Plumbelina died.
On Friday, when we were coming back over the mountains from the cattle drive, we stopped at a creek for a while. This lead to that and Plum was nicked by the back tire of our moving truck. Her injuries consisted of a tiny cut on her face and a two inch gash on her foreleg (which wasn’t actually bleeding). We hopped in the truck with her laid across my lap and made the rest of the drive down the mountain to get her to the vet. She looked great the entire drive with her head up in the air, looking around, she even seemed to be smiling at me as I stroked her face and held her body close to mine. When we pulled into the parking lot at the vet clinic, her breathing suddenly became labored and her eyes glazed over and rolled back. I struggled to get out of the truck with her in my arms. Robert took her from me and by the time we had her in the clinic on an operating table she had died.
It was so shocking.
We have been so terribly sad.
This has been another lesson in love and loss for me.
For of course, it was better to have known her, loved her and lost her than to never have known her at all.
We took her body up the mountain and blistered our hands digging a deep grave in an aspen stand for her final resting place. Before we covered her in Rocky Mountain soil, I laid a bouquet of wildflowers on her chest. She looked so perfect down there. Snow white and the darkest chocolate brown — like she was sleeping. I touched her velvet head one last time. It was all so strange. I remember thinking to myself that she was more mine than she was Robert’s since he had been away at work for half her life. I remember feeling thick and stupid with loss.
I wonder how long I’ll be this sad. The past few days, I’ve been wandering around the house crying on and off, out in the studio I broke a hammer in half out of anger with myself and annoyance at the circumstances of her death. I guess grief moves in waves. One moment it has me completely submerged and the next I’m breathing sweet air and sunshine and the world around me is sparkling like diamonds.
If I feel this sad about a dog,
will I simply disappear if I lose Robert
or a best friend,
or a parent,
or a sister?
Why does the body feel so heavy
once the spirit has departed?
Is it because we lift the dead
with heavy hearts and lead arms?
Is the soul responsible
for our lightness of spirit,
our lightness of being?
Where does the spirit go?
What does that place actually look like?
We, here in the land of the living, have such a tenuous grip on existence. We hoard it.
We tear it away from each other.
We live fully until we cease to live.
We forget to love what we have sometimes.
What we love can leave, in the blink of an eye.
What we love can leave, in the blink of an eye.
When something we love dies,
we always realize we loved it more than we knew we did.
The dead sleep, but the living live on.
We live on with the sharp memories of the dead lodged in our throats. Over time, those memories dull and eventually we lay the bluntness of our guilt and sadness to rest and all that is left is a wide field, laced with morning dew and blooming yarrow
and a glad dog with wings on her back running like she knows how to fly.
She cannot be so dead.
She cannot be so dead
when she flickers with such glorious motion
here on the broad plains
of my heart.
__________________________________________
Two days before Plum died, I told Robert that I wanted to take a greater responsibility for her hunting
training which he had almost exclusively been working on. I wanted to master her in the field — which involves so much more than simply telling a dog where to go. It requires understanding the lay of the land, wind directions, the habits of the bird you’re hunting and the ability to read your dog and communicate with it. It’s an awesome partnership between human and animal. I had this sudden realization over the summer months that consistently hunting the dogs with my fellow could be a really precious family time for Robert and I.
Two days before she died, she ate one of my Birkenstocks.
What a crying shame.
Writing this made me laugh out loud!
Writing this made me laugh out loud!
These dogs are so high maintenance, so demanding of your time and effort, an extra portion of their energy and spirit gets in your
soul. When they go, they wreck you a little more than usual,
the quiet and calm left in their wake is disconcerting.
__________________________
On Saturday night, I was thinking about ways I could honor her.
On Sunday morning, I woke up early with Robert we took our remaining German Shorthaired Pointer sharptail grouse hunting in the Arbon Valley. Before we cast that dog off into a field to do his work, I took his face in my hands and I told him:
Today we hunt for Plum.
We hunt for everything she was.
We hunt for the incredible bird dog she was going to be.
We hunt to give her wings, where she is.
We hunt in her memory.
We hunt for the dog who remains.
For the steadiness of Farley’s beating heart, flesh and bone.
We hunt to put a bird in your mouth, Farley.
We hunt to watch you do that thing you were born and bred to do.
We hunt for the flicker of white in tall grass, for your bright face and fleet feet in the sage.
We hunt for the joy of being on the land and being in nature.
We hunt for the holiness of putting dinner on our table.
I cried a bit for the joy on his face as we cast him off into the tall grass and sunshine. We balanced our shotguns on our shoulders and walked out.
Our hearts felt lighter than they had in days.
Plumbelina,
You were the very best little girl. You were so happy,
so exuberant, all the time. When you were good, you were an angel. When you were bad, you were terribly rotten. I never touched velvet quite so soft as you. You were crazy and I loved you. Sleep now, best friend. I hold you in my heart always.
Love,
Your Girl
Oh Jillian…
I'm so incredibly sorry for your loss. I had no idea such a tragedy had befallen your gables the past few days.
Plum is happy in dog heaven and she was blessed enough to know what love was before she departed our world.
Sending all of my love to your family during this time.
<3<3
Rina
Total tears. We love you, Plum! She was lucky to have you and RW, Jillian! xoxoxo!
I'm so sorry… I know how it feels… My heart is crying with you…
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Sending love and light your way…
This is tearing me. I have thought about losing, about death for about a year now when it was a shimmering day and I heard that my granny cattle dog has adenocarsinoma (mammary tumor). Since then I have tried to see when she wants to go, when it's her time to go. Now that time is getting close and then I read something like this and I am just crying my eyes off.
She has had a great year, wonderful summer filled with swimming, picking blueberries with me and everything a dog could dream of.
Then I read this:
How could this be true? How could this be?
I am so sorry. I feel your grief. I feel your loss.
You live brave, and wide, and open, and Plumbelina did too. I will hug my dog a little tighter in her honor.
Noooooooooooooooooooooo….. It is such pure love that we see and get from our lovely quadruped soulmates. I fear the day when the purest of my loves will vanish like a star in the sky…
I`m so so sorry for your loss 🙁 Take care!
Henna from Finland
I am just crushed to hear this! Oh how heart breaking. I am so very sorry you and RW, Farley and Penelope have to go on without her precious spirit.
XXXXX. Hugs to you all.
Oh, sweetest of sweet beings… this is the most heartbreaking news and I ache for you, for all of you. I wish I could be there to brew you a pot of tea, talk late into the night of stories of the sweet Plumb girl.
I am just. so. sorry. I know this terrible pain my self and send my love on wings.
<3
I am so sorry, heart aches for your loss. Living where I live in the City, I rely on my dogs for safety and companionship. We nearly lost our dog due to our actions this last month. Just that was nearly to much to bear. Praying for peace and comfort.
*"When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: "Death has been swallowed up in victory."
*"Where O death is your victory? Where O death, is your sting?"
(1 Cor 15:54-55)
You are in my prayers.
oh Jill,
I am terribly sad to hear about this.
She was a darling little lass.
thinking of you and sending prayers of peace your way.
love,
Kate
I'm so sorry. Feel what you need to feel.
She had a life most dogs would envy.
I'm so sorry. 🙁
Oh lady, I'm beyond glad that Plum was loved, and that she is grieved, and will be remembered with fondness by everyone you've shared her with. Happy thoughts, hey x
Oh, how awful – dog love is so pure and joyful that I think it's impossible not to connect deeply. So sorry.
((hugs))
Juillian, I just send you big hugs and love. I am bawling my eyes out reading your post in unbelief. I have read about Plum since the day you choose her as a puppy.
In your post you wrote:
If I feel this sad about a dog,
will I simply disappear if I lose Robert
or a best friend,
or a parent,
or a sister?
The answer is no, you will not disappear. I lost my husband to cancer and then a couple years later I lost my 23 year old daughter to a gunshot accident. I also lost both parents a couple months before my daughter died to illness.
Last year, the wonderful yellow lab mix dog, Babe that was our family dog died. She was the dog that stood by my husband's bed when he was in his last days. She stood so he could put his hand on her head and feel her soft fur.
I was so sad and heavy with heart when she died. But I have to say that all the deaths are different. The grief is different with each one.
You find strength where you didn't know you had it. You heart will hold your beloved Plum always. She is waiting for you in Heaven. My family is there too.
I'm so sorry and I wish there were words to help but there are not. Just know you have dear friends and be very gentle with yourself.
jillian, i am so very sorry to read this post. i sobbed the whole way through, not only because it is so incredibly sad, but because i can completely relate to your story. we had a tragic accident in our house a couple years ago with our beloved bird, kika. it was so sudden and i was standing right there (i won't go into detail, but it involved my mom's dog). i (still) feel so guilty, it was one of the worst days of my life… she taught me so much and i can still feel her on my shoulder. it is amazing how much they teach us. kika was bonded to my soul before i even knew her and it was magic how we found eachother. we now have the wonderful posey girl and i love her something fierce, but i miss kika every day and it does hurt my heart. i am very lucky to have (and to have had) the wonderful creatures and their spirits in my life. i am sure your other pup (fletcher, right?) will miss her as much as you do, but i am even more sure that he is over eager to help ease your pain and love you more than ever! blessings to your whole pack, including miss plum. i hope you can find some comfort as you heal. i will light a candle for you all <3
I'm pretty sure Plumbelina and Deefor are up in doggy heaven swapping stories about all the amazig adventures they had in the silver Dodge.
Oh my… My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. I sometimes look at my dogs (my "children", my life at times) and cannot even imagine what it would feel like to lose them. My heart is breaking for your loss. <3
"Two days before she died, she also ate one of my Birkenstocks."
What a sad week for you guys. I was glad to spend some time filming her this year. This totally sounds like something she would do. The look on her face when you find the Birkenstock! That's what you'll remember, moments like that.
RIP Plum.
you gave her such great love and companionship in her short time here on earth. i'm so sorry for you, RW, and your pack. a lot of love exists to help each other heal. wishing you peace and love in this painful time xx
Jillian,
I'm so very sad to read this, & feel so sad for you and the loss of your sweet pup.
Thinking of you and sending you Love & hugs <3
Juli~
I'm just … heartbroken, in earnest, to read this, Jillian. I know well how hard the loss of a little but well-loved friend can be. My thoughts are with you.
M.
So sorry to hear sad news! It always makes me cry to hear about a loss of a pet. It must be shocking that everything happened so suddenly. Still it's a good thing that she had a possibility to die in your arms, not alone.
My heart is broken for you all. Sending lots of prayers up for you and your family.
What a gorgeous, fitting, and sober tribute to that lovely canine soul. I have tears in my eyes; I honor her as well.
The thoughts pouring out of your soul are no less than brilliant.
Plum, god speed.
Love, Auntie
Thank you all for this kind outpouring. RW and I are reading every word you offer. It's all balm for our sadness.
Love,
Robert, Jillian et all
Oh Girl.
We have been saying prayers and lighting candles in the West for her.
I'm glad I got to know her, if for only a moment. I'm so glad she got to know you, for you breathed such joy into her. I'm glad you got to know her, because she was so much joy incarnate.
I'm here. Always.
So terribly sorry for your loss, wishing you brighter days.
Oh gosh, those were the first words I read as I came back to your blog after a week or so of absence. My heart is with you, dear. And your family. It's so hard to lose them.
Oh. No.
Such hurt. I am so sorry to learn this news and how it shreds your hearts. Of course it does. It's just awful.
Sending you love and hugs for healing and remembrance.
i was SO shocked when i read this..i am SO SO sorry for your loss….
So so sorry for your loss. I am in tears for all of you and me. Reading your words brought back all my grief for my Baby who we had to put down a month ago.
I truly understand the feeling of being lost and just emptiness.
Hug your other two they need it as much as you.
((((((HUGS))))))
It's impossible not to cry.
The world stops and goes into slow motion for a while when we lose loved ones.
My heart goes out to you.
Love you xo
Oh Jillian. My heart aches for you both, I'm so sorry for the loss of your little Plum. We've recently lost one our furred friends and still grieve as well. Heal well, in your own way and time, and take comfort in the love you had for her, and she for you.
Love from WI,
Brandi
"If there are no dogs in Heaven,
then when I die, I want to go
where they went."
Will Rogers, 1897-1935
I struggled with this for a long time. I cried harder over the death of Deefor the Dog, than I did my over the death of my own Grandmother. I knew were she was going because God's word told me so.
My Dog… God didn't tell me her destiny in such clear terms. I'm sure I'll see her another day, just like you will see "The one who cannot control her body" again. In due time.
Love you two…
i'm sorry love. 🙁
I am so sorry for your lost…
She will live forever in your hearts. I'll think of you as I light up a candle tonight, sending good vibes your way and smiling as I remember some of the most wonderful pictures of her you posted. You are so very lucky to have had so many precious moments together.
Sending you, RW and the Gables love and light,
Patricia
When I read the first line, I didn't believe it. I had to read it four times. I cannot begin to say enough to sooth the wounds of your loss. I, probably like others, felt like I knew her. As such, I sobbed through the whole post.
Please know that we all deeply care and cherish you. We're only a short moment away from helping each other through immeasurable loss. We all love you. We love her. Her memory will always be alive in our hearts and minds.
BIG hugs and smooches.
Eastie
Did not expect to read that! Whoa.
As I wipe the tears quickly at work, I pray that my cat lives just a bit longer. I pray for your quick healing. RIP Little Plum. 🙂
This is a poem, Grandma Thoen(Iona) passed on to me when I got my dog Hugo. He is now in his last days struggling with Lymphoma. I am thankful for every day I have left with him.
Natasha
When God had made the earth and sky,
The flowers and the trees.
He then made all the animals,
The fish, the birds and bees.
And when at last He'd finished,
Not one was quite the same.
He said, "I'll walk this world of mine,
And give each one a name."
And so He traveled far and wide
And everywhere He went,
A little creature followed Him
Until its strength was spent.
When all were named upon the earth
And in the sky and sea,
The little creature said, "Dear Lord,
There's not one left for me."
Kindly the Father said to him,
"I've left you to the end.
I've turned my own name back to front
And called you dog, my friend."
~ Author Unknown ~
How incredibly sad, and so sudden.
I hope the weight of grief lifts from your heart in due course xx
My teary eyes and heavy heart are yours this morning…Sending you all the love in the doggie loving world!!!! "you were crazy, and I loved you"…my favorite part of this amazing tribute to your girl, and so true. I hope both of your hearts heal fast…hold each other close!
O Jillian….I don't know what to say…I cannot imagine…you are in my heart wrapped in prayers and healing thoughts….so very sorry. Sending you love.
"She cannot be so dead when she flickers with such glorious motion here on the broad plains of my heart."
beautiful words and so true. really sorry for yours & Robert's loss. pets are so amazing. I believe they are gifts from God to make our lives better. little furry friends that love us unconditionally, just like He does. and I think that's why the loss hurts so deeply.
much love, Dana
I am SO sorry to hear this. I know all too well what you are both going through. I wish I had some words of wisdom to pass on, but I know that every person experiences and processes their grief differently. It sounds like you are doing all the right things: expressing it, holding your loved ones tight and honoring her memory. She will always live on joyfully in your memories.
All the best, Jillian and Robert,
Valerie Brown
Plum crammed a lot of full-tilt living into her time with you and Robert and the pack and pride…more than many beings experience over much longer spans, I dare say. She was as fortunate to be with you as you with her.
In your photos and descriptions of her, gladness rings bright and clear; she was indeed a glad dog. How beautifully and movingly you have honored her. Farley has given her wings, and, far to the east, my pack and I sense her flight and howl in greeting.
Oh dear… what heartbreak.
So sorry.
She was loved, you and yours are too.
M
There's been a darkness over me since reading this post earlier today. I can only imagine how you and RW must be feeling. I'm so, so sorry. Sending love (human and canine) from Kansas. Xo
I am so sorry for your loss. Sending love to your family during this difficult time.
Noelle
I'm so sorry Jillian ~ words can't express or heal the ache in your heart but know we are thinking of you. With love from Cornwall,uk
I am ashamed to say that I don't normally comment on here but this post made me cry and I had to tell you that I am very sorry for your loss. Your sudden loss. I hope you can remember her for all the great times you spend with her. She looks and sounds like a beautiful dog. 🙂
She seemed to know she was going, the way you describe it. She sounded calm and didn't want to alarm you. Dogs are amazing.
Sending my love and thoughts.
Nev x
So sorry to hear about Plum. Although i've never met you or Plum i feel like i've got to know her through your blog, sending thoughts your way xx
Oh I am so very sorry for your loss.
Oh, I am so so sorry dear Jillian. So sorry. xo
…Jilian…Im so sorry…so sad…
i really don´t know what to say…
Love to you!
Again, thank you all, so much, for this incredible outpouring of kindness. It's good to have you here with us today.
x
J&R
J & R….
As I read this, I cried, and my little Sammy rushed over to comfort me in his little siamese way. His breath smells like dead bird and his hair is coating my tear-stricken face.
I am so sorry for your loss. The thing about death, is that we learn to survive it. We learn to push through to another day. I will never forget the day I lay my brother, my German Wirehair Buddy on the x-ray table after he had jumped out of a two-story window after god-knows-what and broken his elbow. He just kept looking at me with those beautiful brown eyes and goofy smile, while the vet told me there was no way to save him or his leg.
6 years later, it still doesn't make sense. But he knew I loved him, and that's why he was smiling. Just like Plum knows you love her and will be smiling that goofy grin forever. All flopping ears and lolly-gagging tongue and flying feet.
I am making you something.
And in the meantime,we are sending you love from Oregon (and sloppy kitty kisses).
Take time, cry, scream, run and laugh. Grief is a process more than anything else and the only thing you can do is go through it.
We love you.
My heart sunk reading this, as well lifted by your farewells. I've cried 'with you' for Tuba and now dearest Plum. I'm so sorry.
Sending all my love.
-lulu
Sending all the comforting, loving thoughts towards you, RW and the rest of your pack.
I am so sorry for your loss. She seemed such a sweet girl.
Jillian, Patrick and I are tearfully sorry for yours and Roberts loss. We send our love to both of you and wish we could be there sooner to comfort you with friendship. With love, Hannah and Patrick
Oh Jillian, I'm so, so sorry. Hugs to you all.
Erin
So sorry for the loss of your sweet girl <3
I'm so sorry about your sweet puppy girl, sending love and a ton of hugs!!!
Me dear online friend, my heart and soul weeps for you. Our animals are so precious that their loss is so difficult. Cherish your memories and kiss the others a few extra times. I just kissed my George, Gracie and Peggy in honor of Plum.
that is terrible news and im so sorry.
what a beautiful girl she was and is forever. one angel that will be following you on your runs and hunts.
oh gosh. this was not what i expected to read today! tears! i'm so terribly sorry for the loss of your sweet plum. i hope you can take comfort in farley and penelope, and in knowing that plum's too-short life was the best a dog could ever have wished for. sending big hugs and heart squeezes your way.
xoxo
Oh dear, I was so sad to see this post today. I'm so sorry for your loss.
Pets are such dear things to us because of all the love they give us and all the arguments they don't give us. Dogs especially have such a deep love for their family members that transcends any kind of abuse or neglect, you must know that Plum loved you more than anything.
I know for a fact that she is waiting for you up in Heaven and that when the eventuality comes of losing a human family member, they will also be waiting for you on the other side of death. Plum is probably watching you right now, wishing she could lick your tears away. Be at peace and remember all the wonderful days you had with her.
Oh, no. Oh, Jillian. I'm so sorry. So, so sorry. Take care.
oh my… i am so sorry for your loss. so unexpected and sad. loss is never easy… i'm praying for you and your family.
i have no words.
all i have are tears.
p.s.
well….i also have a very large expensive book that plum used for teething.
for THAT i shall remember her.
Jillian and Robert,
I am so sorry–my heart aches with sadness.
Her life was short, but could not be any sweeter or happier.
~Steph in Oregon
Oh dear, I am so very sorry for your loss. I know how it feels all too well, it always seems they leave us too soon. I am crying here with you; remembering her and all the good dogs that have gone before her. May Plum rest in peace. Sending you hugs and prayers.
Jillian…..i am so profoundly sorry for your loss….i could hardly believe what i was reading. Nothing I can say can be enough….she touched many lives. I will remember her loveliness and her brilliantly shining spirit that came thru in your sharing her with us. Part of one of my favorite prayers is, "it is in dying that we are born to eternal life." My love and thoughts go out to you and Robert…and my prayers to beautiful Plum….she lives on in our hearts.
Oh rest her beautiful soul…i too, lost my beloved dog so suddenly as well, no warning no foretelling but perhaps the wonderous ones get taken for some unforeseen reason…does not make it any easier..she was loved your wee Plumbelina and shall be remembered forever more…love her flappy tongue and happy spirit!
So so sorry for all of you. She is watching and running along side.
I'm stupid with tears. My heart flies and gives yours a squeeze, as yours often does mine without you even realising.
You give so much of your soul to all you do, Jillian; you gave your soul to Plumbelina and she was a lucky dog to have had such a wonderful guardian.
I will think of you through your healing. But first the shock, which hits like lightning and delayed thunder for a while, will need to be navigated. I am glad you have your man back by your side through that.
Much love, Anastasia xoxox
Jillian, Robert and your
four legged family,
My heart and love go out to you. My grandmother passed away yesterday and I am out of tears, out of words. I can only send my condolences and my love to you all.
xoxo
Genie
I'm so sorry to hear this. Sending love and lifted hearts.
xo
Oh Jillian, I am so shocked and saddened for your loss of Plumbelina. What a wonderful, precious spirit she is, and always will be. I'm sure you feel her prescence everywhere; she's with you and watching over you and your family.
I am praying for your healing in all good time. Thank you for sharing Plum's life with us, she's made a difference in everyone she touched!
Dearest Jillian and RW,
I am so sorry for you loss.
There is nothing like the unconditional love of a dog.
Plum was such a sweet girl.
My hope is that time will ease your pain.
I believe that all dogs go to heaven.
Sending peace and love.
xo
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
NO.
NO.
oh.GOD.no.say.it.isn't.so.
Montana's Tart & Tiny Plumbelina…may your spirit run wild, run free.
Jillian, Robert…your baby girl will always be running by your sides…
I know you don't know me but I started reading your blog when I stumbled upon your flickr stream and realized you were connected to a friend and coworked of mine. I have been so captured and enamoured by your writing, talent, and faith. I want you to know that as I read this post tears were and are streaming down my face. I feel so intimately close to your grief and I do not know why because I've never known you or Plumbelina. But at the same time know exactly why, through your writing I have grown to love you and your little family as ridiculous as that sounds. I have imagined Plum's silky ears and hot breath and speed that takes my breath away. I feel like I know her. And I too have heard the hollow silence that followed after the loss of my best four legged friend.
What I am getting at is I am so so so sorry for your loss. My heart aches for you and your family. And thank you so much for blogging I enjoy everything your create, write, and share so much. It brings a smile to my face every day. I am praying for you.
Love,
Jaclyn
Oh sweetheart. I am so sorry.
I had a bullmastif die in my arms in the car on the way to the vet after being hit by a car. Although more bloody than your version, I can relate.
Your Plum passed in a lap of love. Your lap. What else can anyone ask for.
Sending you sweet warmth and wishing the empty corners of your home will be filled soon with happy memory and the shenanigans of the other four leggeds.
xo,
N.
So Sorry Jillian, so sorry.
xx
Jo
I am so very very sad for this! Oh the grieving is so hard, your poor dear heart and Robert's too. I would wish to stitch up this wound with a golden needle and magic thread but the tears and soul pain are what is required.
Much love and grace to your sweet family at Plume Gables,
TaddyMichelle
Oh my dear Jillian and Robert,
How my heart aches for your loss. Even though her life was short it was full of love and laughter, she was lucky to be part of your family, and will forever be part of your memories.
Sending you lots of love
xoxoxoxoxo
M
what an awful news! really sorry for u and your husband. but she had u two and u had her in your lives for a moment. and that in itself is precious. thinking of u both xxx
Oh, no, my dear – what a terrible shock – what a shame. It hurts so much to lose a beloved pet, because they are our friends and family member and companions too. I know how fully and richly you love and I am sorrowful with you. You will always have her in your heart, and though it might take a while, the blade of that truth will dissolve and then there will just be sweetness. But while it still has that edge, my love and wishes to you for many blessings every day. XO I give thanks for your Plumbelina.
Oh Jillian, I'm so sorry and thinking of all of you.
That sentence seems woefully insubstantial but truly…so sorry.
I am so sorry.
I am so, so sorry!
I have not been able to stop thinking of you and your little family.
I can't imagine losing one of my pups in such a sudden, tragic way.
Rest assured that you provided her with a beautiful life while she was here. In her her short years she LIVED FULLY.
take much care.
Hi Jillian,
I am so sorry for your loss of lil Plum, I know how it hurts. Every time I have lost a dog, I just go get another one asap, as I believe they are here to make your life easier, not sad, and there's plenty more waiting to be your buddy! You should check out Jon Katz's blog, Bedlam Farms – he is doing a book tour and is blogging about losing a pet and has some incredibly insightful sharings of what you're going through from people all over the world. Hang in there, your other critters will keep you from being too sad!
🙁 Katy
As I sit here in tears over the loss of your special, dear girl, I also cannot help but smile over this beautiful post. I feel like we all got to know what a special creature she was through your stories, and I know her special spirit will be with your family always.
This is sad, sad news…I'm just utterly broken hearted for you and your family, I had no idea…and what a shock for it all to happen so quickly. No feeble words of mine can alleviate the pain of losing such a treasured friend but know my thoughts are with you.
THANK YOU ALL,
so much,
so very much for stopping by,
for reading this post,
for remembering Plum with us.
Thank you.
We've been made speechless by your outpouring of kindness and appreciate you all so much.
Thank you.
Love,
J&R
Jillian. Thank you for your kind comments about my Preacher Man. I appreciate you taking the time to read about him and leave a note…i know how you feel. Your words about Plumbelina rang so true for me. It is an excruciating pain that has taken hold and feels like it will never let go. But I know in my head it will, hopefully our hearts will catch up soon. Wishing you peace.
Oh dear Jillian and RW, I gasped when I saw your first line. I am SO very sorry. There are really no words… Hugs and wishes for comfort and peace are coming your way.
xo,
Kim
I am so sorry. I think you wrote her a beautiful remembrance.
OMG, I haven't been able to write to you until now. It just doesn't seem possible that this has happened to your baby girl, Plum. You have so many wonderful memories to keep in your hearts. We all feel like we've lost a sweet puppy because we've been with you from the very beginning…..I can't even write coherently. I send my love and prayers that you will know that she is in God's hands now and he will take good care of those little velvet ears. My love to you both and Farley too, Sally
I'm so sorry to hear this Jillian. The death of a pet can be as hard as the death of a close friend or family member. You are in my thoughts.
Lacey G.
This is so sad, I'm terribly heartbroken for your loss. When I lost my dear Chancie cat last year, my friend told me about the rainbow bridge poem, and it helped. If you Google it, you will find it. Maybe it will also help you out.
i am so sorry to read this… very, very sad. my heart goes out to you. xooxo
Jillian,
I'm so sorry it's with such sad news that I write my first comment. I want to echo my sentiments to Plumb, and hope you can take some comfort in knowing she's touched so many people's lives – all around the world – and through your pictures and words we will remember her always. She is honored, because of you and your beautiful family.
Pandora x
I read this yesterday and didn't know what to write. I thought about it. And still…. what do you say when a loved one's child goes? Still not sure J. I'm thinking about it though… still thinking about it.
i am so sorry to hear… my thoughts are with you xxx
So, so sorry…
I don't know what to say. My heart hurts with yours. I am so sorry for your loss.
Oh, love. I'm so so sorry. My heart aches for your loss.
I hope that Plumelina visits you in your dreams, as my Maggie visits me…
As I've lived my life, I feel that life is a series of losses that we face and eventually learn to find a spark of hope from the depth of despair.
Sending you all my love. Your in my thoughts, as always.
xoxo
…I guess the incredible thing here is that even in her death, she's still teaching me about life. So even the loss of her isn't a loss.
Thank you again,
all of you,
over and over again for these kind comments and consolations. We appreciate it so much.
We appreciate you so much.
x
Oh Jillian I am so sorry for your loss, the pain of her passing will get a little bit easier but it will go away like your love for her , she will always be with you and yes you are so lucky to have known her and she you I don't think any puppy could have had a better mommy than her. Thank you so much for sharing her with us as you have it has been a blessing , I have watched her grow up and blossom through your lovely photos of her I shall miss her right along with you and all of your fellow bloggers here on your site. nancy
You and Yours in my heart…constant
So sorry about your beautiful GSP.
Jillian & RW & the rest of the clan – I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your sweet crazy Plum. My heart aches & tears fall. It matters little to me that Plum was a dog, and not a human. Her loss still wounds the heart, just as much as her life added so much Life to your world!
with peace & love & healing,
Caren
So very sorry for your loss. Plum was a beautiful little girl, and so well loved. My heart aches for you…
this quote always serves me well in times of deep deep sorrow. perhaps it will you as well.
"let your tears come. let them water your soul. " -eileen mayhew
tears and waves of peace to ALL of you.
Many times I have heard that, to those grieving, saying, "I'm sorry" doesn't seem to ease the mind at all. But, for those of us who hear about this a different way than family and friends do, "I'm sorry" is the only thing we can really say. We don't mean to be…insensitive or anything. But saying something is better than saying nothing, right?
Plum was a beautiful puppy girl. She always looked to be the happiest of dogs and she was so well cared for. I, too, lost a dear pet. My goodness was it two years ago? Our beloved bloodhound J Homer came down with Bloat. It was a harsh ordeal and a very sad one, too. I sat at home and cried and cried while my parents rushed him to an emergency vet. He did come home that night, but in the morning he was gone. It was so…unreal, yet we all knew he was.
So I know what you're going through and I hope beyond hope I did not make you cry from reading this (because I did not mean to) My thoughts and prayers will be with you all.
oh jillian…i am beyond sorry for your loss. i've loved seeing your posts about her the past few years and all i can say is that she seemed to be a great dog and family member to you, RW and the rest of your brood. i am wearing my pancake ring today in her honor!
xoxo,
lindsay
I am so so so sorry for your loss. Our furry friends love so unconditionally – it is heartbreaking to imagine that disappearing. Passing along a quote that I wrote down once, thinking it would be a good memory of my pup when the time comes:
"He took my heart and ran with it, and I hope he's running still, fast and strong, a piece of my heart bound up with his forever"
~~Patricia McConnell, For The Love of A Dog
Hubby came home from a business trip tonight,
after settling in & sharing stories with one another
we read your post…this post.
it was his first time reading it
&
we cried together.
then he read my tart&tiny tribute
&
he cried some more…
&
my man.doesn't.cry.
he hopes you have a chance to read my Plum tribute, before it rolls away…
so i write this to you, sweet Jillian, not for attention or recognition, but to express to you how much we care & cry for you…and how much we LOVE you!
XO
http://nancymckay.blogspot.com/2011/10/tart-tribute.html
Jillian~ I'm so very sorry for your loss. I was in tears reading about your sweet Plumbelina. I'm so sad for you.
I know how hard it is to loose your sweet companion.
XOXO, Kathryn
Jillian and RW…I'm so sorry to hear about the loss of your sweet lil' Plum-pooch. Her too-short life, was full of love and adventure with the 2 of you, small consolation tho' it is…
Love and warm wishes your way,
Heath
At first shocked to silence and stillness, then a strong desire to add my voice here as well. I am so deeply sorry for your loss. I spent some time away from the computer and getting caught up on your last several posts. I'm so so sorry and will miss seeing Plum's sweet face in your photographs.
I just looked at my sleeping pooch and felt your pain. I'm so sorry.
I'm so sorry to hear of Plum's passing.
So sorry.
xo