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Barkley
Dear family and friends,
We are writing to let you know our beloved Barkley has passed on. He
did so in a natural way, moon nearly full on a cool summer eve, in a
favored spot of grass in his own back yard. Nine of his closest
family, canine and human, held vigil for his last few hours of life.
The girls offered him love and comfort, lit candles and poured their
hearts out to him. Rachel softly yipped a little dog-like song that
really seemed to give him comfort near the end. Interwoven with the
incredible difficulty of saying goodbye-for-now, were beautiful
aspects reflective of his spirit and our time together. |
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He had battled cancer and while it took his body it never did his
spirits. Even on three legs he had managed to steal some food from
the table from time to time and sniff an occasional crotch of
innocent guests! To the very last day he sought us for petting,
massage, hugs and conversation which we wholeheartedly provided. He
was a rarity in the canine world on many levels including his "hugs"
where he'd bury his head in our legs. For those of you that knew him
well, you understand his amazingness. He was nice to every living
thing we witnessed him encounter from cats and rabbits to other dogs
and humans.
Laid in his final resting place while children slept we awaited
burial until a morning family ceremony. Melissa and I, the kids and
Sasha (our newest canine member for about a year now) encircled his
grave as we each in turn spoke prayerful words of Love, appreciation
and good-bye as we dropped offerings created by Rachel, Ella and
Jillian into the hole along with other tokens of memorabilia
including his favorite orange squeaky ball.
He is and will be sorely missed. He gave us so much and in his
passing a grand reminder of the impermanence of everything!
 
This
last picture was not "Photoshopped". He was actually at Crater-Lake
Oregon where we enjoyed a 4 night camping trip together as a family.
He was a real blessing to us and we will love and remember him
always!
Peace and Love,
Melissa, Jeff, Rachel, Ella, and Jillian
PS The Cosmos made an allowance as he passed on September 15, 2005
an unusually cool evening for September in AZ. A black and white
family photo taken while Rachel was a baby (and Jeff still had
hair):) is also enclosed as an attachment... Thanks all for
reading/viewing...
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