Sallie Tomato loved to splash through the water
It has been a week since Sallie Tomato passed -- it happened so fast. He passed suddenly from a heart problem. He was dancing in the morning and by dinner time he was rushed to the vet and within two hours he had left this world.
Dogs are family. Sallie Tomato came to live with me six years ago after my youngest son passed. He had this big Golden Retriever that nobody could take -- but I had room and I took him home to Kentucky. He was a warm friendly dog that was so easy to handle. My older son loved to take him out on walking trails.
My granddaughter loved to play and pet Sallie as she did my other dog Lil.
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I walked Sallie almost every day at the city park near where I now live in Vancouver. The children that used the park loved to come over to Sallie -- petting and talking to him like children love to do with animals. Sallie loved it.
Sallie Tomato we miss you.
Oh, Barbara, I am so, so sorry ... tears for your sweet Sallie and for your loss ...
ReplyDeleteHugs, Teresa
Teresa --- you as a dog owner know how special each dog we live with adds wonderful meaning to our life -- barbara
DeleteAw, I'm sorry. He looks like he had such a sweet personality, and I know how much a part of the family a dog can be.
ReplyDeleteMelissa -- Sallie lived a good life with us -- he loved people and they loved him. And he was family for sure -- thank you for your comment -- barbara
DeleteSorry to hear that. I'm no dog-person but if all dogs were Golden Retrievers I most definitely would be. Take care.
ReplyDeleteJohn -- Then if you ever decide to have a dog -- Goldens would be a good choice for you -- they are completely devoted to their owner. Nice comment -- barbara
DeleteOh, how sad. And a shock, really, the very sudden death. And he was a connection to your son which makes it extra poignant. Animals are so much like people in our lives, their loss is deep and painful.
ReplyDeleteJune -- it surely was a shock and yes Sallie was a "remembrance" dog -- of my son. The loss of Sallie is painful but I keep remembering how good a life he spent with me and that makes it a little easier. thanks so much June -- barbara
DeleteI'm very sorry about your Sallie. Please know others care about you and your sadness. Gypsy Weaver
ReplyDeleteNature Weaver Gypsy -- My quiet thoughts take me to all that one loses as one ages.Tough to lose an animal. One has to live with one to realize this. thanks -- barbara
DeleteI am so sorry for you and your family. Pets are family to us and losing one is hard to take.
ReplyDeleteMichelle -- Yes, I notice your dog Jack in some of your posts. He is a cutie.
DeleteLoving then leaving is hard to take. thanks -- barbara
A lovely tribute to Sallie Tomato, watching the road there in your header. Do we know how he earned his name? It seems perhaps one chapter short of a gangster name.
ReplyDeleteJoanne -- It is a gangster name. My youngest son named it after a gangster Sallie Tomato. Later found out the gangster was in the movie Breakfast At Tiffanys. Sallie never quite lived up to his name -- he was too sweet. Thanks -- barbara
DeleteMy deepest condolences to you and your family, Barbara, on your loss of precious Sallie Tomato. As a fellow dog parent, I know how difficult it is to say goodbye, no matter how long and good a life we gave to shared with them. And Sallie Tomato certainly had a long life filled with love, tender care, and many fun adventures! May the unconditional love and fond memories he left you with, forever outlasting his all-too-temporary physical form, bring you much comfort as your hearts heal.
ReplyDeleteLoloofah -- So very nice to hear from you. It is so quiet around a house when you lose a dog. You expect that greeting at the door when you come home. I have lived with dogs for pretty much all my life and this part of having a dog never gets easier. Your kind sentiments are lovely.. -- thanks -- barbara
DeleteSo sorry to read of you losses. I has been 13 year since we lost our eldest son and the pain never goes away but then the memories grow ever more strong and important. Each dog though reinforces the good memories and so we add to them with each new one....:) Goldens are so gorgeous and gentle. :)
ReplyDeletetroutbirder -- I know that you will never forget those memories of your son -- nor will I forget my memories of Erik. The pain is always there. Sallie gave us great memories that we can talk about for years to come. We are a family that are members of that big dog club in the sky. I imagine your family is too. thanks -- barbara
DeleteDear Barbara,
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry for your loss of Sallie Tomato & sorry to hear of the loss of your son.
What a special, beautiful & sweet dog. I so have enjoyed your photos & stories of her, perhaps you will share more.
Rita -- thank you for your comments on Sallie. I miss him but time heals all. I have had dogs for most my life and each one was special. Although it was tough to lose each and every one of them it also was a honor to have their friendship during the time they were with me. Dogs give so much to their human companions. Again thanks -- barbara
DeleteI am so sorry for your loss Barbara, you and Sallie T were good companions. I did not realise the link with the loss of your son and how you helped each other. Its good to have memories that make you smile. I like your picture of him.
ReplyDeleteclaggle -- Thanks you for your very nice comment. My wonderful son was 44 when I lost him. Life hands us such loads to bear but with time we forge ahead. Our family has many great memories about my son. SallieT was a magnet to folks -- he could charm just about anyone. thanks -- barbara
DeleteWhen you pick up these beauties that first day, you always know you'll have to say goodbye someday. I've said goodbye enough. This keeps me 'single' in dog years.
ReplyDeleteBirdman -- I understand your feeling as I have a few friends that have the same thoughts. It is tough to lose a well loved pet. thanks -- barbara
DeleteI am so sorry about your dear Sallie. We lost our wonderful Ellie in November under much the same circumstances. She was fine, frisky and happy. Then she collapsed and two hours later she died on the operating table at the vet hospital. She had a hemangiosarcoma on her heart and it bled into the sac surrounding the heart. Nothing could be done. We can only be grateful that neither our Ellie nor Sallie lingered suffering. Happy memories remain but I must admit the tears still come occasionally. I feel such empathy for you and family. I do know how much it hurts.
ReplyDeleteNCmountainwoman -- I remember when you lost Ellie -- I read your blog with such sadness in my heart. She was a beautiful dog. Our circumstances are the same as it relates to the end of SallieT and Ellie's lifes. Sallie T 's condition was the same as Ellie. I learned from the vet that this is a condition common to Goldens. I was unaware of this condition beforehand.. Yes, it is good that they did not have to linger -- I find that unbearable to think of. Thank you for your very nice comment -- barbara
DeleteI'm so sorry -- we had a Golden -- such sweet dogs.
ReplyDeleteVicki -- Yes, sweet is the way to describe Sallie too. As you know Goldens are so devoted and loyal too. Of course aren't most dogs. thank you -- barbara
DeleteSo sorry about your loss. She had a very rare shade of fur, almost like a Tomato on the way of ripening. I am sure she is a star in the pet heaven.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your personal message about Sallie Tomato. He did love to eat tomatoes out of the garden. thanks -- barbara
DeleteI'm so sorry. He looks like such a wonderful dog. I did not know about your son. Life is so hard, sometimes.
ReplyDeleteHattie -- Thank you for your kind words -- we belong to a warm and wonderful community of bloggers, I appreciate all of the comments I have received. -- barbara
DeleteOh, Barbara, I am sorry for your huge and sudden loss. Sallie Tomato was a unique name for a unique Golden Retriever. He looked like none other I've ever seen, quite grand in his stature and expression. That he first belonged to your son who you lost made the connection even dearer, and I like to think that they have rejoined now. As sudden pet death is so shocking, and makes even the grief inexplicable. I do hope that as the days move along into summer that you will feel healing, knowing that you were very special in the life of a very special dog. ♥
ReplyDeleteLydia -- Your words are touching -- thank you. Life is so fleeting -- full of surprises and shocks. You would think we would get used to it as we age but it doesn't seem to work out that way. You write so beautifully -- you get to the heart of it. Again thank you -- barbara.
DeleteDear Barbara, I am so sorry that you lost your beautiful dog. It is a shock when someone you love dies suddenly and unexpectedly. Those furry creatures are forever in our hearts. I'm so glad you had each other for a time. Many hugs.
ReplyDeleteFlorence -- Thank you for your very kind comments. Our pets are so much a part of our daily life. I am so glad that you were able to have your cat back after such a long time of being missing -- again thanks -- barbara
DeleteI'm so sorry to hear of your loss. Sallie Tomato looked like he was a very loyal, loving companion. Hugs and blessings, Tammy
ReplyDeleteTammy -- Thank you for your kind words. He was a dog that liked to always walk beside you and loved to play. Although he was large he would never hurt even a fly buzzing past him. He is missed. Thanks again Tammy -- barbara -- FOLKWAYS NOTEBOOK
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