Kalinka is gone...

[Toril S]

Hello friends.
My "band" of three members has now been reduced to a duo. My eldest dog, Kalinka, had to cross over the Rainbow Bridge Thuesday evening. I called her my Sun because of her light yellow color. She was my guide dog for many years, but the last 5 years she has just been living the good life and taking it easy. Both she and Fryd have been with me on gigs several times. When I had my PSR-2100, Kalinka slept in the keyboard bag while I was playing! Later Fryd came along too, learning from Kalinka to keep still during gigs. Thats is why I called them my bandmates. When I was rehearsing songs at home, the dogs just ignored it, unless I played too many false notes. In that case, they stood up, sent me a disgusted look and went into a quieter part of the house to sleep. One day when I was in town me and Kalinka passed a street busker, and he imidiately begun playing  the song Kalinka! I had to stop, and I told him that it was the name of my dog, and he smiled and said: "I just knew that!" And we laughed together. Kalinka loved running free in the forest, she LOVED food, and she loved to cuddle. Now she is in the place where the food bowl never is empty, the grass always is green and she can run free all she likes. Oh, we miss her so much Fryd and I. She was so gentle, sweet and loving, and she calmed us down with her laid back personality and cheered us up with her big Labrador grin! Rest in peace my dear ray of sun Kalinka....

[Joe H]

Toril,

Sorry for your loss.  It is heart breaker to loose a dog to old age.  I've been through it twice so far and am preparing for a third time. Dogs are very special beings. They give us "unconditional" love and loyalty.  Most humans will not do that.

Joe H

[Toril S]

Thanks Joe! Yes, they are special.

[Jeff Hollande]

I know that terrible feeling of pain. It breaks your heart.

Dogs have always been and will always be my best friends.

I feel so sorry for you, Toril.😥

All the best.
JH

[Toril S]

Thanks Jeff!

[EileenL]

Hello Toril,
  It is always hard to say goodbye to a faithful friend but as you say now in a better place.

[Graham UK]

Toril S. Your article is a wonderful read. 
My wife and I have been down the same path after 15 years with Lab-Collie mix JACKSON.
When I got home from work I would take off my shoes and Jackson would take each shoe and return with my slippers...So intelligent.

We just have to remember all the good times.
We many time when trying to park the car, say Jackson we need a parking space and one would appear as if nobody else could see it !!!!!

Best wishes from animal lovers. Graham uk

[Toril S]

Thanks Eileen and Graham!❤️

[browzer]

Sorry to hear of your loss Toril, sounds like she had been a good friend indeed.

Ronnie

[Toril S]

Thanks Ronnie. Yes, indeed she was a good friend.

[Amwilburn]

So sorry to hear that, Toril

[travlin-easy]

Sorry for your loss, Toril. I have been through this on 4 occasions, one dog 17 years old, and three cats, one of which was just over 2 years old.

Gary

[Paula]

 :)My heart cries for you....... I know the loss , it hurts
     Paula

[Toril S]

Thank you so mch my friends❤️

[Gloria]

Dear Toril,
  I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your friend Kalinka.  God has given us humans many gifts & one of the gifts is God spelled backwards.

Love, Gloria

[Toril S]

Yes indeed Gloria❤️ Thanks!

[dlepera]

Hello Toril. Very sorry to hear of your loss. I could never understand years ago how that could pain a pet owner until recently.. My 16 year YorkiPoo(Teddy) who has been my shadow all this time is now blind and deaf and soon will also be crossing that same rainbow. Only now can I understand and can image how the lose of a dear pet(a family member) can affect the owner and everyone who shared the good times and as stated the "unconditonal" love that they provide never expecting anything in return.
OK, a teat all the times their good!.
     dom

[Toril S]

Thanks Dom. Oh, it is so sad when they have to go. But they always have a place in our hearts, and live on in our dear memories of the good times.

[stephenm52]

Toril,  I'm so sorry to hear of the loss of Kalinka.  I've had a couple of faithful dogs pass over the rainbow bridge. It's nearing the 1 year anniversary of our male Riley passing over the rainbow bridge.  Only time will lessen the pain of the loss.  I liked your commentary on Kalinka, very nice.

[Toril S]

Thank you so much Steve❤️