Thursday, April 14, 2011

Our Beloved Ashton


You came into my life at the wee age of 5 weeks old.  The Georgia breeder handed you over prior to a proper weaning from your mother, so I did what any person would do who falls madly head-over-heels in love with a bundle of fur weighing no more than a sack of sugar, I bottle fed you, carried you in my coat pocket everywhere I went, and held you right by my side morning, noon, and night.  We were inseparable. 

I should have known you were extra special since you entered my world on Valentine's Day 1997.  The same day, I met the love of my life.  We always joke that if it were not for you, and your cupid arrow, then we may not have become happily ever after.  It didn't take long for you to snag his heart, and the moment I realized he adored you and never blinked a 'macho' eye when being pulled around by your leash, my heart became his too ~ truly a package deal. 

We were a great team.  Traveling around the world with you right by our sides.  Oh how you loved the gelato in Florence, the warm croissants in Paris, the white sands of Carmel, the warm breezes in Laguna, the Adirondack chairs in Tahoe, the stone hearth of a crackling Georgia fireplace, the golf cart rides in Florida, and your fluffy pillow spot at home in Sausalito.  Rarely were you ever left behind, and when you were, we fretted over how long we were apart despite the fact we only left you in the very best care of friends and family.  You were a very important part of our little family.

You have always been pure goodness, and you continued to prove this when the crumb made us a party of four.  I think you planned your hearing loss around her 6-week-old mark because you were always that wise and preferred a quiet, peaceful home.  We were never able to train you {remember, you were a puppy school drop-out}, but you trained us. 

These past 14 years went by too quickly.  You were never suppose to grow old, and I held onto you for as long as I possibly could.  Today, when I wrapped you up in your favorite blanket {warm from the dryer just like you always liked it}, I hope this was one of your fondest last memories of how much you were loved, how much warmth you brought to our lives, and how your memory will always be entangled in our hearts.

I already miss you so much.  My heart is shattered into a million pieces.  If only I could have your sweet head sleeping on my arm throughout the night, or hear your soft rumbling snore, watch you snatch a dangling piece of bread from the crumb's hand, or see you bask heavenly in a warm, sun-filled spot...if only I could just have you back.  

We have loved you so much, for so many years, and it breaks our hearts to let you go.  Good-bye my sweet girl, you were the best in every way.

48 comments:

  1. Ohhh, hugs to you! my heart just broke right into! cyber hugs!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Oh sweetie...I am so sorry about this. ((hugs)) So hard to lose a pet.

    ReplyDelete
  3. My heart aches for you, Melissa. much love.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Oh sweetheart, I've shed tears over your loss...my biggest hug to you darling.
    xxxx DJ

    ReplyDelete
  5. Mel! :( My heart breaks for you... I am a huge dog lover, and I can't imagine losing one of my pups. I'm so very sorry.

    One thing is certain, she was one LOVED little dog. And she got to see the world, how wonderful! What a lucky little pup she was... she had such a happy, beautiful life. :) Sending love and hugs, xo.

    ReplyDelete
  6. So sorry sweetheart...our pets really are like our family...and so when we lose one..it is just as devastating. Ashton was lucky to have been raised and cared for in such a loving home....hold onto those fond memories sweety. Sending big hugs your way x

    ReplyDelete
  7. My sympathies to you and your family. A loss is never easy. May the comfort of friends and time passing heal your heart. There is a pet cemetery close-by and my children called it "doggie heaven" when they were wee ones. I smile every time I pass doggie heaven thinking of all the love that goes there, even in memories of our dearly departed pets.
    hugs.
    pve

    ReplyDelete
  8. Oh Mel, I'm so incredibly sorry for your loss. Pets really become family members in our home too. They are so loved, and give so much in return, don't they? I hope you are finding solace in the fact that Ashton is now in doggie heaven, out of pain, with hearing restored. I know it doesn't help much, but hopefully a little. Hug your little crumb and your loving husband close today - I'm sending you all loving thoughts. Big hugs.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Dear Mel,
    I truly am sorry that Ashton is not with you anymore. just a couple of weeks ago we looked at her photo, saying that we hope our Mackenzie, who is a put too, will reach the golden age of 14. Our doctor told us pugs don't live over 11, so Ashton gave us hope. (Mackenzie is 6) Time goes so fast in dog years. This post is a beautiful way of saying how much she was loved you. All the best, Maureen xx

    ReplyDelete
  10. Oh Melissa, I have tears running down my cheeks. I amso happy for you that you had such an amazing companion and friend these past 14 years. Happy he was part of your life. Happy he was part of Crumbs life. I enjoyed meeting him. He was so funny. Such personality wrapped in a pug package. Know that I'm thinking of you....and now I'm going to go cuddle my cat a bit and remind her how much I love her. Xoxo.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Melissa, I'm so sorry for your loss. My heart is breaking for you. Ashton was lucky to be so loved, and I'm sure you felt that love in return. Time is always fleeting, but all the love we share makes it worthwhile.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Oh Mel.............I am so sorry for your loss. I know what the loss feels like and it is just the saddest time for they are such a bright spot in every day. Always happy, always waiting for us, always loving us. I know Ashton had the best life with you. Hugs to all of you today and much, much love. XOXOand xo

    ReplyDelete
  13. Dearest One,
    I am so sorry....I know the love of this party of four. This sweet sack of sugar, the arrow that bonded his mommy & daddy together, the crumbs playmate her whole life is resting high on that fluffy pillow in heaven in that warm sunshine of life in all of you.
    I wish so much I could bring him back to you. I am thinking of you and sending the most GIANT HUG to my precious family & the dearest party of four that ever was~
    XOXOX's

    ReplyDelete
  14. I'm so sorry, Mel. I'll be thinking of you.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Sweet friend,
    My heart hurts for you, as we know all too well that feeling of loss. I will be thinking of you~
    xx

    ReplyDelete
  16. I'm so sorry for your loss... I'm sending lots of warm thoughts and hugs to you and your Family xxx

    ReplyDelete
  17. Wow - you just brought tears to my eyes. I am so, so sorry for your loss. Losing a beloved pet is one of the hardest things to deal with and the pain is immense. My thoughts are with you and your family.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Oh Mel I'm so, so sorry! I'm crying with you and your sweet family. Our beloved pooch Max was our first born and every year that goes by we grow more fearful of his age.
    Sending you big cyber hugs~
    T

    ReplyDelete
  19. I am so very sorry to hear about your beloved. I am sad along with you and sending you love from a stranger. I will go home and hug my dear kitties, knowing how precious and short life can be.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Oh god...hunnie. My heart is absolutely breaking for you and a huge lump is caught in my throat. I completely & utterly understand and have fallen in love with that sweet furry gal above through your eyes. What an incredible sweetheart and I am so, so sorry for your loss. It does shatter you in two but, wow...how beautiful your love for her is and how incredibly lucky you 4 were to find each other. Sending a huge hug your way....good bye sweet Ashton. You were a stellar little thing, I can see.
    xoxo
    Melis

    ReplyDelete
  21. :(............................... I am so sorry sweetie... what a beloved Sissy! What an amazing life she had and so much joy that she brought all 3 of you. I am so sorry for your loss. oxo

    ReplyDelete
  22. A thousand sorries for refering to this beautiful precious baby girl as a "he"...i am so hurting for you Mel.
    Janet

    ReplyDelete
  23. so sorry~I hope she is up in the clouds running and jumping around with my Poppy. Aren't we the lucky ones tho, to have been loved so well by our dogs? sending hugs to you...

    ReplyDelete
  24. My whole heart feels for your broken one.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Oh Mel, my heart goes out to you. I cannot imagine the pain you're going through. Thinking of you during this sad, sad time...

    ReplyDelete
  26. Oh sweet Mel,
    When I first read this I started sobbing and had to come back to leave my message. It reminds me so much of my Gigi's last day, as we warmed her blanket and carried her to the vet on that last ride. It still hurts so much. In fact, I was just reading the sweet card you sent to me a few days ago!
    My heart is just breaking for you. Words seem flat at a time like this, but this proverb sometimes makes me feel better~
    "Death leaves a heartache, no one can heal.
    Love leaves a memory, no one can steal."
    We will always have our precious memories of our girls and I know they are playing together in the warmest sunlight and running free in a beautiful meadow.
    Big hug and much love to you.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Sobbing. Love, love and more love xxx

    ReplyDelete
  28. oh, ashton ...
    oh, sweet melissa ...
    i can't tell you how sorry i am for your heartache ...
    she was such a special pup ~ i adored her so ... and so fondly will remember her world travels as you shared them ... her little bee outfit in paris ... on the beach ... she truly was a gem of gems who will shine in your hearts forever ... you gave her the ultimate gift of love ~ the best a wee dog could ask for ... gosh, i am just so sorry ...
    tender hugs for your hearts ...
    xoxoxo
    prairiegirl

    ReplyDelete
  29. oh melissa, my heart is hurting over your loss. please know that i'm thinking about you as i know this is a really difficult and sad time. ashton was so lucky to have you. xo

    ReplyDelete
  30. this is so lovely....I am so sorry about this. ((hugs)) So hard to lose a pet.
    hugs
    Lila

    ReplyDelete
  31. my heart aches for you. Our girl Zoe is in the winter of her life and I know what's to come and can't bear the thought of it. You have such fond and wonderful memories so hold tight to those and feel peace. xo

    ReplyDelete
  32. I have pugs also and this just broke my heart. I am so sorry for your loss, but I know that your sweetheart lived a beautiful life filled with immense love. My thoughts and prayers are with you my dear. XoXo

    wildmagnolia9.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  33. I am so sorry!!! Sending you so much love!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  34. Oh Mel, I am so sorry to read this....what a beautiful post you have written. Ashton could not have had a better home xx

    ReplyDelete
  35. Oh, I am so sorry!!! I cannot even imagine the day for my puggy.

    Pugs have a way of touching one's heart like no other.

    ReplyDelete
  36. awww sweetie, I am sorry about your loss. hope she is in dog heaven and your heart heals soon.

    ReplyDelete
  37. Mel,

    First, I want to apologize. I was out of town the day you posted this and never saw this post.
    I am so sorry for your loss, for your family's loss. Hoping that with each passing day your heart is mended bit by bit and that your memories of Ashton will continue to bring you floods of healthy emotions-laughter, longing, and even pangs of sadness, for this is what love does.

    With love,
    Mandy

    ReplyDelete
  38. I am so sorry for you and your families loss.
    I firmly believe that she is right by your side watching over you and your family. That is what they do even if we can not see them.
    xx

    ReplyDelete
  39. My dearest Melissa,
    I am so sorry for your loss. I missed this post during the time that I had no internet access, and when I heard from you that your beloved Ashton had passed away, my heart broke for you. I know she was a treasured part of your family--literally from day one--and I'm glad that you have such wonderful memories of her to carry with you, just as you carried her when she was a wee baby.

    Thinking of you and sending you love and strength.

    Love,
    Gigi

    ReplyDelete
  40. Aw Mel, I'm so, so sorry to read this news. There is no love purer than our love for our animals, and I am sending you all my love and hugs and comfort from afar. What a sweet, beautiful ode to such a marvelous little companion.

    Love to your whole family-
    xo

    ReplyDelete
  41. I am just reading this sweet friend. I am so sorry for your loss of your precious dog and friend. So sorry.

    ReplyDelete
  42. Sorry so late on this but .... I'm so sorry. I just went through this with my Boston in January and it was horribly hard. I hope the happy memories are constant....and what a life Ashton got to live! I love the stories of her traveling with you!
    Big xoxo,
    Trina

    ReplyDelete
  43. so late but with a big hug just the same....woof, woof...so sorry...

    ReplyDelete
  44. Some friendship starts on earth and fulfills in heaven. Our families would have never been the same without them. Sleep well little one.
    Amina

    ReplyDelete

Share your dreamy thoughts with me.....

LinkWithin

Related Posts with Thumbnails