Five Years Without You My Precious Boy

 

Our Sweet Dakota Left Us Four Years Ago Today

 My first ever Sheltie, Dakota, my sweet boy passed on July 9, 2020 (9 days after Cody), after having been diagnosed with Hemagiosarcoma (a tumor on his heart) a mere month before. He was 13 (as was Cody).

It is an awful disease that has taken many beloved dogs of friends and family members. We were blessed to have Dakota with us for a month after he was diagnosed, many I know weren't that lucky. 

To think I thought Dakota was crazy when he was young! Little did I know what would be in store for me with Levi.

Dakota was sweet, stoic at the Vet, he HATED other dogs, was devoted to his "pack" at home, but wasn't much of a fan of humans that he didn't know. He never would have enjoyed going to daycare or boarding like Levi does.

He was a great brother to Cody. They truly loved each other.

He hated taking walks, wasn't thrilled with the car (he would sit on the floor). Didn't like to sleep in his bed, he preferred sleeping on the floor. If I stirred eggs he would bark. If I used spray butter he would bark. He was the quirkiest dog ever!

He LOVED his precious Greenies, popcorn, red peppers (not hot ones!), apples, carrots and the doggy meatloaf/meatballs/hamburgers I would make for him.

He also ADORED HIS DADDY!

Dakota was extremely bonded with Lenny when he was young, as time went on, he and I became extremely close. He had a sixth sense of knowing just when I needed extra loving.

He was the first dog I had as an adult and was the fulfillment of a childhood dream of having a Sheltie. He was special in so many ways.

He loved running and playing fetch when he was young.

He adored his red, white and blue Dollar store ball that we have safely tucked away in a trunk. That dog had sooo many toys and that disgusting worn out plush ball was his absolute favorite. 

The 13 years he was with us went by in the blink of an eye. I am grateful for the many collages I have on the living room wall of both Cody and Dakota, this way I can still see them both every day.

Dakota you were such a good and special boy. Daddy and I think of you, love you and miss you every single day. 

About a minute after Dakota left us, I noticed a yellow butterfly that flew right into our patio doors, I am certain that was our sweet Dakota letting us know he would always be there.

 I had always loved the name "Dakota" and when I was selecting a name for him I had looked up the meaning. In American Indian the name "Dakota" meant "trusted friend." He completely lived up to his name and more. 

Thank you, Dakota, for sharing your life and love with Daddy, Cody and I. You were the PERFECT first Sheltie.

Much Love Always,

Mom

Thankful for our Dear Friend, Brian. Today and Always

 

Today is of course Thankful Thursday, and I thought it would be appropriate to show enormous gratitude for one special mancat, who I never thought would ever leave us......but he had to. That mancat is Brian of the superb Brian's Home blog.

Brian's blog was probably the first I followed. I began blogging sporadically in 2009, more frequently in 2010, and I remember stumbling upon Brian's blog. Being a tabby girl at heart, he won me over with his handsomeness, his sweetness and the PURE GOODNESS and fun of his blog.

I guess most of the credit goes to his pawesome Dad and Mom....but Brian was the heart and soul of his blog. Afterall, it was named after him!

The blog is magical, Brian was magical. Why of course he was! He was born on a Christmas Tree Farm after all, a place full of magic. It is only fitting that some of that magic would spill onto Brian.

This post is extremely difficult for me to write for a host of reasons. I have immense love for Brian and his entire family. I was blessed to see Brian's Dad at a number of blogging events and if you have never been blessed with meeting him in person, you truly are missing out. He is just as kind and funny in person as you would imagine.  Brian's Dad was there for me before and after my precious Cody passed and I will never forget it. With tears in my eyes, I think it's best if I just include a bit of an email I wrote to Brian's Dad when I heard the heartbreaking news. Hoping he doesn't mind.

"I honestly thought our beloved Brian would live forever. I truly did. He was the epitome of class, bravery, with a stoic personality, kind heart.......just like his Daddy who spoke for him.

How warmly he accepted sooooooo many kitties into his home......he was the glue of all of the kitties who came after. 

I am having so much trouble accepting this. I can only imagine the pain all of you are feeling. I so wish I could be there to offer hugs and comfort. This is the end of an era.  You designed a most meaningful blog after just one kitty.....Brian. Not just one kitty but a kitty that will forever be the heart and soul of our community.

Thank you for sharing him with all of us......thank you for allowing all of us to love him. Thank you for all that you do for cats every single day. May we all try and live more like you and Brian. Stoic, brave, kind, gentle and may we all proudly wear a fedora and be just as jaunty as we can be. Just like Brian........."

Hoping it's ok that I used this!

I WILL FOREVER AND EVER REMEMBER YOU,

I WILL FOREVER AND EVER LOVE YOU,

I WILL FOREVR AND EVER MISS YOU,

I WILL FOREVER AND EVER BE THANKFUL FOR YOU BRIAN.

Happy 16th Birthday in Heaven Precious Cody

 I wasn't going to post for Cody's birthday this year.....but then I noticed I did for Dakota's.....soooo....I am re-posting last years post and just changed the age to 16. Maybe one day I will no longer feel the need to post for his birthday, but I still miss my boy beyond belief, so please indulge me. After all, if it weren't for Cody, this blog would never have existed and I never would have had the joy of knowing all of YOU! xoxo

I see this face and the hurt begins all over again. My precious Cody today would have been your 16th birthday, three years ago I never would have ever imagined that you wouldn't be with us today. One day you were here, and like a blink of an eye you were gone. It's all a blur. A heartbreaking blur.

I miss you EVERY SINGLE DAY. I miss you sitting next to me on the armrest of the couch. I miss looking into your sea green eyes, I miss your quirky little mouth. I miss your cuddle bug ways. I miss yelling at you for trying to chew everything you could get your paws on. I miss sharing chicken with you. I miss your calm and easy-going nature.

From the day I adopted you in 2007 we shared an incredible bond. You crawled up my chest that day and you would NOT let go. The tears come all over again when I think about the day you left us. I beat myself up mentally constantly for feeling as if I let you down. That I didn't protect you enough, when I had promised you I would. Even now, nearly three years after you passed, I STILL cannot type without tears welling in my eyes.

I love you and miss you my "Codester", my "Jelly Belly", my "Codalicious", my "Cody Boy", my "Cuddlebug". I pray with all of my heart that you knew how deeply you were loved. I hope Angel Dakota is helping you celebrate your heavenly birthday my precious boy. My life will never, ever be the same without you here. I miss you more than you could ever imagine Cody. 

Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day 2022, My Babies

ABOUT RAINBOW BRIDGE REMEMBRANCE DAY:

Deb Barnes founded Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day (RBRD) in 2015 as a special day for pet guardians to honor the memory of those beloved pets in their life they have loved and lost, but never forgotten – whether fur, fin, feathers, scales or something else. It’s held every year on August 28, in honor of the day Deb had to say goodbye to her  precious Ragdoll cat, Mr. Jazz, the meow author of Purr Prints of the Heart – A Cat’s Tale of Life, Death, and Beyond.  

My "Baby Bobo"

The first to make his way over the Bridge was my precious Angel Bobo. I had found Bobo late in 1989 during a blizzard in Ohio. He was approximately 6 months old at the time. I was blessed to have him in my life for 18 years. Bobo was truly MY cat. He hated other cats, wasn't a fan of dogs (except for one Sheltie who lived near us in Ohio, that Sheltie was named Kelly and they used to eat grass together when Bobo would go outside on his leash.).

 Bobo was the first kitty I had ever share my life. We had a bond that I thought would never ever be as intense as it was, until:

My Cody

 

My Cody, My Codester, my precious love bug, my cuddle bug, my shadow, my heart, my soul. My "Velcro kitty". When Cody was adopted July of 2007 (two weeks after my Bobo passed), I never, ever thought that I would have a bond like that again. My Cody, the day I adopted him he crawled up my chest at Petco and wouldn't let go. From that day on until his tragic, unexpected death in 2020, he DID NOT LET GO. My chicken loving, catnip loving, Sheltie-loving cuddle bug only wanted to be loved from the moment we laid eyes on each other.

Cody was the reason that this blog began. He was my "co-pilot", my sidekick. Our blog started October of 2009 and to honor his memory, while the name of the blog has changed, the link never, ever will.

Cody gave me more happiness, love and yes, heartbreak than I could ever imagine. My precious boy, I miss you beyond words.

I used to love when Cody played with certain toys from kittenhood on, he would do a somersault while he played. It was the cutest ever. Cody was a "people cat". Anyone who entered our home, in his mind, was his friend.

He spent every single night on the armrest of the couch next to me while I watched TV. To this day, that armrest remains empty. 

When he wasn't sitting with, or following me, or playing with his brother, Cody loved nothing more than to spend time in his cherished cat tree.

I will be forever grateful for Cody's cat tree as well as his custom-made urn, where Cody is at rest. He gets to spend eternity in his favorite spot in the world, his cat tree.

My Dakota, My First Sheltie

Believe it or not, when Dakota joined our family in October of 2007, while I loved him, it took us a few years for us to truly form the deep bond that we had.

Daddy was the one who used to take Dakota to the Vet and to grooming, so he bonded with him earlier than I did. While I was CRAZY about Dakota, our bond deep bond began probably when he was about two years old. From that time on, Dakota and I were deeply bonded. So much so that he had an uncanny sense of understanding my emotions, coming to me to give me kisses when I would cry. He was my cooking buddy; he would watch me like a hawk from the babygate whenever I would cook, and I would tell him everything I was doing.

Dakota was stoic, funny, barky, quirky, handsome, loving, loyal and all I could have hoped for from my first Sheltie. Dakota was the fulfillment of a lifetime dream of being a mom to a Sheltie. I couldn't have asked for a better dog.

He adored his Daddy and his Mama, popcorn, apples, chicken, hamburgers and his beloved red, white and blue ball. 

He didn't like other dogs, wasn't a fan of that many people, but he was fiercely loyal to his Daddy, Mama and to his brother, Cody. Dakota loved with everything he had, even in his last moments. I am grateful for each and every moment I had with this special boy and miss him terribly.

Dakota and Cody adored each other. Many who wrote me notes of comfort when they passed, a mere 9 days apart, felt that the two of them planned on leaving together.  I'm not surprised. When Cody passed first, Dakota was lost. He kept looking for Cody everywhere, it was the most heartbreaking thing to witness. Dakota had already been diagnosed with cancer (Hemangiosarcoma), and when Cody left us, it was as if Dakota lost his will to live. He wanted to be with his Daddy and Mama but missed his brother terribly.

The photo below was the last photo of the boys taken together; it was taken extremely close to when they passed. I am grateful that I have it. Cody and Dakota brought his Daddy and Mama more joy and silly, loving moments than we ever could have imagined.

This is the sweatshirt that was on the floor of the closet

where Cody ultimately passed.

He chose to lay next to it.

This sweatshirt had been missing for years.

Until Cody passed away on it.

"Coincidence? I think not."

To each and every one of you who have lost beloved babies,

please remember:

"We all shine on, like the moon and the stars and the sun"--John Lennon

Thank you, my precious pets, for your unconditional love, for the happy times and memories that will live with me forever. Thank you, my beloved Cody, for this blog and all that I experienced because you were the first to make it possible. Love forever to all of you, always, your Mama.

I didn't intend for this post to be quite this long, and I thank you for taking the time to read it. I also would like to thank Deb Barnes for creating this wonderful event. I send my love to each and every one of you and look forward to reading your stories and seeing your photos of those "who came before." May we all derive some comfort from these posts.

My Precious Cody, You've Been Gone Two Years

(the above photo is before the blog was Cat Chat With Caren and Cody!)

 My precious Cody, (Codester, Codalicious, Jelly Belly), my precious boy. You left us two years ago today. A life ended much too soon.

Though it's been two years, the pain is still as raw.

Life has changed in those two years; we have a new woofie named Levi and another kitty named Roary. I know you see Roary from your urn on the cat tree and probably are wondering what all of the ruckus is around you. While he loves the cat tree, he doesn't "live" in it as you did every day. You loved nothing more than relaxing in your most favorite tree.

As you see from your perch, Levi is much wilder than your beloved brother, Dakota. To think I thought you and Dakota were wild, I didn't have a clue what the future would bring.

Cody, we had a bond, a bond that was deep in our hearts from the day I first found you at Petsmart and you crawled up my chest and never let go.

You still haven't let go of my heart and I will never, ever let you go.

If I allow myself to relive the horrible day you left, my tears and pain are as raw as the day it happened. I am choosing to think of wonderful memories of you.

I miss how every night you sat on the armrest of the couch next to me. I miss how you begged for your beloved chicken.

 I miss your quirky mouth and oh so handsome face. I miss holding you, cuddling you, I miss you so much that now the tears are coming again.

While life may have changed since you left us precious Cody, one thing is constant. My love for you is as deep (even deeper), than it ever was. I will never, ever stop loving you and I will never, ever stop missing you.

You can rest assured that you still have my heart, and you always will.

Love, Mom

Happy 15th Birthday in Heaven Precious Cody

 

I see this face and the hurt begins all over again. My precious Cody today would have been your 15th birthday, two years ago I never would have ever imagined that you wouldn't be with us today. One day you were here, and like a blink of an eye you were gone. It's all a blur. A heartbreaking blur.

I miss you EVERY SINGLE DAY. I miss you sitting next to me on the armrest of the couch. I miss looking into your sea green eyes, I miss your quirky little mouth. I miss your cuddle bug ways. I miss yelling at you for trying to chew everything you could get your paws on. I miss sharing chicken with you. I miss your calm and easy-going nature.

From the day I adopted you in 2007 we shared an incredible bond. You crawled up my chest that day and you would NOT let go. The tears come all over again when I think about the day you left us. I beat myself up mentally constantly for feeling as if I let you down. That I didn't protect you enough, when I had promised you I would. Even now, nearly two years after you passed, I STILL cannot type without tears welling in my eyes.

I love you and miss you my "Codester", my "Jelly Belly", my "Codalicious", my "Cody Boy", my "Cuddlebug". I pray with all of my heart that you knew how deeply you were loved. I hope Angel Dakota is helping you celebrate your heavenly birthday my precious boy. My life will never, ever be the same without you here. I miss you more than you could ever imagine Cody. 

There are no words......

 

I have no words. No words that adequately convey the depth of pain that is felt when a beloved pet passes unexpectedly. Losing a pet at any time is heartbreaking and painful, but the loss of a pet suddenly, completely out-of-the-blue is one of the worst pains imaginable. Believe me, I know, and I know that sadly, many of you have experienced the sudden loss of a pet as well.

Our hearts go out to Terry (Brian's Home) and his wife, Celesta at the sudden and tragic loss of their beautiful Dolly. She was one of the prettiest kitties I have ever seen.

I know most of you have offered words of condolence and comfort to our cherished friends at Brian's Home, but for those of you who haven't, you can do so where I highlighted the name of their blog.

R.I.P. beautiful Dolly, you will be forever missed and loved.

xoxo

No sooner did I write this post about Dolly, I went into my email and learned about the passing of handsome Winston from the blog, Stillness at Cherith. I always enjoyed looking at his handsome countenance and reading about his antics. He was one exquisitely handsome mancat with the most amazing blue eyes. You can leave words of comfort for his sweet Mama, Maggie at the Stillness of Cherith blog where I have the blog name highlighted.

R.I.P. Winston you handsome mancat

We will love you and miss you furever

xoxo

A Childhood Dream Come True, "Pawprints Left By You"

 Once there was a little girl  who was obsessed with the TV Show "Lassie." Her parents bought a stuffed Lassie that she carried with her everywhere,  she was about 2 yrs old. There was a time, when her stuffed Lassie needed a bath,  her parents took her from her and the little one went into a frenzy typical of a child who lost her favorite toy. Her father went out to try and get a replacement while Lassie was being washed, couldn't find one, and brought home "Rin Tin Tin". (For those who are too young to know, that was a German Shepherd also on TV). When "Rin Tin Tin" was presented to the little girl she promptly flung it out of her crib. It wasn't Lassie. From that moment on, her parents knew that there needed to not be one, but TWO back-up "Lassies."

At five, the little girl was delighted that a family moved in across the street who had a dog that looked just like Lassie! (He actually was a Shetland Sheepdog, who to the little girl, WAS LASSIE!!). The little girl would play with the children across the street, mostly to play with their dog, who was named "Dandy." It was then, that her obsession with having a dog that looked just like Lassie and Dandy began.

That dream wasn't fulfilled until 14 years ago. The girl's bonus daughter, called to tell her that an 8 month old Sheltie  named "Tanner", was available. He ended up  joining the family which consisted of the girl,  her husband and their cat, "Cody."

The girl decided that "Tanner" wasn't an appropriate name, so the  girl searched for the perfect name. She had always liked the name "Dakota", she searched the meaning, and discovered that it meant "Trusted Friend" in American Indian. That name was perfect, and "Tanner" became "Dakota."

For 13 years the girl was blessed to have Dakota in her life and her family loved him dearly.

He wasn't like many Shelties, he was on the shy side, kind of "cat-like". He didn't readily accept anyone into his world, but once he did, he loved them with all of his heart.

He didn't like taking walks, not until the last year of his life. During his last year Dakota only wanted to take walks, it was as if he was trying to make up for all of the times that the girl wanted him to take a walk and he wouldn't.

He was fiercely loyal and devoted to his people. He had a way of always knowing when the girl was upset and would shower her with licks and love.

He adored his Dad who adored him back.

 He adored his kitty brother. He passed 9 days after Cody. (While Dakota had cancer on his heart and we knew his time was limited, we are certain Cody's passing expedited Dakota leaving us. The photo below was taken less than a month before they were both gone.)

He never minded being at the Vet. "Dr.Smiley" used to describe him as being "stoic." He took everything at the Vet in stride.

Speaking of "smiles", Dakota ALWAYS had time for a smile!

He loved popcorn, his beloved red, white and blue ball (a Dollar Store find that he cherished, while more expensive dog toys would sit unused). He loved Greenies, and knew that at 6pm every day he would get one.

He was one of 6 blogging dogs who were Brand Ambassadors for Rachael Ray Nutrish for four years. (He actually began  eating Nutrish approximately 3 years before ever representing their brand)

Dakota was the first dog the girl ever had. He fulfilled her childhood dream. 

Dakota had the most gentle spirit, he was sensitive, loving and sweet dog. He was Quirky. Fun. Silly. A thief. A barker. A watchdog. "A TRUSTED FRIEND."

Dakota passed a year ago today at approximately 6:30pm. He was surrounded by love. "Dr.Smiley and his assistant, Jessica, came to our home to help him cross the bridge. He fought leaving with everything he had, he even got up and moved away, he didn't want to leave. He didn't want to leave the people he loved. He wanted to stay. He knew how badly we needed him. He KNEW his "girl" was heartbroken.  That "girl" you all know is me.......I held him on my lap, cried into his fur, pet him gently and thanked him. I thanked him for all of the love, laughs, barks, licks and love that he blessed our lives with for 13 years. With all he gave to us, we could say "thank you" forever and it wouldn't be enough.

Minutes after Dakota passed a yellow butterfly appeared on our balcony, I spotted it  flying by the patio door right in the room where he passed. I knew it was HIM. He had to peek in one last time before he went and joined Cody.

To our precious Dakota, there isn't a day that goes by that we don't think of you or mention you with love. Daddy and I still love you with all of our hearts and miss you. You will never, ever be forgotten. Thank you for 13 wonderful years......we were blessed to share our lives with you. Love Always, Mom and Dad.