Here it is, November 27th. Its been a whole year since he left me and it cuts like it was just today. Not a day goes by that I don't think of my Golden prince. It seems that I cannot get through a November without tragedy... I sure could use that coat of pure gold to catch my tears again this November. I bought a new house last week, I wish he were here to see it. He would love it... across the street from the lake, in woods, and chickens next door to chase. It took so long to get here, I was bailing the Titanic with a dixie cup... I made it, but he's not with me to share it. He was by my side through it all... the worst of the worst and he's not around to see the best. His pictures are everywhere, that big spiked collar adorns the mantle. I presumed that a year later the tears would be gone and I would think of him with only smiles, but they're not gone. They come back and they do so often. I only pray that I get to go to his Heaven.

On this anniversary I can't help but remember back to the days leading up to Chopper's departure. It was during those days that I found this forum and you all found me. The support was amazing and heart-felt. I will be forever thankful to everyone. God Bless!

When tomorrow starts without me,
And I'm not there to see;
The sun will rise and find your eyes
All filled with tears for me.
I wish so much you wouldn't cry
The way you did today,
Remembering how I'd lay my head
In your lap that special way.
I know how much you love me,
As much as I love you,
And each time that you think of me,
I know you'll miss me too.

But when tomorrow starts without me.
Please try to understand,
That an angel came and called my name
And petted me with her hand.
She said my place was ready,
In Heaven far above,
And that I'd have to leave behind
All those I dearly love.

But, as I turned to heel away,
A tear fell from my eye,
For all my life I never thought
That I would have to die.

I had so much to live for,
So many sits and downs to do,
It seemed almost impossible,
That I was leaving you.

I thought about our lives together,
I know you must be sad,
I thought of all the love we shared,
And all the fun we had.

Remember how I'd nudge your hand,
And poke you with my nose?
The frisbee I would gladly chase,
The bad guy, I'd "bark and hold".

If I could relive yesterday,
Just even for awhile,
I'd wag my tail and kiss you,
Just so I could see you smile.

But then I fully realized,
That this could never be;
For emptiness and memories
Will take the place of me.
And when I thought of treats and toys,
I might miss come tomorrow,
I thought of you and when I did,
My dog-heart filled with sorrow.

But then I walked through Heaven's gate,
And felt so much at home;
As God looked down and smiled at me,
From His beautiful golden throne.

He said, “This is eternity,
And now we welcome you,
Today your life on earth is past,
But here it starts anew.
I promise no tomorrow,
But today will always last;
For you see, each day's the same day,
There's no longing for the past.
Now you have been so faithful,
So trusting, loyal and true;
Though there were times you did things,
You knew you shouldn't do.
But good dogs are forgiven,
And now at last you're free;
So won't you sit here by my side,
And wait right here with me?”

So when tomorrow starts without me,
Don't think we're far apart.
For every time you think of me,
I'm right there, in your heart.

__________________
Speak to my baby softly, please
with a hug and warm hello.
He's a special gift to you, dear Lord
from me-who loved him so.
Chopper 4/14/04 - 11/27/11 ~not long enough~

Boomer

I have to go back and read your poem later because I'm at work and I'm already choked up just reading your words to your beautiful boy. I wish he was with you too. I lost my Echo just a year ago too (on November 15th) so I know how you feel. You will see him again one day. ....but for now he watches over you smiling at your accomplishments

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i'm so sorry for your loss of Chopper one year ago. I know that anniversary dates are difficult and my heart goes out to you on this date. Your poem brought tears to my eyes as i thought about my Rhetts passing just 4 short months ago.

Rest in Peace dear Chopper. You've brought many wonderful memories to your family and they still love you so.

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Rhett - Our "Baby Dog" and my "Little Buddy" forever

Arrived at the Bridge - 06 July 2012

I'm so sorry, I know how hard the anniversaries are, especially the first one.

Poem was so very beautiful.

My thoughts are with you today.

Beautiful poem, CM.
No other words are necessary from those of us that sent our pups to the Bridge. I'm just hoping they are all happy and free in Heaven cause I'm really miserable without my boy.

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Choppers Mom: I am SO GLAD THAT you found us and thank you so much for introducing me to this poem. It gives me such comfort, too, and I know that Chopper and my Snobear and Smooch are together waiting for us.
We will see them, again!!

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[IMG]http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii215

Tonka & Tucker

SNOBEAR at the Bridge
Dec. 23, 1999-March 27, 2010


SMOOCH at the Bridge.
Feb. 14, 1999-Dec. 7, 2010

Crying reading this beautiful poem. I understand your pain. The profound pain of loss does go on. Truthfully, I believe we just learn to live with the gaping hole. As I've read many times the pain of the loss is the measure of your love.

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Such beautiful words for your boy -I don;t think the pain ever goes we just get a little bit better at coping with it. One year is no time at all to start the healing process, after all they are such a huge part of our lives it is not surprising that we feel so lost and alone without them.

Chopper is with you, he has his place in your heart and that is where he will always be as he walks beside you on his silent golden paws

Mom, please don't mourn for me
I'm still here, though you don't see.
I'm right by your side each night and day
and within your heart I long to stay.

My body is gone but I'm always near.
I'm everything you feel, see or hear.
My spirit is free, but I'll never depart
as long as you keep me alive in your heart.

I'll never wander out of your sight-
I'm the brightest star on a summer night.
I'll never be beyond your reach-
I'm the warm moist sand when you're at the beach.

I'm the colourful leaves when fall comes around
and the pure white snow that blankets the ground.
I'm the beautiful flowers of which you're so fond,
The clear cool water in a quiet pond.

I'm the first bright blossom you'll see in the spring,
The first warm raindrop that April will bring.
I'm the first ray of light when the sun starts to shine,
and you'll see that the face in the moon is mine.

When you start thinking there's no one to love you,
you can talk to me through the Lord above you.
I'll whisper my answer through the leaves on the trees,
and you'll feel my presence in the soft summer breeze.

I'm the hot salty tears that flow when you weep
and the beautiful dreams that come while you sleep.
I'm the smile you see on a baby's face.
Just look for me, Mom, I'm everyplace!
(author unknown to me)

Sleep softly Chopper

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Kelly, Ginny, Ralph & Holly - Forever in my heart

"I miss the wagging little tail,
I miss the plaintive pleading wail,
I miss the wistful loving glance,
I miss the circling welcome dance"

Such a beautiful poem Chopper's Mom. Thinking of you on this incredibly sad day Chopper's story was one of the first ones I read when I joined the forum and you were so kind to us when we lost Daisy. It really is so horrible losing a best friend and however hard you try it's impossible to feel better. Try and remember the wonderful memories you have of him and remember that he's always with you. I'm sure his spirit has followed you to your new house and he's watching over you everyday.

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19/10/08-7/1/12 Daisy's Story http://www.goldenretrieverforum.com/...evastated.html

Remembering Chopper and my Buddy (passed 1 yr ago yesterday, the 26th). They surely are looking down on us and feeling all the love sent their way. I thought that after a year I would be in a better place too, but it still hurts, we still miss them, and the sadness of losing them remains. We lit a candle last night, had a toast in honor of Buddy, and all of the wonderful dogs that have passed through our lives; relatives dogs, our neighbor's and friend's dogs, and these special GRF dogs that we have come to know, love, and yes...grieve for too. Thank God for this forum where we can keep remembering our beloved pets and you all understand! How wonderful is that?!!!!