For Jackdoodle, On His 13th Birthday

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Dearest Jack,

Today would have been your 13th birthday. We were going to have a special day. You were going to see Dr. Maria, and get lots of treats, and later, we were going to play with your rope ball as much as you wanted. I was going to sing to you, all our favorite Jackdoodle songs. Tonight, you were going to get your favorite birthday dinner, chicken and salmon, sweet potatoes, green beans, and your favorite lima beans.

Instead, I'm going to spend this day without you, missing you so much I can hardly breathe.

I still can't believe you're gone. All of your things are still where they always were, your bed and your bowls, your meds lined up on the kitchen counter, your leashes hanging in the front hall, your toys everywhere, the hedgehogs you were playing with on that last night still on the family room sofa where you left them. I'm not ready yet to put them away for good.

You were the best dog in the world. The very best dog who ever lived. Even after all these years, your sister and I still marvel at the fact that the cutest, sweetest, best behaved, bravest, funniest, gentlest dog in the whole world lived in our house. How lucky we were to have you. How blessed I was to have the privilege of knowing you, caring for you, and loving you for almost 12 years.

I am trying very hard to focus on that now.

I am trying to think about you running across the grass at the park, catching tennis balls, your beautiful blonde hair blowing in the breeze, your face full of joy. Happy. I will remember you that way always.

I hope you are at peace now. I hope you know how very much you are loved, and how many lives you touched. I hope you know how very much you mattered in this world.

Happy 13th Birthday, my sweet boy. I love you with every fiber of my being, and I will love you forever.

[Nicole and Teddy]

Oh Karen, such a sweet and precious letter to your beloved Jackdoodle. I am weeping with you. So heartbreaking to lose a loved one and I can't imagine your pain. Know that we are all praying for you and sending you positive thoughts for peace and well being. Xo- Nicole and Teddy

[Stacy]

Dear Jack, - Happy Birthday, buddy. I wish you were here to celebrate this one with us. You are so loved, and you always will be. You will never be forgotten.

I know your mom is really sad. I’m sad too. But we will do our very best to love her, and take care of her for you while you’re off doing those fun dog things at the bridge.

 Fly free, my friend. And know that someday we will find you again. 

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Happy Birthday to Jack who I know is in heaven! To know you was to love you! Take your time, Karen! Keep his things all around you for as long as it takes. Jackdoodle probably never knew that because of him and your love for him, he helped so many people on DK. He leaves an amazing legacy. My heart is broken for you! Hugs to you!

[Dolly Dykhouse]

Oh Karen, I just saw the post about Jackdoodle; words cannot express my sorrow for you and the depth of your grieving for your beloved muppet man. I have had Henry for 8 months and the thought of him not laying here by my feet as he is right now, or by my side in all of our adventures together...I can't stop the tears and it is hard to breathe. You are in my thoughts and prayers that in the days to come you will smile over all the ways Jackdoodle enhanced your life and feel the pain a little less. 

We are never more vulnerable than in giving our hearts to our furry children who love us so unconditionally.

Much love, 

Dolly and Henry

[Debbie and Toby]

Wishing Jackdoodle a very Happy Birthday today in heaven. Rest in peace, beautiful boy! ((HUGS)) to you, Karen! His memory will live on forever!

[Ginny Nightingale]

Happy Birthday Jack--I am so sad we can not celebrate with you on this Earth, but we know you are happy somewhere--and hugs to Karen--so sorry that you have to go thru this anniversary so soon after his passing..

[F, Calla & Luca]

Karen, I am so sad for you. Please take some comfort that no one could have given the quality of life to Jack that you did. He lived a long and happy life despite his many medical conditions because of you and your extraordinary care and now he is at peace. I hope you can find some peace knowing that.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

This is beautiful, Karen.  Jack was so loved and he knew that from the day he met you.  I know he took that love with him on his journey, and still feels your loving spirit every minute of every day....and will for eternity.  Your special love for each other is in the universe....forever.

[PJ and Zach]

I know that Jackdoodle is listening to your beautiful letter and still feels your love, Karen. His gentle essence continues to make our world a better place. Hugs to you.

[Barbara, Zoey and Zeke]

Karen, what a beautiful letter!  I can tell he was well loved. There is no hurry on Jackdoodle's belongings - I still have my beloved Lucky's favorite stuffed toy, and he has been gone for over 2 yrs.    It was a hedgehog too!!!!!

[Lynne Fowler-Oodles of Doodles]

I am so sorry, Karen.

[Deanna & Desi & Cori]

"I hope you know how very much you are loved, and how many lives you touched."

Karen - I'm pretty sure that none of us will ever know exactly how many lives you and JD touched.  Doodle Kisses has thousands of members, but there's no way to figure how many people "visited" the site without joining.  And it's fair to say that anyone who spent more than a few minutes on DK likely was privileged to read one of your scholarly, but incredibly personal, responses to questions regarding nutrition, health, training, what to look for in a breeder, etc. We all benefitted greatly from your expertise and that expertise was developed because JackDoodle. To say we owe you a debt of gratitude is an understatement.

I know from experience, just how devastating it can be to lose a loved pet; but losing one you fought so hard to keep healthy, comfortable, and happy must be even more difficult!!  Not a day goes by that I don't think of you and the obvious depth of your loss.  Continue to focus on the good times with JD and be comforted by those thoughts.  Hugs!!