Forever in our hearts. Goodbye, Sweet Smokey: August 16th, 2009-July 16, 2022
We take a moment to rise above our sadness to thank you, dearest Smokey, for all the humor, love, and care you so generously shared. We will never forget you. As Jackie said, the hardest part is that this marks a new chapter of our lives.
Dear readers, we are gently turning this page here at home, quietly sharing with each other all of our memories of our happy dog days with Smokey. This journal will return in September, along with a new chapter of our lives, salt and peppered with French words, and ever sweetened with memories of our cherished chien who is now in dog heaven or Le Paradis des Chiens.
With love,
Kristi
Daughter, Jackie, Smokey, and Kristi.
Comforted. A young Smokey with his mama, Breizh, who he now joins au Paradis des Chiens.
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so, so sorry. I have had 6 Irish Setters and am glad to be sitting here in the cool in this canicule with my 2 four-year olds. We all hug you.
So sorry to hear about Smokey. Hope he has found all our furry friends and is eternally playing. Love you!
I have not posted a comment before, but I started reading your blog after I checkout out your book from my local library many years ago in advance of a trip to France. Over the years I’ve enjoyed reading about Smokey’s adventures and the way he showed you and your family such great love. I am very sorry to hear that he has crossed the rainbow bridge. You surely have a treasure trove of memories and photos to console you and help you remember the joy he brought to your family. Peace to all of you!
I’m so sorry for your loss, Kristi and family. I will miss reading stories about Smokey, and smiling at photos of him.
So sorry for your loss of the lovely Smokey. I hope he is able to meet up with Ben, Clarissa and Jeannie, the Goldens of my heart. ❤️❤️❤️
Farewell sweet Smoky
and deepest sympathy
to your humans.
Kristi , tous mes sincères condoléances ! Nos animaux sont énormément important dans nos familles. Je pense à toi et ta famille pendant ce moment difficile.
amitiés-Leslie
I’m so very sorry for your loss, Kristi! Your last post about the sweet chatting between your mom and Smokey was one of my all-time favorites. Made me teary to read that one, let alone today’s post. Hold tight to all the love Smokey and Breizh brought to you. I will miss reading about your sweet Smokey.
Big sad to be closing Smokey’s chapter. I hope–and let me add my voice of support to those of your other readers–that you find the strength to turn that new page, bringing his memory with you as you move forward.
Oh, Kristi. There are no words to soften your sadness. Smokey will be missed equal to the intensity of your love for him. Godspeed, sweet boy. Sending a hug to all of you.
Dear Kristi,
I wish there were some words to make this devastating loss all better. My deepest sympathy to you and your family. My heart breaks for you. Please know that someday your beautiful and loving Smokey will be waiting for you at the Rainbow Bridge.
Love,
Stacey
Je suis tellement désolé d’apprendre que Smokey a traversé le Rainbow Bridge. C’était un chien spécial dès ses premiers jours et nous avons tous senti qu’il était aussi notre chien.
Dear Kristi and Family-My heart breaks for you. Mon coeur est cassé pour vous et votre famille!All of your readers have grown to know and love Smokey over the years. We will miss him greatly-he was a beloved member of our virtual family. What a joy he was and what a legacy he leaves.I am shedding tears as I write this and hope you will be comforted by all of the love that will come your way from readers like me.
Avec une vraie tendresse,Jackie Crane San Luis Obispo, CA
Sending love– only time will heal this grief.
Love,
Mary
Je suis tellement désolée pour ta perte, Kristi. J’avais un chien comme Smokey pendant treize ans et demi, alors je connais ta peine. Toutes mes condoléances, Joanne
Oh, je suis si desolee. My heart knows that ache. May the many memories of days spent with Smokey comfort you and family. Adieu, Smokey.
Dear Kristi & Family. Navrée d’apprendre le décès de Smokey. No matter how many times you stand at that “Rainbow Bridge” and say “Adieu”, it never gets easier. May your many loving memories of Smokey comfort you as you heal from your loss. Maybe this poem will help. Someone sent it to my daughter on the 1st anniversary of the passing of her beloved Theo:
We thought of you with love today, but that is nothing new.
We thought about you yesterday, and days before that too.
We think of you in silence. We often speak your name.
Now all we have is memories, and your picture in a frame.
Your memory is our keepsake, with which we’ll never part.
God has you in his keeping.
We have you in our heart.
RIP/REP, Smokey
Sending healing love to all. We LOVE our fur babies so much and the loss of each is painful. At the moment we have two Cavalier King Charles Spaniels whom we adore. We know the pain of losing such a friend. Love to all family and friends. Jimm & Susan Hughey, California
It’s a special kind of heartache. Thanks for sharing him. Hugs across an ocean.
He’s with his momma. I’ve gone through this so many times, and it’s heartbreaking, but we sign up for this when we let those darling angels enter our lives and bring us all that joy. His memory will be a blessing. I’m so very sorry. Take care and have some bright days this next month.
Oh, Kristi, I am so sorry. My condolences to you and your family. Thank you for sharing Smokey with us in stories and pictures over the years. He has brought much joy to so many and his gentle ways will live on in your hearts.
All dogs go to heaven!
I always loved your posts with Smokey in them, particularly with your mother. He did a hero’s work when she moved to France to join your family and he just knew that she needed extra love and attention. He was a very sweet baby and I have more than a few tears right now as I know how hard it is to lose those four-pawed angels.
Smokey will live on in the hearts of your family and all of your readers!
Susan Toye Ferguson
Portland, Maine
We’ll all miss you around here, Smokey! We always loved hearing stories about you. Rest In Peace. Sending love to you all from northern Virginia.
Our animal friends touch our lives so deeply, leaving paw prints on our heart. We are forever changed by their love. I send love and prayers for comfort to you, dear Kristi, and your family.
Bless you, dear Smokey, for all the love, joy and smiles you so freely shared. Run free in Heaven!
Sweet Smokey, he will be missed by all your readers, dear Kristi. I so loved your pictures and stories of him and his mama over the years. Sending a hug across the miles.
So, so sorry for your loss. We had to say goodbye to one of our beloved kitties last December, and have done the same with many more over the years, so know how hard it is. Smokey had a wonderful life with you, and will have a nice stay at the Rainbow Bridge.
Mes condoleances –
Julie
Oh, I shed tears over this news. You just wrote such a sweet post about Smokey’s bond with your mom. I have followed the stories of both your Goldens over the years. I have an eleven year old Mastiff and know we don’t have many days left together. I cherish them all. They hold such a precious place in our hearts and it is devastating to lose them. I’m so sorry for your loss. Kerry
Oh Kristi I was so very sorry to read your post this morning!!! I was worried after your last post but I didn’t think it would be so soon. Even if our fur babies get to live out a long life it will just never be enough! My heart goes out to your family!! Sending many hugs. Run free over the rainbow bridge dear Smokey until you see your family again.
So so sorry. I know how much he was loved and cherished by you and your family.
Be gentle with yourselves during this time, go doucement.
Hugs,
Diane
So very sorry about the loss of your bien-aime Smokey. God bless your family. See you in September…
Thinking of you and your family. It has been such a pleasure reading the lives of not just your human family,, but the four legged family members too. I am very sorry to hear of Smokey’s passing. Please take care.
So very sorry for your loss. Our time with our pets is never long enough. Cherish your memories.
oh no !!! such a prominent member of your family and of your posts !!! you guys obviously did a great job as dog parents to get him to the ripe old age of 13 ! such a lucky pup ! may his memory be a blessing !
I send you all my sincerest condolences on your loss of Smokey. Our animals bring such richness to our lives and expect virtually nothing in return. Partly because of that, they leave us with endless memories—tears, laughter, and all that accompanies those myriad emotions. ❤️
Chris
Oh Kristin…Smokey touched us all so much, and we love him so. My tears are flowing for Jules, you and the rest of your family, and for my own broken heart. I am grateful for Smokey’s wonderful life here on Earth, grateful to you for sharing it with us, and comforted by the belief that Smokey’s soul lives on, in peace and bliss that we cannot imagine. May you all be comforted by the certainty that you gave him the best of lives here; you all are his forever family. Peace be with you.💜
Kristi I’m so very sorry!! Our dogs are often our closest friends. I’ve so enjoyed reading of Smokey and his adventures over the years. My heart goes out to you and your family.
Dear Kristi and family,
I’m so sorry to hear about Smokey. What a wonderful dog! I always enjoyed hearing about him and seeing his photos.
I hope you all find comfort in happy memories of Smokey over the years. He was a lucky dog to be in such a loving family.
Hugs, Chris
My deepest sympathies to you and your family, Kristi, on Smokey’s passing. He was so loved by all of you and that makes his loss so painful. As you reminisce about all the good times, the trying times, and the funny times, may your spirits lighten and your souls heal.
So sorry to hear about the departure of your beloved Smokey. He was such an integral part of your life and a true family member. Grieve him deeply with all your love. I send you condolences, and sympathy for your loss.
Dear Kristi,
Such devastating news, the loss of Smokey, always a highlight in your stories. So huggable and lovable from afar, I can only imagine how comforting he was to have by your side. It is so hard to lose our pups, but the joy they bring is immeasurable. And the greater the love, the greater the loss. Praying Smokey’s memory offers continued comfort for your family as you work through this heartbreaking loss.
Oh, my, my heart breaks for you and your family. There is no way around the grief, only through it. Boy did you give him the best life he could ask for!! Comfort in that, I hope. Arms around you.
Oh, Kristi, I am so sorry for your loss. Smokey was the sweetest, bravest and most determined dog. From his first appearance in the blog through the horror and incredible recovery from his attack to his wonderful life at the vineyard and his lovely garden at La Ciotat he has lived his best life. He was privileged to have a loving family to nurture and encourage him. I was privileged to be among the many friends and visitors who enjoyed watching him amble along with his big smile and adorably lolling tongue; a reminder of all he overcame. Smokey, safe travels to rejoin your maman. Bisous
Tellement de tristesse mais aussi des souvenirs inoubliables de votre chien adorable!
So sorry for loss of your beloved family member!
We will all miss him!!!
Oh my. This news was hard to read this morning. I hope it isn’t taken badly but Smokey was my favorite subject of your blog (there are many things to love but he was at the top). Dogs are a gift from God and Smokey was a special present. Thank you for sharing him and I wish memories of him bring smiles and warmth moving forward.
Best,
Craig
Adding my love
Oh, dear, Kristie. Oh, sadness. Always thinking of dear Smoky, always. Memories are healing….
😢 Tears for a dog I never met but knew feeling his presence. A centerpiece in your beautiful writings will leave a big hole for us all. He’s probably diligently instructing a new puppy up in the glorious realms of just where the coziest part on Jules’ bed is, I’m sure! Free from age issues and lumps, Smokey is playing and frolicking now.
Many, many hugs from Florida to you and the whole family for your huge loss. He will be so missed! Thank you for sharing his spirit in such a touching way, Kristi,
delighting our hearts with his sweetness and dependability. Special condolences to lovely Jules, his good buddy and Grand-mere Extraordinaire.
My heart breaks at the loss of Smokey. I recall when is momma passed. I will miss seeing us lolling tongue and his stories.