We said goodbye to both our “boys” when we were in Walnut Creek. They were my first ever pets, save for a turtle that simply disappeared one Christmas. I digress. Sarge and Kato will be waiting for Darby. Sarge will be loud and constantly say to Darby, “Hi, my name is Sarge!” Kato was a malamute who we christened an owly-mute Dude had attitude. Guessing Kato and Darby will happily ignore each other. Lorelei and I think about and talk about the “boys” pretty much every day. I know you’ll cherish the memories
God bless Darby. Here’s some elderly Shermanisms: When we lose a pet - and the older you get the more you lose, they just can’t keep up with us - we lose a piece of our hearts. And the only way to replace it is with another pet who helps rebuild…and so it goes. Four dogs, five cats and one bird (who never liked me!) in 82 years have taught me this. But they all live in this crazy rebuilt heart of mine and all can still bring salty tears of remembrance …they’re worth every drop of saline, so get to rebuilding.
Good ole Darby! Nice tribute Russ. Our pets do tug at the heard strings. I remember years ago when we each had yellow labs - Nick and Ripley. They loved mischief more than anything and once got into a case of Cokes. I don't think they drank many but they "opened" every can in that case and then rolled in the mess. Darby was a real pal and will be missed.
Ah, the Coke escapade! One of those things that, while you’re cleaning up the sticky mess you’re also saying we’ll look back on this one day and laugh, which of course we did. Ripley was a riot! He and Nick are still getting into it up there, no doubt. If Darby had been part of the gang I can imagine him sitting by my side, watching Nick and Ripley tearing through the soda, and looking at me as if to say, “What the hell are they doing Dad?”
I think pets are the only creatures we let break our hearts over and over again. Thank you and Mary for your final act of kindness. I know you’ll see and hear him everywhere. ❤️🩹❤️🩹🌈🌈🐾🐾
We have had the pleasure of knowing and sometimes caring for Darby over the years. Having lost Rex a year ago it was always great to have Darby stay with us. Our neighbors would always ask if we got a new Dog. No, just taking care of one of the best dogs I’ve ever known for my cousin. Darby, we can’t tell you how much we’ll miss you! So special! Say hello to Rex for us. RIP my friend.
Darby and Rex and Heinzie together! Thank you cuz, you and Pam were so good to Darby, total family. He loved you guys! I remember when we’d come to pick him up and he’d just stand on the porch as if to say, “I’m staying with these guys!”
Breaks my heart. ❤️ Darby was truly one of a kind. I will miss his jaunty gait as he came to say hi and then sneak in the garage to find one of Cliff's tennis balls.
I am so happy that we had the pleasure of keeping him for a time recently. We got to see his barking at the TV in his attempt to scare off any animals on the screen. He was so special to us. I know he will leave a little hole in your hearts for a while. I am sure he is chasing those tennis balls in heaven. Rest in Peace, our furry friend.
Thank you Mary, we will always remember the love and care you and Cliff showed for Darby. And yes, he’s enjoying those tennis balls up there in between walks with Kit. 💜
I am brokenhearted to hear about dear, sweet Darby. Your tribute is lovely. Both Darby and Peabody were my inspirations for teaching Bitsy to fetch the newspaper (never gets old). Rest in pupland, Darby. Blessings to you and Mary.
This reaches deep into my heart and I am so sorry. The anguish of having to let a beloved companion go -- that last gift of love. We had to do the same with our 17 year old feline, Skye, earlier this year. So I know how very hard, a presence so very missed. Gentle hugs to you and Mary.
Loved Darby O'Gill and the Little People. Brisbane is a cool town. didn't know you lived there. You were lucky to have a dog of such high quality. Heartbreak is part of the bargain with pets. I like Michael Sherman's philosophy.
I have a photo of Darby and me sharing a glass of wine (I had the wine, Darby shared the sofa) in our flat on Beach street. Loved that Darcy could get so excited when he visited that he’d race down the long hall, the race back and throw himself at me. Loved that dog.
Hi Russ! So sorry to hear about the passing of your little buddy, Darby. This is the hardest part of owning a dog, saying goodbye. It is infinitesimal to all the joy and laughter that Darby has brought to your family in the last fifteen years. He had a good run, it was time to go. We mourn the loss of our little buddies then move on, knowing in our heart that it was the right thing to do.
Unconditional love is defined “dog“. Marti and I feel your pain as we too many times have mourn and cried uncontrollable tears at the loss of way too many animals to age and cancer. Animals are truly“The best of times and the worst of times“. The best with the joy of unconditional love and the worst with loss
Irrationally I have wanted to bargain with God “give me one more year with this animal, and I will give you an arm of mine!
You had a sweet and wonderful dog and now you have a lifetime of memories.
It brought back memories of my mother and teenage me at the vet, when our over-sized but beautiful, dumb-as-a-stump Irish Setter, Fleet, had to be euthanized. I held him while the vet gave him a shot to put him to rest.. Feeling his life force leaving changed me forever.
Hi Russ and Mary
We said goodbye to both our “boys” when we were in Walnut Creek. They were my first ever pets, save for a turtle that simply disappeared one Christmas. I digress. Sarge and Kato will be waiting for Darby. Sarge will be loud and constantly say to Darby, “Hi, my name is Sarge!” Kato was a malamute who we christened an owly-mute Dude had attitude. Guessing Kato and Darby will happily ignore each other. Lorelei and I think about and talk about the “boys” pretty much every day. I know you’ll cherish the memories
Thank you Jamie, the memories are already flowing, along with the tears.
God bless Darby. Here’s some elderly Shermanisms: When we lose a pet - and the older you get the more you lose, they just can’t keep up with us - we lose a piece of our hearts. And the only way to replace it is with another pet who helps rebuild…and so it goes. Four dogs, five cats and one bird (who never liked me!) in 82 years have taught me this. But they all live in this crazy rebuilt heart of mine and all can still bring salty tears of remembrance …they’re worth every drop of saline, so get to rebuilding.
My sister told me about a poem that said every time we get a pet we give them permission to break our hearts. But, as you say, love is regenerative. 💜
Good ole Darby! Nice tribute Russ. Our pets do tug at the heard strings. I remember years ago when we each had yellow labs - Nick and Ripley. They loved mischief more than anything and once got into a case of Cokes. I don't think they drank many but they "opened" every can in that case and then rolled in the mess. Darby was a real pal and will be missed.
Ah, the Coke escapade! One of those things that, while you’re cleaning up the sticky mess you’re also saying we’ll look back on this one day and laugh, which of course we did. Ripley was a riot! He and Nick are still getting into it up there, no doubt. If Darby had been part of the gang I can imagine him sitting by my side, watching Nick and Ripley tearing through the soda, and looking at me as if to say, “What the hell are they doing Dad?”
You were blessed to have the pleasure of Darby's company. Darby was blessed to be enfolded in your love.
I think pets are the only creatures we let break our hearts over and over again. Thank you and Mary for your final act of kindness. I know you’ll see and hear him everywhere. ❤️🩹❤️🩹🌈🌈🐾🐾
Everywhere, all the time. Still here. 💜
It was a privilege and an honor to know and take care of him. He will be missed.
We have had the pleasure of knowing and sometimes caring for Darby over the years. Having lost Rex a year ago it was always great to have Darby stay with us. Our neighbors would always ask if we got a new Dog. No, just taking care of one of the best dogs I’ve ever known for my cousin. Darby, we can’t tell you how much we’ll miss you! So special! Say hello to Rex for us. RIP my friend.
Darby and Rex and Heinzie together! Thank you cuz, you and Pam were so good to Darby, total family. He loved you guys! I remember when we’d come to pick him up and he’d just stand on the porch as if to say, “I’m staying with these guys!”
Breaks my heart. ❤️ Darby was truly one of a kind. I will miss his jaunty gait as he came to say hi and then sneak in the garage to find one of Cliff's tennis balls.
I am so happy that we had the pleasure of keeping him for a time recently. We got to see his barking at the TV in his attempt to scare off any animals on the screen. He was so special to us. I know he will leave a little hole in your hearts for a while. I am sure he is chasing those tennis balls in heaven. Rest in Peace, our furry friend.
Thank you Mary, we will always remember the love and care you and Cliff showed for Darby. And yes, he’s enjoying those tennis balls up there in between walks with Kit. 💜
I am brokenhearted to hear about dear, sweet Darby. Your tribute is lovely. Both Darby and Peabody were my inspirations for teaching Bitsy to fetch the newspaper (never gets old). Rest in pupland, Darby. Blessings to you and Mary.
Thank you Deb. Darbs may have been the inspiration but Bitsy, pound for pound, is the newspaper retrieval champion of the world!
This reaches deep into my heart and I am so sorry. The anguish of having to let a beloved companion go -- that last gift of love. We had to do the same with our 17 year old feline, Skye, earlier this year. So I know how very hard, a presence so very missed. Gentle hugs to you and Mary.
Laurie, you know what it’s like — inevitable but painful nonetheless. Your hugs are felt. ❤️
I'm so sorry Russ. Darby.was very. very special!
He was Jim, thank you.
Loved Darby O'Gill and the Little People. Brisbane is a cool town. didn't know you lived there. You were lucky to have a dog of such high quality. Heartbreak is part of the bargain with pets. I like Michael Sherman's philosophy.
I have a photo of Darby and me sharing a glass of wine (I had the wine, Darby shared the sofa) in our flat on Beach street. Loved that Darcy could get so excited when he visited that he’d race down the long hall, the race back and throw himself at me. Loved that dog.
Carol
Hi Russ! So sorry to hear about the passing of your little buddy, Darby. This is the hardest part of owning a dog, saying goodbye. It is infinitesimal to all the joy and laughter that Darby has brought to your family in the last fifteen years. He had a good run, it was time to go. We mourn the loss of our little buddies then move on, knowing in our heart that it was the right thing to do.
Russ and Mary,
Unconditional love is defined “dog“. Marti and I feel your pain as we too many times have mourn and cried uncontrollable tears at the loss of way too many animals to age and cancer. Animals are truly“The best of times and the worst of times“. The best with the joy of unconditional love and the worst with loss
Irrationally I have wanted to bargain with God “give me one more year with this animal, and I will give you an arm of mine!
You had a sweet and wonderful dog and now you have a lifetime of memories.
Peace, Mike and Marti
Poignant, thanks.
It brought back memories of my mother and teenage me at the vet, when our over-sized but beautiful, dumb-as-a-stump Irish Setter, Fleet, had to be euthanized. I held him while the vet gave him a shot to put him to rest.. Feeling his life force leaving changed me forever.