I am so sorry for your loss. I wish I could have had a concerned Dad growing up. Mine was an abusive, wife beating drunken alcoholic. I was the luckiest guy in the world that God gave me a loving Mother who died in 1997. Not a day goes by that I don’t think of her.

Because my Mother couldn’t support us and my father wouldn’t, we (my two brothers and I) were in a home for children for four years.

All that aside, my life was blessed by a kindly family that took me on vacations with them and the man of the house taught me that women were to be loved and not beaten. Another man was my Uncle who started an Explorer post (part of the boy scouts) another was a bus driver who again showed me with his life and example how “real men” behave. And last but not least was an “almost” stepdad (my Mom never re-married). He taught me some home repair stuff.

Because of the influence of the family that took me on vacations with them, their son (also Bob) and I became life long friends, hunting and fishing buddies and terror teenagers.

All in all, I am blessed in life with a (2nd) wife of 33 years and two great kids. You were blessed with a Dad that cared and shared. You are right that he is with all of the friends that preceded him. God is real and we look forward to seeing our loved ones again. Please take comfort in knowing that fact.

Bob Spencer

With tears in my eyes – I don’t know what to say.
I am so sorry for your loss of Kola.

I’m behind on my emails and I just found out now about Kola. I’m so saddened. I came to “know” him through your Yard Sales and know how deeply attached you were to him.

I love animals and I know the pain of losing them. They really are our children.

Please know that you’re in my heart and prayers.

With fondness and warmth,

Louise

I am very sorry you had to say good by to your friend Kola.

It is hard to lose such a special family dog. I still remember when I was just a teen, when we lost our dog Rocky to cancer. He was an amazing dog, beautiful German Shepard, so very smart and witty. We lived in a very remote area at the time, and didn’t have a local vet. So we had to load him onto a plane and fly him 300 miles to a town with a vet. The part that was so hard for me was when he was flown out, I thought he was coming back. But he was put down and we didn’t get to say good by. Since then we have had other dogs and they are great and special in their own ways, but no dog could ever replace Rocky and I am sure you feel that way about Kola too.
When a loved ones life comes to an end, we have to try not to be too sad, rather we should be thankful for having that wonderful soul in our lives for the time we had.

Warm regards,

Jeromy

Peace & Light
Lorrette

I understand the grief you are going through, and I hope it is not made harder by well meaning friends saying “oh well he was just a dog” or “well you can buy another”! I even got “well you’ve got two others” when I lost one of my 3 babies recently – would they say that to someone who had lost one child of three? Of course I dearly love my other two, they are my children, but they are not substitutes for the one I lost, and indeed they seemed to grieve for him as much as I.

Of course Kola cannot be replaced, and he will always hold a special place in your heart and memory, and please do take as long as you need to grieve for him whatever anyone might say. You obviously have some wonderful memories of the time you and he shared together, which I hope will help you in these dark days.

I hope also, that one day you will feel able to open your heart to another – just please, don’t try to ‘replace’ Kola, he was unique and unforgettable, just as your new friend will become once you feel you are able to share your world with one of lifes most wonderful creatures once more.

In the meantime, all my sympathy is with you

no word is enough in momemnts like that.
Your words and the comments of all friends are a tribute to the Great Kola.
Franciscus received Him in Heaven.