Until we meet again, old pal

[Pipe_Dream]

I said farewell to my dog yesterday. Bristol was a friend, companion, hunting buddy, beach dog, and yard work supervisor, and he has been here every morning for 13 and a half years. Until this morning. My heart is heavy, as is my wife's and our 9-year-old Lab's. But I know we'll meet again.

I know a lot of you guys are fellow dog-lovers, so here are a few photos.

1996 - new house, new pup
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j228/4MyDogs/questionmedium.jpg

In his prime, at his favorite place on Earth
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j228/4MyDogs/990212284_001.jpg

Not too long ago
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j228/4MyDogs/IMG_0938crop2.jpg

What he's probably doing this morning!
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j228/4MyDogs/BDAY6.jpg

A DOG FOR JESUS
I wish someone had given Jesus a dog
As loyal and loving as mine
To sleep by His manger and gaze in His eyes
And adore Him for being divine.

As our Lord grew to manhood His faithful dog
Would have followed Him all through the day
While He preached to the crowds and made the sick well
And knelt in the garden to pray.

It is sad to remember that Christ went away
To face death alone and apart
With no tender dog following close behind
To comfort its Master's Heart.

And when Jesus rose on that Easter morn
How happy He would have been
As His dog kissed His hands and barked its delight
For The One who died for all men.

Well, the Lord has a dog now, I just sent Him mine
The old pal so dear to me
And I smile through my tears on this first day alone
Knowing they're in eternity.

Day after day, the whole day through
Wherever my road inclined
Four feet said, "I am coming with you!"
And trotted along behind.


Written By: Rudyard Kipling

[Blue_Runner]

Bristol was a BEAUTIFUL dog and you can tell by just looking at that face that he was a giver just like most labs. Pipe I am so sorry for your loss...my heart is doubtfully as heavy as yours but heavy for you nonetheless. Your post is a wonderful tribute to what was surely a great companion. Sorry bud. I know Bristol will live forever in your memories.

[jjjtronics]

P.D.
A friend like your friend Bristol, will be impossible to forget. From your words I can feel there was sincere love and friendship between all of you. I am sure he was a happy and giving friend, because he was loved and protected too.
It`s hard to lose a good pal. We are here with you man.
I am so very glad you have pictures of him. Frame a photo of him and keep it close to you, one of this days you will look at it and instead of sadness, you will accept that he went to a place where good souls go, and you will be so glad and gratefull that he let you be his friend while he was around, and celebrate his Life.

[nipper]

My sincere condolences to you on your loss. I am with JJJ on putting up a framed picture of your old friend. The one of him in his prime on the beach that you posted would look great.

[willy]

Sorry Pipe, I miss him just from his photos.

[CaptJ]

Sorry Pipe. My 14+ year old chocolate lab is getting tired. I am trying to spend as much time with her as possible and you jut reminded me in a round a bout way to keep doing so. Nothing like a great dog/best friend, just sucks that they can't stick around.

[RWilson2526]

Including the pic of him as a pup and in his prime is a real tear jerker....sorry for your loss Pipe Dream.

[bradford]

My condolences Pipe Dream. Ya'll will meet again.

[Pipe_Dream]

Thank you, gentlemen, for your kind words. You can tell a lot about a person by the way they treat, and the way they regard, their dogs. Y'all are the best.

I'm glad you liked the photos. We only have a few thousand more. ;-)
Along with ribbons, certificates -- a lifetime (a dog's lifetime) of memories. He was a fine dog, and a wonderful companion, and I miss him terribly.

[Seacrets]

My condolences. I've got two schnauzers who are my best friends.

[willy]

Seacrets, standards or miniatures?

[Blu_Lunch]

My condolences to you, we lost out 15 month old Basset Hound Nickey last October to cancer, it's devastating to the family, I cried for weeks after that. About 4 weeks later I brought home Miss Peggy another basset, she nice , but no dog can replace the first one,take care........Ted

Our new doggy
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a358/newhavenrr/R1-1.jpg

[parishht]

Sorry to hear of your loss Pipe.

BL - you are right, no pet can replace the first, that is why I have always made it a point
to get a different bread each time I lost a friend.
This way, you have no pre conceived notions of how they should act.

[Pipe_Dream]

A friend sent this to me just two days before my pal went off to run and swim.

http://www.wendyfrancisco.com/

Click the video to play.

[cfelton]

I can tell by the pics that he was a great friend and companion. Im really sorry for your loss! Nothing can replace the loss of a good friend. But a new puppy helps!!

[nymack66]

My condolences its sad indeed..Truly man's best friend ..

[randlemanboater]

Sorry to hear it, I know your pain.

[reelapeelin]

Pipe...I'm so sorry to hear of the loss of your friend, Bristol. Surely he was the best companion you could ever hope for...and keep in mind you were HIS companion as well...and from our exchanges about dogs and what they mean to us, he could not have wished for better.

When my youngest daughter was about 8, she said, "Daddy, I think I know why dogs don't live as long as people." When I asked her to explain, she said, "Because if dogs lived longer than people, there would be lots of dogs around with no one to take care of them."...

Yeah...I think you'll see him again.

[C YENSEN]

sorry to hear that Pipe....as a fellow dog lover...I feel your pain.

[bigshrimpin]

Oh Man Pipe - That's the hardest thing you'll ever do. I had to put my Lab down last Nov . . . still brings tears to my eyes thinking about it.

http://www.wellcraftv20.com/gallery/albums/album119/DSCN2743_Medium.jpg

[Pipe_Dream]

Thanks, guys. I appreciate your kind words. And BS, I just keep telling myself he's in a better place, and that I'll see him again some day. It's all I can do...

[drbabe]

Hey Pipe, reading this thread brings tears to my eyes. It ain't just screen time, there are people out here who listen and understand. Thinkin' of you. That was a beautiful friend. Keep the good stuff. Be well,
Dave

[Stinky_Hooker]

So sorry brother, I feel for you as well. Loved the poem. I often think of dogs past and loosing my current one is going to kill me. She is the best Ive ever had no doubt.

Time will heal things.....

[Bygracealone]

Pipe, I recently went through the same thing with my 12 year old lab. Very difficult time, I know.

I'm so very sorry for your loss and it's true, only time will heal the wound.

We just recently adopted another pooch, a 15 month old golden retriever, and she has been somewhat therapeutic for us, but no dog will ever take the place of the one lost... just remember the good times you've had; that helps.