Rupert
Friday night my beloved Rupert, my little prince and constant companion, passed away in my arms at home, cradled in a nest of silk and velvet cushions and surrounded by the people who loved him dearly.
These magnificent creatures are such a glorious gift, but sadly they stay for an all too brief time. And so I make no apologies for having spoiled my friend terribly! I let him enjoy whatever I was eating, and lay wherever he wished; I dressed him in cashmere and camel hair, and took him almost everywhere with me.
Intelligent, and emotionally sensitive, he was the epitome of natural elegance. Although I already so deeply miss the comfort of his silky fur and his wonderful joie de vivre – I can still feel the glow of Rupert’s unconditional and everlasting love.
My beautiful, beautiful boy.
DO NOT STAND AT MY GRAVE AND WEEP
Do not stand at my grave and weep,
I am not there, I do not sleep.
I am in a thousand winds that blow,
I am the softly falling snow.
I am the gentle showers of rain,
I am the fields of ripening grain.
I am in the morning hush,
I am in the graceful rush
Of beautiful birds in circling flight,
I am the starshine of the night.
I am in the flowers that bloom,
I am in a quiet room.
I am in the birds that sing,
I am in each lovely thing.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there. I do not die.
Mary Elizabeth Frye
Many thanks to my dear friend Carolyn for bringing me this moving and fitting tribute to the transcendent nature of life.
Dearest James,
I’m so very sorry. It’s always difficult to lose a cherished companion. My thoughts and prayers are with you. The poem is lovely.
Dean
Dear James,
I wanted to send my condolences. I know how terrible it is to lose your best friend, I lost my IG last year, 3 days shy of his 18th birthday.
Michael
James –
So sorry to hear this – just heartbreaking.
Yet you were blessed with 16 wonderful years together. Try to focus on the joy he brought into your life
Prayers out for you
I am very sorry for you loss. My beautiful doberman died at home in my daughter’s arms last summer and we still miss her terribly. But I like to believe that she is running free and chasing squirels in a better place.
James:
All of my sympathy for your sad loss.
I thought that you might find the following inscription on the tombstone of Queen Victoria’s beloved King Charles Spaniel, Dash, appropriate to your feelings:
“Here lies Dash, the favorite spaniel of Her Majesty Queen Victoria, by whose command this memorial was erected. He died on the 20th December 1840 in his ninth year. His attachment was without selfishness, his playfulness without malice, his fidelity without deceit. Reader, if you would live beloved and die regretted, profit by the example of Dash.”
A beautiful, moving poem that I will save to pass on to another.
Dear James-
So sorry to hear of your dog’s passing. I know it must be devastating. My sympathies.
M.
Rupert was an amazing gift. Thank you for sharing him with me.
xoxo S
Darling James,
I am sorry for your loss. If it makes you feel a wee bit better, I know the feeling. Hope we can speak soon
Love
A.
My dearest friend,
I am so sorry. You still have the memories and the lovely times you spent together.
A big hug
Christian
Dear James,
I am so sorry for your loss. I know a pet can be more than a pet, they become a part of your family. Best wishes.
James, I am so very sorry to hear of your loss. I hope you are comforted in the fact that he had a long and happy life with you. xoxo, HC
Dear James,
My heart goes out to you. I lost my little Tallulah tragically less than a year ago. I now have her brother, who looks a little like Rupert.
Dairyland Greyhound track closed on the 31st of December and they are looking for homes for hundreds of beautiful greyhounds. There will never be another like your companion Rupert, but perhaps you could pamper another. A home is very empty without a greyhound.
Peruse the houndies looking for a soft, warm place to curl up:
http://www.greyhoundsonly.com/frameset.html
If nothing else, they will remind you of your regal Rupert.
Please accept my sincere condolences,
Kelly
Mein herzlichstes Beileid mein Lieber. Jetzt ist er ruhig und glücklich.
Fühl Dich gedrückt
Deine Christiane
You were so lucky to have had him, now he rests in peace.
Hugs,
Mara
So sorry darling…….
lots of hugs,
Adelaide
Now he is in a better place…
love and light
I am sure you loved him very deeply. All is well darling.
I am so sorry, and feel for you duirng your loss. I had 2 cats for 18 and 19 years respectively. Still not over them being gone. Be kind to yourself just now. KInd thoughts I am sending your way. T
I’m so sorry. I raise a glass to both of you. He was indeed, a noble beast and beautiful boy.
James, I’m so sorry to hear of your loss. I can’t imagine my life without my two cats. Sending a big hug from Hong Kong! Suzy x
I will pray for him
hugs
Sabrina
I am so sorry to hear this. What a beautiful dog. Just remember what a happy life you gave him. I hope that helps. Much sympathy.
Oonagh
I´m so sorry for your loss, wherever Rupert is, I´m sure he is happy and taking care of you
love
Felicity
Rupert will be your guardian angel
hugs
Marie FvS
He is now dwelling in eternal light.
I am so sorry my dear, I´ll be thinking of him.
love,
Edie
He looks like an angel in the forest…….
I am sure he had a very happy life with you
kisses
he will always be with you…….
Darling,
I am so sorry, I understand what you´re going through.
Send u lots of love
Lil´Lilly
I´m sure it´s hard, I´m here for you
Dear James, I’m really sorry to hear this! He was such a lovely creature and my inspiration to adopt a greyhound! My heart goes out to you. xxx
Dear James,
Rupert was lucky to find you and you him. The love and trust between man and dog is very special.
I’m so sorry.
I’m so sorry…
I totally understand how you feel, my welsh terrier, Ulises, passed away a month ago after 14 years with me.
Speak soon xxx
Dear James, we feel for you deeply, having just had to let our dear Dinky go, as well as our lovely bird Shim. I totally believe that these souls, and the love that connects us, stay with us throughout our own journey.
xxx SR
Oh what a sad news… This is a beautiful testimony James, and very moving article, thinking about you in that difficult moment! x
Dear James
My thoughts are with you at this difficult time,
Pippa
Oh James – you bring tears to my eyes. Our beloved whippets are with us forever and ever and ever…..
Thinking of you and knowing exactly how hard it is…
Nancy
James,
I feel your sad news… my Maddie, who I have had for a year and a half, got out and ran away 13 days ago. I am a wreck, I love her dearly and I just keep praying she will make it down the right cobble stone drive and into the right rod iron fence… that she’ll be found and come home to snuggle up in bed with me at night where she belongs.
Thinking of you and sharing your hardship.
Randi
Randi
My Dearest James,
Please accept my most heartfelt condolances. The passing of our four-footed mates defies understanding — it pulls on our soul at such a visceral depth, all words are but meager solace. As Mary Grace so aptly describes above, they truly never depart. 2 years since My Lily passed, I still recall her all- pervasive love transforming the air on a cold winters night, keeping my heart tethered to our shared memories. May Rupert’s spirit carry you forward. At 16 years (!), he was indeed a fine fellow!
All my Love and Care, with Flowers Galore,
Mdme. B.
I am sorry to hear that. I know how much he meant to you.
blessings
V
i am so, so, so sorry for your loss. he was such a beautiful boy and this entry is a wonderful tribute to him. thinking of you and sending you a big hug. ~m
James,
I hope time from the last week has provided comfort.
Blessings,
Paulette
A quick and heartfelt thanks to all for your many kind thoughts.
Very Best,
James
I’m so sorry. Hounds are the most affectionate dogs. We are lucky to have them in our lives.
I lost all my animals in the space of a years time all 4!!!!
So, I know how sad it is and i just now have a new little dog after many years as I was reluctant to go thru the loss again…
xxoo
Melissa
Rupert wears an air of resolution in that timeless photograph–is he waiting for someone as he glances up interrogatively or simply surmises that he must pose for the camera with spectacular purpose? Surely, he was naturally creative, not wont to look at the camera like amateurs always do. His poise was certainly a figure to arrest even the most distracted spectators. One is certainly taken by the sudden intimacy of that sylvan freedom and peculiar charm: a care-free world of leisure and sheer luck.