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.

Remembering My Angels on #WorldPetMemorialDay

 World Pet Memorial Day, (a day that falls on the second Tuesday in June and is a day to honor all pets who are no longer with us),

This gorgeous holder was made by Bernadette E. Kazmarski of The Creative Cat

Dakota and Cody were the best of friends, they were the light of my life for 13 years.

It was Cody who this blog was originally named for.

Cody was glued to me like velcro. He was definitely my "heart" cat or "soul" cat.

He was such a loving and special boy who should have been with us much longer than he was.

Dakota was my first dog as an adult.

He was sensitive, sweet, skittish, shy, stoic, a clown and such a good boy!

My Angel Bobo was the first cat I ever had the joy of sharing my life with.

He was found in a blizzard in 1989 or 90. 

Another "velcro cat" Bobo was fiercely loyal to me.

He hated other cats, the only dog he ever tolerated was a Sheltie

who lived near my apartment. Her name was Kelly.

Bobo was my first "heart" cat.

I was blessed to share my life with him for 18 years.

I think of and miss all of my babies every day. They helped shape (for better or worse), the woman that I am today. I thank them all for their unconditional love and for sharing their lives with me.

((((hugs))) to all of you who are remembering cherished and departed pets today. 

One Special Dog, Emma, We Will Miss You...

This photo of Emma was sent to me by Emma's human Mama
 back when I reviewed their book on December 2, 2013.
Courtesy of MY GBGV LIFE

Hi all, it's Cody and I have some sad news. On Halloween night my Mom was reading a blog of a blogging furiend when she read something that made her throat close up, her stomach fell to her feet and tears began to fall. Mom was in shock as she read that sweet Emma from My GBGV Life had passed suddenly and most unexpectedly last Tuesday night. Mom sat at her computer with her hands on the side of her head, staring at the computer screen not believing what she was reading. She was in shock. So were Dakota and I. Complete and total shock. And it hurt all of us....BAD.

Emma didn't just read Dakota's blog because he was a woofie too, Emma lived with two kitties, so Emma nearly ALWAYS stopped by MY blog as well. She always left us some fun comments.  We are going to miss her terribly. PLEASE VISIT DAKOTA'S BLOG AND READ THE TRIBUTE TO EMMA THAT MOM AND DAKOTA POSTED THERE. YOU CAN ALSO OFFER EMMA'S HUMAN MAMA SOME WORDS OF COMFORT HERE.

Winner of Pet Memorial & Remembrance Jewelry by My Flowers Forever & Bellabeads

Hi all!! Thank you to everyone who entered our give-away!!!

We are so excited to announce the lucky winner

 who is listed below!

 HUGE CONCATULATIONS TO:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Deb's blog is:

Zee & Zoey Cat Chronicles

We KNOW she is going to treasure this!

World Pet Memorial Day 2016

I have noticed conflicting dates for World Pet Memorial Day, some say it was June 9th, but the American Veterinary Medical Association says  it is always the second Sunday in June, which would make it fall today, June 12th. Today I am honoring my Bobo. I have honored Angel Bobo EVERY day since he passed in 2007, in my thoughts and heart, and through collages I have made and that are hanging in our home, but today I will formally recognize him.

Please take a moment and acknowledge and say a prayer for all of the cats and kittens who are in shelters and pray that they find furever homes.

I also send healing prayers to the kitties that are ill, or are facing challenges, and to all of you who have loved and lost your beloved furbabies. I also am sending prayers  to the countless nameless cats that are "lost" every day. Sadly, many will never know the love that our furbabies were blessed to know.

Our Hearts Are Hurting....

"Warm light coming from far below,

Twinkling, sparkling is the candle's glow.
All is well up on the ridge,
The place we know as Rainbow Bridge.

Furbabies sleeping in heaven's light,
Tended by candles in the night.
Peaceful dreams be theirs to keep,
As they slumber in this night so deep.

Hearts on earth that miss them so,
Take comfort in the candle's glow.
Watching for them in skies above,
Bound eternally by a cord of love."

Poem from http://www.franscandles.com

Precious Alex,

We will never, EVER

stop loving you

We will never, EVER

stop missing you

Your heart, your love, your bravery

will be a part of us furever

Our Angel Bobo  has his paws wrapped around you

protecting you, loving you

he will take good care of you

from his special place

over the bridge

We pray for strength for your Mom & Dad

in this most difficult time

With All Of Our Love,

and our deepest sympathy

Caren, Cody, Lenny and Dakota