15.4.10

Heaven is in Mourning . . .

. . . because my big black brother Bogart is dead.

Keeper found Bogart sleeping peacefully in his house
with his head cradled in his two pillows.
Keeper did not want to disturb Bogart's nap
and decided to give me and Popsy Sumo
our scheduled weekly bath.

But when we were done with our bath
and Bogart was still asleep, Keeper panicked
because bath time is Bogart's favorite
and he would always wait eagerly near Keeper for his turn.
So when Keeper saw Bogart asleep
she panicked and found Bogart dead.

Keeper's wail broke the silence
of the hot quiet afternoon in our house Heaven.
In denial, she tried to call our vet friend DrGeoff
and Happy of GreenwoodsClinic
but it was over.

Oh I knew it was over.
Popsy Sumo knew too.
Animals like us can smell death fast
and Bogart just slept and died.
No ifs. No buts. No goodbyes.
Bogart died on us without a single bark.
I am mourning with every being in Heaven!

Keeper is completely inconsolable.
She kept crying and crying.
For Keeper, Bogart is the cleanest
the kindest, the patient and loving being in Heaven.
While me and my Popsy Sumo would bully Bogart
and laugh and poke fun at him and his silly face
Bogart would simply sleep it off . . .

Keeper asked me if Bogart was sick.
I honestly don't know.
He looks strong and drooly playful.
But lately, he was beside me all week . . .
. . . and I can't go anywhere without finding him
looming big and black beside me!

And since Keeper assigned me to manage all our blogs
including comments for Bogart and PopsySumo
I had to do double time work
while Bogart sniffed and watched the flowers . . .
Bogart loves flowers.
And flowers love him back.
They seem to be blooming for him all week!

But now I look at all the flowers
and all of Bogart's unpublished pictures
and all his flower stories and I knew
I have to continue where he left.

But as Keeper asked
how does one move on and say goodbye?

. . . when the one leaving
does not want to say goodbye . . .


How do you fill the empty space
that a big, black brother,
the one who adores you for life,
the one who licks and clean your fur,
has left without a . . . bark?


When I look at Heaven
and the big empty space
and the big missing something
that is like one's shadow
following you every step of the way
suddenly leave without a word . . .

. . . you feel empty.
You feel lost.
I am lost without Bogart.

How do I move on?


In the next weeks
I will publish all our unwritten stories
until I can fill the void Bogart left
in my heart and in our Heaven.

I will bark Bogart's stories
until I can assure myself
that indeed . . .
Bogart is in Heaven.


In memory of my brother Bogart
January 15, 2001 to April 14, 2010



17 comments:

  1. Im deeply sorry for your loss.

    Charlie

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  2. We are so, so sorry for your loss. Bogart will always be alive in your hearts.
    Love Ruby & Penny

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  3. Oh, Sweepy . . .
    Our condo in the Manor is mourning too. :(

    Sleep well, Bogart.
    Cookie

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  4. Sumo, Lui and Sweepy...nakikiramay ako sa inyong pagdadalamhati. Wag kayo mawawala!

    Ka Berto

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  5. Sweepy.
    I am so sorry to know about Bogart.
    I hope you will share all your good memories of him.
    He will be forever in our hearts.
    Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
    Take care
    Lorenza and mom

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  6. We are so very sad for your loss =(

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  7. sad woofs, ooo Sweepy, i so sorry i am late seeing this, seems like i just checked ur bloggie the other nite....that wood b the way me wood want to go, just go to sleep..Me will miss him, and sorry me didnt get ur message in yahoo to now, fur some reason its been acting up lately...RIP Bogart, run with the wind, and tell my angel Lacylulu i still love and miss her..

    a very very sad,
    rocky
    bear
    angel lacylulu
    and mama...

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  8. We are so sorry to hear that he is gone. My mom will wail and cry when she loses one of us--it is what humans do. It takes a long time to move one sometimes, patience is the key. We are glad that you will have a chance to celebrate his life.

    love & wags,
    River the beagle & mom

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  9. We so very sorry to hear about Bogart's passing. Our hearts are breaking for all of you.
    (((((((((((hugs)))))))))))))))

    Love ya lots,
    Maggie and Mitch

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  10. Thank you furries and hoomans for such kind, loving words. These are our "pillows" cradling our grieving heart at the moment. We are all coping and allowing our tears to comfort and celebrate the passing of our loving Bogart...

    Salamat...

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  11. We are so, so sorry for your loss. This was a lovely tribute.

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  12. ...many tears...

    We are so very sorry. We know how much Bogart was loved. We loved him too. Our hearts are breaking right with you. We look forward to reading your stories and remembering beautiful, sweet Bogart.

    Lots of Luv & Kisses
    Addie, Lucie and Hailey

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  13. We're sorry to hear this. Keeping you all in our thoughts and prayers.

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  14. We are sooooooo very sorry! It is always hard to say Goodbye to our furkids. We're sending lots of Aire-zen for all of you!

    Aire-hugs,
    Penny & Patches

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  15. Oh no, we are so sorry to hear of Bogarts passing. You are in our thoughts.

    Noah Willow Tess Lucy x

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  16. Oh, no!! Not Bogart! We can't believe it! Oh, we are so sorry to hear this news. We share your grief and are so sorry for your loss. You are in our thoughts.

    Peace.

    JNTR

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  17. Our hearts are broken too. We love all of yous and we know it takes time to cope with the different way life is now. Bogart will be so dearly missed and look forward to all his stories when you're ready. He drifted away in his dreams. Must have missed mommy Pica more then we know.

    Love licks and healing hugs

    Crikit, Sparky & Ginger
    not barking loud in memory of our dear friendzee

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