Wednesday, June 26, 2019

Friends Leave, Outdoor Work, Unconditional Love Brings Grown People to their Knees


The Ridge
On Wednesday, June 26th we woke up to another beautiful day. Bill was up ahead of me and I made an appearance downstairs around 7. With glorious sunshine outside and mid 60’s, I went for my walk. I almost could have gone sleeveless but I wore my hoody and safety vest. Both came off on the way back, once I reached North Line.


I remember it being a wonderful walk
 but it seems so long ago now
Today, our friends, Kim and Ken left for home around 11. I could elaborate but even though it was sad to see them go, the day took a down turn. 

Come back again you two!
I busied myself in the garden, weeding and planting perennials that Gayle gave me. Bill busied himself down in the Hangar, painting trim pieces in Ocean Spray. He never got in my way nor did I get in his. I planted Lumium on the hill in the hopes that this time, I did it better and the ground cover would take root.


Around 2,  I was done for the day and came inside for my shower. Bill soon finished his painting and washed up before settling down for his snooze. Clemson joined him. The afternoon seemed to zip by and I did some outside reading and walked to the mailbox. A parcel arrived from my girlfriend, Brenda G., so I was happy about that. Also, the flyers came. Inside a bit later, it was my turn to curl up on the bed with Clemson although he soon hopped down to get his supper.
The green patches down in the brown is what I planted today
It was around 4:45, after he’d eaten, when he tried to jump up on the couch. Something he has done hundreds of times. He fell backwards with his shaky legs and topsy-turvy balance. It hurt him and he couldn’t put his back leg down. We had to take him to the vet here in town, TG they were still open. After looking at X-rays we learned that he had broken his little leg in 2 places. What good spirits he was in. There was no fixing it and at his age, Bill and I had already discussed the end result.

Bill held his broken leg in his right hand
If you’ve done this, you know. Clemson went to sleep in our arms for the last time, looking into our eyes. We couldn’t have loved this little sweetheart more than we did and the unconditional love that he gave us was to the moon and back. 

At this point, we knew and that face breaks my heart
How such a small furry little guy can bring grown adults to their knees – well, now I know how. We will miss him terribly – already do. We can’t focus. Supper, which we had to fix and eat at 7:30, tasted bland although I’m sure it was good.

Us with Clemson and his 2nd parents
I won’t go on. Thank you to our friends, Rob and Pat, for their love and help with Clemson over the last couple of years. If we couldn’t be here for him, they were. They are very saddened too. 

I said to Bill “I was so happy yesterday, this morning”.  I don’t want this to take away from the wonderful time we’ve had with our guests and tomorrow, I will post more pictures. Today, I think you’ll understand.

Clemson experienced the first Christmas in Arizona with us
and many more things
Today, we both had a snooze with our little bum. I'm happy about that. Rest in Peace Clemson. From day one, when we brought you home, we told you that you were the best puppy in the whole wide world. I hope in Doggy Heaven that you know how much you are missed already. We love you so much!

One of my favourite pictures
When he had vestibular (vertigo) last summer
It's not such a good night here, but we wish you all the best
from The Ridge
Thank you for stopping in today.

52 comments:

  1. 😢😢❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
    Cooper,Jessie and I send all our love.

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  2. I am so very sorry for the loss of your little Clemson. Yes, they do love us so totally unconditionally. I too, know the heartache you are feeling. My hearts aches for both of you.

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  3. We are both sorry to hear about your loss.
    We know the feeling.

    Rick and Kathy

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  4. I am so sorry you had to lose your beloved friend Clemson. I just went through this with my Lily and it is heart breaking. Our dog friends are so wonderful to us. Anne Marie

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  5. I am teary eyed while I am telling you how sorry we are for your loss. He was such a lovely little pooch and we are glad that we got to know him. Your hearts will be heavy for quite some time, I know. Keep the nice memories of him and if it will help, keep reposting those nice fotos of him you took over the years. We loved them. Sending our xoxo.

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    1. Thank you Marlene. Im sure there will be pics of our little bum in the future. Thank you for the support of that and the xoxo.

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  6. I'm so sorry for you both , my heart is breaking for you two to hear this. I'm sure like me a lot of your readers had feel in love with the little guy seeing and reading about him daily .

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  7. Gee Whiz!! My eyes are leaking too! So very sorry for the loss of your dear Clemson. Words fail me at this time.
    We are thinking of you all at this very tough time.
    Don in Okla.

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  8. My heart breaks for your loss :-( When we had to put our Cocker Spaniel down it was one of the hardest things I have ever done and I have never been up to getting another dog because I can't face going through that loss again. I loved hearing about Clemson's day as much as yours, he will be missed by many.

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    1. Thank you Maxx. We will not go through it again either. There was only one little guy for us. He perfectly fit into our life.

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  9. Condolences. My heat is breaking for you both. He will always be in your hearts & memories. ��

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  10. Hugs from here, so sorry to hear this. Clemson was a great guy we too have many memories of visiting with him and you guys as well. It is so hard to lose a pet, a real loved one after all those years. Memories for life and a bit hole in your heart.

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    1. Thank you George and Suzie for your kind words. Clemmy sure had a soft spot for Suzie and knew where to find her when you stayed here.

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  11. Having been through what you experienced, I sympathize and empathize with you. It's difficult to let go when it is time for them to cross the rainbow bridge. Someday, though, I believe you will be reunited with Clemson.

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    1. Thank you, it will be the belief that we did the right thing and that we will reunite with him that we replay over and over.

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  12. So sorry for the loss of Clemson. May your memories help you through this time. Bonnie & Duncan

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    1. Thank you so much Bonnie and Duncan. I can't believe the hurt! never done that before and won't do it again.

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  13. My heart hurts for your loss of Clemson. Hugs to you and Bill.

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  15. We are so sorry to hear about Clemson, have loved watching him over the years and meeting him last year and again this last winter. He was so loved! I too, love the picture of his little cocked head :) The Christmas pic is adorable. He knows how much you loved him, and you never have to wonder. Hugs to both of you.

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    1. Thank you Ken and Shirley. I'm glad you got to meet him. Here in the Suite, he is still everywhere and that makes it very hard to breathe.

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  16. I feel your pain sis, Clemson lives on in our memories as well. He will be running around like a young pup in doggie Heaven, with his ears flopping in the breeze!

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    1. Thank you Donna. I believe that is exactly what he is doing and thank you for the vision. ;)

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  17. so sorry for the loss of your best friend and companion sis, we have been thru this many times with cats and dogs and it hurts so much, and will for a long time, but you remember the good times.
    Snowbunny

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    1. thank you sb. A sign on the wall of the vet said 'it isn't about the years in their life, it's about the life in their years'. Clemson had a full life with us for 15 years.

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  18. So, so sorry for your loss. I have seen how much you both loved Clemson. RIP Clemson!

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  19. My heart aches for you. I know it is never easy to have to say goodbye to a fur baby. Run free Clemson.

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  20. So, so sorry to hear about Clemson. I know how much you both loved him. Sad day for sure. Sending lots of hugs.

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  22. Oh my gosh, this is such a heartbreaker. I never comment here, but I’m sure I speak for all the lurkers in sharing our genuine sadness & forwarding our thanks to you for opening your hearts so wide to give that sweet little guy such a lovely life as a full member of your tiny “pack” and for being as clearly devoted to him as he obviously was to you. No dog could ever ask for more than what he got from you both, every step of the way, right to the end of his time on this earth. Ya did good, Clemson's Mom & Daddy!!

    Just keep reminding yourselves that the awful waves of aching emptiness you feel now do subside & in time will be filled up by the treasure trove of great memories Clemson left behind for you to cherish, and those memories will someday feel all the more intensely joyful as the pain of the abrupt loss of his sweet little face from your home is intensely felt now.

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    1. Your words are beautiful and I truly thank you even though the tears are blinding me. you cut to the heart of what we are feeling and you didn't even see us together except through words and pictures.
      Thank you so much for the support.

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  23. I have tears as I write this. Poor sweet baby, you did the right thing but I know how much it hurts. Two years later I still tear up when I speak of our girls. Clemson will always be around you and in your hearts. Love each other and keep talking about all those wonderful memories you have. Sending you both hugs.

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    1. Thank you Contessa for your kind words. We have already second and third guessed our actions even though we know we did the right thing. I can't believe the hurt we are feeling.

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  24. I have not commented before on your blog but have been reading it for about two years. I love how positive and fun you are. I just had to comment today though because I am so sorry to hear about Clemson (or the "little bum" which I always loved you calling him that). I just loved hearing about him and got such a kick out of some of his antics. We just lost our Zsa-Zsa, a 15 year old bichon, at the beginning of May. We always joked that she was our late in life baby and while my husband was against getting her when she was a puppy they fell in love with each other and I believe he has taken it harder than any of us. It's tough and we are still shedding tears about. Our fur babies play such a big role in our lives and even the little ones take up a BIG space. I can still feel her at my feet in the middle of the night. So, sending lots of love and hugs from Colorado to you and Bill during this time. I feel like I know you two! Keep on blogging and share what you are going through. I think it'll help. Btw, my mom had alzheimers and passed in December so I appreciate what you write about your mom and love hearing about your visits with her. She seems to have the same positive outlook as you. I can tell she is a lovely lady. Take Care. ColoradoGirl

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    1. Hello ColoradoGirl; thank you so much for your lovely comment AND for following my blog for as long as you have. I really appreciate the encouragement as some days the posts seem so blah. We love our life and I'm glad you get that from what I write.
      Clemson.........you know then exactly what we're going through and it has only been 2 months for you. You are still sad and we send you condolences too. He is everywhere, even when he isn't. I get the cheese out - and think of his begging for some etc etc.
      Thank you for the love and hugs from your way. It means tons.
      Also about our Mom's. Things can be so hard but it is good to grab the special times. Mom is a very special lady and I'm sure yours was too. Thank you again, you've given me strength.

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  25. So sorry to hear about Clemson. Our pets are just like family and it really hurts. Clemson will always live in your memory and heart.

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    1. thank you Doug. They are like family and we spend every day tending to them. He is already missed dearly.

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  26. So sorry to hear about Clemson. I know you cared so much for him and enjoyed all the stories you shared. I was the one who sat with our last two dogs at the end. I know it's not easy. Take care.

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    1. Thank you F.G. Feeling very lost without him right now so we comfort each other. It's hard to be with them on their last breath but we wouldn't not be there.

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  27. Oh my goodness....how sad. I don't know which is worse...for it to happen suddenly or have a little time to get used to it. The only consolation I can offer is what my friend told me when we lost our mollie girl ..."You could have missed the pain but you would have missed the dance" I don't any of us would have liked to miss the dance with our little buddies.

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    1. Thank you. I love that consolation statement. We wouldn't miss the dance with Clemson for all the tea in China, as they say! He was so worth this pain we're feeling.

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