Duff - 1996 to 2013

[TJ_Burton]

So sorry for your loss Skip.

[ewaldrep]

RIP, my condolences to you and your family

[Skiploder]

My eyes welled up when reading this not for the loss, but for the beauty of the friendship you had. Companionship is a blessing and a curse.

I'll leave this touching, light-hearted comic here that your story reminded me of:

http://theoatmeal.com/comics/dog_paradox

I just about crapped myself laughing at this.

[schrammalot]

Oh my god, I'm so sorry. I'm about to lose my little buddy born in 1996 as well.

[gsarchie]

Sorry for your loss Skip. May your wish of holding on to your feelings of loss come true for you - I know and understand that feeling myself.

[aldebono]

Darn those onion cutting ninjas...

I am so sorry for the loss of your family member.

[angllady2]

My deepest and most heartfelt sympathy goes out to you Skip. I know what it is to have to make that awful choice. It's one I made myself a few months ago, and it surprises me sometimes how the grief and pain that I thought were growing faint can suddenly return so sharp and real.

And yes, it does seem wrong how quickly the grief can fade. Life takes over and the hustle and bustle of everyday things make the time spent grieving even shorter. It seems almost before you know it you struggle to remember your friends habits and the day to day routine you shared. It makes you angry sometimes, how could you forget and move on so soon? What's wrong with you to feel and act like that time spent together meant so little? How could you betray that love and trust and bond so easily?

Then the time will come when a certain place, a certain sound, maybe even a certain smell will come to you, and all that grief comes back in a tidal wave. You find yourself dwelling on every cherished memory you have of your friend. The way they looked, the funny things they did, objects they cherished, places you went together. And still the grief keeps rolling over you, and you feel lost and alone.

By and by though, you reach a kind of middle ground. The memories are still there, and the grief, but somehow they become your allies instead of your enemies. You can talk about the good times you shared without drowning in tears. You can touch on the grief of losing your friend without wallowing in it. And yet, from time to time, that grief will return as sharp as ever. And when it does, sometimes it's best just to let it have it's way. Then, when it subsides again, you feel a little stronger than you did before. And you realize that no matter how much time goes by, the memories you cherish will never fade completely, and that's ok.

Gale

[Kara]

Terribly sorry for this heartbreak your family is experiencing... Praying for peace and comfort for you all in the days ahead. RIP Duff. <3

"There is one best place to bury a dog.
If you bury him in this spot, he will
come to you when you call - come to you
over the grim, dim frontier of death,
and down the well-remembered path,
and to your side again.

And though you call a dozen living
dogs to heel, they shall not growl at
him, nor resent his coming,
for he belongs there.

People may scoff at you, who see
no lightest blade of grass bent by his
footfall, who hear no whimper, people
who may never really have had a dog.
Smile at them, for you shall know
something that is hidden from them,
and which is well worth the knowing.

The one best place to bury a good
dog is in the heart of his master."

--- Ben Hur Lampman 1925 ---

[Stewart_Reptiles]

Sorry for your loss, you wrote a beautiful homage to your companion and while the grief will fade the memories will remain with you until the end

[Mike41793]

That sucks, he had a happy life though. He looks like a happy boy in all of those pics!