Oliver passed away this morning

[Boondox]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( <font color="blue"> surrounded by dozens of smaller stones for dogs.
</font>
Pete - Did you make the stones yourself or buy them. Our cocker turns 16 in July. Although she is still in pretty good health, the years are now starting to take their toll. This is my wife's last "baby" and she is dreading it. And I have to admit that I am very attached to her myself. We plan to bury her up on the "farm" where we will eventually move and I would like to come up with a nice marker. )</font>

Barre VT, a couple of valleys over, was settled by stonecutters from Italy. It's also where some of the best granite is mined for monuments across the nation. Not sure what it is about the stonecutters, but they really love dogs. Plus I let them hunt on my land. Not sure if this is the standard price, but a 150# granite monument for one of our dogs costs about $185...and each one is a work of art!

Pete

 

[Boondox]

We buried Oliver this afternoon in a steady rain after reclaiming my backhoe from a football sized nest of wasps who had set up housekeeping under the dipper. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

Despite an entire winter with no practice, I quickly dug a hole with a perfectly flat bottom -- something I had always had trouble with. Tamara lined it with the fleece of a white lamb Oliver used to enjoy chewing on. We put him and his favorite toy inside, covered him with his blanket and buried him. He has a large stone for a monument (needed the backhoe to place it) and around it we planted the irises he used to eat.

We sure miss the little guy! But we're glad he found happiness with us, and we're glad one of us was here when his time came. We had worried a lot that he'd pass on alone, or that he'd suffer. Fate was much kinder than that.

Guys, thanks so much for all your support. Loosing a loyal companion is hard enough, but losing a pup so young is really tearing us up. So many things he deserved to experience. In the end all he knew was love and belonging, which we hope for his sake was enough to let him go happily.

Pete and Tamara
Molson, Glenfiddich, Tetley, Harley, and Tuppence

PS: It feels so strange to list only five dogs...

 

[AndyM]

<font color="blue"> We sure miss the little guy! </font>

It's amazing how attached we get to them in such a short period of time. Allie is our spoiled baby dog, and even though she's only 2 1/2 years old, we think about the day she won't be around anymore.

By the way, Oliver sure was a GREAT name for a dog! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[Junkman]

Oliver had but a brief time on this earth, but his time, I know was filled with love and joy. Even though it was only 4 months to us humans, it was a lifetime of joy for him. I know you and Tamara had done your best for him to make his short life pleasant, and that is a noble gesture. May he rest in peace.... Junkman..

 

[dmccarty]

Pete,

I know that Oliver had been given a short time but I had hopped he would make it longer with all of those other dogs hanging around. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

I have lost so many dogs over the years and I'm afraid I'll loose many more since we have to have dogs in the house. It never is easy when they go. So strange how they take a bit of your soul when they leave. Course they give far more in return. But danged it it still hurts when they have to leave.

They are a heck of lot nicer, warmer, kinder, caring, etc., than most people I have to deal with....

Take Care,
Dan McCarty

 

[Cliff_Johns]

It's tough when they die at any age, but especially when still a pup. You have my heart-felt condolences.

Cliff

 

[RonL]

Pete

Dogs, beyond a doubt, are the most domesticated of animals. There is much of us in them. And, much of them in us. Godspeed, Oliver.

RonL

 

[isucrazy]

You done good by him fer sure hand, he knew.

 

[om21braz]

Sorry to hear about Oliver, but nice to hear he had a wonderful family for his short time here. Deepest regrets from here in NC.

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

Pete,

Thanks for sharing.

My wife and I feel your pain.

Kyle

 

[RichZ]

Pete, I am so sorry!!!! Everytime I go on TBN, I've been dreading seeing this post, but I thought Oliver would have more time. But, it just wasn't meant to be.

As so many have said before, you gave him a great deal of joy and happiness in his short time on Earth. I really admire what you did for him, and what you and Tamara do for all of the dogs you rescue. I am very proud to count the two of you as my friends. My heart aches for you, and for little Oliver. I hate these unscrupulous breeders who cause this pain and suffering!!!

 

[Gary_in_Indiana]

Pete,

You know of my love of Goldens. I can only offer my sympathies here on your loss and it hardly seems enough.

RichZ said everything else I would have wanted to say. You and your wife are admiired and respected by many here you've never even met for all that you do. I'm proud of even this small association I have with you. Thank you for all that you do.

 

[polecat]

Don't see myself posting much on this one as i can hardly see the screen and think i need to go for a walk... /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif
I lost my favororite and first pup at the young age of 6 mos..
Her name was Rascal.......and that she was ......her sister Lady spent many a year with me till my old girlfriend and i broke up and she went to live with a family with 3 young boys ....I haven't had a dog since then until now...(14) yrs later...and this story is killing me...can't imagine not haveing my Oakley!!! My "better half" wonders why i get so adament when Oakley jumps out of the truck without being told or does not heel when told...I don't know what i'd do if my persistence of training her failed and she got hit in the road
like Rascal did /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
I will never allow neighbors kids to play with my dog again without myself being present....As i have no children....They are my kids!!!!!!!!!!!

My heart grieves for u and yours Pete!!!!
I truly am sorry.................................
TODD HALL from liddl ol maine /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[s1120]

You hate to hear this at any age. I am so sorry.

I had to put down the best dog in the world this winter. Hardest thing I have ever had to do. He was 14, and could not walk any more, lost hearing, and eye sight, and was just...going. Woke up one day, and could not move. Just sat there. I knew then it was time, and could not bear to see him suffer. I have two more still, but you know he was THE dog. After these two I have now are gone, I don't know if I can get another. Not for a LONG time anyway.

 

[Hootie]

Thanks for sharing. We have buried two treasured pets in two years. You done good, keep it up.

 

[StoneHeartFarm]

Sorry to hear that Pete. It's always hard to lose a friend.

Steve

 

[Poppa]

Well, Pete, I will tell you one thing. Between this post and the post from DFW about losing his dog, my black lab has been living the life of Riley for the last week. Extra milkbones, rib bones belly rubs and walking.

My wife and I lost two dogs to illnesses. Both died young and far before we were ready. Just about killed us both. When I read your earlier Post on Oliver I was already dying inside. I kept hoping this post wouldn't come even though you had said it would. I am so sorry.

Ok, have to go find my dog again, God Bless.

Mike

 

[KENSFM]

Pete,
Sorry to hear about your loss. He was such a cute little guy.
Take care, Ken