Hardest thing I've ever made

It absolutly belongs here. It is a beautiful tribute. I am truely sorry for the loss of a friend and family member. I’m a dog guy myself so I know where you are coming from.

-- Greg - Charles Town, WV

I completely understand, sorry to hear about your loss. Dogs are more than just dogs to the people that they love, I loss my shop helper back in Oct to a truck that who’s picture is on my logo.

Joey

-- Joey~~Sabina, Ohio http://sleepydogwoodworking.blogspot.com/

Hi Frank

I am of the belief that Love is Love. I believe that the chance to love is a gift that opens our hearts, minds and souls to the posibility of being more than we would expect of ourselves. Love pushes us to care more than we though we could, share more than we thought we could and sometimes hurt more than we thought we could.

That wasn’t just a dog, buddy was one of the ways love came to you. You aren’t mourning a dog, you are mourning the loss of the most precious gift. Love. I am sorry for your loss.

1 John 4:7

-- www.robneves.com

Frank,

Thank you for the post. This is a wonderful post and a beautiful piece done in remembrance of Buddy. These guys ask very little of us and respond only with unwavering love. They are always glad to see us irrespective of the daily circumstances. Deciding when to let them go is a one of the most difficult tasks that we must face when we decide to add these guys to our family but it is a decision that inevitably must be faced. But the pain that arises out of their passing is more than compensated by the treasure trove of memories that they build in our lives.

I am truly sorry for your loss but I do appreciate you for sharing this and I understand the pain and grief you are feeling at this time.

-- With God's help all things are possible- even woodworking. Woodworking is not just a hobby, it is an (expletive deleted) expensive hobby.

sorry about your loss :(
a beautiful tribute

-- "Functional WoodArt" by Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

Rest in peace, dear companion.

-- Thos. Angle, Owyhee Design, Oregon

Oh Frank, I’m so sorry. What a great tribute to your shop buddy. How wonderful that you made a cross for him with your own hands, a true labor of love. I have tears in my eyes and my heart aches for you.

-- Teri, Kokomo, IN

Frank, I think this is exactly where this post belongs. I’ve got my shop buddy as well (Boo) who is with me as much as she can be – at the office, in the truck, on a hike or in the shop. Truly sorry for your loss, thanks for sharing.

-- Tim D. - Woodstock, GA

The beauty of a project is as much in the story it tells as the quality of the wood or work. Pets are a big part of any family and to my way of thinking deserve to be remembered. This is a quality piece of work and a fitting tribute.

-- If at first you don't succeed, try again. Then quit. No use being a darn fool about it.

I think that is a very nice tribute to your “best friend”. I know and truly understand what you’re going through. I can’t remember a time when there wasn’t a dog in my life. It’s never easy to let one go. They are more like “family” than some actual family members (at least in my case). All I can offer is that “you never get over it”...... but it does get easier on you. My thoughts are with you Frank.

-- Make things with wood.

My condolences. I don’t think I’ve met a single Lumberjock around these parts who wouldn’t be more than willing to help share your pain.

-- Charlie M. "Woodworking - patience = firewood"

A fine tribute to a faithful woodworking companion of 17 years—wow. I understand completely that you used a fine piece of walnut for his marker—after all, he always gave you his best didn’t he?

-- SteveL

Frank your tribute to a member of your family definitely belongs here.
Sorry for your loss.

-- If we learn from our mistakes, I'm getting a fantastic education.

Frank,
They say we have a new word in the English language- Furkid. Our pets have become so much like our own kids that them or us seem to know the difference. Dogs are the best friends you can have. They love you unconditionally. It is hard to make a marker for a pet, even if it’s just a board with their name on it.

-- Tim -- http://tmuli.com

Sorry for the loss of your friend. Much more than a dog. A member of the family.

-- To those who fight for it, life has a flavor the protected never know. Unknown, on an empty C-ration box. Khe Sahn 1968

Frank, my heart goes out to you. I just came up from the shop with my dog Roxy in tow. Read your post and just gave her hug to let her know how I feel.

Keep strong my friend,
Steve

-- Stevethepeeve -- I'm no rocket surgeon

Here I sit at work, sneaking a peek at LJ and now you made me cry. I am truely sorry for you loss and please accept my most heartfelt condonlences.

-- Adrian ..... The 11th Commandment...."Thou Shalt Not Buy A Wobble Dado"

Frank, your post and your work make a beautiful remembrance of a good friend. I’m sorry for your loss.

-- Nils Davis, Menlo Park, CA

My sympathy to you; my little bud died about 3 1/2 years ago and I still find myself looking around to see what he’s doing. Our dogs are our steadiest companions and our most trusted friends. When they leave us we know what it is to lose something precious.

-- Sawmill Lodge - http://sawmill-lodge.com

I completely understand. Everyone should be as lucky to have as good a friend as a dog can be. For some reason, they LOVE the saw dust. Very nice tribute to Buddy

A beautiful tribute! Animals are not just pets, they are family. I am sorry for your loss.

-- Brian, Lebanon PA, If you aren’t having fun doing it, find something else to do.

what a sweetie – looks like our dog, Little John – we almost lost him this past winter due to some strange illness he had – the kids were very upset that we almost had to put him down – I told them we could get another dog, but the truth is Little John is special and would be hard to replace, just like your Buddy, I’m sure – my heart goes out to you.

-- Currently-from-Grand-Rapids-but-looking-to-move-to-beautiful-Traverse-City ... :)

Thank you to everyone for your kind words.
It looks like we have a lot of dog lovers here on LJ. It has been a tough few days on the family, we have been well aware of Buddys advanced age but untill last week he has been going strong. My wife and I discussed the desision we may have to make but Tuesday he decided it was his time and went quietly laying in his favorite spot.
We will get through this but there will be a emptyness around here for awhile.
Thanks again and give your pets a pat on the head.
Frank

-- Frank Auge---Nichols NY----"My opinion is neither copyrighted nor trademarked, but it is price competitive."

Thanks for sharing, my dogs listen to everything I say and never question my sanity they are always with me and I will miss them dearly.

-- Ron Central, CA

Frank. I’m very sorry for your loss and my prayers are for you and your family. Truly a great loss.

Karson

-- Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com

There is nothing better than a shop dog and companion. It really does leave a big hole when you know your dog is always right there by you and they are gone. Its hard to have to make those decisions for such a great member of our families, but we all know when the time comes its the right thing, but not the easy thing, to do. I missed my dog Molly so much, I decided to get 2 dogs so I’d never have to be without one. My hearts with you. Its tough.

-- Every cloud has a silver lining

Frank my condolences. It’s a terrible loss when you lose any friend, 4-legged or otherwise. I’m sure Buddy will approve of the cross – you did a nice job of it.

-- Betsy - There is no strength where there is no struggle

Lossing your best buddy is like seeing your favorite old oak tree in the front yard blown over, they both leave holes.

-- I can so I wood but why are my learning curves always circles

I’m so sorry for your loss. I recently made something similar (though nowhere near as gorgeous) for my brother-in-law when he lost his cat. A few weeks later I bury my wife’s cat of 11 years in the back yard. Now I’m thinking of what to make to mark the spot, and this is an excellent inspiration. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

-- Brady Gaster, Indian Trail NC

If you talk to a theologian about animals being in heaven, they’ll say No, because they supposedly have no souls. I read quite a bit about it, being interested in theology. However I came across a very simple statement someone made, that went something like this:

“All dogs go to Heaven; it wouldn’t be Heaven without them.”

That pretty much wrapped up that topic, in my mind.

I had to put down my dog, Sammy, a few years back. Very hard thing to do. You get so attached to them!

-- -Be Blessed!, Patrick

Frank, we are truly sorry for your loss. Your labor of love is a touching tribute.

The bond between man and his best friend his based on truly unconditional love. When we loose that friend a part of us is less but a part of heaven is greater.
We can remember the walks we shared, the looks when we knew what each other was thinking, and that undying loyalty that man and his friend have during their time together. You are better for having your friend and his life was fufilled by having you.

May He Get that Needed Rest, While He Waits for You in Heaven -

On the lighter side we can ask the question -

If you put your wife and your dog in the trunk of the car for 15 mins –
When you opened that trunk only one would be glad to see you!
Guess which one! Now that is loyalty!

-- Bill - - Ad-Marketing Guy, Ramsey NJ

I understand completely

-- Terry Roswell, L.A. (Lower Alabama) "Life is what happens to you when you are making other plans."

My thoughts go with you and your family, I know it’s “just a dog” but….

When mine past on. I lost a friend and companion.

Take your time grieving and enjoy the memories.

Thank you for sharing, you are amongst friends here

-- Keep your tools sharp, your mind sharper and the coffee hot

I can completely relate to your loss. When the ground thaws I have to make a burial box for a buddy I lost in February.

-- Maplewood, MN