33 Comments
Dec 11, 2020Liked by John Birmingham

Dammit JB, you are supposed to make me laugh, or rage with anger, but if you have to make me cry, so be it. Farewell Sophie.

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Dec 11, 2020Liked by John Birmingham

Ah JB. You have my deepest condolences. There are no words.

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Dec 11, 2020Liked by John Birmingham

John: Such a touching, moving farewell to your grand old Sophie - it seems my eyes were waiting for just such a water shedding moment - this writing of your released the moisture - that's for sure (he wipes his eyes)! Your obituary here reminds me of so many pets - Tuppy and Smoky and Lassie (yes, you guessed the variety), Sooky and Baldy and Tony - Alexander and Polly and Alley (there are dogs and cats and birds - large and small in this listing) - all still in memory sweet up to 60+ years beyond their departures... especially the first two! Jim

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Dec 11, 2020Liked by John Birmingham

I wept. I wept for Sophie, I wept for all my lost dogs. I still feel the loss of each one, even after so many years. So beautifully written John, thank you. x

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Dec 29, 2020Liked by John Birmingham

So beautifully written JB. This one really hits home. I had my own Sophie, a red cattle, and in her last few years I'd carry her up and down the flight of stairs that leads to my work from home space. I wrote her quite a lengthy goodbye letter as well, but my eloquence isn't quite up there with yours.

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A lovely tribute JB. It's the wonder they bring us that leaves truly heartbroken when they're gone.

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Do not go gentle into that good night.

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thanks for sharing JB, some of your finest words.

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Deepest condolences to you and the family John. Such wonderful memories will keep her in the warm spot in your heart x

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Beautiful. I just relived the heartwrenching heartbreak of losing my energetic furball companion Harry.

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Beautiful words for beautiful Sophie. Got me crying mate. Love to you and family JB

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Oh JB, just howled at my desk. Nearly a year since we said farewell to our beloved old Clementine. We miss them so much, but they bring such joy. This is beautifully written, thank you.

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So sorry to hear the news John - that was a lovely piece...there must be something in my eye is what I told my colleagues here in the office as I read it.

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GOOD dog, Soph...

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My eyes are leaking, John. I've been dogless for nearly 50 years, and I still miss little Imp so much.

When the body that lived at your single will,

With its whimper of welcome, is stilled (how still!).

When the spirit that answered your every mood

Is gone—wherever it goes—for good,

You will discover how much you care,

And will give your heart to a dog to tear.

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Thanks JB and sorry. I went through a similar thing early this shitty year and your tribute has given me quiet consolation, with the words I could never find. Very well said.

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