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Saturday 26 November 2022

The golden

Our beloved grand-dog, Georgie, died on Thursday, after a short illness. She was fading over the last few weeks and deafness had limited her life somewhat. She died of cancer according to the vet.




Though her family is devastated, we want to remember the joy Georgie brought to our lives.





Just about every photo of the family taken over Georgie’s lifetime, she photo-bombed. She never missed out on an event and was always around the kids, in the background, if not the foreground of every photo. She was happiest around the family and was great with kids which all of us where when we were with Georgie.





With my husband and I, she loved walks around the Bonshaw Hills, where, on days without many hikers, she could run back and forth between us on the trail. 





If she was walking with the leader, she always made sure the trailing person was okay and not far behind. She broke land speed records running back and forth.


On the boardwalk, we always walked slowly with Georgie to allow her to sniff for her nose’s pleasure. She also loved the squirrels and chipmunks and always stopped to watch them, or try to catch one. 





The golden always stopped to wait for me when I was behind taking photos too. She looked after her pack.


Georgie loved any time we walked on a beach with her. We always let her run into the water, where she splashed and jumped for joy, like a small child. 




She soaked us when she shook out her long golden fur.


Being a true island girl, Georgie love that red sand too. Imagine cleaning that fur after she rolled in the sand.





And speaking of fur, it was everywhere. She really required daily brushing and major brushing and clipping regularly. You could stuff pillows with it. Her furry legacy will be with us for a while under furniture or stuck to pads under table and chair legs.





The car was one of Georgie’s favourite places. She sat in the back seat, on her blanket, looking out between the seats at the road. She was excited to see where we were going and always recognized a dairy bar when we stopped at one. Georgie loved the soft serve ice cream and always had one of her own.





At our house, her mat with treats inside was rolled up on the floor of the kitchen when she arrived. She ran there first, unrolled the mat, ate the treats, then came to find us.


Also at our house with the kids when Newfoundland music was playing for a few scuffs, as Newfoundlanders refer to dancing, Georgie was in the middle of everything. Within a minute, she was up on her hind legs. I’d hold her front paws and she’d dance with us. She loved having a few scuffs as much as any of us.


In our family room, she had a special place on the couch, with a blanket over her spot to collect the golden hair. If we didn’t have the blanket on the couch when she went in that room, she’d stand in front of us, looking at us, then at her spot, at us, then her spot, until we put out her blanket.


 


We always played Find the Treat with Georgie after supper. She’d wait as we hid treats around the adjoining rooms and she’d hunt them down on command. Every evening after supper, she’d stand in front of us, staring at us until we played with her.


Georgie gave great comfort if we were sad. Shortly after we moved to Prince Edward Island, my last remaining family member of my father’s generation, my Aunt Angela, died. Georgie was there when I was crying and she put her head on my lap and stayed there for the longest time. She sensed the feelings and responded to it.


The golden can’t provide physical comfort through this current sadness but these memories help. She’s gone on ahead!





Goodbye, sweet Georgie! 

38 comments:

Boud said...

Great tribute to a wonderful dog. She was in the right family!

DJan said...

This post brought me to tears. I feel like I knew her, too, from your many posts with her in them. She had a good life, we can all hope to pass with minimal time being ill. Godspeed, dear Georgie!

Hena Tayeb said...

I am so sorry for your loss. Looks like he had a good life.

MARY G said...

So very sorry for your sad news, but what a lovely post and tribute. Truly, we give our hearts to our dogs to tear. But they are worth it, giving so much more than they get. May your memories all be golden.
And if you have forced air, get the heating ducts vacuumed. (Sad voice of experience here)

Debra She Who Seeks said...

Such sad news about Georgie, my condolences to everyone. But what a happy life she had with her family, right at the centre of everything, beloved by all. A dog could not ask for more. RIP Georgie.

Jim and Barb's Adventures said...

I am so sorry! We know all too well the pain of losing a loved pet. Your tribute was great. We had a golden that we lost in '14, we still miss her everyday.

Elephant's Child said...

I am so very sorry to read this beautiful tribute. They make a home in our heart and take a piece of us with them when they leave.

photowannabe said...

Such a loving and beautiful tribute to that amazing member of your family.
Georgie's personality shines through each photo.
I'm so sorry for the empty spot in all of your hearts. (((hugs)))
Sue

The Padre said...

That Sucks So Bad - And That Last Photo Tugs On These Heart Strings Of Mine - Big Loving Hugs

Maebeme said...

A lovely tribute to a beautiful dog. Georgie was so clearly loved and returned that love in spades. May your sweet memories bring some comfort.

Bill said...

So sad to read this! Nice tribute to Georgie and may your memories bring smiles to you

margi said...

I'm so sorry! Pets are in our homes and in our hearts, our little friends! Georgie had a good life in a nice family. She was happy as we can see from every picture. Hugs

Helen said...

Dear Marie, it is with great sadness I read of the loss of your wonderful, caring furry friend. Thank you for sharing just a few of your treasured memories of your beloved grand-dog, Georgie. She will always be by your side.

Anvilcloud said...

That is, almost assuredly, the best memorial to a dog that I have ever read. 🤗

NGS said...

Oh, I'm so sorry for your loss. I hope your memories bring you comfort and that you know she died surrounded by love.

Linda said...

Ah, Marie, I am so very sorry for the whole family. That was a well loved dog.

Red said...

I'm sorry you lost Georgie. she was a wonderful dog.

The Furry Gnome said...

Looks and sounds like a great dog!

Billie Jo said...

I am so very sorry about the loss of your precious Georgie. What a wonderful tribute to a wonderful life.

Glenda Beall said...

MArie, this makes me sad because I know the pain of losing a beloved dog. You captured Georgie's story so well with your photographs. Beautiful tribute written with deep love and grief. We know when we make that commitment to share our lives with a dog that one day we will likely know the pain of letting them go. My condolences to you and your family in your loss.

gluten Free A_Z Blog said...

Such a beautiful tribute to Georgie. So sorry for your loss but I can see she brought tremendous joy to your family during her time with all of you.

Jennifer said...

What a precious post - and tribute to a great dog! We lost our grandpup in July and still miss her every day! Georgie was so loved...what a gift to have had her in your lives!!

William Kendall said...

I am so sorry. She was a joy to know even indirectly.

Lorrie said...

Golden was a beautiful companion to your family.

Salty Pumpkin Studio said...

Beautifully written words for Georgie. My sympathies for your loss. I am sure she will always be watching her pack.

The Happy Whisk said...

Oh nooo ... So sorry to read that Georgie passed. What a sweet pup she was. I love that she waited for you to put her blanket on the couch! OMG. So sweet.

Beside a babbling brook... said...

Oh, this post moved me........

One of our sons has had Labs, black labs. All are most delightful dogs. Most delightful and have lovely manners.

I am so sorry for the sadness, for all of you. It's been something like 4, they have had, and we all have loved, and they have passed on.

It hurts... It hurts... I have tears in my eyes and an ache in my heart, just thinking of them, and especially Maggie, the last one.

Since her passing, they have gotten a Swiss Mountain Dog, and a Rescue mix. Not-The-Same.....

But we all have our memories.

Gentle hugs to all......

🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄

Beside a babbling brook... said...

Oh RODESIA, what a lovely and beautiful poem. I am crying while typing. Thank you for that......

Gentle hugs
🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄

Barbara said...

Sweet Georgie. So sorry for your loss of a great companion. We all loved her too.

Pattie @ Olla-Podrida said...

How absolutely gut wrenching! I am SO SORRY! Our pets are so special. It’s like losing a part of yourself when you lose one of them.

John's Island said...

Absolutely wonderful and sweet post. Dogs are one of nature's blessings for humans. Georgie was a true blessing.

Debbie said...

oooooh marie, this really made my heart swell!! what a beautiful tribute to your dear, sweet georgie...no one could have written this better.

your treated her like one of your grandchildren!! her mat, with her treats hidden inside...find the treat (like hide and seek) you are really going to miss her!!

i enjoyed the way she looked after you both, and the way you looked after her!! they are like family!!

eileeninmd said...

I am so sorry for the loss of your sweet Georgie. A lovely post and beautiful photos of Georgie and your family. I hope the happy memories will comfort you.

Down by the sea said...

So sorry for your loss, you must all be devastated. I always enjoyed your posts when Georgie was staying with you and know that they will be many happy memories that will help soften the pain, thinking of you. Sarah x

Anita said...

Oh so sad😢It is always painful when loved ones no longer is here.May be you can have a new puppy in time🤗

Catarina said...

Oohh I am so sorry!

baili said...

With tears in eyes I found each word attributed to your lovely faithful late pet sad ,touching and heartmelting !
Sorry for your loss my precious friend Marie.
As you said despite all the burden her departure left on your heart her memories are here to comfort you forever!

Strayer said...

What a perfect dog's life Georgie experienced, beginning to end. I'm sorry she's gone now, what a hole that leaves after all those memories she has photo bombed.