This is the hardest blog post I have ever written. I have been putting it off, and putting it
off since March 5th. My little sidekick, my little love, passed away in his sleep on that
day. He was fourteen years old. Bentley was with me when I first started this blog. He
was featured in many, many posts. I signed off each blog "Susan and Bentley"
because it was always the two of us. He was so greatly loved by me, my
husband, his grandparents, and all of our readers.
He will live in my heart forever.
Rest in peace dear Bentley. I hope you had a good life with us.
We miss you and hope that you are whole once again across the
Rainbow Bridge.
On Saturday, May 1st, a new puppy will be a part of our family. We have named
him Oliver. I hope that you will enjoy my adventures with him as well.
Love,
Susan
Susan - what a tribute to Bentley. So many precious memories! Looking forward to all the memories you will make with Oliver. XOXO
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Judy!
DeleteSuch a sweet and loving tribute.
ReplyDeleteLove and big hugs,
Me
Thank you, dear sister!
DeleteSusan,
ReplyDeleteI am so very sorry. I had to say goodbye to my own little heart and soul of 11 years a little over 1-1/2 years ago. She was completely and forever irreplaceable and I her every day but I just welcomed a little puppy a few weeks ago. My thoughts are with you. Bentley could not have had a better home.
I agree. Each dog is special and totally irreplaceable!
DeleteI am very sorry to hear this -we lost our last one 6 years ago and thankfully Buster joined us to help us get through the loss. Buster is named for my granddaddy's bird dog. He is our sidekick and partner for as long as he is with us.
ReplyDeleteI'd love to see Buster!
DeleteI am so sorry for the loss of your Bentley. I lost my Buddy on Jan 14 (he was almost 15), and it is the worst pain I have ever felt. I hope my Buddy met your Bentley and is showing him the best grass to roll in and the softest spots to lay while they wait to be reunited with us. While Bentley will always hold a piece of your heart, I'm sure Oliver will claim another one. I hope Oliver brings happiness and joy to you.
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry to know of the loss of your beloved Buddy. Yes, the pain is real.
DeleteI am sure Bentley knew just how much you loved him, and he loved you right back. Looking forward to meeting little Oliver. Xo
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry for the loss of your Dear Bentley. I loved seeing posts with him! He was always so beautiful. You and Bentley will always be in my heart and prayers. Oliver is adorable! I'm sure he will bring you much love, happiness and joy.
ReplyDeleteThank you Karenann.
DeleteSusan, I am so sorry to hear of your loss of sweet little Bentley. I always enjoyed seeing his funny little face. It is so hard, I know, we have had to say goodby to a few and they are all missed equally. What a cute little pup is Oliver. I know he will bring you joy and you will give him all the love that he deserves as you did Bentley..Take care..xxoJudy
ReplyDeleteThank you, Judy. I hope that you will enjoy following along with Oliver.
DeleteI can see why it was such a hard post to write. I remember your sharing this news on FB and how sad I felt, and I still do, even though some time has passed. The grief eases but it is always there. I'm glad you feel ready to welcome Oliver. I think he'll warm your heart.
ReplyDeleteYes, the grief does ease. I think that Oliver will help to fill the void that Bentley left behind.
DeleteWhat a beautiful tribute to a wonderful dog. I am so sorry for your loss. Thank you for giving Bentley someone to love that also loved him dearly.
ReplyDeleteThings come and go in our lives, but we are blessed with memories forever. Always enjoyed the adventures you and Bentley took.
ReplyDeleteYes, the memories are precious.
DeletePerhaps Bentley is playing with out Bailey, who went over the Rainbow Bridge this March.
ReplyDeleteHuge hugs going out to you ~
I certainly hope they are playing together.
DeleteMy heart hurts. I'm so sorry to hear this news, I loved your little Bentley.
ReplyDeleteI hope you will come to love little Oliver too!
DeleteI am so sorry, I know how hard it is to loose a beloved pet, they are really members of the family and we love them dearly. I am so happy that you choose to get a new puppy in Bentley's honor.
ReplyDeleteThey truly are members of the family.
DeleteOhhhhh so sad but I'm glad he just went to sleep. I loved seeing and hearing about Bentley. So glad you already have a new family member coming soon. I still miss my little Precious Phoebe who left me in the summer of 2018. My heart was crushed as I watched the vets and his techs trying to save her. They did bring her out of her semi-coma so I could say goodbye & let her know we were there. Then I asked they give her a sedative so she could go back to sleep before giving her "the" shot. At my age and with no spouse or children to take care of a dog if something happened to me, I have decided on no more dogs although at times I want to cave in and get another. We do have 8 rescue cats we brought in while Phoebe was still with us. I'll just have to live vicariously through you, Oliver and many other dog owning bloggers. God Bless
ReplyDeleteI applaud you for rescuing cats. They need and want loving homes too!
DeleteI am so sorry for your lose. I always looked forward to seeing pictures of Bentley and hear what he'd been doing. I have lost several fur babies and you never stop missing them. They are in our hearts forever. I'll look forward to seeing your new baby.
ReplyDeleteI hope you enjoy watching Oliver grow up!
DeleteI have not commented before on your blog but have so enjoyed your lovely posts and seeing little Bentley. I am truly sorry he had to leave you. We have lost sooo many furry, and feathery friends over the years and each loss is heartbreaking. It has taken me four years before I could consider another pup (70 yrs old is toooo old for a new puppy!) but I love our corgi Cooper. Our babies know we love them. I hope your health has improved. Was sorry to hear of your problems. Take care. You have a new bundle of energy coming!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your kind words Pam!
DeleteSusan you gave a heart warming tribute to your side kick. Bentley was adorable. He surely knew how much he meant to you. Oliver will be enjoyed by your readers too I am sure. It is nice hearing from you. Hope you are feeling well. Always in my prayers.
ReplyDeleteMarion
Thank you, Marion!
DeleteOh Susan so sorry for your loss. He was certainly a big part of your blog and a wonderful blog partner. We will all miss him that read your blog. He had a beautiful life with you and I am so excited you decided to adopt little Oliver. We will all enjoy seeing little Oliver become part of your blog.
ReplyDeleteKris
Be prepared for lots of pics of Oliver!
DeleteBeautiful words about your beloved Bentley.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteSusan this tribute was so perfect. Bentley was such a sweet boy. I Know he would be happy that Oliver came to stay too. They know how much we need their presence in our lives. You are such a beautiful person. Thank you for sharing your love here with us. xo
ReplyDeleteThank you, Anne!
DeleteI am so sorry for your loss...and so happy that you are welcoming Oliver soon. I remember asking my Dad (I was an adult!) if he thought dogs went to Heaven, and he said "It wouldn't be Heaven without them." I agree.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your daddy. My husband always says the "dog" is God spelled backwards. Certainly seems so to me.
DeleteI think of you often and wonder how you are doing......and now, this......so sorry for your loss.... I know he loved you as much as you loved him, you will be together again. Hello to little Oliver !!
ReplyDeleteThank you. I am getting immunotherapy now and my oncologist is very hopeful that I will beat the cancer.
DeleteYou are so correct about Bentley and you being of one on this blog. I felt I knew you both so well and thus am feeling the loss of your little family member. It is a blessing he passed away in his sleep and I know he's waiting for you on the other side of The Bridge. Looking forward to meeting Oliver and send you huge hugs from Greece ~
ReplyDeleteI am so happy that he passed away cuddled up right next to me in the chair. He just closed his eyes and fell asleep and it was over. We all want to pass that easily.
DeleteBentley was the sweetest dog...I know you you will always miss him. I hope little Oliver will bring lots of love into your life! xo
ReplyDeleteI hope that you will come to love Oliver too!
DeleteWe recently lost our little Mercedes. It hurts so much. I am sorry about Bentley. Much luck and love with Oliver.
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry that you lost your little Mercedes. I'm sending you a big hug!
DeleteSusan, I'm in tears as I scroll through these darling photos of Bentley. I've been a follower and reader since your early days of blogging, so I feel as if Bentley is a part of my heart as well. He was such a fiesty little guy, and I always enjoyed his adventures. I know your heart aches! With the arrival of Oliver this weekend, I hope your heart begins to feel some joy once again. Grief is difficult, and the more we love, the more painful it is to let that love go. Though the love will always remain in your heart! 😘
ReplyDeleteBeautifully stated. Thank you for being my friend, and Bentley's too, for all these years.
DeleteSo Sorry for your loss...But I know that you gave Bentley had the happiest life that anyone could!
ReplyDeleteTears shed for him...but many, many more good memories.
Can't wait to meet Oliver! and to see him grow in this loving and exceptional family!
Much Love
Bentley was easy to love. He loved everyone, even the mailman! He was such a joy. We want Oliver to be as happy and contented as Bentley was. I hope you will enjoy meeting him.
DeleteI'm so sorry that you lost your little buddy. We are in year 14 with our girlie and feel that we are dodging bullets,healthwise. I suspect a puppy is in our future too. Oliver will never replace Bentley, but will be a new adventure in his own right. Hugs!
ReplyDeleteThank you! It is so hard to say goodbye.
ReplyDelete"Forever in your heart": but how could it be otherwise when it comes to someone you love!
ReplyDeleteI am so happy to see you back! The loss of your Bentley breaks my heart. He was such a wonderful companion and your beautiful little boy! Oliver will be so lucky to belong to such lovely people. Praying for complete healing, Susan.
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry to learn of Bentley's passing. Little Oliver is a real cutie. I hope you are doing better. So good to have you back!
ReplyDelete