Ruby sounds almost like my Maggie. She was loving and caring of my sick husband. Maggie lived until after he died. She even mourned his death and lost most of her enthusiasm afterwards. Such a beautiful friend.

This is why we got a golden as a puppy and feel so much in love with him that when 2 Holden girls, mother and daughter became adoptable after being rescued from a Amish puppy mill we didn't hesitate. Today, 3 years later they all 3 enrich our golden years with love, laughter happy days! Good Bless the Golden Retrievers.

We have been blessed with such a girl. Her name is Autumn and right now we are lucky to still have her in our lives. She's 10 years old now and been a big part of our lives. Goldens are such awesome beings, smart, protective, but most of all loving and loyal.

Thank you for giving us this tribute to Ruby. Golden’s are without a doubt #1 in my heart. Until this last May 1st, 2019, I was never without one, (at the best time there were 3), in our home. It’d been 19 years with three gorgeous Golden’s, in my life from 8/2000 till my world stopped 5/1/2019. Without a single warning my third, Sophia, stopped breathing in her sleep. She was more than “just a dog”. They all were but Sophia was different, she personally got me through the hardest years of my life. (I’m 59 last month), and her death was by far the hardest loss of anyone’s I’ve ever experienced in my life. My marriage was long over, my daughter grown and gone with her own family, and nobody on this earth knew how much I loved, needed, and depended on Sophia, but myself and Sophia. She and I were inseparable as friends of long ago were too busy, family was too busy, but Sophia was my constant in my everyday life 24/7. We were never apart overnight once in her nearly 10 years with me. People complained that I would rather stay home with Sophia than spend time out somewhere. They were right. She was my “home”, my only home as I’ve known it 7 of her 10 years. She was my soul mate without a doubt. The early morning she stopped breathing in her sleep at 3:30 a.m. was like the time and date my world stopped. I was certain people from miles around could hear me screaming out my back door for someone, God, if there is one, to please give her back to me!! I begged for what seemed forever. Afterall there was no warning. Nothing! Only that I knew she was nearing that 10-12 average lifespan of years we typically have with them. I cried rivers for her and for me and her, but she was gone. I am now glad that she went peacefully and here with me while I laid next to her and spoke to her for hours after her breath had ceased. It was too early to call anyone for help moving her so I stroked her fur, cried on her fur and hugged and kissed her sweet face I loved dearly. She looked like she was sleeping. There was nothing unusual. Nothing scary. Nothing painful except her being gone. Gone in the sense that her beautiful heart had stopped beating and her precious soul had left her body for somewhere more befitting of her. I hope to be wherever dogs go one day. I have three very special ones together there now and just recently a friend decided it was time for me to have another and brought me a 19 month old Golden they’d searched the internet for. I wasn’t ready. I was still grieving and this pup was full of energy and needed someone better than me I thought. She’s still with me and the thought of not keeping her is much harder than the thought of her being my new best friend. She’s made it into my heart. She’s silly and goofy in ways I’ve never seen! Maybe she knows I need laughter as much as I need love. She’s giving me both tenfold, and I’m returning it more each day. I named her Star, as there was one bright Star in the shy the night my friend dropped her off not giving me time to say no. So she’s my bright Star, a deep mahogany color like your Ruby was, you loved so much. I had to write a reply, after reading this. Golden’s bring so much into our lives and ask for so little, I can’t imagine being without one, as I had for 6 months after Sophia died. She left a huge hole in my heart nobody can replace but Star is giving herself to me as if we’ve always been together. She’s sleeping next to me now. Thank you again for your tribute to Ruby. I feel it’s for most all Golden’s who only do what they do best. Love us unconditionally and make our lives more worthwhile just having had them. ♥️

This story sounds so familiar to our wonderful Sadie who helped raise our two children. I still think of her 14 years after her passing that was hard for me and my spouse. I have many fond memories of her waiting and watching for her kids to return from school. And how she greeted everyone who came to our home

We all have a Ruby! We have an Amos! There were many goldens before him. He is batteling lung cancer. We are living each day till our last! God Bless you

How wonderful and true ... there are no words to convey the meaning and measure of unconditional love the beloved Golden Retrievers bring in to our lives.

So sweet and so true. All animals that are part of a family, especially dogs. Become a integral mixture in the heart and soul of a family. Unconditionally.loo

Beautiful story. She did deserve this tribute.

She was beautiful inside and out and her dad is justifiably proud.

Golden are the best.

Our Goldie was the same as you described Ruby.

Beautifully written tribute to man's best. Thanks for sharing.

I am days, weeks away from losing my beautiful golden Amos. He had thyroid cancer at 6 years of age. Removed the tumor and he did great for 2 years.Then the cancer metastisized to the lungs. We are at a 2 year mark past that diagnosis. I know I do not have long. Prayers please. My story mimmics Ruby , only 2 boys are Amos's joy. My oldest son 19 and youngest 16 they have grown with Amos and he has helped raise these boys. I know this heartache all tonwell as Amos is my 7th golden retriever. They are special Angels sent from heaven. Pray for our coming pain.