Thirteen years ago we brought a little Shih Tzu into our home to give our son (who was also fairly young at that point) some lively household company. He was soon called "little bro" by his smitten other brother who named him after Nick Faldo the golfer . We were all equally smitten and Faldo was a huge part of our small family. He loved Austin's friends and the pizza that came with them, his favorite treat. In his younger years, he would stay up into the wee hours with all the boys and then slink down and jump into our sleeping bed as if he hadn't just been partying and eating pizza all night long.
Though I was Alpha mom, Faldo had a real soft spot for his bigger "bro". "Give me a kiss" would result in Faldo giving Austin a nose lick, this honour was reserved for Austin and Austin only. We could ask all day and nothing, like he didn't even know what we meant. He may have given kisses to his brother but he was never more than a foot from me at any given time (unless I was working and even then he would wait at the stair landing where he could see or hear me working). When he left peacefully today surrounded by our presence and our immense love, it was with such mixed feelings. We were honouring our pet by ending his suffering but at a loss on how to fill that space in our heart and home. It can't be done......he was simply the most loving and personable dog ever. I wanted you to meet him especially today. We miss him like crazy.Photos by Sande Chase
Oh I've got tears in my eyes. I'm so so sorry for you losing 'little bro', it really is heartbreaking.
ReplyDeleteHe would have been like our Tilly, a member of the family and someone you talk to everyday and laugh at all the funny things they do, each with their own personalities that you love so much.
sending you hugs and kisses my sweet.xxx
Oh... so sorry about your beloved Faldo. We too, are a dog loving family... I can only imagine how you are feeling. I am sending you thoughts of strength and peace.
ReplyDeleteSorry.
~Amy
Dear Sande: My heart breaks for your family for your loss of your beloved "little bro". I often think of what that day will be like when we no longer have our sweet dog to make us laugh & love. She too is like another child & I knew exactly what you meant as I read each line you typed. Hugs to you & just know that I care,
ReplyDeleteXx Deb
my condolences. i was touched by your post. may flado rest in peace.
ReplyDeleteDear Sande~
ReplyDeleteMy heart is hurting for your loss of little bro~
I can see his sweetness with Austin... and I know for his beautiful mommy.... I am so sorry. I don't know how to fill that hole, I know only time will help but will never erase him...
XOX's
Your friend,
Jaent
What a sweet post. The photos are adorable and so is Little Bro's story. Sorry for your family's loss.
ReplyDeleteSande,
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry...and this isn't adequate for this very painful and sad loss. Letting our little 'loves' go and be pain-free with no more suffering is so hard to do, but it is also very courageous and the highest love for our special and dearest sweet friends who provide us with so much unconditional love.
I'll stop now because really there are no words except I know how badly this hurts.
Thinking of you...
Melissa
I know how hard it is to lose a loved pet. They are indeed members of the family - very lively members - and the hole they leave behind just echos. I'm sorry for your loss.
ReplyDeleteThank you ladies for you lovely words.....it was heartwarming to read them this morning and you are all so special to me.
ReplyDeleteFaldo was not only handsome, but a special little bro. He was loved and had the perfect family for him. I enjoyed reading your wonderful memories of him. He filled your hearts with memories to live on and he will always hold that special spot within. There are no words or magic wand to ease the heart's pain only time.
ReplyDeleteI share your saddness and felt the pain all over again of losing our Buddy several years ago. I also know the time is coming near for our Kelly.
Sweet hugs my friend! xoxo
"If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go to where they went."-Will Rogers. All the best to you and your family-Beth
ReplyDeleteSande, I can feel your pain so much, as our little baby is very ill as well. I posted her on my blog a few days ago. She "gives us a kiss" on command as well and I had tears in my eyes when I read that. Nothing can replace the joy and unconditional love they bring into our lives. I know little Faldo will be missed terribly.
ReplyDelete...a very touching post for me.
Tears...for you and for me. I, too, lost my beloved Ginger sheltie at age 12 1/2 in May. She, like Faldo, went peacefully in our arms. We loved her so. It's so hard to say good-bye. My heart goes out to you.
ReplyDeleteOh I'm so sorry for your loss.
ReplyDelete:(
It is so hard to lost a member of your family, my heart goes out to you <3 Here is a little poem that was sent to me when my childhood dog had to be put to sleep, I hope it will help you too.
ReplyDeleteJust this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.
All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.
You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....
Author unknown...
Sande,
ReplyDeleteMy heart goes out to you & especially Austin.
I had to let my cat & dog go within 4 months & its sooo heartbreaking.
"Dog Heaven" by Cynthia Rylant...a book for children but really aren't we all little kids at heart. It really is the most amazing book & the ending still brings tears to my eyes just thinking about it...but they're happy tears.
Dearest Sande~
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry for your loss. Lossing our most beloved friends are our biggest loses. It is so amazing how these little furry creatures gives us so much love and endless happy moments. Your Little bro is adorable and he is up in doggie heaven playing and getting lots of special treats now. My heart goes out to you and a BIG hug for you Sande!
Oh dear Sande, I am so sorry for your loss, Simone from beach vintage has just lost her dog this week too!! They are so much a part of the family its unconditional love with are pets, I hope you fill the empty space in your heart soon, sending you a big hug Elaine :)
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry for your loss and my prayers are with you to have your heart filled with memories and love of your lovely little family member.
ReplyDeleteHi my Friend~
ReplyDeleteJust wanted you to know....I am still thinking about you tonight...and I am so very sad for you...have sweet dreams~
xo's
Janet
Sande I am so sorry.
ReplyDeleteYou will miss him a lot.
Love Renee xoxo
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ReplyDeleteObrigada
Dear Sande,
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry to hear of your families loss. We have many pets, and have had many: there is never an easy way to say good-bye. Faldo sounds like a special dog. I guess it's the way they love us, so unconditionally. My thought and prayers are with you.
Thanks so much for your kind reply to my gift wrapping woes. It means so much to me for you to give me your expert advice. I will send you the info you asked for this week, for now just recover from your loss and know we are all thinking of you and your family.
Hugs,
Amada
Oh. My sympathies to you and your family.
ReplyDeleteMy son tells me that I will be walking around with an empty leash when the day comes....I know how a pet can be an integral part of a family.
Our dog Bentley herds us to one room - he wants us to be all together.
I love him for that!
pve
So sorry to hear this...but what a lucky and loved little cutie!
ReplyDeleteDear little doggy...so sorry Sande. xv
ReplyDeleteSande, I am a new reader here, and I am so so sorry to read about the loss of your Shih Tzu Faldo. I am certain of one thing from your writing, little bro knew he was dearly loved. What a bright spot and a gift he was to your family, our Shih Tzu Sophie is eleven years old, and I am so happy you all shared love and life for a time. My best to you and yours.
ReplyDeleteOh Sande, I have never had a dog but your post brought tears to my eyes.....I am so very sorry for your loss xoxo
ReplyDeleteJust wanted to say Hi, thinking of you.xxx
ReplyDeleteThat was such a touching devotional, thank you for sharing. He was an adorable doggie and with the love you and your family obviously have for him, he must have had one FANTASTIC life. It's never easy to lose any pet - I cried like a baby when our silly little gerbil died, but you can't help it, they become family.
ReplyDeleteMy thoughts are with you and your family...we are all here if you need anything.
Sande, we were where you are exactly a year ago and it really is such a difficult thing to get through. He sounds like he was very loved (if not a bit spoiled...) :) and what a wonderful life you gave him.
ReplyDeleteI will be thinking of you~
xo
Sande, I'm so sorry about your loss. What a joy Faldo was to you all and what pain you must be going through. Our pets are our children. I'm so attached to my poodle (he's 9) that I get sad knowing that day will inevitably come. Why can't animals live as long as we do?
ReplyDeleteMy thoughts are with you and your family...
Lynn
So sorry for your loss, I know exactly how it feels, we said goodbye to our "Cassie" some 5 years ago, but it seems like yesterday...
ReplyDeleteMy Dear Sande,
ReplyDeleteMy heart goes out to you. My little Daisy is a Shih Tzu and such a dear member of the family. It is so hard to let them go. What a lucky little guy he was to have you and what a lucky family to have had him. I read this once and thought of it when I read your post. It made me think of your little one...
Life lesson to learn from our dogs:
When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.
Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.
Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure Ecstasy.
Take naps
Run, romp, and play daily.
Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.
On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.
When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body.
Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.
Be loyal.
Never pretend to be something you're not.
If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.
When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by, and nuzzle them gently.
xoxo
Judith~
Bless you- bless your little darling. I know just how hard this is. Thoughts are with you.
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry to hear about sweet little Faldo! That must be so hard! My thoughts and prayers are with you guys.
ReplyDeleteI send you a Faldo kiss. He always meant to do it. He just thought the time needed to be right! Dogs teach us how to be better people. Sounds like Faldo had a Ph.D. in education. So sorry for your loss.
ReplyDeleteoh that's so sad...i would be devastated. really, such heart-breaking news.
ReplyDeleteon a lighter note; we just wanted to let you know that we awarded you the Irresistible Blog Award (yes, another award from us)! You can see the award in today's post on our blog! Feel free to pass it along to those other blogs you love!!
xox
www.froufroufashionista.blogspot.com
I just read your comment, it's just so funny ... I saw that pic on a friends post and I REALLY did forget what I was going to say too! I think I had my mouth open staring or something. xxx
ReplyDeleteI have just discovered your beautiful blog.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to hear about your darling little dog.
Having our beautiful Giant schnauzer Heidi, pass away last year, I know what you are going through.
Remember all the happy memories you had with Faldo.
Sending hugs your way
Carolyn
Sande, So sorry to hear about your recent loss of your dear little Faldo. Know he will be dearly missed by all of you. Touching photos of Austin with his "Little Bro".
ReplyDeleteOh I'm so sorry for your loss. There is not a lot more painful than the loss of a beloved pet.
ReplyDeleteWe put our precious Sidney down a few years ago after 14 years. He was our first baby. We got another dog a few months later, because I couldn't stop grieving.
Our Fergie is a Shih Tzu, and is the sweetest little thing. Just what our family needed.
I'm sending a prayer your way.
My first visit to your blog and saw this. I am so very sorry for your loss- the thankful for you that you had little bro to add so much joy to your life.
ReplyDeleteI am very sorry for your loss. Your little guy looked like a real sweetheart and I am sure that he will be missed. Cherish the memories that y'all had with him.
ReplyDeleteMy heart just aches for you! We have grieved over the loss of each of our beloved dogs and are dreading the thought of having to deal with it again with our two existing beloved, very old dogs!
ReplyDeleteSande~ Am so sorry to hear about your loss. What a beautiful post. Thank you so much for sharing this introduction to your family member. You have been so blessed with such a loving presence in your lives. Prayers are with you!
ReplyDeleteKirsten
I am so sorry for your loss. He is absolutely precious and I'm sure there is a major void in your home and it will unfortunately will be there fore some time. Only someone who has loved and lost a pet could understand!
ReplyDeleteI can hardly see to type this comment {little tears}...this makes my heart sad for you - but at the same time happy that your family have had such a wonderful little companion in your lives. I believe God knew the special place that our pets could have in our lives - they are more than pets, they are part of the family, part of our memories, and lives. What a wonderful gift*
ReplyDeleteHi Sande,
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry to hear about your loss. It's amazing how far these furry little creatures get into our hearts and how much they become one of the family. He looked like a real cutie-pie.
Sande I wanted to tell you that Karin loved her gifts. She was over the moon with everything, so thank you so much.
ReplyDeleteShe said the soap is divine.
Sande I also want to thank you for your prayers they mean a lot to me.
Love Renee xoxo
Sande,
ReplyDeleteMy heart is so heavy for your family. I am so sorry for the loss of Faldo, a sweet, kind heart little pup. I admire the strength in your words. I admire that you are able to find the strength to celebrate the wonderful times that he gave to you & that you gave to him. He will always be with you. Thank you for sharing with us.
XO Lisa
Dear
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to read about that terrible lost. As an cat and two yorkshirres owner I know how hard its to say them goodbay and how terrible you are going to miss him. Think that he lived a fortunate life at your side and he was happy to have you and you were blessed having him. You gived him for sure a great life and thats what is important for both.
You will miss him, but pain will pass and only a great love will remain and he will always be alive in your mind.
Take care.
Vanesa
hi Sande! my heart goes out to you and your family. i'm so sorry for the loss of your beloved " Little Bro". i love the photos. he was a so beautiful. i pray that God will give you peace during this time. God Bless you and your family.
ReplyDeleteCharmaine
I could hardly read your blog since we have a little shih tzu...her name is Lucy. She is only six but my husband and I can not even think what life would be like without her. I will tell you this, tho, I happened to meet a couple in Denver while visiting our daughter and they had recently lost their little shih tzu, but apdopted another one from the animal shelter. It was absolutely adorable and you could just see the thankfulness in its eyes. They didn't think they could ever love another one, but had fallen in love again. In time, maybe you will find another one that needs your love and care. I pray God will heal your sadness and soften your pain. If you should visit my blog, you will see a picture of Lucy on the left. Blessings...Jo Carol at Bunnytrails
ReplyDeleteMy heart goes to you and your family during this difficult time.
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry for your loss. What a lucky dog he was to have you and his big brother! You both gave him a wonderful life. Dogs are so very dear, and it is so difficult to say goodbye...
ReplyDeleteSande,
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, I am sorry I haven't visited in a while. I feel like I wasn't there for you when you wrote this post...
Losing a pet is so heartbreaking as we see our pets as our little "babies" who need us. I am so sorry that your little Faldo is gone.
Sande, I am so sorry, I was just roaming around the blogs this afternoon and came across yours and started to read.
ReplyDeleteWe had to put our dog and my best friend of 15 years down last Saturday.
Reading all your posts were healing to me as well.
Do you think I'll ever stop looking for him when I come home?
This is the first time I have posted but I truly wanted to say how sorry I was at your loss. Anyone who has ever adored a beloved pet can understand how your heart feels today and will feel tomorrow. May "Little Bro" forever dwell in a corner of your heart and bring little memories to you when you least expect them. They will give you joy, I know, my "Beau" is never far from my thoughts, blessings, Maureen....
ReplyDeleteDear Sande,
ReplyDeleteI am so so sorry. He looks like he was the perfect little bro and just the sweetest thing. I know it's so hard saying good-bye to such a part of the family. I can just picture you giving him the perfect life full of love and care. I hope you are well Sande!! All your things lookso wonderful. Have fun this weekend at the lake.
xoxo Noel
So sorry for the loss it is a little piece of the soul that goes with them! I found your site thru PVE... I am currently doing a pet portrait for a friend who lost her lasa as well.
ReplyDeleteI hope you are missing him less as time goes by ...... bless you!
Leslie
Ooh so sad... adorable! We lost one of ours dogs at Christmas time... we are now waiting for a new puppy to be old enough to come live with us... sorry for your loss!
ReplyDeleteHello - I stumbled upon your blog and came across this post and as a dog lover I couldn't resist commenting. I've been through this with a beloved dog and it's so hard. What a lucky family you are to have benefitted from the love and affection that only a dog can give - wholeheartedly. I'm sorry for your loss.
ReplyDeleteSande,
ReplyDeleteI also shared your experience just one month to the day, later. Mattie. Saying her name says it all, but just to me. My wailing could be heard in the Heavens. Such proof of unconditional love! And isn't it that way for us all? My husband said no to another, but seven months later we have miss daisy. And, you know what? I wish we would have done it six months ago. Mattie is remembered and honored constantly through the antics of this pup. Daisy is her own girl and dearly loved. There is room in our hearts for more than one love!(Especially yours-look at what you bless us with through your blog!) Go get another. ;)
Come see daisy at missdaisyduke.blogspot.com
She will make you smile.
Shannon Leigh
So so so sad! Lil Bro looks like a darling little guy. I'm sorry for your loss.
ReplyDeleteI can't imagine losing my Dexter, but know that time will come eventually.
sob.
ReplyDeleteYour little guy looks like my Francesca.
I just saw your post today about your sweet "Little Bro". We sadly had to honour our dog's life two years ago and still very few days go by when I don't think of him. Pets are such wonderful little creatures that the Lord gives us to show us what real love it. Tears and blessings.
ReplyDeletexoxo
I JUST read this post, and oh, do I know how you felt. It's been three years since our "best dog ever" died, and do you know, not a day passes that we dont talk about her! They do live on forever....
ReplyDeleteDearest Sande,
ReplyDeleteJust found this in your side bar... Sad for the loss of Faldo but with 13 years of LOVE that is quite a long and happy life for a dog his breed.
They are family members and one can grieve about them for a long time.
You certainly had him 'wrapped' into your heart!
Love,
Mariette's Back to Basics