The house is so very empty since Spencer passed away. We miss the click of his nails on the hardwood floors, the way his head always seemed to be under your hand for a pet, his big sigh before he went to sleep at night, the slap of his tail on his bed when he awoke, the sound of three tennis balls hitting the floor as he dropped them from his mouth them for you to play. There are so many holes his passing left but mostly we miss the pure joy he gave to us, so unselfishly, everyday.
After a couple of weeks the emptiness became unbearable. We decided we needed some Golden sunshine once again in our lives. Although we will never have another Spencer, we look forward to our special Golden. We know they are out there somewhere, waiting for us. In the meantime we are once again fostering homeless Golden Retrievers until they can find their forever homes. We hope by sharing the stories of these dogs, many can see the joys of rescuing a dog and giving it a new life.
Somehow I knew in my heart you would be back rescuing very soon. All the pups you help, before and in the future, are so blessed to have you in their lives. We are really looking forward to all your new adventures! Woofs, Johann
I only stumbled upon your blog when Spencer was very sick, so I only caught those last few entries… well your blog (and Spencer) has touched my heart and I am happy to be following you and your new adventures. My family dog of six years (Sasha, one of Spencer’s Mypsace friends) just passed away last week… so I can empathize with the pain you are going through of loosing your dear friend.
Thanks for your nice comment Elizabeth. I am so sorry to hear about Sasha’s passing. PLease give our condolences to your mom, I know how she must be feeling now.
It’s always hard to lose a dog, especially a heart dog, but they leave us with many wonderful memories.
Michelle
PS
Luna is very cute!
Glad to see you back to rescuing and blogging! I look forward to your new adventures!
Gosh, it\’s so good to hear about you guys!
Spencer will be forever in our hearts.
We couldn’t post this message in Spencer’s blog! That photo has so much meaning, it touches our hearts…
Please, keep in touch. Please, share your unconditional love with another golden!
Spencer has a community going here, that’s unconditional!
Love,
Pipa, Carla and John, from portugal
aww, our hearts are with you *hugz*
we can understand the heartache missing him and the things he used to do.
saw Buford in your other post – you guys have a really big & kind heart =) and Bella, she’s lovely!
This isn’t a new beginning but rather a continuance of the journey. We are happy you are here and we will travel along with you. We still think of our BBB (best blog buddy) Spencer everyday. The photo of his leash and tennis balls is in our favorites folder along with many of his photos. We share Spencer’s quest to find furever homes for as many homeless as possible. It is our hope that we will always have the karma of Spencer with us. – The Bumpass Hounds
We are happy you are here again and we will share each of your postings. We still think of our BBB (best blog buddy) Spencer everyday. The photo of his leash and tennis balls is in our favorites folder along with many of his photos. We share Spencer’s quest to find furever homes for as many homeless as possible. It is our hope that we will always have the karma of Spencer with us. Hopefully Bufords stay in sanctuary will be just a short transient visit on his way to his furever home.
– The Bumpass Hounds
That picture has so much meaning behind it. My heart goes out to you both…..makes me just cry because I miss Spencer too. I know you will know when that special ones comes along and until then here comes the fosters!!!! They are amazing huh and each have their own story to tell.
You may have seen this before but I want to post it as it makes me think of you 2.
Hugs & love to you all and angel kisses to Spencer from all of us,
Barbara & the gang in SC
The Rescue Rainbow Bridge
Unlike most days at Rainbow Bridge, this day dawned cold and gray, damp as a
swamp and as dismal as could be imagined. All the recent arrivals were
confused and concerned. They had no idea what to think for they had never
experienced a day like this before. But the animals who had spent some time waiting
for their beloved people knew exactly what was happening and began to gather
at the pathway leading to the Bridge to watch. They knew this was something special.
It wasn’t too long before an elderly animal came into view, head hung heavy
and low with tail dragging along the ground. The other animals on the
pathway…the ones who had been at Rainbow Bridge for a while…knew the story of
this sad creature immediately. They had seen it happen far too many times.
Although it was obvious the animal’s heart was leaden and he was totally
overcome with emotional pain and hurt, there was no sign of injury or any
illness. Unlike the pets waiting at the Bridge, this dog had not been restored to
his prime. He was full of neither health nor vigor. He approached slowly and
painfully, watching all the pets who were by now watching him. He knew he was
out of place here. This was no resting place for him. He felt instinctively
that the sooner he could cross over, the happier he would be. But alas, as he
came closer to the Bridge, his way was barred by the appearance of an Angel
who spoke softly to the old dog and apologized sorrowfully, telling him that he would not be able to pass. Only those animals who were with their special
people could pass over the Rainbow Bridge. And he had no special beloved
people…not here at the Bridge nor on Earth below.
With no place else to turn, the poor elderly dog looked toward the fields
before the Bridge. There, in a separate area nearby, he spotted a group of
other sad-eyed animals like himself…elderly and infirm. Unlike the pets
waiting for their special people, these animals weren’t playing, but simply lying
on the green grass, forlornly and miserably staring out at the pathway leading
to the Bridge. The recent arrival knew he had no choice but to join them.
And so, he took his place among them, just watching the pathway and waiting.
One of the newest arrivals at the Bridge, who was waiting for his special
people, could not understand what he had just witnessed and asked one of the
pets who had been there for some time to explain it to him.
“That poor dog was a rescue, sent to the pound when his owner grew tired of
him. They way you see him now, with graying fur and sad, cloudy eyes, was
exactly the way he was when he was put into the kennels. He never, ever made it
out and passed on only with the love and comfort that the kennel workers
could give him as he left his miserable and unloved existence on Earth for good.
Because he had no family or special person to give his love, he has nobody to
escort him across the Bridge.”
The first animal thought about this for a minute and then asked, “So what
will happen now?”
As he was about to receive his answer, the clouds suddenly parted and the
all-invasive gloom lifted. Coming toward the Bridge could be seen a single
figure…a person who, on Earth, had seemed quite ordinary…a person who, just
like the elderly dog, had just left Earth forever. This figure turned toward a
group of the sad animals and extended outstretched palms. The sweetest
sounds they had ever heard echoed gently above them and all were bathed in a pure
and golden light. Instantly, each was young and healthy again, just as they
had been in the prime of life.
From within the gathering of pets waiting for their special people, a group
of animals emerged and moved toward the pathway. As they came close to the
passing figure, each bowed low and each received a tender pat on the hea d or a
scratch behind the ears. Their eyes grew even brighter as the figure softly
murmured each name. Then, the newly-restored pets fell into line behind the
figure and quietly followed this person to the Bridge, where they all crossed
together.
The recent arrival who had been watching, was amazed. “What happened?”
“That was a rescuer,” came the answer. “That person spent a lifetime trying
to help pets of all kinds. The ones you saw bowing in respect were those who
found new homes because of such unselfish work. They will cross when their
families arrive. Those you saw restored were ones who never found homes. When a
rescuer arrives, they are permitted to perform one, final act of rescue.
They are allowed to escort those poor pets that couldn’t place on Earth across
the Rainbow Bridge. You see, all animals are special to them…just as they
are special to all animals.”
“I think I like rescuers,” said the recent arrival.
“So does God,” was the reply.