I only have the quickest moment to be on here today because it’s my new assistant, Michelle’s, 29th birthday and we’re taking her to an early lunch in just a few minutes. The staff planted a tiara on her head when she walked in the door this morning and she still has it on. That tiny little fact would be so much funnier if you new our darling, athletic, ultra-professional new employee. Her former coworkers at the Whitehouse would fail to recognize her amid the Living Proof Ministry madness. She is an incredible delight to me and never moreso than today with her very business-like demeanor and that plastic crown on her head. We love you, Michelle! And we hope to celebrate your big 3-0 with you next year!
This very, very happy day is also a tad sad for my man and me. Melissa, too. She’s talked about it incessantly. Amanda’s too busy with babies or she’d be thinking about it, too. (Please, all cynics and non-pet lovers stop here for your own sakes!) We said good bye to our beloved bird dog, Beanie, a year ago today. I hate to be melodramatic (why should I stop now?) but it nearly killed us. We’d just lost my constant companion, Sunny, 21 days before that but she was almost 18 years old and, as much as we cried, we knew it was coming. She’d been sick off and on for a month. Beanie took us by surprise. She was 9 but we could have had a lot more time with her. Right after Sunny died, Beanie started laying in the bushes in the back yard like she was going to die, too. We kept telling her she was most certainly NOT going with Sunny. Then ten days later she was diagnosed with cancer all over her body and ten days after that, it had gone to her brain, causing constant seizures.
Some of you will remember that Beanie provided illustration after illustration in the Bible studies and sessions. She was stinking hilarious and had some of the most human-like antics you have ever seen in your life. (She loved to hold hands and take bubble baths, for starters.) She stole our hearts for good. We love our 1 year-olds, Star and Geli, so, so much and wouldn’t trade them for anything. But there are a couple of little graves out in the back yard of my home that I wish were not there today.
I’m picking up Marley and Me at Blockbuster today. I read the book when it first came out and adored it but the movie was released soon after we lost both dogs and we were still bawling our eyes out. Tonight’s the night. I’m giving way to it. Then I’ll get up tomorrow and get on with it.
This was a sweet post about your sweet dogs. I so hope you enjoyed Marley and Me! I bawled my eyes out and I don't even own a dog, nor have I ever. So good and cute!
Love to the Moore clad today!
Lindsee
It was a year ago this past Febuary that we had to put my 17 year old cat to sleep. Broke my heart. I can totally relate to how you are feeling
My golden retriever, Gretchen, is going through the last of her days and I am so grateful to know that there are others out there who get just as emotionally wrapped up in their fur babies. Thanks for sharing both your pictures and your memories of your precious puppies…
Leslie
We lost our beloved 15 year old Lhasa Apso, Boober, to old age in March of 2006. The following October, 8 year old Snuffy, a great Cairn Terrier died of cancer. It was a sad year in our home as my husbands mother was killed in a car accident the previous December. God was our mainstay! We miss our dear little four legged friends! God gifted us with a little 12 pound ShiTzu, Ranger, a couple of years ago. He's a cool little guy who has captured our hearts! Especially my husbands!!!
The fact that you share these things is one of the reasons I love you girls so much.
Beth, I had just been thinking how it was about time I heard more dog stories from you. I love your love for your dogs so much, thanks for sharing! We lost our beloved Django at 9 years old in January, so I know how you feel. We also just got two new puppies two weeks ago, they have brought so much joy and laughter to us! I wish I was tech savvy enough to put up their pictures, but I just can't. As my kids say, I am very "low tech". I had to laugh though as I was driving my old pickup with the teenagers in the car and they couldn't figure out how to open the wings, roll down the window or even open the darn door! Have a great week! Robin in Snohomish, WA
I remember cry for you guys last year! And I always enjoyed the different antics in the Bible Studies also! I will be praying that you had peace today. (of course, by the time you read this, it will be tomorrow!) love you guys like you lived next door!
Delilah
Berryville, AR
I'm so sorry. I remember that from last year; it was about the time I started following the blog.
Hope it's okay, but I did have to laugh a little bit, though, at the last picture and your description of a "guilt-tripping Beansie- always looking just a little teansie bit bad and melt-your-heart-out needy." We had a Boxer we called Princess, and she would do such naughty, naughty things and then droop her whole body, especially her eyes, and pooch out her little lip like How dare WE be mad at HER! It was so hilarious. God had even given her this little pink birthmark right on her royal little lips. She was obnoxious, and yet we loved her! Wish I could send you a picture of her pouty, mischevious little self! She eventually died from her own mischief–she got herself into a pickle that she couldn't get herself out of, but today I'm missing her, too.
Hope you enjoy the movie–I haven't seen it yet, either.
J.
Dear Beth,
I hope that the movie was therapeutic for you. I still remember how you used your precious dogs to teach deep spiritual truths in "Living Beyond Yourself."
May God bless your heart (and Keith's too) as you mourn your loss.
And about dogs in heaven; since God created them, why wouldn't they be in heaven?
dear beloved moore family,
tears streamed down my cheeks as i read this post, remembering last year's posts after sunny and then beanie died. i then re-read those old posts and bawled for you all. i know how difficult it is to lose such amazing gifts from God. may the God of all COMFORT fill you with His comfort this week and every moment that your two precious dogs come to mind. i echo others' statements here: thank you so much for being so real with us and sharing your lives with us. we give thanks for each of you….
i'm seriously bawling. I clearly remember those days last year. I'm giving you the BIGGEST of hugs right now sweet Beth!!
Oh my gracious. Has it already been a year ago that we prayed for — oh, help me — which dog was it that was lost for a couple days? Sunny or Beanie? I just know the Lord took them to heaven within days of eachother and it made me so absolutely sad for you (and I know, I know that we can't be 100% sure that all dogs go to heaven — but where else would they go? And I'm just sure as shootin' Jesus was (is) a dog sort of guy/God. Why else would he have made canines so perfect???? Clearly I should have posed these questions on the post Melissa gave a couple days ago about deep theological questions that keep Siestas up late at night).
I will pray for you while you watch Marley and Me and may I just say – you are a braver woman than I ever dreamed you to be, Beth Moore, because a million Clydesdale horses couldn't drag me to a theater to watch that flick. No siree. I don't need to watch people say good-bye to beloved pets. I've done in a few times in my day and no amount of popcorn or Coke could entice me to watch someone on the large screen have to go through that trauma.
Hoping you didn't cry too, too much,
Warm in Alaska (and loving my darling little Poogle – half poodle and half beagle and 100% perfect puppy)
Oh, thank you for this tribute. I lost my dear 16 year old cocker spaniel just a week before yours and had been bawling my eyes out. It helped so much to read everyone's comments and all grieve together about our pet family losses. And I loved the Beanie songs that Amanda posted!!! I thank our gracious Lord for this blog!
So precious! We have a weenie dog named O'Malley that I would feel confident to put in any "spoiled-rotten dog" compettiton. It always made me feel good to hear Beanie stories. They reminded me that I'm not the only one who treats their dog like a human. Poor little guy has been our stand in for a child for the past 8 years. O'Malley and I will remember Beanie today when we go through the drive to get our ice cream cones; one for me and one for him.
Ashley
Richmond, VA
It was a year ago recently that our family said goodbye to our faithful family dog, Puddin, she died one week before my aunt did. We had to grieve double in less than two weeks. We miss them both so much.
Beth,
Sorry for your loss. Aren't dogs wonderful? I have a black lab that has given me so much pleasure. In fact our dogs are probably the single most factor that bonds my husband and I together. The dog stories I could tell……… Sweet memories! What a blessing from God dogs are, they are our faithful companions when us humans are not!
Get ready to grab the entire box of kleenex. When my hubby and I went to the theater to see Marlie and Me, we did not know the ending was like it was! Oh my goodness, I was bawling like crazy but so was everyone else including my husband. Great movie but so sad ending. We came home of hugged and loved on our little doggie, Brea.
Oh these pictures are so sweet. I think it's hard for folks who have never had a dog as part of a family to truly appreciate how much they ARE family…. but then when that time comes to say good~bye, it's the hardest thing to do. I'm so glad you shared them. Having said goodbye just two months ago to our Border Collie mix guy of 14 years, I don't think I can watch the movie yet myself. However, in the last month, we've added to our family (since our Choc. Lab Gracie was lonely), a yellow goofy Lab (Tucker)… so perhaps soon we can enjoy it together! 🙂 Praying you are surrounded by good memories and comfort as you remember your sweet pups.
Happy Birthday Michelle! Hope your day was beautiful!
And oh . . . even though it is sad and it brings tears, it is good and healthy to remember.
We lost our dog suddenly last fall and watched the movie just last month. My 10 year old son was the ugly-cry-watcher on that one but enjoyed remembering Vinny when it was over. We had lots of good laughs reminiscing.
Grab the tissues.
Praying for you in Pittsburgh this weekend!
Beth and Keith,
I love you both. We have various little graves in our back yard. And one large one where my husband buried my horse. You enrich my life and my walk with truth from the Word of God, but you touch my heart with your love for your dogs.
Thank you for being real,
Tanya
Beth- I have a 14 year old dog named Sadi- and I dread the day… I wrote the article below for my blog- http://www.salesgravy.com/WomenInSales.php and I thought it applied here. I hope you enjoy…
One summers afternoon as I leisurely strolled the coast in search of sea shell treasures I saw a shimmer from the sand. I lifted a broken shell and washed it in the surf. I was strangely captivated by its beauty. Its splendor did not lie in its perfect shape or un-chipped surface, for this shell was far from flawless. It had been broken numerous times. Its surface bore cracks and exposed layers. The ridges it had at creation had been made smooth, from the constant tumbling of the unrelenting sea that had been its keeper. As I gently rolled it in my palm I could not help but wonder all the places this one shell had been. How many times had it rolled on the shore? How many times had a fierce storm buried it, so deep the weight of the sand threatened to crush it? How many times had it been un-covered slowly by the perfect in and out rhythm of the tides that still came even after the storm? As I gazed at the amazing hues of iridescent colors, I realized it was the shell’s journey through harsh elements that revealed the magic of its unique beauty. Of all the thousands of shells that decorated the shoreline, this one shell had been transformed from ordinarily perfect into extraordinarily unique and absolutely spectacular.
You too are wonderfully unique. In the storms of life, when you feel broken, unable, when the hill in front of you seems too high to climb remember God has set you on a pilgrimage. You are on a journey that will carve out the beauty in you that he alone knows dwells inside. Of all the billions of souls that decorate this earth, yours is being transformed from ordinarily normal into extraordinarily unique and absolutely spectacular. Live your one lifetime with joyful expectation of the unexpected and remember you are beautiful because you are you, the one and only.
How precious!!!!! Pets truly do become like family!!
Oh Beth, I feel for you. My 'puppy' Cindy is 15 now and she has a lot of health concerns. There have been a few times I thought she was gone, but she is still hanging in there and doing okay most of the time.
I have lived alone most of the 15 years I have had her, so she means the world to me. She is a very intelligent dog, with a great personality.
Everything that I go through in life, she experiences with me. She gets excited when I am. She licks my tears sometimes when I'm sad. Whenever I go into another room, she follows (except sometimes these days when she doesn't hear me – then she comes along when she wakes up ha ha).
I pray that God takes her when it is time so I don't have to.
I dread the day she leaves me, but for now, I cherish every day we get together.
So sorry that today is a bittersweet day for you. I haven't read the book or seen the movie, but I don't think I could watch it after losing my furbaby. Big Fat Hugs!
Cathy
Winston-Salem, NC
it is NOT trivial. And yes we do grieve with you.
love you gals so much!
oh and Keith. *grin*
We have granddogs around here this summer besides our own, and it's like having 3, sometimes 4 two-year olds in the house.
It certainly isn't trivial to mourn and remember–but "Marley and Me" might be a lot to ask of yourself.
Sending you hugs.
Annette
I don't have the courage to watch Marley & Me. My baby (see photo)looks an awful lot like "Marley" and I just can't do it…..
Love the pictures. What a fitting memorial to your two best four-legged friends! God is so tender-hearted to give us such as these, you know? So many lessons He has taught me from my friendship with my dog….things I just don't 'get' without that wonderful walking illustration at the end of that leash!
Will say a prayer for you today that God will give you an extra-sweet dose of His Comfort.
And happy birthday to you, Michelle.
From the woman who cries when she has to leave her puppy for a few days while on vacation – After reading your post, and bawling, I went to love a little extra on my Gracie Lou (not like she needs extra). Not sensing Mom's distress, she thought it was more play time, but mom wanted to cuddle. So Gracie got some "forced affection", which is mostly why she hates being an 8-lb Yorkie. Mom can just pick her up whenever and lug her around like a sack of 'taters! Thanks for the reminder to enjoy this puppy time with my baby.
I don't think I can watch that Marley and Me movie. I think I would be in bed for a week.
Beth,
can I just tell you how much that photo of you on the floor crying with Beanie BLESSES me?
it is so real and so sweet. Not that you ever aren't real, but you are always so …together. makeup, hair etc. that is it sometimes intimidating. but that photo of you on the carpet with your depressed baby dog is just so normal. It feels more than ever like we could be friends.
does that make any sense?
anyway, please know that we love you and your family. and that includes bubble bath-taking doggies.
hugs and prayers on this bittersweet day.
Deirdre
I just love you all. 🙂
Praying for the weekend and that you are rested and ready to pour out the message God has already poured into you!!
Blessings and hugs,
stephanie
I can't believe it was a year ago we mourned with you (yes, I really did cry!) over the loss of your babies.
Bless your hearts! We love you so.
Melana
Michelle, Happy Birthday!!
It was because of one of your stories in the Daniel videos that one morning after his quiet time, my husband walked in and said, "we need a dog." We adopted Jake from the shelter just a few weeks later.
Oh how if feel your pain! Don't do it!! Don't rent Marley and Me it hurts way too much!!!
We are such animal (dog) lovers so I know just how you feel. After seeing the movie I will say that I see my beloved babies in a new light.
Thanks for being open and honest with your feelings. That's what I love about ya!! God Bless!
What a tough anniversary. I am a puppy lover too! My daughter has a yorkie poo (Audrey Lucille after Audrey Hepburn and Lucille Ball) and we adore each other. When I am around she wants undivided attention with me and I love that! When I leave the room she cries! My children or husband don't do that, for cryin' out loud! 🙂 So, I completely understand your pain and will be praying for your family. Love the Moore family and pray for you often. Dana in Clarksville, TN
Thanks for the post. I love hearing about your dogs. We have 4. Only our little dog, Hope, gets to come inside. She is rather spoiled – although we like to call it well-loved. I enjoyed the picture of Beanie opening presents. Hope loves to open presents. She thinks anything gift-wrapped is for her.
Marian
Dear Beth…because I love love my dog and my cat AND YOU….I can feel your pain today….so I'm sending a cyber-hug your way and shooting a prayer to the Shepherd in hopes that your heart will feel better soon!
Love,
Cindy
(This is long and I will apologize in advance for that.)
Well Beth, I have waited almost one year to share this with you. Last summer we found out that our Keeshond and our cat both had diabetes at the same time. They were in very bad shape and the Vet suggested that we put them both to sleep. I cried and cried at the thought. I was outside in my backyard sitting in my hammock crying and talking with God. This was right before your live simulcast in August last year. I felt God lay on my heart that you were going to talk about loosing pets at your simulcast. Having facilitated several of your studies I knew you had two dogs. I thought to myself, surely she hasn't lost two animals like I am about to. Sure enough when you started talking about loosing your two beloved pets I was blown away. Isn't God amazing? It was the strangest afirmation that God is speaking through you and that He cares for our animals.
The day that Bear and Kitty were supposed to be put to sleep, I went over to pick them up to carry them home for a few hours. I just could not stand to think that Bear would not get to feel the grass in his yard (for 14 years)ever again. When I went to pick them up the Vet looked suprised and said they were doing better, so I said give me the special food and insulin and I took them home. Bear lasted happily more than 10 months. However, 2 weeks ago in the night he curled up on his favorite spot on the patio and passed on. Kitty is still kicking!
The rest of the story is that one week before Bear passed away I had a dream. I have written a poem about that dream from a childs perspective and I would like to share it with you today.
Ode to Bear
I am so very sad today
I’m afraid my doggy is going away.
He is so tired and sick and old,
It is time for him to go, I’m told.
I went to church to say a prayer.
Something happened while I was there.
A doggy just like mine came limping in,
And then he turned and walked out again.
I had to follow, I had to know
What would happen, where would he go?
You see he looked so sick, so tired, so old,
I had to follow, I had to know.
As I watched him walking down the street,
His head hung low, dragging his feet,
Up toward Heaven I turned my face,
And I asked God to show His Mercy and His Grace.
You won’t believe what I saw,
I stood in wonder, I stood in awe.
I could not help but stand and stare,
For, I looked right in to answered prayer.
Suddenly a happy little bird appears
flitting, flying above his ears.
And as if he knew just what to do
He grabbed onto the bird and up they flew.
As they flew into the air
You won’t believe who was waiting there.
The most beautiful sight you may ever know
An angel dressed in the colors of the rainbow.
I cannot describe how beautiful he shone.
He was more colorful, more brilliant than I’ve ever known.
I knew right then what was in store.
He would escort the doggie to heaven’s door.
I went home, running along.
I knew now I could be strong.
I hugged my doggie and told him not to be scared,
That I knew my God would answer my prayer.
There is an angel waiting high
as God’s creatures are lifted to the sky.
And God is waiting with so much more
right inside Heaven’s door.
Beth, my heart goes out to you today as Bears death is so fresh on my heart.
Love ya for all you do.
Judy
We had a cat of eleven years that went to kitty heaven recently and I watched "Marley and Me" last night. Let me say it was a VERY emotional night for me, like Annika says ugly-cry style… Precious movie but a Big Box of Tissue is necessary.
I am just now reading this and I know and understand how you feel. We all loved Beanie and Sunny and I looked forward to their stories.
Big hugs to the Moore/Jones/Fitzpatrick family.
A belated birthday to Michelle!!
Love,
Patty
I am just now reading this and I know and understand how you feel. We all loved Beanie and Sunny and I looked forward to their stories.
Big hugs to the Moore/Jones/Fitzpatrick family.
A belated birthday to Michelle!!
Love,
Patty
Please adopt a shelter dog/cat today and save a life! It will give you a lifetime of LOVE. These are God's creatures too. They all deserve a home filled with love.
I can't watch Marley and me b/c the dog in the movie is the spiiting image of my best bud, Sampson – that we lost a little over 2 yrs ago!
I'm sitting here with my furry "child" of 11 years at my feet just bawling my eyes out! I'm so thankful that God gives us pets to love and to love us back, but I so wish that they would last us a lifetime. You have some beautiful pics of your "babies" and wonderful memories to match. Thanks for giving all of us permission to grieve our fuzzy family members through your example. You're the best, Beth!
Oh, I know how it is to lose a baby dog. I can't even bring myself to watch Marley and Me. Thanks for being real. We all feel sort of silly being so upset about losing a pet, but they become part of the family. Hugs to you today! Rejoice in that dog's life that was lived well! Good memories!
I understand all too well. Nine years after losing my beloved best friend/black labrador Sophe, I still bawl at the thought of her loss. She was my very best friend and confidant, and passed away unexpectedly when she was only 5 years old. I still desperately miss her.
Hope you have LOTS of tissues ready when you watch Marley and Me. Its a tear-jerker, but its also funny.
Beth, Love you – I sill miss my sweet Dog Rusty (irish setter) and he has been gone about 19 years.
I'm sad for you too. I know God gave us dogs for our comfort and companionship, for laughter and love. Let's all hope our beloved pets will be with us again in Heaven!
Thank you for always being so open and transparent with us…even in the sad times! I love you, even if I have never met you. Your southern style reminds me of my childhood..and your honest love of Jesus and step up out of the pit gives me hope for the future of my budding Faith. Thank you for all you do, Beth! May every single Siesta on this site learn more and more today how great how deep how wide and how long is the Love of God for us in Christ Jesus!
Michelle
Olathe, KS
Dearest Beth
My heart goes at to you as I am going through the same process and know how hard it is to lose a beloved best friend. My little beagle CoCo died on Aug 1 of last year, it was a Friday and every Friday morning since that day I think of her. Nothing is trivial when you lose something so special!
Marley and Me….get ready as it tells a wonderful story between a dog and it's master and also the departing of two friends. God's in all of it!
Thanks for being so honest and for posting this. I know I'm not the only one that looks back on my "sad" day.
Praying for you!
Kim
Hey Beth,
Thinking about Hershey whom I had to put down August 8th. I cried like you must of cried and never realized how that would feel, you know worst than a human loss.
But, this year around February, March. A friend of mine's Dad and step-Mom had two tiny dogs, chiwawa (Noel) and a miniature dachshund (Elsa) that they were wanting to give away. These girl dogs had lost their owner in Jan and they had been together for 11 years. I was only going to take the dachshund but my friends owner suggested I take both of them. My heart just gave in to the fact these older women had been together for 11 years and I knew it would be painful for them to be separated, so I took them both! I've never had girl dogs and they bark even bigger than my Hershey. Cute and easy to manage. The chiwawa (Noel) barks at anyone that walks by her when I walk them both, so funny! And jealous but not real bad. If Noel sits in my lap sure enough here comes Elsa who wants in the picture too. Then Noel will just scoot away. She must be the ring leader and walks like she is the ring leader! She seems less needy.
I think girls dogs bark more and command more than boy dogs. Someone in my apartment told me that girl dogs are the protectors. Interesting and funny!
It's been a great blessing to have two little companions. I just hope I can keep them in these times. May God grant me the needed funds.
Love, Allison
P.S Two weeks w/o the drink!