Friday, March 07, 2014

Alf The Wonder Beagle, R.I.P.



...last night of an undetected and undetectable heart problem...I can't write this now...oh God, we miss her!

The House Dog’s Grave 
by Robinson Jeffers
(Haig, an English bulldog)

I’ve changed my ways a little; I cannot now
Run with you in the evenings along the shore,
Except in a kind of dream; and you, if you dream a moment,
You see me there.

So leave awhile the paw-marks on the front door
Where I used to scratch to go out or in,
And you’d soon open; leave on the kitchen floor
The marks of my drinking-pan.

I cannot lie by your fire as I used to do
On the warm stone,
Nor at the foot of your bed; no, all the nights through
I lie alone.

But your kind thought has laid me less than six feet
Outside your window where firelight so often plays,
And where you sit to read - and I fear often grieving for me -
Every night your lamplight lies on my place.

You, man and woman, live so long, it is hard
To think of you ever dying.
A little dog would get tired, living so long.
I hope that when you are lying

Under the ground like me your lives will appear
As good and joyful as mine.
No, dears, that’s too much hope: you are not so well cared for
As I have been.

And never have known the passionate undivided
Fidelities that I knew.
Your minds are perhaps too active, too many-sided….
But to me you were true.

You were never masters, but friends. I was your friend.
I loved you well, and was loved. Deep love endures
To the end and far past the end. If this is my end,
I am not lonely. I am not afraid. I am still yours.


Alf the Wonder Beagle and Pokke-san the Tailless Manx
Friends Reunited in the Hands of the God of All Things

113 comments:

Andy said...

Deepest condolences. Very sorry for the tough few months you have had. Very hard, as anyone knows who has been lucky enough to have been blessed by that kind of companionship.

cj said...

So sorry for your loss.

JohninMd.(help??) said...

So sorry to hear this, Micheal… you, and Brigid from Home on the Range, lost her Lab Barkley…We Grieve with Thee….

Unknown said...

I'm so sorry for your loss. Nothing I can write will help, but at times like this, I remember something my mom told me when we lost our dog when I was young. She said how lucky our dog was to always have food, water, warmth, shelter, protection and love throughout her all too short life. Her life was never in danger due to predators or harsh weather. No matter how much we give our dogs, they always seem to give us more back in return.

mike said...

Michael,

I am truly sorry for your loss.
My wife and I lost Layla in January.She dug her way under our fence about 14 years ago.
http://i918.photobucket.com/albums/ad29/mikedowden/IMG_2167_zps786e889e.jpg


Alf and her are missed.

Mike

Jason Donohue said...

My heart goes out to you and your Sweetie.

Anonymous said...

Very sorry to hear that MB.
Tom Bogan
Laconia NH

Anonymous said...

Very sad news, loosing a pet is such a blow but he will be waiting for you on the other side. Deepest condolences
Gerard
Rocky Hill, CT

Eric said...

My condolences to you and your sweetie. As others have mentioned, it's been a rough time recently for pet owners. Dr. Jerry Pournelle of Byte fame also lost his beloved Malamute recently.

SiGraybeard said...

My heart goes out to you two, and prayers for peace. After listening to three years worth of podcasts, I feel like I knew Alf. A wonderful companion. Damn, it's dusty in here.

Rick S. said...

Michael, we're so sorry for your loss. As the owners of a beagle, we can only guess at your sorrow. They are such affectionate dogs and they bond so deeply with their human packs. Take care.

Steve D said...

You have my condolences. A while back we lost our two dogs over the course of a couple of years. They truly are family members.

Cbryant said...

Deepest condolences, nothing hurts as bad as the loss of a true, pure friend.

John Richardson said...

First, Pokke-San and now Alf the Wonder Beagle. I know the loss of one was hard but the two of them must be damn near unbearable.

I will keep you and your Sweetie in my prayers.

Unknown said...

So sorry for your lose, Mr. Bane. You'll be in our prayers.

Steve said...

Condolences

Anonymous said...

My sympathies on the loss of Alf. We lost our 17 year old black lab in January.

KevinC said...

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your Sweetie tonight.

Matthew said...

Sorry for your loss.

Jason said...

So, so very sorry to hear this sad news.

Home on the Range said...

Thank you for letting me know early today. You all have been in my thoughts and prayers.

Two weeks and I still miss Barkley as much as that first night looking at an empty dog bed.

To Alf and Barkley - a toast tonight, and a remembrance.

George said...

Michael,
This has to be almost cruel to you. I pray for you and your partner as you go through this loss - again.

I know you gave her a great life and I know she will be waiting for you on the other side. Waiting for you to take her down that next trail together.

You will see her again and she will be waiting for you. She will be waiting for you because she loves you as you are.

Godspeed...
George

Anonymous said...

Sorry for the loss.

Beaumont said...

So sorry, Michael. If this is any comfort, there are theologically sound reasons to believe you will see Alf again. A friend-of-a-friend who flatlined during an operation has experienced this.

Anonymous said...

Alf is not done with you just yet. He has one more important task to perform.

http://youtu.be/5L1BSnxH4b4

And the deepest condolences from the missus and myself.

James said...

I'm so sorry, M. Bane. Truly heartbreaking.

Joe H. Mechanicsville, Va. said...

Michael, words cannot express how sorry I am for you and your sweetie. I absolutely know how hard it is. That is exactly how my basset passed this past June. I still weep for him often. Best wishes for y'all.

Anonymous said...

So sorry to hear of the loss of both of your companions.

It's tough ...

Best wishes.

Guy

John Maldaner said...

Michael, our grief is in equal proportion as our love and though the loss and empty-pain is great, we that are loved by our dogs would not have it any other way. Through your conversations via this blog and your podcasts, I felt a kinship with Alf. I have been owned by several great dogs over my life including one that is still with me in the flesh. Each one has taught me a lot about life, and death. The spirit of Alf is very alive. I believe you will be reunited. Peace be with you.

rremington said...

There is no loss quite like the loss of a dog. My deepest condolences.

Murphy's Law said...

Very sorry to hear this. It's the price we humans pay for all the good years together.

David H. said...

Very sorry to hear of your loss. You are one of us - a gun person and an animal person. We share your pain.

Crawler said...

Saying goodbye to faithful four-legged friends, friends that have have added immeasurable value to one's life, is hard; real hard. Unfortunately, I've had the sad experience in my lifetime way too many times.

Like I posted about Barkley's passing on Brigid's website:

The greatest curse on a man is that he doesn't get to grow old with his dog.

- Sir Winston Churchill

I'll add another one for you and yours, Michael:

It takes a lot to laugh; it takes a train to cry.

- Robert Zimmerman

Sheepdog1968 said...

I am so sorry Michael for your loss.

David said...

Terrible news, Michael...so very sorry for your loss.

RetroG said...

Heartfelt condolences to you and your sweetie. our grief at their passing is the price we pay for the joy and love they bring into our lives.

Pat Carver said...

From your podcasts it is obvious how close you were. I grieve for the sudden loss of such a good friend.

“It came to me that every time I lose a dog they take a piece of my heart with them.

And every new dog who comes into my life gifts me with a piece of their heart.

If I live long enough, all the components of my heart will be dog,

and I will become as generous and loving as they are.”

- Anonymous

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...

Michael,
I am heartbroken at your loss, so sorry brother.

Dwaine

kmitch200 said...

I hope the smiles of the memories push the tears of the loss out of reach very, very soon.

Mickey 3Gun said...

Let me add my voice to the many that have expressed sorrow, pain, and disbelief at the loss of Alf. Know that the two of you are in our thoughts and prayers. I hope the pain leaves soon and the fond memories return sooner than latter

Big Walley in Mississippi said...

I am so very sorry to hear of your loss. Condolences from my family to yours.

Unknown said...

I'm very sorry for your loss mr. Bane

Unknown said...

I join you to celebrate Alf's life. From reading about Alf you gave your friend a good life and he paid you back the way dogs do. Sorry for your loss.

George said...

Very sorry, Micheal. All of us knew how much you loved her. Thoughts and prayers for you and your sweetie.

Moosejaw said...

Very sorry for your loss. Pets ARE family, and should live as long as us but alas.

Rick said...

I am so sadden to hear of your loss. I have almost come to consider Alf as one of my own through your podcasts and blog. Alf will be missed.

Nosmo King said...

I'm so sorry, Michael

PlzenPlinker said...

March 3, 2013, we lost Chance to a spleen tumor. Still hurts. Alf is in great company up there.

“If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went.”

― Will Rogers

Anonymous said...

I am so sorry to hear this.I know your pain,been through it with with our four legged family twice in the past 18 months.First was our beagle mix molly with a severe back injury that left her paralyzed and second just recently with my mothers 13 year old beagle to cancer.It's not easy and if I had a penny for every tear shed I'd be a millionaire.words can never ease the pain only time.It's funny how close we get to our dogs.They are truely family.But they will be waiting for us on the other side.

Anonymous said...

Michael,
So sorry, will be sending good thoughts and prayers

Tom b

Anonymous said...

Michael I am so sorry for your loss.


Lance

Jim and Norma said...

Michael...

Words cannot express our share of your tears and sadness at the loss of Alf. Alf and Pokke-San were cherished family, and leave a void in all our lives. A photo of Alf when a puppy, and Pokke when a kitten, look down on me as I type. There they will remain.

As you said with Pokke, we know that bringing four legged friends into our lives is not going to have a happy ending. Will we do it again? Probably, for the bonds formed are worthy of the sorrow we know will come much too soon. That's just the way we are.

Alf the Wonder Beagle for 12 years and Pokke-San the tailless Manx for 8 years, provided you and your Sweetie many happy and memorable hours. Those memories are yours for the rest of your lives.

Others in our family have experienced the same gut wrenching sorrow, and are with you now.

Sadly, and much too soon, it is again time for "Bless the Beasts and the Children". Weep....and smile Michael, Alf's Angel knows how much you and your Sweetie hurt.

Jim

Liston Matthews said...

Michael, so sorry for your loss. Two in such short succession.

Liston

Unknown said...

Sorry Michael

Anonymous said...

Michael, so sad to hear about your loss. I will miss the exploits of Alf in your blog and podcast.

Bill in Central Texas

Charlie Foxtrot said...

My sincere condolences. Excuse me, I have to go hug my GSDs.

ELIMN8U said...

Prayers up, It's been a few years now that I lost my boy Maxx, had him from a two week old pup when we adopted his momma Tasha and all 9 puppies that came with her. Maxx and I connected from the git-go and it still pulls at my heart when I get to thinking about him. He was the best buddy I have ever had bar none.....

ELIMN8U said...

Here's a pic of my boy:

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_FUlVSs3xJk/ToysTNah-SI/AAAAAAAAADs/XU7lJKkEEkM/s1600/MAXX.jpg

Anonymous said...

Michael I am so sorry for your loss

Unknown said...

Sorry to hear of your lose. Hearing tale of Alf always added a bit of levity to the pod casts and blog. My simpathies and prayers are with you and yours.

Monkeywrangler said...

So sorry for you in your sad loss of your fur-friend. I read about this on Brigid's blog.
May you find peace and comfort in your memories.

Tim Burke said...

I'm sorry, Michael. I know how much Alf meant to you.

RVN11B said...

Damn Mike! I know how it is loosing a loved one. May she rest in peace!

jerry from upstate new york said...

MB
words cant tell you how sorry my wife and I feel for your family's loss

Jerry & Vanessa

gunman42782 said...

Sorry the hear it Michael.

Rubrail said...

There is a touching tribute at that illustrates the grief that we all share when we loose our buddy... Been through that too many times... May God bless you as you endure the pain that only time can ease.

My 8 year old Golden Retriever just came over and laid his chin on my knee and is looking up at me right now wondering what's wrong....

DamDoc said...

I know this pain. Adopting a pet is to sentence yourself to deep loss when that horrible day comes.. after many, many seemingly endless days of unquestioned loyalty and unconditional love. Coming home after a long trip and to see that tail wagging. Never mad, never judgemental. I am deeply sorry for your loss.

Greg Tag said...

Michael

I dont have any better words than all those other eloquent friends;

We here at my house are sorry for your loss and pray that memories of the good times will help ease your sorrow a bit.

Regards
GKT

Six said...

I am so sorry Mister Bane. Lu and I will say a prayer for you and Alf.

Until you are together again...

Bill Rushmore said...

I just wanted to add my condolences. It was obvious from listening to the podcasts that she was a very special to you.

Anonymous said...

Very sorry for your loss. There is no love more unconditional than the love a dog has for his master. R.I.P Alf.

Prayers to you and your sweetie Mr. Bane.

-Greg

Scott said...

Ah Mike that bites, the pain eases after awhile and that makes me at least feel bad all over again. It would be nice if they lived even half as long as we did.

Cookie said...

So sorry for your loss. Some will say he was only a dog, to those I say they are not a human nor a man.

Obake said...

Very sorry for your loss.

Fortannica said...

Michael, Denise;

My deepest sympathies, beagle owner to beagle owner.

We just hit the one-year anniversary of loosing Ally and it still hurts.

Alf was lucky to have such a caring family. The love of a dog, while almost impossible to replace, is eternal.

Allen

Anonymous said...

Your Dog had a good life, right?
He lived with a great family in a house full of guns, so I'd say he had a good life.
Was he spoiled, like dogs should be? I bet he was. You probably fed him doggy biscuits and little pieces of whatever meat you were cooking at the time. I do that all the time.
Did he do that little "doggy-grin" sometimes?
Alf is still with you, Mr. Bane.

brionic said...

Really sorry to read this. May the memories of your happy times together carry you both through this difficult time.

Anonymous said...

Dear Michael,

So sorry for your loss. I enjoyed reading the posts about Alf. As a fellow Beagle caretaker, I understand what special companions they are.

Regards,

Victor

Anonymous said...

I'm sorry. Losing a loved animal is so hard. They are always in your heart.

The Freeholder said...

Well just damn, Michael. To lose both of your fur babies in such short order--that's hard. I'm fortunate, I've always had time to heal between losses.

Like so many others have said, the two are together again, and you'll see them again.

You hang in there. I suspect that life is going to bring you some good soon. The circle always turns.

Trent said...

I will truly miss Alf perhaps the most famous beagle in all the podcast universe. We are truly blessed if in our lifetime if we have one or two really great dogs come into our lives. From the years and years of listening to your podcast it plain to see Alf was one of those dogs. It is amazing how much they touch our lives. May the pain fade and the memory's always remain vibrant. Trent

Anonymous said...

Dear Michael, and his Sweetie,

I share your sadness for your friends for you have taken us for many walks and shared their adventures with us.

They are keeping a homey spot for you, and await your greeting when you are someday reunited.

All the best . . .

Anonymous said...

It sure saddened me to read this, I know Alf was a big part of your family. Animals can really hold a special place in our hearts. From listening to your podcast for a few years now I've even shared some of your stories and comments about Alf with my daughters. I'm truly sorry for your loss!

Todd

Kevin said...

Damn, Michael, I'm sorry to hear about Alf. Seems there's a lot of this going around. My condolences.

tablekiller said...

Not ALF! So sorry Michael. We love you! A little tribute in the Podcast is in order.

fast richard said...

My condolences as well. Friends, Family, Internet Friends have all lost pets recently. It's like losing a part of ourselves.

Anonymous said...

It is a fearsome thing to love that which death can touch.

I wish peace to the two of you.

anonymous said...

They are with us for so short a time, but remembering their joy in life makes our pain from their passing bearable.

Unknown said...

I am so sorry about your loss. I had to put my Boykin Spaniel Harry sleep after 15 years and it the worst day of my life. I just couldn't stand to watch him suffer anymore. Living with dogs is such a blessing and a curse.

If you have you have not read this, I suggest The Oatmeal's My Dog: The Paradox. It, like much of the author's work, has a bunch of bad language. But it is hilarious, and true, and one of the best things I've ever seen.

http://theoatmeal.com/comics/dog_paradox


Mikw said...

So very sorry to learn of your loss - our furry friends fill such a huge space in our lives, and leave such a tremendous void when they go. I've always loved how you've woven the adventures of Alf and Pokke into your stories - I'll miss them too!

Anonymous said...

Michael,

Very sorry to hear about Alf the Wonder Beagle, my sympathy goes out to you and your wife.

We also lost one of our dogs years ago due to an internal hemorrhage, fell in the morning and by 7:00 he was no longer with us.

Losing our dogs is very difficult but the love they give while they are with us is worth the pain.

My sister-in-law sent me this link years ago, http://www.godanddog.org/.

Godspeed,

Howard

Muncy Zuber said...

Your story of Alf's Worldly Adventures was the most Touching & Enthralling Podcast I have every heard. I wish You well in your life and wish Alf & The Tailless Cat much fun on their new Journey!
Thank You!!!!

Charlie Foxtrot said...

Just finished your latest podcast.... Thank you.

matt chat said...

Thoughts and prayers Michael.

Gus said...

“We need another and a wiser and perhaps a more mystical concept of animals. Remote from

universal nature and living by complicated artifice, man in civilization surveys the creature

through the glass of his knowledge and sees thereby a feather magnified and the whole image in

distortion.

We patronize them for their incompleteness, for their tragic fate for having taken form so far

below ourselves. And therein do we err. For the animal shall not be measured by man.

In a world older and more complete than ours, they move finished and complete, gifted with the

extension of the senses we have lost or never attained, living by voices we shall never hear.

They are not brethren, they are not underlings: they are other nations, caught with ourselves in

the net of life and time, fellow prisoners of the splendour and travail of the earth.”


― Henry Beston, The Outermost House: A Year of Life On The Great Beach of Cape Cod

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Unknown said...

We share your loss. From experience, a sudden death is easier on both you and your beloved companion, than the long slow painful deterioration that requires you to make the decision to put a pet to sleep. We've lost 1 Shepard to an accidental death, and two to old age. All were difficult. The bond that existed will still be there in their memory. You were truly Alf's best friend. Peace.

Michael Bane said...

I cannot thank you all enough for your words, your prayers and your thoughts during this time. They mean the world to my Sweetie and I. It has indeed been a hard winter, and friends make it easier.

We've made the decision to bring another kitty into our home. His name is Asta, and he doesn't have a tail. I know there will be a time when we bring another dog, another beagle, into our lives — Alf would not want us to remain unsupervised for long! — but that time has not yet arrived.

Again, thank you from the bottoms of our hearts for your sympathies and most importantly for sharing the trail with all of us...

mb

Anonymous said...

Just saw this today, haven't checked your blog in a while I guess. I am truly sorry for your loss, I know how deeply critters can burrow into our hearts.

- Grizz

Eric said...

Asta was the terrier in The Thin Man movies, with William Powell and Myrna Loy:

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1208817/?ref_=ttfc_fc_cl_t15

Unknown said...

I lost an 8 moth old Brittany in an unfortunate highway incident. Here in Pittsburgh Pa we recently lost a Canine Officer to a rodent of a human. The outpouring of support helped me. As with Canine's a hunting partner is a true loss. God Bless and know this. dog's DO go to Heaven

Josh S. said...

I am sorry. Praying for comfort for you and your Sweetie.

Anonymous said...

I have had to have two of my dogs put to sleep due to terminal health issues. It is the hardest thing to lose good friends. I understand your loss, and send my best wishes to you and yours, at this sad time.

Will said...

Michael,
I'm not sure if this would be appropriate at this time, but the subject matter may eventually be:

http://www.readjamesonparker.com/books-by-jameson-parker/to-absent-friends

Anonymous said...

Michael you and your sweetie are in our prayers. We heard the podcast the other day and started crying when we heard of Alf's passing. We both have no children so we can relate to how pets become your children. Your ending to the podcast was beautifully spoken. You will see Alf and Poke again. Until that time, take the memories and keep them in your heart and know that they are at peace.

Chris & Sarah from PA

Anonymous said...

I listen to Downrange Radio on my commute to work. #358 left me in tears.

Losing a companion is very hard. However you can take some comfort in knowing that Alf had a great life and in return was the unconditional love that only a dog can give.

Give your Sweetie a hug and raise a glass. For we are not to grieve the loss but celebrate the life of one of Gods creatures.

Anonymous said...

I listen to Downrange Radio on my commute to work. #358 left me in tears.

Losing a companion is very hard. However you can take some comfort in knowing that Alf had a great life and in return was the unconditional love that only a dog can give.

Give your Sweetie a hug and raise a glass. For we are not to grieve the loss but celebrate the life of one of Gods creatures.

one_of_many said...

I am so sorry, Michael.

Gary Boncella said...

Michael, A belated wish of sympathy and condolence. After the podcast I had a hard time reading this post let alone commenting. You and Alf were very fortunate to have enjoyed each other's company and to enjoy many an adventure. One dog lover's loss is felt by all dog lovers. Alf, say hi to a black lab named Iggy.

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