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.
God bless you. Beanie and Sunny were a big part of your family. You will like "Marley and Me." Have the kleenex handy.
Happy Birthday, Michelle!
Blessings,
Mary Ann, Woodbury, MN
The movie was a gut wrencher! My daughters boyfriends was here watching with us & I was trying to keep myself composed but finelly gave way to the tears and grabbed the tissues. I knew that Marley would probably die at the end. I don't know why but I could feel it coming. Anyone who has ever had a dog can so relate. Even if you didn't Your heart aches.
But all the way up to the end it was hilarious! Just the last little bit was a tear jerker.
Beth, my thoughts and prayers are with your family this day! Rejoice that you will see her again!!
Blessins!
Oh, Beth, we just lost our 16 year old Opie. We are still so sad, especially my husband. He was his first dog. We miss him terribly and can't bare to watch Marley and Me. Let us know how it goes. Dogs have such a special place in our hearts; they are such good friends.
A GIANT (((Siesta Hug)))
I embrace you with the love and warmth of Jesus.
I too am an avid dog lover. I lost 2 of my beloved 4 legged family members one in 2007 to cancer and 1 in 2008 after they had been my "children" for almost 20 years. That is a long time to love "mans best friend". Those precious animals have seen me through more trials, joys & life than any other whether 4 legs or 2 legs.
After grieving the loss I adopted another dog. I have a Mini-Pin who is a complete joy. I thought I could never love another dog because it is just too painful when they die. Boy was I wrong. I love my new dog in a profound way and that doesn't negate the deep love I had for my other dogs.
God is so amazing, gracious and loving. He works through my dogs to teach me biblical truths, relational truths & the capacity to love beyond imagination.
Blessings
Happy Birthday to Michelle, newest LPM home girl-home princess:) I didn't realize that it had been a year already…it went by fast…I don't know what it's like to lose a pet that I loved, but I feel for you just the same, Spiritual Mom Beth and Moore family. I hope the movie actually lifted your spirits:) All of us here are very blessed by this blog too! No kiddin:)
Love in HIM, ((HUGS)), Blessings,
katiegfromtennessee
Beth, I am sending this not only to you, but to all who love their dogs as much as you loved yours. It is long, so you may not want to publish it. It is part of an inspirational piece ("God's Favorite Pet") I wrote that is in my first book, which Tate Publishing is producing and will release late this year or early next year. I will send you a copy of the book, but want you to have this excerpt now.
Blessings,
Dee Dee Wike
From Living the Dream: Lessons from the Journey
There is no doubt in my mind that dogs are God's favorite pets. Think about it. What other animal, or person for that matter, can claim that its name is spelled g-o-d backwards? Notice the little “g”—- no dog (or cat or person) can take the place of God in our lives, but isn't it ironic that dogs exhibit some of God's characteristics in ways that no other animals do?
For starters, dogs are loyal. The name Fido means “I am faithful.” All throughout Scripture we are told of God's faithfulness, even when we are not faithful to him. “If we are faithless, He will remain faithful, for He cannot disown Himself” (2 Timothy 2:13). “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness” (Lamentations 3:22-23). If you have ever looked into the soulful eyes of a dog, you see that compassion.
Dogs also demonstrate a seemingly unconditional love and affection for their owners, which mirrors the love God has for His children. Dogs are swift to forgive us when we have wronged and neglected them. No matter how badly we treat them at times, they are always eager to love us and to receive our love in return.
I don't know about you, but when I am at my lowest point and no one seems to understand the pain I am going through, my dog has an amazing ability to comfort me, almost as if she fully understands the feelings I cannot even express. How like God is that? Even when we can't define or fully understand the depth of our sorrow or frustration, God can. He listens and He comforts us like no one else.
Oh my, brings back memories when we put our beloved "Lester" down 2 years ago – and those memories are just as fresh as if it had been yesterday. I am having the ugly cry today just remembering. While he was "going to sleep" and I was holding him in the vets office, my husband had the ugly cry and I think about scared every other client in there to death!
I'm glad you posted that today is sad. I will just pray a precious blessing on you all and that you have sweet memories today. You are loved!!!!
snowwhite
I am a sucker for a pointer dog and Beanie looked just like Patches,the one I grew up with. Since then we have had Ginny, and now we have a pointer mix, Ginger, who is the sweetest girl. Our pit bull has turned into a wuss over her and they are a riot together. I cried when your dogs died last year. Be oh so prepared to cry over Marley. Love you!
I can completely relate and am praying for only happy memories for you today. We had to say goodbye to our black lab, Moses, less than two months ago, and I remember him often with tears of joy and sadness.
We can sure relate to your story. My brother's 12 year old Chocolate Lab died yesterday. He would get very upset during a thunderstorm so we're not sure if that was the cause of death. He was found curled up in his dog house. I am sure next year at this time we will remember "Jake" with fond memories as you have remembered Sunny and Beanie. Blessings!
This makes me miss my dog that pass away
I can so relate.
One of my beautiful Golden Retrievers (named Esther by the Jewish family into which she was born), dropped dead at the groomers in 2007. It was horrible and unexpected.
They do go so fast sometimes.
And last year a cat died from cancer within a couple days.
So, you touched a spot in my heart with this Moore family.
I agree–it IS important to remember and grieve…and I don't think grief over dogs is trivial. I lost my "boy" over 8 years ago and it was one of the worst days of my life. God taught me unconditional love through 4 paws, a big tongue and wonderful, forgiving, brown eyes. I better stop before I cry and get tears on my laptop!!!
I have heard the many stories of Beanie through your studies and conferences. My tears returned today when you shared with us, gosh time goes by fast!
Glad you have Star and Gelie and we need an updated pic of them!!!
We have 3 of our own and love them madly!
We were very close to losing our "Baby Girl" of 18 years when I took my children to see Marley and Me. Well…..just get ready. Have tissues in hand because any dog lover can't make it through this one without them. At the end I kept tell my children, "I did not expect this, how could they make this movie, I'm leaving now (when the really sad parts came)" I did not leave and saw it to the end but boy did I have a hard time afterward. I did move on, as it should be.
I'm still sad too….fortunately I've been around long enough to remember Beanie's antics and all of the biblical illustrations she provided. =) I know Sunni was your shadow as my "Astro" is mine. I was stunned when they passed away at nearly the same time. It is trivial but it's not….love is love; pain is pain. Thanks for keeping it real sweet sister.
Jackie Tabor
Lake Charles, LA
I remember hearing about Beanie in the Bible studies. Those stories always made me laugh so hard.
So sorry about your loss. Blessings.
Jodi
Paradise, CA
I have been so dog-gone (no pun intended) sentimental lately and this just does it for me. When you watch the movie, all you can think about are the animals you've lost or could lose, i.e., beagles outside and mutts inside. I could have sobbed loudly and wailed but because I chose to hold it in, it hurt all the more. Share your pain with us. Let us mourn with you. That's what makes the Body the Body!
Dear Beth and dear LPM ladies,
I am utterly overwhelmed by God's grace and love to me, and so thankful to you for being a conduit of it! (I would share this on the last post if comments were open there!)
I hadn't planned on attending the Pittsburgh event, not feeling free to spend the time, the energy, and money to go. (You see,there's been this large and very lengthy perfect storm raging…) When I opened the LPM blog on Thursday for the first time in a couple of weeks, seeing "Pittsburgh" front and center was a surprise, and the post somehow just felt like a personal invitation. Was it ever. I attended tonight and discovered the topic… (Just how did I imagine that I could get away with wearing NON-waterproof mascara tonight? I'm a puddle.)
Our storm has been every bit as big as the one in the video, Beth. I am very aware that there has been a war raging in the heavenlies over us, but my discernment doesn't go much beyond that as we've been tossed and beaten down by waves until we're simply exhausted with trying to just hold on and find North. We haven't seen the sun or stars for a long time. Tonight they are shining in the midst of the storm!I feel so utterly loved and seen, that God so graciously and tangibly reached out to me in this way. Thank you, thank you for heeding God's voice and issuing His loving invitation and provision.
in Jesus' gracious name,
Marian
p.s- That tittering about not seeing the sun for days? Pittsburgh is officially one of the cloudiest cities in America! We're glad you're here. =)
I remember Sunny and Beanie well. I've loved hearing lots of stories and seeing lots of pictures of them..esp Beanie over the years. I had to take my parents' 13-year old cocker spaniel (sweetest dog ever!) to the vet the same day my mom was having a heart catheterization, just a few weeks ago. She was soooo sick and it killed me to see her suffering. She died that night at the vet's office and I hate that one of us wasn't with her. Glad she's no longer suffering, though. I'm madly in love with my Yorkie, Brinkley!! He's my little man and has brought SO much joy to me! Dogs are a truly a blessing from God! 🙂
Beth,
You are such a treasure – worth far above rubies – to so many women!
Thank you so much for sharing and being so real!
I have 2 beloved yellow labs (ages 9 & almost 10) and read the book as well but have yet to see the movie. I cried hard enough just reading the book for crying out loud!
I can totally relate; my dogs are so spoiled, so loved, so loyal and so precious! I often think they are a wonderful picture of what unconditionaly love truly is: no matter what kind of day I had, what kind of trouble they got in, how I look etc. they still love me. I shudder to think of the day I know will somehow come when they pass.
Dogs are truly the best friend to humanity!
God's blessings to you always!
Oh Beth, how do you always make me cry? Oh Beanie looked so beautiful – so "humanlike" in her expressions! Yes, guilt-tripping, and sad and needy with those eyes and serious expression. Too sweet! I can only imagine how ya'll feel, I got so teary eyed just looking at her pictures.
Praying for you and Keith as you grieve and celebrate Beanie's life.
my mom happened to bring it over tonight and we watched it! sad, but good one!
Please Mama B…stop referring to the loss of your blessed friends as trivial. No more apologizing for your grief please.
I've sat by my baby's hospital crib praying all night that he'd survive heart surgery (thank you Jesus he did) and I've wept with parents who weren't as fortunate. And I thought I would die (not exagerating) when my beloved pooch Samson died a sudden a horrific death. Grief is grief. In all it's drowning forms. If someone judges our grief over our pets than they clearly have missed out on knowing one of the most pure, wonderful, unconditional loves that this temporal world offers. You grieve much because you loved much. Nothing trivial about love. I love you.
God blesses our lives in many ways and the gift of our pets is a great blessing. They are apart of the family. Thank you for sharing your heart. In Jesus' Love Kathy Knoblock
I think I just cried harder at this post than I did at Marley & Me. We had to put our 14 yr. old dog down about 2 years ago. After reading the book, like you, I just could do the movie at the time it came out. We finally watched it a couple of weeks ago, only after having a new puppy in our lives for a while.
I totally get the human antics you are speaking of. This new puppy of ours truly believes he is human. It cracks me up to wake in the morning with him beside me under the covers and head laying on the pillow. He goes with us everywhere possible. We do not even want to take a vacation if we cannot take him along. Even my husband, who did not want another dog, is smitten with him. I know that, just as you felt with Beanie, any amount of time that we have with this one will seem too short. He is just special that way.
Much love to you! Take your time healing. No cynic here, just love that you are real about it.
Oh Beth…today, this very moment I cry tears of heartache as our Abbeygirl is being "put down" as I write. I could not go, my darling hubby is doing the tremendously difficult task. But not without my sitting on the porch holding Abbeygirls face in my hands and telling her how deeply I loved her, and how thankful I was to her for her giving us such precious and perfect years. Oh Beth it's SO hard and my heart is ripped in two. God gave Abbey to us 11 years ago, she is a Doberman, she was a rescue…and SHE RESCUED "US". Our home will never be the same, nor will our lives, yet God is good and we will be needing to keep Abbeygirls 'big brother' company, as he too will miss her so. Abbeygirl has an autoimmune disease and now there is no help for her, we cannot watch her suffer ~ those beautiful eyes are hurting so! Ab loved her mama so much, she would have died for me, and NEVER left my side. How blessed we are, have been and I know will continue to be as Abbeygirl is remembered in years to come. This last look into her youthful eyees was the hardest I've had to embrace. May the Lord know my heart is His, but the moment is hers. Godspeed, Susan
Awww….I remember this tragic time last year. I cried right along with you and your precious family. Pray you had a "good" cry. 🙂 Hugs!
Love you!
My heart truly goes out to you as you grieve and honor your beloved family members. You loved them well and they always knew it. God bless your heart. My 2 puppies have been away at training for just two weeks and I'm already a mess. I'm praying for you and your family.
We watch the movie a few weeks ago. I laughed so much at the beginning that I cried and then I cried so much at the end. But I must say as of today I know exactly how you feel and would not have given any thought of the movie again until now. Last Saturday I lost our long time family member Ben. He was a tiny toy poodle that we had in our family for 15 years. He went with me through so much during that time. From my divorce in the beginning to both of my sons moving out. Now it is just me and Cotton. For the first few days I could not help but cry and just the other day Cotton, my other dog, finally stopped crying. Enjoy the movie, Star and Geli.
Becky
Attalla, AL
I think I may have mentioned it before…I can't remember.
I had a beloved dog who died on December 10, 1985. Broke my heart into a milliuon little pieces.
On December 10, 2005 I lost my 20 year old cat.
When I signed up with Compassion International to sponsor a child from India, I prayed that God wouldn't let me forget his or her birthday ( this was when I was waiting to see who the child was, as I opted for them to choose for me ).
Low and behold, the child's birthday is December 10th.
Now there is no way I will forget 🙂
Yes, that movie had me doing the ugly cry at the end… I'm sure by now you've watched it, so I can just say, if they hadn't done the home videos simultaneously with dad at the vet with Marley, I might have made it with just a tear or two.
But no.
They got me good.
So so sorry for the missing them you face now, and so happy for all your wonderful memories with them! it's a blessing to share all aspects of life with you… you're so good at keeping it real.
I've been doing the same thing every May 20th, when I remember losing my 'firstborn' Cindy (our 12 yr old golden retriever). She's still my desktop background on my computer.
love you all!
I just read this post yesterday and then today, sadly my dog of 5 and a half years died. Very sad and tragic, I left him in the car on a hot summer day for 5 hours- a crazy situation that I am working on not blaming myself for. I feel horrible and it hurts my whole family that our puppers is gone. While I know God is in control and His ways are better than my ways it still hurts that my dog is gone.
Girl… Don't get me started on losing my "Puffy". She was a Golden Retriever mix that I lost around the same time you lost your babies. It still hurts. It's crazy how these dogs just etch their way into your lives like this.
Thinking about you today,
Groovewoman
Think I am gonna cry…my dog was snuggling in the chair with me now and just had to give him a hug. Our dogs become like one of our kids-we treat them as such and would not have it any other way. Thanks for sharing even the non-trival things…thanks for sharing your life.
Blessings,
Jennifer
I cannot even believe that it has been a year. Oh my gosh!!! So much has happened hasn't it? I got a job in March, a good one that I'm very happy about. I feel like God is placing me right where I need to be, but I miss getting on the blog and visiting with all by BFF's! I sure hope you enjoyed the movie. Have you ever seen "My Dog Skip"? That one will get you too! I love you all so much!
Judy
I am going to type right through my tears. I was invited to a church near me but procrastinated until God sent a 2nd friend from that church to invite me to a Beth Moore Bible class…Beth Moore?? I told her I have tried different churches, different Bible classes but no one goes from beginning to end so I just get all these "little bits" of info all mixed up and don't get anything out of it. Well, she says Beth Moore's study on "the tabernacle" (A Woman's Heart) does just that! AND she continues to advise that a few ladies and herself finished the series but are doing it AGAIN because it was so powerful and too rich to get it all with just one viewing. And guess what, in the evening this time (which means I can go to after work). Secretly, I'm thinking o.k. God I get it. So last Tuesday night was my first visit to that church and the first DVD WOW WOW, I thought where has this been for 57 years??? They warned me the homework was HUGE but so so so worth it. I have begun and just sat down to finish so it's done plenty before this Tuesday and thought, I'll check her website because I spent the day with my best friend yesterday (a wonderful Christian that attends a church in another town) and told her about it all (she didn't know Beth Moore either) and that she needs to get it at her church asap and when I got home I ordered the workbook for her and will take it to her as soon as I get it. So, I go to your blog and see the anniversary of your sweet baby – I just let my Romeo (5 yr. old Maltese) go Feb. 22 and my Dad passed March 27. It all feels like yesterday so I can TOTALLY relate and although I still have "Juliet" I have wondered will I EVER feel joy again. I really can't remember even before these recent losses feeling as joyful as you were in the DVD. I want to be happy and alive with excitement and joy but I just don't know how it happens? It's been a LONG time. I look ahead and think so what now? there will be more losses… is that all there is? I'm praying that since God practically came down here and tapped me on the shoulder to get me to this group, that the pieces of me will begin to come together soon. Thanks for what you do!
I don't think there is anything trivial about losing a beloved member of our families…even if they are of the 4-legged variety. When my beloved bassett hound died and I took it so gut wrenchingly hard and was feeling guilty about it, a sweet friend told me, "God loved that dog as much as you did; after all, He created her." That settled it in my soul right then and there…MY God is so awesome, of course He understands my pain and even cries with me. Don't ever apologize for loving someone or something enough to mourn the loss.
I read Dallas Willard once when he said our love for animals is a flashback to the communion we shared with them before The Fall. It's not trivial – I think it is a glimpse of Eden.
I love your pictures of your furry children. It's a shame they don't live as long as we'd like!!! Thank you for sharing them with us.
Some how I am going to have to get a picture to you that you are not going to believe. My son's dog ( that he is fixing to let stay with me until he finishes college!) is a German Short Hair Pointer. He looks like a twin to Beanie. Then I have a 9 year old dog, part Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and some Cocker in her—and she looks like Sunny! I am new to your blog and when I clicked on the picture of you with both your babies, I was blown away. I have really become attached to the Pointer and am happy that he is coming to stay with me. The funny thing is that my own dog, the Spaniel mix, is my daughter's dog she saved from a rescue mission. She had a baby and asked me if we could just "dog sit" for a little while. Well, it has been almost 8 years and we are still taking care of her! Haha! I know you have many wonderful memories. It takes an animal/dog lover to truly understand the grief we go through when they are no longer with us. Hugs to you. Hope to get the picture to you soon.
My heart was already overwhelmed with sadness this morning … not sure exactly why and after reading this I just got in the floor with my 4 pups and let the tears flow.
I'm not sure why I read this today. God must be up to something. I'm so sorry for your loss.
Hugs
Robin
All Things Heart and Home
We "celebrate" those kinds of anniversaries also. 2008 was not a good year in our family either. We lost 2 horses within 4 weeks of each other.
The first one was our 28 year old Quarter horse Fancy. He was my daughter's first horse and her greatest equine love. She learned everything she ever needed to know about horse riding and plenty about life from him. He was kind, quiet, forgiving and he adored her. But he was aged and his passing, albeit not the timing we wanted, was not unexpected. After he left us, we found a 2 year old filly with a sweet face and an even sweeter disposition. She was eager to please and we so looked forward to working with her. We went out to the pasture one morning to find her hobbling on 3 legs and then watched her go down. She never got back up again. When the vet came out to euthanize her, he cried and we cried.
This happened last April/May and it still hurts and I am crying as I type this.
Thanks for letting me blab, Beth. I know you understand.
Deb Wiest
Cathay, ND
Nothing trivial about missing your baby dogs! I know how that feels, and it's not fun. Praying for sweet memories to fill your days.
Joy in Mansfield, TX
Beth, I read this post on Saturday and then on Sunday, my mom's constant companion of the last 12 years disappeared from my sister's backyard. We have spent the last two days searching for Abby, but God had another plan. I have been in constant prayer that we would just find her – the not knowing was killing us all. Today our prayers were answered, a neighbor found Abby in the high grasses behind their house – a snake had gotten her. It is not the way we wanted to find her, but God is faithful and answered our prayer, now we know that she will rest in peace and so will we. Thank you for your beautiful story about your dogs, I have loved laughing at the many stories you have told about them! As you said in the title of this blog, it is a sad and happy day. God bless the creatures of the earth who make our lives so happy.
Beth, I think it's soooo OK to grieve your beloved dogs. Our animal friends offer us love, acceptance, and joy, and they expect nothing in return. If only more people could be like that! There is nothing trivial about your grief for Beanie and Sunny, not at all. God made both of them, and He smiled at your delight in His wonderful creation of them. Blessings to you and yours!
Renae
Beth,
Thank you for your post. I hope it's as much a blessing to you to post about the fur-babies as it is for me to read. I thoroughly researched breeds when I selected my precious puppy and only “child”. She passed at 12 y.o. of cancer last fall amidst our Tuesday night Houston FBC Bible study – and I related to your memories shared then of Beanie and Sunny. I continue to thank God for allowing Celtie to be my constant, loving companion and for wonderful TAMU vet docs who were instrumental (teamed with God) in keeping her going and pain free for the last couple of years – until her last day, she never knew she was sick. I've never slept in the same bed with anyone for 12 years – besides her! Celtie's name comes from "Celtic" since she is Cardigan Welsh Corgi. As a show dog, she also has her AKC registered name: MacWallace Celtic TxTxYeeHaw. I used one of my favorite photos of Celtie and me for the map guestbook in the summer Bible study intro post. Still need more time to pass before I can even attempt to watch "Marley & Me".
~Lynnette in Houston
I'm so behind on my favorite blog! We've been in Mexico on a mission trip and then catching up with life…
A year ago, reading about your love for Sunny, I finally gave in to the pleading of my husband and daughters and we got a puppy. A year later, there are times I'm still near tears because that puppy makes me insane. So reading this post made me hope -again- that one day I'll fall madly in love with Cheddar. More than that, though, the picture of Beanie at Christmas with a coffee mug ON THE FLOOR gave me hope that one day life will get easier. On the floor? Seriously? It will, right? Right?