...is a narrative that chronicles life stories by Katherine B. Kingsley. It began as a tribute to her once in a lifetime dog, Hardy, who tragically passed away in the summer of 2010. It has evolved into a place for Katherine to express her love for animals, travel, education, and the world. Many of the entries are intended to be assembled into a memoir, which she hopes to publish someday.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
All About Hardy
If you'd like to share a cute story or memory about Hardy. You may do so in this blog area.
16 comments:
Auntie Lisa Marie
said...
I loved to call him "Hardy Har Har", because he always had, or somehow found in a short time, a way to get me to laugh whenever we were together. Hardy had so much Love to give, and he was certainly generous about it.
So sorry to hear about Hardy's passing. Hope wherever his soul goes, he's still lifting spirits. He used to lift mine when he'd use his nose to lift my hand to encourage me to pet him.
We can't imagine going over to our daughters house and not having the wonderful thrill of seeing Hardy and having him romp about excitedly when grampa and I arrived. He gave us, and all our family, so much love over the years. We know if there is a Doggie Heaven (and I believe there has to be) he is there romping about happily spreading around more of his very special love.
Grampa remembers the special times when Hardy stayed all night at the Danville house and slept in his bed with him. On one of Gramps frequent trips to the bathroom, Hardy would awake, look at gramps longingly and grampa would say "now stay right here, I'll be right back." Sure enough, Hardy would obey...and when Gramps returned to the bed, after smooches from Hardy, they would both fall back to sleep. What a special, remarkable dog he was.
Somtimes Hardy would be on the couch, Chico would want his spot so from the floor, Chico would give him a "juke" like a fake in football like at running back, Hardy would jump off the couch and Chico would take his spot.
When Kath was too busy to take him for a walk I would walk him in the morning. After the walk and when Kath had gone to work, I would say goodbye by getting on the floor by the front door and pet his stomach. He would start his moaning begging me not to leave, it was always so hard to leave. He will be missed forever.
The most special time for me with Hardy was when he worked in Shared Canine Companions as a Therapy Dog. The seniors at Diablo Lodge loved him. Most of those folks have also passed on. Maybe they are now taking care of my baby until I get to see him again. I remember Carter used to say, "I wish I was one of your dogs." I loved it when he would jump through my arms as his good-bye until the next time we would visit.
Chico has always been the dog that gives too many kisses. Whenever Hardy would give me a kiss, it was so special because he wouldn't kiss just anyone. He only kissed the people he really cared about. I feel so honored to be one of those people.
Dear Kath.... I am so sorry for what you have experienced and for the loss of your dear sweet Hardy. I wish I could say something to take away your pain, but I know of nothing that can except time. Please know Katherine that I am sharing in your loss and I Cry with you. I never got to meet Hardy.... except on your web pages, and through your mom and dad, but I know he was and still is very SPECIAL. Fill your heart and mind with all the good memories you can and try to let the rest go... knowing your beloved "baby" loved to make you happy!
Katherine had a really cool trick she used to do with Hardy. She would make him sit and stay, then put a treat five feet in front of him, then she would get in the middle of the treat and Hardy and make a big circle with her arms, then give him the go ahead and he would jump thru the circle and get the treat! He was such a truly special dog and I miss him every day.
If you have experienced the loss of a friend, a family member, or an animal you owned for years (having treated your animal as a true family member) you may know of the pain and anguish that follows in that loss. You ultimately come to realize you have to deal with the loss whether it takes weeks, months, or years...but, gratefully the memory of that loved one is always with you...ever in your heart. How they became a part of your life, how they brought you joy, how you spent quality time with them is what you ultimately remember. Amazingly...not the bad or disagreeable times...even though those may have occurred. That is my prayer for Katherine. That as she slowly heals of the loss... those wonderful good memories that her dog Hardy brought her for eight precious years, along with knowing that he saved her life, (not once, but twice) and that he will always remain her most special pet...that those are the memories I pray will vividly remain with her.
Having been on this planet for 74 years and lost so many precious relatives, friends and animals, tho I may shed buckets of tears in longing for their presence back on this planet once again, I continually reflect back and cling to those very special meaningful times we shared together. Whether it was for weeks, months, or years I realize how fortunate it was to have had them play such a huge part in my life...Whether it was a pet or a person....what a true gift. What a blessing. What an impact they made. What precious angels they were. My Spirit is uplifted when I cling to those joyous moments. The fact is...its beyond my imagination to comprehend what a REAL LOSS life would have been like without them... Lord no, I cannot imagine what life would have been like without them. I will hold them ever close to my heart...in gratitude.
16 comments:
I loved to call him "Hardy Har Har", because he always had, or somehow found in a short time, a way to get me to laugh whenever we were together. Hardy had so much Love to give, and he was certainly generous about it.
So sorry to hear about Hardy's passing. Hope wherever his soul goes, he's still lifting spirits. He used to lift mine when he'd use his nose to lift my hand to encourage me to pet him.
I found pictures of Hardy the day we adopted him. He has been lifting my spirits every day since. I missed him at the mailbox today.
Here is Ashley's video again, using the Select profile down arrow and selecting Name/URL
We can't imagine going over to our daughters house and not having the wonderful thrill of seeing Hardy and having him romp about excitedly when grampa and I arrived. He gave us, and all our family, so much love over the years. We know if there is a Doggie Heaven (and I believe there has to be) he is there romping about happily spreading around more of his very special love.
Grampa remembers the special times when Hardy stayed all night at the Danville house and slept in his bed with him. On one of Gramps frequent trips to the bathroom, Hardy would awake, look at gramps longingly and grampa would say "now stay right here, I'll be right back." Sure enough, Hardy would obey...and when Gramps returned to the bed, after smooches from Hardy, they would both fall back to sleep. What a special, remarkable dog he was.
Somtimes Hardy would be on the couch, Chico would want his spot so from the floor, Chico would give him a "juke" like a fake in football like at running back, Hardy would jump off the couch and Chico would take his spot.
When Kath was too busy to take him for a walk I would walk him in the morning. After the walk and when Kath had gone to work, I would say goodbye by getting on the floor by the front door and pet his stomach. He would start his moaning begging me not to leave, it was always so hard to leave. He will be missed forever.
The most special time for me with Hardy was when he worked in Shared Canine Companions as a Therapy Dog. The seniors at Diablo Lodge loved him. Most of those folks have also passed on. Maybe they are now taking care of my baby until I get to see him again. I remember Carter used to say, "I wish I was one of your dogs." I loved it when he would jump through my arms as his good-bye until the next time we would visit.
I'm still searching for the SCC photo of him wearing the bow tie. I hope I can find it!
Chico has always been the dog that gives too many kisses. Whenever Hardy would give me a kiss, it was so special because he wouldn't kiss just anyone. He only kissed the people he really cared about. I feel so honored to be one of those people.
Here's a picture of me and Katherine
Dear Kath.... I am so sorry for what you have experienced and for the loss of your dear sweet Hardy. I wish I could say something to take away your pain, but I know of nothing that can except time. Please know Katherine that I am sharing in your loss and I Cry with you. I never got to meet Hardy.... except on your web pages, and through your mom and dad, but I know he was and still is very SPECIAL. Fill your heart and mind with all the good memories you can and try to let the rest go... knowing your beloved "baby" loved to make you happy!
Katherine had a really cool trick she used to do with Hardy. She would make him sit and stay, then put a treat five feet in front of him, then she would get in the middle of the treat and Hardy and make a big circle with her arms, then give him the go ahead and he would jump thru the circle and get the treat! He was such a truly special dog and I miss him every day.
I had a dream that Hardy was at our home and he was happy. He was a once in a lifetime pet. I miss him so much!
If you have experienced the loss of a friend, a family member, or an animal you owned for years (having treated your animal as a true family member) you may know of the pain and anguish that follows in that loss. You ultimately come to realize you have to deal with the loss whether it takes weeks, months, or years...but, gratefully the memory of that loved one is always with you...ever in your heart. How they became a part of your life, how they brought you joy, how you spent quality time with them is what you ultimately remember. Amazingly...not the bad or disagreeable times...even though those may have occurred. That is my prayer for Katherine. That as she slowly heals of the loss... those wonderful good memories that her dog Hardy brought her for eight precious years, along with knowing that he saved her life, (not once, but twice) and that he will always remain her most special pet...that those are the memories I pray will vividly remain with her.
Having been on this planet for 74 years and lost so many precious relatives, friends and animals, tho I may shed buckets of tears in longing for their presence back on this planet once again, I continually reflect back and cling to those very special meaningful times we shared together. Whether it was for weeks, months, or years I realize how fortunate it was to have had them play such a huge part in my life...Whether it was a pet or a person....what a true gift. What a blessing. What an impact they made. What precious angels they were. My Spirit is uplifted when I cling to those joyous moments. The fact is...its beyond my imagination to comprehend what a REAL LOSS life would have been like without them... Lord no, I cannot imagine what life would have been like without them. I will hold them ever close to my heart...in gratitude.
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