Still crying as I finish reading about this beautiful journey with your best friend Beans. I lost mine, Alfie, a 15 lb Shih-tzu - going on 3 years now. I feel like my life is partitioned in 3 dimensions: Before Alfie, the moment I got Alfie and the life, adventures, and day-to-day shenanigans we had, and after Alfie passed away. I had him for 15 years - through major professional and personal changes and milestones. Alfie was my constant. My little sidekick. My superpower. Words cannot express how sorry I am of your loss. But I hope you find solace in knowing that you cared and protected Beans just as she cared and protected you. That bond is forever.
Georgia was so lucky to have you both and your family. This one got me right in the guts--we lost our pitbull mix a couple years ago, and it still hurts.
I had to say goodbye to my 16(!) year old dog 3 weeks ago, and absolutely nothing compares to that heartbreak. Utterly shattered. This precious tribute to Beans is so beautiful. I am so sorry that you know this heartbreak too, and I wish you peace and comfort as you continue navigating the Firsts.
Alexandra, I’m so sorry to hear you’re experiencing the same. The grief feels profound because of how utterly pure the love is. Thank you for this beautiful comment.
Oh Katie, I am so sad for you. This is so beautifully written, you’ve truly captured this specific grief. For what it’s worth, I’m crying reading this, even though my parents’ first dog passed almost two years ago and the second passed last fall - so I can reassure you that the hollow ache connecting you to her doesn’t go away, you just grow around it.
This felt like a familiar punch to the gut, having gone through the end of life with my soulmate dog a few years ago. At the time, my sister, having recently gone through the experience herself, recommended I pick a song to associate with her and to listen to it when I needed comfort. Well, now I will always think of Beans when I hear "Champagne Supernova" and that seems quite fitting. <3
This was so beautiful. We said goodbye to our dog a year ago (cancer ... shakes fist) and your words are so relateable. How lucky Beans was to have you in this world.
I am so sorry for your loss! We put our sweet Cayenne down after 13 years in January and everything you described is exactly how it went. The “firsts” were awful…. Nothing can prepare you for that. Someone told me to look up the meaning of soul dogs, pets we have an almost other worldly connection with. I found the research brought me comfort. It sounds like Georgia was your soul dog, how lucky you both were to have each other.
Im crying over spreadsheets and not because the formulas I’ve Frankensteined have gone haywire. I’m so sorry for your loss, Katie. I’m wondering if I’m in my lasts with my poodle mix. She’s 14 and life expectancy is 11-15 years. I know I’ve more time with her than most people get with their pets but I’m know I’m going to be inconsolable when she’s gone. We’ve done so much life together that I can’t imagine her not being here.
One of my only regrets in the end of Georgia's life was allowing the knowing that she wouldn't exist forever to undermine the joy of special moments together. In some ways, it infused them with more meaning, but there's a part of me that wishes I would've just been fully present to the love and joy in the moment without needing to constantly fortify my own defenses against the inevitable. ❤️
Beautiful tribute to your pup. Reading this hit me hard as well, we just lost our golden retriever of 14 years to cancer...hasn't been 2 months yet. So all of the feels you wrote about were identical to what my wife and I have been going through...know that you're not alone in feeling this way. But also know that you gave your pup a wonderful life and she loved you for that. I have to keep telling myself that too. Forever in our hearts. Cheers to your Beans, she's up there showing my Riggs all the best places to explore and splash around.
I think about my dogs, both still going strong and the comment about realizing what you have today. Enjoy it and give them what they want. Thanks for sharing.
Beginning my morning with a big cry was unexpected today! I’ve had to say goodbye to six pups over my years - I’m 63. It does not get easier and the bond with each of them was different but, forever. I have two pups now…and knowing they will likely pass before I do is not something I dwell on…until moments like this. Sometimes it hits deeper than others. Time passes, but the bond does not. Treasure the memories and find comfort in the fact that you did everything you could to make her comfortable and feel loved! ❤️🥲
So we’re all crying here? Cool cool cool. You’ve created something beautiful in your grief, Katie. Thank you. I lost my childhood pup Pearl nearly 5 years ago at the ripe old Labrador age of 13. A big white dog lives in our neighborhood. Each morning we see her come around the corner in our neighborhood, and I have to blink a few times. It’s never Pearl, though every time I hope it is.
Related: Perhaps you’ve seen this Atlantic story on pets feeling like human family, especially in loss.
"Each morning we see her come around the corner in our neighborhood, and I have to blink a few times. It’s never Pearl, though every time I hope it is." Now my eyes are wet.
Still crying as I finish reading about this beautiful journey with your best friend Beans. I lost mine, Alfie, a 15 lb Shih-tzu - going on 3 years now. I feel like my life is partitioned in 3 dimensions: Before Alfie, the moment I got Alfie and the life, adventures, and day-to-day shenanigans we had, and after Alfie passed away. I had him for 15 years - through major professional and personal changes and milestones. Alfie was my constant. My little sidekick. My superpower. Words cannot express how sorry I am of your loss. But I hope you find solace in knowing that you cared and protected Beans just as she cared and protected you. That bond is forever.
Oh, Andrea, this beautiful comment made me cry — sweet Alfie. Saying goodbye after 15 years together…I’m not sure I’d ever recover.
Georgia was so lucky to have you both and your family. This one got me right in the guts--we lost our pitbull mix a couple years ago, and it still hurts.
I'm so sorry. Dogs should live forever.
I read this knowing I would cry. We have a nearly 13 yr old golden and I try and cherish every moment with her. I am so sorry for your loss.
"Cherish" is the perfect word. ❤️ Thank you.
I had to say goodbye to my 16(!) year old dog 3 weeks ago, and absolutely nothing compares to that heartbreak. Utterly shattered. This precious tribute to Beans is so beautiful. I am so sorry that you know this heartbreak too, and I wish you peace and comfort as you continue navigating the Firsts.
Alexandra, I’m so sorry to hear you’re experiencing the same. The grief feels profound because of how utterly pure the love is. Thank you for this beautiful comment.
Pets are family and the grief is so big. She was lucky to be yours, and you to be hers. Praying for peace in your heart in the days ahead.
Oh Katie, I am so sad for you. This is so beautifully written, you’ve truly captured this specific grief. For what it’s worth, I’m crying reading this, even though my parents’ first dog passed almost two years ago and the second passed last fall - so I can reassure you that the hollow ache connecting you to her doesn’t go away, you just grow around it.
I never thought I’d be thankful to learn that the “hollow ache” will be permanent. Thank you, Sam. 🫶🏼
This felt like a familiar punch to the gut, having gone through the end of life with my soulmate dog a few years ago. At the time, my sister, having recently gone through the experience herself, recommended I pick a song to associate with her and to listen to it when I needed comfort. Well, now I will always think of Beans when I hear "Champagne Supernova" and that seems quite fitting. <3
😭😭😭 oh my goodness. Thank you for this.
This was so beautiful. We said goodbye to our dog a year ago (cancer ... shakes fist) and your words are so relateable. How lucky Beans was to have you in this world.
I'm sorry for your loss, too. *shakes fist* indeed. I hope it gets easier.
Beautifully written. I'm so sorry for your loss but so happy for the time and life you gave Beans.
I am so sorry for your loss! We put our sweet Cayenne down after 13 years in January and everything you described is exactly how it went. The “firsts” were awful…. Nothing can prepare you for that. Someone told me to look up the meaning of soul dogs, pets we have an almost other worldly connection with. I found the research brought me comfort. It sounds like Georgia was your soul dog, how lucky you both were to have each other.
Im crying over spreadsheets and not because the formulas I’ve Frankensteined have gone haywire. I’m so sorry for your loss, Katie. I’m wondering if I’m in my lasts with my poodle mix. She’s 14 and life expectancy is 11-15 years. I know I’ve more time with her than most people get with their pets but I’m know I’m going to be inconsolable when she’s gone. We’ve done so much life together that I can’t imagine her not being here.
One of my only regrets in the end of Georgia's life was allowing the knowing that she wouldn't exist forever to undermine the joy of special moments together. In some ways, it infused them with more meaning, but there's a part of me that wishes I would've just been fully present to the love and joy in the moment without needing to constantly fortify my own defenses against the inevitable. ❤️
Beautiful tribute to your pup. Reading this hit me hard as well, we just lost our golden retriever of 14 years to cancer...hasn't been 2 months yet. So all of the feels you wrote about were identical to what my wife and I have been going through...know that you're not alone in feeling this way. But also know that you gave your pup a wonderful life and she loved you for that. I have to keep telling myself that too. Forever in our hearts. Cheers to your Beans, she's up there showing my Riggs all the best places to explore and splash around.
❤️🩹 This comment made me feel less alone. I just know Riggs & Beans are chasing some squirrels and bunnies together right now.
I think about my dogs, both still going strong and the comment about realizing what you have today. Enjoy it and give them what they want. Thanks for sharing.
That hit hard ❤️.
Beginning my morning with a big cry was unexpected today! I’ve had to say goodbye to six pups over my years - I’m 63. It does not get easier and the bond with each of them was different but, forever. I have two pups now…and knowing they will likely pass before I do is not something I dwell on…until moments like this. Sometimes it hits deeper than others. Time passes, but the bond does not. Treasure the memories and find comfort in the fact that you did everything you could to make her comfortable and feel loved! ❤️🥲
"Time passes, but the bond does not." ❤️🩹 Thank you, Heidi.
So we’re all crying here? Cool cool cool. You’ve created something beautiful in your grief, Katie. Thank you. I lost my childhood pup Pearl nearly 5 years ago at the ripe old Labrador age of 13. A big white dog lives in our neighborhood. Each morning we see her come around the corner in our neighborhood, and I have to blink a few times. It’s never Pearl, though every time I hope it is.
Related: Perhaps you’ve seen this Atlantic story on pets feeling like human family, especially in loss.
https://apple.news/AMFJpXucAT6-rJNe2GyK6gQ
"Each morning we see her come around the corner in our neighborhood, and I have to blink a few times. It’s never Pearl, though every time I hope it is." Now my eyes are wet.