I’ve discovered a few things since Banjo died Saturday night:
1. I miss him more than I ever thought I would.
2. People are amazingly kind and decent.
3. That little dog touched a lot of people’s hearts.
I’ve been amazed, touched and lifted up by all the phone calls and messages I have received. My family has read everyone them and they have helped us remember our funny little four-legged friend. I recently lost my brother-in-law, one of the bravest and finest men I’ve ever known. That loss was devastating to our family. Banjo’s loss was just a kick when we were already down.
But life will go on. We were offered a chance to adopt a beautiful little dog who looks very much like Banjo (he needs a home). And we’ve been offered a couple more pups who need good homes, too. Unfortunately, it’s just not a good time for us to take on another pup. We will soon, though. Our house is too quiet without one around.
Thank you to everyone for your kindness. Just when I start to really suspect the decency of the world, people like you step up to the place and restore my heart. Banjo would give you kisses and tail wags if he could.
Thank you for sharing Banjo with us. I think his story will have a place always in each of our hearts. We have been through the same thing and when the time was right we got another pup to love. Each one has their own place in our heart. Not to replace the one we lost but their own little place. And I agree with you there are a LOT of decent people in this world. The problem is we don’t hear about them. We only hear about the others.
Still praying for your family. You will have another one to love and you will know when the time is right.
You restore our hearts every day, Marshall, so we thank you!
I second Cheryll’s sentiments!
Aye!
Marshall, I listen to your show almost daily. I really enjoy it and learn a lot that I
wouldn’t otherwise know. Your blog is rather new to me but I am loving following
it as well. Thanks for sharing your family’s experiences and love of Banjo with us.
I, too, lost my dog this year. He ran out in the road and got killed in seconds by an 18 wheeler hauling corn. It was his very first time out of the yard…I picked him up at
the dumpster and he was snow white with a black nose…just beautiful. I feel your
pain. I hadn’t had Happy for very long. He was only a year old. But I live alone and
miss him terribly. We will both get a replacement when the time is right.
Tiffany was a really great dog who lived with George Rodrigue in Louisiana. He began to paint her and then developed the famous “Blue Dog”. The current “Blue Dog” is a combination of the original Tiffany and the Loupe Gareux (probably not spelling correctly) who was a dog in Cajun folklore. One’s love of a dog can inspire creativity and I believe enhanses our belief in the Creator God. My special loves were named Mitsy and Alice Ann. Throughout your sharing of Banjo’s special love and bond, I have prayed for him for y’all and for my departed pets.
A dog’s purpose is to teach humans about unconditional love. I would have to say that Banjo fulfilled his mission in that regard, by touching the hearts of many people besides his own pack. Isn’t it ironic and beautiful how God created Dog to teach people to be more human? I love my dogs like they were my own flesh and blood, and having them in my life has made it much richer. We continue to pray for your family Marshall and grieve with you, as we’ve all been down this road. It’s never easy saying goodbye, but remember it’s but a temporary separation.
Wish I could have known Banjo personally. You told his story so beautifully that we all felt like we did know him. Dogs are so good, kind, and provide unconditional love in the same way that people should be often don’t. Would the world be a better place is we all loved the way dogs do? I think so.
Thank you for sharing Banjo with all of us. Most of us have pets and have lost pets so your story is one we all feel ownership with. Thank you for sharing your gift of writing and telling a story so that we all feel we are living it along with you. God Bless!
My word, but that is the cutest little dog! Border’s definately have personality all over them, don’t they? Those eyes!
Marshall, even Tim read with me the Requiem-and cried too. Granted, he’s a softy and still misses Rocky and Rusty so much. Thank YOU for letting us into your world by telling us about Banjo..(did all those stolen Little Debbie’s cause the diabeetus?), Mollie (sweet girl), and even Sam-still the funniest story you’ve ever written was “The Castle Doctrine”, which makes me giggle through cleaning the litter box-a job I despise, but necessary with a Persian.
Banjo was a great dog who was blessed to have a great family to appreciate him through and through. That hurt gets better over time, this you know. Trying to “replace” him will fail; but giving another dog your love and your family having the companionship that comes from having a pet is surely in your future.
I agree that you should wait until you are ready to get a new dog. I loved hearing the stories of Banjo, and my heart has been heavy for your family for the past few weeks. My husband and I have been married for 8 years and have a dog that we adopted shortly after the wedding. He is almost 10 years and is just starting to grey. Your struggles with Banjo have reminded me how precious my dog’s life is, and how much I should cherish each day with him. I know you are so busy, but perhaps you could use your influence to memorialize Banjo’s life the same way you have used your battle with cancer to promote awareness with Run from the Sun. My parayers are with you as your mourn the life of a great friend.