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I miss you...I love you...A thread to talk to your Angels at the Bridge

62K views 514 replies 136 participants last post by  sterling18 
#1 · (Edited)
I'm having a hard time finding an outlet to talk to about my girl. People are understanding around me but they don't want to keep hearing about Magic all time. (And I'm not talking about GRF.) But what I really want and need is to just talk to her, and put into words whenever I need to, how I felt, how I feel, how I miss her. I want to share what is going on in our life now as I would if she were standing by my side. I know there are countless others out there who are grieving the loss of their babies and are afraid that they will be forgotten in the hustle and bustle of life.

So with this thread please feel free to talk directly to your babies, tell them what you need to tell them as many times and as often as you need to. And know that so many of us feel this with you. I hope this provides many of us with some healing and a place to be heard whenever we need it.
 
#218 · (Edited)
Oh Nitey, Oh Nitey, Oh Nitey :heartbeat:heartbeat:heartbeat:heartbeat....I know you said you would be ok, but Im not sure Im gonna be ok...this is so hard on us all...On the nite you left us, which was 3 days ago, dad and I sat at Nitey's hill, where you took your last breath..we drank a toast to you that you would be happy, pain-free and waiting for us at the bridge, at that very moment the sky got an awesome red and pink, and daddy and I turned to each other, and I said, he made it to the bridge....Love you so much I ache my sweet boy, who never ever gave me any trouble...please tell your brother Nash here with us that it's okay to move on, and be happy again, mom and dad need him to be happy....xoxoxoxoxo...my tears are still flowing...loving you always, Nitey....til we meet again...:heartbeat:heartbeat:heartbeat:heartbeat:heartbeat:heartbeat:heartbeat:heartbeat:heartbeat:heartbeat:heartbeat:heartbeat:heartbeat
 
#220 ·
What a lovely, if not heart wrenching thread this is. I am sitting here with tears streaming down my face reading about all your losses.

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My dearest Oscar,

I miss you more than words can say. Going to mum's house is so different now without you there to join in the greetings. Abi and Molly are their usual selves and I still get dived on when I go in the house. There's one thing missing though, a huge gaping hole. I miss you waiting patiently until the girls have done their 'welcoming' before coming in for a cuddle, sitting on my feet and throwing your head on my lap. Things will never be the same again. Abi is missing you terribly I think. Remember how she always used to sleep in bed with mum and dad? She doesn't any more. Since you left, she sleeps where you used to, in the Living room.

I hope you've found Grannie and Grandad and they are looking after you. I also hope that you've made some new doggie friends (which will be new for you as you were never very good with strange dogs). I'm sorry if you see me crying so much. I can't really help it. I miss you so so much. I miss your 'grumping' and the 'conversations' we used to have. I hope you wait for us so we can be together again.

Talk to you soon baby loon,

Natalie xxxx
 
#221 ·
My Sweet Katie
Yesterday was a year ago that you went to the Rainbow bridge. I can't tell you how missed you are. You were my Heart Dog. Yesterday we had to take the new puppy to the Vet for her second set of shots, for sure a tough trip given that it was a year ago at that same vets that I gave you your last hug and belly rub.I still think of you everyday and miss you. I wish I could give you one more hug, one more nose pinching. Im not sure why we had to lose you. I hope you are pain free and chasing tennis balls at the bridge. I also know you are keeping a watch over the new puppy. Lilly started to play with her like you and Lilly use to play. I miss you and love you stinkie nose. I just didn't have the energy to write you yesterday, but know I will never forget you.

Love Dad
 
#222 ·
My dear sweet Emmy. It has been 6 months since you went to the Bridge. I miss you every day. I miss your beautiful brown eyes, your morning cuddling, your little happy sighs and I wish I could hold you again and kiss your beautiful face. Today I feel especially sad because you are not here with us. I just want you to know that you are forever and always in our hearts and thoughts. I love you so very much.
 
#223 ·
Dear Buddy,
I miss you so much. Last couple days I see you everywhere, but never close enough to touch you. I have so many hugs and kisses saved for you, cant wait patiently enough to see you again.
Love and miss you.
Your mammy
 
#224 ·
Smooch

My sweet girl, Smooch and my sweet boy, Snobear:
Your Daddy and I can't believe that you and Snobear have been gone two years already!! We miss you both so much, and it gives us comfort that you both are together, as you ALWAYS WERE!!
Tucker and Tonka are bravely following in your footstops.
We will see you, again, and that's a promise!!
 
#225 ·
Dear Fozzie:

It's been exactly 5 months today since you went to the Bridge. I'm missing you horribly--you definitely were my shadow. Dad, Zach and I are getting ready for Christmas, which is so hard to do this year, because you aren't here with us, and it was always so much fun to watch you open your presents. Your boy has grown again--he's almost as tall as Dad now! I hope you are having fun with all of your golden friends at the Bridge. Just remember, I will always love you..

Love,

Mom
 
#226 ·
Hi Harley, it's only been a couple of days since you left but in some ways it seems like a lifetime. You are the first thing I think of when I open my eyes in the morning and the last thing I think of when I fall asleep at night. I keep going over everything that happened the last few months and looking for answers. Did I miss something, could I have done things differently, would you still be here. Let me know you're OK. I miss you more than you'll ever know.
 
#227 ·
Hey Stinky,

It's been six months since we said goodbye and I still miss you every day. I hope you're okay there at the Rainbow bridge and that you're having lots of fun. I can't wait to see you and stroke that little schnoz of yours and kiss that little spot right next to your nose. I've been thinking a lot about you the last couple of weeks, more so than usual. Maybe because all the hoopla of the holidays are over...The holidays were tough without you. We really felt your absence. i didn't even bother to put up a tree this year, I didn't have it in me. I was a real grinch the entire month of December. I stumbled across your Christmas stocking while putting some stuff in the attic and that made me cry a little. It snowed here last night and I know how much you use to love to zip around in the snow...one of your favorite things! Remember how you use to get ice between your toes and I have to stop every so often and defrost them? And remember when we tried the booties on the feet and what a disaster that was?

I hope you know how much you meant to me. You were the most amazing best friend and I miss your constant calm presence. I look back now and wonder if I did a good enough job of letting you know how much I loved you and how much I appreciated you. I hope I did. Most of all I hope you are not lonely up there and you're not missing me or dad and that you're not unhappy in any way.

I miss you and I love you,
Mom
 
#228 ·
Hey Stinky,

It's been six months since we said goodbye and I still miss you every day. I hope you're okay there at the Rainbow bridge and that you're having lots of fun. I can't wait to see you and stroke that little schnoz of yours and kiss that little spot right next to your nose. I've been thinking a lot about you the last couple of weeks, more so than usual. Maybe because all the hoopla of the holidays are over...The holidays were tough without you. We really felt your absence. i didn't even bother to put up a tree this year, I didn't have it in me. I was a real grinch the entire month of December. I stumbled across your Christmas stocking while putting some stuff in the attic and that made me cry a little. It snowed here last night and I know how much you use to love to zip around in the snow...one of your favorite things! Remember how you use to get ice between your toes and I have to stop every so often and defrost them? And remember when we tried the booties on the feet and what a disaster that was?

I hope you know how much you meant to me. You were the most amazing best friend and I miss your constant calm presence. I look back now and wonder if I did a good enough job of letting you know how much I loved you and how much I appreciated you. I hope I did. Most of all I hope you are not lonely up there and you're not missing me or dad and that you're not unhappy in any way.

I miss you and I love you,
Mom
We run away from home first Christmas, couldn't bear to do anything with holidays that year. Even this second year wasn't easier but with little Charlie running all over the place was different. We have to remember:
"God gives us love. Something to love He lends us", there will be time for us to be together again. Hugs.
 
#229 · (Edited)
To Pouncy Silver:
I had just "dropped by" this forum to say hi to my boy and saw your post and went back to read over some of your early posts. Jesse is a beautiful girl and I'm so sorry for your loss. Many of your comments really hit home with me. I don't know how old Jesse was but to have her only 5 years is unfair. Harley was a rescue and I also had him only five years and lost him to cancer 10 days ago. I always tried to protect him and I feel defeated by the cancer that took him and cheated by only having him five years. (Oops somehow this posted before I finished.) Harley was my fourth golden and I know time heals all, but there was just something about him that is making it harder this time. There will always be trigger days that make it hard. It sounds like you have a lot of great memories so I hope those stay in the forefront.
 
#230 ·
Sometimes when I read about those goldens lost at age of 12, 13...15 I think how would I give up everything I have had my Bud to that age. And then there are those beautiful young souls left at age of 1, 3, 5 cant imagine how those people feel.
 
#231 ·
Hi Harley, Well it's Day 10 and I'm adjusting to the new norm but I miss you so much. I took a walk just to Walgreens and it was hard to walk down the block that we walked down just about every day for the past 5 1/2 years. I imagined you walking along side stopping at every tree to check your p-mail. You were never great on a leash but still better than many. Just before I started this letter to you, I read about another dog who reminded me of you in many ways. Her name is Jesse and she also had a lambchop toy. Of course you had 4 because one or two were always in the hospital having stitches. Jesse also seemed to be more a people dog. You weren't good at making friends with other dogs, it took a long time but then you finally had some friends. I've been trying to keep busy and started on the basement. I found tennis balls down there and would sqeak them and hope you would come running down. Whenever I wanted your attention, three things always worked: open the fridge, sqeak a toy or say squirrel or chipmunk. I'd give everything I have to have you back. I won the lottery the day I got you.
 
#232 · (Edited)
Sadie..today I went to a customers house that we are doing a basement renovation at for a meeting . They said do you mind dogs and I said no, and they opened a door and in ran the cutest golden retriever. His name was Barkley..he was 8, and had shaggy fur..not like your silky golden coat. He had the white bandit mask around his eyes, and he was so sweet and friendly...ran right over to me with his tail wagging. The whole time I was there he was glued to me..I couldn't stop petting him. He gave me lots of kisses, and I told him to sit..and he sat for me and put both paws up on my arms just like you used to do. At one point he was leaning against me so hard I had to fight to not let him knock me over! When I left I was covered in his fur. I just wanted to tell you this because it made me miss you even more than before..it reminded me of everything that was great about you..everything I loved about you. Even though he was different than you in a lot of ways, he was everything that was great about you. I had to hold back my emotions a couple times..I was so distracted by him and I almost forgot I was at a business meeting.

Its been exactly 5 months yesterday since I last kissed you on the head..since we last played tire..since we went for our walk after work. Meeting Barkley today just really made me miss you even more..I didn't think that was possible..but here i am...feeling like it was just yesterday I reluctantly kissed you goodbye. I miss your fur everywhere..I miss you appearing from nowhere every time I open the cupboard with the peanut butter in it..I miss you wedging yourself between me and my computer when you demanded attention..Most of all I just miss your presence in the house..knowing you will be there waiting for me when I get home..Knowing you will be nudging me out of bed on a Sunday morning to walk and play..

I miss you puppy....
 
#233 ·
Athena,

Tomorrow will make a week since that night, a week since we’ve been apart; our longest separation in years. I still hear you sometimes at night patrolling the apartment’s nooks and crannies and exhaling that long sigh of collapse as you settle back in for sleep. I still wake up an hour and a half earlier than I have to, my body ready for our walk. It’s been nice days for walks lately, chilly but sunny and not so bitter as our last few months have been. I miss watching the sun rise and the world wake up with you every morning, with your breath whirling up and around us in a cloud and your eager smile and bright eyes that would look up at me, so, so happy. I miss having to stop every 10 minutes so you could roll in the grass and pause to have a belly rub. “Geez, Athena,” I’d grouse every time, but I loved it and I know you knew that.

I’ve been thinking about what you were like as a puppy. People have been contacting me with some of their favorite memories, you meant so much to so many people. The very first time I met you, how you walked around the corner, straight to me, like you were choosing me, and licked my nose just once. I think of you with blue ribbons in your hair at the high school with the crowds watching games. I miss playing hide and seek with you and the way you’d shove your babies into my face until I’d give in and play. I miss the way you’d always know in the mornings if I was pretending to be asleep and you’d crawl up on your belly, only the swishing of your tail giving you way, until you lunged forward and stole kisses, one at a time, until I couldn’t help but laugh. And when I’d open my eyes you were laughing too.

I miss coming home to you after work and the feel of your head pressing into my shoulder. I miss your smell and how warm you were all the time. I hate how quiet the house is now even though you never really said much.

I was thinking today of how much you loved me, and I know you did, maybe even more than I love you, and how you loved to lick. How many kisses did I receive from you in 10 years? Millions. Billions. But sometimes you’d sit back and look at me, really study me for a minute, and then give a lick slow and purposeful and hard, and you really meant those.

God, I really miss you, Athena. I can still feel your weight in my lap from that last ride and if I close my eyes I can picture that look in your eyes you’d get and the feel of your fur and your smell. Thank you for choosing me. I’m sorry you had a rough go of it; I’m sorry for your arthritic hips and bum knee and way you had to drag your back foot. I’m sorry you got cancer and it took you so quickly and I couldn’t save you.

I’ve had a bit of a crisis of faith the last few years, but one thing I do know is that if there is a heaven, no one deserves to be there more than you. I like to think of you there, finally able to run and jump like the other dogs and show them what you’re really made of. I hope I get to meet you there one day. I picture our favorite park in Denver. It’s warm but dry, the heat coming directly from the sun and crinkling on our skin, the kind of heat that put a little pep in your arthritic step. The sun is just starting to set and the mountains are all shades of purple and dark blue and the sky takes my breath away as always. The other dogs are barking and splashing in the creek, kicking up dust and gifting everything a coat of red. And I go around that bend, up the hill where you liked to watch the horses and chase the birds, and there you are waiting for me. I’d like, more than anything at this moment, to get to walk in that tall grass again with you and feel in our own world.

I miss you and I love you, Athena.
 

Attachments

#235 ·
My Sweet Katie
Its been awhile since I bought Abby home, she is a handful for sure. She is nothing but energy. I still tell you good morning every day, I look at your picture and wish I could pinch that nose one more time. Just in the last two weeks Abby started sleeping in your two favorite spots, behind the TV stand and my under my desk. That was kinda weird at first because those were your spots, not hers. I at times think Ms Abby was sent to me by you to help heal the pain of losing you. I still tear up when people ask about you or something reminds me of you. Love you and miss you Katie, thank you for all the years of loving you gave me.

Love Dad
 
#236 ·
Kadence

Kadence,
It is 58 days since you left us and went to the Rainbow Bridge.Daddy and I , your brother and sisters and Scout are still so heartbroken that you are not here with us.I think of you every day and what we would have been doing with your golden brother Scout. You were both two peas in a pod.Always together!
I hope that God has restored your health and your ability to run again.I take comfort in knowing that you are free my boy from all the cancer and the pain of not being able to walk or play.I will always keep you in my heart,my little golden puppy with the orange yarn around his neck.Keep an eye on Scout for me.He still seems alittle confused without you there.You were his big brother! Give Rielly and Ranger a big hug and kiss for me.I miss them so much too. I love and miss you!See you in my dreams !:smooch:

Love your golden Mom xxxooo
 
#237 ·
Emmy, my sweet precious Emmy. We are coming up on a year since you went to the bridge. Not a day goes by that we don't think of you - your happy face, your wagging tail, your twinkling brown eyes. Sometimes the pain of not having you to touch is more than I can bare but I tell myself you are still with us. I know you are because I feel your presence. The other night Gambler looked up at our ceiling fan and gave a big "woof". He watched that spot for a bit and then went back to sleep. I think he saw you peeking in on us. I just know that was you. So many people ask about you and your picture is still up in the VA assisted living community where you have many friends. I know you are happy and with your golden brothers and friends but I miss you so much. I love you now and forever!
 
#238 ·
Allie I miss kissing you right between the eyes. My face seemed to just fit perfectly there. I miss your "jack in box" act going around the bed, trying to catch me or D's attention to get invited up on the bed. You would be smiling to make yourself more appealing. Don't you know you were the most appealing girl on the planet to me?
I miss saying "hup hip" into the car. I miss you sitting in the driver's seat when I returned from the grocery store. I would say "you have a car and a driver, what more could you want?"
Allie, I want to forget the sad, forlorn look of "I'm tired and sick Momma" I know I released you from your pain, but my pain aches so badly now that I just want to see your beautiful, soulful eyes again and see your gorgeous smile. The run to my DH when he was at the airport and you hadn't seen him in a couple of months.
You will never be forgotten my sweet Miss Allie.
 
#239 ·
Andy,

This house seems mighty empty without the huge light you shone everywhere you walked. The Earth was a better place with you here. You loved everyone and everything you ever met, and they loved you in return for being you.

2 days now you've been back in Heaven. I miss you so much, my sweet man. If you've come to visit, know that when I cry it isn't to make you sad, it's just that the world is so different without you always near and I miss you so much.

I know you're snacking on everything you love to eat, swimming in a beautiful warm lake, and running with the wind in your face after tennis balls anytime the thought crosses your mind.

One day, in what will seem like only an instant to you now, you'll see me coming. It will be the second best day of my life compared to the day I brought you home from your foster home. For over 10 years you filled my heart with joy, my life with light, and my days with happiness. God bless you for that, my sweet, wonderful friend :D
 
#241 ·
Monty

Hey Mister,
Well today is your 8 th Birthday. This has been the toughest day since you went to the bridge. We think about you every single day. I can't believe how much I want to hold you one more time. I still can't believe you are gone. That day in January, the 13 th, was the worse day in our lives. Nothing is the same. It's hard to visit this site, but I feel closer to you when I'm here. Dad is sleeping right now, I couldn't bear going to sleep until I talked to you. I know you are well now, but I still wish you were here. I held you today, well you know what I mean, and I cried. I kissed you and your Dollie, which is losing your scent more and more each day. Oh mister, wish you were here. I would give anything to have you here with us. You will always be loved and never forgotten Monty. Love you lots. Mom and dad.
 
#242 ·
Gypsy

Your ashes came home yesterday. I didn't know what to feel when I held the box in my hands - comforted that you were here again or shocked that you are really gone. I'll take you to Owen Park this weekend and sprinkle some of your ashes into the water that you loved to swim in. I remember you just vibrating trying to hold it together until I would let you go in to swim, and the bliss on your face while you paddled back and forth.
If I could have that time back, I would have taken you there more often. I didn't do it as often as I should because the whole swimming thing was so involved - washing you afterwards, trying to get you as dry as possible, all the while you squiggling to get away to run and roll on the ground again. What I wouldn't give to be able to do today what used to seem like too much work.
I only hope you know how very much I loved you and still love you today.
 
#244 · (Edited)
Toby, mama is having a bad day. I just miss you so much, I still need you and I don't know how to live without you by my side. I miss your smiling face, your head butts, your big sloppy kisses, your roohing, your happy dances, you sticking your head through my legs just so I could scratch your lower back, of course I called it butt scratch and you were so wiggly with pleasure, I miss your company.........you were my best friend, the best fur baby ever!!! I thought of you more as my child than anything else. It just hurts so bad.......
I look at your ashes and I cannot believe that is what is left of my beautiful baby. How can all be gone in an instant?
How I wish you could sit beside me on the couch now, pushed against me, trying to throw yourself across my lap, staying oh so close like nothing can ever separate us.
Mom loves and misses you so much!!! If I could have but one wish, it would be to bring you back to me, I would need nothing else ever again.
 
#245 ·
Toby, mom is having a bad day. I just miss you so much, I still need you and I don't know how to live without you by my side. I miss your smiling face, your head butts, your big sloppy kisses, your roohing, your happy dances, you sticking your head through my legs just so I could scratch your lower back, of course I called it butt scratch and you were so wiggly with pleasure, I miss your company.........you were my best friend, the best fur baby ever!!! I thought of you more as my child than anything else. It just hurts so bad.......
I look at your ashes and I cannot believe that is what is left of my beautiful baby. How can all be gone in an instant?
How I wish you could sit beside me on the couch now, pushed against me, trying to throw yourself across my lap, staying oh so close like nothing can ever separate us.
Mom loves and misses you so much!!! If I could have but one wish, it would be to bring you back to me, I would need nothing else ever again.
I cried reading this. We just miss them so much. Hugs to all missing there friends.
 
#246 ·
Christa
I am sorry you are having a tough day missing your baby Toby, and I totally understand what your feeling. You just don't realize how much a part of your everyday life they are until they are gone. It's like everything you do now seems different..because that big furry lug isn't standing there watching you, and when you give them a look they wag the tail, or smash their head into your leg for some attention. It's the little things you miss...the puddles of drool on the floor that wet your socks, the barking at leaves blowing in the yard, the "are we going outside to play?" glances..nudging my arm with her snout while I would be on the computer. My time with Sadie was after work..she waited for me to come home so we could play and go for our walk..every day after I lost her I would come home and look at pictures of her and sit by myself and cry..it just felt like life would never feel normal again without her. Now that I have two fur faces waiting to dance a happy dance for me when I get home helps take my mind off missing her..but her 10th birthday is coming up two weeks, and I feel the deep sadness creeping back into my heart...
 
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