Thursday, May 14, 2015

R.I.P. Our Beloved Blackberry


Yesterday we lost our best furry friend in a tragic accident.  We were unloading my car after shopping and Blackberry slipped out of the house, unnoticed, and uncharacteristically chased something out onto the busy road in front of our subdivision and was struck by a car.  She died instantly.

When we adopted Blackberry about five years ago she had been stuck in a small cage at the animal shelter for months and had mange and constant diarrhea.  No one wanted this black mangy mutt.  But for some reason Blackberry caught our eye and we brought her home.  We treated her mange, her digestive issues instantly cleared up, and she became my husband's and my fur daughter and the boys' best friend.

I keep on feeling like I just woke up from a bad dream and she is in her favorite napping spot upstairs on Duke's bed.  I keep on glancing out the back door expecting to see her smiling face and wagging tail, ready to come back in with her family.  She always follows me everywhere and I keep on looking down at my feet, shocked that she is not there.  Last night I told the boys to give her their leftovers.  I keep on hearing sounds of her moving around the house.  I moved her dog bed to our breakfast room this morning so she could join us.  I keep on having flashbacks of her looking at me with her ears up, excited because I told her we were going on a walk and I burst into tears. Or how she would throw herself on her back, wigging around with joy, begging for us to give her a tummy rub.

Duke cried himself to sleep last night and Imp walks around like he is lost. My husband is the first one to see her every morning as he makes the coffee, and today he told me it made him so sad to not see his morning buddy.  And I am eaten up with remorse for not noticing that my beloved Blackberry was not safe inside with her family.  She trusted me to take care of her and I failed.

I loved that dog.

Blackberry had a giant heart and loved us unconditionally. We are heart-broken.

Last night we buried her in the pouring rain on my parent's land where we would often walk her unleashed so she could run free in the woods.  We all wrote her a love note and buried them with her, along with some of her favorite dog treats.

Rest in peace little girl.  We love you so much and it breaks our heart that you are gone.  May you have unlimited cats, rabbits, squirrels, and UPS trucks to chase in heaven.













 

37 comments:

  1. I am so sorry for your family's loss. I know too well the ache of losing a fur baby. Blackberry is still with you, you just can't see her anymore. I have one cat that talks to my ghost cats. Bless you, for having given her the joy and security of a loving home; sadly so many animals never get to experience that.

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  2. Thank you ekorn. I know, I feel that she is still here with us.

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  3. I am so sorry for your loss Rita. I hope you and your family can find Peace.

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  4. We recently lost our lovely Maggie, although not through tragic circumstances like you. There is an enormous hole in our family now that I feel nothing will ever fill. I still expect to see her trotting through the house and garden, and could swear that I feel her sometimes in her favourite spot, curled up under my desk when I am working or crafting. I feel your family's pain and sent you a massive hug.

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  5. Thank you Tricia and Diane!

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  6. So sorry....words can't describe the pain of losing a beloved pet.

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  7. Oh I am so so sorry. What a sad loss for your family. Your post about missing her is very beautiful though.

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  8. I'm so sorry for the loss of your furbaby! Our precious animals are a huge part of our family. It's never easy to lose a pet and to lose them in an accident like this is difficult. Our thoughts are with you and your family.

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  9. I am so sorry. I know it is so very hard for all of you to have lost Blackberry. We lost our beloved Sheltie 7 years ago and the hole that is left in our lives is so big.

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  10. What deep sadness fills the hearts of every one of you. Our pets are so much a member of our families and so we grieve when they leave.
    Blackberry will always own a special place in your hearts but I hope you will soon find the unwanted dog whose life only your family can complete as he/she will complete yours.
    Blessings.

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  11. I'm so sorry to hear this. I still hear my kitty's footsteps everywhere and she died almost 4 months ago. It's so heartbreaking to lose a beloved animal. So painful. I think we grieve for them in different ways than we do a person. Our animals never "grow up". They are a constant best friend/baby. And the loss is tremendous. Hugs to you.

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  12. So sorry for the family loss Rita. Your post made me cry. I can't begin to imagine what the boys will go through. I remember seeing my dog hit by a car when I was little, I can still see it now. I cried for months. Please don't hold yourself responsible, accidents happen.
    {hugs}
    ~kimi

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  13. Sending you and your family so very much love. I am so sorry to hear about the loss of precious Blackberry. May your memories bring you comfort and peace.

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  14. I am so sorry for your loss, Rita. We've experienced the same feelings with our Daisy girl. They are in heaven playing together now:) We'll be thinking about y'all and sending hugs your way!

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  15. I am so very sorry for your loss, these sweet fur-babies really are family. It's never easy to say goodbye to a faithful friend. Praying for comfort for each of you during this time of deep grief and loss.

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  16. I was just reading the news of your furbaby, it was heartbreaking. I just wanted you too know, think of all the good things you did for blackberry, and all the wonderful memories she left behind for only you and your family. You gave Blackberry the best home she ever knew, and for that you are all Angels in her eyes. Hugs and more hugs

    Dianna

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  17. Oh Rita, I'm sooo sorry for the loss of your family's beloved pet. I've tears streaming down my face as I can easily feel your pain showing through your post.

    Fur babies leave such an incredible mark on one's life and it is always so painful to lose them. Please know our thoughts and prayers are with you.

    Lisa D.

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  18. So, so sorry for your loss and your family's pain. Sometimes things happen...inexplicable and beyond our control, that's life.
    Hold fast to all the memories Blackberry is now part of with your family. Eventually your heart will heal enough for another one to come who will need your love and care.
    from my heart to you and your family,
    Marchia

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  19. I'm so very sorry for you and your family. It's so horrible and sad when it happens this way. Please know that I feel your pain, as we lost our 8-year old Sheltie to a tragedy on Monday (which started on Mother's Day - of all days!). It's so unfair. I'm heartbroken FOR you, and grieving WITH you. Only dog-people will understand our pain. I couldn't even buy a cucumber at the store yesterday without breaking down; WHO was I going to share that with??? It's so different. It just wasn't their time...I'll never understand it. Glad your baby had you...sending love and hugs.

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  20. Oh Rita and family, I'm so so so sorry for your loss. Our fur kids climb into our hearts and wrap us up in their fuzzy love, don't they? May you find joy in remembering Blackberry and the joy you brought to her life. A short 5 years with you was the first step to heaven compared with the torture she faced at that shelter.

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  21. Rita, so sorry for your and your families loss. Our pets are truly like our kids.

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  22. Thank you everyone! The boys and I have read everyone's comments here and on Facebook and they really comforted us. It has been a rough day. I keep on expecting her to run up to me. I still have trouble believing she is really gone. 😢 She was such a great friend and I know we will never forget her. Rita

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  23. I am so sorry for your loss. I have felt the pain of losing a fur baby and it is truly like losing a member of the family.

    My thoughts are with you and your family.

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  24. Rita, I am so sorry to her about your family loss of blackberry, this is so sad, my heart goes out to you. May peace be with you, and her memories be with you always. xo

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  25. Oh how sad for all of you guys! I'm so sorry for your loss.

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  26. I'm so sorry for the loss of your sweet girl.

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  27. I am truly sorry for your loss. :(

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  28. http://www.evrmemories.com/Pet-Photo-Jewelry-s/520.htm

    Rita -- I'm getting one of these for the loss of my Sheltie. Thought I'd share the site with you. Hope you're all doing a bit better today. Know it's still very difficult. Hugs.

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  29. Oh Rita, I am so sorry for your family's loss, I loved reading your stories about him. We could always tell when a thunderstorm was coming because our furbaby would run around the backyard in circles and barking at the sky. We lost her during a storm and to this day, whenever I hear a storm coming, I know she is running at the head of it, leading the way, and I get a chance to tell her hi....

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  30. I'm so sorry to hear of your loss! Just remember it's not your fault! It is so hard to loose a family member. I feel your pain.

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  31. So sorry for your family loss. Through 30 years it has always been heart wrenching when we had to say goodbye to one whether they passed on their own or we made the decision to give them peace.

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  32. Oh, I'm so sorry. This makes my heart hurt for you and your sweet family. Our furry friends love us so unconditionally and that makes it all the harder to lose them. You all were so lucky to have each other.

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  33. OMG!!! I am just learning this and am crying!!! I don't even know Blackberry...but seeing your photos and hearing your stories...she was a precious dog indeed! So sorry for your loss!

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  34. I was catching up on my e-mails tonight and just saw this. I'm so sorry for your family. We had a black lab that we got from a shelter many years ago. He loved to run and chase things - we were so afraid this exact thing would happen - he would accidentally get out of the house and run in the road and get hit. So, we found a wonderful family out in the country that had a lot of land. He was with them for a short time and took of running one morning right out into the road and was hit by a motorcycle, instantly killed. Sometimes I think maybe we should have kept him, maybe he would still be alive. It does break your heart, you feel like you failed, but sometimes things happen and we have no control over them. I still cry now and then for the fur babies I have lost. It doesn't matter how you lose them, whether it's from old age, or a sudden and tragic loss, they take a piece of your heart with them. Enjoy the pictures you have of her and remember all the good times! She was loved and she knew it - I guess in the end that's what really matters. :)

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  35. How heartbreaking :( I am sorry for your family's loss. It's always hard losing a fur baby and member of the family.

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  36. I know this is a old post so I don't know if you'll ever see this comment. I sure hope you do.

    I have been enjoying your posts & paper packs all day yesterday & again this morning. While doing so, I have seen lots of pics of your new dog, Piper, if I remember right. I am go glad he was able to help heal your son's hearts as they have grown up together. My family too just recently lost our dog. Our Alaskan Husky- Rocky. We bought him when he was 6 or 7 weeks old. He was a Christmas gift in 2008 for my younger brother & I. We had 12 and a half long years with him. He passed away in his sleep a couple weeks ago. We got him in 2006 & my son was born in 2008 so he has never known anything different. Rocky always met us in the driveway after pulling in anytime we visited Papaw & Mamaw's house. I haven't brought myself to go visit my parents since he passed as I know it will be very hard for my son who is 10.

    Your blog post made me cry tears on my keyboard lol & I had this overwhelming feeling to reach out to you & your family, even though it has been several years ago since you posted this. From your earlier blog posts I knew you had lost him & adopted a new puppy but I was surprised how much of a reaction I had when I finally got to this post. Maybe because I knew it was coming. I feel like I have gotten to know your family reading through your posts. Maybe because I too just lost my Rocky. I'm assuming all of the above. :)

    Thank you for the freebies & you have a beautiful family.
    Love from Kentucky- Kayla B.

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    1. Kayla, I am so sorry to read about the loss of your sweet Rocky. We love our new dog Piper, but I still get sad when I think about Blackberry. She was 100% my dog and never left my side, while Piper is the family dog. I am just happy I had some time with her. And thank you for your beautiful comments!

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Rita