In the past, I have promised daughter Jarlsberg that nothing bad will ever, ever, ever happen to Lance. Which is why today I envy Johnny so very, very much.
Cancer struck Penny so subtly that no one could quite figure out what it was. But within the space of a couple of weeks, it manifested itself in multiple ways and the rapid progression couldn't be stopped.
A very hard day for the Jarlsberg family. Hug 'em if you got 'em.
Rest in Peace, Penny (The Official Dog of Hope n' Change) 2013-2021
105 comments:
So sorry to hear, Stilton. I've lost a pet, and understand.
So sorry, losing a pet is losing a member of the family.
I'm so sorry Stilton.
Been there a few times. Nothing hurts quite like it.
My thoughts of your loss of a dear loved pet be with you during this emptiness feeling. My "Big Red" was with me 15 years.
Very sorry for your loss. I know the pain as I've been there many times.
They are family and give us such love, so hard when they leave us.
G
So sorry for your loss of a family member. They are such great companions.
I'm sorry for your loss. We get only so many years of letting dogs help us in our lives.
I think my wife could embark again on the adventure of another dog. I've buried too many, and the thought of doing so again is not pleasant. They are a loved part of the family, and their loss is as painful as the loss of any other member of the family.
I feel your pain Stilton. There is nothing quite like it. I’m so very sorry for your family. But I have to believe we will see our beloveds again…🌈💔😢🐾
As I've said before in many places, if there IS an afterlife with a loving god, it'll be nice to see my dogs again.
May our sharing of your personal grief help sustain you at this time!
The joy they bring to our lives manifests in so many ways. I've had that joy many times. Heartfelt sorrow for your loss.
Remember all the good times. You will all meet again.
One of the hardest things in life is when we lose the one being who loved us no matter what! So sorry for your loss.
One of the hardest things in life is losing the one being who would always love us no matter what. I'm sorry for your loss!
Stilton, I’m very sorry about your family’s loss. May God Bless!
Stilt, I'm so sorry for you and your family. I know from my own experience it's losing a member of the family, not one bit less.
A difficult time for a loving family, my best wishes to you and your family.
Pax vobiscum 💔
Our condolences sir. Dogs, especially when allowed to spend time indoors with the rest of the family really become attached to us. Cats are usually a little more aloof (until they are hungry, lol), but dogs like to hand around and spend quality time with their human.
The void they leave when they pass on is felt. Hope the weekend has better news.
Sylvia Siamese and Norma Bates Kitteh send snugs and purrs. Penny looks like she was a fine member of the family.
So sorry for the loss of your beloved Penny. I hugged my dogs extra hard for you.
Just 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...
Like other posters, I've been there too and can appreciate the pain.
They give so much and ask so little.
Our dog Bailey got special hugs today. They are family members.
I'm convinced that God loves dogs too, cuz He don't let them stay with us nearly long enough.
My condolences.
We've got one that has just a few months to live - some rare condition. 8 years old.
I’m sorry for your loss, and I empathize with your pain. One of the saddest things I ever did was put down my 12-year old Weimaraner Kristi, who was suffering from kidney failure. Now I’m dreading the same action, as my 13-year old Weimaraner Shotzie suffers from slipped discs. She would not survive surgery, so when the meds stop working in the months ahead, her time with us will end.
There is no love on earth (with the exception of Jesus) like the love a dog has for its master. If you question this, try this experiment:
Get two cars. Lock your dog in the trunk of one, and your spouse in the trunk of the other. Two hours later let them both out, and see which one I covers you with love and kisses…A dog will always love you unconditionally.
Sorry to hear the sad news, sir. An arm around your shoulder and a scratch behind the ears for Penny.
Very sorry Stilton. We had a small dog named Ernie that left a very large hole when he passed. Still miss him.
This hurts reading this today. RIP Penny. Condolences to your family.
Thank you Penny for helping keep Jarlsberg sane for so long. Our prayers for you and the Jarlsberg.
Hello Stilton,
Thank you for the remarks and historical comments about Afghanistan.
In the 1960s I was in the US Army and also worked for the CIA in several foreign Communist countries.
It breaks my heart to see the United States going Communist.
Bill Moore
I'm sure she'd rather have stayed with you but God sometimes has other plans. Tonight, in your prayers, thank Him for the comfort, knowing where she is, is a place without pain.
So sorry for the loss of your beautiful fur baby.
So sorry for the loss of sweet Penny. They leave such large dog-sized holes in our hearts.
SO sorry for your loss. They are members of the family. May all your memories be sweet ones.
Just copying and pasting from my comment over at Johnny's today....
Only a dog lover can understand what you and your family are going through now.
I've often said that one of life's worst realities is that dogs do not live nearly long enough, and perhaps people live too long.....
So, so sorry Stilton.
I'm sorry for the loss of your Penny. Our furry children bring us so much joy and comfort while asking so little in return. Their unconditional love is what breaks our heart when they go. I lost a dear red headed cat two years ago who would be in my lap the instant I sat down and slept under my arm with his head on my shoulder every night. I held him on my lap as he left me. We'll all cross that Rainbow Bridge some day.
Yes, this hurts, a lot. My parents lived in the county with rural property and they had a sort of rustic garden spot where they had buried several pets over the years. I THINK it helped them a lot at the time when I had a memorial granite stone made for that place with their names and "Good Friends". Dad then especially hung on to a large dog that later became so ill it had to be put down, but that was not as timely as it should have been. It required sneaky intervention by others; and that was a rough period. But after that they would not get another pet because they didn't want another such loss; and I think another MAY have been good for a while under more oversight. Only if they were able to take good care of the animal. It seems cats would do better then dogs then. When my folks got very much older, both eventually making it well into their 90's and Mom had to move to care facility in town but Dad would not; pets were clearly no longer a good idea. We do what we can and hope it's right. Condolences to you all Stilt.
Sorry for you loss Stilt. Always hard to lose a family member.
I don't care what anyone says, dogs are family. Full stop. I am very sorry for you loss.
So sorry to hear of your loss.
I never really felt grief so deeply until I lost my 14-year-old chocolate lab. I share your loss and I know there is a Penny-shaped hole in your hearts only she can fill.
My deepest condolences on the loss of your family member. People who have not allowed a dog to enrich their lives can't understand, but family they are.
Dog's make living near Democrats tolerable.
Losing a doggie is very hard - We lost our Shellie 5 years ago, and we still get teary-eyed thinking and talking about her. It's not as bad the last few years, we can laugh thinking about her unique mannerisms, and habits. So sorry for the loss of your family member.
So sorry for your loss.... Dogs are such amazing companions, One of God's true gifts to us.
Sorry for your loss of Penny. I remember when you introduced her to us in H&C. May she be waiting for you in Heaven when you get there. (No hurry, tho)
I'm so sorry to hear that, sending love to you guys and daughter Jarlsberg. It seems twice as hard to lose a pet because they can't always tell you how they feel.
Sorry man,,, I know how you feel and God Bless you and find some peace with your family and
friends. Soon you will laugh about something reminding you of your friend, take care..
@Readers- Thank you all so much for your words of consolation. My heart also goes out to all of you who have lost four-legged family members, or who can see the end growing near. Logically, I know I will survive this because I have before, but today I am utterly destroyed.
Elizabeth Kubler-Ross said that there are five stages of grief we have to go through to accept death. If I'm doing the dog-math right, that means I still have 35 to go for Penny.
Heartbroken for you, Stilt. I am very close to having to say goodbye to one of my own.
I've been there and hated it...nothing more to be said.
Keep on keeping on!
My vet friend who helped us with our kitties said:
Pets are a gift with a heavy price tag to pay in the end.
It is amazing how you can grieve for a pet more than for family members sometimes.
I know what you feel right now. It's hard to take.
I grieve for you.
If I try to write more, this keyboard will short out.
RIP Penny.
Condolances to the Jarlsberg family.
Very sorry for your loss Stilton. Prayers from here.
Oh heck. I know how much she meant to you.
Thanks to you, Penny knew love.
So sorry for your loss. Dog is undoubtedly man's best friend. God bless.
What?
Wait...
No....
Penny is just a puppy. I remember when you brought her home. (has it been that long?)
I am so terribly sorry for your loss. It sucks. It sucks big time.
Dogs have the purest love, aside from God Almighty. If I did not have my pack, with the way the world is going, I would be stark barking mad.
My heart aches for your family's heartache. I pray you will be comforted, and that, in time, the good memories will bring more smiles than tears.
So sorry to read this. I know how you feel as we lost our little Tinkerbell after 15 years. Still hard to think about. God bless and strengthen you.
I don't think I've seen so many comments before.
Let me add our condolences from our home to yours. May God bless you and yours.
I held on OK until Anonymous' rainbow bridge post. Then my eyes started to leak and kept doing so until I started typing this.
The loss of our ferrets still can bring an ache to my heart. I'm not sure if our critters have and immortal soul, but if we keep our thoughts with us after we die, I can be sure our critters will be there with us.
Now excuse me -- I have to blow my nose and wipe my glasses again.
Thanks for sharing.
I wish you and yours peace, and it is good that we grieve for the ones we care so much about. If we do not who will?
Do take care,
p.s. You did a nice job with the framed image...so good!
Stilt, my thoughts are with you and your family as you transition to a new chapter of your life without Penny at your side. Hopefully this poem written by a friend will comfort you as it did me back when.
When Angels sing
And I’m sure they must
They shed upon us Angel Dust
It lets us see, what Angels see
A glimpse into Eternity
It lights the sky
Along the way
Leading dogs to Heaven
Where they’re welcome to stay.
And doze upon a blanket warm
Waiting for their Master’s arm
To reach across a span of years
And once again
Scratch their ears.
By Carol Tanko
So sorry for your loss. I know so well what your are going through.
I'm crying now in memory of two of my four legged sons gone in less than a year. Reilly was the picture of health, one day chasing cars along the top of our street side retaining wall, the next day nearly comatose with what we learned was massive kidney and liver failure. I think he found a deadly mushroom in the yard that I missed in regular scan.
Almost a year later while on a walk, my Bentley slipped his leash and caught a slowly passing car. He passed in my arms doing 80 mph on way to vet.
I pray that your Penny has found new and old friends at the Rainbow Bridge.
So sorry my old friend. try to find solace where you can.
I so desperately wish I could add something fresh and consoling as all that has come before, but I cannot--all my thoughts and feelings have been shared by we above already.
And this while our country and the world continue to spiral down.
I believe the Japanese have a saying for this, "While crying, stung in the face."
Please take consolation in knowing Penny knew she was LOVED.
TVAG
I am so sorry for the loss of your beautiful Penny. May the wonderful memories that you shared with her give you and your family comfort.
What more can I say? So many comments, and still counting.
I cannot add anything profound other than to say I also have been there, and am getting close to the time I will have to do what needs done for Heeler Dog as he is getting close to following his predecessor. He is a cowboy's dog, and he is just as broken and healed as this old cowboy is.
R.I.P. Penny
@Readers- Your comments keep coming and I promise you that every one counts. Don't worry about what the exact words are...this is mostly "group hug" time. And yes, it doesn't help that it already seemed like the world was heading to hell in a handbasket. I sometimes said that Penny had a quality I called "communicable zen;" I could just lay a hand on her and feel in the moment and at peace.
I'm telling myself that the pain my family is feeling now is the pain that Penny didn't have to suffer in the final stages of her illness. Which is a nice thought, but I feel like I'm rationalizing and playing word games. A favorite saying of mine is "cleverness is serviceable for everything, sufficient for nothing." That feels really true today.
What DOES help is your collective friendship and humanity. Thank you.
So sorry...really sorry she's gone and sorry for the sadness your family feels.
I lost my Golden last year when she "headed west" from that vile thief, the big "C". I still feel her absence so I also feel for your loss. Hugs all 'round and best wishes for your future. Love, Pete........
Sorry for your loss, Stilt. Having lost dogs while growing up and cats as an independent adult, I know much it hurts. I am hoping to relocate to another state sometime this year or next, so I am not getting anybody new right now. After the move, maybe I'll try fish, so as not to form too much of a bond.
I am so sorry for your loss. My Pit Bull, "Punky", will be 10 years old next March 3rd. She has been such a comfort to me since my "child bride" (14 years younger that me) died April 29, 2019. Punky still almost daily goes to her bedroom & lays next to her bed. If Punky were not with me, I would be alone (except for G-d) in my house. When Punky goes, I honestly don't know if I will get another doggie (I'm 72).
Cling to the good memories, chaver, and Shalom Aleichem.
Ohhhhhh.... I am so terribly sorry for your loss.... I know there are no words
We really don't deserve dogs, but fortunately God is merciful and gives us things we don't deserve. Remember the good times.
It is a very sad occasion when one losses a dear friend. My thoughts are with you.
jack
Sorry for your loss...
RIP, Penny.
So very, very sorry for your loss, Stilton. I know the big hole in one's heart and very being that occurs when a beloved fur kid passes. Been there too often. I do not regret, however, the time that we had with each one that passed on, as it made our lives and our pets' live so much richer.
I'm so sorry, I hope your daughter takes comfort in knowing others feel her loss...
Sincerest condolences. I've been there too many times myself and can so easily empathize. Just don't wait too long to rescue your new BFF (maybe two?) from a shelter and give him or her or them their forever home.
They are family, and it's very hard to see them suffer and then pass on.
It'll be MY turn soon enough. As all of us will.
And so the wheel turns.
We rescue dogs as we progress through the years and have had many dogs. We take mutts pure breads and just about any dog under 5 or 6. So we have suffered a lot of lose and know exactly how you feel. It’s a hole that takes a long time to heal. But somehow we manage to move on and when the time is right, we get another one. So be kind to yourselves and take your time to grieve the loss. Our las one before our current one was just a heart breaker. It took almost two years to get another rescue. She’s a pit mutt and as sweet as can be. She was completely shut down and a puddle when we got her. She was 10 months old and was seized for cruelty. She was a broken dog. Now she’s a doll and loves everyone, even has her very own cat. So take a break and there will be another needy nose waiting to became a Jarlsberg dog when your ready. JZ
My condolences on the loss of your friend.
“If there are no dogs in Heaven, when I die I wish to go where they went.” Mark Twain
Nothing but good thoughts for you and Penny today, Stilt. I believe with all of my heart that there will come a time when we are reunited with our Loved Ones (pets included).
Been there. It's hard to do the necessary.
Stilton, I am so sorry for you and your family's loss. Having been there several times, the hurt and loss, if anything, grows stronger. After a time of grief I have always (except for last time) found a new puppy. This last time I bought a year old German Shepherd. Buddy. from a young man who said he "didn't have time for him" but didn't explain that very well to Buddy. It took several months to convince Buddy that he hadn't been dognapped and that I wasn't planning to hurt him. He finally relaxed and accepted our family as his. I hope for you that you will one day bring another furry friend into the Jarlsberg Family
My sympathies to you and your family. I wish I had words that would help but there will be a hole in the household that can't be filled by anything other than time . . . so sorry for you.
I am so sorry for you and your family at the loss of Penny.
Sorry for the lost of you Daughter. we lost Daisy June 4th after 13 years they truly are family.
@Richard- At first I was confused by the reference to my daughter, but then I got it. Penny was absolutely family. Sigh...
My neighbor just lost his companion of 12 years. He is devastated. I am trying to help by being there. In the passed 2.5 yrs we have had too let go 3 of our Cats, another has Cancer. I know just how hard it is for you. Be at peace, you had her love and companionship, you gave her love and companionship in return.
Stilt,I know the pain of loss, and my condolences to you and the family.
At this time, I feel the loss once again of Randy, Bravo, JR(aka Booger) Andy and Homer.
They, along with your Penny will be waiting for us at the Rainbow Bridge. Hopefully we will be deserving of going there to meet them when the time comes.
Sorry for your loss. Penny has gone to The Rainbow Bridge. RIP
Aw, DAMN, Stilt! Just when I'm getting over being misty-eyed from you cutting back, ya drop this on us. I am sorry for your loss, I know how close we can get to out critters, even if we didn't plan it that way. May your loss be tempered with good memories of your time together.
My condolences Mr. J. I'm pretty sure I know how you're feeling - I just lost mine last week and, as always. it is the shits.
To our pets, we are immortal Gods. They devote their lives to giving us unconditional love, joy and happiness. All we have to do is feed them, walk them (for us city types) and love them back which is so very easy to do. I know I can never be angry when I'm around animals and I prefer their company to humans almost always.
I still have one scrawny black cat that seems to be just a little too comfortable being the last man standing - for now - I still have enough in me to open pet food long enough for another kick at the can. 12-years from now I'll be pushing 80 and hopefully there's a 12 year old dog laying on the couch beside me while I type you another fan letter.
Sorry for your loss.
She was SO young, too!
I feel your pain as an animal lover myself. The picture of Penny is worth a thousand loving thoughts. While we melt at the loss of our pets I continue to thank your for bolstering us up with your wit and humor when the mad political world operates to break us. Once again, so very sorry for your loss.
Susan Fineman, long time fan...
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