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Thursday, November 14, 2019

Your Dying Spouse 697 - Losses {FMF}

It's a season of loss.

Barb's Da passed away lat month, after a long illness.

Her Belen Family, Caryn and Robert, will be moving to Houston in the next few weeks.

And last weekend was a bit trying; two of my three service dogs died, within 20 hours of one another.

Sylvia, the face' of this blog, went first. She had been ill, and her death was not unexpected. Chris, the yellow Lab who was 'the adult in the room', died soon after, of a broken heart.

They were both quite old for large dogs, about fourteen.

I'd like to think they enjoyed their lives with us; I am grateful that they were here, and look forward to seeing them again soon, for how could heaven be heaven otherwise?

These were the dogs that saved my life, doing canine CPR. They weren't taught; when I stopped breathing they decided that I should not die. If you'd like to read about that (and see a short video of what it looks like, please click here.)

One might question God's motives, and ask Why...but that is the one thing we cannot do, for to question is to doubt, and to doubt is to reject His Love.

Still hurts, though.

For Sylvia

All the years of service, done;
where once was laughter, now no sound.
All too soon your race is run
and we must lay you in the ground.
I hope you know the part you played
helped keep my heart and soul afloat,
helped keep my faith when I prayed,
helped keep my prayers from being rote.
Now you run in boundless open air,
with clouds for snowbanks, never cold,
and one day soon I'll join you there
for I hope I die before I'm old.
Watch for my home-return, dear friend,
and wait for me, around the bend.

                                                            

For Chris

I know that you were steadfast,
I know that you were true.
The best of times can never last;
you've gone ahead, on up the blue.
You followed everywhere I'd go,
you were always at my heels.
I'd work and rest with you in tow
and you sometimes ate my meals.
Even in your fragile age
you gave a shoulder of support,
to help me turn the sorrow'd page,
to love when I was hurt.
If God's divide is crossed by will
I'll hear your steady footfall still.

                                                               

Music from George Harrison, with All Those Years Ago.i



Thanks to Carol Ashby, Blessed Are The Pure Of Heart is back on Kindle, and will be available in paperback soon.

Friends are everything. I couldn't have done it.

Marley, the canine waif from Afghanistan, whom WE helped save, has a Facebook page! Please drop by to see how happy he is today.


Below are my recent releases on Kindle -please excuse their presence in the body of the blog. I haven't the energy to get them up as 'buttons' in the sidebar. You can click on the covers to go to the Amazon links.








45 comments:

  1. So so sorry my friend. What beautiful pups they were, inside and out! So grateful you had them and they lived such long lives- such a gift. Love you much. xoxo Jordan

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    1. Jordan, thank you so much. They were indeed a git, and I was privileged to have them in my life. XOXOXO

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  2. Andrew, I am so sorry for all the loss. Our pets become so much more than just pets, they become family. They love us unconditionally and offer such companionship. Praying for you and Barb tonight.

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    1. Joanne, thank you or this, and you're so right; they are family, and thee two were such a source of physical and morale support!

      We thank you so much for your prayers.

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  3. sorry for the losses you have experienced over this past month. Canine CPR is a good thing

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    1. Annette, thank you so much for this, and for being here.

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  4. So sorry to hear this. Healing grace for you all.

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  5. So sorry for your loss. Pets are truly family. Praying for you both.

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    1. Lexi, you're so right. They really are family.

      Thank you for your prayers, and for being here.

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  6. So sorry for your loss. I know how bad I felt when I had to put down our 18 year old dog after he stroked several years ago. I can't imagine the anguish of losing two friends so close together. Keeping you in my prayers as always.

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    1. Duhdad, thank you for this, and for sharing your experience and sorrow. I'm so grateful for your being here, and for your prayers.

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  7. So sorry for your losses! Every love, every creature is such a gift from Him. I am praying for you all this weekend.

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    1. Bettie, thank you...they are indeed gift! We are so grateful for your prayers.

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  8. Andrew, I am so sorry for your loss. The four-footed are faithful. The two-legged can be a bit wobbly. I so need your last line today.."to question is to doubt, and to doubt is to reject His love." Prayers for you!

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    1. Mary, you're so very right, that the four-footed are faithful, and the two-footed...well...

      I'm so glad this spoke to you.

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  9. Sylvia and Chris are on my mom's front porch in heaven eating scones while she sips tea. My Sam is there too, on her lap. They will run in the fields of heaven and greet us when we cross the great divide. Yes Lord - how else could it be heaven? xoxo

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    1. Susan, I love this! They are indeed having a great time, and Sylvia will have some tea, thanks. She loves lemon ginger, and will eat the teabag as well. XOXOXO

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  10. Thank you for sharing this dear and precious part of your heart. Blessings to you in the hurting and the healing...

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    1. Thank you so much! I'm grateful that you are here.

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  11. I'm so sorry to hear of the loss of your dogs, Andrew. I know they have been such faithful companions to you. Love and prayers for you and Barbara!

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    1. Thank you so much. Lesley. Your '31 Days' of 'Letters to a Younger Me' in October helped me a lot; just wanted you to know.

      Love back, and we thank you so much for the prayers.

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  12. (((((Andrew)))))
    (((((Barbara)))))

    Annie in Texas

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    1. ((((((Annie!))))))

      We are so glad you're here.

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  13. This made me sad. Wish there was something comforting I could say. Know I care. May. you both sense God's presence. Praying.

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    1. My daer Norma, saying that you care is the perfect thing to say. Thank you so much for this, and for your prayers.

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  14. from another FMF neighbor-friend.

    SO sorry for the loss of your dog family. they truly are family. I know. Been there; done that. After losing 2 of our beloved cats (yes, they were mature), it took years to decide if I wanted another pet. But I broke down, said yes to my husband, visited a puppy, and brought him home. he's had some health issues at only a year old, but we will stick it out and figure it out.

    Blessings to you and yours, my friend. Thank you for sharing your heart,
    Teresa Lasher

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    1. Teresa, thank you so much for sharing your experiences...it is indeed so hard, and my prayers are with you guys for a happy life with the puppy.

      God bless, and thank you so much for being here.

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  15. So sorry for the loss of your animal friends, Andrew. Those are beautiful poetic tributes to them.

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  16. I'm so very sorry for your loss of your family, both animal and human. May God comfort you in the way that only He can.

    Your tributes to your pups were so wonderful! If they could have heard those words, I'm sure they'd be proud.

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    1. Jerralea, thank you so much for your kind and gracious words. I hope that the guys did indeed know how much they meant to me, an that somehow they understood when God read the poems to them.

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  17. That's a lot of grief in such a short period. I'll be praying extra hard for you and Barbara.

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    1. Jan, it sure is. Thank you so much for your prayer.

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  18. "We're all just walking each other home." Ram Dass
    Peace to Sylvia and Chris's memory. The house has to feel so quiet.
    And peace to the memory of Barb's father. I am so sorry.
    Carla

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    1. Carla, the quote from Ram Dass is perfect. Thank you so much for this.

      And yes, the house is far too quiet. Life, now, is like when you are going up a staircase, and the last step expected isn't there.

      Thank you so much for being here, and Barb thanks you specifically for remembering her Da.

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  19. Oh my goodness, Andrew! I'm so very sorry for your losses! I knew about Barbara's dad but to lose two of your beloved dogs--that both saved your life--oh my goodness! That's just too much loss at one time to absorb! I'll be praying for you and Barbara! It must be a profound grief you are feeling! Consider yourself hugged-from-afar, my friend!

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    1. Beth, thank you for this...it is just very hard to process, still.

      We sure appreciate the prayers, and especially the hugs. Both are so needed.

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  20. I'm so sorry to hear that, Andrew! May you experience lots of love and comfort this week!

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    1. Katha, the comfort offered by friends like you has been awesome.

      Thank you somuch for being here.

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  21. Aww, Andrew, I'm so sorry for your multiple losses. May the Holy Spirit draw near and bring comfort to you.

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    1. Anita, thank you so much! It's hard, but there is comfort at the center of the pain.

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  22. I am so very sorry for your many losses. You are in my thoughts and prayers. My condolences to you and Barbara.

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    1. Rachel, we thank you so much. We're in the process of losing another of our senior guys, and it's simply heartbreaking.

      We can keep him comfortable, pain-free, and surrounded by friends.

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