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November 4, 2016

[VIDEO] The End of the Beginning

Losing Eko felt like the end. But I’ve since realized his death was an end. An abrupt and devastating end,  but not a final one. I’ve posted hundreds of videos here on the blog. I make them because I love sharing the joy of my dogs with you. But today’s video isn’t
Losing Eko felt like the end. But I’ve since realized his death was an end. An abrupt and devastating end,  but not a final one. I’ve posted hundreds of videos here on the blog. I make them because I love sharing the joy of my dogs with you. But today’s video isn’t for you. It’s for me. A reminder to myself, both now and forever, to find the resolve to live each moment the way my puppy taught me to. Thanks for helping me limp along as I learn to discover for myself the courage which Eko so graciously gave me each day.    

Comments for [VIDEO] The End of the Beginning

  1. it’s so hard to come back to life after our heart is broken in 1000 pieces…and we send you lots of hugs and weim-power to manage this goal…. your video was so great… I saw your tears as it started and at the end I cried too…. but tears for a friend like Eko are ok, my tears are like diamonds to honor this wonderful pup who brought so much joy to you, to Emily, to Penny and to your readers…

  2. Piglove says:

    We understand more than you know our dear friend. Always in our hearts and prayers. Come on in now for it – hogs and snout kisses. XOXO – Bacon

  3. Very sorry to hear about Eko – so hard to believe – a very special pup. Great big hugs to you all xAx

  4. Victoria Coleman says:

    your Eko lived in the moment with you and loved you all of the time – you honor him. Once again a heartwarming (if not heartbreaking) blog entry! Have a great weekend w/your girls!

  5. meANXIETYme says:

    Tears flow again as I watch your amazing video honoring Mr. Eko. It was beautiful. Our love and lots of light are being sent your way. Thank you again for sharing your honesty with us. There is love and despair in our lives with our pets, and the truth is we cannot have one without the other. And the truth is, we would not KNOW one without the other. It is life’s gift and life’s curse. HUGS to you and Emily and Penny.

  6. Keep sharing, Will. It helps us all with the grief. This video tore me up inside. I’m glad you trust us., your followers and ridgeback family, to express your grief. We will always hold you all dear to our hearts. Your bond with Eko is nothing short of divine inspiration. That bind will never be broken. Sending peaceful dreams and hugs to you and Emily and Penny and we ALWAYS keep your Eko alive here in our conversations , by watching your videos and most of all by cherishing every single second of our life with our Eko and Will inspired pup.

  7. Pat says:

    Laughter and tears. Think of you often. Hugs, Pat

  8. zannyro says:

    I’m so sorry for your loss, losing love is so hard.

  9. Elyse says:

    There’s no match for that love, is there. But you’re right that it will always be with you.

    Thanks for sharing Eko with us. The laughs and the tears. But mostly the love.

  10. Oh Will……..a sweet video……Eko was your everything and I dread the day that I will go through this myself with Sam. I will allow myself to grieve, as you have, I will recall every instant of joy Sam has brought to me, and I will love again when I bring another trusting little cat soul into my world to care for and love deeply. In giving love, we understand clearly what it’s like to receive it back in spades. There will always be tears but grief’s sharp edges do soften with time…………………………..

    Hugs, Pam

  11. Emmadog says:

    Such a great video tribute to a wonderful dog/best friend/partner. He came to you at your lowest point, and leaving you has created a new lowest point. He would want you to succeed, be happy, live in the moment. Cherish time with Penny and Emily. The end is so final. For you, there was no warning, no time to think. When we lost Katie, we knew it was happening and Mom was in a whirlwind trying to take more and more photos, snuggle, talk to, do all the things she could before that moment because we knew what wasn’t done would never happen, but it didn’t help at all. Mom still breaks down all the time missing Katie, but she tries her best to move on as Katie would like her to. It is hard, but a big part of life is learning to deal with loss, and frankly, it sucks.

  12. Lindsay says:

    I don’t think I’ve ever commented but I’ve followed your blog on and off and am always inspired by your photos and stories and love for your dogs. From one dog lover to another, I’m so, so sorry Eko died. He continues to encourage people like me to get out and find adventures with their dogs. Thinking of you.

  13. lauramcgrew says:

    Absolutely perfect tribute to that magnificent and funny boy, Will. Thank you. I thought my tears were finally drying up, but they flow freely again. That’s okay, joy and sorrow being so intertwined.
    What a joy-bringer he was and still is.

  14. Jo Rhodes says:

    Beloved Eko,
    You’re sorely missed. Thank you for picking Will and Emily and wiggling your big, clean ears;) into our hearts. I have no idea how to convey how much we love you . We’ll take care of Will for you. We’re all leaning on each other in your absence. Even those of us who never met you ( and still have our pups) are having trouble breathing . A kiss on your head. Good Dog!
    Will, your grief will change… Ironically, in a few months you’ll get slammed with that horrible, “If Eko was born on the day he died he’d be 4 months old…or doing this skill”feeling. People will want you to be over your dog. You never will be and that’s alright.
    We’ll be here to love and support you until you see Eko again.
    Love and letting you lean, Jo, Sam and Dean

  15. EVe says:

    Tears and hugs to you for this very fitting this very special video of Mr. EKO and you! All the heartache for the loss of him came back as I saw two souls who was having the time of their life and learning along the way! Bless you for sharing this with all of us!

  16. KarenS says:

    Will. That was an amazing tribute to dear Eko and the intense love we feel for these creatures that share our lives with us.

    I know my boys will not be with us much longer, and the time when my tears will come are approacihing. Our 1st Ridgie gave us only 9 years. We currently have a 10 and almost 12 year old couple of characters. The hurt will be immense.

    Like Eko, they have been instrumental in helping us in a transition, as 12 years ago we made a move to a place where we knew no one. Our Bruno was born on the day we arrived and introduced us to so many wonderful people. We’ve lost pets in the past, but this will be different and until that day comes we will live each day enjoying their company.

  17. Cath Whistler says:

    Thank you for the lovely, heartfelt, heart-warming, and heart-breaking tribute. Sending you mountains and oceans of love to wrap around your heart, but your best balm is already by your side, and in your memories.

  18. Once you do your best, there’s nothing else to do. .

  19. Loni says:

    Beautiful tribute to Eko.
    Was it last year?….when I saw your Cups Game Video of smart Eko finding the treat under the cup- I was so excited how brilliant he was, I showed all my coworkers that video. Smart, Loving Eko- truly a wonderful dog. They are part of our family, aren’t they?

  20. TheRidgebackLife says:

    I was prepared for another good cry, but seeing Eko running, playing, and eating Penny’s head, only made me smile. Your tribute brought back so many memories of your adventures, it inspired me to go back and check archives. What a wonderful partner in crime you had. He obviously was put on this earth to lead you through a tough time and he did his job beautifully. He will always be a part of you; that little chamber of your heart that is Eko. Run free Eko and try to trip up that wind surfer, so Penny can finally catch him!

  21. T&S says:

    Wonderful
    I think it is never enough time when you love a dog so much.

  22. Connie Taylor says:

    Will, I know you’ll do your best, with the great love and teachings Eko has given you, Emily and Penny. This was a great tribute and I enjoyed seeing the quick trips down memory lane with Eko. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and feelings with us and helping so many of us grieve with you. Now we can all start to heal together

  23. coastingnz says:

    Thank you Eko – with the help of your Dad you taught all of us many many lessons and we all love you for it and miss you. We’re all crying your pain with your Will – hoping some of our tears will ease some of yours. Eko would be – no Eko is very proud of you.

  24. Ana Teresa Camara says:

    Many thanks for sharing Eko and all the vídeos, all the adventures, all the love for your wonderfull friend. Love from Portugal

  25. My tears are flowing mightily with you and I truly am so sorry for your loss, but happy Eko brought such joy and heart to your life. Hoping you can find another much like Eko to expand your heart and spirit. A truly lovely tribute video-thank you for sharing your love, your loss, your smiles as well as your tears.

  26. lynneplus3 says:

    I’m in tears again. For Eko, for you, for me. It was a beautiful tribute for such a fine gentleman of a dog! I feel as though Eko was family.
    xo

  27. And I’m crying…with you.

  28. Ogee says:

    A wonderful tribute to one of the world’s most loved pups. Taken too soon…but he lived a life so full – thanks to you, Will. Not an end. Just a new chapter in the everlasting love of Eko.

  29. René L. Hester says:

    Oh man…still painful to see him running free, especially the part where he’s running up to you & Emily when you first picked him out of litter. Between the words in tribute & recalling Emily’s words of “You’re my Eko!”, I can easily feel the love you have for him, one another; & I can feel how much love you have for Penny – what a lucky pup she is, you’re all very lucky to share in that love. Thanks’ again for sharing. ❤️, René & Chi-Chi

  30. Yup crying with you again. Beautifull video. huggs willemijn

  31. This is a beautiful tribute Will. I hope the process was cleansing for you and that even though your hear remains broken you truly can move on and once again be happy. That human spirit thing – it will carry you forward…

  32. Caroline Edmiston says:

    I couldn’t respond to your last post. It hurt too much. Just days after Eko left, we learned our older RR has sarcoma. Chase has been to me, what Eko was to you. And I could not see through the pain.

    He has given me unconditional love and made me a better human.

    I love this tribute to your special Eko, who will echo through your soul, forevermore.

    Thank you for sharing.

    Caroline, Chase and Maggie (my Penny)

  33. KohiMuffy says:

    Thank you for the post and so sorry for your loss. my dog was once near death and my heart was broken into pieces just went through that period of journey with him. I couldn’t even imagine how you’re going through now. be strong. and thank you for reminding all of us to cherish the time that we have with our 4 legged family.

  34. […] Last Friday’s post was meant to be a cathartic waypoint on my journey. A marker in my heart  of where I’d been, pointing forward towards where I need to go. WordPress scrapped that plan by sending a congratulatory reminder that Friday marked the fifth anniversary of  this blog’s existence. I celebrated by crying! The traditional fifth anniversary gift is made of wood, which is fitting, because the notification hit me like a 2×4 to the gut. As I now instinctively do when I’m feeling down, I called to Penny and we headed to the beach. […]

  35. Gretchen Frank says:

    Will. I have been following your adventures with Eko, Penny and Emily for a few years now. I look forward to the daily emails chronicling your adventures especially after losing my own “light” prematurely to cancer last February. My girl Zuri was my world so when the one arrived about your loss of Eko I felt like I had been punched in the gut. People that have never connected with a dog on that level just don’t understand and I found myself feeling foolish for still being upset about her passing and missing her so. I will say that the pain lesssens with time but there is always an empty spot in your heart. Three weeks ago I brought home a new baby. A boy this time. I’m so happy to have a dog in the house again and there is just something about Rhodesians that is so special. I can’t imagine having another type of dog ever again. You are doing everything right and I’m glad that you have penny to help you along on your unexpected journey. Looking forward to bringing Baron to the beach for the first time soon. It is the best kind of medicine just to see them running for the sheer joy it brings them. Take care.

  36. This was beautiful, Will. My heart shattered for you and Emily and Penny when I read about Eko. I’ve cried with you as I’ve read each blog post since, and I completely lost it when I read this quote from Emily several posts ago: “You are my Eko.” What a lovely sentiment. Harper Lee is my second Golden Retriever. Talbot was my first. Talbot got sick one Halloween, and five weeks later I held her as she slipped away. And I cried, and cried, and cried, and cried. I was a shell of myself, and each month on the 4th (the day she died) the hole in my heart ripped just a little more. One day, many months later, I woke up on the 5th and realized I hadn’t cried the day before, but it still hurt. And then along came Harper Lee. I cried the day we brought her home. My husband said, “Why are you crying.” And I said, “Because one day I’ll have to let her go.” She’s 7-1/2 years old now, and I’m thankful for every single day I have with her. I have a friend who said of her second Golden Retriever, “I love this dog so much it scares me.” At the time Talbot was still alive and I didn’t really understand what she meant. Now Harper Lee is in my life, and I totally get it. I wonder how I’ll ever survive having to let her go . . . but I will. It will get better, Will. I promise. It’s a long road, and it hurts so very much. But it will get better, and I know that Emily and Penny will shower you with more than enough love to fill that aching hole in your heart. I’m thinking of you.

  37. What a beautiful tribute. May you find peace.

  38. Joanne says:

    I was finally able to bring myself to watch this tribute to Eko. So heartwarming and heartbreaking. Thank you for sharing Eko with us. My heart goes out to you. Cherish all those memories…

  39. I had to wait to view this because I knew it was going to tear me up…and it did…….but…it was BEAUTIFUL…..Eko is smiling down on you with love and he will ALWAYS, ALWAYS be with you and all of us (((hugs))) and love from all of us

  40. Malin says:

    Hi Will!
    I am so sorry to hear about Eko. It was much to soon. I am so sorry for your loss. My Ridgeback is now almost 8 and I want him to live forever. We lost my cat not long ago. I had him for almost 18 years. Both me and my pup were heartbroken. We now have a new kitten and a new best friend for my pup, but nothing can replace what we lost. Life goes on, but it will never be the same.
    I love your videos with Eko and Penny and how well you take care of them. It is a joy to watch. Just like I crying now for Eko, I have laughed and smile a lot watching your videos.
    Sending lots of love your way
    Malin, Sweden

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