The amazing story of the owl is one side of our daily lives – actually saving a young creature to live it’s life to adulthood. On the other side of the coin comes sorrow that hits hard. Hope, Connie’s sweet black lab mix dog crossed over the Rainbow Bridge yesterday. She was getting old and her health was failing yet she traveled to Florida with Connie and Roy in March and enjoyed warm walks on the beach although they were slow walks.
Hope stayed here with us many times over the years and she was a gentle soul. She loved doing chores and roaming around the barn having a bite of chicken poop now and then. She was always glad to come here and when I’d open up their house door and she heard me, she came trotting down the stairs. She couldn’t wait to get in my van and come to the farm. She snored loudly at night, sometimes so loud I could hardly sleep – ha! She loved to clean up everybody’s food bowl and I usually allowed it – keeping Hope was like having a grandchild stay overnight. She could do no wrong.
I took this picture of Connie and Hope right before they left for Florida. It’s soooo hard to take a picture of a black dog, isn’t it?
To all of you who have loved a dog as a member of your family, you know this doesn’t get easier. I know Hope is running with our other dogs and feeling no pain. Rest In Peace, Hopey!
So sad. 🙁
My deepest sympathy in your friends’ loss. I know what it is like to give up a pet that you have loved. They are like family.
Tears are welling up in my eyes. Through your posts I have known Hope. I hope my labradors sho have also crossed the bridge are now having the opportunity to meet her and welcome her into her home of eternal blessings.
it’s never easy – hugs to Connie – and you too!
Sleep with the dog angels Hope
Our best to Hope.
Such a sad day! So hard to lose our furry family members. I know she was a family member to you as well as to Connie. Thoughts and prayers are with you both as you grieve the lose of such a wonderful dog. Yes, rest in peace dear Hope.
As soon as I saw the photo of Hope I was afraid that you had sad news. What a sweet and perfect dog she was. I remember going to obedience school with Connie and Hope. Roy and Connie adopted a sweetheart. And, consequently Hope had a perfect life with Roy and Connie. No one could have loved her more. Hugs to the family and all those who loved Hope.
I know just how you and Connie are feeling, a member of the family is gone. I don’t have dogs due to allergies but I have cats. My beloved old girl passed away 3 years ago, we miss her everyday. She was one of the kids, we had her for 18 years. Her name was “The Damn Cat” and she was a feisty one!😂
Sending love to everyone who loved Hope. Always such a heartwrenching experience. Those of us who love dogs and cats (and chickens, horses, and all the rest) know it’s inevitable but we just keep leaping in. I truly wouldn’t trade all the years of happiness to avoid times like this, but oh…such heartbreak.
Hope looks like a sister to our boy Teddy, who passed two years ago. We’re treasuring every day we have with his brother Nick, who has entered frail old gentleman stage.
Your comment about Hope’s snoring made me smile. Teddy was a champion snorer, and our dog Dusty used to snore so loudly that when she slept behind my mom’s chair, Mom would ask me to turn up the tv so she could hear the dialogue over the sound of Dusty’s snoring. Funny then, sweet memories now.
She looks like a sweet dog who was much loved and cherished. Never ever easy to let go but ah the memories are so sweet. So sorry for the loss.
My heart breaks for all of you. My deepest sympathy to Connie and her family.
Losing a pet is one of the worst things I have ever been through. Dogs provide so much companionship and unconditional love. Many of us have been through it. I offer my support and sympathy to Connie and her family on this sad journey. It is true, it gets easier with time….
There are no words that ever help heal from the loss of a beloved pet. They are family and we miss them dearly. I had tears down my face reading this feeling the loss.
I am so sorry for the loss of Hope. They take a piece of us when they go. I’m sure my Basset Hound, Woody who I lost suddenly after Easter was there to greet Hope at the bridge.
My 16 year-old cat, Festus, died 37 years ago and it feels like yesterday……. Our sympathy goes out to you.
God speed to Hope-what a dear companion!
It is so hard to lose a family member like Hope. Know that she has crossed the Rainbow Bridge and was greeted by my Labs: Mystic, Addie and Maddie. Miss them every day. Saying a prayer for Connie (her Mom), her family and you Mary (her Gramma). xoxo’s….
Sad new indeed.
Carolyn B
It is so hard to lose a beloved pet. Bless Connie and Roy for not letting Hope suffer. My thoughts and prayers are with all of the family. Hope had a great home.
So sorry to hear about Hope. She was such a friendly dog. My condolences to Connie. Losing a pet is so hard.
Sad news. When we had to put down an old dog who was failing our youngest granddaughter went along and held my husband’s hand while Patches took her last breaths. Best buddies always a comfort.
It’s the hardest part of dog ownership. My heart goes out to Connie and all of you who loved Hope. She seemed to be the perfect lab. Sweet dogs…
Jan
Amen Dear friend…you said it all!
💕🙃🐶🐱
My sympathy to you and Connie. One of our 14 year old labs passed in March of this year. It is so difficult. We have 4 other dogs but each has a unique personality and brings such joy to our lives.
Such a sad day for all of you. 💕💕
Mary, what a wonderful tribute to Hope! She absolutely loved going to the farm- and she loved you and Rick like crazy. You also described her snore perfectly!
I’ll go cry a bit now-❤️
See you on Wednesday, Connie
Connie, I’m so very sorry to hear the news about Hope. My heart aches for your loss. Hugs to you.
Whoops …Thursday
I’m sure some of our pets that have passed on will great her. Amen.
Sending my deepest sympathy to all of you. I, too, have a black lab (she is my second lab) and they are lovely companions. It is one of the most difficult things we, as humans, have to do when our furbabies need to go on to the Rainbow Bridge. Rest in peace, Hope!
So sorry for Connie’s loss. I recently lost my shitzu and don’t know I could experience another loss of an animal. We have owned rescue animals for a long time and of course hate losing them.
So very heartbreaking to lose our fur babies🐾😓but knowing
They are no longer hurting softens the sorrow some!!!🌈🐾🌈🐾🌈🐾
☹️
My sympathy to everybody touched by Hope’s life. She was a special girl and I felt I knew her through your posts. The hard part of loving a pet is losing them. The last 3 dogs we adopted were rescue Shelties. Before that our Grand-dog came to live with us when our son moved into an apartment that wouldn’t accept pets. Each was special in their own way and missed terribly. We lost our last Sheltie/border collie in February and I still find myself walking around the place where he would sleep. May your memories comfort you.
Thoughts and prayers are with Hope’s family and you at this. The love unconditionally and leave holes in our heart when they pass over the bridge.
Bless them.
So sorry to hear that Hope has passed on to the Rainbow Bridge. I’m sure she’s met my dogs, your dog, my daughter’s cats. etc. Connie will be reunited with Hope some day & that welcoming from Hope will be extra special. Rest in peace, Hope. So sorry for your loss Connie & family (& you too, Grandma Mary).
Yes, they always have a place in your heart.
Sorry. Hugs.
So sorry about Hope. I know she had a good life and was well cared for. On another note, I just finished reading The Great Alone. OMG! It was so very good. Stayed up way too late to finish it, plus I had to keep blinking back the tears so I could see the words. Totally recommend to everyone. I was already on my library’s wait list when you read it. So so good.
My deep sympathy to all of Hope’s family. Animals are so special.
Please give Connie a hug from Arlo and me. Hope was a wonderful dog, she was always happy to get a pet. I know she is at the bridge playing with Adah and all the black dogs that were there to greet her. Not hurts so much to lose a cherished friend, my heart how’s out yo Connie.
I am so sad for you Connie.
Lots of hugs,
Eydie
😢what more can be said. I’m sure she is playing with all the wonderful pets we have had thru the years.
RIP Hope, you will always a place in your family’s heart. ❤️
Please extend my heartfelt condolences. It sounds like Hope had a nice life shared with all of you. Always so hard to say goodbye.
❤
Dog speed, Hope!
Heartfelt sympathy to Connie and you!
If you’re alone, I’ll be your shadow.
If you cry, I’ll be your shoulder.
If you want a hug, I’ll be your pillow.
If you need to be happy, I’ll be your smile.
But anytime you need a friend, I’ll just be me.
To Connie – I still feel the pain that you feel now. Remember the good memories. It helps.
My deepest sympathy to Connie and you.
So saddened to hear of Hope’s passing. Those retriever breeds are just so loving. When our last golden retriever passed, I said no more dogs—I just can’t take the awful sadness when they go. But here we are with 2 shelties from the shelter and we love and treat them like children. Thank goodness I’ve known the love of dogs in my life. God speed Hope and hugs to Connie.
Oh Connie, so sorry for your loss. Paula in KY
I’m so sorry Connie. We’ve lost 5 dogs over our life and doesn’t get easier . They are such wonderful friends. My sympathy to you and your family. Anita Fetzer
Hugs to all.
Give my condolences to Connie on the loss of her beautiful furbaby, Hope. Heartbroken to hear of her loss!!!
It never gets any easier to say goodbye to a beloved member of the family no matter how many times we go through it. So sorry to hear about the loss of such a special furry friend.
Heartsick to hear this. I remember meeting Hope as a puppy at Quilt Camp – what a sweetheart. We all said she hit the jackpot landing with Connie and Roy – and Mary and Rick! So fun to see her jump out of Connie’s bug when she pulled in to the farm. Hope had a long, happy life filled with lots of love, fun and adventures – what could be better?
Our pets are our family members. Prayer’s to all of Hope’s family. Peace Micky
So sorry. I know how hard this is.
I lost my black lab, Bonnie a couple of years ago and I still miss her. To have a wonderful dog in your life is a true blessing from God. I really hope we get to see all our furry friends again. If there are horses in Heaven, and the Bible mentions them, there has to be dogs.
Sorry to hear the sad news about Hope; our fur babies are so very precious, and it hurts so much when we lose them. My condolences to Connie and Roy.
My sincere sympathy to Connie & you on the loss of Hope. They become as much a part of your family as any human & it is so awful to say goodbye. Because Heaven is such a wonderful place I just know all our beloved pets will be there to meet us.
This has been a rough year for us with our furry babies as well. We have lost two dogs, two cats & one horse.
So sorry. It makes me cry. They give so much love and companionship.
Mary and Connie, my sympathies on the loss of sweet Hope. It is hard to lose them, but I am very sure that she had a lot of love from you and your families. Hugs, Felicia.
Rest in peace Hope, you sweet baby! My heart brakes for you all! They leave a huge hole in our hearts when they cross over but they give us so much while they are here……Hugs!
My condolences to Connie and Roy and to you, Mary and Rick. It is so hard to lose a good friend. She’ll be happy in Rainbow Bridge.
That is so sad. RIP Hope. I hope all my pets greet me someday🌹