One year

[maddoxies]

Last Easter Saturday I had to put my golden boy down - a few months shy of his 9th birthday.

He was diagnosed with acute leukemia and gone in 4 short days. It hit me today looking at the Easter photo of Dexter. I had bought matching Easter bandanas for Valentin and Champ. Champ got to wear his once, on the last trip to the vet. My other goldens lived to 16 and 14 years, I was not expecting to lose my golden boy so young or so suddenly. Valentin regressed when he lost his "body guard".

Where has the year gone????? Heidi (and her special needs) have filled a place in my heart, but this weekend will still be tough.

Dogspeed Champ

[FourOrchards]

So sorry you are feeling sad. :hug2: It's always hard when anniversaries of lost pets come around. It's ok. I think we all do. We lost our Sheltie right after my son's birthday and he always reminds me of loosing Baily right after. I feel so bad that he will always have to remember it happened right after his birthday but now I try to remind him of all the good times we had with her and that always helps.
Try to remember the good time you had with him. :angel: :hugs1:

[5weeniesmom]

I am so so sorry u are sad. :comfort: It is always bad that bad things happen close to good dates or holidays or things that bring it back up. Hopefully the happy memories will start to over come the pain. I am starting to learn that myself. Time just gets away and now it I am glad u have Heidi and Valentin to give mommy pupper kisses,:flowerysmile: they will help u thru it. Be glad u have them and cherish them. Champ is not gone, he just went to the bridge :candle:and he is every day forever in your heart and memories. :grouphug:

[Mark]

For the loss of Champ. He sounds like a wonderful furkid and many DBBers have lost dear ones, too. We're here for you and we "get it". Lean on us anytime . . . we're so very glad you have shared his memory with us and allowed us to grieve with you on this anniversary.

Call on us anytime and we will be there for you.

[andy&abby]

Sending you :hugs1: and an :angel1: to help you this weekend.

[tink3021]

I am so sorry you are so sad. Sending lots of :hug2: your way.

[dutchman]

So long as we have memories of them they continue to live on in our hearts. Many of us here know how it feels to have suffered a loss and are glad you felt safe sharing your memories here.

[Joyce]

I know how you feel, it just is hard to believe they are gone.

[Marion]

Lots of :hugs1: for you Margaret, that first anniversary of their passing is especially hard isn't it? Hang in there over the long weekend...
(P.S. I'm sure Champ is playing a wild game at The Bridge with my Chewy right now, he always did like to play with the big doggies! :angel2: )

[SirOliversMom]

I'm sending you big cyber-hugs to help you through the weekend. I'm so sorry for your loss.

[Suzanne R]

Sometimes it seems like yesterday. Sometimes the year flies by. Hugs to you :hug2: :hug2: :hug2: for your pain.

[debh94066]

It's a hard one, one whole year....may you fill these days with all your good memories!!! :rayz: :rayz: :rayz: to you and your family.

[abiose]

*HUG*
I feel lucky that I had the chance to know him a little bit before he leave.

[LUVMYGUNNER]

Here are some hugs for you :hug2: :hug2: :hug2:

[maddoxies]

posted twice trying to resize picture

[maddoxies]

This was taken the day before he went to the Bridge.

He was such a great foster brother and a great "big brother" to Valentin. Valentin lost a lot of his fear aggression in the 6 months he was with Champ; and to this day, whenever Valentin sees a golden retriever, he races over to play with it.

It was the picture of Dexter in his Easter bandana that got to me. I had bought matching ones for Champ and Valentin just the week before he left us.

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c254/maddoxies/IM004432.jpg

[MicheleS]

Here's a :bighug: from me and Sophie. Its so hard to when they go to the bridge. Give Hiedi an Valentin an extra kiss today. :hug2:

[Kaylie]

:hugs:

from us both,