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October 14, 2016

A Warm Memory

This is the last video I have of Eko and Penny together. The original caption was going to say – “On cold fall days the pups bury themselves in covers and do their ‘I’m so excited to see you but it’s too comfy for me to move’ tail wag. Nevertheless, they’re
This is the last video I have of Eko and Penny together. The original caption was going to say – “On cold fall days the pups bury themselves in covers and do their ‘I’m so excited to see you but it’s too comfy for me to move’ tail wag. Nevertheless, they’re always excited to head to the empty beach, breathe deeply and then keep warm with a raucous game of tag. Once Eko and are worn out, we watch Penny run wild and free, until at last she comes right back to Eko to make sure he saw her fly.” A lot has changed, but I don’t think I’m going to change a single word of that caption. Because it’s the simple, silly, and joyful things about life with my dogs that I’ve always loved to share most. I shared a lot of sorrow with you these past two weeks and I’m grateful for all the kindness, empathy and support. But today I hope we can share a warm memory and a few smiles.

Comments for A Warm Memory

  1. cafall says:

    It’s a beautiful video and how I will always think of Penny and Eko together. How is Penny doing?

    Monty, Harlow and Ramble

  2. Alecia, Dylan, & Rosie says:

    Thanks for the laugh, Will! We’ve been thinking about you a lot…Hugs to you, Emily, and Penny <3

    Alecia, Dylan, & @Rosie_Ridgeback

  3. Pat says:

    Eko could hold his own with Penny, when he chose to do so! 🙂

  4. Victoria Coleman says:

    wonderful video – thanks for sharing that! Take care of yourself, Penny and Emily!! Have a good weekend

  5. That tag wagging video with that peppy fun song and sheer joy at running around made me smile. Talk about a ‘wagnificent’ memory! Eko may be gone from his earthly shackles, but he or his spirit will certainly will not be forgotten from our hearts or our minds. ღ

  6. the wagging tail under the blanket remibds me so much of Easy… it’s a beautiful video… and yes, we will follow your advice and we stay under our blanket today …

  7. Emmadog says:

    What a sweet video! One of the hardest things for mom has been not being able to ever take another photo or video of Katie. We knew it was the end and Mom couldn’t stop taking photos because she knew it was the end. Being a photo/video person, that is so very hard to deal with. This video is wonderful!

  8. meANXIETYme says:

    Those tail wags under the blankets are irresistible. I love how they couldn’t even see you and yet they were still wagging their tails. Thanks for sharing this. I think we all needed to see it as much as you needed to share it. Lots of hugs and kisses to Penny. To you and Emily…I send lots of energy to keep moving forward each day.

  9. Jan & Rusty says:

    Love this video! Such a good warm memory of a perfect moment in our time with Eko.

  10. Connie Taylor says:

    Love the “happy memory” you shared with us! Thanks for allowing us to share “Eko” and Mayhem “Penny” with you

  11. Midge Mercer says:

    Lifts my heart to see the love in Eko’s eyes and the joy pouring out of Penny. You are in our thoughts.

  12. TheRidgebackLife says:

    I love that shot of Eko with his ear gently lifted by the wind. Such a contemplative gaze down the beach, which, I’m sure, was interrupted by Penny Mayhem. Her mad minutes around obstacles are exactly like Khoi’s, only his obstacles are generally boulders on the river and his front legs are usually flying in all directions.
    Thanks you for the fond memories. That’s the way we will all remember Eko. You made me smile today.

  13. Aud says:

    THANK YOU for giving us Eko and Penny, and yourself!

  14. Deborah Schmidt says:

    God speed Eko. Keep the Rainbow Bridge under control until Will comes for you. You Will, Penny and Emily will be together again.

  15. Laura Tafelsky says:

    I have been so sorry for your loss. And yesterday, I lost my faithful loving furry companion. For the last 13 years she has been by my side or at my feet. Losing her was not as sudden as your loss, but I do know your pain. I wish I could help you as your words have helped me & given me strength. Thank you. Give an extra hug to Penny for me. We must believe that our pain & emptiness will eventually be replaced with warmth and smiles from al of the wonderful memories that will suddenly appear.

  16. This proves what all of your blog family know–Eko had a great life thanks to you. Thank you for sharing this video. It’s perfect.

  17. Elyse says:

    Wonderful. Sniff….

  18. Oh that was absolutely wonderful! I played it over and over and those moves could not have been any more perfect than if they’d been professionally choreographed. Eko and Penny were so in tune with each other……and you and Emily as well but whenever the two of them were playing the joy was palpable even from afar! Smiling is so healing…..I know Penny misses her big brother like crazy – we all miss him.

    Hugs, Pam (and Sam)

  19. lauramcgrew says:

    It made me sooooo happy to see this, but not gonna lie, I choked up too. I am delighted and proud that you didn’t change a word of this wonderful post. Loved seeing them both so happy!!

  20. coastingnz says:

    Thanks for sharing that Will. So lovely to see beautiful Eko and Penny at play. Those memories will help keep Eko with you forever. He is such a special boy forever in all of our hearts. Crying happy tears this morning as your children have always brought us such joy.

  21. Sam says:

    I recognize those tail wags! We get them at our house, too. And what a perfect last video of your dynamic duo – happy and romping. Hugs to you all!

  22. Tina Turner says:

    Sweet Eko. What a beautiful photo and a perfect post.

  23. Joanne says:

    Thank you for sharing this lovely memory…

  24. Cindy Delgatto says:

    So so happy they both are!! You are an amazing dad to them. Eko lived every single day of his life surrounded in love and happiness. When I watched them just running around in complete utter abandon and joy – it filled my heart. Look at them both, they are so joyful and silly, trying to out do each other running circles. That little Penny always checking in to make sure she has an audience and Eko standing proudly watching and soaking in the moment. I have had many sudden losses in my life and It is really hard not to just remember the last awful day but I force myself to focus on the happy days. I flood my mind with only the good stuff until my memory does a correction and only the good is clear and sharp and the awful moments while still very painful are not the first thing that I think of. You will hear “it will get better” a thousand times and right now you probably could hardly believe it…..but it will happen. In your own time. We will meet you where you are at Will and walk along this journey as a community together.

  25. He was so majestic looking.

  26. Eve says:

    Love the video and so glad you didn’t change a thing! Yes will always be a new normal from now on and I used that phase quite too awhile back. But it does get easier as time goes on. Love to you, Emily & Wild Child Penny!! HUGS!

  27. lynneplus3 says:

    Grief comes in waves, but in time you WILL be able to think back and smile more often than cry. It helps to share the joy and the sadness. We will all miss Eko- it was the highlight of my week to check out your posts and videos.
    Please give Penny an extra snuggle from Quinn and me.

  28. Shannon says:

    Putting all my focus on my remaining ridgeback got me through the death of my first. The puppy still needed walked, fed, brushed, etc. He healed my heart. You do what is best for you, but getting another dog has always helped me heal.

    It sucks so bad Will. As someone else posted, someday you will be able to recall him with more smiles than tears. You are all in my thoughts.

  29. Deena Sadek says:

    Every time I think of Eko, my heart just breaks. Mr. Eko wasn’t my dog but I loved him and Penny, and I’m so grateful that you chose to share your adventures with your dogs with all of us. Watching this video and seeing Eko’s puppy picture brought a smile to my face, and I thank you for that. I loved how their tails wagged in anticipation of their day with you; it was just pure joy.

    I understand your deep sorrow and how difficult it can be to recover from such a loss. When I lost Sienna, I was devastated. She was my very first dog, not the family dog, but mine. I got her at 8 weeks of age, and she was part Rhodesian Ridgeback. I was in college at the time, and I took Sienna with me to every class. Most of the time she was quiet, but once in a while, she would decide that a backpack was the enemy and would pounce and wrestle it into submission. It was hard not to laugh out loud when that happened. Sienna changed my life. I don’t know where I would be today had I never gotten Sienna, but because of her, I became a veterinarian. I lost Sienna when I began my Internal Medicine residency. I felt like my guiding light had been extinguished, I felt so lost and alone, and so terribly heart broken. I sobbed for days and days, and what saved me were my 2 other dogs, Molly a RR and Stanley a JRT, who needed me just as much as I needed them, and my memories of Sienna. I came home the day I lost Sienna, and while sobbing, looked at all of her pictures and remembered everything that we had shared together. I came to realize, that Sienna never really left me, she is and will always be, in my heart. Everyone mourns differently, and I’m glad to see that you are taking out those pictures and reliving all of those wonderful memories you shared with Eko, and that Penny (and Emily) give you a reason to get out of bed.

    If there is anything I can do to help you understand what could have happened to Eko, please do not hesitate to ask. My hope is that with each passing day, more smiles than tears come to your face as you think of your very special dog, Mr. Eko.

  30. Boomdeeadda says:

    I already left a message this morning but wanted to add, thank you for sharing your video here. I can only imagine how hard it was for you. Kelly

  31. This is just so hard. I watch this video and find myself looking for any sort of sign that something was amiss, there is none. It just breaks my heart so much. Eko looked so vital and healthy. I just can’t accept it. It is so hard. I loved the video, but it is so bittersweet. ((((hugs))))

  32. T&S says:

    We have same sort of blankets for our dogs… still crying about Eko… thinking its just a bad dream… hugged and kissed both of my dogs…
    You know, Eko was in a way a little bit ours too. We loved this little gentleman.

  33. Cheryl Mandell says:

    I am so very for your loss. It really sucks. Life is so hard…

    My heart was broken recently…I, too, had a sudden death with my girl Stella. Her sister Peanut just sat in her crate for days, mourning . That broke my heart even more. Death is overwhelming, memories of your heart, and time, help you through it. Give Penny what she needs-your heart-she needs you more than ever. Hug, kiss and play with her. Hug and kiss your bride. Eko would want it that way, and be proud.

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