My Bestest Boy

Oh Marianne,

Your words to your dear boy do touch me so. I am sure, as Lelsie has said, that Barkis is watching and very sweet loving memories he is beholding.

On August 10th, in loving spirit, we will be walking with you and on that day and always we will remember Barkis with love.

Huge hugs to you, dear Marianne.

Oh Marianne: That is so lovely. I can just see your bestest boy walking with you as you walk around the lake. Love for our sweet furbabies never dies. Love, JoAnne

Dearest Marianne,
OMG, your words to Barkis were spot on perfect and cut to my very core. They relate to all who have ever lost a beloved fur baby. That is most of us, at one time or another. The "what ifs" run as a continuous reel in my mind. What a great mantra. Clear, short and to the point. My tear are flowing.

Your bestest boy is truly an angel who helped you to grow and become a better you. More loving, more nurturing, and more accepting. He brought you to this forum and to all of us. His love continues to spread with you knowledge, compassion and experience. Thank you Barkis for sharing your mom with us.:)

You lake walk with his collar is so lovely. What a wonderful expression of love. I'm sure that your bestest boy is waiting, tail wagging for that special moment.
Many, many loving hugs,

Marianne, That was beautiful!

Thinking of you and your bestest boy today Marianne. :pWithout Barkis and his circle of love, We wouldn't have you with us. Sending you tons of love to give you strength for the days and weeks ahead. You explained Buddy's circle of love to me. I'm just starting to understand it now.

Dear Barkis, Thank you for teaching your mom so many lessons that are now helping those in need.

Many, many hugs,

Marianne,
Big Hugs!

And many more (((HUGS)))

((((((hugs))))))) from me ell Marianne!!!!

I know that your sweetie pie Barkis was there at the bridge to greet my little girl when she crossed with a warm smile and his fav deflated ball, just as my boy was there to greet Barkis so many years ago.

No matter how many years that go by, I think we will always feel this when that date comes around. It could be because they are also thinking about us at the very moment.

T.

(((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((Hugs) ))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

(((HUGS))) from me as well.

HUGS from me too Marianne.
Sharlene and Molly Muffin

Hello my sweet Barky Boy. It has been such a long time since I last wrote to you, but you are never forgotten. At the beginning, I used to write so often. It helped me with the hurting. But as the years passed, the written words fell away and I have instead felt close to you in many different ways.

But today I feel like writing again. That is because I have a favor to ask, and that is for you to begin to especially watch over your little (well, big :o) sister Peg. It was just about this time ten years ago that I started to see the changes in you that ended up taking you away from us. That was such a hard summer, and oh, how our hearts were broken that August. But little did we know that August morning that little baby Peg was already growing and just waiting to be born. Just waiting to come to us and heal our broken hearts. It seems like only yesterday she was just a tiny thing, with the sweetest face and the biggest paws. She looked just like a little black bear cub. I think she still sensed the presence of your spirit when she first came to us, and she felt protected and safe. I will never forget her snuggling her tiny self in the middle of your big dog bed that first evening. She knew you were watching over her, and you were glad there was joy and new life in our home.

But where has the time gone??? Baby Peg is now nearly ten years old, and her muzzle and chest grow gray. She gave us a bit of a scare again this week, as she was acting ill. I think she is OK. But I know she is now of an age when she needs you to start watching out for her again. And watching out for us, too. Because we will be needing your help more and more. Me, especially. Please help me to be better and stronger for Peg than I was able to be for you. I know if you are helping me, I can do better. Surely I can.

This is the thing, though, it is going to be so hard for me. Because when the time comes for Peg to join you, I will feel as though I am losing a last link to you, too. You and Peg share your own sweet circle. So I know she will always be safe with you. But my boy, it will be so very hard for me when she leaves us to rejoin you. Hopefully that day will be far in the future. But in my heart, I know it cannot be as far away as I would wish. I am already starting to worry and that is why I need your help. My worrying makes things so much harder for us all.

But for now, go and enjoy this beautiful spring day, my sweet boy. I'll bet you are over running in the field with all the buttercups right now. We'll watch for you in the morning, me and the girls. Come and run beside us then, if you have a mind to, OK? That will make the sunshine even brighter and the buttercups even more beautiful.

I love you, my sweet boy. And always will.

I understand now, dear Marianne and send even more hugs and more love.

So beautiful Marianne. I understand oh so well!:o

Sending you much love and tight hugs,

Kathy

Sending you big hugs Marianne. I am positive he is watching over you and Peg.

Sharlene and molly muffin

Tears rolled down my face as I read your beautiful tribute to sweet Barkis. Tons of huge and loving hugs being sent your way.

Big ((((hugs)))) to you!!!!
T.

I read this yesterday and couldn't see for the tears to reply. That circle you speak of that Barkis and Peg share - a circle takes at least 3 points, otherwise it is a line between two points, a path back and forth between the two. You are right about the circle, tho...you simply left yourself out of the equation. You are the anchoring point for Barkis and Peg's circle, you created that circle where none existed before. Their circle is not complete without you, dear Marianne, and the love you all share will continue to flow round and round and round for all time.

There is no question your Bestest Boy is watching over you all...and always will.
Hugs,
Leslie

Dear Marianne, what a lovely post to your precious boy. I am sitting here with tears also, as I understand so completely about the circle. I know he is watching over you and Peg, that will always continue.

Lots of love and big hugs,
Tina

Tears are running down my face as I so understand what you have written. He is watching over you.
Hugs Sonja and Angel Apollo

I always love the photo of the smiling Barkis you have as your avatar, such a lovely happy looking dog. So Barkis, you keep an eye on Peg and get her better asap as you look like you have superpowers :) Lovely note to your boy Marianne xx

Thank you all, so much, for writing to me. It means the world to know that you understand and don't think I am being silly or overemotional (or even if so, that you are supporting me regardless :o). Our family here is so special to me and I appreciate you all more than words can say.

Marianne,
I am crying with you and I understand so well how you feel. I've said from the day I joined this forum that it was my "saving grace". I could come here and cry, scream, laugh and just be me without being judged. This time last year my Tia got sick and I too lost her in August. August 11, 2013 is a day I'll never forget. It's been over eight months and I've cried everyday. To begin with, I thought I was crazy that I couldn't "get over it" or "move on" like most people told me to do. But here, I know I can take as long as I need to "to get over it" and I don't feel ashamed to sit here and cry and talk to my girls. I can come here everyday and leave a little message or tell them how much I miss them and no one belittles me or makes fun of me. Without actually meeting any one in this forum, I feel they are my true friends, true family.

Please know you and Barkis are in my thoughts and prayers.

Donna

Ten years ago this morning your spirit soared and raced back to the mountains to revisit our loved ones there, my sweet boy. I know you still remain free and limitless and healthy and strong. And loved so very, very much. Loved always and forever.

Your Mom

Dear Marianne,

I know Barkis is so very proud of his mom and that his Heart fills with joy every time you think of him or speak his name. And I'm sure he is sitting right beside you, looking into your eyes with that grin on his face, telling you this himself and much more. Chief among those things is that your Bestest Boy will never leave his Bestest Mom nor will his love for you ever fade but continue to grow and grow.

Many tearful hugs,
Leslie

My heart is with you Marianne. No matter how much time goes by these anniversaries can still be very emotional and painful.

I would guess your sweet boy has been hanging out every now and then with my Mytilda all these years.

((((hugs))))
T.

Big hugs Marianne

Sharlene and Molly muffin

Thinking of you and sending much love today.:) As you walk the lake with Barkis's collar once again, he'll be right there lopping along happily. Always by your side. xxxxxx

Dear Marianne,

Thinking of you and precious Barkis today. These anniversaries are so so difficult. Sending love and many hugs across the miles, in loving memory of your beautiful sweet boy.

Tina xo

Huge loving hugs to you, dear Marianne.

Big hugs to you today Marianne in memory of Barkis the Bestest Boy! xxxxx

Thank you so much, everyone, for your kind thoughts. Kathy, we did take Barkis' collar along with us on a lovely Sunday morning stroll around the lake with the girls. Of course there is no real need of the collar now, since Spirit Barkis can run beside us at will. But holding it in my hand still makes me feel connected to him in a way that is sad but sweet all at once. It seems like only yesterday that he was our baby puppy, come to claim our hearts forever.

Hello my Bestest Boy! It’s been a couple of years since I’ve written here, but I needed to come back again this week since this year’s “anniversary” marks a milestone for us all. It’s been almost two months now since Sweetie Peg joined you there at Rainbow Bridge. We miss her so dearly, but it does bring me comfort to picture the two of you racing and playing again on strong, healthy legs. Mr. Barkis and Miss Peggotty, finally together, as we always knew you’d be one day. Your dad and I love you both, so much, and we always will.

You were both named after characters in a book, and now it feels to me as though our part of the story has ended and the book has closed. The story has been so sweet, and I know I can reopen the book and revisit my favorite pages whenever I wish. But there’ll be no new chapters, for now, and that does make me cry. I miss you both, and I wish so much there could have been more story to tell here on earth.

Two years ago, I asked you to help me take care of Peg. And you did, sweetheart. I especially felt you helping me these last few months and I thank you for that. I know you’re now taking good care of Peggotty, yourself, and that you’ll both continue to watch over your baby sister Luna. She is trying so hard to help heal our hearts, just as Peg did when you first left us. Luna is now snuggling into your dog bed, just like Peg did before her. And now Peg is right there by your side, so the two of you can finally snuggle together at the end of each sun-filled day.

I love you, sweetheart. You know you will always be my Bestest Boy, forever in my heart.

Your Mom

Dearest Marianne,

I join you in honoring both Barkis and Peg, such precious souls they are. Anniversaries are bittersweet so I am sending huge and loving hugs in hope that they'll bring some comfort.

Love and hugs, Lori

Add me to those who are celebrating the lives of your precious babies, Barkis and Peg. To know they are together again is a great comfort for all who love them.

Many hugs,
Leslie

Me, too Marianne...

Thank you Barkie Boy for bringing your mom to us. She has helped so many, and it all started with you, her Bestest Boy.

(((((Hugs))))

I will walk with you this morning

(((((hugs)))))

Kat

Sending you wishes for warm thoughts and beautiful memories of your Bestest Boy today.

Many hugs,
Shana

Dear Marianne,

I too am thinking of you today and honoring your precious Barkis. I know this anniversary is even more difficult with the recent loss of Peg. Sending huge hugs your way and lots of love, in memory of your beautiful boy and girl. They are both shining down on you, especially today.

Tina xo