Hi Guys

Here is a special video tribute I made that is devoted to my beloved wee pet dog Bruno who passed away on 5 January 2011 here in Belfast, Northern Ireland. He was 16 and a brilliant wee dog with beautiful brown eyes and a lovely jet-black coat.

The video begins with a montage of cellphone video-clips and pics from over the years. However, from 3 mins 14 secs into the video it becomes a short film about Bruno which I filmed on a professional HD video camera. It features my dad with Bruno on a beach in Northern Ireland known as Helen's Bay.

Editing it was one of the most difficult things I've ever had to do. My heart is still broken, but when editing it I was regularly in tears.

For all you other pet owners who are grieving over the loss of a pet, I feel your pain and hope that time will heal your sorrow quickly so you can move on.

I hope you like it. Any feedback would be appreciated.

Take care

Peter

Oh, how could anyone not watch your video tribute to your beloved Bruno and not be in tears? What an absolutely beautiful soul, so full of life and vibrant...his happiness literally beamed through the images.

I lost my cat of 16 years on January 14th of this year; a loss which happened unexpectedly, and very quickly. The pain, which is much deeper than I had expected, is still fresh with me as well. Yet the memories of these wondrous creatures live on with us, and serve to uplift us through the years to come.

I also have a dog, Kaya, who is much like your Bruno, full of life and a great expressive smile. She will be 15 this year and so far, has enjoyed perfect health. I do know though, that at some point she and I will part ways...I only hope that I will be able to honour her life as graciously as you have honoured your Bruno.

My deepest condolences to you on having to say goodbye to your wonderful friend. I do believe that when an animal passes on from the physical, they remain with us in spirit; how blessed you are to have such a magnanimous spirit with you now. As you journey through life, may you feel him with you, always.

~Di

Hi Di

Thanks for your beautiful message.

I really appreciate you watching my video of Bruno. I'm so sorry to hear of the loss of your cat. What was their name? Do you have a photo you could post? Hopefully, in time, this fresh pain you feel will become a thing of the past as the happy delightful memories of your cat stay at the forefront of your mind, making all the sadness drift into the background.

Awww I'm so happy to hear that Kaya is in perfect health and having a wonderful life. These happy moments we have with our pets can be forever cherished. Give Kaya a hug from me!

I have felt really sad today, missing Bruno, but am hoping to cheer up tomorrow.

Thanks again for watching the video.

Take care


Peter

EDIT: I've just seen your beautiful photo of Fritz. Awww he's amazing. So sorry for your loss.

Hi Peter,

Apologies for not responding sooner...it's odd, but after I'd posted in this forum a few times, I found it very hard to come back. I suppose I was probably trying to deny the pain in losing Fritz, as I'm one to bury things deeply inside, and losing Fritz hit me harder than I'd realized.

I must admit that your video tribute of Bruno was one of the most touching and heartfelt I've seen in a long time. You know, I believe these guys always knew just how much they were loved. And the pain that follows when they leave is testimony to that fact.

In earlier days if anyone had asked me, I would have probably stated that I'm more a 'dog' person than a 'cat' person. At least, that's what I used to believe. But Fritz literally stormed into my and my son's life, bringing with him so much more fun and love than any one cat would be expected to carry...and I've since come to realize that I'm not a dog or cat person..I simply love all creatures. Fritz loved everyone, two-footed or -four, and was a constant source of smiles and love. I learned so much from him, and then agonized over the decision to have him euthanized. Admittedly, it's almost never an easy decision to make, and his illness came on so suddenly, and with such vengeance...well, as any animal lover I suppose will attest, laying self-blame is almost unavoidable. Yet even though I did blame myself, I do believe that at the same time, everything does happen for a reason, and our beloved pets leave when the time is right. It's up to us to come to that acceptance, and to acknowledge that they really are always with us.

I think I would have loved your Bruno very much, had we crossed paths in life. He appears to have been a huge spirit who absolutely loved life. And what a life he had! One other thing I also believe is that these beautiful souls choose us, rather than the other way around; and Bruno definitely chose you for a reason. He graced you and your dad's life, and in return for his unconditional love, he was graced with the same. How blessed all of you have been.

Kaya, my dog (who is an Australian cattle dog mix, looks like a Dingo) is getting on in years...14 now. She still loves life, loves to play, tosses her toys around the living room, romps with joy through the mountains of snow, and - as is every elderly dog's right - snores up a storm in the evenings, burps after an enjoyable meal, and sometimes clears a room with her overwhelming fumes after a particularly enjoyable meal. I'll admit I dread the thought of losing her from my life, though I do know that - as with every other loss that has come to pass - I will handle it. Even so, I've planned to hopefully invite another dog into our lives this year. My heart right now is set on a Border collie (though the warnings have come fast and furious from those who have said, "Border collie?? Are you crazy??!!"), but I welcome a challenge, if there is one. Kaya herself was more than a challenge when I adopted her almost 14 years ago...she came with a plethora of problems, including severe separation anxiety (in which she ate the vinyl flooring, the kitchen chairs, my bed, and just about every blanket I ever owned), severe food aggression, and non-socialization with other dogs in her early days, which led to an ongoing anxiety over how to interact with dogs we meet at parks. Yet we persevered and got through most of it, and this 'aggressive' dog of mine who wouldn't think twice about making a meal of a wild animal shares her home with two rabbits (one who constantly antagonizes her), and puts up with bunnies nibbling at her toes and attempting to climb on her when she rests. I figure, if I made it through all of this with Kaya, a Border collie should be a breeze. ;o)

Afraid I've gone on a bit about my animals; but then, we all share that unspoken love for our pets in this forum, so I suspect you'll understand if I've rambled a bit. I do hope that one day another furred soulmate decides to grace you with it's presence (if not already); perhaps Bruno will be there to guide the way for a little soul who will recognize that special love you have to offer, a love that should never be wasted.

~Di

I have just seen your Video of Bruno as i speak a thousand words for a friend
your video is true Poetry the freedom and the spark of life Bruno gives to you
Is beyound words so forgive me for speaking...

What i liked is the Birthaday cake lucky dog...
The running on the beach
The Freedom and full life
The Chase of true friends
The love for another with your thoughts in mind
I see 2 of a kind as if lighting only strikes...

your video truly touched my Heart So i thank you and Bruno for your Brilliants..

A friend could ask no more then to run free with open Hearts...

So i salute you Bruno from Belfast what a beautiful life you have...

Thank you for giving me Hope...