The winter of 2025 was way beyond harsh.
Life is short – fragile – uncertain –
Studies have shown that losing a dog is as hard as losing a human loved one. This winter – both.
“Until one has loved an animal, a part of one’s soul remains unawaken.” – Anatole France
Hope died 1/7/25
Joy died 1/20/24
Joy was MY girl. She chose me to be her person.
That had never happened to me before.
Joy was my Soul Dog.
Joy & I fit together with a much deeper bond
than any other canine companion before.
Joy was most content near me…
We had 4 dogs died over the years of our marriage and it was always sad.
But when Joy died – I physically ached.
For months I looked for her – having forgotten for a moment…
But…at least we still had Hope.
We were talking about getting a puppy.
In the past 4 decades of our marriage, when the older dog
was 10 we got a puppy.
BUT
Hope got very sick, very fast
And
Suddenly for the first time in our 47-year-old marriage,
We were left without a canine companion.
The spaces our dogs used to occupy were now huge holes –
Border Collie Hope & Sheltie Joy – gone now
There was so much structure in our canine companion days:
Get up and let the dog(s) out
Bruce would take Hope out to walk early
Feed to dog(s) breakfast
We’d all go for a walk or hike
Feed to dog(s) lunch
I usually took the dog(s) on a walk before dinner
Season allowing, we all walked together after dinner
Suddenly
all of that came to a black tire marks on the pavement – halt
Sunlight making warm spots of the floor were abruptly empty
The water bowl had been taken up
The pillow on our bed: You & Me & the dogs – was put in the closet
The structure from our day was gone
The smile was taken out of our walks
We walked a lot less
Husband and I live in a most beautiful place
And
We were having trouble enjoying it.
As I was struggling with Joy’s passing,
when almost a year to the day – Hope died.
Then, 3 ½ weeks later on 1/31/25, Danny,
my brother, had a freak accident.
He never regained consciousness.
Danny had wanted to talk with me about
that horribleness that resulted in the election
but I just couldn’t. I was too, too sad and disappointed in our country
My brother and I were born in New Orleans
and he never moved too far from our hometown.
Here we are on the Gulf Coast when I visited him in March 2005.
My brother Danny Radykowski and me in front of the once family-owned little store.
As very young children we would walk to this little store from our great-grandparents home in Clermont Harbor, Mississippi – thinking we were so grown up, not realizing as children the family could watch us from the front porch of Maw-maw & Paw-paw’s house!
Sadly, all was destroyed with hurricane Katrina just a few months after this picture was taken.
Danny in 2006 when he visited us.
We celebrated his 46th birthday that visit.
He was 65 when he died this year.
So much sadness piled and piled and piled on –
I had to do something to help the 2 of us
It was unhealthy to keep on in this sad, sad way
In mid – January husband found a border collie breeder
I reached out to her.
On 1/20/25 six puppies were born in one litter. I picked one.
On 1/24/25 seven puppies were born to another litter. Bruce picked one.
Who knew border collies come in so many different colors.
This is a third litter!
I picked this puppy and named her Bliss.
Bruce picked this puppy and named her Faith.
Fun ‘in the moment’ picture as the puppies are excited about the
March snow. So adorable! Every experience is a new one for them!
It’s so good to be alive!
Sweet
Endearing
Charming
Bruce all smiles with Bliss and Faith.
Our wonderful veterinarian
Linda comes to our homes
Her not having an office
makes it easier and more cost effective for us
Friends help us socialize our puppies.
Where we live, even our UPS driver has time for puppies
On our magical nature trail
What a great place for puppies!
“Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole.” – Roger Caras
Puppy Love has made us fall in love with being alive again
Me laughing with our puppies, on our nature trail, below our home
Love is a Wet Nose and a Happy Tail Greeting us when we come Home!
Cuteness…
Always making us smile…
A cozy fire
Tasty, hot coffee
A lap full of puppy
LIVE Everyday
With GRATITUDE
“Walks in nature are hugs for my soul.” Julie A R Stephens
julie@handsbestrong.com
Wow! How heart wrenching! ❤️🩹 And how beautiful that the two of you have Bliss & Faith. God is good. He carries us through the valleys. ❤️
hugs
Julie, Thank you for sharing! My furry friend is my only family… he means the world to me. I rescued him at 6years old and he’s now 14. I did this after raising my Shepherd Zeke from puppy hood to 15 years. Dogs are amazing. We shared unconditional love for each other.💝
Definitely – they are the best and get a younger dog soon – don’t be without. hugs
You break my heart and than put it back together.
hugs
I’m so sad about Hope. She wasn’t that much older than Sadie and I just expected her to be there this summer when we arrived. It is horrible to lose a pet – it’s like losing a huge part of your family. And then you lost your brother too. My heart broke for you and Bruce when I read the first part of your post. I am so glad you waited to write this until you had moved to a better place. You seem to be at peace now – I’m thrilled for you and Bruce and I can’t wait to meet Bliss and Faith.
Our puppies have made all the difference. They are so little to have all this responsibility and they haven’t a clue. We just love each other and it’s all ok.
I’d like to see father celebrate the feast of St. Francis with the blessing of the animals. Hugs – see you at church!
I’m so sad that you went through so much pain, Sis, but wow, what a beautiful ending! And you are such a good writer! Thank you for this heartwarming story, and for sharing your heart with us, once again. I love you so much <3
I appreciate your kindness – thank you for reading & posting – hugs.
Julie,
I am so sorry about the loss of your brother. I did not know that he had passed. I know how much it hurts to lose a dear brother!
So sorry also for the loss of Joy and Hope. I know how much they both meant to you and Bruce. Fur babies are such an important part of our families! I am so excited you have new babies to share your life with. They are both precious!
You and Bruce take care. Stay healthy and safe!
Sending love and hugs!
Thank you, Margaret.
Bliss and Faith have us smiling and laughing every day; they have brought us back engaging with life. We walk with the puppies on our picturesque nature trail 4 times every day. Squirrels! Birds! Geese! The river!
I was planting purple pansies yesterday and the flowers attracted a Swallowtail. Bliss saw it! Her first butterfly! She was so excited and I was enchanted with her delight.
Everything is a new experience for the puppies! Life is so exciting! Their exuberance is catching!
Hugs and love back. You and Larry take care.