We all have these photos … throwback photos!
It’s described as ‘nostalgia-inducing pictures … from a different era of your life”.
Every Thursday we will throw a few photos of ‘way back when’ on our blog. Why on a Thursday? Because it’s just a day away from the weekend … and we love weekends!
You are welcome to join in or just enjoy the photos (#TB Thursday).
Our dogs – (Photo was taken in July 2010)
“While losing a dog is painful, loving that dog during their time on earth was so worth it.” Unknown
Stoffel (left) and Juliet (right)
No throwback would be complete if we didn’t pay tribute to our lovely dogs.
Both Berto and I had dogs when we were kids. So, it was inevitable for us to also have dogs after we got married. We love any kind of dog, but have a special fondness for cocker spaniels.
We got Stoffel first (he was actually Berto’s choice, but liked me more). Two years later, Juliet joined us (meant for me, but she adored Berto) … how funny!
Here is just one story about each of them that made them so special in our lives:
Stoffel:
Many of you know that we do not have children. We had five miscarriages and finally accepted that our lives would turn out differently than expected.
Now, here’s what made Stoffel so special. He was never a dog that liked to be cuddled (only on his terms). But after I was discharged from hospital after each miscarriage, he climbed onto the bed with me and snuggled close to my tummy for a long time. He would then stay close to me for days, until I was ready to face the world again. During his short life he only did it those five times.
Juliet:
Juliet was the most loving dog we had ever seen (she was just the opposite of Stoffel). She had the most beautiful eyes and could wrap us around her little paw (especially Berto). She also really liked food. When Berto studied for his LLB degree, he did so in the dining room which was close to the kitchen (and fridge). He usually studied late in the evening until the early hours of the morning. During these times he got up every now and then to get something to eat or drink from the fridge. And he had a very loyal partner in Juliet. For all those years she was right by his side … she didn’t want to miss out on the ‘trip to the kitchen’. We always joked that she really should have gotten a degree too for her perseverance!
After 15 years (in 2013 and 2014 respectively) we sadly had to say goodbye to them by making that last dreaded trip to the vet. First for Stoffel and 6 months later for Juliet. Both of them brought us immense joy and we look back on such a happy time when they were part of our lives.
- Photo was scanned
Wet and Dusty Roads 
A loving tribute.
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We loved them very much (even if they were sometimes a bit naughty 😉).
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Our pets are part of our families and it’s so painful to say goodbye. It’s amazing how they seem to know when we need comfort and companionship. I loved reading about Stoffel and Juliet and their unique personalities; they’ll always have a special place in your hearts.
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Yes, when they’ve been part of the family for so long, it’s not easy to let go (you’ll know) 💌. Isn’t it amazing how every pet has his/her own personality … just like us humans.
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It is; pets are amazing.
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Ag maar 2010 se julle twee en Stoffel en Juliet is ‘n mooi bende!
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Haha 😄, ons was omtrent ‘n bende! Jy moes ons sien stap het met hierdie twee … ons moes hulle volg (en nie hulle vir ons nie)!
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I’ve never owned a dog, but Michaela has – and two of my three “children” (they’re not children any more!) have a dog now. So nowadays I can see all of the joy that a dog brings even though I never had one of my own.
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Yes, although it is certainly a big responsibility to have a dog (or any other pet), the joy of their companionship is absolutely worth it!
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This is such a beautiful throwback post and a wonderful tribute to Juliet and Stoffel!
Nothing compares to the joy of coming home to a loyal companion. Especially as the unconditional love of a pet can do more than keep you company. Saying goodbye to a loved one is never easy. Your pet is part of your family, and losing it feels like losing someone from your family. For some, it could even mean losing a part of themselves.
I find that reflecting on the past is always a great idea as it can make you feel that your pet’s lives were well-lived and worthwhile. As well as knowing that you had the best time with your pet while alive. Thanks for sharing and have a good day 🙂 Aiva xx
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I think Stoffel and Juliet would have been very proud to appear on our blog (they would probably have thought the blog belonged to them … just as they thought the house we stayed in was their house and that Berto and I only visited 😉). Thank you Aiva, you sum it up so well what it’s like to have a pet.
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Animals have the most incredible intuition. It doesn’t surprise me that Stoffel came to comfort you at the very sad times. Cockers have always been close to my heart as well. What a beautiful pair they were. Those goodbyes wrench the heart but it’s part of the contract that we readily accept for all the joy they bring. Lovely picture!
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That’s very true. They always knew when we had a bad day at work – just a few minutes with them around us and our mood instantly improved. I like how you put it (the ‘goodbyes and the contract’) … thank you, they were two beautiful dogs 💌.
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I love dogs too, and I have to admit that I got a little teary-eyed reading your post. There’s nothing like loving or the love of a dog.
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The loyalty of a dog and their unconditional love is something we as humans can only wish we had too! Thanks for reading another one of our TB Thursdays. This was quite a difficult post to write … so many emotions in a few paragraphs, but writing about it always makes me feel better.
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Hulle was twee pragtige honde Corna! soveel wonderlike herinneringe saam met hulle!
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Hulle was natuurlik vir ons die mooiste honde 😍. Jy’s reg Aletta, daar’s soveel wonderlike herinneringe – ons kan boeke oor die twee skryf. Hulle was omtrent ‘n handvol, maar ons sou dit nie anders wou gehad het nie.
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Ek verstaan dit baie goed. Ons het 2 Jack Russells gehad😊
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Nou is ek sommer hartseer oor my dogter se hond Daisy, wat so lief was vir haar… Tog is jou vertelling nie somber nie, want – soos altyd – streef jy na die lig 🥰
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Ahh, Daisy is so ‘n mooi naam vir ‘n hond 🌸. Ja Tannie Frannie, ek soek maar altyd daardie silwer randjie in ons ou donker wêreld (ek onthou maar net altyd hoe groot ons Heer se genade is).
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I also adore dogs Corna as we had a lovely West Highland White terrier for almost 13 years. We got her at eight weeks old when I was seven months pregnant with my first born. Everyone thought it was a crazy time to have a puppy but it worked very well as I had been working full-time until then. If we didn’t travel so much I’d have another in a heartbeat. Cocker spaniels are gorgeous too, my in-laws have their second blue roan one called Millie.
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Yes, I agree that when you travel so much, it is difficult to have dogs. I googled the terrier – what a lovely dog! I think an 8 week old puppy should have been a good preparation for a new baby in the house 😉 … and the bonus is that the puppy and baby grow up together!
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Pragtige herinneringe. Daardie laaste trip van Shilo het gemaak dat ek weet dat nog twee keer wag, en dat ek ook weet dat ek nie hierna weer hondjies wil hê nie. Miskien is ek nou net te oud daarvoor, maar ek sien nie weer kans daarvoor nie.
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Ja, ons het die mooiste herinneringe van die twee … hulle was wild en aan die gang, maar ons het hulle energie vreeslik geniet 😊. Ek verstaan wat jy sê, dit was vir my ook baie erg. Ons is nou al amper 10 jaar sonder ‘n hond in die huis en ons mis dit soms. Ek weet nie of ons weer ‘n hond sal kry nie – tyd sal leer – maar dat ‘n mens so geheg raak aan hulle, is beslis en dit maak die afskeid baie swaar.
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Lewensverrykend op soveel vlakke!
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Dis waar Dries … dankie dat jy my daaraan herinner!
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It must have been hard to say goodbye to Stoffel and Juliet. It sounds like they were wonderful dogs in their own way. And they both look super adorable in that picture.
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Adorable indeed 💌. Yes, they have been a part of our lives for so long … but we have such wonderful memories of them.
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Ah Corna, thanks for sharing these intimate memories and photo. What special companions, friends and family members Stoffel and Juliet were to you both. Loved the anecdotes about their personalities, which I think were good examples of how loyal they were. I had family dogs growing up so I totally understand. We also lost two, three including the dog my dad had in my late 20s. Our nomadic lifestyle hasn’t allowed for pets but hey, one day…
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Thank you so much Leighton, I’m glad you enjoyed the post about Stoffel and Juliet – they really were two special dogs (each in their own way). Yes, it’s hard to have a pet when you travel a lot … sometimes we miss those wagging tails … but like you say, maybe one day 🙂.
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Aw they sound like amazing dogs, very special to have these memories 🙂
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We loved them very much! With their unique personalities, they were perfect for us 💌.
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🤗🤗
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❤️🐾
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