7.28.2009

Ukiah.......

Just about a year ago, we lost our family dog Ukiah Samson to a tragic death.......
He was a Tibetan Mastiff.....his father actually came from Tibet.......surrounding monasteries and protecting the monks that lived in the hills...........needless to say......he absolutely loved winter......... He was gentle with every creature on the farm.....here, he is with Gilberta (i love this one)......
not much of a water dog, but if we were in the lake swimming, so was he.......

he did sleep alot....but his gentle nature and sense for what was around him always comforted us......

I have never had a more gentle dog......a dog to sleep on.....climb on......cuddle with......and if he wasn't running through the countryside, he was always right there........no matter what......
this is by far my favorite photo......bitter 2 fold because it was taken in the barn that burned....
our son was only 7 here, dressed in his chaps and vest, with his 'trusty dog'.....

and for fun, we took what we thought could be an old cowboy record cover (i love records)
all in all, we miss you Ukiah..........and life on the farm hasn't been the same without you......
i simply cannot write any more......i had planned on posting more pictures, but the tears (i know i'm overly emotional) are preventing my eyesight to be clear right now, forgive me......
but if you have ever owned a dog, you lost unexpectedly, that was the softest most gentle creature to both you, the farm animals and your children, then you will know why my eyes are glistening........very heavily.........

20 comments:

  1. These pictures are wonderful, Aunt. I am sorry for your loss. Sampson was a wonderful dog. God bless you for all you go through.

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  2. Such a pretty dog.
    Bless you.
    It's delightful to have sweet memories of this fantastic pet. The pics are wonderful.
    Pets are an important part of our lives. They're great.
    Add alot of joy.

    D,
    from Kansas

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  3. Dear Anne Marie,

    I enjoyed the wonderful photos so much. Such a loving tribute to your sweet, faithful, loyal and handsome Ukiah Samson. I am so very sorry for your great loss. It is one of the hardest things to go through, loosing a beloved pet! We love and adore our sweet Pearl and could not imagine life without her. I don't think you are overly emotional at all! I have lost four dogs in my life and it is heartbreaking!

    Bless you,
    Paula

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  4. Anne-Marie, I know I can relate. It is never easy to lose a pet esp. such a devoted and loving one who is more like a family member. It never goes away, but the pain eases. Thanks for sharing your friend with us!

    Lynne
    dlyyne172@yahoo.com

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  5. Time lessons, but never does away with, the pain of losing a loved one. What a lovely beloved companion was Ukiah Samson.

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  6. Hi Anne-Marie,

    Thank you for sharing this and I know the love that you feel for a beloved family friend and the despair and pain when they are gone.

    I can see in his face and in his eyes what a gentle kind soul your Ukiah was. Thank you for also sharing your incredible photos with us.

    God gives us these wonder creatures to love and enjoy, I can't imagine that we won't see them again.

    Here's a (((HUG))) for you!

    xoxo
    Karyn

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  7. I, too, have lost numerous pets over the years and they are all very painful. I have a picture in memory of our sweet little Gypsy at the very bottom of my blog. Come take a look sometime.
    I know the heartache of losing one before their time. I lost the sweetest cat who was my constant companion over 4 years ago and I still cry over him.
    I remember all of my dear sweet pets from rats, hamsters, chickens,geese & ducks, dogs, cats, cows and horses. They were all dear to me.
    Blessings!

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  8. What a beautiful dog. I'm sending hugs your way. We lost our sweet Greyhound 3 years ago and the feeling of great loss still hasn't left us. She left us quickly and we were unprepared. We talk about her often and cry as well. They really are family. I'm sorry for the loss of your special boy.
    ~Michelle

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  9. IT's been ten or more years for one special dog we lost, and yes, the tears are right there under the eyelids when I think about him. By the way, your dog was beautiful and had a name that matched him very well.
    XOXO
    Joni

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  10. What a beautiful dog Anne Marie. I'm sorry for the loss of your beloved friend.

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  11. anne marie, do not feel you are sensitive... as most of us would do the same, besides, God gave us tears and a loving heart, so you are doing what you are supposed to do. bless you for loving your beautiful ukiah so much. i know your pain as we lost our big black jack to the highway. it always hurts. ukiah was so beautiful. thank you for sharing him with us!

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  12. Beautiful, beautiful dog, both inside and out. It doesn't take much to tear me up when I think of the dogs I have loved and lost. And goodness knows they can never be replaced. Don't beat yourself up for grieving over him...... I am sure he is grieving over leaving you from his place in heaven.

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  13. Now that a pup!!! Love him!

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  14. What a sweetie he is in those pics. You can just tell. It's hard losing a loved pet. I think we can all relate.
    D

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  15. Awww, I know. I do know. It's heart-breaking and the grieving process has to run its course. Such sweet pictures of a sweet doggie. Hugs to you. ~Ann

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  16. Anne Marie,
    Your sweet dog looks very much like my own "Morgan" who was a New Foundland that was as big as a horse, but gentle as a lamb. He lived a wonderful 11 1/2 years and passed peacefully in his sleep 15 years ago and I still miss him as he was my best friend. Never feel bad for missing your friend. Our capacity for pure love is proven in our sorrow and in our great joy. Take heart that you've known those moments of pure love. Thoughtfully, Tami E.

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  17. I am so sad with you as I read this post, I am so sorry for your loss. We lost one of our Boxers very suddenly a few years back and it still pulls my heart strings very heavily to think of her, Blessings and hugs, I know exactly how you feel, Janna

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  18. I know what you mean...it's been 1 and half years since we lost our little doggy I had for 13 years. I can't even think about getting another dog because the one we had was perfect -- there could be no other.

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  19. Oh ... what a beautiful doggie. Im sooo sorry for his loss. His story made my eyes misty too.

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  20. You have definitely captured the dogs personality through these photo's and I can't tell you how sorry I am for your loss. The pain I know is unbearable to say the least, but I want you to know I've been through it with so many dear companions of different critters in my life time. The only thing we can do is go on and love more as much as possible to give them our all. Every time I look at these photos of your dog I could just cry my eyes out because I can see what type of dog he was. I'm sorry if I responded to this so late and for you to go back to read the comment and put you through this. I know it was a year ago, and I also know the pain will always be there, at least its always with me. I feel for you and pray that God will give you peace of mind.

    Take Care dear Anne Marie-

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