Losing Logan
I had some posts planned for today but sadly our beloved rescue Berner, Logan, passed yesterday. At the moment it’s hard to focus on much else so my last post of the day will be a tribute to our boy.
Logan lived at a puppy mill for 4 years, he was the stud dog. He had no name, was kept caged, used and abused.
Eventually when the owner of the puppy mill thought he no longer fit the bill as a stud dog he was put up for auction. Yes, auction, so possibly another breeder could come along to buy him and continue his life of abuse. Or, if he wasn’t bought he probably would have been put down.
This is where a wonderful organization called the Bernese Auction Rescue Coalition comes in. They bought him, got him medical attention, and put him in a wonderful foster home until he got adopted. On June 6, 2008 Horst and I went to pick up our new family member. When I saw him I had tears in my eyes, he was so beautiful, and so scared.
We celebrated our 1 year anniversary in June, I left a message on his page because it truly was a celebration. Logan had overcome so much in a year, he was a different dog.
When we first got Logan, I’m not going to lie, it was hard. He barely moved, spent most of his days in our 1/2 bath where he was comfortable. We never pushed him, always let him do things on his own time schedule. Every day we spent quiet time laying with him and petting him. We started taking him for walks everyday and that was when we got our first glimpse at the dog who was waiting to come out.
We made progress, and had setbacks, working with Logan was like nothing we had ever dealt with. We’ve always had rescues but Logan was in a whole different category. I remember after a few months had passed wondering if we were just going to be Logan’s caregivers, which was fine, or we would eventually breakthrough and show him life could be good and people could be trusted.
I don’t have an exact date or incident to mark the change but it happened. I do remember the first time he wagged his tail it touched my heart in a way I didn’t think possible. Every breakthrough brought us such joy.
As we were saying goodbye to Logan yesterday we knew our tears were for us, we would miss him but he would be fine. In the short time he was with us he went to the park everyday, up to the lake on weekends, had a vacation in Asheville at dog friendly B&B, came to Wilmington with us and saw the ocean, played with his siblings, and was constantly fawned over. He packed a lot of living into a year and a half.
On our drive home from the vet, without him, we didn’t think we could ever go through this again. We knew the risks of adopting an older dog going in and we knew Berners are susceptible to cancer, yet we thought our dog would live to twelve. What happened wasn’t a total surprise but the pain that came with it was.
Yet this morning, although I’m still crying as I type, something happened. We brought such joy to Logan and him to us, isn’t it out of selfishness to not do it again? It doesn’t seem fair to not give what we gave Logan to another dog in need. So somehow Horst and I found ourselves looking at the BARC board this morning to see if maybe, just maybe, there’s another Berner that needs us as bad as we need him.
Rest in peace my dear sweet Logan, you will be missed every day you are not with us.
I’m so sorry for your loss. Rest in peace, sweet Logan.
Rest in Peace Logan..You are now free to run and play…Hugs Min..
I feel so bad for you, I know what your going through. It is tough, its also worth doing again. You gave him a life he never would have had otherwise, bless you and bless him. I’m sure he’s telling all the other dogs in heaven what wonderful people he had.
Oh my gosh, I almost cried. I’m so sorry about Logan. You’re such an amazing pair of humans to give him such a loving home in his last days on earth. Whichever dog gets to come home with you next will be the luckiest pup on the block!
Lisa, Horst, Bo – our hearts go out to you. Rejoice in knowing that you gave Logan the best year and a half of his life – that he died knowing he was loved and appreciated.
You know our pack, and that we’ve been trying to find a home for Max, the 9-year old lab that was recently surrendered by his family. Art and I have made the decision to not subject Max to being shuffled around anymore. We’ve decided to let him spend the remaining years of his life with us (we’re officially up to 7 now). Max now becomes our 3rd senior dog (Mocha is 15 and Matilda is 16), so we fully expect to be going through this with you in the near future. We can only do just so much to alleviate their suffering and to show them love and peace. Bless you both for what you’ve done, and for what you are about to do.
Joy Frannicola (and Tucker, Cody, Jake, Maggie, Matilda, Mocha and now Max Frannicola)
Logan,
You are very beautiful.May you rest in Peace where you are free to run and do whatever you want to do my friend
Logan will be missed BIG TIME by his Family on Earth. Know that he will be well taken care of by me and other ANGELS at Rainbow Bridge until he can run to his loving Family’s arms again.
We will miss U here on Earth Logan .
luv N licks
Mr BARNEY,PEPPER,ANGEL,REBEL,COCO,LADY LOVEBUG,SHADOW,BILLYBOY,ONYX,MAMA KAT and DADDY B
Logan is running free at the bridge waiting for you. He had a great year and a half with you. Because of you he got to know what life should be like for him, filled with love and happiness and activities. Bless you for that.
What a great and touching post about Logan. You were so lucky to have each other!
Have you ever seen this Rainbow Bridge video? It makes me cry every time I watch it, but I love it. Someone first sent it to me when my Gizmo passed last year… I hope it helps.
http://www.indigo.org/rainbowbridge_ver2.html
P.S. I love that you’re thinking about another rescue. So great for whoever is lucky enough to end up with you!
I am so sorry to hear about the loss of such a wonderful dog. You and Logan were blessed to have each other. We’re thinking of you.
I am so very sorry for your loss- I can’t imagine how much your heart must hurt right now. What a gift you gave Logan- the comfort you gave him is really beautiful.
Take care of yourselves,
s
Sorry for your lost of Logan. I know he will be missed, but think now he is a whole new pup with no more pain or cancer. I truly believ there is a Dog Heaven, just like the Heaven we will be in. Where we are made new and so is dogs and all animals. I also believe we will be reunited with our pets as with our human love ones. I believe our pets don’t just die and go nowhere. Our love to you and your family.
I’m so sorry about Logan, but you did a wonderful thing for him, he was very fortunate that you took him in and gave him a true, loving home.
take care.
Heartbreaking and heartwarming all at the same time. I am sorry for your loss, but so glad that Logan had finally been loved and shown the life he deserved. You both did a wonderful thing for him, and you are right, you need to keep sharing that love. I am sure Logan would want to share with everyone the happiness he finally found.
Paw Prayers for you and your family.
I’m so sorry to hear about Logan. You’ve given him a great life with you both and I hope that your pain eases in time. I lost my Sam the Tabby about a month ago and I completely understand.
Lisa and Horst, I’m so very sorry for your loss of Logan.
Our hearts and love go out to you.
From your posts on this blog and from Bo’s book we’ve come to know what wonderful people you are and Logan was very lucky to have spent the time with you that he did, however brief (it’s always too brief no matter how long). You’re fortunate to have Bo, Moose, Copper, and Kensey to help comfort you through this sad time.
You have our deepest and most heartfelt sympathy.
Thank you so much for sharing your story of your beautiful Logan. I will repost on my facebook page so that others can see what a difference they can make when adopting an older dog. I hope the beautiful memories created with Logan will comfort you during this difficult time. Peace be with you.
I know I am misquoting this.. but it is the general message that struck me.
” The span of their lives is 12-14 years and we are heartbroken when they die. Were their lives made that short for a reason? If they were to live lives as long as us… we would never be able to survive their deaths.”
I know I heavily misquoted.. but it struck a chord with me. We invest our souls in them…. and perhaps.. their lives are shorter so that we may have more of them to love? That is unselfishness by another spirit that is incomparable. It is the only way I can go forward … to think of it that way.
Why?
That’s what we ask.
The truth is,
we may never
be able to know
for sure why.
But we do know
that there is no single
“should have done”
or “could have done”
or “did” or didn’t do”
that would have changed that why.
All that love could do
was done.
There is something I am getting to grips with… it isnt a simple concept… I have lost too many I care about in my life…
The pain of loved souls passing can be agonising . I have no strong faith to carry me.. I have a basic belief that I will see those I need and want to see in another dimension .. either in this life.. or a next if there is one.
What I have had to seriously ask myself is if I would rather not have had those souls in my life.? Meaning.. I had none of the pain of their passing.
The answer is a deafeningly loud ” I NEEDED THEM IN MY LIFE !”.
They taught me to be who I am
They gave me wings to Fly
They gave me the joy of Love.
If I want to be without the pain of their passing… then I have to not have them in my life to start with. I do not want a life that bitter and bare and empty.
I hate the pain.. I hate knowing the pain other souls are in. I hate the terrible diseases and pain that take our loved ones sometimes.
There IS no one without the other…. the only place that can be so is some science fiction Robot-World.
SO…….. I will take the pain of the Passing… it is a small price to pay for all the LOVE that comes before.
If I ever grow to be good enough.. and deserving enough.. to be even half as beautiful in my soul as a dog… then I will have come a very long way
Run Free and wild Beautiful Boy
Love From
Flicka Δ,,Δ and Lucas /..|Cleo (In Memory) Δ,,Δ and Pam X
My thoughts and prayers are with your family on this sad day. I hope you can take some comfort in knowing the year and a half you had with Logan was the best time of his life…In the short time he was with you, he lived a wonderful life, and overcame so much from when you rescued him. He left this world knowing what it was like to be loved…I thank you for that. Bless his sweet
heart…
There’s this one story in the book “Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover’s Soul.” I hope you enjoy it, I’m not writing it so well…
After this one family had their beloved Labrador retriever put down, they sat with the vet in the clinic, sadly wondering why animals can’t live longer. Suddenly the four-year-old boy piped up, “People are put on earth so they can learn how to be good and love others, right?”
His parents told him yes. He continued, “Well, animals already know how to do that, so they don’t have to live as long.”
Congratulations for choosing to adopt another rescue, however! I hope he or she will be just as good as Logan.
What Logan might tell his family
With Love
A Letter From Your Pet In Heaven
To my dearest family,
some things I’d like to say.
But first of all, to let you know,
that I arrived okay.
I’m writing this from the Bridge.
Here I dwell with God above.
Here there’s no more tears of sadness.
Here is just eternal love.
Please do not be unhappy
just because I’m out of sight.
Remember that I am with you
every morning, noon and night.
That day I had to leave you
when my life on earth was through,
God picked me up and hugged me
and He said, “I welcome you.
It’s good to have you back again,
you were missed while you were gone.
As for your dearest family,
They’ll be here later on.”
God gave me a list of things,
that he wished for me to do.
And foremost on the list,
was to watch and care for you.
And when you lie in bed at night
the day’s chores put to flight,
God and I are closest to you…
in the middle of the night.
When you think of my life on earth,
and all those loving years,
because you are only human,
they are bound to bring you tears.
But do not be afraid to cry:
it does relieve the pain.
Remember there would be no flowers,
unless there was some rain.
I wish that I could tell you
all that God has planned.
If I were to tell you,
you wouldn’t understand.
But one thing is for certain,
though my life on earth is o’er.
I’m closer to you now,
than I ever was before.
There are rocky roads ahead of you
and many hills to climb;
But together we can do it
by taking one day at a time.
It was always my philosophy
and I’d like it for you too;
That as you give unto the world,
the world will give to you.
If you can help somebody
who’s in sorrow and pain;
Then you can say to God at night…
“My day was not in vain.”
And now I am contented…
that my life was worthwhile.
Knowing as I passed along
I made somebody smile.
God says: “If you meet somebody
who is sad and feeling low;
Just lend a hand to pick him up,
as on your way you go.
When you’re walking down the street
with me on your mind;
I’m walking in your footsteps
only half a step behind.”
“And when it’s time for you to go…
from that body to be free.
Remember you’re not going…
you’re coming here to me.”
-Author Unknown
Remember the good and happy times .The best way to show your love for a dog or cat that has passed is to keep on giving your love to other’s that need it. Rest in peace sweet Logan.
Alexandria
Our hearts reach out to you. You gave our brother Logan the best years of his life. You may not see him anymore but he is still with you and watching over you. We know, us dogs stay with the ones who give us shelter and kindness and love.
What can I say except I send our family’s love to you. What a blessing to have Logan and what joy and memories he left for you to cherish..
Love George Mom and Family
I am so sorry for your loss. Rest in peace sweet Logan. You gave him the best home we could have wished for.
The Rainbow Bridge
There is a bridge connecting heaven and earth. It is called the Rainbow Bridge because of its many colors. Just this side of the Rainbow Bridge is a land of meadows, hills and valleys, all of it covered with lush green grass. When a beloved pet dies, the pet goes to this lovely land. There is always food and water and warm spring weather. There, the old and frail animals are young again. Those who are maimed are made whole once more. They play all day with each other, content and comfortable. There is only one thing missing. They are not with the special person who loved them on earth. So each day they run and play until the day comes when one stops playing and looks up! The eyes are staring! You have been seen, and that one suddenly runs from the group! You take them in your arms and embrace. Your face is kissed again and again and again, you look once more into the eyes of your trusting pet. Then, together, you cross the Rainbow Bridge, never to be separated again.
Author Unknown
Our Mom read a bookreview once about Rescuing Sprite. The Reviewr had lost several border collies, her breed of choice, over the years but she said …………. loosing one to The Bridge makes room to rescue another in need.
Our hearts bleed for you but we admire your outlook. Our Mom is the same – when our Louie left us she cried & still does but she said there was another at the shelter as needy as Louie was at one time.
Our Love is with you
My heart just goes out to you, and if it makes any difference, I cried knowing that Logan had to endure so much hardship before he found his way into your lives. But you can rest easy knowing that you made all the difference in his life, even though your time was short. And you make a difference in ours. Thanks for all you do.
My deepest sympathy goes out to you and Horst. After losing my Stormy B. Naughty and then recently my Sadie Boo to cancer my daily life now can only be described as…”lonely”. I was blessed because I had SBN for 8 years and Sadie Boo in my life for 15 years. We shared so many things together and a bond that will be with me forever.
I stopped by Logan’s page. Hard to imagine the life he had prior to coming home to you both. What a happy and handsome looking boy he was.
I can’t imagine the love, patience and commitment it took for you to bring Logan into your life and show him what it really means to be a dog.What a selfless act on your part. I know there is one lucky dog waiting for you to do it all again. You are both in my thoughts and prayers at this difficult time. Bless you both for all you do. You truly are special.
Rest in peace handsome Logan.
What a beautiful difference one single life made.
“When he shall die,
Take him & cut him out in little stars.
And he will make the face of heaven so fine
That all the world will be in love with the night
And pay no worship to the garish sun.”
Shakespeare
Our hearts go out to you and we grieve with you.
I am so sorry for your loss…..
We grieve with you…………
Brenda & The Summerville Seven
When we rescued 7 yr old Lucky, we thought she would be with us as long as our first rescued Golden, HoneyBunny, was–13 wonderful years. But it was not to be. Like Logan, we only had a short time with Lucy, losing her to cancer.
But, I can say without a doubt that Lucy and Logan never let cancer get the best of them–they saved that for those who loved them.
Lisa & Horst, My heart goes out to you and Horst. You were so wonderful to open your hearts to this sweet boy and give him the best years of his life. You know how far he came in the short time you were blessed with him. Logan will be forever grateful to you for showing him what it was like to live like all dogs should! I am sure he is wagging his tail now showing mom and dad he is pain free and at the bridge. What a lucky boy he was to have found you two angels on earth to show him what love can do!
I’m so sorry for your loss. I know how much you’re hurting right now, and missing Logan. You’re two very special, loving people to be willing to give your hearts to the precious pups who need us, even when you know they never live long enough and you’ll go through that terrible “good-bye” pain again and again. But so many dogs need homes, and you’re making the world a better place by reaching out to those who need you. God bless you.
Lisa, Horst and Bo, I’m so very, very sorry that you lost your beautiful Bernese boy. I type this with tears in my eyes and in my heart for you all. You gave Logan a year in which he knew love, no doubt for the very first time in his life; you gave him tenderness and understanding when before he’d known neither of those things. You gave him freedom to be himself and to grow into who he was meant to be. You gave him security, warmth in winter, coolness in summer. You gave him fun, a concept I’ll bet he never conceived of before you came into his precious life. You gave him a home and family. You gave him a LIFE.
Run free and well at the Bridge sweet Bernese boy. One day you’ll all be running as a pack together again.
Much love from Pogo and me, Vicki xoxoxoxoxo
I’m sorry for your loss also. You gave Logan a life, thank you for that. I imagine he’s looking down on you from doggy heaven and he’ll guide you to the next dog you’ll save. The one saving grace about loosing our beloved pals is the wonderful memories we have, just like the ones you shared with us. RIP Logan.
How sad! Rest in Logan. You did a great thing for Logan I am sure he is going to take care of you from where he is now!
What a beautiful tribute to such a special boy. I’m so glad he got to know love in his short time on earth. Rest in Peace, sweet boy.
Godspeed Logan. Bless you for showing him what a loving home and family is about. He left this earth knowing love…..it was a wonderful gift you gave him.
A Brilliant Rainbow
(Terri Onorato)
High on whispered wings I fly,
a radiant star, I light the sky.
Toward the sun I soar so free,
a brilliant rainbow follows me.
I pulsate through your very soul
and in my paws your heart I hold.
The day will come when you’ll fly too,
I’ll be here then to welcome you.
Until the time we meet again
I won’t journey far my friend.
For in your love I live so free,
a brilliant rainbow guiding me.
From the “Dog Blessings” book you sent me:
A GOODBYE PRAYER
by Kate Robinson
Bless my friend who’s gone away
I honor him this lonely day.
Lift my friend on wings of love
To Heaven lit with cheerful sun.
Dry my tears and soothe this pain
Let my world be whole again.
My heart goes out to you for your loss. There is no easy way to say goodbye but you know you gave Logan wonderful years he would never have known without you.
May you see Logan in your dreams and feel him around you during the day.
We are so sorry to hear of your loss. Logan did get the chance to know love and how to be a true dog. Loosing a pet is loosing a part of yourself also. Bless you and your family.
As you said yourself, you gave Logan a good year and a half. I know he’s grateful and will escort you across the Rainbow Bridge. Don’t tell my bishop, but all dogs do go to heaven you knw.
“We take to our hearts those beings who are even shorter lived than we, knowing that we will suffer from their impermanence but learn from it how to savor what they give us—a brief, perfect glimpse into a heart that loves unconditionally.”
I am so sorry for your loss. Logan’s beautiful. I am so glad you found him so he could have a wonderful life after his terrible times. It’s hard to lose them & we remember them forever. I am glad to read that you want to help another life in the near future. There are so many needing our love.
I am so sorry for your loss…I know how hard it is to lose a furbaby…Logan’s story brought tears to my eyes..but know that you gave him a happy, healthy, loving home and he will always be with you, just in a diffrent way. Sending my thoughts and prayers to you in this time of sorrow (((())))
Dear Lisa, Horst and Bo, we are so sorry about your loss. Logan was the first dog to be featured on The Daily Tail, and we had a special place for him in our hearts. I published your post there, as a tribute to him, and linked to the first post about him on the web site.
Here it is: http://www.thedailytail.com/nonfiction/losing-logan/
Much love from Daniela, Martin, Frieda, Geppetto, Lola, Gaijin, Phoenix and Crosby.
No words can possibly express how sorry we are to hear of the passing of Logan. I do know that loses are so great because we have loved so deeply. Even though you had Logan for such a short time, you packed a lifetime of living into his life. One gal that works for the rescue organization where I got Merit from always signs her emails with the following quote:
“If you save one dog, you won’t change the world;
but you will change the world for that one dog.”
That is what you did for Logan.
Poor boy, R.I.P. Logan, it’s good to know his golden years were in loving hands. Bless the rescue for rescuing him and you guys for adopting him and giving him another chance.
We are sorry for your loss.Prayers and good thoughts are with you.Logan rest in peace.
I’m so sorry to hear of your loss, I’m sure however Logan is happy now at dog heaven and appreciates much of what you have given him.
What a heartwarming story of sweet Logan and a beautiful family he has in you. Bless your hearts and we send alot of loving prayers to dear Logan.
Sarge, Rocky and Darbi
Love and hugs to you both. You did a wonderful thing that no words can even come close to explaining. I am so grateful there are people like you in the world. God bless you and Logan, and all the animals who need us.
We just wanted you to know we had a croud of angels here to welcome Logan when he arrived here at The Rainbow Bridge…He said his journey was beautiful and his family was his 1st heavenly dream….We had a big welcome pawty for Logan and he was so overwhelmed by all the pups wanting to show him around….he slept in the next morning…We had to go and shake his cloud to get him up to jang out at The Turtle Pond….He looks GREAT and has become quite the ladies pup already….I suspect…He is going to be just fine
xoxoxox
Cheyanne
RIP Logan!!!
What true love for all!
So, so very sorry for your loss. Logan knew he was loved and is smiling down on all of you with thanks for the best year of his life!
I am sure you will find another Bermie, their are so many on Petfinder..
Wishing you all well and peace during this time.
I am so sorry to hear of Logan’s passing. Though his life may have been short, it sounds like every moment he spent with you was wonderful. You did so much to help him overcome his rough start. I can only imagine the hurt. Take care. R.I.P. sweet Logan.
Words can only soothe – I know you loved your Logan, and he will be missed. Take good care as you go through this tough time. What a wonderful story – and to have given Logan some sweet time in his rough life is just amazing!!
Somehow we missed this post about Logan. We are so sorry about the lost of your precious, boy. He looks so different in this picture than when you first recued him. He was a lovely, wonderful boy and we know he will be missed terribly. Please accept our love, sympathy, friendship & canine well-wishes.
Sancho, Cinder, Schnooks, Freckles, Tate, Luckie, Mango, Java, Mocha, Scruffles & Sprocket and their person, Carol
Our condolences are with you…You’re lucky to have had Logan and him lucky as well to have had you. RIP Logan.
I’m just reading this for the first time and had no idea of what you went through. Our 3 dogs (Sunshine, Flash and Bashful) were abandoned and we don’t know the details of what they went through but unfortunately you do know details, which I’m guessing isn’t bad because you knew what you were dealing with. I am so sorry and I can’t start to imagine what you’re going through now. There is another dog to be rescued and Logan being the angel he is, would be happy to see you rescue another. Take care and remember that you’re in my prayers.