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So Hard to Say Goodbye .... R.I.P. Darby O'Gill (1995 - 2011)

By Maureen Bray Portland OR Home Stager ~ Room Solutions Staging

Home Stager with Room Solutions Staging, Portland OR

August 27, 2011 07:48 PM

Darby was a fine Irish lad who liked everyone ~ but his lucky "people" family was his main focus from the day we met. Rescued from a bad environment in his native Ireland nearly 16 years ago, Darby emigrated from Lough Gur, County Limerick to America with me when I returned to the U.S. after eight years in Ireland. Our love affair wasn't interrupted by occasional mischievousness (after all, Darby was half Jack Russell terrier & half Border Collie) and he was always sweet, obedient and smart as a whip.

Last year I wrote this story about his 15th Birthday, his birthplace in Ireland, and how we met.

Here's a photo of 'Yer Man Himself' in his favorite park in Portland Oregon ...

Darby had trouble with his back last summer, and our Vet explained that some of the bones in his spine had fused. For a dog his age there was no cure, but some meds helped him -- and he had to give up racing up and down all of our stairs. This Spring we sold our house and found one with a nice big yard that he could explore, without any stairs to bother him. Over the past few months we could see though that Darby was feeling his age more, and we treasured every day we had with him. He never complained and just loved us more than ever.

Here's Darby in his prime .... such a handsome lad!

This week we had to say 'Goodbye' to our sweet Darby ... our hearts are broken and it's hard to keep the tears away. But we are so grateful to have had him in our lives!

Darby ~ we'll love you forever and ever XOXOXOXO.

Some New 4-Legged Friends I met Along the Way in Ireland

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Maureen Bray Portland OR Home Stager ~ Room Solutions Staging

Room Solutions Staging, Portland OR - Portland, OR

"Staging Consultations that Sell Portland Homes"

Kathy A. ~ Thank you for your good advice recently and for sharing about your beloved Copper and how hard it was to say goodbye to him. I'd like to see Willie sometime soon and his cute little face and kisses. People say our dogs were lucky to find us but I think it's just the opposite :-)

Aug 28, 2011 07:15 AM

Maureen Bray Portland OR Home Stager ~ Room Solutions Staging

Room Solutions Staging, Portland OR - Portland, OR

"Staging Consultations that Sell Portland Homes"

Kathy B. ~ A great love indeed! Now take your sweet Cosmo and give him an extra hug today .... he is very sweet. Someday I'll find another little pal and life will seem better ... right now the sadness seems overwhelming.

Aug 28, 2011 07:18 AM

Shar Sitter

Rooms With Style - Minneapolis, MN

Home Staging and Redesign Minneapolis/ St. Paul, M

OH Maureen I am crying already. I hate when we have to say goodbye. I am so sorry....it is so hard. My Timber has bad arthritis in his back bone and a torn ACL in his knee. He is only 7 but for a St. Bernard that is getting up there and they don't advise surgery because of the long recovery. So we are keeping him comfortable, some days are better than others. His sister misses romping with him though. I am worried he won't make it on the snow and ice this winter.

Aug 28, 2011 07:30 AM

Maureen Bray Portland OR Home Stager ~ Room Solutions Staging

Room Solutions Staging, Portland OR - Portland, OR

"Staging Consultations that Sell Portland Homes"

Shar ~ I'm hoping that Timber will be with you for a good long time. It's so hard for us to see them in any kind of discomfort, isn't it. He knows how much you love him so just enjoy every day. Thanks for writing.

Aug 28, 2011 07:34 AM

Anna Dovger

Add Value Home Staging LLC, 281-704-6607 - The Woodlands, TX

Home Staging -The Woodlands, TX

Maureen, sorry to hear that. With our loved ones even we know and expect....we are never ready for them to leave us. The only thing that could comfort you is probably to know that he is in the better place now. But still it is very very sad.

Aug 28, 2011 11:40 AM

Maureen Bray Portland OR Home Stager ~ Room Solutions Staging

Room Solutions Staging, Portland OR - Portland, OR

"Staging Consultations that Sell Portland Homes"

Anna ~ you're so right, we are never ready for them to leave .... but I know he's no longer hurting. He was very brave.

Aug 28, 2011 11:48 AM

John McCormack, CRS

Albuquerque Homes Realty - Albuquerque, NM

Honesty, Integrity, Results, Experienced. HIRE Me!

Maureen, Darby looks quite the handsome lad indeed and I know without doubt he loved you and your family as much as you did him. My condolences for your beloved Darby! I know he has provided memories to last a lifetime. I think me and Dixie better go for a walk and catch up from the day!

Aug 29, 2011 01:38 PM

Maureen Bray Portland OR Home Stager ~ Room Solutions Staging

Room Solutions Staging, Portland OR - Portland, OR

"Staging Consultations that Sell Portland Homes"

John ~ We do have so many wonderful memories of Darby (and lots of photos too) -- so that will help get us through this very sad time. Have fun with your little Dixie!

Aug 29, 2011 07:51 PM

Kathy Nielsen

http://atlantahomestaging.net - Marietta, GA

Atlanta Georgia Home Stager

I'm so sorry, Maureen. My heart goes out to you. Last week, we lost our precious kitty, Tucker. I can't stop thinking about him. I'll round a corner and expect to see him as I have the last 8 years. It's amazing the impact our pets have on us, isn't it?

Tucker our cat

Aug 30, 2011 01:46 AM

Maureen Bray Portland OR Home Stager ~ Room Solutions Staging

Room Solutions Staging, Portland OR - Portland, OR

"Staging Consultations that Sell Portland Homes"

Kathy ~ thank you for your condolences. I'm very sorry to hear about the loss of your sweet kitty Tucker. He looks very handsome in that photo -- such beautiful eyes. I know what you mean about expecting to see him ... we're also thinking that Darby is going to walk in any moment. They are truly part of our family and losing them is so painful. Hang in there and in time, we'll have all of our good memories of their time with us :-)

Aug 30, 2011 05:14 AM

Janice Sutton

1st Stage Property Transformations - Murrieta, CA

Home Stager - Temecula Murrieta

Ah Maureen...my heart goes out to you and I wish I could give you a BIG HUG Girlfriend!! What a handsome Irish lad, that Darby!!! Love the pictures of him you shared with us! Especially the one in his favorite park!! I can just picture him in his new favorite park, feeling well and causing a little mischief! :)) Life does go on, darn it, but the memories are with us forever!!

Sep 03, 2011 07:19 AM

Maureen Bray Portland OR Home Stager ~ Room Solutions Staging

Room Solutions Staging, Portland OR - Portland, OR

"Staging Consultations that Sell Portland Homes"

Janice ~ Thanks for that hug, I appreciate it :-) We miss Darby terribly but are so grateful that he chose us as his family for nearly 16 years. We have some cute videos of him and lots of photos, so he's never far from our thoughts.

Sep 03, 2011 02:40 PM

Yvette Chisholm

Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc. - Rockville, MD

Associate Broker - Rockville, MD 301-758-9500

Oh Maureen, that is so sad. I lost my Ridgeback last year and thought that I could never get past it. I even stopped blogging and lost my rainmaker status. My other dog was miserable and lonely. I started inquiring with breeders to see who was having a litter in the Spring and we happened upon Parker - who is quite the character and filled the emptyness in our household. He was nothing like our Spenser and I didn't really want him to be, just a lovely funloving lad.

One of our neighbor dogs gave me the biggest kiss that day after Spenser was gone. I'll never forget it.

Sep 04, 2011 01:49 AM

Maureen Bray Portland OR Home Stager ~ Room Solutions Staging

Room Solutions Staging, Portland OR - Portland, OR

"Staging Consultations that Sell Portland Homes"

Yvette ~ I'm so sorry to hear about losing Spenser, but glad that Parker has joined your household. I know what you mean that one pet can never replace another, but having a new friend is helpful. I've run into a few extra-friendly dogs this week, too -- it's almost as if they knew that I needed some doggie love from them -- amazing, isn't it?

Sep 04, 2011 10:01 AM

Elyse Berman, PA

LoKation Real Estate - Boca Raton, FL

Boca Raton FL (561) 716-7824

Maureen, I am so sorry to hear of Darby's passing. He looked like an amazing dog. As dog lovers, this is what we go through to have their unconditional love and companionship. And, we keep coming back for more. I've lost several dogs through the years. One never replaces another, but it does help to fill the void in your heart.

Sep 04, 2011 02:57 PM

Maureen Bray Portland OR Home Stager ~ Room Solutions Staging

Room Solutions Staging, Portland OR - Portland, OR

"Staging Consultations that Sell Portland Homes"

Elyse ~ that unconditional love is really amazing! I've had dogs my entire life but never met one quite like Darby. Thanks for your kind words.

Sep 04, 2011 05:00 PM

Sharon Tara

Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH

Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

So sorry to hear about Darby, Maureen! What a handsome little guy...I'm sure your life just won't be the same without him.

Sep 05, 2011 07:33 AM

Maureen Bray Portland OR Home Stager ~ Room Solutions Staging

Room Solutions Staging, Portland OR - Portland, OR

"Staging Consultations that Sell Portland Homes"

Sharon ~ So true, but I'm happy to have had so many wonderful years with him. Thanks for stopping by.

Sep 05, 2011 07:36 AM

Kathy Streib

Cypress, TX

Home Stager/Redesign

Maureen- I'd forgotten to come back here after seeing this on Facebook, but my heart goes out to you. i remember speaking with you last year about moving to a house without stairs for Darby. That shows your love for Darby and the impact he had on your life. It's been 6 years since we lost our Lucky. I was in the room with her when she took her last breath and I still can't think about it. You two were blessed to have each other.

Sep 06, 2011 03:07 AM

Maureen Bray Portland OR Home Stager ~ Room Solutions Staging

Room Solutions Staging, Portland OR - Portland, OR

"Staging Consultations that Sell Portland Homes"

Kathy ~ So sorry to hear about your beloved Lucky. I know what you mean about the difficulty in remembering those last moments ... it's much better to think about when they were strong and healthy. The bond we share with our sweet friends will last forever. Hopefully when the time is right we'll find another companion to share our love with.

Sep 06, 2011 05:21 AM