In memory of William.

[Robyn]

William was one of six Irish Setters who have enriched my life over the past 35 years. I was privileged to be his companion for nearly 15 of those years. He died 12 months ago tomorrow and done with much love and happy memories this is my tribute to him. I hope you like it as much as I do...........but then I on this particular image I'm unashamedly biased. His image is in my gallery.

[Wendy]

Hi Robyn ...

Oh that really is beautiful ... it has an almost magical feel to it and it makes a splendid tribute :)

Wendy

[Robyn]

Thank you Wendy. I must point out too, that the first image I posted on the forum (not in the gallery) was a Rainbow Bridge for William.........after Kev told me about the poem. I'd never heard of it until then. It is satisfying to look back on that original image and see that I have progressed in Elements.

[Tom K]

Sensitive picture Roybn, you can see the gray hair that makes him look so distinguished. He must have been a wonderful companion....Tom

[willpresley]

Well done -- it tugs at my heart strings -- I'm a dog lover without a dog.

[Robyn]

Thanks guys. It is a sad time for me, but a happy time as well (if you can understand that) because that awful initial grief has passed and I can now look back without that seemingly physical knot of pain. He was the most precious dog to me, probably too because for the last couple of years of his life he basically required 24/7 care which I supplied, willingly and with love.........but last July we had to make the decision to let him go in peace. People who have never had and loved a pet will probably wonder what I'm rattling on about, but those of you who have will know exactly what I mean.

[Grant]

Very well done and a really tugs at my heart as I have a Kerry Blue that is about to cross that bridge. He is still comfortable and I can over look his shortcomings so there is no rush.

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[Robyn]

Thank you Grant........just remember he won't actually cross that bridge, he will wait this side of it so you can cross together.

[kimi_boo]

He is lovely Robyn. :)

Nothing worse than a woman with hormones. I am tearing up over everything today.

[Grant]

Robyn

I met a very old lady that stated it much better than I ever could. "If the don't allow dogs in Heaven I ain't going!"

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[Robyn]

Grant............me neither! :D

[Russinator]

Robyn. I know exactly how you feel. About the same time as you lost William we lost our Kuna. Just thinking about it is bringing tears to my eyes. Kuna was a very large rottweiler [150 pounds]. But he was so gentle, on the other hand I wouldn't want to see what he'd have done to anyone who messed with my wife. He took his job as a protector very serious. In the mid 60s I had an Irish setter, they are wonderful dogs--all dogs are wonderful.

http://www.therussinator.com/KunaDonnaTylerandBrandon/

[NMarti]

Robyn
It is simply beautiful! You have done a wonderful job and it is a beautiful tribute.

[lindajay]

Robyn, it is really lovely. And I'm sure working on it brought some peace to your heart, as well.

[Pauline]

Robyn a beautiful tribute to William. Yes you sure have come a long way! Has it really been a year?

[ktnoon60]

Robyn what a great tribute to remember him by. Do something nice for yourself tomorrow to celebrate the 15 years of friendhsip you had.

Terry

[MarkN]

Really nice memorial Robyn -

Sorry that you have lost such a good friend, even though it's been awhile, I'm glad to see you are still remembering him.

Mark

[Robyn]

Thanks guys.

Pauline..........no, not a year, probably about 9 months I think.

[huntress]

I've had two loved pups (really dogs but always puppies to me) pass over the Rainbow bridge. I know what you talking about. Great job on the photo.

Lynn

[NRiceDesigns]

What a beautiful tribute to William. Robyn, I will think of you tomorrow on the anniversary of your loss. I think there must be beautiful creatures in Heaven - obviously God loved them, as He created them & IMHO, I believe He would want them gracing His glorious Heaven.

[Ashac]

Robyn, I was taking my nightly look at the gallery and coun't believe the beautiful tribute you've created for William! I just had to stop looking at the pictures and get a note off to you, only to find about 20 other people had beat me to it. What a distinguished looking gentleman you had sharing life with you. My Jake is getting ready to take the same journey as William and my heart is breaking already. I don't miss a chance to give him all the extra touches I can.

Thank you for sharing William; it's a comfort.

Asha

[Robyn]

Thank you Asha.

How old is your Jake?

[Ashac]

He's 9 and has cancer and is arthritic. If he's been sleeping too long, I need to help him get up, and he's not too sturdy on this feet. But he still eats well and just keeps on keeping on. How old was William when he passed away?

[Robyn]

William was nearly 15. I had to help him up and down all the time. He had lost partial control of his bladder for over 12 months and had also lost partial control over his bowel for the last 6 months of his life. A melanoma that we had had removed from his mouth had started to resurface. But when he no longer wanted to eat we realised that we owned it to him to put him to sleep..........such a very painful decision, but the right one. The rest of my family think that we should have done it 12 before we did, but I judged that with my help he still did have quality of life. I used to say to my vet (good friend) ....am I doing the right thing.....and he would say back to me.....Robyn, YOU will know when the time is right. And I did.

Asha............I feel your pain with the decision which you will make when you feel it is the right time. Our dogs have given us so much joy, we owe it to them to make that decision.

[Ashac]

Robyn, I agree with you, as long as he doesn't seem to be in pain and is interested in eating, I'll make life as special for him as I can. But, I don't want him suffering, so will continue to watch closely.

Thanks again for sharing William.