Yesterday, we spent the entire day with Mitch. We need to let you know that Mitch was not cremated, he will be buried in our yard and if these following photos will upset you, then stop right here. We will also tell you that Mitch is at peace and he looks like he is sleeping.
Molly knew right away that her brother was in the workshop with us.
We spent a couple of hours building Mitch's coffin. This is the lid. We wrote many happy memories and gathered many of his favorite things. It was actually very comforting.
I'm helping too~
Dad has a drawer in his workshop that is full of feathers from our waterfowl. Mitch used to sit in front of that drawer for hours, willing the drawer to open so that he could help himself. He LOVED feathers!
You've got your feathers, buddy - a whole bunch of them♥
At 12:30, our friend, Will, showed up with his backhoe. Mitch will be buried not far from our back door. We will be able to see him out every window on the east side of our house.
We have so many special gifts for Mitch - so many things that meant so much to him and to us and we wanted to send off with lots and lots of them.
It was time to screw the lid on and move him to his final resting place.
To be perfectly honest, I had a very hard time with the decision to bring Mitch's body home from the animal hospital. Maggie was cremated and it was comforting to me to be able to be creative with her ashes in many different ways. George wanted to be respectful in a different way. He wanted to take care of his little boy. Mitch loved his home and he spent every single night of his entire life with us. He was safe at home and he was loved and George wants him to stay here on our property forever and ever.
We will have a plaque made for him as soon as we figure out exactly what will be best for our precious little boy and we will plant flowers near him so it will always be a cheerful spot.
Thank you all so very very much for all of your wonderful heartfelt comments. They mean the world to us and they help tremendously. Each and every one of them feels like a hug from you. Thank you so much♥
We cannot thank
Ann enough for the beautiful work of art that she did for our Mitch.
Thank you so very much, Ann ♥
Love,
Sue, George and Molly
You all are so lovely and so very loving towards your boy. I think that it is so sweet you put his favorite things in with him. My heart breaks for you all. (and I should have known better than to have read this post at the office)
ReplyDeleteBig hugs sent your way.
These are beautiful photos. We do the same thing at our house when one of our furbabies starts their journey to the Bridge. Before the burial, each one of those left behind gets a chance to go and see their friend one last time to say their goodbyes. I keep pictures of all of them as a remembrance. Some may not understand this, but we are taking our "cemetery" with us to our new home, along with all the granite markers. It will be hard digging up the coffins but will give us all peace knowing they are still nearby at our new home. I couldn't live with the possibility that whoever buys our old house will just dig them up and put them in the garbage.
ReplyDeleteThis is by far the most wonderful post I have ever read and viewed photos. The kindness and love you have shown your beautiful boy is so heart warming and thank you a million times for letting us share those moments with both of you. I will remember this forever. All my love and hugs to you, Gail and Willos.
ReplyDeleteI have to agree with Gail, this is one of the most wonderful ways I have seen to pay tribute to such a treasured part of the family...many hugs, Beth(Dory's Mama)
ReplyDeleteWhat a magnificent and meaningful way to honor the memory of dear Mitch! We have a feeling hem ay have tucked a few of those feathers under his paws as he made his way across the bridge.
ReplyDeleteWoos - Ciara and Lightning
Your love for sweet Mitch shines through in the photos of your day of tribute to him. We do what feels right for each of our pups who crosses the bridge - and this seemed perfect for Mitch. I have a big feather that I found today - and I immediately thought of Mitch. Perhaps he is gifting us all with feathers.
ReplyDeleteWe love all of you lots and lots. Rest in peace, Mitch. So many of us miss you but none as much as your family.
What a beautiful tribute to such a special boy. Thanks for sharing it with all of us even if it did make our mom's eyes leak a bit.
ReplyDeleteSo beautiful and touching, your love for Mitch in every picture.
ReplyDeleteA wonderful way to honor your sweet boy
pug hugs
Mr Bailey, Hazel, Mabel & Mom
Oh My!! Mitch would be so pleased. He's where he wants to be. George was right to bring him home. Rest in peace dear Mitch. We loved you too mate. Charlie and Mom, Lynn.
ReplyDeleteThis is the most beautiful post that we have ever read. Its all about love,, and your love for Angel Mitch.,
ReplyDeleteWe have not been able to stop crying.. We feel sad right along with you.
Its perfect that Mitch will be right there,,, always.. with you.
Thank you for sharing Mitch with us,, thank you for allowing us to sit beside you and help wipe away your tears.
What you did is beautiful.. and it pleases Mitch.
I found a feather today too,,, It was Mitch
love
tweedles
Rest in peace sweet Mitch.
ReplyDeleteA perfect tribute to your special boy. Thank you for sharing these beautiful photos. Blessings
ReplyDeleteI think it's a great tribute to Mitch. In the past couple years, we've lost three kitties - we buried 2 in the backyard and cremated one.
ReplyDeleteYes I am in tears again, but a wonderful way to pay tribute to Mitch and for you to remember him. It will be great to see his resting place all the time. We hope Molly is coping without her brother and still thinking of your all. Hugs, Susie & Treacle xx
ReplyDeleteDear Sue, George and Molly
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this most loving and beautiful post about dear sweet Angel Mitch with us. Mitch loved being in the wood shop with his Dad and what a loving gesture for him to be in a handmade, by his Dad, wooded box surrounded by all the things he loved. I especially love the feathers...he got his 'wings' early. Being a man's man,Mitch would have loved seeing the backhoe unearthing his new home by your back door. Mitch did have a smile on his face....
You 3 give each other a lots of hugs from us Madi and mom.
With love
Cecilia
I would really love to see Mitch's resting place once you have everything in place too. I love that he will have flowers always.
ReplyDeleteHugs Cecilia
Oh Dear Mates. We are sorry we are late hearing this news. Our sincere condolences and love to you all. Mitch, run fast, run free at the Rainbow Bridge mate. We will remember you with love. Gentle hugs to you from your furriends in Oz. No worries, and LOVE, Stella and Rory and Carol
ReplyDeleteP.S. Mitch looked so peaceful. Thank you for sharing with us X X
We're reading this with tears in our eyes. You have made a wonderful resting place for Mitch and we hope that can ease some of the pain of losing the sweet fella. Sending you lots of warm hugs and luffs, take care
ReplyDeleteLoves and licky kisses
Princess Leah, Mum and Dad xxx
I am so pleased and honoured that you have let us all share this with you,bless you for that,it's a wonderful thing that Mitch is going to be with you always in his special place with his most favourite things,I expect poor Molly will be lost without her play mate,and you will always here his paws on the floor behind you,just as we did.Love to you all,huggs and kisses.xxx.
ReplyDeleteWe came to paw respect, safe travels puppy dog, peace to those who loved you,
ReplyDeleteNuk & Family
Mom read this last night on her kindle and it is hard to comment on so we needed to wait until this morning, on the computer. Of course she had tears, a lot of tears, but what a wonderful loving tribute from you to your sweet boy. You could not have made it anymore touching to our hearts, or special for him. Its so hard to say goodbye but you found such a wonderful way to do it. We felt like we were a part of his running to the rainbow bridge. Hugs from me to you
ReplyDeleteDeb and the 3 little pugs
The feathers are a very sweet touch. He was a very loved fellow.
ReplyDeleteNow you got us all choking and crying. Beautiful
ReplyDeleteApples and feathers forever
Lily & Edward
God's blessings to all of you,
ReplyDeleteKZK
We are saddened to hear of your loss. Run free Mitch over Rainbow Bridge.
ReplyDeleteYou are still in our thoughts each day and we knew we needed to call in again today! Such a beautiful post! Dear Mitch was so fortunate to be part of such a warm, open and loving family. How lovely that dear Molly could say goodbye too and what a wonderful way to celebrate your wonderful friend. Lots of love to you all. Ros and Oscar xx
ReplyDeleteSue, George and Molly what a beautiful tribute to your special boy Mitch 💜 All of his special things to be with him forever a Loving and comforting time of reflection for you💜 Mitch does have a smile on his face and I agree he must have been looking at Maggie's face welcoming him to the Rainbow Bridge💜 the portrait of Mitch is on to cherish💜 Love to you and Molly I hope she is coping, now for
ReplyDeleteTrixie and I to go and dry our eyes💜
I read the beautiful tribute on Tweedle's blog, and came over to see Mitch. I am so sorry for your loss. We did the same thing with our beloved Oscar. I
ReplyDeleteknow you'll take comfort in seeing him every day, still at home. The flowers are a great idea.
Again, I am sorry.
Oh I am so sorry that Mitch has gone to join Angel Maggie. I didn't know things were so serious, glad he had the chance to go for those few final walks. I have the ashes of my first four Shelties, I wish I had a place that I would feel comfortable laying them to rest. You can take comfort in that you will always be close by Mitch. Big hugs to you all from Helen and the Sheltie boys, Beckett and Keltic.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful and meaningful tribute for Mitch. Our hearts go out to you. We will think of your boy each and every time we see a feather. Hugs and blessings to you and your family. xo Jeanne, Chloe and LadyBug
ReplyDeleteI know your hearts of breaking, but Mitch would be saying thank you for all the love and care you gave to him. Words can't help with the grief we feel when our beloved companions go to run free across the bridge, but know many are holding you up and hurting with you.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Noreen and Hunter
What a lovely tribute to Mitch.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful send off for Mitch.
ReplyDeletehello mitch and molly its dennis the vizsla dog hay this is so grayt that mitch wil be their with yoo forever!!! i am glad yoo al got a chanse to say gudbye to him agin!!! roomer has it mama and dada konsiderd having sumwun come to the howse to help my sister trixie kross the bridj but they deesided not to becuz they wernt shoor how i wood reeakt but i think maybe i wood hav liked the chanse to say gudbye to her like molly did so sweetly!!! run free mitch and spred wide those ayndjel wings wot i see in yore pikcher now!!! ok bye
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing, touching, and unique way to celebrate Mitch's life!
ReplyDeleteI came back again to hug you all and sit beside you.
ReplyDeleteI wanted you to know that I saw Mitch's star in the sky last night.
Its very close to the big dipper.. and it glowed like it was purple.
Mitch is at peace with Maggie,,, you know its true,,, you know it.
love
tweedles
I am adding my JRT licks and wiggles, even though they are a bit wobbly of late...and growlmy adds her thoughts of comfort too. So sorry that you had to say till we meet again to your beloved Mitch.
ReplyDeleteOur furmily is sending our condolences and sympathy at this difficult time.
What a wonderfur funeral you gave to your sweet Angel Mitch. And thank you for sharing it with us.
Rest peacefully Mitch. You are forever loved and cherished in the hearts of those who knew and loved you.
This is so lovely and we know that Mitch will rest in peace near to his family. To be loved and cared for in death, as well as life, is so very special. xx
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Sue, George and Molly, for sharing this with us. It was important for Molly to get to have that final closure too. She knows that her Mitch didn't just run off. It was a fitting and special. You mean so much to us. Again, our love and sympathy.
ReplyDeleteXx-
BabyRocketDog, Hootie, Cassie & Patrick
Words can not begin to describe how beautiful this was -
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing Angel Mitch and his special resting place with us -
Hugz&Khysses,
Phyll
Thank you for allowing us to be part of the burial for Mitch. It was fitting for such a wonderful family member and it helps give us more closure.
ReplyDeleteMuch love to all of you from the Rocky Creek Clan.
XOXO,
Piper, Celti, Ivy and Little Lilly
that was the most perfect way to remember your most special boy - we shed tears reading it but they are tears of happy and sad - happy for the wonderful life he had and that he was so very loved and sad that he has left us all
ReplyDeleteI love that he will be in the place he loved and with his beloved humans. Awesome tribute to Mitch.
ReplyDeleteRead this very touching tribute to one of my very favourite Aireboys through tears, but am happy he will be forever where he was loved & loved to be, and seeing he had apples to sustain him made me smile. Love & hugs to you. xxx
ReplyDeleteSo very sweet - I am crying. The care you are taking is beautiful. <3
ReplyDeleteLove and Hugs
Elaine (Bussie's Mom)
What a true and beautiful testament of your love. RIP Mitch. Best wishes from Linda, Chef and Karma.
ReplyDeleteI haven't been visiting your blog for a long time but I saw the tribute to Mitch on Facebook and clicked over to read the post. Sue, you and your husband as so exceptionally loving and thoughtful to your fur kids. I am crying as I write this since I see just how much you loved that boy. What a beautiful way to keep him with you both. It's so sad that they are only able to be with us for such a short time. Oh, if we only knew for sure that we would again be united with them in another life. I really didn't know that Mitch was having any health problems......I just haven't kept up with the blogs. But I'm sure that he knew that he was loved and you were there for him when he needed you the most. I must say that he certainly had the best home possible for the 10 years that he walked this earth. May he run free at the Bridge with those who arrived before him. Loving thoughts coming your way from Nancy, Glenn, Asta Marie, Dewey D and Toby.
ReplyDeletesuch a beautiful resting place for the apple, feather loving Mitch. may he rest in peace.
ReplyDeletethank you for sharing his life and his death with us.
it's a beautiful tribute.
your pals out West.
L, D, S
I am so sorry I didn't come around earlier. I started working and have been busy and not visiting. I am so sorry to hear about Mitch. I know you will miss him so much. This was a sweet and beautiful post.
ReplyDeleteI know how your heart is grieving. Give Molly a hug and keep her close.
XXOO
I admire you so much and I have so much respect for what you've done ... for Mitch ... for yourselves ... and for us by sharing this personal, intimate and touching event. Sending huge long hugs ... with a reminder that Mitch will forever be in our hearts. I will always cherish the time we spent together. Much love ...
ReplyDeleteI think its a wonderful way to pay tribute to your boy, Mitch! He will always be at home! Always!!!! Rest in peace sweet Mitch. You were so loved and will never be forgotten!!
ReplyDeleteMuch love,
Penny, Velcro, Ceilidh, Jack Sparrow and the kitties
Sue, I agree with you about letting the one left behind have time to say good-bye. We've always done that. The one remaining still grieved for the buddy that was gone. But they didn't have the agony of forever watching the door and expecting there pal to come home. It's so hard to lose our furkids. Love hurts.
ReplyDeleteDear Sue, George and Molly,
ReplyDeleteThis is an incredibly beautiful post. We're glad for all of you that you were able to bury sweet Mitch with his favorite things and on your beautiful property. He will be with you always.
Hugs from Ohio,
Joan, Bocci and Bella
We are so sorry to hear about Mitch. Purrs of comfort and paws of sympathy to your family. We know you will miss Mitch so much, but remember you filled his life with love and happiness. It is so nice that Mitch will be home forever.
ReplyDeleteMom Kim here - thank you for stopping by our blog - it reminded to come over and leave the comment I didn't have time to before.
ReplyDeleteWhat you did for Mitch was so amazingly thoughtful. I loved looking at those pictures - you gave him all the things he loved. Prayers and hugs to all of you.
Hi Sue, thanks for the "advance notice". I'll admit that I scrolled through the photos very quickly. I figured that George might do something special for his boy. And b/c I scrolled through quickly, I'm going to assume that George is making a suitable piece for Mitch. I know that you'll understand why I zipped through - this is an extremely difficult thing and brings back too much. We should all be so fortunate to have been so loved as Mitch and Maggie were.
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry for your loss of Mitch. What a beautiful and touching send off for this dear, sweet little darling. Comfort and peace to you all. I am sending a big hug.
ReplyDeleteSue, thank you for sharing this with us! Mitch was a very special boy and you are very special people. He couldn't have asked for a more wonderful life!!! Big hugs!
ReplyDeleteOh Mitch, what a beautiful goodbye you got. I'm glad you got to keep those feathers and your favourite things with you. Sue and George thank you for sharing your love for your boy with us. What a lecky dog he was and he knew it too. We will miss him a lot.
ReplyDeleteXxx
Oh Mitch what a moving post, it has us in tears showing how very much you were loved, I'm sure you knew you,. Those years were were worth a thousand with all the love you had and gave. Thank you for sharing your sweet boy Sue, we may not visit the blogs anymore but you and Molly and Mitch have never ever been forgotten. Happy fun days. We hold out our paws are and arms in comfort, sympathy and love for you Sue and George. B + Eric xx
ReplyDeleteWe are crying, but also happy because that is about the most thoughtful thing you could do for Mitch. He was lucky to have such a great family.....You were lucky to have such a great dog. Loving a dog is always so heartbreaking at the end of their life, but we go on and keep loving dogs, because that's who we are.
ReplyDeleteSue and Paul
Thank you for sharing Mitch's farewell with us. He was loved and will be missed. You did a lovely memorial. ♥
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful way to celebate your boy ... in the hoome he loved so well. Thank you for sharing this with us. The leaky eyes have started again --- but they are a small price to pay for all the love. xxxxx Joan and JH
ReplyDeleteI didn't know that Mitch had crossed over. I'm writing through tear filled eyes remembering what a beautiful pup he was. I loved him.
ReplyDeleteAroo to you,
Sully and Robin
What a lovely way to honor your boy. My Samba and Morgan both rest in the bottom drawer of my bedstand. Some day I'll take them to the ocean and release them because they both loved the water so much.
ReplyDeleteMitch, you were very loved. We will look for feathers this week and think of you!
ReplyDeleteOh, Sue, what a wonderful and loving way to say honor your sweet Mitch.
ReplyDeleteKathryn XX
So sorry 4 your loss
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful way to take care of your sweet Mitch. So sorry about this....
ReplyDeleteYou put a lot of love into Mitch's funeral.
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry.
ReplyDeleteI was at this sad time in your country, but only now read the news about Mitch by the welcome from Mackie.
Mackie will help you to transform the sadness in a beautiful reminder of the unforgettable Mitch.
Mitch is fine now. Maybe he meets the rainbow bridge my died so young Hoover.
My English is unfortunately too bad to find better words.
In love,
Viola with Mishka and Gianni
In Thoughts of You!
ReplyDeleteMonika + Bente