I knew this day would come. I’ve dreaded it. After all, they say, “Dogs lives are too short. Their only fault, really.” Yesterday, one of my clients said goodbye to her beautiful lab, Stolichnaya. Stoli was adored by Michelle for many, many years. He was by her side through many difficult times. He was happy, and he was tolerant… even when the house was taken over by bulldogs. My heart is broken, but I’m honored to have gotten the chance to capture him. Hug your pups today. Michelle posted this on Facebook, and I wanted to share it here:
I listen to the complaints and agonized confusion of new dog owners and think:
How lucky they are to be starting their path with this new dog;
How beautiful and healthy and virile are these animals
With the desire to run and jump and play games foremost on their minds.
I wonder why they can’t think ahead
To the time when there’s no more running or jumping, only painful slow walking;
When there’s little game playing, mostly memories of past good times together;
When the muzzle is gray, the eyes cloudy and the virile, tautly muscled body is now soft and bowed;
And I wonder how they get so caught up in the difficulties that they can’t see the joys of puppyhood
and adolescence
and young adulthood,
replete with their problems, of course, but filled with boundless exuberance.
And I think of you, and I wish we were starting our path again instead of coming to its inevitable end.
Oh how I wish to see you young and virile and full of fire and determination again;
How I wish you’d pull on the leash instead of being so unsteady in your footing;
How I wish you’d steal food from the counter instead of my having to think about force feeding;
How I wish you’d jump on me again instead of having to be helped to stand.
And when new owners are praying to God for the patience to last one more day with their dogs, I’m praying to God to please give us one more good day together.
How I wish the others could see into the future and feel the pain of impending loss of such special, special friend.
Oh how I wish!
Author:Barbara Kahn
Erin - What a sweet pooch. I’d love to smooch that big wet nose in picture #2. Beautiful poem. So true, so true. I’ve been in that same place with my brown-nosed yellow lab who is now in heaven. I’d give just about anything to her hug her and smooch her wet nose one more time.
Becky - Wow…that tugs at my heart so, so much. Thanks for sharing this April. My thoughts and prayers are with Stoli’s family.
Nancy - Oh my gosh I was in tears! Michelle, I can’t tell you how terribly sorry I am. You must be devasted. My thoughts and prayers go out to you.
Just keep in mind how happy you made him. Look at that face in the last picture! You can see the love and happiness in him.
Michelle- Stoli's mom - April~ this is so very sweet and I am honored and touched.. thank you so much for the memories you have given us with these photos. We will cherish them for ever…..
Bernadette - What an amazing tribute to such a sweet soul. I am in tears, not knowing Stoli or his momma; but knowing how much he was loved is wonderful and uplifting. I am hugging my little Kia as I type (and squeezing until she protests), and my heart pours out to Michelle. Sending love and thoughts your way…
Emily - Awhhhh what a beautiful pup; I’m praying for his family.
Katie Jane Parker - What a beautiful tribute. This made me cry so much. I’ll be giving my pets extra cuddles today. So sorry for your loss, Michelle.
gingela5 - Beautiful tribute. He was such a handsome boy. Those words had me in tears as I’m sitting her looking at my own doggies.
Nick - A beautiful tribute for a wonderful dog 🙂
Brian (Stoli's Dad) - Stoil boy had a great life and he was loved by so many people who got to know him. I cannot believe he is gone. The pleasure he borught to my life cannot be captured in words. Thank you so much for sharing his life on your website so that others can see the beautiful boy he was. Inside and outside. He was my bestfriend and he will be missed.
tish - What beautiful writing. I am in tears and thinking about my pups at this very minute. Thanks for letting us share in the celebration of yet another awesome dog. 🙂
Stephanie - Dear Michelle,
I am so sorry for your loss. Stoli must’ve been an amazing dog. April these pictures are a great forever keepsake. Nice job
kara schultz - I’m so sorry for your loss, I dread the day that our pup is gone and she’s so young, I can’t imagine as she’s like a child to us. Sending lots of hugs and you can always borrow my crazy lab if you need a lab fix
ashley folkema - Oh….my heart is crying. These pictures are precious.
Jim and MJ - We were so sorry to hear that Stoli was gone. We both loved to see Stoli and hear about his antics. He was a great dog and he was well loved and cared for. Our hearts are with you. Love, Jim and MJ.
Cheryl - I have so many wonderful memories of Stoli. He was well-loved by all who met him, even just one time. Thank you to April for providing these beautiful pictures of a precious dog. He will be sorely missed.
Christy - I’m sorry for your friend’s loss. Stoli was a beautiful animal.
We’re lucky to have such wonderful animals in our lives even if it’s for a short time.
I love that poem…even though it brought me to tears.
Rubi Florez - It’s so hard to lose your best friend!
Because of that, is so important to enjoy every minute with our wonderful dogs.
I had two dogs that passed away and I miss them so much, despite I have the love and company of other 3 dogs.
It’s so sad…
sara (stoli's step-mom) - Stoli was a beautiful, gentle giant. Everyone who knew him or met him fell in love with him. I know I did. He has brought so much joy and happiness to our lives. Michelle, you were the BEST mom to Stoli and I know Brian found comfort knowing he was so well cared for. April, thank you for sharing all of the wonderful photos of Stoli. You truly captured him. Stoli will be terribly missed….rest in peace Butter Boy!!!
claire - such a beautiful post, april.
Shauna (Fido & Wino) - …and now I’m crying…
Oh my god, I’m so sorry for you & for Stoli’s family. Hugging my dogs now…
Thank you for sharing- they are really beautiful photos.
Amber - This brings tears to my eyes. That poem is so true…enjoy what you have today, even the “annoyances” and challenges. They are all a part of life and will become great memories too depending on how you approach them. I hope this families pain heals quickly and they are left with all the wonderful memories of their sweet Stoli. 🙁
Amber
leesia - so beautiful and so heartbreaking – thank you for sharing, april.
Emilee - Heartbreaking. Dog lives really are far too short. My heart goes out to Barbara for this sad loss. He was a beautiful dog.
jennie - oh my gosh… I am so sorry to Stoli’s owner. I hope her pain eases quickly and her memories stay fresh forever.