In memory of Koki
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Photo license: © All rights reserved
A friend loveth at all times... Proverbs 17-17
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Koki, lived to be 17 years old
She was our dear friend...
Leaving memories to hold
Til' her life came to an end.
She left us June 9, 2011...
To her new home in heaven...
Poetry by me, AJP
This is a scanned self portrait that I shot several years ago in 1997 ... I had bought a used Nikon FE2 film camera that year and I experimented with various self portraits using a remote control...(You can see the squeeze bulb in my hand where the grass is partly covering it.)
I'll always remember how beautiful it was that day with the flowering crab apple tree in bloom and I wanted to record it after a rain shower that we had earlier in the day which saturated the colors.
Koki, was 3 years old at the time, this image was captured and full of life. She was my constant companion.. We had many good years with her, but the last two years of her life were a struggle as she had dementia, was blind and deaf, etc..She was full of pain, anxiety and suffering terribly at the end.....As much as we hated to see her go, it is a blessing she is no longer suffering. This is one of my favorite pictures of her that I will always treasure and hold dear to my heart. It is how I like to remember her in the good times of her life, happy and carefree.
We do plan to get another dog in the future but probably not until after my 50th class reunion in September...Right now I just need to get adjusted to Koki's death and to rest from dog responsibilities until the time is right...We have been through this before and losing a pet is never easy.
26 responses
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Leslie Hunziker gave props (10 Jun 2011):
everything about this is wonderful. i love it.
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Regenia Brabham gave props (11 Jun 2011):
I am so so so sorry Andrea. This self portrait is a beautiful tribute to her and her sweet life.
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Litz Go gave props (11 Jun 2011):
A wonderful and treasure photo of you and koki. Our Pochacco left us too, earlier after 15 years. We missed her.
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Donald Garrett gave props (11 Jun 2011):
SO SORRY for your loss!! This is an especially beautiful and meaningful tribute!
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Judy and Wayne Wanamaker gave props (11 Jun 2011):
What a lovely tribute to your special little friend. My heart aches for you right now, as I remember how it feels to have to put a beloved pet to sleep. Your acceptance of the situation is admirable. Pets teach us so much, and one thing is to not fear death, but to view it as a transition. God bless you and Dorsey as you deal with your loss.
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Andrea Petersen said (11 Jun 2011):
Thank you everyone...I so appreciate your support...We'll get through it but it
sure seems quiet without Koki after having her that many years...She had many good years but her elder years were difficult after she got dementia which is very much like what it is like for humans,,,Very heartbreaking to see a beloved pet and mother also who is going through this and there is nothing to be done to stop the downward spiral of it ....Life is hard sometimes but we have to remember the good times and the beautiful moments that life has to offer..This is why I love nature as it is comforting for me to see the beauty. -
Sarah Springer (Deleted) gave props (11 Jun 2011):
Koki. has taken a journey over the rainbow bridge to somewhere as lovely as this...there are no tears in heaven only divine love
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Ann Reece gave props (11 Jun 2011):
This is a wonderful photo of you and Koki and a perfect tribute to her. Pets can bring so much into our lives, love us as we love them and they do teach us a lot about life. At least Koki is not suffering anymore and has gone on to a better place.
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Susan Littlefield gave props (11 Jun 2011):
What a sweet and wonderful tribute to your little pup. It's always so very difficult to lost a pet, especially one that has been with you for so long.
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Richard Knight gave props (12 Jun 2011):
Classical shot.
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JanElle gave props (12 Jun 2011):
I am so sorry for your loss of your beloved Koki. She was indeed a beautiful lady, and I know that losing her has certainly left an emptiness in your hearts. What a beautiful portrait and keepsake this is of you together! May it comfort you in days to come..
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elfriede fulda gave props (12 Jun 2011):
Oh,,sweet, sad and a wonderful shot Andrea with great memories of Koki
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Lisa Toleno (Deleted) gave props (12 Jun 2011):
Beautiful shot!
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John Linton gave props (12 Jun 2011):
Rockin' JPG's Theme Park (to the extreme).
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Roxana Brivent-Barnes said (12 Jun 2011):
I love the background, I love everything about this shot, and again you are beautiful!
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je suis moi gave props (13 Jun 2011):
To Koki, I know you are there beyond the Rainbow Bridge and were met by my all of my Pets who are there. Even though I did not know Koki, I know how much you loved her. Little Geronimo was also there with my Pets to meet Koki. No more pain or suffering, blindness - just life renewed, to meet us one day beyond the Rainbow Bridge. RIP KOKI
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Patty Gross gave props (13 Jun 2011):
They become our children, don't they Andrea? I have no words to adequately express how sorry I am that you lost Koki. We have been through it too, and it is a grieving process, just as it is for a human we've loved. Time really is the great healer, I believe. Sometimes I think of the quote by Will Rogers who said, "the only bad thing about dogs is they don't live long enough." Your photograph is magnificant and quite a loving tribute to your dear companion of 17 years.
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Andrea Petersen said (13 Jun 2011):
Thank you so much everyone...Your words are very comforting...Yes, Patty they are like children and they have many human characteristic. Each dog has their own personality and no two are exactly alike.
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Lanis Rossi gave props (13 Jun 2011):
Beautiful photo, very touching!
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Linda Houghton gave props (14 Jun 2011):
So Beautiful!!!
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Jüri Vissak gave props (15 Jun 2011):
Very cute!
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Sonia Adam Murray gave props (16 Jun 2011):
Sweet!
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Deborah Downes gave props (18 Jun 2011):
Sorry for your loss, my friend. Such a beautiful tribute.
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Winky Vivas (Deleted) said (20 Jun 2011):
Andrea, this is such a beautiful image and tribute. The colors, composition, and narrative are just wonderful. This is really well done...
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Leanne Silva gave props (23 Jun 2011):
Bittersweet...
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Niharika Sanyal gave props (26 Sep 2011):
gorgeous!
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