SOCIAL MEDIA

November 26, 2019

The End of a Chapter

I once heard it said that one of the wonderful things about having pets as a part of your family is that they help you to divide your life into chapters. I think that is so true.
Keeper joined our family at Christmas 9 years ago. We still had 3 young boys and her arrival was so exciting for us all. A highlight of our kids' younger years for sure!



She was right there with us as these boys turned into teenagers with so many lessons along the way. And love. Always love.
The next picture was to be our Christmas card photo this year. As you can see, those young boys have grown into young men. I think maybe we'll just skip the card this year. Some years are better than others and that's okay, another important lesson in life.
Yesterday, we had to say goodbye to our sweet girl. She had been slowing down a bit in recent weeks, but at first we chalked that up to old age, while quietly hoping she'd rally - we've had 2 goldens before, this wasn't our first time at this rodeo. But that doesn't make it any easier. This past weekend, it began to be apparent that something was very wrong - she was lethargic and not as interested in her food. We gave her lots and lots of love. We all just knew. Yesterday was the hardest day in any dog owner's journey with their dog.
Keeper's favorite thing to do was swim. In our backyard pool, in the lake and the creeks upstate - she was a magnet to water. She could dive to the bottom of our pool and retrieve lacrosse balls. She provided so many hours of entertainment for us with that trick! And she loved to soar off the diving board into the pool. This is what I imagined she did yesterday, free of pain and soaring off.
Thanks for the wonderful memories, sweet girl! You will be so missed.

And thank you friends, once again, for following along on our journey. Posts like this are so hard to write, but I know that through this blog, some of your have come to know and care about our dogs too. xoxo

Note: For other dog owners who are wondering, she developed a hemangiosarcoma on her spleen, which is never a good prognosis and their health usually deteriorates very rapidly, as was the case with Keeper.

31 comments :

  1. I am sorry for your loss. We got our Mandy when she was six weeks old and the kids were so little. They grew up together. She was with us for over 16 years. It was hard to lose her, but we have so many memories and we cherish those.

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  2. I'm sorry for you and your family. She was a beautiful dog and I'm sure she knew how much you all loved her.

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  3. I am so sorry. She is beautiful and I am sure she was very loved. I love your blog for decorating inspiration but it is so ironic because I always find so many other similarities in our lives. We lost our beloved golden retriever 2 years ago just a few days before thanksgiving as well. Golden Retrievers are definitely a blessing in our lives!

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  4. Heartbroken for you and your family. It is hard to say goodbye but the sweet memories are forever in our hearts.

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  5. My heart breaks for you, Courtney. I know you loved her so much and I am so sorry. Prayers for you and your family.
    xo
    Shelley

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  6. Oh Courtney I'm so very sorry for your loss!!!! We had to say goodbye to our sweet Lily just about 6 weeks ago, and the pain is still so raw. I'm crying reading about sweet Keeper, and I'm sure Dax is feeling it too. Sending hugs, my friend xoxo

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  7. So very sorry for the loss of your precious girl

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  8. So sorry for your loss. Our dog, Sammy, died of the same thing Dec.1 of last year. Doggies are the best. . .

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  9. Keeper was beautiful, and I'm sure she will look over you and your family as you did her. After your heart heals, you'll remember the good times with her and, occasionally, feel her love around you.

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  10. So so sorry to hear about Keeper. What a beautiful sweet dog she was. You gave her the best life she could've had & I know she will always live in your family's hearts.

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  11. So sorry for your loss, Keeper was and is forever a beautiful angel.

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  12. I'm so sorry for your loss. It's never easy. We just need to remember all the good times and difference he made in your lives.
    Happy Thanksgiving

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  13. I am so sorry for your loss. Our fur babies fill our lives with pure joy and love and when it's time to say good bye they leave gaping holes in our hearts. Wishing you peace and healing through memories.

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  14. So sorry for you loss. Rest in peace Keeper!

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  15. So sorry for your loss. It is so sad that our fur babies do no live as long as we do but the time they spend with us is packed with so many happy, loving day that they make up for less time with much love. You certainly gave this sweet dog so much love and she sure love youall. She will always be in your heart. God bless

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  16. I'm really so sorry. It breaks my heart that you had to say good-bye.

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  17. I have so loved your blog for awhile and am just heartbroken to learn of your precious golden baby passing....what a beauty! We had a noble and beautiful golden also that lived until he was 12..it's such a diffuclt time...prayers and hugs from Texas!

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  18. So very sorry for your loss. Such a beautiful girl. It's clear to see she was a source of joy for your family and well loved.

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  19. So sorry for your loss. She looks very much like she was a "Keeper" and a lover. We lost our boy, Digger, a SharPei, to the same tumor last year in November. He was 12 and we had rescued him as a 1 year old. It is always so hard, but we know that he is also running and playing with all our fur babies that went before him.

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  20. I am so sorry for your familiy's loss, and your heartache for sharing with us. May the joy she brought you live in your hearts. Our love for our pets is everlasting.

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  21. So sorry for your loss. What a beautiful sole. Don't skip the card this year, I think you'll regret it. It would be a beautiful way to commemorate your last year with your pup.

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  22. So sorry for your loss. Our daughter and son in law had to put down their golden, Apollo, this morning. He was the sweetest boy and loved to visit grandmama. He also had cancer.

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  23. So very sorry for your loss, Courtney, as I am sitting here with tears streaming down my face. We were so fortunate to have a beautiful golden, Sandy, come into our lives almost 20 years ago right after we lost of beautiful black lab, Maxwell. I said I would never get another dog, but my daughters were persistent. We went to an animal shelter, waiting to see the dogs, and in walks a girl with this beautiful purebred golden who she was giving up for adoption. My husband rushed over to her before she could give any information and told her our story. Needless to say, Sandy came home with us that beautiful summer day and was with us for 11 wonderful years. Sorry to be rambling, but it has been 7 years and I miss Sandy along with Maxwell, and our first dog, Beau, every day. Now I have 2 grandpups who are here visiting and we enjoy spoiling them. Hope you have a Happy Thanksgiving! ~ Donna Grimes

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  24. Dear Courtney and Family~ The gifts Keeper gave you - happiness, companionship, and unconditional love will never leave you. They are yours to treasure forever. God bless... hugs

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  25. I am full of tears and heartfelt sadness! Bless you and your family !

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  26. I'm so sorry for your family and the loss of Keeper. It is never easy. But he knew how much he was loved. Now you can remember all the good times and laughs you had together.

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  27. I'm so sad to read about the loss of Keeper. Many blessings and beautiful memories to you and all your boys.

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