Tabby Roach , born 6.6.90 , died 29.8.03 aged 13 years 2 months ( "Tab"). She was, in the words of our children , a "fully paid up family member" and we are so sad that she is gone.We can still hear the clip clip of her paws on the kitchen floor , sense her presence in the house and hear the chink of her collar on her bowl - to say the house feels empty ,( even with 3 children ) is an understatement.She was a true Lab in every sense of the word - faithful , loyal , fantastic with the children and my constant companion .
Since Mark created Champdogs a few people have asked which breed he is assosciated with ,and the answer we always gave is that he is not -but that we had a beautful Black Labrador who was a member of our family (we don't breed or show and Tab was our only dog) - our connection to the "dog world " is through my parents who breed and show Goldens and Flat coated Retrievers .
Mark always thought it would be a bit sentimental to have a section on Champdogs for those who are dearly departed ...and now perhaps we think not so.

Stretch out your hand

I am still all around you

Although you cannot see me

With you I remain forever

Our spirits linked for time eternal

We lived in harmony

With you I will always be one

My heart no longer beats

My eyes are closed

But my essence still lives on

Your love for me let you give me peace

When the earthly life took it's toll

I fly with the wind & soar to the stars

No longer bound by my earthly body

I wait at Rainbows's End

Knowing one day we will fly free together

I wish the entire Roach family well, and am sure that everyone is sharing some of your pain. You have my sympathies.

So sorry to hear of your loss.

liberty

Rachel, what a wonderful way to pay tribute to an obviously very special dog.

love to you, Mark and the children xxx

Hi Mark, Rachael and Family, I shed a few tears today for you all, I do think a dog dying is sometimes worse than a relative, after all the dog has been there to welcome you every day, giving big slobbery kisses, and lovely cuddles. I lost my beloved Kim, a heinz 57 many years ago now, but she is still here in spirit, even though ive got other dogs now, I still miss her. I think having a "rainbow bridge" is a good idea, and I know it will soon be full of lovely stories of our dearly departed dogs.

so very sad, so very sorry for all of you.

val

To lose a dog is not just "losing a dog" - it is saying goodbye to a much loved member of your family, and our thoughts are with you - especially now that our beloved Purdey, also aged 13, is visibly slowing down daily.

I read this poem a couple of years ago, and hope that it will bring some comfort to you:-

A long time I have lived with you
And now we must be going
Separately to be together.
Perhaps I shall be the wind
To blur your smooth waters
So that you do not see your face too much.
Perhaps I shall be the star
To guide your uncertain wings
So that you have direction in the night.
Perhaps I shall be the fire
To separate your thoughts
So that you do not give up.
Perhaps I shall be the rain
To open up the earth
So that your seed may fall.
Perhaps I shall be the snow
To let your blossoms sleep
So that you may bloom in spring.
Perhaps I shall be the stream
To play a song on the rock
So that you are not alone.
Perhaps I shall be a new mountain
So that you always have a home.

Reprinted from 'MANY WINTERS' by Nancy Wood
A collection of Prose and Poetry of the Pueblo Indians

One day you will be able to remember all the good times, and be able to smile again.

Love
Margot

I will lend to you for a while, a Pup, God said,
For you to love him while he lives and mourn for him when he's dead.

Maybe for twelve or fourteen years, or maybe two or three,
But will you, 'till I call him back, take care of him for me?

He'll bring his charms to gladden you, and (should his stay be brief)
You'll always have his memories as solace for your grief.

I cannot promise he will stay since all from earth return,
But there are lessons taught below I want this pup to learn.

I've looked the whole world over in search of teachers true, And from the folk that crowd life's land, I have chosen you.

Now will you give him all your love nor think the labor vain,
Nor hate me when I come to take my Pup back again?

I fancied that I heard them say, "Dear Lord, Thy Will be Done,"
For all the joys this Pup will bring, the risk of grief we'll run.

We'll shelter him with tenderness; we'll love him while we may,
And for the happiness we've known forever grateful stay.

But should you call him back much sooner than we've planned,
We'll brave the bitter grief that comes, and try to understand.

If, by our love, we've managed, your wishes to achieve,
In memory of him we loved to help us while we grieve,

When our faithful friend departs this world of strife,
We'll have yet another Pup, and love him all his life.

We are all a little bit sentimental about our dogs Rachel.
Thinking of you.
Love, John

So sorry for your loss
Words can never express the desolation and heartbreaking emptiness that's created when we say our final goodbye to an old friend. Only truly understood by other dog lovers.
Thinking of you all
Lara x

So so sorry for your loss.

Pam

Thinking of you all at this very sad time,

god bless. xxxxxxxxxxxxxx.

Our thoughts are with you.

Sweep x

Thinking of all the Roach family at the moment ...a dreadful loss to bear

Melody and Hudson

my heart goes out to you and your family. To loose a dog is as important as to loose any 'human' family member...and only true dog lovers can understand this.
I am sure Rainbow Bridge will be a source of comfort to many others.
John, that verse was just beautiful !! Had me in tears again.

Thinking of you all at this sad time.

So sorry to hear of your loss

So sorry to hear about Tab. But, I think this new board is a lovely idea, to help people share some really important memories of their four-legged friends. Maybe it's fitting that Tab is the first dog to be remembered in this way.

Jo

Thinking of you.

so sorry for your loss
take care !!

My heart goes out to you all. I lost my first lab this time last year and know what you are all going through.

Sleep well Tab.

Lucy
xxx

So sorry to hear of your loss

I know how awful it is, and my heart is breaking for you.

Take care....

Love

Lisa

I am so very sorry to hear of the loss of your beloved baby Tabby , to understand the pain you feel one has to have a deep love for animals , which become our babies , please know that your Loved one is now at the Rainbow Bridge where she will be running again and free from any pain or illness , we have these little ones for such a short time but they leave us with a lifetime of memories , and touch our hearts with love , Take your time to grieve , you have lost a dearly loved member of your family , but remember when you are feeling especialy low that your Tabby is not very far away , Tabby has not left you , she has just moved into another room where she will wait until the day you can join her, that room is the Rainbow Bridge , God would not give you a pet to love then just snatch her away, she will be missing you as much as you are missing her, but being wiser than us humans our little angels know that when its time to go they must leave , Tabby knew love while on earth with you and you should comfort yourself in that knowledge , I wish you peace of mind and pray your tears will soon stop and you will be able to think of Tabby with happy memories , It is better to have loved and lost, than to never have loved at all , think of the happiness you and Tabby would have missed .,, in love from Lynne

Im so sorry to hear of your loss.
I know how hard it is. It is the worst feeling in the world.
My thoughts are with you all.
Steph
xxx

So sorry to hear about Tab - I bet she was very special.
xxx

dear rachel
i am very sorry to hear about your loss it really is a shame i honestly do hope that you and your children can put the tears behind you and instead remember tab with less heart wrenching memories and instead be happy to have had her at all and be happy you have the abilities to have such precious memories of a soul such as that and be her in physical form or not you and she both know that your loving bond will never break i can understand how you must feel it really if the worst experience to lose some body so close to you as your dog i am definite that every body on this whole site has terrible stories such as yours
cheer up though tab lived a full life think of dogs that dont get that oppourtunity i know that i as well as everybody else will be happy to talk to you should you need to talk to somebody just remember how she would have wanted you to remember her with happiness and remember all the happy times you had be it throwing a ball in the park or or having her nick your sandwhich would she want you to be so upset remember she is always there if not in solid form in spirit
all my love and sympathies go out to you
rest in peace tab
all my best wishes go out to you and your family
robert xxx take care

"companion of my lonely days and healer of my woes
The only grief that thou didst cause
Was when thy life didst close"

by Ian dunbar.