Heaven goes by favor. If it went by merit, you would stay out and your dog would go in. ~Mark Twain
Angel Eyes and I went out early one morning a few weeks ago and the light was extraordinary. The slanted rays of the October sun rimmed everything it touched with a halo and Angel, being the angel that she is, seemed to glow. It was one of those timeless moments not easily forgotten, when the light was just right, the birds were singing, the air was cool and fresh and Angel was by my side. 
Those of you who have visited these pages in the past have often seen Angel as she accompanied me in the garden, my constant companion.
She loved exploring her world, sniffing flowers, watching insects, tracking down the scents of the creatures who shared the garden with her. (click on any photo in the mosaic to see full size images)
It wasn’t just the garden in bloom, she loved winter too, romping in the snow with her ball or her cousin Charlie Brown.
Angel came to us as a four month old puppy – as soon as she arrived and jumped out of the car, she ran to Bill and immediately became Daddy’s girl, remaining his lap dog forever.
Bill posed her in his studio one day and dubbed her “Sound Dog” because she would lay under his mixing board for hours while he worked. She once ran over to greet a friend of ours she had never met because she recognized his speaking voice – she had listened to his singing voice while Bill was editing his CD and made the connection! She loved music and often went to outdoor concerts with us, barking with joy every time the audience applauded the musicians.
If there is a heaven, it’s certain our animals are to be there. Their lives become so interwoven with our own, it would take more than an archangel to detangle them. ~Pam Brown
A few years ago, dear friend and gifted photographer Mary Pegher put together a wonderful photo book of dogs who graced our local park. Angel had a grand time at her photo shoot, leaping and chasing her favorite pink ball while Mary worked her magic with the camera. When the book arrived, we were delighted to find that Angel was featured in her own two page spread – many friends and relatives got a copy of that book for Christmas that year!
I had sensed this spring that this might be Angel’s last year in the garden. She struggled to move at times but still looked forward to our mornings walking the paths together, however slowly we might move. Although she was 90 in human years, she was still beautiful and sweet and joyful. You may have guessed by now that Angel is no longer with us. She passed away peacefully in our arms, in her favorite spot on the sofa, and surrounded by those who loved her so much. 
I still expect to see her face at the door when I come up the driveway and I continue to reach out to pet her before I remember that she’s not there. I think it will be the hardest next spring when I look up the stone steps and she isn’t standing there at the top, waiting for me to put my camera away and join her exploring the garden in the morning light.
When you are sorrowful, look again in your heart and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight. ~Khalil Gibran
composerinthegarden 
I am so sorry you lost Angel. What a beautiful dog she was! I love the pics of the good memories.
Thank you, Caroline; she was a beauty, inside and out. Good memories are the best tribute, aren’t they?
Yes, for sure, and you have many beautiful pics. 😍
Oh, you had me about to tear up so I can’t imagine how hard it must be for you and Bill. But you have bravely put together a beautiful tribute, which is good. The photos with Bill really do show that she was his girl – and oh, the sleeping one, I love that! And what a cool thing that Angel appreciated music so much – she was in the best place, it seems. long life, lived well, making ripples that will grace your lives over and over. Best to you, Lynn.
Thank you, Lynn. It’s really hard but it did help writing the tribute. She loved her Daddy – he was the source of a lot of fun – he took her with him to all the local music stores and for rides in the park. She actually recognized pieces of music, especially music from commercials that featured animals – she would run from another room if she heard one of those playing on TV. She had a wonderful life and gave us one too 🙂
I’m very, very sorry to hear of this, Lynn. This inevitability is the only thing I don’t like about having pets, but it’s a *huge* thing and, if anything, I’ve found it harder and harder to deal with over the years. Please accept my sincere condolences.
Kerry, thank you for your kind and wise words. I felt the press of that inevitability for the past few months, knew what was coming, but it was even more devastating when it came to that moment. The garden has been a comfort but she will be missed.
So hard to say good bye to cherished loved ones. We are left with holes in the heart as well as wonderful memories. So sorry.
Thank you, Shelley – you are so right. I’m hoping the hole grows smaller and the memories grow bigger over time.
Thank you for giving me the chance to know your beloved Angel, even if only through your posts and photos. I hope the emptiness you feel in your heart and in your home will once again be filled with fur baby magic, when the time is right.
While your heart is heavy now, please remember that time heals all wounds.
Best to you and your family, Lynn.
-Kate
Thank you so much for the kind words, Kate., truly appreciated. I look forward to catching up with your garden.
Oh Lynn-I am so very sorry for your loss. Angel must have been very very special to you and Bill. Your heartfelt tribute was so beautiful – I could feel your love for her through your words and I am sure your heart is breaking. My sincere condolences.
Lucille, thank you so much for your kind words of comfort. Angel was so special to us, she was a remarkable creature, sensitive and intelligent and loving.
Such a lovely tribute to Angel. We have an treasured older Golden who’s now 13. We are cherishing our time with him. Thanks for a lovely post.
Thank you for your kind words, Lisa. So glad to hear that you are treasuring your Golden, our dogs are so precious and such a gift.
So sorry to learn of Angel’s passing, Lynn. Losing a beloved pet and member of the family is so hard. May the many loving memories you shared with her sustain you during this sad time. ❤
Thank you, Eliza; it sounds like you have experienced that same loss. Memories of Angel are definitely sustaining me 🙂
Sadly, many losses over the years, it seems to get harder the older I get. 😦 The last one took me four years to get over!
I do try to just think about the gifts they gave me while they were here, and not their absence, but the heart is a messy thing. ❤
Oh, I’m so sorry, Eliza. It is heartbreaking, isn’t it? If you haven’t bonded with a pet, it is hard to understand, but there are times that I feel that my heart has been pulled right out of me. I too try to remember the joy that Angel brought, but you are right, the heart is a messy thing . . .
Dear Lynn,
A special acknowledgement is due to you for your profound and touching tribute for a pet dog who had been such an influence in your life. Angel will definitely be missed by those who knew her well. Her essence will live on in her playfulness and attentiveness that touch your heart and mind.
I hereby salute and embrace you in your commendable effort towards paying your deep respect for Angel who had ceased being the lively and furry companion that you now miss so much.
Oh, Lynn, what a moving account and tribute you have composed here regarding Angel!
I would like to convey a special condolence to you for your profound loss of your beloved dog as follows:
SoundEagle in Birch Forest Landscape with Mushrooms is thinking of you and sending you all of the Love and Positive Thoughts that one can muster……….
Yours sincerely,
SoundEagle
Sound Eagle, thank you so much for your generous and supportive comments, I truly appreciate your words and art. Angel was a gentle and wise companion, my soul sister and companion on the path. Thank you again for taking the time to read the comments of others and offering your own wisdom, which I deeply appreciate.
You are very welcome, Lynn.
Yours sincerely,
SoundEagle
Dear Lynn,
As one composer to another, and in loving memory of Angel, I hereby convey to you a special condolence sonically with “I’ll Always Be With You“:
Yours sincerely,
SoundEagle
Angel was the perfect name for her. She was sweet and loving and so gentle. You made such a beautiful tribute to her. She would have been so hard to describe otherwise. Hoping Angel helps you and Bill find rest from the pain of her loss. I’m sure she is thanking you everyday for the wonderful life you made for her and so grateful you chose her.
Thank you, Mary – she was so special, I’m so so glad you got to know her. I treasure the photos of her in your book – especially when she jumped for the ball. She chose us too, I’ll tell you the story sometime.
I am so sorry for your loss, Lynn. This is such a beautiful tribute to Angel. I don’t know why we call them pets. They are, I’ve always thought, members of our family. Sending hugs and love.
Thank you, Robin. Oh yes, I considered her my furry daughter, she lives deep in my heart. Thanks for the hugs 🙂
I am so sorry for the loss of your beloved angel eyes.
This is the most beautiful tribute and angel eyes was the most extraordinary dog. I always remember when you brought her for your acupuncture treatment when she was a puppy and she was so calm and quiet and stayed right by the treatment table. No dog was evermore loved . You and Bill gave Angel Eyes the best life and I am heartbroken for your loss.
Sending prayers for comfort and peace. ❤️🙏🏻🌈
Sharon, thank you so much for your kind words. I’m so glad you got to know Angel, she was so comfortable around you – I think you both shared that calm presence.
I am so sorry for your loss. What a beautiful tribute to a lovely soul.
How kind of you to comment here, CHM – thank you. She was a lovely soul.
My heart is breaking for you, Lynn. So bright a shining star, so sweet and abiding a companion…of course your Angel will be missed and missed and missed. I think she’ll always be in the garden with you, but losing her physical presence comes with the grief of any lost love. Gentle, gentle peace to you both; holding that prayer and these beautiful photos of Angel in my heart.
Kitty, thank you for your kind words, I know you understand. I remember how heartbroken you were when you lost your dogs a few years ago; you must still miss them. Angel was such a gift in our lives and we were so blessed to have a creature like her with us every day. And I’m so glad that I retired and was able to spend 24/7 with her, a gift in itself. Peace, Kitty, and thank you again.
What beautiful memories (and photos) you have of your Angel. It is always hard when pets pass away, they are very much part of the family. It’s good she got to spend time with you in the garden she obviously loved. Sending you hugs ((( )))
Jude xx
Thank you Jude – I have so many memories of her spending her days with me in the garden. I’m so happy that I retired and was able to spend the last 18 months with her 24/7, especially as she struggled with health issues. My beautiful girl, will always miss her but also want to remember all the wonderful moments. 🙂
What a lovely and loving tribute to your beautiful beautiful Angel. I’m so sorry for your loss. Best, Babsje
Thank you, Babsje – I wanted it to be a celebration of her beautiful life, joy through tears.
You’re welcome and you definitely succeeded in doing just that. Take care, take it gently.
I’m sorry for your loss. If you don’t mind a segue into the strictly human world, consider this poem from Thomas Hardy:
https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/52333/the-voice-56d230b56eb7c
Beautiful poem, Steve, thank you so much. I could substitute “Angel” for “woman” and that would sum it up perfectly. Another poem that spoke to me was Byron’s Epitaph to a Dog: https://poets.org/poem/epitaph-dog