Sunday, September 30, 2018

Good-bye to our Beautiful Eva

Eva's angel watch ended Friday afternoon with Holistic Vet, her husband, and me there to send her to the Rainbow Bridge. A sad, heartbreaking good-bye. With edema starting to set in, her body was failing her. Eva's battle with renal failure was over.  Despite having lost that battle, her gentle and peaceful nature and golden-smile remained until the very end.
~One Last Photo~
As I was looking through Eva's pictures this morning, I have to admit, its hard to find one that truly encompasses her. She was truly the quintessential Golden Retriever, just as beautiful on the inside as she was on the outside. Her eyes always sparkled, and she was always happy.  I'd say that if I had to find any fault with Eva, I'd be pretty hard-pressed to find something. But if there is one to mention, it would be that you couldn't teach her anything, and trust me, I tried.
However, thinking about it now, I wonder if it was just because Eva didn't want to learn anything? She was truly all about living and being happy in the moment. It actually made her that much more endearing and that much more treasured and loved.

I know that it goes without saying that Eva will be missed. I've been home most of the day, and it's easy to feel like something or "someone" is missing. When you've had your heart expanded and broken by a dog (or a cat) you know what I'm talking about when I say that. If you haven't, I can tell you this, life with a dog or a cat always ends in tears. My heart is shattered and in pieces from Eva's loss. But despite that, I can say that with all certainty and without a single doubt, that after all we went through with Eva and her illness, if I could spare her from having kidney disease, I would do it all over again.

God-speed to our lovely and beautiful Eva, I cannot wait for the day when I'll get to see you again. I will miss you leaning on me as we drove to your appointments. I will miss you happily running down the hallway in front of me at mealtimes and rushing back into the kitchen after you'd eaten for the leftovers. I will miss your always wanting to eat all the treats I gave out as I was leaving.  I will miss you pawing at me and always wanting to be the one to get all of the attention. I will miss watching you rush out the back door to see what Todd was barking at and being part of the fun. I will miss waking up in the middle of the night, and looking down the hallway towards the living room and seeing you sleeping on your bed. I will miss you Eva. 

And as has become our tradition, I've picked a color for Eva to sum up her life with us and create our own rainbow.  The color for Eva has to be pink. Pink is a delicate color that means sweet, nice, playful, and tenderness. Eva had all those qualities. Pink is also the color associated with girls and Eva was all girl - From her being a "momma dog" in her first life, to her pink collar, and soft pink skin under her beautiful blonde coat. The color pink is also the color of love, and that's truly what Eva was truly all about...Love.
~Eva on the first day we met, November 17, 2016~

31 comments:

  1. Oh! What a beautiful, loving pup. Thank you so much for sharing her with us and for giving her so many happy moments. Bless you for being willing to have your heartbroken again and again for the sake of the pups.

    ReplyDelete
  2. You gave Eva so much, in love, happiness, a loving caring home for those few years, and as she looked at you,leant against you, and waited in many places, this was he way to tell you she knew. Heartbreak, for sure, but for those of us who love our dogs or cats or horses, or any other, we would do it all over again. Many loving hugs to you further Northwards.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Always sad to say goodbye. She was loved!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Beautiful Eva . . .
    No doubt about it . . . she filled your heart like a bouquet of pink posies.
    Your LOVE message is touching, loving, sacred . .
    I am in tears for you . . . in your missing her today, tonight, after.
    My caring Kim . . .

    ReplyDelete
  5. you have just shown us her soul. and it's beautiful dear heart.
    thank you. for being her best home. and for helping her. and loving her and letting us love her and know her too.
    bless you Kim. xo

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hugs and much love to you and yours. :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. It is always so sad. I always end in tears but then remember the years of love and feel better. What a good life you gave her and how much she loved you.
    Peter

    ReplyDelete
  8. Hello, lovely post on sweet Eva. I am sure she was very happy to spend her last days with you. Eva reminds me of my Goldie Girl, she liked to lean on me too. Maybe Goldie Girl has met up with Eva and all our other dogs. HUGS and RIP EVA!

    ReplyDelete
  9. She is now an angel romping & playing with the others who you have cared for & have gone on before.Thank you, Kim, for loving her & allowing her to have the home she truly deserved.

    ReplyDelete
  10. I'm so sorry Kim. It's not goodbye..it's just until we mèet again. Its still hard though. Take comfort in knowing she is no longer in pain. Hugs and love ...

    ReplyDelete
  11. We know. It's been almost four years since we lost Kyla. Thinking about her every day doesn't bring her back. What we can dwell on is the good times we had.

    ReplyDelete
  12. She couldn't have been more loved. Goodbye, beautiful girl.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Such beautiful words for a beautiful dog.

    Run free Eva!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Kim, Such a beautiful story on Eva, your words so eloquently speak to our hearts, and your compassion and love towards those left in your care is truly a part of the Grace of God.
    Godspeed Eva, we will all meet again, rest in the arms of God.

    ReplyDelete
  15. What lovely words for a lovely soul. I do know you will see one another again. Hugs.

    The Johnsons and Abby Lab

    ReplyDelete
  16. Sometimes I wonder how it's possible to fall in love with a dog from thousands of miles away. And yet that is how I always felt about beautiful darling Eva. My heart is very sad. What a day of rejoicing it will be when we're reunited with our beloved companions. Much sympathy to you, dear Kim and may God bless you all. Stephanie in Northern California

    ReplyDelete
  17. She was the sweetest dog and I'm so sad she's gone now. But happy also that she was so blessed to come and spend her last years with you. You gave her so much, both love and care. Thanks to you, she was a happy dog when she left you. And that means a lot.

    ReplyDelete
  18. I sensed that I might see this news when I checked in after a few days away. I know you brought her as much joy and comfort as she did you. What a beautiful dog.

    ReplyDelete
  19. So sorry for your loss. Sweet Eva we will never forget you .

    ReplyDelete
  20. She was so beautiful, there is only one other dog breed that I would open my heart too, the golden retriever. There is just this sweetness about them, no other breed is line them.

    ReplyDelete
  21. So sorry for the loss of your sweet girl. I hope she's running freely through green fields with no pain or suffering. Rest in Peace Eva.

    ReplyDelete
  22. You blessed each other with love
    sending lots of pug hugs
    Hazel & Mabel

    ReplyDelete
  23. What a wonderful tribute to your beautiful girl. It isn't easy to have a dog in kidney failure and you gave her the best life she could have these past two years.

    ReplyDelete
  24. I love all the memories that you have. That picture of her rubbing up against the fence is so adorable! They all are. It is comforting to know she had a good life there and the color pink does seem perfect.

    ReplyDelete
  25. What a sweet girl and a beauty too. I know a piece of your heart is with her. She had a bad start in life but knew at the end that she was loved. That's important.

    ReplyDelete
  26. You gave Eva the best time of her life, cuddled in your warm love. I wish that the ending could be different. Hugs to you, and Godspeed to Eva.

    ReplyDelete
  27. For Eva to run on ahead, surrounded by familiar faces, is the way it should be. A fitting end to this part of her journey. And a reminder of the old saying ' Grief is the price we pay for love '. It never gets easier. Stay strong.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Praying for the rest of her pack who I'm sure will miss her presence as much as you do. Your words paint such a wonderful picture of your sweet girl.

    ReplyDelete
  29. Well, everything about this breaks my heart - but that third photo especially; how precious she was! Godspeed, Eva...

    ReplyDelete
  30. I am so sorry Kim. You shared love with Eva,,, and it filled her heart..
    I know your heart is broken,,, You give so much to all of them.... You care so deeply.
    love
    tweedles

    ReplyDelete
  31. I am so sorry for your loss, Kim. Eva is a true beauty and always will be. Hugs to you and your family♥

    ReplyDelete

Speak--I really enjoy your comments! Thanks for stopping by today!!