My mom asks me to write the hard blogs, so here I am. It is hard because I went to Rainbow Bridge this week and my people have a hole in their lives the size of a big black dog, the size of me.
I’d been having some pain in my face and at my age any little thing (or in my case the big cancer thing) can mean it’s time to take that last sleep to Rainbow Bridge and play with all the other beloved pets.
And I am beloved – by almost everyone who knew me – but especially by my mom and dad. My people love me – and I knew it every day.
I came to live with them in 2010. My other people left me in Elko, Nevada and even though it was scary at the time, it worked out very well for me.
I couldn’t tell my new mom and dad my name so they named me Elko. My mom almost always calls me Sweet Boy which fits me perfectly. My dad has many names for me – Baby, Baby Boy, Big Brawny Boy. I answer to all of them because my people love me – and I knew it every day.
I couldn’t tell them exactly how old I was but we decided five was a good age to begin my new life. (That makes me thirteen now – a good long time for a big black dog – but it doesn’t feel long enough.)
I couldn’t tell my people about all the things I knew and they sure were surprised when I showed them I could herd cows!
They showed me some things too. They showed me that hiking sand dunes could be fun.
They showed me that riding in our boat could be fun too. I had to show them I knew how to swim but I never liked it.
I like to wade and get my tummy cooled off, but NO SWIMMING!
When we left our house and my backyard and all of our stuff, they never considered leaving me behind. My mom and dad took me so many places. My people love me – and I knew it every day.
And then we went even more places together! My people love me – and I knew it every day.
My dad used to say he was the pack leader because sometimes I’d follow my dad more than my mom. But really, maybe I was the pack leader. My mom and dad followed all my routines. My people love me – and I knew it every day.
My special time with my mom was early in the morning. We’d go outside and then she’d make me a special breakfast because I liked variety. She’d make sure I took my pills and then help me get on the bed for a morning nap with my dad. My mom loves me – and I knew it every day.
My dad would sit outside with me all the time because I really liked being outside. Sometimes it was cold and sometimes it was hot but he sat with me anyway. My dad loves me – and I knew it every day.
I knew how to get as many treats as I wanted and as many walks as I wanted and how to make my people happy with a little bit of cuddling. I am the sweet boy – always wanting to be close by – but cuddling was something I did only in small portions. Mostly we cuddled for a few minutes at night as we all went to bed. My dad would rub my ears and I’d do little growls to make him happy. I love my people too.
I always like it best when the three of us are together. I love my people and my people love me – and we all knew it every single day.
They enjoyed watching me dream and see my feet twitch and my nose move all around. They’d imagine I was dreaming about running and playing the way I used to before the old body held me back. They hope that life is like that for me now at Rainbow Bridge. Until we meet again…
My people love me – and I knew it every day.
Serene Wandering 
Wonderful pictures and wonderful memories. We’re glad to have known and spent time with Elko and will remember him fondly. Our thoughts are with you and Randy.
What a nice tribute to a beautiful friend. God blesses
Us with friends like Elko. We know they have to leave
at some point, but it sure is hard when they do. Thoughts
are with you both.
Sorry to hear you had to go Elko. I’m sure you’ll be patiently waiting in heaven for your people that knew you loved them too. That you let them know it every day by teaching them, making them think that they needed to show you they loved you 💞 You’ll be ready in heavan waiting to do all those things you did while here on earth. That hole in your people’s hearts will always be there and will be your place forever. You deserve it and I think you knew that just like you knew they were your people. God bless you Elko💓
That was lovely, thank you. Surely heaven will have our pets with us again.
Sorry for your loss; your blog was beautiful.
Bruce Wiegers
Oh now I have lump in my throat. So sweet for a sweet boy.
Lucy and Elko are playing in heaven. Elko will be heavily missed❤️
It is a good thing they finally got to being friends here to get that head start! Thanks Kylee.
Serene and Randy I am sure that you do have a hole in your hearts but Elko really did love you two. He now is running and playing.
Love to think so. Thanks.
So sorry for your loss, but so glad that the three of you found one another and shared such love❣️ Thanks for sharing.
Their lives are just too short, but the love we get from them makes it worth the heartache. As the saying goes, “Better to have loved and lost than to never have loved at all.” I’ve got to go give Finn
a hug now!
Oh gosh, I am so sorry for your loss. I know the pain of losing a pet. You gave Elko a wonderful life and you will see him again one day. Stay strong. Bless you both…
My condolences to you. I had a Black Lab when my first husband passed. I finally let Beare go when he was 16 and too crippled for me to handle. Like Elko he loved and was loved. My thoughts are with you as you heal your hearts. Elko was a super dog. You gave him a wonderful life. Thanks for the pictures.
Serene and Randy, I am so sorry to hear about Elko. He was a big sweet gentle boy. Our love goes out to you.
With tears I am reminded of all the wonderful times I had the honor of taking care of Elko. What a wonderful dog, and yes he knew his people loved him well.
We vetted Elko’s care providers VERY carefully. Only those who loved him passed muster. Thanks for loving our boy.
So sad. Know you will miss him but he will always be there. Will miss his blogs
It was Randy’s idea to have Elko write this one. I will miss his voice in many ways. He had a very loud bark but rarely used it.
So sorry to hear about Elko. He was a beautiful boy. How blessed you all were to have had him this long.
When we got Elko the adoption papers suggested he was between four and seven. We just chose five. It is possible he was 14 or 15 years old. We knew we were on borrowed or gift time for a dog that large but we still hoped to keep on going with him. He was a beautiful boy – thanks for noticing.
Serene, my heart goes out to you and Randy. Elko really was very special. He wrote a lovely tribute to you and to the wonderful life you gave him. I’ll miss his voice.
Hugs, Connie
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My heart aches for you both…I think this is my most favorite post…Wishing you peace on the journeys ahead💛
So very, very sorry…
So sorry for your loss. Losing a family pet is hard. Looks like you have lots of great memories. It took us quite awhile to get use to the fact that Maggie wouldn’t be running through a door left open just a split second too long or there was no one to chase those squirrels out of the yard. So sorry Serene and Randy.
Karen Johnson
Thank you. The comments here, on Facebook, private emails and texts have been a source of comfort for us. We know people who have walked these steps before totally get how hard this can be. The grief is real. Ultimately the love we share with these paw babies wins and makes even the grief worth going through. We grieved Toby and eventually invited Elko into our lives. We grieve Elko and will eventually share our lives with another. But not for awhile.
So very sorry for your loss. Pets have a special way of entering our hearts and bringing so much love.
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