It is with a heavy heart I said good bye to a very dear friend. The best friend a person can have. My beloved dog Koda. After going through all the scenarios and his quality of life we made the hardest decision a pet owner can make. We had to put my sweet Koda boy to sleep on 12/9/08.
Koda was my first dog. My heart aches knowing he will never again curl at my feet, lay on my bed or swim at possum kingdom lake. I'm going to miss his bark everytime someone rang the doorbell and his happy yipes and howls when we would come home. There will forever be a void in my heart but his sweet nature and sloppy kisses will remain in my memories forever.

I remember the day we brought home our friend. August 2001. His name was Koda which literally meant Friend. We stopped at Petsmart to get a fish and ended up leaving with a fish and a new friend. All the other dogs were barking madly at shoppers except for this beautiful brown eyed boy. He looked at me quietly and wagged his tail ever so slightly as i approached his crate. I read his adoption card and bent down to say hello. He licked my fingers through the bars and i knew instantly he was meant for our family. At the time pauly and I were renting a house and not yet married. We weren't planning on a dog until we purchased our own home. But when pauly spotted the connection between Koda and I he asked me a question. "Do you want him?" To which i replied yes.

I don't know if my heart will ever be able to take another dog. But i will never forget him. He was a good dog. he was my dog. I love you Koda and always will.

I know Koda is in a better place. He isn't in pain. He is happy. I believe there is an afterlife and i do believe dogs have a special place in heaven So perhaps he will come back and visit me from time to time. Maybe he'll even torture the cat who loves to pick on him.

Koda taught me many things and I will never forget him. He was a special dog.
And so my beloved friend I wish you well. Please don't forget me. I love you Koda.

"May
the road rise up to meet you, may the wind be ever at your back. May
the sun shine warm upon your face and the rain fall softly on your
fields. And until we meet again, may God hold you in the hollow of his
hand. "

I am so sorry about your loss of Koda. He is truly beautiful. In looking at his picture, I can see how easy it is to feel like giving him a big hug.

come here and write more of your thoughts and feelings as the days go by. We learn we have to take one day at a time and it is okay to cry..or do whatever makes us feel better.

Koda is and always will be your very best friend. He is a part of your heart and can never leave you. He is always there now.

One Mom said it best here and I think it may help you as it did me. She said:
The pain of losing him will never ever be greater than the joy of knowing him.

Hugs to you and your husband and your new Angel, Koda......one of a kind (as they truly all are).

Judy

What a beautiful dog! I know how horrible it feels right now. There will never be another dog quite that's quite the same. Every single pet is unique. That's part of what is so hard, too. It's not like we can just go out and get another one to replace what we've lost. It's hard because in our case, we feel a huge desire to rush out and get another cat. But I think that's just because of the void that we feel. It's important to mourn properly first. At some point I'm sure that you will want to have a bond with another dog. They have a way of melting our hearts so that we cannot resist them. In the meantime, we'd love to hear more about Koda. You have a whole community of people here that understand what you're feeling, so please don't feel alone

You can see the love in Koda's eyes in your photograph of him. Bless you for giving him such a good life. My thoughts are with you on your loss.

Ken Albin

I am so sorry for the loss of your handsome dog Koda. Thank you for sharing the sweet story of how you found Koda. I can only imagine how happy you made him that day. You provided him with a loving home, and he in turn gave you so much happiness. Thank you for sharing his picture with us...he's smiling...so cute!!

I know you are hurting now as your loss is so recent. And I hope that the happy memories of Koda, will help you though the grieving process. Our babies will never be forgotten, for they hold a very special place within our hearts. I hope that we can offer you a little bit of comfort on this board. I wish you peace during this difficult time in your life.

I'm so sorry your loss. He's adorable! How"s his driving record??Who could give a ticket to a face like that. You are so super lucky to have found such a special friend who has taught you so much. Koda will remain with you forever...Hugs.. Ann

Oh Judy I love that!

Thank you everyone for your kind words. He was such a sweetie and always had that smile look on his face. He was quite the character and loved to 'talk'.
And of course he loved car rides! He had a habit of sitting in the drivers seat first before i made him move. It's hard to drive without ya know thumbs...
I got an ornament for the tree too. it's says in Loving memory and is a pawprint shape. You can add a picture which i did and i wrote his name on it. It's the little things like that bringing me comfort. I also jump in n the one place i found that has chat nightly for pet loss. It really does help speaking and sharing with others who feel and understand your pain...

I wrote this blog not too long on my facebook.

It's getting a little easier. i am not crying as much. I purchased a shadowbox and printed up some pictures of Koda for a scrapbook i plan to make. It's been hard but I have started finding comforts in small things. Koda was my best friend. He was one of our Fur Kids before we decided to go for the human kind. His death was unexpected but he will never be forgotten. I will hold his memories close to my heart. I still feel him around. I know he is joining me for car rides and checking in. I still have the habit of looking for him and think i see him out of the corner of my eye. The other morning i swore i thought i heard a scratch at the backdoor too. Maybe it was him.
I asked for something special this christmas. I found a website that takes a picture of your pet and turns it into a pendant. I will be able to keep Koda close to my heart. It arrived yesterday and is beautiful.
He was a very special dog and i miss him terribly. I know he's in a better place and not in pain anymore. He's running around on the other side of the Rainbow Bridge with some new found friends. He'll be waiting for me.
I prayed for a special sign that koda was okay and that he still loved me. It was a specific request. Exactly one week from when he passed I received my validation.

Until that day we meet again my friend, Take care. I love you Koda.



The Rainbow Bridge

By the edge of a woods, at the foot of a hill,
Is a lush, green meadow where time stands still.
Where the friends of man and woman do run,
When their time on earth is over and done.
For here, between this world and the next,
Is a place where each beloved creature finds rest.
On this golden land, they wait and they play,
Till the Rainbow Bridge they cross over one day.
No more do they suffer, in pain or in sadness,
For here they are whole, their lives filled with gladness.
Their limbs are restored, their health renewed,
Their bodies have healed, with strength imbued.
They romp through the grass, without even a care,
Until one day they start, and sniff at the air.
All ears prick forward, eyes dart front and back,
Then all of a sudden, one breaks from the pack.
For just at that instant, their eyes have met;
Together again, both person and pet.
So they run to each other, these friends from long past,
The time of their parting is over at last.
The sadness they felt while they were apart,
Has turned into joy once more in each heart.
They embrace with a love that will last forever,
And then, side-by-side, they cross over… together.

I finished his shadowbox tonight. My next project will be a scrapbook with pictures and stories.

Love the shadown box!!
Koda is a very handson dog. Yes, he will be waiting for you at the Rainbow Bridge.

Hugs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

thanks sissycat.
He was cute but scruffy at the same time

I love your shadowbox. And your stories and memories of Koda. I know what you mean about having your friend enjoy riding in the car. Truthfully, I can't think of a dog I ever had that didn't enjoy that and I enjoyed them being there.

When you mention him sitting in the drivers seat....years ago I adopted a puppy who grew up to be a beautiful silver and black German Shepherd, smart and gentle lady that I named Gypsy. (Her picture is in Tributes under my subject matter about a dog). Anyway, it was her and me for many years so she went with me everywhere including the grocery store. One day I had parked in the grocery lot and went into the store and was by the checkout stand when there was a blaring noise from the parking lot and all of us at the checkout counters tried to see what the commotion was.
Well, I paid for my stuff and went outside to my car and....there was my 4 month old puppy sitting behind the steering wheel and pressing on the horn off and on with her big paws. She only did it one time and then when she saw me, she jumped into the back seat where she was taught to go.
I will always smile thinking of that one. They are so darned smart and lovable and can surprise us in so many ways. So with her...I had my strongest dog and car connection of all my pets in life.

Your idea of a scrapbook sounds wonderful. When you find more pictures...you can always add some here as there is a comfort in looking at pictures of these precious babies...pictures can bring smiles to our faces and we can always use more of those.

I also love the idea of an ornament as a special reminder of Koda. Makes him a part of every Christmas forever.

Hugs and peace.....we do get through the days one at a time.

Judy

Hi Judy,
The ornament was perfect. I out his picture in and decided to write his name on the pawprint part. I also received in my memorial necklace. It's from the picture i posted in he first post.

Nice ornament. I want one too!!


Hugs and Happy Holidays!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I love that ornament and also the necklace made me hold my breath for just a second. Now there is no doubt Koda will be part of every Christmas with his very own ornament that will always be.

That necklace makes him looking at you everyday you look at it. I see he is looking directly at the camera in that one. That always makes me remember they are really looking at us, knowing we are behind the camera.

Bless that beautiful boy! I went back and reread your first post and read where you said:
I know he's in a better place and not in pain anymore.

That's what I think about my boy too. We just wish it was not their time to leave..that there could have been some more healthy years..but then we really want it to be like that forever.

Peace and healing through the Holidays. He is part of your Christmas and watching over you from the tree and...that beautiful necklace is something to treasure..whenever you want to look into his eyes and remember how wonderful it was for him to be a part of your life and how grateful we always are...that they were a part of our lives.

Hugs....we really can always use these.
Judy

Found it on ebay

Dearest Koda's Mommy, please accept my deepest condolences for the loss of your sweet fur baby Koda. What a beautiful, special and unique fur child. I feel much more than sad that you're suffering so horribly and missing him so badly. Your pain, grief and devastation is so palpable, Dear One. I can actually feel you honest and for true.

Something that brings me much comfort is knowing that my Angel baby boy is still here with me and just a breath away. Koda's Mommy, a breath away is not far at all to where your precious fur baby boy is right this moment. I hope you're inspired and comforted by the image of Koda that I made to accompany this song, Koda's Mommy.

Since I express myself so much better using images, songs, poems and the like, please allow me to tell you what I mean. I don't know if you're able to view and hear videos so I've provided the lyrics to this song for you. I do believe in my heart and soul that your sweet baby boy Koda is very close, right next to you and just a breath away. Again, as I said, a breath away sure isn't far at all from where Koda is to you, his Mommy. Blessings!







Who can say for certain maybe you're still here. I feel you all around me. Your memory's so clear. Deep in the stillness, I can hear you speak. You're still an inspiration. Can it be? That you are my Forever Love. And you are watching over me from up above!

Fly me up to where you are beyond the distant star. I wish upon tonight to see you smile! If only for a while to know you're there. A breath away's not far to where you are.

Are you gently sleeping here inside my dream? And isn't faith believing all power can't be seen. As my heart holds you just one beat away, I cherish all you gave me everyday!

'Cause you are my Forever Love watching me from up above and I believe that Angels breathe and that love will live on and never leave!

Fly me up to where you are, beyond the distant star! I wish upon tonight to see you smile if only for a while to know you're there! A breath away's not far to where you are!

I know you're there! A breath away's not far to where you are!


Many Comforting Hugs to You and Your Fur Child Koda!!!

Always,
Dottie xoxoxox

Dottie that was absolutely beautiful. Thank you for sharing that.

You're so very welcome, Koda's Mommy. HUGS!!! There are two more songs I wish to share with you and your fur child Koda tonight. One is the most beautiful song of Blessings that I've ever heard in my whole life and I'm a pretty old lady, too. Please accept this awesome gift of Blessings to you and your fur child Koda. The images are so breathtaking and Heavenly, too. I pray you love it and it brings you much comfort. And don't forget, Koda really is only just a breath away, Dear One.









Lay down your head and I'll sing you a lullaby. Back to the years of Loo-Li,Lai-Ley. And I'll sing you to sleep and I'll sing you tomorrow. Bless you with love for the road that you go.

May you sail fair to the far fields of fortune with diamonds and pearls at your head and your feet and may you need never to banish misfortune. May you find kindness in all that you meet.

May there always be Angels to watch over you. To guard you each step of the way. To guard you and keep you safe from all harm. Loo-Li,Loo-Li,Lai-Ley.

May you bring love and may you bring happiness. Be loved in return to the end your days. Now fall off to sleep. I'm not meaning to keep you. I'll just sit for a while and sing Loo-Li,Lai-Ley.

May there always be Angels to watch over you. To guard you each step of the way. To guard you and keep you safe from all harm. Loo-Li,Loo-Li,Lai-Ley. Loo-Li,Loo-Li,Lai-Ley.

Winging Many Loving Angels to Comfort, Soothe and Guide You!!!

Always,
Dottie xoxoxox

Dearest Koda's Mommy, your precious fur child Koda wants to make certain that you know this so is telling you: "Mommy, I Hear your Voice on the Wind! And I Hear you call out my name! I am the Voice of the past that will Always Be! I am the Voice of your hunger and pain. Answer my call, and I'll set you Free! I am the Voice of the Future! I Will Remain!"









For Always and in All Ways from Your Most Beloved Koda.

I Love You So Much, Mommy!!!

Dearest Koda's Mommy, I'm winging many Loving Angels to You and Koda for Comfort, Guidance, Faith, Hope, Love and Peace!