Today marks exactly one year since my best friend passed over the rainbow bridge. I thought today would be a good time to give an update on how things have been over here in my world. I’m going to be completely honest and open with my feelings because there will come a time if it hasn’t already that you too may experience loss such as mine. The first five months were pure heartache and felt torturous. A sense of shock and anger consumed me. I cried every day throughout the day. I couldn’t enjoy anything. I had little motivation to do anything, no direction, no purpose and couldn’t even enjoy the company of my loved ones. My heart was feeling lonely, broken and empty. I just wanted to see my boy again and a year later I still do.
I tried many things to help me get through the grieving process, but what helped me the most was you, being present here with my social media family (my instafamily). I genuinely love and appreciate each and every single one of you who take time out of your busy days to comment, comfort me and send your warm words of comfort during what was the worst time of my life. It may sound a bit dramatic but it really was a devastating loss. I don’t know if I can quite explain it. I do know there are others who have lost heart dogs who can relate to my pain. Your support did and continues to mean the world to me, something I will cherish forever. His life may have been short, but damn was it sweet!
To everyone who’s hurting and grieving like I did and still do, I just wanted to say it does get better. I’m doing better than I was a year ago. The pain still comes in waves but not nearly as strong or as often as it once did. Having Archie by my side really helped fill that empty space in my heart. Scout’s loss has forever changed me, but the life we had together and the memories we made will be with me forever. We heal slowly and learn to function again, but we simply can’t forget, nor should we want to. Every time I drive by his favorite places or visit them with Archie, I will think back on all the wonderful times we had. I will still share his story, honor him and speak about him often. His legacy will never be forgotten.
Scout
October 2014 – August 2, 2021 🌈
If you’ve lost a heart dog, I’d love to honor them as well in today’s post. Please share their names and a favorite memory or two.
I lost my best friend and heart dog Sebastian (Bash) September last year. I called him “the love of my life” He was always there for me , followed me everywhere , my shadow A favourite thing for him to do was to lay down , roll over and put his “tooties” up on my legs while i was sitting in chair by the tv.
He also slept by me every night I miss him so so much
It’s the very best kind of love ♥️
I love you, my friend! And you know how much I loved Scout too. In fact, without him, we wouldn’t be friends. He was a very special boy in so many ways and continues to leave his mark on this world. You should be proud of all the lives he touched. And we should all thank you for sharing Scout with us.
I’m happy to say that I do know how you feel about us. How you and I met and now I’m honored to call you friend!
I lost the absolute love of my life, Bailey, 2 weeks ago today. I was so fortunate, she lived a long life, but as we know, there’s never enough time. She was my love, my rock, my laughter, my support, my most fiercely loyal best friend… I don’t know how to survive life without her. I can’t wait until we meet again!
Life sure changes when they depart , but we’d never trade our time with them right? I too look forward to seeing them again.
You know I lost my Libby 💔 The first time I ever left her for a period of more than a day, it was a week, she 💩 on Rick’s pillow. She was sure he had done something bad to me. She had never ever done anything like that before. Oh how we laughed. I miss you everyday my sweet girl. We will see each other again one day and it will be beautiful 💞 I love you forever & always. Mom 😘
Yes it will and now you’ll be sharing that love to a new friend! I know Libby is happy!
My Murphy was my ❤️ dog, as you well know. Losing him the same way you lost Scout, only 2 weeks later, introduced me to you. Even though we are coasts apart and can only communicate via social media, our love and loss of our beautiful boys has helped me to know I am not alone with all the feelings you so beautifully articulate. There were times I felt no one understood the depth of my loss. You did, thank you from the bottom of my heart. I believe that Murphy and Scout are together over the 🌈 bridge and that we will all be together someday…I have too! But for now, we go on with Luca and Archie because they would want us to. I treasure Murphy’s entire existence, so picking one memory is just too hard 😊.
Eleven weeks ago today, (May 10, 2022), I lost my heart & soul dog, Marley. He 1 1/2 yrs old when I rescued him & ended up rescuing me when he became my emotional & physical support/service dog. Marley was 14 yrs & 25 days young when he passed away unexpectedly in my arms, at home. Marley loved every living thing, animal & human alike. I’m still in deep grief for him, I cry everyday but am comforted to know he is out of pain, healthy & happy again. I know I will be reunited with him in Heaven one day, as God has promised. Thank you Melissa, Archie & Angel Scout too, we love you! 🙏🐾🐾💙
Marley sure sounded l heaven sent. What a blessing. Will be a joyous reunion! (( hugs ))
March 8 2021 I lost my heart dog also a golden-Mia. Like you, I found comfort from friends as well as people I had never met including you and your precious Scout. Mia was the quintessential Golden, silly, loving and could never get enough pets. She especially liked to photo bomb pictures and did so with strangers on our walks. There is nothing quite like a golden. Thank you for sharing your journey and continuing to spread love in Scout’s honor (also one of Mia’s nicknames was Scout but that’s another story 😊)
Oh I’d like to hear that story one day! She sounded like such a fun dog! Lots of smiles spread!
I lost Jelly on November 13, 2019. One of my favorite things about my Jelly girl was that all of my neighbors adored her as much as she deserved. She was even one of the guests of honor at the cross the street neighbors family reunion. We rescued her (she rescued us) in 2014. She was a nervous beagle. But such a love. And the neighborhood was all involved in her care. Neighbors becme more than friends, thanks to sweet Jelly Bean, we are family. She was never ever alone. But really. None of us were either. The neighbors asked if she could spend my work days at their house with their elderly mother…as a way for us to check on her daily. It was a win win situation. The mother was thrilled to have Miss Jelly during the work week. And Jellz was so so happy to always be loved. Her passing was one of the hardest things I have ever gone thru. My kids drove all night back from college, and my husband took off work. We were all with her. We sang ‘Remember Me’ from Disney’s Coco and guided her all the way over the bridge. She was a blessing I never even knew I needed. My heart dog for sure.
Wow! Sounds like she made an impact on so many. It’s amazing how dogs can connect people isn’t it? They show us how to just love. What a gift.
I lost my heart dog 6 1/2 years ago
Even saying the years out loud choke me up because I feel she was just with me. I have since adopted two rescues who fill out house with live and laughter, but my Shelby will akways be my heart dog
I understand how it feels! They will never be replaced, but we have such capacity to love others despite our pain. Thank goodness for that!
Our golden Madeline lived almost 14 years and saying goodbye to her was the hardest of all our dogs. She was our family dog during the childhood of our three daughters! The kids finished college and married. Our house became too quiet. Since then we got a new golden. Hazel Roses birthday is on August 2nd which was bittersweet last year. This year on your one year anniversary of Scouts passing, I celebrated his life. Our Hazel turned eight yesterday and I ordered special doggy cookies to take to our dog class. I think we need to celebrate any and everything possible. We will continue to celebrate Scouts life through your good deeds with Archie and continue to spread hugs and kindness in his honor!! 😘🙏🏻🐶🐾 Xo
You expressed exactly how I felt and the way the tears come and go and how the grief comes in waves. My heart goes out to you today, I know how you are feeling, I dreaded the first anniversary. My heart dog was a Golden Retriever named Bear. He was a very special boy like Scout. He was a real people dog. He was allowed in places where other dogs were not. He like Scout, used to put his head between your knee’s for a tickle. I wanted to take him to Nursing Homes for the Aged but I had to take out insurance to be able to do this so I didn’t unfortunately. I will never ever forget him, like you with Scout. Time is the only healer. It does get easier. 💕🐾
Yes easier day by day, but they will always remain in our hearts. Bear sounded like such a gift
Bruiser my Chi-rat was my heart dog, he crossed the rainbow bridge 4/20/19 and my heart still aches for him. We did everything together wouldn’t go anywhere without him. Loved seeing him when we went to the Gulf, he loved it on the beach.
Sounds like you made many amazing memories together. We’re so lucky there are dogs!!!
I lost my heart-cat several years ago, and I relate 100% to the devastation and feeling of emptiness. I cried every single day until the day of the 1 year anniversary. It was then, that I began to feel a little more peace. I cannot imagine experiencing that kind of sadness again, so it scares me a TON knowing it will happen again in the future. But I just love them all so much while they are here, and give them the best possible lives in the present. Thank you so much for sharing your story and your journey with Archie!
I can tell you from experience, it’s worth the risk ♥️
I lost my heart/soul dog Scout last year on June 11th. She was my everything. She was fetch obsessed and the biggest love bug. Our Scout’s will always be with us. Thank you for sharing yours with the world.
Always and forever in our hearts.
I lost my childhood dog of 17 years, on July 22nd. Rascal was a corgi chow mix, but looked like a fox! We grew up together. I remember I couldn’t wait to go home to teach Rascal how to do agility in the backyard when I was 12. When I was 18, I would skip my college classes just to take him on hiking trails. I would bring him to campus all the time! When I was 22, he took graduation pictures with me. I’m 28 now and was able to be there for him in his final moments. Rascal always had a thing for Chick-fil-A, and he was happy to have a few nuggets before he left. I understand you pain, and I pray it does get easier. I cannot wait to see him (& Scout!) one day.
So many wonderful memories and milestones you shared. What a gift! We’ll see them again!
I lost my Scout on 13 March 2022, just 13 days before he turned 13. I have so many good memories of him! He used to lay on my lap as a puppy, and continued to do so as a 90-lb dog, everyone would laugh at him, but I loved it. Also, he was obsessed with tennis balls. He loved to play fetch, and could always be counted on to find tennis balls in the most random places. And his snoring! He was so loud! I miss him terribly but am forever grateful of the time we had together.
He sounds like a wonderful boy with a fun personality!!! (( hugs ))