I watch my share of online videos much like everyone else. This morning I watched Jimmy Stewart recite a poem about his beloved dog, Beau, and it brought me to tears. This wasn’t the first time I’d seen it, but this morning it had special meaning to me because my baby, a three year old Golden Doodle named Payge, died in my arms yesterday morning.

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There are lots of events that change people’s lives, and losing a pet is one of those tragic moments. Although my loss right now seems unbearable, I’ve been told the pain will ease with time and I’ll remember her for all the love we shared. My wife and I spoiled Payge, but she was part of our family, and that’s just the way we are.

My wife and I are small business owners, and Payge would go with me every evening to close the shop. On the way there, I’d always roll her window down and she’d put her nose next to the rearview mirror and let the wind rush through her fur. Or I’d open the moon roof and she’d stick that big nose out the top. I will so miss that.

This was a very personal loss for my wife and I, but everyday families lose their homes to foreclosure, or lose their jobs, or business owners are forced to close their doors. Some tragedies are unavoidable, like Payge’s, but some are preventable. At Hostirian, I always preach disaster recovery. Lose your data and likely lose your company. Some businesses simply never recover. Fortunately, we offer solutions to prevent those types of tragedies.

For my wife and I, our healing and recovery process meant locating another puppy to love, which we have done. Her name will be Abbie. And as difficult as it is for me to write this right now, this too is part of my healing process. So I say “Goodbye Payge.” You will forever be with us in our hearts.

Steve and Sami

Oh, I am very sorry to hear about your loss guys. I love animals, and have a special bond with dogs especially (we have quite a few in our family).

Payge was a cutie, but 3 years was way too soon, as she was just a kid. Did she have health issues?

We don't know, Artashes. She was fine, running around outside yesterday morning and just collapsed and went lifeless. I attempted CPR for at least 20 minutes, but she was gone. I'm afraid we'll never know what happened to her.

Steve, as an animal lover and owner of several pets you have my sincere condolences.
Losing a loved pet is every bit as hard as losing a family member.

Abbie will not replace Payge of course but she will help you in the long run to get over your loss and will indeed provide comfort.

Thank you, Blue.

My wife and I only have a guinea pig, which lovely as it is, doesn't really have the personality of a dog. Still, it would be very hard to lose him (we were close to once, when he stopped eating for almost a week), so I can relate to your pain to an extent.

From what you describe, Payge didn't suffer. Try to take a bit of comfort in that.

I'm very sorry to hear about your loss, Steve. As blue said, losing a pet can sometimes be as painful as losing a family member. I also have some sad memories about family pets.

It seems very strange though, how you say she just collapsed out of nowhere. Did you take her to the vet after it happended to find out what could have caused it?

Thank you Dan.
@ HostLeet - Thank you. Nothing would have brought her back - I rushed her to the vet immediately while doing CPR in the car. Her heart had stopped. I really didn't see the point in an autopsy, I think because I was and still am in shock, and grief struck.

Condolences for your loss Steve, and hopefully overtime the pain will ease. The memory of the film Marley and Me had a similar effect to Jimmy Steward's poem on me and my girlfriend, for all their qwerks and annoyances and funny moments they are ours and they can't ever be replaced. We've got 2 a German Sheppard and border collie and couldn't imagine a morning without them, as I said hopefully the pain will ease and you will have many happy memories to come with Abbie

Thanks csn-uk. I do still have a German Sheppard. He's 9 now - our guard dog. When Payge passed, he got a toy and dropped it on her, as if he wanted her to play with him. She was 66 pounds of pure energy and ran circles around him.

He still looks for her.