32 Comments
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Sara Dietz's avatar

Oh, sweet friend, my heart is aching for you. You know that you've been in our prayers already lately with everything going on, and will continue to be after "just one more thing".

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Annelise Roberts's avatar

Thank you, Sara ❤️

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The Maternal Method's avatar

Oh I’m so sorry to hear of Samson passing; dogs are so special and it hurts so much when their time has come. Sending you and your family hugs and big love ❤️

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Lore Wilbert's avatar

Oh man. I'm going to read this. I am. I've actually had it bookmarked for months. And I just haven't been brave enough yet. But I'm going to read it. I am.

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Annelise Roberts's avatar

And if you don’t, it’s okay too. We brought home a new puppy yesterday — Sam(wise). I’m surprised by how mixed I feel. He’s adorable, and he’s not the same. He’ll just have to be himself. Also, puppies are so much work. What have we done?! 😂 (he’ll be great)

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April Edwards's avatar

We just said good-bye to our 17-year-old dachshund dog. I've had him by my side longer than most of my kids. 😭

Reading this beautiful post from you was so helpful for me while I process my layered grief. Thank you 💙

Sending you hugs and prayers 🙏💙

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Annelise Roberts's avatar

It’s such an oddly layered grief. It’s the dog, yes. But it’s also that little piece of life they were attached through for all the years.

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Bob Hannaford's avatar

“All dogs go to Heaven.“ ???

Yes and no, IMNSHO.

Heaven has always been a way of referencing wherever God is. So no, there will not be dogs in heaven.

But, we will not be living in heaven for eternity. We will be living on the re-created earth.

If God‘s original plan was to have us living with animals in the Garden of Eden, why would that not be part of a glorified creation? And why would God keep us from having the dogs we knew previously?

🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

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ESO's avatar

Oh Annelise. What a beautiful testament to Samson. You’re absolutely right; dogs can be a gift from God. Samson sure was for you. 💛 Praying this loss and all the other little ones will be relieved, in good time, and in the right ways.

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Caitlin Estes's avatar

Oh, Annelise, I am so, so sorry. This is such a beautiful tribute. They really are a part of the family in such a unique way. I've always hoped in the thought that God will make all things new, and why wouldn't Samson and other beloved pets be a part of all things? Thinking of your family.

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Stacy Bronec's avatar

💛💛 Sorry to hear about Samson!! What a beautiful tribute to him.

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Kristine Neeley's avatar

I’m so incredibly sorry for your loss. ♥️

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Kym VdP's avatar

Wow this was so beautiful and brought tears to my eyes for you! What a lovely post about a lovely dog. He's the type of dog I dream of for our family! I hope your family can grieve him with joyful memories 💛

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Annelise Roberts's avatar

He was such a storybook dog. Not sure that’s something you get more than once.

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Kasandra's avatar

Think that Samson have had a good life with you. Thank you for sharing your post. XO

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Mary Renee Jackson's avatar

What a beautiful piece, Annelise. I'm so sorry for this loss.

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Aimee Guest's avatar

I'm so sorry for hear about this loss for your family, Annelise. Thank you for a peek into his life with your family over the years. You chose the same Oliver poem that I gravitated toward when we experienced pet loss toward the end of last year. It. is. a. hard. thing.

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Annelise Roberts's avatar

Thank the Lord for Mary Oliver. I’m always so grateful when someone has written the words I need to borrow. I think @Laura Kelly Fanucci introduced me to that poem quite a few years back in a post about her twin girls, Maggie and Abby. Grateful for the ways that writing allows us to trace griefs, large and small. It’s like I told a friend, I’m so sad about the dog, but it’s also all the other things he was attached to — our first decade of parenting and marriage, and some really hard years and long walks.

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Aimee Guest's avatar

Yes that’s something I didn’t understand about pets before we had them. When someone lost a pet I didn’t realize that these animals are woven into all the other parts, good and hard.

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Julie's avatar

It’s so so hard. Dogs are truly the best friends. Sending love.

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Linda Stoll's avatar

Truly a beloved family member. I'm sorry ...

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Lauren Flanagan's avatar

I am so sorry, Annelise. Our dogs are such an important part of our families and Samson seems to have had the best life he could've wished for ❤️

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