In loving memory of Mason…
Mason bounced into our lives as a roly poly bundle of puppy love, and quickly and infectiously captured our hearts.
Pete chose him from among his littermates for his sweet and lazy nature. While all of the others puppies were playing, mason lay spread eagle with his jowls and ears splayed out, Buddha belly lolling over, snoring. Pete said- “that’s the dog for us.”
Imagine my surprise when I realized that the 10 week old puppy was already 44 pounds and weighed more than my 4 year old!
Mason was instantly drawn to the little girls and spent his first days with the family last January chasing them around the snowy yard. The girls were head over heels in love.
He snuggled on the couch with me. He slept in the girls room (until recently when his snoring became to loud even for them.) He patiently let them crawl over him and play Barbie’s in his bed.
He wore a feather boa and sat in on tea parties in the play room. He loved leisurely walks while the girls rode their scooters. He was a talking dog, who howled and cooed to communicate.
He loved his girls.
He loved the sun.
He loved his “grandparents” mimi and baba.
He saw Pia off to her first day of school
He let us dress him in a Halloween costume and wore it all night with a wagging tale.
He loved to sit in the grass chewing a bone or watching the bluejays who got close as they seemed to sense his gentleness.
Many times he was just completely happy and satisfied to lay quietly at our feet while we watched a movie. As long as he was with his family, all was well with Mason. And all was well with us.
Mason just grew and grew and grew until he was a giant. By 15 months old, he had reached 240 pounds. But Mason was a gentle giant. A gentle soul. The sweetest boy you could ever, ever know. He had big hazel-brown eyes and velvety soft ears. He had a face that made ladies swoon. He made me and my family feel safe and loved. He was our big baby boy.
He left us last night. Just a few days shy of being 16 months old. He was so young and so sweet.
Mason was born with a devastating degenerative birth defect called Wobblers Syndrome. We had no idea until a few days ago when it left him paralyzed and in severe pain with no options for treatment.
I know for sure that he is in a better place and out of pain, running freely, with his buddy Henry. An angel. A sweet puppy angel.
Mason leaves behind two adoring parents, Pete and Heather and two little girls, Pia and Coco who will all miss him dearly and cherish his memory always.
awwwww I’m so sorry to hear about this Heather. But this was such a lovely post – and Mason looked like an amazing guy 🙂 Hugs and kisses all around! xxoo
🙁 xoxoxo
That tribute was so beautiful. What joy he brought you all and what pain you must be feeling. Hopefully as time goes on the memories will be stronger than the pain.
I am thinking of you all and feeling your sadness.
Heartbroken for your family. Your sweet boy is free from pain. Treasure your sweet memories! He was precious!
This is so sad. I am so sorry for your loss 🙁
Oh my, what a sweet, sweet puppy dog. Losing a pet is so hard and my thoughts are with you.
So sorry to hear that Mason is no longer with you (well, in furry form). I know he is forever in your and your family’s heart and here in spirit.
So sorry! Losing a dog is hard. Your posting will be a great keepsake to remember him by.
So sorry for your loss!! It breaks my heart when someone losses a four legged family member. I know the feeling to well. The memories you made with Mason will last forever in everyone hearts!!!
I’m so sorry Heather 🙁 Losing a pet who has become a member of your family is so incredibly tough. Hope things get better for you and your family soon.
I am so sorry for your loss. It’s so hard to learn that your cherished family member has a devastating health issue and that nothing can be done. All of you are so much richer for having had Mason and loving him so dearly and having him love you just as dearly. He’ll be waiting for his people, tail wagging.
Oh that breaks my heart. God bless him.
Beautiful dog and wonderfully touching tribute to your your fur baby. My condolences to you and your family for your loss.
My deepest sympathy for your entire family, Heather.
oh Heather. My heart is breaking for you and your family right now. I’m so so sorry. I read this with tears in my eyes and a heavy heart, but he’s definitely in a better place now and looking down on all of you, smiling. *hugs* 🙁
My condolences to you and your family. He looks so sweet…
I am so sorry to hear about your dear Mason! He was loved indeed, and will be missed! I loved your tribute to him and for sharing him with us all. All good dogs stay in our hearts forever. My heart ia sad for you today, but he will live in in our memories and eat all the dogs treats he wants and run freely without pain or illness in Doggie heaven with all the wonderful dogs that have joined him. Take care!
What a precious dog, I’m so sorry for your loss 🙁
I’m so sorry for you and your family Heather. Our furry family members impact our lives greatly. I’ve walked in your shoes, it is a sad time now, but you will remember all the happy times.
Oh Heather. I am so very sorry for your loss. I loved reading about Mason with the girls (and seeing pictures of how big he was!). My thoughts and prayers and with you and your family.
I lost my Moose at 6 months old. He was born with deformed kidneys. He was just beginning to blossom. We knew as soon as 3 days after bringing him home. Broke my heart as well as made my day every day we had him with us. My heart goes out to you and your family.
Jeez, I’m sobbing away. It is so hard to lose someone who has become a part of your family. I am so sorry for your loss. The memories will always be with you and those eyes tell me that he was happy to have such a good home.
so very sorry for your family’s loss. your hearts are breaking, but remember he knew he was loved. that is all we can do. love them.
Sorry to hear of your lost. Pets leave a big print on our hearts. You never forget. Much love to you and yours.
I’m so sorry, Heather. I remember when you adopted him and you posted on your blog about him. He’s waiting for you at the Rainbow Bridge, I’m sure. Thinking of your family.
What a loving tribute to a sweet boy – hugs to you and your family.
I’m so sorry for your family’s loss. I felt like I knew him from your blog. I’m very sad for you all. Mason had such a loving short life and now may he rest in peace free of pain. Take care.
My deepest condolences. What a sweet boy.
Tears in my eyes…such a sweet boy! It is amazing how they wiggled their souls into your hearts.
I’m so very sorry for your loss.
We are all crying with you, Heather. Heaven has a new angel. :’-)
Thank you for this beautiful tribute to Mason. He is an angel now with bacon snacks on his breath. How do I know for sure?
When I saw your last photo, his step in the snow, I knew I had to write this tonight.
On Monday afternoon, when the news was looking pretty tough, I pulled out of the garage at work with the sun shining brightly. I just felt like I needed a good cry to help deal with the growing chance that we would lose Mason. As I was crying parked in the parking lot, out of an apparently clear sky, it began to snow–just a few monstor flakes all stuck together . Maybl 20 or 30 hit my winshield before it stopped as quickly as it started, the sun shining brighlty the whole time.
I looked at my winshield and saw an astonishing thing. The flakes that had hit my winshield had all melted into perfect five pointed paw prints. Unmistakable.
I thought to myself Thank you God for such a sign that they are getting ready for Mason’s arrival. I was going to tell you when I got home from Houston tomorrow, but your last picture made me write this tonight. All my love, Mason’s grandpa.
I love you dad. Thank you XOXOXO
Heartbroken for you all. Loved all his pictures and your tribute to him … just the sweetest boy he was! Love the picture of him sitting up with Pia painting and the girls lying on him like a big pillow. Such a gentle giant and big love. I loved meeting him and having him do his ‘shake’ trick for me and smooching his big beautiful head! Hugs to you all at this very difficult time.
I am thinking of all the wonderful as well naughty things that have happened while Mason was with us. They all bring a smile to my face. He was so good with the girls no matter how much they bossed him around or how noisy they were. Now that was a patient creature with a great deal of love to give. He will be missed. X o mom
Oh my goodness Heather, I am so so sorry, as I sob over those beautiful pictures, no more pain no more suffering:(
I am so sorry for your loss. Mason was an adorable dog, and he will be missed. This is a beautiful tribute to his memory.
So sorry. You have such wonderful memories of your puppy. Bet he’s having fun.
So very sorry Heather. He had a wonderful life with your family.
I’m so sorry for you and your family Heather. Thank you for sharing him with us, he always made me smile when you posted a picture. You could tell he was so loved and happy. I’m so sorry for you and your families loss.
I’m am so very sorry. I always got a kick out of your posts on “guess the puppy’s weight this month”. I lost my golden retriever suddenly last April and still grieve. Your blog posts will be a wonderful tribute and memory.
A well-known author who writes about dogs owns a farm no too far from ours. His name is Jon Katz and he has written extensively about pets and how to cope with losing one. You may want to check out some of his books.
And keep in mind- all dogs go to heaven, no questions asked.
So very sorry for your loss. They capture your heart and become part of your family. My heart hurts for you and your family.
Oh, goodness, I am so sorry! I remember when you first got him. He grew so quickly. May your hearts be comforted! xo
I’m so sorry for your family’s loss. Your tribute to Mason was lovely. My thoughts are with you.
We are so sorry for your loss. Mason is also with another mastiff, our family’s Henry, and Charlotte, Miska, Brittany and Dewey.
My heart is broken, Heather. I do remember him. xoxoxooxox.
I am so sorry for your loss. Mason was a beautiful dog!
I am sorry to hear of your loss. Mason had a great life with you and your family. What a wonderful tribute. Hugs to all.
Oh, heather – i am *so* sorry to hear that. I loved watching Mason grow up to the strapping dog that he was. He was lucky to have been loved by such a wonderful family!
Oh Heather,
My heart hurts for yours and your families loss. One of my favorite books reminds us that dogs live less long than we because they have a quiet understanding of life and love that we struggle to learn for all our days. Sending hugs.
kimi
Also I apologize for the grammatical errors, Your beautiful memorial got me all teary eyed.
So sorry for your loss.
I’m really, really sorry for your loss. I’ve had pets all mu life (cats, though), and I love animals of all kinds and it’s always heart breaking when they go, but it’s terrible when they leave so young. Lots of love to all your family!
I was already tearing up because pups are just it for me, they get me every time. then I saw your Dad’s message and lost it. I believe in signs, though, and that is the sweetest thing.
I am so sorry for your loss – sending comfort to you all.
I am so very sorry for your loss. What a beautiful memorial to a family member.
My friend emailed this link to me, as we also have two mastiffs. One a rescue and another a foster. They are such gentle, loving souls.
My heart breaks for you.
So sorry to hear about Mason. He was exactly where he needed to be for the 16 months he was here. He clearly belonged in your family. His absence will surely rock your world, but your girls will look back on every tea party they shared with Mason and remember him fondly. So sorry for your loss. Take care.
Margaret
Oh no, so sad. Sorry.
We are so sorry about your loss. Our love and thoughts go out to your family as you grieve for your much loved Mason. Thank you for sharing with all of us.
Oh Heather, what a sad time, what a raw and heartfelt tribute, what an amazing family, and what a special dog. The enduring impression I’ll be left with is that sweet, comical picture of him draped over your shoulder, like a drowsy, trusting child, so huge and so small at the same time. That and the incredibly loving note from your dad, at a time when you must have been feeling huge and small at the same time too. I swear, life is just one big sad, joyful poem. Thank you for sharing this part of your journey.
I am so sorry for your loss. I know Mason and Henry are running around in Heaven wagginng their tails. May God bless you and your wonderful family.
Heather, I am so sorry to hear about Mason. He was really a beautiful boy and was very lucky to have been a part of your loving family. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
So very sorry for the loss of Mason. What an adorable dog and what a beautiful tribute you wrote. It is evident how much you all loved each other. Sending you and your family comfort and peace.
Heather I offer my sympathy and empathy.
Sweet, gentle Mason. You made him a member of a loving family and he gave you all his love. And he’s given you endless memories that will mean more and more as the years go by. You are blessed for creating such a loving home and I believe you’ll be comforted knowing you did your best for him.
Heather, Pete, Pia and CoCo,
We are so sort about Mason, he was a loving family dog. He will be missed.
Aunt Sally & Mike
Heather hope you and your family are coping with the death of dear Mason. I meant to pass along pet death coping tips that are on PetFinder.com. And I know there is helpful info all over the Internet. Take care.
Anne
I am so, so sorry for your loss, Heather. It is not fun losing a loved one and a dog is a loved one and the same. Embrace your grief and wrap yourself in his memories. xx
I am so sorry to hear about your loss. Bless his little heart, I really feel for you xo
Heather – I am so sorry to read about your boy Mason – he was far to young to go. I can however relate – we just lost our 2 year old lab/collie mix in Jan of what seemed to be undected heart issue. Pictures and great memories are so important in the healing process….