Monday, April 6, 2009

Giacomino

His legs gave out.

His heart, his magnificent wise generous old heart

Never did.




hug your hounds with all your might

while your arms still have them.

92 comments:

  1. Our hearts are breaking for you, Patience! What a wonderful tribute! God speed, Giacomino!

    Love ya lots
    Maggie and Mitch

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  2. Oh P! I'm so sorry for your loss.

    Giant hugs,
    Mel

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  3. Oh my dear, what a month you have had. The title of your post struck fear into our hearts, and muzzer started leaking immediately. We are so sorry for you, for Bill, for the waggle, and for all the people and dogs like us who loved Giacomino, even if only second hand.

    The pictures are beautiful, thank you for sharing. Our prayers and hearts go out to you.

    Gussie, Teka and Muzzer

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  4. They take a piece of your heart when they go. And you would not have missed a minute of Giacomino's life to avoid this final pain. We are holding you in our thoughts and prayers in Memphis -
    Buffalo Gayle, Raido, and Tinker

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  5. Oh Patience, I am so sorry. I can't imagine all that you are feeling with everything that is going on around you. I will say that your writing, as sad as the topics are, is stupendous! I loved the "For Me" and "This I believe" pieces.

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  6. Francarrich from WWApril 6, 2009 at 4:41 PM

    Oh Patience,
    All I can send is a cyber hug & hope you can realize how much we feel for you & all the family, human & canine.
    It has been a tough few months for you but somehow, that's what life does to us sometimes, kicks us in the teeth & then gets the boot in too!

    Our best wishes from our hearts,
    Carol, Banjo & Aida

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  7. Oh Patience, I am so sorry. God speed Giacomino.

    Hugs,

    Vee and Nearly

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  8. Patience, I am so sorry for you loss(es). What a beautiful tribute to wonderful dog. I loved the picture of him with his nose buried in the floor.... Hugs to you all from me and my hounds.
    Celeste

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  9. My heart hurts for you. A beautiful tribute to a wonderful friend and a life well lived. We hope you will soon find the peacefulness that comes with knowing that those we love are never really gone. They live in our memories and watch over us for the rest of our days.

    Elliott, Emma & Dudley

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  10. Oh Patience - I'm so sorry that Giacomo had to leave. They never stay long enough - and we can never repay the amount of love they give.
    Take care.

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  11. Dear Bill and P,

    We are so sorry to hear of Giacomino's going to the Rainbow Bridge.

    There comes a time when we must let them go, but they will always be alive in our hearts and our thoughts.

    Zen Hugs and Kisses
    HJ & The Whippet Gang +1/2

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  12. sad woof's, sooo sorry to hear of Giacomino's passing to the bridge..it hurts soo bad when we lose them...ur in our thoughts and prayers...RIP Giacomino, run with the wind..

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

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  13. What a beautiful and moving memorial. I'm so sorry that you've had to face so many losses recently.
    Through your blog and books I have come to know and love your Giacomino and will miss him. Now he is with Maria and all the whippets that have gone before...all being watched over by Carolyn.

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  14. Carolyn in LouisvilleApril 6, 2009 at 6:08 PM

    Patience, What a beautiful tribute. I remember Giacomino's lure coursing, I think at the San Diego Specialty. How can they have aged that quickly.....Vanna is my oldest at 9 and it seems like just yesterday when she was born.....Cuddle with your whippets, and I will give mine an extra snuggle tonight.

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  15. Patience, you must be in pieces. My heart goes out to you, Bill and the waggle. We're sending lots of love from our little corner of the UK. G, P & T xxx

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  16. wow, what a tribute.....to your beloved...i know how hard it is, and my heart goes out to you......
    grief is the price we pay for love....
    xo

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  17. Oh Patience,Our heart feels so very heavy for you.PL2 is leaking pretty hard after watching your tribute. We send you hugs and kisses PL2 and A+A

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  18. This is very sad. You were so graced to have this lovely gentle dog in your life. We hope that your heart loses the sadness and preserves every precious minute that you had with him.

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  19. Gussie sent me over....

    I'm sorry fur your loss -

    My mom and I are khwite touched by your tribute to a handsome and speedy fella!

    I'm sure he's racing khross The Bridge with his new found young legs!

    Hugz&Khysses,
    Khyra

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  20. Oh No, Patience - you have had a VERY rough few months, with all the losses. I am feeling for you and definitely hugging my hounds - I have 2 that I expect to go this year.... thats the problem with dogs, they dont live as long as we would like. Hugs to you.

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  21. Patience and Bill and all youw bootiful waggle,
    We awe so vewy sowwy fow youw loss. Aftew watching that bootiful twiboote to giacomino, Mommi can hawdly see to type this..Ouw heawts awe wif you.
    Wun fwee sweet sweet Giacomino.

    I hope I see you flying ovew the bwidge someday
    smoochie kisses
    ASTA and Mommi

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  22. We are so sorry you guys. You are all in our thoughts.

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  23. My heart goes out to you, Patience. You have suffered too much loss in the last month and even though you knew Very Old Dog was not long for this world, it makes it no easier at all. What a beautiful tribute to him!

    Deepest Sympathy,

    Jo and Stella

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  24. I am so very sorry for your loss...

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  25. run fast and free giacomino

    {{{hugs}}} to the rest of the waggle and you and bill too!

    nancy

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  26. Dear Patience, My heart aches. Thank you for sharing the wonderful slideshow of Giacomino. Much love to you, Bill and the hounds on your loss.

    Mary H

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  27. Patience and Bill,

    Our hearts break for you over this awful loss. Please know that we will keep you in our thoughts and prayers.

    Run with the wind, sweet Giacomino; your legs are all new again!

    Hugs,
    Lucia and her girl

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  28. Dear Patience and Bill,

    We are so sad for you. I wrote you yesterday because you had been so much on my mind with all that had occurred recently, and now I read this heartbreaking news.

    He was so beautiful.

    We have no words... just our love.

    Joan and Jack

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  29. We are so sorry for your loss.

    Please accept our deepest sympathies.

    Our hearts are breaking for you.

    Lots of Luv & Kisses
    Addie and Lucie

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  30. I'm so sorry to hear of Giacomino's passing, my heart aches watching such a moving tribute. Those eyes say it all, he loved you and his life here on earth. He will always be part of your heart and soul, embrace the memories and hug the ones with you now.

    Melissa and the Labradors from WI

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  31. Oh Patience...

    Very Old Dog is now a young sweet puppers runnin' like the wind, free from the bonds of old age...

    Your tribute is beautiful...we send you much love and healing hugs....you've had such a tough past couple of months.

    We're right here with you Patience....we'll be keeping you close in our hearts....

    Lots of love...

    Scruffy, Lacie, Stanley and Mumsie

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  32. Patience & Bill,
    We are so sorry to hear about Giacomino's death. Keyth and I were just visiting with him on Fri. "Giacamo" loved you both very much. Everyone in the neighborhood will miss your Very Old Dog.
    Love,
    Elaine & Keyth

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  33. Patience.
    We are so sorry to hear about Giacomino. Thanks for sharing your beautiful tribute to him.
    My mom is hugging me and we are sending your hugs and kisses.
    Lorenza and mom

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  34. I'm sorry for your loss, what a wonderful, moving tribute. Peace be with you.

    Angie

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  35. Oh Patience,

    I am so sorry you lost your boy but what a beautiful tribute to him. Thank goodness for the bent nose picture, it's the only thing that saved me from ending up a mess by the end of it.

    Thinking of you,

    Shivaun & Luce

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  36. oh patience,

    We are so sorry for the loss of Giacomino. we have read your blog and our sis thought he was the sweetest dog.

    We're sending your family Lamb Tail Kisses; and we are glad we got to know that sweet old dog in the short time we've been reading your blog!

    Love,
    The Lamb Tail pack :)

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  37. We are sorry for your loss, Patience. Run free, Giacomino. Hugs for you all.

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  38. Run free, run long Giacomino. Our hearts feel sad for those you have left behind as you cross the rainbow bridge. We know you have left pawprints on many a heart.

    Dog Speed,

    Essex & Deacon

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  39. Patiencs, my heart is just breaking for you. So many times your words have moved me to tears. The loss of loved ones is such a difficult time in our lives. I can only offer my deepest sympathies to you and your family. May you find comfort in their arms.
    puglette

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  40. Your faithful friend has left his pawprints on our hearts..
    With heartfelt sympathy on the loss of your beloved Giacomino.

    Judith and Zoe

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  41. They sure don't live long enough, do they? Sigh... I look at my four and can barely bare the thought of when that day comes. But, I'll go through it in exchange for today and yesterday and all the days before...

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  42. My mom is crying. It's been such a hard year for you already. We are sending hugs and prayers. We will sure miss reading about him.

    love & wags,
    River & Stephanie

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  43. We are so so sorry to hear about this, our little terrier legs wish they could hug you right now.

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  44. Dear, dear Patience, my heart is breaking for you. Life seems so senseless at times like this, but believe that one day you will hold him again, and love him, and never let go of that belief. I send so much love to you, Bill and the waggle. xxxxx

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  45. Oh Patience :( My heart is breaking for you. I am so very very sorry and my thoughts are with you all *hugs*

    Run free little man - you will leave a big hole in your servant's lives, and in ours too.

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  46. We are soooooo sorry! Run free sweet Very Old Dog! And be young again! We will cross our paws for all of you!

    Aire-hugs,
    Poppy, Penny & Patches

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  47. I am so sorry for your loss. The tribute was very beautiful. What a wonderful, wonderful dog with a story to tell.

    Time to hug my own Very Old Dog.

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  48. Hi,
    We heard the sad news about Giacomino, we're so sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you, the beautiful tribute to Giacomino touches our hearts! Giacomino is free from pain and having good time in dog heaven!
    My family lost our Ringo Maltese dog after 15 years loving companionship, we still miss him dearly!
    Kisses and hugs

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  49. Oh we are so very sorry to hear of Giacomino's arrival at the rainbow bridge. Just remember, it's not goodbye, it's see you later!!

    Pee(S): I know my momma is up there welcoming him to heaven!

    Sugars,
    Mack

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  50. My heart is aching. Thank you for sharing those magnificent photos. What a true gift he was and what a gift you and Bill were for dear very old dog.
    Drive safely, pull over if tears cloud your eyes. I'll be looking for you when you get back. xxxoooxxxooo, Deb

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  51. Pstience, my heart aches for through your blog I have come to know and love Giacomino even though I never had the honor to meet him in person (in dog?). His oh-so-expressive face is captured so wonderfully in your tribute to him, though it is hard to see through the tears in my eyes.

    I am so very sorry for your loss. Hugs to you and to all the whippets. I shall give my old guys extra hugs today in memory of Giacomino.

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  52. Patience, Bill, and the Waggle,

    I am so sorry for your loss. No matter how long they are here it is never long enough and you can't prepare. Hugs to all of you.

    Run Free Giacomino

    Sue, Gracie, and HotRod

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  53. I'm so sorry Patience. I lost my own "very old dog" on January 31st and I know how much it hurts. Watching that tribute had me crying for your dear sweet boy. It's not fair that their lives are so short. "Hug your hounds" is the best medicine you have right now.

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  54. What a beautiful tribute. We are very sad for your loss.

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  55. We're so sorry for your great loss. It's very hard to type through tears. The video was quite beautiful.
    God bless,
    Barbara and Stinker Stella

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  56. that was a wonderful slide show for such a wonderful beautiful dog. we are so sorry. he had such a long and great life. we hope that you can find some comfort in so many happy memories. we offer our most sincere condolences.

    sad sad woofs
    from the 4Bs and our mom

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  57. Sweet Patience!

    You and the Waggle will not ever be the same, but my guess is that your Very Old Dog's heart and love will live on in you and the rest of the pups. He was one REALLY good dog who obviously knew how to tap into the love and the hearts of those he loved!

    We're sending you some comforting goober smooches, and hope you laugh as much as you cry whenever you remember Giacomino!

    Run like the WIND, Giacomino!!

    Goober love & smooches,
    Stanley (for Stella & my girl)

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  58. Oh my heart is breaking for you. He was a wonderful dog. He was a LUCKY dog. You were a lucky human. Cherish the good memories because that's all he remembers.

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  59. Between this post and the last~

    there have been tears.

    Lots of them.

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  60. So sorry to hear of your loss. What a nice tribute.

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  61. thank you for sharing Giacomo with us . What a heartbreak when they leave us. The tribute was so moving. We will dedicate tomorrow's walk to his memory. Many hugs...

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  62. Tearfully Martha and PApril 7, 2009 at 5:02 PM

    I think i am glad "public access" has no sound! lovely.lovely pix-some quite humorous,thankfully. Again,no words can comfort you now;you can see how much you and yours mean to all of us! :(

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  63. Dear Patience, Bill & family,
    So very sorry to hear about the loss of your sweet Giacomino. Our hearts are breaking for you and mom's eyes are leaking. Know that he will always be with you and watching over you until you are re-united at the Rainbow Bridge. Your tribute was beautiful.
    With sincere sympathy and sad husky howls,
    Skye,Lakota,Dave,Jasmine,Angel,Velvet,Blaze,the kitties-Diana,Misty and Starr and mom Joan

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  64. There isn't much I can add to the beautiful comments before mine, except that I'd like you to know we're thinking of you. Through your books and blog, you've allowed us to know your family and the waggle. So when Maria and "Beans" went to The Bridge, I felt as though I'd lost two members of my own family. My heart aches for you.

    Carolyn, Mom to
    Jazmin and Taylor Whippets
    Goldie and Gracious! Greyhounds

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  65. Hi, found you thru Mango the mastiff, I think. I am so sorry for your loss. I am facing euthanasia at the moment with my little chi. Just thought I would stop by and say hello. BTW, my childhood friend lives in Paducah and just arrived here for a visit today. What a small world!

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  66. We are so sorry to hear about Giacomino. It is lovely that he was able to be in your lives for such a long time.

    Wuv,
    Gus and Waldo

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  67. A glorious tribute to a wonderful fellow. It makes our eyes leak. You can bet that he is teaching many how to be regal at the Bridge. You have been blessed for many years with his presence.

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  68. Gosh Darnit! Big hug across the fence when you get back!

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  69. I am furry sorry fur your loss :(
    Big licks to you
    Suzuki
    xxx

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  70. RIP, Giacomino.

    I am sorry for your lose, Patiance. Giacomino will be always remembered.

    Luv
    Snowball

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  71. You and Giacomino have touched more hearts than you will ever know. Our hearts are with you.

    Love,
    Jake, Fergi and their people
    (We are imagining Giacomino meeting our Sweet Angel Molly at the Bridge; without knowing it, you helped paved her way there. Thank you.)

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  72. Oh Patience & Bill & pups...

    We are so saddened to hear of Giacomino's crossing to Rainbow Bridge...its making my ma's eyes leak & now I must hug her....& then she'll hug me...just like your advice..the best advice ever given..

    We are thinking pawsitive thoughts for you during this difficult time...Run free Giacomino!

    Love & Licks,
    Randi & her peoples

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  73. Oh-I have been holding VOD in my heart for some time. They leave their pawprints all over your heart and take a piece with thm. We are sorry. (But I bet one thing...he is winning every race at the bridge!) Go and run to you big heart's content, Giacomino. Look up Sammy whippet, he'll race you!(our deceased nephew) He loved to run like all of y'all do.
    Sorry we are late in commenting. we haven't been around much.
    Hugs
    Sunny,Scooter&Jamie

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  74. Oh, Patience, I'm so sorry.
    My heart is aching for you, I'm so sad to hear that Giacomino has left you. You have made a beautiful tribute to your VOD.
    Lady sends comforting smooches to her Auntie Patience! And I send my deepest sympathy to you, Bill and the whole Waggle.
    Love,
    Sheila & Lady

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  75. Dearest Patience,

    I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your lovely boy. My thoughts and love are with you. I don't have wise words to share as I've not had this experience yet but I have faith that Giacomino will always be there and is waiting for you.

    Hugs and kisses,
    Jackie

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  76. What a sad video this is & what a gorgeous dog he was. I';m so terribly sorry for your loss but he is in a better place now along with the other DWB doggies & other animals & as well as my three Golden Angels who too passed away last week.

    Butt sniffs,
    Solid Gold Dancer

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  77. Oh Patience, I got so worried when I saw your post title when we got back home... my heart is breaking for you. He was so lucky to have you, though, and you to have him...

    Big hugs,
    Ane & the boys

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  78. Dear Patience - I am away from home so only just seen this sad news. My thoughts are with you at this sad time.

    "Grief is the price we pay for love"Your friend Jeannie xx

    and Marvin Braveheart Hound x

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  79. A very beautiful tribute to a fine man. We love our dogs so very much and it is so hard to let them go, but that is part of the deal. The deal we make when we adopt our babies. We know that more than likely we will outlive them. Take care of yourself. He has crossed the Rainbow Bridge and is running around like crazy!

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  80. My tears are for the beauty of the love of a dog. Now he runs free. Maybe he'll have a run with my Rudy.

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  81. Oh, Patience, Bill and Waggle, we just heard the sad news..... We are so very sorry for the loss of such a precious gentleman. He certainly did fly and we're sure he had so many good memories in his dreams over this last year.

    We have no hound to hug yet.... so we will hold each of you tightly in our hearts, remembering a life so very well lived and a hound so very loved.

    Kathy/Stardusted

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  82. Patience,
    What an amazing life and love Giacomino has had with you and Bill! The slide show was wonderful; happy and sad, new and familiar all at once.

    Even though we all know this time has to come, it still seems too sudden and harsh. After all, how does one prepare to lose a part of their heart?

    Each time I'm able to come for a visit, I am so anxious to see you and Bill and every whippet in the Waggle. It will be sad this time to be missing two.

    Beans was absolutely devoted to you, and you to him; I know you'll miss him terribly and already do... you are in my prayers. I'm so sorry...
    extra hugs to you all,
    laurie

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  83. What a beautiful tribute to your beloved Giacomino. We're so sorry for your loss and all your sadness lately. Your "This I Believe" was amazing.

    In sympathy,
    Joey, Zeke, and family

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  84. What a sweet tribute to your Very Old Dog. We have one in our group, only she's not quite Very Old yet. It's always hard to see them go --

    Rudy and Rudy's Mom

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  85. Mommy & I are so sorry to hear of Giacomino's passing but I'm sure he is running free and happy at the bridge just as if he was a pup. Our thoughts & prayers are with you.

    God Bless you....Mona & Mommy

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  86. so so sorry for your loss. we are thinking of you all.

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  87. Patience, You don't know me. I was sent through blogsphere land.
    Our hearts break for you and the losses you have had. The tribute to
    Giacomino was beyond words.
    It is sooo very hard to go on sometimes,,, we send love, and there are so many who care.
    We came- we sat- we ready every word you wrote. Your words have touched a place in my heart forever.
    Peace to you
    love
    tweedles and moms

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  88. What a beautiful, sad, touching video! Dogs bring us joy, they break our hearts and teach us so much about life.

    I am truly sorry for your loss.

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  89. we're sorry to hear about your loss.
    pls take care over there, our hearts are with you.

    *hugz*

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  90. We're thinking of you, Patience!
    Have a happy Easter!

    We love you!
    Maggie and Mitch

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  91. I've been avoiding looking at your most recent post because I knew it was going to bring on the tears.

    Your tribute to Giacomino is beautiful. I'm so sorry for your loss.

    Christina

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  92. That was the most beautiful tribute ever!

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