3 S.R. Johannes: RIP Bud - The Best Dog-Gone Friend

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

RIP Bud - The Best Dog-Gone Friend

A Dog's Prayer

To Those Who Love Me

When I am gone, release me, let me go-
I have so many things to see and do.
You must not tie yourself to me with tears,
Be happy that we had so many years.
I gave you my love, you can only guess
How much you gave me in happiness.
I thank you for the love you have each shown.
But now it is time I traveled alone.
So grieve awhile for me if grieve you must,
Then let your grief be comforted by trust,
It is only for a while that we must part,
So bless the memories within your heart,
I will not be far away, for life goes on,
So if you need me, call and I will come.
Though you can not see or touch me, I will be near.
And if you listen with your heart, you will hear
All my love around you soft and clear.
And then, when you must come this way alone,
I will greet you with a smile and "Welcome Home".
-author unknown

Dear Bud -

Thanks for the memories. For all the times you dried my tears. For the times you made me laugh. For the times you made sure I was not alone. Thank you for 16 years of happiness and loyal friendship. I will miss you sleeping by my feet, comforting me on rainy days.

When I had no one, I had you.

It's time for me to release you so you can go be free. Free without pain. Free to live a young life. Free to be with your best friend, Connor, again.

I love you and will never forget you.


50 comments:

Editor Cassandra said...

::huge hugs::

*sniff*

Maria Zannini said...

I am so sorry, Shelli. Bud sounds like a wonderful dog. He was lucky to have you as a mama.

{{hugs}}

kathrynjankowski said...

So sorry, Shelli. Sounds like you two made a great pair.

Cherie Reich said...

Aww! I'm so sorry. *hugs*

Jamie Manning said...

My heart goes out to you. This brought tears to my eyes because I know how great the love of a pet is...and I am truly sorry for what you have lost.

Shannon O'Donnell said...

Oh, Shelli, I'm so sorry. My sister just went through this with her 14-year-old dog. Just like with any other family member, I know there are no words of comfort - but you are in my thoughts. (((hugs)))

erica m. chapman said...

So sorry. *hugs* It's never easy to lose a family member. I'm thinking about you.

Kelly Polark said...

Hugs to you. Our dog passed a year and a half ago and it took a while to not feel sad. That's normal. Dogs are family members. I know this is nuts but we even had her ashes at the dinner table each night for months so she could be with us!
Take care, Shelli! Cherish your memories with Bud.

Savannah Smith said...

I'm so sorry to hear about your dog! :( We just recently lost our dog of 6 years a week after she had a complicated pregnancy and it's always very very tough for any owner. I pray for peace for your heart in this hard time. *hug*

Martina Boone said...

Shelli, we're sending you a ginormous virtual *hug* and be assured you are in our thoughts.

M&M

Jeff Hirsch said...

I am so sorry for your loss Shelli. All the best to you and your family and peace to Bud.

Emilia Plater said...

So, so many hugs <3 It's always so terrible to a pet.. nah, not just a pet, a real friend. You wrote a beautiful poem about him, Shelli. :)

Terry Doherty said...

A beautiful tribute, Shelli. I am so sorry for your loss. I hope those memories of the times Bud made you laugh bubble back up to the surface, soon.

Andrea Cremer said...

Shelli my thoughts are with you. We have two dogs and they are truly family. Lots of hugs and love to you and Bud.

Shalonda said...

How sad! I'm so sorry to hear about Bud. Dogs truly do make the most amazing and loyal friends. You're in my thoughts.

Kristin Rae said...

So sorry :(

Sounds like he lived a good long time!

Unknown said...

Very sorry for such a sad loss. Hugs...

Unknown said...

I'm so sorry. It sounds like he was incredibly loved by many.

Colene Murphy said...

Oh gosh. You totally just made me cry at work! I'm so sorry. I hate losing a beloved pet friend. It's heartbreaking. But you pretty much summed it up, gotta be happy they are safe and in a good place forever now. =(

Lemur said...

Lovely poem. So sorry for your loss, and may Bud find many bones to bite and toys to play with and things to chase until you meet him again.

My own dog is just a puppy now, but I'm teary thinking of the day when I might lose him.

Blessings!

The CRITTER Project and Naked Without a Pen

Writer Tessa said...

So sorry for your loss.

Deb Salisbury, Magic Seeker and Mantua-Maker said...

Hugs, Shelli! Many hugs.

Sage Ravenwood said...

I'm so sorry. (((Huge hugs))). You and yours and in my thoughts dear friend. This was a beautiful tribute.(Hugs)Indigo

H. Pinski said...

Shelli, I am so, so, so sorry for your loss. Bud was so lucky to have shared his time here with someone who loved him so much. This is such a touching tribute to him and all you shared.

I will keep you in my thoughts. Hugs!

h

Corey Schwartz said...

What a lovely tribute. Sending hugs!

Kelly H-Y said...

Oh, Shelli ... I am so very sorry. Sending hugs your way.

Dee M said...

I am so sorry. My dog passed away a few years ago and it hurt bad. Loved the tribute and wish you the best.

Jemi Fraser said...

Awww. I'm so sorry Shelli. Treasure the memories. *hugs*

Little Ms J said...

Hugs.

Julie Hedlund said...

Thank you for posting this Shelli. I am very, very sorry for the loss of your dear friend Bud, but this post is healing for all of us who have lost beloved pets. It won't be easy, but Bud is smiling (panting?) down on you.

CHRISTIE said...

Oh no! I’m so sorry :( Huge hugs coming your way.

RIP Bud

Anonymous said...

So sorry, dear. I lost a furry friend about a year ago. You can see a picture of him here. He wasn't with us nearly as long as your friend, and yet I still think about him every day. I think it gets easier, but it's never easy.

I'll be thinking about you. :)

~Tara

Melissa Gill said...

Oh Shelli-

I'm just so sorry for you loss. They just never live long enough. God will watch out for Bud now. Take care of yourself.

King of my Throne said...

I hope you and your family are remembering all the love Bud shared with you. Dogs REALLY do go to Heaven. Bud is playing and running and having a blast right now! You were a great person family
to him.
Love and peace is sent to you.
Beth

Gail said...

Just got back in town and read about your loss- I'm so sorry. I know your heart is broken a little. The verse is true though. Bud will be there around you. You'll begin to notice little things, like items he'd bring to you that suddenly show up where they weren't before, or a dog that looks like him that comes up to you. When you find "messages", remember the love and fun, and tenderness between you, not the pain at the end. Bud will always be there for you....love is eternal, even with pets.
Gail

Hilary Wagner said...

Shelli,

I'm so sorry about Bud. I know how hard losing a pet is. Hang in there, sweetie.

xoxo -- Hilary

Kimbra Kasch said...

So sorry. It's hard to lose loved ones.

Cyber Hugs

Kerri said...

i am so sorry for your loss. that sounds like such a long and sweet relationship you had.

Carolina M. Valdez Schneider said...

So sorry...

That was such a touching letter. Big hugs to you, hon.

Ishta Mercurio said...

My heart goes out to you!

Dorothy Dreyer said...

*hugs*

So sorry for your loss.

DL Hammons said...

I'm sorry Shelli!

Natalie Aguirre said...

I'm so sorry Shelli. I know you had a special connection to Bud.

cleemckenzie said...

This is the hardest part of sharing your life with a beloved pet, Shelli. Having done it time and time again, I understand and send thoughts of comfort.

Luna said...

Awww...I'm so sorry about Bud, Shelli. Big hugs to you and your family. :(

C.R. Evers said...

great big (((((hugs)))) I wish I could reach through the computer and give you a real-life hug. Pets are so beloved. So much more important than we could ever realize . . .

I wish there were perfect words that I could give you, but there isn't. Just know that I understand and send you my most positive and empathetic thoughts.

more (((((hugs))))

The Writer said...

I feel for you. Beautiful post!

Stina said...

Sorry for your loss, Shelli.

Kristal Shaff said...

:o(

Sorry for your loss.

Victoria Dixon said...

Big hugs. It's so agonizing to lose unconditional love, but I've never doubted I will see my friends again. After all, love, like energy, can only change. It cannot be unmade.