Hello from East kilbride Scotland

[ceitadh]

Hello everyone, This is my first post on this site. My name is Audrey I am married to Gordon have one daughter Louise who is at glasgow university. In January we lost our girl Katie she was 8 weeks away from her 14th birthday. Katie got an infection and within the week had developed Pancretitis.We had to let her go which was the hardest thing to do but it was the kindest thing for Katie. We really miss her and life has changed so much as we lived our life around her. Katie went everywhere with us every holiday in fact in her lifetime I could count in one hand the number of nights she spent without us and that was to go to the Isle of Mull to my brothers wedding. We have been caravanning for years so this weekend will be difficult as this is the first time weve been without her. Last night Gordon and I were talking about Katie and remembering as you do about the things she would do. Of course the tissues were out again. She was such a special girl. Anyway I could go on and on.
Thought it would be nice to speak to other golden lovers.

Audrey.

[lenny]

Hello Audrey,so sad to hear of your sad loss of Katie, it sounds like she had a perfect life with you, and was loved so much, they are a wonderful breed.The hardest thing to do is to let one of them go. but it was the final act of kindness that you could do for her.After a time the pain does ease and the good memories you have will always stay with you. Many people on this site have lost their own goldens and know what you are going through. I do hope you take some solace that other people are thinking of you at this very sad time.

[lynn wise]

Hello Audrey, and welcome to our site.
I can only echo the thoughts of Lenny on the loss of your pal. We never stop loving those that we have lost, the memories that we made together are so very dear to us.
I think everyone on here will be feeling for you and your family, we have all been there at some point in our love for the breed, that's probably one of the reasons we all found our dear Jan, the lady that helps heal our broken hearts.
Take Care, and hold onto your memories, they were made to treasure.
Lxx

[ceitadh]

Hello Lenny and Lyn thankyou for your welcome. Its good to talk to people who understand.We have lots of lovely memories of Katie she had such a "Presence" its hard to describe. I'm going to do a scrapbook of Katie as we so many photos of her. That will be a ongoing project. As recently Ive just started scrapbooking when I can fit it in. Ive also started to teach myself crochet with the Art of Crochet Magazine. I have managed to do a square of double crochet,quite chuffed about that. I'm hoping in time I will be able to crochet squares and make them into blankets. If I can do that I will be happy. Katie used to sit and stare at me when I was knitting and as soon as I put my needles down she was over for a fuss or cuddle. She was such a clever girl. Sigh!


Audrey,Gordon,Louise

[sammingtonsmythes]

Hello Audrey,Gordon and Louise
So sorry for your loss of your dear friend Katie as usual Lenny echos all of our wishes to you.We all understand how hard it is to let them go.She was a good age and all credit to you.
It does get easier with time but they do take a piece of your heart with them don't they.
On a brighter note good for you taking on some creative hobbies.You may find the website
www.etsy.com an inspiration.Since i found it i have taken up card making and it has really inspired me.It is US based but there are many Uk sellers on it.Its a great place to source unusual supplies too.
I wish you and your family all the very best
Diane,Andy,Ellie(1) and Ellie(13)

[superjazz]

Its very sad when you loose one of this wonderful breed, our thoughts are with you . She had a very good life with you. You never forget, and our house has many pictures of our departed Goldens .Good memories to cherish.
Pat , Syd , Jazz & Candy

[Cobi and Ginnies Mum]

Hello Audrey,
Sorry to hear about your sad news, it doesn't matter how many years you have loved your dogs, time together is not long enough... but they always live in our memory.....(we also have thousands of photographs) ....but you have found a lovely website of caring golden lovers..... and welcome fellow caravanner there are quite a few caravanners on this site... and even more 'golden' lovers.
It is horrible having to go caravanning after losing a best friend who has shared your life for years, it happened to us in August 2000, we had left our touring caravan on a farm site early one Monday morning and then returning a couple of days later to carry on with the rest of our holiday, Ceili our 13 year golden was fine but a little quiet the day before, she even jumped on and off our bed at home that Monday, but by 7pm her health went down hill rapidly, a visit to the vet at 7pm and 8.45pm and finally at 2.45am we had to say goodbye to her, I couldn't believe how quickly things altered.... It broke my heart she was a best friend.... Abby who was 5yrs at the time couldn't understand where her 'pal' was, and we had to return and finish our holiday, it was awfull to put it mildly. Abby needed a pal, we have always had two goldens of various ages.....(we have had three but only due to my sister's domestic circumstances)
.... we met up with Jan in November 2000 (caravanning friends in Scotland had given me Jan's details, as they had had several dogs from her) it was exactly three months to the date of losing Ceili that we went up to collect a timid little girl who was coming to stay in her new forever home...... that was ten and half years ago and we called her Ginnie.... she took to caravanning like a duck to water, and she wasn't timid for long, after she found that she had a couple who loved her, and a pal to play with.
Ginnie and Cobi recently had a week caravanning in Dumfries and Galloway, swimming in a loch, with fields and woodland to run about, it was lovely, two happy little ladies.


Lynda

Yesterday on our usual walk I quickly sensed that Ginnie was going to do her 'own thing', the little devil took off at a fast rate of knots.... down hill with the wind behind her......in all the years of owning dogs I have never ever seen an elderly dog run that fast to get to water !!!!!
She was determined to have a swim, the lovely spring fed pool was at least half a mile from where we normally walk and it isn't the one where they usually swim. She was well and truly wopped last night.

[Ellas mum]

Hi Audrey, and welcome,

So very sorry to read of your loss of Katie. She was a good age and a long time by your side, and to have to say goodbye is heartbreaking. They are a wonderful breed. Gentle, faithful, loving....stubborn, having selective deafness when doing their own 'thing' and their love of water and mud. Some of Lynda's wonderful photo's of Cobi and Ginnie give testement to this, as do those of Big Jazz (superjazz) who practically lives in the sea, AND catches fish. I could go on......

We all know how you are feeling and how much you are missing Katie.

Our thoughts are with you all.

Jean (Ella's Mum)

[hairydog]

Hello Audrey. Welcome to this site and all the other golden lovers, sorry to hear about Katy,they are so special goldens and we all know how you must be feeling..I have an 8 yr old male Paddy and a 5 yr old female Lucy, "Double Trouble " sometimes but we wouldnt be without them...

[Samsmum]

Hello Audrey,
So very sorry to hear of your loss of Katie. It is so awful to lose a Golden as they become such a wonderful part of the family. You did everything you could for her - you put her first and that is what matters.
We do all feel for you; maybe sometime in the future you will feel able to give a loving forever home to another lovely Golden, but in the meantime, happy memories do help, and I'm sure your scrapbook of Katie will be therapeutic.
All our thoughts are with you, and we do wish you well.
(Samsmum) Joyce.

[ceitadh]

Thankyou for the lovely welcome. Its good to know that you are not alone. Today was such a lovely day so I spent the afternoon in the garden preparing for planting seeds,tidying splitting plants etc etc. The afternoon went and then I thought I would call it a day and thought right take the washing in,so i started to take the washing off the line putting it in the washing basket like you do and was just so aware that Katie was not with me. I was thinking about when I would lift the washing basket to go out into the garden and she was right there beside me at the back door trying to get out there before me,almost shoving me out the way. Although I enjoyed the day I was very upset eating my tea tonight,andthen it was Gordon's turn. We both said that we have lost our friend not our dog. I have also lost my youngest brother who had just turned 43 in October, he died from a brain anuyerism so losing Katie too has been a double blow.

On a brighter note I am going to have my greenhouse put up this year that I bought in b&q two years ago,so hopefully that will keep me busy. I hope everyone is enjoying the lovely weather we are having just now,because it could be back to frosty nights next week for us in Scotland.

Audrey Gordon Louise

[Samsmum]

So sorry to hear of the loss of your brother as well as Katie. It will take some getting over, and will take time.
Glad to know you are enjoying this lovely weather, and rest assured our thoughts are with you.
Take care - best wishes - Samsmum (Joyce)

[sammingtonsmythes]

I really feel for you Audrey to have lost your Brother so young as well as Katie.
It must be a terrible time for you all.
Golden's are such good comforters aren't they.Not to have Katie with you at this time must be like
having the stool pulled from under you.
I hope that when you are ready you might take in a lost soul.I have had the most amazing dogs over the years two of which were from from Jan.All have given me more than i can possibly give back.
Monty has been with us for less than a year and he is my constant companion.Never far from my side.Making me laugh and cry.Ellie is 13 and still the most gentle girl you can imagine.
take care
with warmest regards Diane