A week ago today we had to say our last good bye to our Nelson. To say this past week has been tough would be an understatement of gigantic proportions. I understand that only people who are as close to their pets as we were to Nelson can fully comprehend our loss and I truly do not care if a non pet owner does not get it. Nelson was a family member in every sense of the word and it has been very strange in the house without him this past week. It feels like I am in someone else’s home. It is all the little things and gestures that were done automatically and without thought, filling his water bowl, pulling his bed out at night, getting a cookie out of the cabinet, brushing his teeth (twice a day!!! Every day!!!), sharing bananas and peanut butter for lunch. And of course, there is the empty house when we get back home from running errands or dinner with friends. No one waiting at the door for us, so excited that we were home.
David and I have been keeping busy and the outpouring of love, warm thoughts, and memories have been overwhelming. Nellie touched so many lives and our friends, family, and the online community have been nothing but kind and understanding. My grief for him cuts deep and my heart aches tremendously. We are slowly healing and overall it is getting better but there are still tears and there will be for quite some time. He was such a big part of our lives and the void he left is HUGE!
David said it best:
“Today I lost a good friend and constant companion. I will miss Nelson sitting behind my chair while I worked, forever ready to share one of my cookies. He was a swimmer, a runner, a hiker, a beachcomber, a mountain goat, a guard dog, a cheese lover, a protector and most of all he was always there whenever we needed him.
He has truly been one of the best friends I have ever had, from the day I picked him up in Santa Rosa as a 16 pound bundle of fun, to today December 8th, 2011 when we had to say goodbye.
He has been an amazing dog and he has had a great life. Nelson has been such a presence in our lives and so many others. He gave us so much that it is hard to imagine him not being there. … But he will always live on in our memories. A gentle giant with a heart of gold, who loved everybody!
Farewell for now good friend, I’m so very glad I got to know you!”
It gives me great comfort to know that he never had to suffer. He never really stopped doing all the things he loved most, he even chased a tennis ball – slowly and wonky – with his good buddy Jack the week before he passed away and had his breakfast just before we took him on his very last car ride, not to mention snacking in the kitchen with David – those who knew him best know that Nelson never missed a meal, unless he was forced to. I would have never wanted anything less for him.
Such a beautiful soul both inside and out who wanted nothing but be our friend. He left giant paw prints in our hearts and we will miss him forever!
Today’s Running Tip: A good run can help you through the tough time!
Running has always been my outlet for putting things in perspective and coping with grief. A good run allows your mind soar and your thoughts to flow freely. It refreshes the soul and makes you feel better all over.







