Fourteen years ago, Anne and I went to Pasadena Humane Society to see some of the construction our fundraising supported. While we were there, we chatted with Kevin, who was our adoption coordinator for our dog, Seamus.
Seamus had been part of our pack for about a year, and we were talking with Kevin about how much we loved him, what an incredible dog he was, and how happy and grateful we were to have met and adopted him.
I remember saying, “I don’t think I will ever have another dog who isn’t a pittie. He is so sweet, and affectionate, and so gentle, and …” I stopped because I saw a volunteer walking a puppy toward us. She was tiny and underweight, but she had the biggest smile. I knelt down to meet her, and she did a somersault into my lap, wagging her tail so fast I couldn’t see it.
“Well, they are just like this!” I concluded. Then I loved on that puppy until Anne gently told me it was time to let her walk into the shelter.
I was completely in love with her, that fast. She reached into my heart and never left. The next day, it was Anne’s birthday. We went down to the beach for a long walk, as is tradition. We were approaching the Manhattan Beach pier when I said, “I just need to confirm with you that we are not adding another dog to our pack, because I can’t stop thinking about that puppy.”
Anne told me that she didn’t pet her, because she knew that she’d fall in love, too, if she did. I don’t recall what we said to each other, but Anne called PHS and asked them to put us on a waiting list to adopt her.
A few days later, Marlowe came home with us, and she was my baby girl for over a decade. Even when she was an old lady, she was my little girl.
Just over a month ago, we found out Marlowe had lymphoma. It was so aggressive, it moved so quickly, we couldn’t stop it. We did everything we could for her, but we had to say goodbye to her last month.
I miss her so much, my heart hurts. It’s been a month, and I still look for her everywhere in the house. I’ll be okay, and then something will remind me of her and I am sobbing in a heap on the floor.
This is the first time in my life I have experienced this kind of grief, this kind of loss. When we lost Seamus, at least Marlowe was here for both of us while we grieved (and we were here for her, when she grieved). Now there’s just a big empty house and my broken heart.
I will miss her forever, my sweet little girl.
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We lost our Jake in 1998 and I still think of him and miss him. It can still, at times, be a deeply personal, gut-wrenching pain.
It can help to write about our beloved furry (or feathered or scaly, etc.) friends. Give them the spotlight. Make them the legendary hero or just the active listener or both or something in between.
Remember their love, their comfort, their forgiveness, and their silliness.
When we say, “Let their memory be for a blessing,”, I believe this is what we mean. For sure, this is what I mean.
Let their memory into your heart, into its deepest recesses. For that is where it belongs. <3
A beautiful tribute to Marlowe, who I have, like probably everyone here, watched age gracefully online over the years. Thank you for sharing her story. RIP pretty pup. Hugs for you and Anne.
I am so sorry for your loss. Thank you for sharing Marlowe with all of us. She brought many smiles to my face, and I am sure she did the same for thousands of others.
Grief is oh so painful but it is also a reminder that we loved someone deeply. So bittersweet.
I’m so sorry, my Friend. I lost my sweet Penelope about two years ago. I’ve cried every day. You never know how much a pet becomes part of your very soul, and changes your life for the better. It’s okay to cry. But never forget … YOU made her life journey a joy for her. Never forget that.
When we lose a pet I have to remind my wife, and myself, that the grief we feel can never outweigh the love we feel over their lifetime with us.
I’m sorry to learn of Marlowe’s passing.
There’s no doubt that there was a lot of love between all of you. The pain will subside but the memories will linger on.
I’m so sorry. She’s a beautiful baby girl, and the love between you is obvious. Sending hugs to you and Anne.
I am so very sorry that your precious friend is gone. Grief is so difficult to go through and each day can bring a smile over a memory or gutting tears over another. The process is so very painful. I hope that you find more smiles over the memories as time passes.
I know what you are going through, we had 3 cats and lost all of them within a 3 year period. My prayers are with you.
Just heard that my 12 yr old cat has 2-3 weeks to live. Brought him in for a dental procedure. I have to tell my daughter and she’s going to cry. I have to figure out when to take him to the vet for the last time. I hate this so much and he’s not even gone yet.
I’m sorry for your loss. Thank you for sharing, and allowing others to share. The loving community you create of people supporting one another is a special thing. It is founded upon your openness, vulnerability, and humanity. Thank you.
I’m so sorry … we lost Jake and Abbey, our two Pitties that lived together with us for almost fourteen years within two weeks of each other. It was heartbreaking and took a very long time for my wife and I to overcome the grief that comes with losing a pet. We then had to say goodbye to Charlie, our Boston Terrier last July, and just this past weekend, our 15 year old Chi past away. In between this, we adopted Heidi, a Boston Terrier, she’s brought the Joy back to our house. You need to give it time, it get’s better but it’s a slow process.
To help remember them, we bought two digital photo frames so we can relive the good times shared with all our dogs, it keeps the light shining and seeing the memories brings a smile to my face now, rather than remembering the loss.
My sincere condolences to you and Ann on the loss of sweet Marlowe. Having lost incredible pets myself I know how painful it is. Her memory will always be with you.
I Loved You Best
by Jim Willis
So this is where we part, My Friend,
and you’ll run on, around the bend,
gone from sight, but not from mind,
new pleasures there you’ll surely find.
I will go on, I’ll find the strength,
life measures quality, not its length.
One long embrace before you leave,
share one last look, before I grieve.
There are others, that much is true,
but they be they, and they aren’t you.
And I, fair, impartial, or so I thought,
will remember well all you’ve taught.
Your place I’ll hold, you will be missed,
the fur I stroked, the nose I kissed.
And as you journey to your final rest,
take with you this…I loved you best.
Dear Will,
My deepest sympathy for the loss of your dog. I have two dogs and they mean the world to me. You are a remarkable person and I can tell you care so much about helping other people. Being fearless as you are about sharing experiences and feelings takes a special kind of courage. Sending love and hugs!
A lovely tribute for a wonderful pup. Whenever I have to say goodbye to a pet, I wonder how my heart can still beat when it is so broken. Still, to me, the grief is worth it for the years of joy and love my pet brought into my life. Holding you and Anne in my heart. ♥️♥️
Oh, Wil. I’m so sorry for your loss.
I’m so sorry Wil. She was the best girl.
Crying as I read. I’m so glad you found her and gave her such a wonderful life. Sending you so much love. Gonna miss seeing her face on Monday 🙁
I’m am so,so sorry for your loss💕🐾 We loss our sweet pittie mix Buddy Capone 5 years ago to lymphoma and it was devastating. His was my soulmate and to this day I mourn and celebrate him to fostering and advocating for bullies. Take comfort in knowing you gave Marlowe a life of joy and love. Sending good mojo mojo your way.
I’m so very sorry for your loss. She was a beautiful girl and very very loved
I am so sorry for your loss, I have loved seeing her dear little face on your posts. She was so precious, thank you for sharing her with us. Tears being shed here so can only imagine your pain, hugs to you and Anne xxx
We’ve had 6 dogs over the years, and for awhile we had 3 at once. We only have 1 now, a Golden Retriever named Sam. They’ve all been amazing, but every time we have to say goodbye to one of them, it rips my emotions to shreds.
5 years ago I had to say goodbye to my Sheltie, Annabelle. She was the sweetest dog in the world, and it about killed me. Sam hasn’t been the same, even after all these years. He misses her too.
Believe me when I say, I know what you’re going through. It’s one of the most awful parts of owning a pet, and I wish they would just live as long as we do. Sam is almost 10, and I know the time is closer than I want to admit.
I’m sorry, Wil. Our thoughts are with you.
I’m very sorry.
My condolences for your loss.
Dammit. Now I’m weepy for Marlowe, plus Seamus.
Ten years ago I lost my soulmate dog, Joe, the only dog I’ve had that wasn’t a rescue. I got him as a pup and he lived to 12, which is old for his breed. I vowed to never get another dog because my heart couldn’t take it. Now I’m on my third rescue dog since Joe. Heartbreak is in my future once again, but meanwhile, there is so much love.
My heart goes out to you and Ann. Marlowe was a good dog and Marlowe Mondays was always a bright spot in my week. May her memory be a blessing.
My heart hurts for you and Anne. I am so sorry for your loss.
I’m so sorry to hear about the amazing Marlowe. I lost my horse, my best friend all through elementary school, high school, and a year of college, 33 years ago yesterday. I still miss him, especially on breezy spring days. They leave a gap in our lives when they go, and I don’t think that gap ever fully goes away.
My heart breaks for you and Anne.
I’m so very sorry. What a sweet face and a great life she had.
You and Anne gave Marlowe a wonderful home and the best life that she could have wished for. Just looking at pictures of her, it’s clear that you made her as happy as she made you for so many years. A part of her will always be with you. Even though it hurts right now, I hope that her memory will bring you comfort again in the future.
Our hearts are with you and Anne, Wil. Every one of our furry and feathered friends that lived with us in this world have left holes in our hearts when they left us. So much so, that we refused to rescue any more for a long, long time. We just couldn’t go through it again. Then I left my husband alone and he let a battered and bruised little old girl into his life. Now she is part of us and we’ll have to go through it again; but the love she gives while she’s here may just be worth the pain. So sorry about Marlowe.
I’m sorry to hear that. :–(
Eventually you’ll be happy to remember the time you spent with Marlowe, more than being sad.
Today is the first anniversary of losing our sweet pittie so I feel ya there. It is so amazing how they can steal our hearts so fast. We had almost 13 years with our baby.
Sending gentle hugs to you, Anne, and Watson. Losing part of your family is hard, and be gentle with yourself as you grieve <3.