Benpaws

For all of you who began this journey a year ago as I did will remember Raymond and Larry and the wonderful journals Raymond wrote each day as he was dealing with Larry's cancer.
Larry passed away a year ago today, December 4th, 2008. It was a very sad day for Raymond and for all of us who came to know this amazing man and his beloved dog Larry who was his "heart."
If you have time today read some of his journal and the last days of Larry's life. It was so beautifully expressed and very sad.
Please light your candle for Raymond today as I will be doing and say a prayer for him.
His video tribute to Larry on You-Tube still brings tears to my eyes when I see it.
If you are reading this Raymond, I and others will always remember you.
God Bless.

Joanne & Puppy Shadow

rockytola

Joanne, you are always taking the time to respond and offer comfort to all of us on this web site. In case no-one else has said this to you, thank you so much for your time, your thoughts and compassion!

sissy

Raymond and Larry,
My thoughts are with you today Raymond. You are the one that brought me to open up to this site. It brought me to wonderful friends. I know how you miss your dear friend Larry. Your journals have and will touch so many people as they go through the journey that we have gone through. As my year is coming Dec. 16. for my dear Muffin. Her pictures are around my Christmas tree. Love to you and as I know life goes on but we will never forget our beloved bestfriends. Love to you and your family.....Sissy

TJandDante

I cried when I read his beautiful journey with his very much loved companion.
We will all remember Larry and Raymond.

mybestfriend

My dear friend Raymond, Today I remember Larry. Reading your journal and seeing the video, still brings tears to my eyes. Take care my friend, Jim

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Rene, Bailey,Angel, Dolce and Jim Remembering "Daddy's girl Dasha"

Raymond

Thank you, thank you dear dog lover friends. I am so sorry for not coming to the forum very often anymore. I am not made of the deep kindness and outpouring of love that our dear JOANNE is. It just hurts to come here and read about so many sick dogs and the horrible sorrow when they pass over the Rainbow Bridge. My heart breaks when I read these stories and the memories of my dear Larry boy overwhelm me...and I cry. Everytime I start to read these stories.

Forgive me for being so weak and selfish that I cannot give comfort to those who are suffering what I have suffered.

While the pain and saddness is less today than a year ago, I still think of my companion of 11 years almost everyday. Now I don't cry as much but still, sometimes when I am down. I watch the Remembrance video and want to reach out and touch Larry's beautiful soft coat and watch him gaze into my eyes with love. Once in awhile when I am really sad for him I open up the little jar that I've kept his fur in and try to pretend he is still here. I miss him, I miss him so much.

Everyone, have as good a Christmas as you can. If your fur babies are still with, love them like you've never loved them before. Cherish the moment, take lots of pictures and know that your fur pal loves you more than you can imagine...and know that they know YOU love them.

God Bless one and all.

--Raymond
Missing his Larry boy

Benpaws

Dear Raymond,

I am glad you stopped by today and I need no thanks for coming here each day. Everyone here is just amazing and they are hurting and sometimes there is a good story mixed in with all the sadness.

I too miss Benny more than I could every say. He was one unique little fur pal and never left my side when my days were not very good due to the depression from which I suffer.

However, I know he is in a place of eternal youth and joy and I no longer feel guilty for making the "right decision at the right time" even though it tor my heart apart, and even though he was only a little over 6years old. I know we did everything for almost 2 years to keep our little puppy well and free from severe pain, but "time ran out for Benny."

I miss you Raymond and all that you had to offer, but I sincerely understand because I have so often just wanted to say "goodbye" and something draws me here everyday. Maybe it is Benny?? He knew how sad I often got and shut myself off from everyone who loved me, but it was always seeing Benny lying beside me which brought me back into the "world of reality" and he was so happy when I rejoined the family again. Maybe Benny knowsthat I need this special place as much as anyone here.

Christmas is often a very sad time for people for many different reasons and we will miss Benny greatly this year, but his stocking is hung and his picture is everywhere and he WILL be part of the celebrations. He and our darling granddaughter Isabella who grew up with him and is the same age (7) as Benny would have been in July will be here and we are giving her a very special calendar with "Pictures of times past with Benny and us and ending with Shadow " whom she loves with all her heart. She will cry because she is a very loving and sensitive little girl and she carries a small album of picture of herself and Benny when we cared for her for almost 3 years when her mommy returned to work. Benny died and Isabella moved a long way away and we miss them both.

Shadow is now a huge part of our lives and our hearts and although very different from Benny, he deserves all the love I have to give. He will no doubt be my last puppy, because I am an old galand only going in one direction. Shadow has brought the joy back into our lives in the "Winter of our lives."

Sorry I got carried away my dear friend, but please visit once in awhile and let us know how you are doing.

God Bless you my dear friend and have a blessed Christmas with Halo and Eddie and your dear wife and know that Larry is never far away. May 2010 bring much health and happiness into your life!

Blessings to a very special friend,
Joanne

Raymond

Thank you Joanne. You are such a dear one. Merry Christmas.