Yesterday was a day of deep sadness on White Flint Farm, as we had to say goodbye to our beloved and faithful companion Ginny.
Lady Virginia Guerrant June 2003-July 23, 2015
She will be greatly missed.
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Ginny
I’m so sorry. Pets are not pets–they become FAMILY.
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Thanks Sue. Ginny had been with us a long time–definitely part of our family. It was very difficult to lose her.
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Awww Bill. Big virtual hugs from me. Losing friends is never good.
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Thanks Joanna. A tough day here yesterday even though we knew it would come eventually.
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I know what you mean. We are hoping we have seen the last of the deaths around here for a while, but then again there is that hopping chicken who is getting rather old now, especially for a broiler chicken and who has escaped the fox twice this year. She was in our first batch of hatched chicks. Not as much part of the family like a dog, but we will be sad to see her go, or worse have to deal with her if she seems to be suffering.
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Bill, I’ve had to euthanize pets three different times. It’s one of the reasons that I’ll not have another pet. At least in the wild as with my pets now days, I don’t have to deal with death. Pets just never seem to live long enough. It’s a very sad time when a faithful companion leaves this world. My condolences to you and your family. May her memories eventually bring a smile instead of sadness.
Have the best day that you can.
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Thanks Dave. Quite a sad day around here. Ginny has been with us here from the beginning.
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Oh no. It’s so sad when you have to say goodbye. We’ve had the same sadness here in the past few years with our two old dogs. I’m sure you’ll have many loving memories of Ginny.
We Have A Secret
We have a secret, you and I that no one else shall know,
for who but I can see you lie each night in fire glow?
And who but I can reach my hand before we go to bed
and feel the living warmth of you and touch your silken head?
And only I walk woodland paths and see ahead of me,
your small form racing with the wind so young again, and free.
And only I can see you swim in every brook I pass
and when I call, no one but I can see the bending grass.
Author Unknown
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Beautiful. Thanks Rhonda.
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I feel the hardest part is turning around and she isn’t there or giving her an unanswered whistle. I do love my old dogs so much.
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We go for a walk every night after supper. It’s been Ginny’s favorite thing to do. Last night we walked without her for the first time. Cherie cried most of the time. Very sad.
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The name Woody is actually the name of my best friend, who I still catch myself calling at times. He lived a long and happy life in three states, five different houses and two wives, always by my side.
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So sad, Bill. . . Life is happening on your farm, many births, many new arrivals, lost tomatoes, lost best friends, new growths. I am sure Ginny is happy to have been there.
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It’s part of the natural cycle. But of course it still hurts. Many years ago I read an article that identified the happiest animals in the world. Porpoises were number one and farm dogs were a close second. Ginny had a great, happy and reasonably long life. We should all be so fortunate.
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Sad day for sure. We know you gave her a full life and lots of love!
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Thanks Dave. She received love and gave it back. She’ll be missed.
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So sorry for your loss.
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Thanks Laura.
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So sad! It’s amazing how dogs become such a big part of our lives and what a terrible loss it is when they die. Unfortunately, dogs just don’t live long enough, but while they are here, how we love them.
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We knew we’d outlive her, and we had time to prepare for it. Still, a very sad day.
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So sorry.
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Thanks Buffy.
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Sorry to hear of her passing. Losing a longtime trusted dog is rough. Peace to your family…
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Thanks. Tough indeed. We buried here on the hill behind the house. Its hard to believe she isn’t with us any more.
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Sorry for your loss, Joey. We just had to put down our 12 year old German Shepherd; never an easy thing to do.
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Thanks Willie. Really good to hear from you after all these years. Sorry for your loss too. All best wishes.
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Always such a hard loss. Prayers.
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Thanks Marianna. I’ve never seen a closer relationship between an animal and human than that between Cherie and Ginny. Heartbreaking.
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So very sorry for your loss. I’m sure Ginny had a wonderful life on White Flint Farm and has left you and Cherie with many warm and loving memories. Take care.
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You’re right about that. She had a great life and we have lots of great memories of her.
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I’m so sorry. It is so hard to lose a dog. They become such friends.
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She was so loyal and loving. I think she hung on as long as she did out of loyalty to us.
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It’s part of the compact that we have with pets. They are family. They provide us with unconditional love, and we strive to return it the same way, without reservation. It is a given that we live longer than they do. Our obligation is to love them to the end, and to ensure that they do not suffer. Then we can remember how great they were. They are as entwined in our lives as our family, our partners our friends. If we do it right, we’ll know that that kind of love shared is one of the reasons we are here.
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Yes, well said. Beautiful and true.
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Oh Bill and Cherie, I’m so sorry – she was a member of your family and her leaving creates such a gap. So many great memories to hang onto, though and the knowledge of no more pain and wistfulness that she can’t make her body do what she wants it to do. Love and sympathy to both of you.
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Thanks Dawn. Ginny was beginning to suffer and we owed it to her to spare her that and let her leave with dignity. It was painful of course. The love that can be shared between a dog and humans is amazing, and beautiful.
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Such a sweet girl and the love you both had for her was a wonderful thing. So sorry to hear about your loss 😦
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Thank you. She’s always been here. It doesn’t seem like the same place without her.
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I’m so sorry for your loss… and that is truly heartfelt as I’ve been there. The furry-ones aren’t like family, they are family. The only balm, eventually, to soothe the loss is the good life and happy times you shared.
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Thanks EllaDee. Many have felt the loss of a beloved pet. It really is like losing a family member.
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You’ve had so many losses over the past months — and so have we, because your creatures are part of our lives, too. I’m just glad Ginnie had a chance to enjoy the farm, and experience the love you and Cherie offered her.
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Thank you for the kind words Linda. Ginny as been the alpha animal on this farm from day one. We’ll really miss her.
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So very sorry. So sad that they are with us for such a short time. Such a blessing to have them in our lives.
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So true. She was a blessing to us and she loved us back. Our lives have been enriched by her.
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I’m so sorry for your loss Bill. ❤
Diana xo
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Thank you Diana. It was a painful day.
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Dogs just don’t live long enough. I do know that each dog comes into my life for a reason and I learn so much from them. And I hope someday to be as loving and accepting as they are. My sympathies on the loss of your Ginny girl.
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You’re right. That’s the kind of love we should all strive to imitate.
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“The Power of the Dog”
THERE is sorrow enough in the natural way
From men and women to fill our day;
And when we are certain of sorrow in store,
Why do we always arrange for more?
Brothers and Sisters, I bid you beware
Of giving your heart to a dog to tear.
Buy a pup and your money will buy
Love unflinching that cannot lie—
Perfect passion and worship fed
By a kick in the ribs or a pat on the head.
Nevertheless it is hardly fair
To risk your heart for a dog to tear.
When the fourteen years which Nature permits
Are closing in asthma, or tumour, or fits,
And the vet’s unspoken prescription runs
To lethal chambers or loaded guns,
Then you will find—it’s your own affair—
But … you’ve given your heart to a dog to tear.
When the body that lived at your single will,
With its whimper of welcome, is stilled (how still!).
When the spirit that answered your every mood
Is gone—wherever it goes—for good,
You will discover how much you care,
And will give your heart to a dog to tear.
We’ve sorrow enough in the natural way,
When it comes to burying Christian clay.
Our loves are not given, but only lent,
At compound interest of cent per cent.
Though it is not always the case, I believe,
That the longer we’ve kept ’em, the more do we grieve:
For, when debts are payable, right or wrong,
A short-time loan is as bad as a long—
So why in—Heaven (before we are there)
Should we give our hearts to a dog to tear?
— Kipling
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Thanks for sharing that. So true. As a friend told me, we know when we let a dog into our lives that we’re almost certainly going to outlive it, and have to deal with the pain that brings. But we do it any way. It’s a fair deal I think.
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I’m so sorry …
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Thank you Teresa. Such a sad day…
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T’is never easy to say goodbye to a good friend, a faithful friend and a non-judgmental friend. Condolences on your loss – draw strength from her memory, and from the knowledge that you all shared love, companionship and a wonderful home and life together.
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Thank you Dani. She enriched our lives and we did well by her I think. Cherie is so heartbroken. I told her that we need to focus on the good memories. In time, we will.
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So many lovely words, said so well, so many ways; so I’ll just send hugs for you both instead…
And Namaste dear Ginny
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Thanks for the kind words and thoughts Deb.
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Always hard to say goodbye. Blessings in this time of grief
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Thanks Luke. Ginny was family. Hard to say goodbye to her.
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What a gorgeous girl — I’m so sorry you no longer have her with you, in physical. But it sounds as though (of course) she was incredibly loved. It’s never, ever easy to see them go.
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Thanks for your kind words. She was deeply loved and she is deeply missed.
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Oh no…so so sorry. Thinking of you.
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Thank you. We miss her. 😦
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