Photos and text copyright Romping and Rolling in the Rockies 2009-2017.

All photographs and text within this blog are copyrighted.

You may not copy or repost any photos or text without specific permission from the author of this blog. When in doubt, please ask.

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

A symbolic rainbow

All of the outdoor photos were taken during a hike last Friday shortly after we visited with our closest furry friend, a Chocolate Lab named J, a tall, elegant, and incredibly handsome dog who had a special bond with K.
He helped raise R, his joyful spirit reveling in R's rambunctious puppy play.
Although we knew that the end of J's long life was drawing near, we didn't know that he would cross the Rainbow Bridge the very next morning after we saw him on Friday. In retrospect, the rainbow, coyote, and dramatic sunset that the Duo and I saw that evening seem symbolic.

These photos are in chronological order from our hike just after we parted ways with J and his humans.

Look for the rainbow.

My friend always told me that J would protect my K from the coyotes or other unseen dangers when I was worried. A coyote watched us peacefully that evening.

K contemplated the universe - its beauty and sorrow.

R and K contemplated together.

And, the stunning sunset on the last evening of J's life. Rest in peace, my furry friend.



Few dogs have touched my heart like J did. Our whole family, human and canine, is grieving. But, when his smiling face appears in my mind's eye, I can't help but smile. He never failed to make me grin.
Posted by at

24 comments:

  1. houndstoothSeptember 7, 2011 at 4:13 PM

    I am so sorry for Jimmy's loss! I hope that his passing was peaceful. It sounds like he had a perfect last day filled with beauty and wonder. We should all be so fortunate. Our hearts go out to all who love and miss him!

    ReplyDelete
  2. BarbSeptember 7, 2011 at 4:34 PM

    A wonderful tribute to J, KB - what glorious photos to celebrate the end of his life.

    ReplyDelete
  3. BocciSeptember 7, 2011 at 4:34 PM

    Our hearts go out to you and "J's grieving family. He sure was a beauty.

    And once again, thanks so much for these gorgeous photos.

    ReplyDelete
  4. kksSeptember 7, 2011 at 4:43 PM

    What a beautiful tribute to a dear friend.....rip J....
    xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  5. rottroverSeptember 7, 2011 at 4:44 PM

    And then J made his way west, and by Sunday he was casting beautiful rainbows over our canyon and watching over all of us on our magical hike that afternoon. So long, beautiful J.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Ruby's RaiserSeptember 7, 2011 at 5:29 PM

    Our deepest sympathies to you and to J's family. What a wonderful tribute to a beautiful dog who was so loved.

    ReplyDelete
  7. NCmountainwomanSeptember 7, 2011 at 6:02 PM

    I do believe all these things connect and leave us a messge. Lovely tribute to J.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Berts BlogSeptember 7, 2011 at 6:17 PM

    Are ya trying to rip my heart out.....

    Gosh. BEAUTIFUL

    A life in heaven well earned Dear J.

    My Vickie

    ReplyDelete
  9. Maggie Mae and MaxSeptember 7, 2011 at 6:30 PM

    What a wunderful tribute to your sweet furiend J. Mom and me is so very sorry fur your loss. We will say a prayer fur all of you tonight...

    Blessings,
    Maggie Mae and mom

    ReplyDelete
  10. ♥♥ The OP Pack ♥♥September 7, 2011 at 7:08 PM

    What a perfect tribute to your friend J. So sorry for his loss. We didn't even know him, but your words and your photos make us smile too.

    ReplyDelete
  11. FANCY the Red Standard PoodleSeptember 7, 2011 at 7:56 PM

    Hi Y'all,

    So sorry to hear about J.

    What a beautiful sunset. Y'all have some magnificent ones!

    Our deepest sympathy,
    Hawk aka BrownDog and Humans

    ReplyDelete
  12. jenSeptember 7, 2011 at 8:31 PM

    I am so sorry to read about your friend. It is nice that you were able to see him one last time and that your trip back home was so very symbolic of him. How wonderful that you could have those beautiful moments.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Beyond the Dog DishSeptember 7, 2011 at 9:47 PM

    I am sorry to hear about loosing your friend. What beautiful photos for a tribute and they do seem very fitting. Before Cavaliers I owned labs - a few blacks and a blonde. My dream was for the 3rd to be a brown but for whatever reason I decided it was time for a smaller breed. Labs are a wonderful breed.

    ReplyDelete
  14. StellaSeptember 7, 2011 at 10:08 PM

    Heartfelt condolences to all who loved J. He will ready a place for you at the Bridge.

    Kisses,
    Stella

    ReplyDelete
  15. Tweedles -- that's meSeptember 7, 2011 at 10:20 PM

    Dear KB
    This tribute to J is so beautiful.
    What a wonderful friend and protector he was to all of you.
    We are sad with you and his family.
    As I look at all the photo's, and yes I see the rainbow......
    I know that Mother Earth took J in the palm of her hands and and held him close, as she celebrated the wonderful life of J, painting the sky with color in an awsome display.
    We wrap our paws around you and his family.. with a circle of love.
    love
    tweedles

    ReplyDelete
  16. White Dog BlogSeptember 7, 2011 at 10:47 PM

    Soft woos of comfort and understanding to you as you mourn the passing of such a noble friend. We ask the Universe to make J's journey over the Bridge swift and that his family's grief be tempered with warm loving memories and love. Peace to you all.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Kellee the CaffeinatedSeptember 7, 2011 at 11:16 PM

    A beautiful tribute to J! My heart goes out to you everyone who was close to J.

    ReplyDelete
  18. 24 Paws of LoveSeptember 8, 2011 at 12:10 AM

    What a beautiful tribute to J. So glad you were able to visit him, he must have been waiting for your call. And then thanked you afterwards with the beautiful signs afterwards.

    Paw prayers for you, your family and J's family. :)

    ReplyDelete
  19. AngusSeptember 8, 2011 at 12:16 AM

    Lovely post . Amazing how a ray of sunlight always seems to pierce the clouds as goodbyes are said.

    ReplyDelete
  20. AnonymousSeptember 8, 2011 at 6:57 AM

    Aww so sad about J. But we all must go some day. Good that he had had a long happy life.

    Marilyn

    ReplyDelete
  21. LouiseSeptember 8, 2011 at 7:41 AM

    Rest in peace, J. It sounds like you were very well loved. The Bridge will be a better place for having you there.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Two French BulldogsSeptember 8, 2011 at 1:42 PM

    So sad.....sending lots of good vibes
    Benny & Lily
    Pee S. Wonder if we saw the same rainbow

    ReplyDelete
  23. Kristin G.September 9, 2011 at 9:38 PM

    Bless you J! Wishing peace and comfort to you and J's family too. xo

    ReplyDelete
  24. RuahinesSeptember 13, 2011 at 4:31 PM

    Kia ora KB,
    A beautiful tribute, and the day itself reflected that. It is sad the way western grief seems to be so stoic and short lived. Honouring the spirits and the aroha of our loved ones never ends. Kia kaha to the family of J and your own e hoa.
    Aroha,
    Robb

    ReplyDelete

If you are a Blogger registered user, you can skip the step asking you to verify that you are not a spammer. For posts older than 5 days, I have comment moderation turned on.

Thanks for your comments!!!!!

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)