. I have his picture framed on the wall.
But yes, I've always carried a photo of Rask (playing with his Dad!) in my purse & it never fails to make me smile (though it's a little bittersweet right now, of course.)

*hugs*