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.
I’m absolutely sobbing over this beautiful and true poem. Did you write it?
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.
Having gone thru this more than once myself, I truly grieve with thee.
I am so sorry for your loss. 💔 Furry family members forever leave their pawprints 🐾 on our hearts. Thank you for sharing this good girl with us. 💕
My condolences for your loss.
Hi Wil,
I could really feel how much this has been affecting you and Anne when we were in Seattle and Portlandia. Still, when you stepped on stage, you were the consummate professional—showing up fully for that amazing event with Corey, Dan, and Jerry. That said a lot.
I know how deep the bond is with our dogs. Over the years, I’ve had a few myself, and losing them never gets easy. They leave a real space behind.
The only thing I’ve found that helps, in time, is opening your heart again to another dog—not as a replacement, but as a new companion. It doesn’t take away the love you had… it just gives that love somewhere to go again.
Thinking of you and your Family
Warmest Regards
Your
Sky
The world is so much better off that Marlowe was here as a dog! Sending much love your way, take care!
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.
💔 Mondays will never be the same. Big hugs to you and Anne.
Losing our cat Stella to lung cancer was one of the hardest experiences of my life. In retrospect now, I see it as my own personal kobayashi maru – there was no good way to proceed, but we did the right thing and let her go.
This also unburied some trauma I felt from not being able to say goodbye to my childhood dog. I’ve been unemployed now for over a year, and I started volunteering with an LA based rescue (Real Good Rescue) that takes in dogs that are older or sick or in imminent danger of euthanasia.
I’ve been grant writing for them (as comic and animation writing rarely pays the bills), and it’s been interesting and rewarding on its own. This year I’ve also volunteered at two of their events and I’ve gotten to be in charge of a dog for the duration of each event. It’s been really healing and lovely to just be around them.
It takes time and I know you’ll find your way through, but it sucks.
I’m so, so sorry Wil. 💔 She was such a beautiful girl.
I’m so sorry for your loss. I know your pain.
I’m so sorry for your loss, Wil. As someone who has six dogs right now and fosters for our local SPCA, I really understand how you feel. I lost my little boy, Thor, just before the New Year. He was a sweet blonde chihuahua and lived to be 17. We’ve had him since he was a puppy. I like to think that he, along with his sisters Diamond and Raven, and even his old rival Mister Kitty, are all waiting for us beyond the Rainbow Bridge.
Marlowe got to live her best life with you. She knew LOVE with her people and that means Everything.
Her paw prints will always be on your heart.
She was so loved and happy. You made a difference in her life and it was huge. She will visit and comfort you in your dreams. The grief reflects how much you loved her. Your heart dog will always hold a special place, and she would lick the tears off your face and have you remember the good times. Big hugs!
Hugs to you both. It’s been almost a year since we lost Fiona to acute kidney disease. I still some times see her out of the corner of my eye and will still call one of our other two dogs by her name by mistake.
So sorry for your loss. We recently transitioned from two old ladies to three youngsters though they’re coming along and I’m already anticipating how much the loss of any of these suckers is going to devastate me. We’ve seen dogs and cats and other animals come and go but you never get used to the loss. We just try to remember all the good times and find new friends to spoil as much as we can.
So very sorry. These special beings leave such a hole. I lost my rescue Gomez on the 14th to cancer. My second boy, Lorax, is also a rescue and is the best cuddler. He knows what I’m feeling. My love to you and Anne.
I am so very sorry Wil. Marlowe truly was Such A Good Girl, and losing soul dogs can be such a hard blow (i lost my Tally four years ago and it still hurts so).
Thank you for giving her and Seamus the best life ever. Thank you for loving so completely. She was so blessed to be your sweetheart. Thank you for sharing her with us and letting us love her too. I hope you find ease of knowing she had been so adored and cherished by so many.
Oh, Wil. As a fellow animal lover, I am so very sorry for your loss.
My heart breaks for you but I also know how much love you provided and gave her the best home
So sorry Wil, hugs to you and Anne. 😢
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.
So very sorry for your loss. But I am so glad you enjoyed such a very special bond with Marlowe. I know you will never forget her, as I will never forget our sweet Angelita. Once again though, we have the best girl, Jade, a pitty/husky mix and I love her just as much. I feel lucky that we have had the dogs that we needed at the time we needed them. I hope that for you too.
I lost two to lymphoma – I am so sorry. You will be on my heart.
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 aches for you and your family, Mr. Wheaton. Dogs are a precious gift. Keeping you in my thoughts.
Oh no! She enjoyed a long life of comfort and love with you and Anne. I guess this is why we always have two dogs, so we can hug the remaining one when one passes. When the time is right, I know you will adopt again, perhaps a bonded pair or even senior dogs that usually are passed over in shelters. Truly sorry for the loss of your beloved Marlowe.
Oh! I am so sorry! Marlowe was so loved.
I still cry over my Toby who passed in 2021. No one will ever replace him.
My deepest sympathies to you and Anne. It is hard and Marlowe will stay with you forever. I lost my 18 year old cat 5 years ago and my 15 year old cat in November. It’s the first time in more than 20 years that I haven’t had a cat in my house. It is very quiet and I miss those moments when they would just want to cuddle! I hope you find comfort in the love you shared.