Our Beau was such a good boy that he'd immediately stop barking whenever I told him to be Quiet. The one exception- each and every time he was in a car. He was a barking maniac! So excited, so happy he just had to express his joy continually and loudly whenever he was with us in our car. We lived with this for 13 1/2 years. When he was gone that was the very first thing I missed when we had dogs in the car!

I remember when our Tobynator was at his worst mischief wise as a younger dog and we were shaking our heads, I looked at DH and told him "you know, when Toby is gone I'm really going to miss all this craziness"... and he agreed. He still tries to upturn our bedroom rug at least once a day. Why? We'll never know, but I do know that when he no longer does it I'm going to be sad!

__________________


Meet Yogi! http://www.goldenretrieverforum.com/...tion-yogi.html

So true. There are so many things I miss already, but I get flashes of that silly puppy every once in a while and just thinking of it turns the corners of my mouth up

I only set up Hannah's umbrella a few times this year - the mosquitoes drove us out of the yard and onto the carport, but each time, I thought of that picture of Toby lounging under the umbrella - inside.

__________________
Part 1 of Hannah's story - Cancer diagnosis - - - - Part 2 of Hannah's story - grab bag of health issues

So strange you should mention the umbrella, just yesterday I was looking at the sun streaming in thru my big windows and thinking of Toby relaxing on his blankets while I, faithful servant, would be sure to adjust the umbrella several times an hour to be sure he wasn't in the sun. It made me think of Hannah when I thought about the umbrella!

__________________

Gibson's Golden Girl, CD, CGC, TDI (born 3-20-1997), a.k.a. "Tiny"

CH Rosewood Little Giant, UDX VER RA SH MXP MJP VCX WCX CCA CGC FFX-OG (born 3-10-2007), also UCH HR UUD UJJ URO1 UHIT a.k.a. "Tito" (the Tito Monster)

and my heart dog
Gibson's Golden Guy, CD, CGC, TDI ( 01-31-1998 - 01-02-2012) a.k.a. "Toby", "HRH"

We all so miss Toby, but sure do get a chuckle out of the loyal servant moving the umbrella.

__________________

Copper's Mom (always)
Gotcha 10/2004 - lost ya 10/2010

Barb, I'm with you on thinking how much I would give to have puppy antics (or any other stage of life) for the precious, departed, beloved dogs. Loyal servant is what a devoted dog owner becomes as they age, noting every need and fulfilling it before the dog even knows it's a requirement. My heart goes out to you in missing your boy. I know.....because I miss Cody every day of my life.

__________________
Golden retrievers think life is a party thrown especially for them

I put my Christmas tree up over the weekend. It broke my heart to hang Toby's ornament on the tree. First Christmas without him.
He loved Christmas. I used to buy lots of new toys for the dogs for Christmas, but then they'd just play with their old favorites anyway. So I got smart, and started wrapping up their favorite toys instead. Especially Toby was so excited to find his favorite toy under the wrapping paper!
Funny how dogs always seem to know which presents are theirs. HRH would pick up one of their presents, and gently carry it around the house with him. I'd find their presents in his crate all the time, completely unharmed.

__________________

Gibson's Golden Girl, CD, CGC, TDI (born 3-20-1997), a.k.a. "Tiny"

CH Rosewood Little Giant, UDX VER RA SH MXP MJP VCX WCX CCA CGC FFX-OG (born 3-10-2007), also UCH HR UUD UJJ URO1 UHIT a.k.a. "Tito" (the Tito Monster)

and my heart dog
Gibson's Golden Guy, CD, CGC, TDI ( 01-31-1998 - 01-02-2012) a.k.a. "Toby", "HRH"

Oh Barb, this Christmas will be hard without HRH. I hope you can honor his memory while creating new ones with Tiny and Tito. We do the same thing- wrap up the old presents. My guys always enjoy the unwrapping the best! With that in mind I wrap all our presents loosely and let them open them all!

__________________


Meet Yogi! http://www.goldenretrieverforum.com/...tion-yogi.html

The "first" of anything after losing them is so hard, especially holidays they enjoyed. And anniversaries. I guess it just takes time and remembering that they were ready to leave us. Not easy, no matter how you approach it. I hope that HRH is watching over you and will send a sign that he is still with you.

Hugs and prayers,
Lucy

__________________
Lucy, owned by Joker and Sunny, who remember Charlie with me
http://www.goldenretrieverforum.com/...years-old.html

I still shed a few tears when coming to this thread, but I try to just be glad I got to know Toby. I wish I could help with your pain, but I know there is no real way, especially with such a special boy being missed.

__________________

Copper's Mom (always)
Gotcha 10/2004 - lost ya 10/2010

Those first ones, but sadly next ones to come don't get much better. Hugs!

__________________

9 & half short years in my life but forever in my heart http://www.goldenretrieverforum.com/...-my-buddy.html
"He took my heart and ran with it, and I hope he's running still, fast and strong, a piece of my heart bound up with his forever" - Patricia McConnell

Charlie could watch birds for hours and I could watch Charlie for hours too http://www.goldenretrieverforum.com/...n-morning.html