On friday Feb. 27th at 3:30pm, after extensive soul searching, I had to say goodbye to my best friend. We spent almost 14 wonderful years together. I can't imagine my life without you. You were with me for the trip to Oregon. We had so much fun digging in the sand on the beach, and hiking the trails to find hidden waterfalls. You were with me for the year and a half in Alaska--the plane rides weren't so much fun, but worth it in the end-- since we were together. I always told people that you didn't care where you were, as long as you were with me. I didn't realize until now that I had that backwards. No matter what was happening in my life, I was always fine as long as I had you to cuddle up with at the end of the day. It wasn't just the trips and exploration together that made me love you so much, it was the everyday things. The tail constantly wagging, the way you spazed out after a bath, the demanding bark to play ball. The cute chase games that you usually initiated, even that time you had so much fun digging in the mud, or rolling in the goose-poop. I couldn't help laughing--even though I was the one who had to get you clean. The way you would protect me with a growl from the bench bilboards with photos of people, and that statue of Ronald McDonald at the drive-thru. The way you would sit shot-gun on car trips and constantly hit me with your paw to make sure I was petting you the entire time.
My heart is broken without you. I know how tired and sick you were in the end, and I know we made the right decision, but it is sooo hard to imagine life without my babydog. I will miss you every day.

I too feel the pain you are feeling. I had to say goodbye to Gus on the 25th. It is so lonely without him even though there are people all around. The special connection between you and your dog is one that others don't understand. I'm sure you are feeling the same. I just wanted to let you know that there are others feeling the same as you.

Chloe's Mom,

What a beautiful tribute. I am deeply sorry for your loss. It is a difficult decision to make but it is the last act of love you can show your best friend. I lost my best friend Snoops on September 6 after weeks of soul searching. It is amazing what your heart can tell you when you need to make that decision and the reasons you can come up with. However, in the end it boils down to the love you shared. Your pup is out of pain now and running at the bridge with my Snoops and all other little ones that have gone on ahead. You will be together some day and when that day comes you will never be apart again.

Hugs,
Beth

Thank you for your kind words. It really helps to know that you relly understand the impact of this loss. I included another photo of Chloe in her happier times. This was taken on the Oregon Coast--she loved it. You can see that all 4 feet are off the ground as she is running with the stick. I miss her so much.

Chloe's mom:

I enjoyed reading your beautiful tribute to your gorgeous "fun-loving" Chloe.

Your quote:
"I always told people you didn't care where you were, as long as you (Chloe) were with me"
is so amazingly true, even to myself and my beloved girl, Ernestine, who was put to sleep on 2/7/2004. I miss her so much. Twenty four days ago.....
She was my special girl.

I love both the pictures of Chloe and I can picture her now, running, with all four paws in mid-air, over Rainbow's Bridge, playing and enjoying life without pain.

You'll be together again.
Love, Denise

((((( hugs ))))))))) for you -- it made me sad to read about Chloe but I laughed too, I pictured her growling at a picture or Ronald McDonald, that was so cute! What a good dog she was to you! This site is filled with so many pain-filled stories, but the underlying theme is love and hope and acceptance, that makes it slightly easier to bear. I hope God is taking care of Chloe now and filling her water bowl. She was a beauty.

lori

Lori and Denise,
Thank you for your support through this very hard time. It helps to know there are people out there who truly understand my sadness and have experienced it themselves. I am so sorry for your loss as well. I feel the best way for me to deal with Chloe being gone is to memorialize her and to let everyone know what a bright little soul she was. One peculiar thing she did--when you were cuddling with her, and petting her, and talking to her, she looked like she understood every word you said. She would often roll her eyes to the ceiling, and look around a little as if she was really contemplating what you were saying--giving it deep thought. I'm sure she was.
I am so thankful for this website and forum to bring people together who need an outlet to express their loss, greif, sadness, memories, funny stories and smiles.
I included another photo. This one was taken of us at Crater Lake July 3rd, 1998. She loved snow, and would get all frisky at the sight and feel of it. She loved to attempt to fetch snowballs, and would plunge her face into the snow to find them.
I miss you Chloe.

Hi Chloe's Mom:

Thanks for sharing your special picture of Chloe and yourself......what a beautiful area in which to bring your beloved girl!!
I'm sure she did understand every single word you ever said....I think our beloved babies have that special ability to understand - that "sense" just to know what you're talking about. Ernie could just "sense" happiness, sadness, etc... all of the emotions that I would have....
Ernie had to be an indoor cat because we live in a very busy area, west of Boston, and people drive around here like crazy....
But, she too loved the snow. She'd always smell it and look at it when we brought it in (on our boots).
There is that something special about your girl "Chloe" though...I can see that.
Beautiful eyes......the window to her soul...
She's with you, you know....she'll never be gone.
Always remember that..
Love, Denise

Chloe loved digging for buried treasure. She would shove her nose down in the sand and give it a good sniffing. Then she would dig crazily. I always encouraged it. It was so cute, and she loved it so much. I always wished we lived by a coast so that I could take her there anytime we wished. When she was just a pup her love of digging first came out in the mud. It was quite a job to clean her up if you can imagine. I miss you so much baby-dog. Mama loves you.

sorry wrong photo on the last one

Chloe's Mom,
What a beautiful girl she was. She is at the bridge now where she will be eternally beautiful and healthy. As will all our now gone furbabies. They run and play together as they anxiously wait to see us walking toward the bridge to get them. She still lives in your heart.
Steve

I just had to share a precious baby picture. I always said Chloe chose me. I walked into the pet store that day and they had a litter of beagle/springer pups. All the others were marked like a beagle, but not my Chloe. She was so serious sitting there just staring up at me. All the other pups were playing and rolling around, but she was different. It is hard to think time has passed to quickly. I kept my promise to her though. I always promised to give her the best life that I could, and I promised to be with her from the day I brought her home up until the very end. And I was.

Chloe's "roommate" in alaska sent me this photo recently with a very nice card. She included a caption for the photo:
"After a long night of reminicing about high school with friends on the phone, Chloe laid down with her beer to relax."

what a beautiful animal!! such personality. you must miss her still.

What a sweet, sweet, beautiful face. I KNOW how much you still miss her. The beer can and the annual, too cute.
Marcia

Thank you gingerspal and babyhannahsmom!!! I can't believe it has been 14 weeks since I had to say goodbye to my baby. I know that there are more recent posts, but thank you both for recognizing and responding to my tribute to my beautiful girl. I never thought I would say it, but time really does help, and heal. More importantly, the wonderful people who put themselves on this website have helped me immeasurably.(THANK YOU!!!) I know I am not the most vocal of the bunch, but I do check the site just about daily, and my thoughts and prayers go out to those who know the pain that we are all feeling. Both your babies were BEAUTIFUL and I am sure extraordinary. I would love to hear peculiar stories and things that made them unique to you.
Once again, thank you for your kind words, I really appreciate it. I hope you both are doing well, and on the way to healing--it takes a long time, but evenutally it does start to happen.
Take Care,
chloe'smom