I'm so sorry for your loss. Those are great photos of Caia.

So sorry to hear about Caia. My heart and thoughts are with you.

i am crying just a little because our pup is lying here with me and she is a german shep like caia, it is painful to think of losing the faithful friend she has become. my heart goes out to you for the loss. she is beautiful and it honors her well that so many can see her through the photos. rest well caia.

I am so sorry for your loss. I'm a dog lover as well, and had to let go of my sweet Suzie a year and a half ago. Take care of yourselves!

I'm so sorry for your loss.

Real tears are running down my eyes now. I am really sorry about you're loss, but my tears is comming mostly because I had to let my cat go because she got hit by a car in August. Still we have one cat left, but he is not the same loving kind. My Aphrodite was very spescial and I really felt that she loved me very much. I still have a very empty space in my heart, and I have not enjoyed knitting much since this. She always wanted to sit on my lap when I was knitting. I hope you are dealing with it better than me. Take care!

absolutely the saddest thing to do. but think of it this way, she may have been in a lot of pain and now she's in heaven eating the best dog bones. there's a great book on surviving the loss of a pet. of course it slips my mind right now. if you want the title email me and i'll spend some brain energy on it. it takes a while, but you will adjust.

oh no! I'm so sorry you lost a member of your family - I know how hard that can be. It looks like you had so many hugs, kisses, cuddles and good times that at least all those memories can keep you company.

I'm so sorry to hear about Caia. It's incredibly hard to lose someone, sending sympathy your way.

A Dog's Prayer - Beth Norman Harris

Treat me kindly, my beloved master, for no heart in all the world is more grateful for kindness than the loving heart of mine.

Do not break my spirit with a stick, for though I should lick your hand between the blows, your patience and understanding will more quickly teach me the things you would have me do.

Speak to me often, for your voice is the world's sweetest music, as you must know by the fierce wagging of my tail when your footstep falls upon my waiting ear.

When it is cold and wet, please take me inside, for I am now a domesticated animal, no longer used to bitter elements. And I ask no greater glory than the privilege of sitting at your feet beside the hearth. Though you had no home, I would rather follow you through ice and snow than rest upon the softest pillow in the warmest home in all the land, for you are my god and I am your devoted worshipper.

Keep my pan filled with fresh water, for although I should not reproach you were it dry, I cannot tell you when I suffer thirst. Feed me clean food, that I may stay well, to romp and play and do your bidding, to walk by your side, and stand ready, willing and able to protect you with my life should your life be in danger.

And, beloved master, should the great Master see fit to deprive me of my health or sight, do not turn me away from you. Rather hold me gently in your arms as skilled hands grant me the merciful boon of eternal rest -- and I will leave you knowing with the last breath I drew, my fate was ever safest in your hands.

Julia, delurking to offer my condolences- I've been on the road and was wondering how Caia was doing, and I'm so sad to hear of her passing. You and M have been loving people to her to the end.

Goodbye sweet Caia. We love you.

I'm sorry, sweetie. That's a hard one to get through, for everyone, little fuzzy orange guys included. I wish I was close enough to give you a hug, my friend.

My deepest sympathies.

Don't second guess yourself. You knew when it was right to let her go and you did what was best for her. Thanks for sharing some of your memories.

-Amy

I'm so sorry...I still miss my family dog, who left us 7 years ago...there's no other family member like the family dog, who is gladly there no matter what you're going through and is so easy to love.

Oh, I am so sorry to hear of your loss. I still mourn my GSD that we had for 9 years, and I know how special they are.

I'm glad you have such wonderful memories to help you cope with the sorrow. I hope her trip over the rainbow bridge was swift and sweet for her.

What beautiful pictures and moving tribute to your special friend. We who have not had the privilege of knowing her can feel the beautiful soul that she was and is. So very soeey for your loss.

I'm so sorry for your loss - it is so hard to say goodbye to the ones we love. Caia had a life full of adventure and love - we could all wish for as much. love and strength to you

anna
x

I'm so sorry to hear about your loss. Caia was obviously a wonderful dog. I'm glad you have so many happy memories and great pictures of Caia. Townes is going to be a lonely kitty. My thoughts are with you and your family.

xo. thank you for sharing her with us. call when you pass through town.

Hugs to you. We lost one of our bunnies a few months ago and it's hard, but it's good to have those great memories to go back to.

I'm sorry for your loss. Nothing right now is the right thing say to appease your pain. Time will help to heal the sorrow. But take heart, she held on to you for so long just not to hurt you. I'm sure, from Heaven, she would love to see you happy again reminiscing of all the good times you all shared and not be sad.

Julia, I am "de-lurking" to express my sympathies for the loss of your beloved dog. I am so sorry ... we had to put our 13-year-old dog, Cookie, to sleep in June 2005 and it was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do. I still miss her every day, but know you did the best thing for her by letting her go peacefully. I'm so sorry for your loss, but please be comforted by all the wonderful years of friendship and love you had together. My best to you.

:-( I'm so sorry, Julia. Tears welled up in my eyes as I scrolled down and looked at the photos of your Caia. A sweet dog who obviously gave you all a lot of love.

R.I.P. Caia.

Julia, so sorry to hear about Caia. It's so tough losing a beloved member of your family.

Wow, I am so sorry to hear about your dog. So glad that she had such a wonderful life with you. It was horribly sad when our family dog died -- I wasn't even able to accept any new ones; saying goodbye was too hard. Your little family is in my thoughts and prayers.

P.S. I loved the picture of Caia watching the bass in Lake George. My cat liked to watch the autumn leaves come down and I always think of that this time of year. It makes me think of a favorite poem by Hopkins, "Margaret, are you grieving/Over Goldengrove unleafing?"

Please accept my sympathies. I lost a beloved cat last year. There is some comfort when we share our love and respect for these dear creatures.

i just lost my dog too. i'm soooo sorry and i feel your loss deeply. my heart and prayers go out to you.

Sounds like Caia had more adventures in her 14-year doggy lifetime than most people get in 90 human years! I'd say you guys gave her an exciting and loving home in return for all the goodness she gave you. Remember the good times...

I am so sorry for the loss of your sweet Caia. We lost our own sweet Clancy just two weeks ago and the hurt is still fresh. I'm glad you have so many happy memories of your beloved companion.

My deepest sympathies Julia and M. I have had to say good-bye to several beloved pets over the years (one a sweet tempered cat-loving 11yo German Shepherd who travelled with our military family from Hawaii to Japan to KS to MD and absolutely loved riding in the front seat of the car) and it never gets any easier. You were blessed to have such a loving companion for so long.

I am so sorry for your loss. It's so hard to let our pets go.

I am so sorry to hear about your loss of your beautiful Caia. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.

I´m so sorry, Julia, for your loss!!!!

THE RAINBOWBRIDGE!

A bridge connects skies and earth. Because of the many colors one calls it the rainbow bridge. On this side a country with meadows, hills, valleys and juicy green grass is to the bridge. If a loved animal on earth dies, it goes to this beautiful place. There it gives to always eat and drink, and it is warm beautiful spring weather. The old and ill animals are again young and healthy, the injured are again welfare. They will interaction all day long. There is only one thing, which they miss. They are not with their humans together, who loved them in such a way on earth. Thus and will interaction they run each day, until a daily suddenly one of them stops and looks up. Its eyes become completely large! Suddenly this runs one from the group out and flies over the green grass. It saw you. And if you and your loved animal meet, you take it into your arms and hold it. Your face is kissed again and again, and you look finally again into the eyes of your loved animal. Then you cross the rainbow bridge together, and you never again separate will be…

(C) by Paul C. Dahm

Delurking to say that I am sorry to hear about the loss of Caia. I enjoyed the pictures of her you would post. I know firsthand that these beautiful creatures sometimes provide us with more love, comfort, empathy and understanding than another human being. My condolences.

I am so sorry to hear of your loss...I don't really have any words, but wanted to let you know that I'm thinking of you during this difficult time...I may not have known her, but I will remember Caia through your pictures and stories...And she was a very special dog!

My sympathy to you, Moxie, & Townes. I'm so sorry for your loss of beautiful Caia.

Julia-- I'm so sorry for your loss, and it's so clear from these photos and your writing what a great dog she was and what a wonderful life she had. Lots of love to the family.

My condolences on your loss. The pictures are a beautiful tribute. She seems like she was a loving and gentle dog.

Oh, I'm so sorry. Thank you for those touching photographs. Goodness they bring tears to my eyes. I know her memeory will live with you always.

I hope time will help ease this pain.

I am so sorry about your girl. She is always with you, her amazing human parents.
Her physical presence is gone, but her love is forever.

Thank you for sharing Caia with us. I wish you peace during this difficult time!
Lise

I'm so sorry. She is a beautiful girl!

What a beautiful girl. Inside and out. Again, my heart breaks for your loss. I understand how hard it can be. Hang in there. I'm here if ever you just want to talk dog and get it out. I found when I got my tattoo and chatted about Kayla more, it helped so much. xoxo

I am so sorry for your loss. I know your girl Caia knows how much y'all loved her.

Oh, Julia, I am so, so sorry. My heart breaks for you. Caia sounds like a wonderful, delightful, one-in-a-million dog.

Oh dear. I'm so sorry...October has been such a crappy month this year.
Caia sounds like a true darling and sweetheart. From what you describe it reminded me a lot of my dog's Fudge last month...it was hard to let go of her. However you have some wonderful memories and really gorgeous photos. So fortunate you could work from home too.

I am sorry that you lost Caia. Thanks for sharing thoughts and pictures of her. She knows she was loved.

Julia, I am so sorry for you.

Anan in Sweden

Julia, I'm so sorry to hear this. Take care!

oh sweet caia! i'm so sorry i wasn't home to see you today, i would love to have given you a dozen good hugs. i love *love* the pics you posted, esp. of townes and caia..

so sad for you ~ a big hug and i'll give you a call tomorrow, ok?

(((((( Julia )))))) I'm so sorry to hear about Caia, I know how heartbreaking it is to make that decision. Even though I never got to meet Caia, I know she must have been quite special. She'll always be in your heart. My condolences to you and M.

thank you for sharing your memories and sweet pictures of caia. take care...

What a beautiful, touching post. Thank you so much for sharing Caia with us.

So sorry you have lost your sweet girl. I cannot imagine what that must be like. ;-( Sad for you and Moxie and the kitties.

My sincerest and most heartfelt condolences to you and yours. Dogs hold on for as long as they can for us, and although it's precisely that kind of love that makes it hurt so much when they go, it's that same kind of love that keeps the memories precious and helps ease the pain. So sorry for your loss.

My sincerest and most heartfelt condolences to you and yours. Dogs hold on for as long as they can for us, and although it's precisely that kind of love that makes it hurt so much when they go, it's that same kind of love that keeps the memories precious and helps ease the pain. So sorry for your loss.

I'm so sorry, Julia. Thinking of you and M, and your sweet Caia girl.

The good ones never last long enough, which would be forever. I still miss Heather. I'm sorry Caia's needed to leave this realm. I'm glad she was such a wonderful dog, and found such a wonderful home.

After nearly loosing Moxie and on the verge of loosing Murphy (our poorly, very old boy) I understand your loss. Our pets are so much a part of our lives and members of the family. My heart goes out to you Julia!

I've been thinking of you all weekend and especially today since I heard the news. I shared Caia's story and photos with B and we are both so sad for your loss. Loving thoughts to you and M and an extra big hug from me (which I plan to give you in person soon). xo-

I am so very sorry for you and M's loss. I know how hard it is and hope it may be easier knowing she's not in pain any more.

I'm so sorry. I'm all teary because there is nothing as sweet as the innocent love of a pet. It's wonderful that you have so many beautiful memories.

De-lurking to offer my condolences. Thank you for sharing such a beautiful tribute. I'm thinking of you and yours during this difficult time.

Julia & M - I DO know how much this hurts..........I am thinking of you, and hoping that Caia finds my little Oscar at the Rainbow Bridge. Oscar will keep her company...........((((Hugs))))

Julia,

I'm so sorry for your loss. I know how hard it is. I'm always grateful when they so clearly tell us they are ready.

I am so sorry for your loss. I still cry when I think of my girl that I had to let go years ago. I understand your pain.

I hope that you are able to remember the good moments and hold on to those.

my sincerest sympathies.

I am so sorry for your loss. Earlier this year, I had to put down my cat of 13 years. The only thing that comforted me was knowing that there was no more pain for my little friend. My heart goes out to you.

There are few greater gifts than the unconditional love of a special animal. All through my life I've had pets, and have had to say good bye to several special friends, most recently a purry friend who came to live with me in grad school.

Caia was obviously treasured. How lucky for her and you. My sympathies on her loss. Peace to you and M.

I'm sorry for your loss. I unexpectantly lost my 2 yo kitten in the beginning of the month so I understand your sadness.

Ohh that is so so so sad! I am sooo sorry!! I know you've heard this before, but she had a good life and she seemed a sweet happy girl. A big hug to you!

I practically bawled my eyes out looking at your pictures and reading your post about Caia. I am sorry for your loss. It's obvious she was very loved

May Caia find her way quickly to the happy hunting ground.
It sounds like you will miss her so much! I'm sorry.

I'm really sorry for your loss. I know first-hand how hard it is to say goodbye to a beloved animal. I hope you can be at peace.

Gulp. I know how awfully hard this is. I was perilously close to this sort of thing last spring, but so far Vincent has sprung back to life, and I hope it lasts. But he's 11 with a mass on his liver....it can't last forever. So.hard.

Julia & M, I'm so sorry for your loss. What a wonderful tribute to Caia and precious photos. I can only imagine the pain of letting her go and then going through all these photos. I was holding it together until I got to the images of Townes & Caia and then totally lost it.

Kisses and hugs to Townes too.

I'm delurking to offer my sincerest condolences. It was a beautiful tribute post you shared about Caia.

I'm sure there are no words I could offer that would help heal the hole left in your heart by her absence, but I do hope that you do have some sense of peace in just knowing that you gave her such a beautiful life.

I am so sorry, Julia. My thoughts are with you and M. on this tremendous loss.

Beautiful post - brought tears to my eyes and got me all choked up. I've been reading for a couple years and I wanted to let you know that Caia girl will be missed by all your loyal readers. My thoughts are with you and moxie.

Julia and M, I am deeply sorry for Caia's departing this world. As hard as it is, I'm sure you waited as long as you could and made the right decision. You're in my thoughts and prayers.

I am so sorry! I totally understand what you are going through. We had to put our dear Copper Bear to sleep two weeks ago. Even our kids feel like our family is broken because of the loss of Copper. We still have his toys around the house and I can't bring myself to put them away yet. Hugs to you! Cherish the memories that you had with her! She's probably romping around the Rainbow Bridge with my Copper Bear.

So sorry to hear about Caia. I know she was much- and well-loved and loved you in return. I hope your many wonderful memories will be of some comfort to you. You have my sympathies!

Julia, I'm so terribly sorry. My own elderly kitty, Boris, is battling cancer, and I know his time is short--my stomache sank when you first mentioned that Caia was ill. My thoughts are with both you and Moxie. What a difficult time.

I am so so sorry Julia. Peace to you and M and T and dear Caia.

I am so sorry to hear of your loss. I have been thinking of you and Caia, since you first mentioned her decline. I hope you find comfort in the fact that there will be a part of her with you forever. My deepest condolences for you and M.

I'm so, so sorry...

Julia, what a beautiful tribute to a special creature. I'm so sorry.

Both Leo and I send love and condolences. I shed a couple tears for Caia this morning as well. She's truly a special girl and I feel fortunate that I got to meet her and know a little bit of just how special she is.

Oh, Julia, my heart is just breaking for you. All pet owners understand the anguish and love that goes into these decisions. Run free, Caia.

Oh no, poor Caia, and you.

My sincere condolences. Its hard to explain to people who don't own dogs how much they can and do change your life. The limitless amount of love they give, and the sheer joy of living they have remind us that every day with them is a gift to be cherished. They truly are our fur children.

I'm so sorry for your loss. I know how hard it is to let them go and they leave a big hole when they are gone - but you did the right thing.

Oh, I'm so sorry to hear this . . . my thoughts are with you!

Sending you loads of love.

Dear Julia,

I became a "lurker" to your blog several months ago when I came across the Honeymoon Cami pattern. Just finished mine late this summer.

My heart goes out to in your loss of Caia. There are several pieces of my heart running around in heaven waiting for me at the rainbow bridge. I know how much it hurts. I think the loss of a pet is much more painful than that of a family member. Perhaps because their love is given so freely and unconditionally. Perhaps because there lives are just too short. To have the strength to give Caia her freedom from pain makes you a hero. It is without a doubt the hardest thing I have ever had to do.

Take care. When you are ready, go to Barnes and Noble, and find a copy of Dog Heaven by Cynthia Rylant. It will be in the Children's books. You will love it, I promise.

Hugs all around, from a lurking admirer. My four kids, Quincy and Elliot (pugs) and Forrest and Ruby (English bulldogs) send lots of kisses too.

My heart is with you. May your memories bring you comfort and the unwavering knowledge that this was the right thing to do bring you peace.

Oh Julia, I am so sorry. I know how hard it is to lose a pet and you're right; there are no words. I'm glad that I got to meet Caia, if only for a few minutes. She really looked like a sweet dog.

Big hugs to both of you.

So sorry for your loss. Two of the best dogs I've had have been shepherds. They leave quite a large hole in the psyche.

I'm so sorry for your loss. My cat passed away last night, too. It's hard to imagine waking up tomorrow without them, isn't it? I'm glad your dog had such a happy life.

I just happened upon your site, which is now a favourite. My heart breaks for your loss. I won't be able to breathe when the time comes for my Toby and Boo. Everyone's thoughts are with you.

oh julia, i'm so sorry for your loss.

I'm so very sorry for your loss. Try to carry all of the Caia's amazing unconditional love and friendship with you always, and don't be afraid to love again.

Coming out of lurkdom to tell you that I am sorry for your loss. It's hard to let them go but what comforts me is that I know they are in a better, happier place.

I am so sorry! There is nothing more devestating than the loss of someone who loves and accepts you so unconditionally.