Man Who Recently Lost Family Dog Gives Golden Advice

Craig Soter wants to share an important message with dog lovers after losing his dear friend Goldie.

“Take a single second and tell your dog how much you love them!!!” said Craig. “I just lost my boxer/lab mix of 8 years and I feel dead inside, but I can honestly say I did tell her I loved her very often and I’m glad I did!”

Craig told DogHeirs that he realized after she was gone that all the time he thought he was spoiling her, she was spoiling him. “I honestly can’t express how much I loved, and still love this dog. I looked at her as one of my own kids,” said Craig.

“I’m 48, been in the army and many other things in life that were hard to deal with, but I haven’t stopped crying since Saturday,” explained Craig. “Everyone tells stories about how great their dog was, but I’m telling you we breathed for each other, she will always and 4-ever have my heart!”

Craig said he told Goldie he loved her every time he left her. “I’ve noticed that every time someone leaves the house, we tell them ‘I love you and be careful’ just for the sole purpose that if something happens to them those would be the last words you said to them. At least they know that you cared and that’s all that matters,” Craig wrote DogHeirs. “Every time I would leave the house, I would look at Goldie and say ‘I love you baby girl, I’ll be home soon’. Why don’t more people tell their animals they love them before they leave? They deserve to know it too.”

“I’m glad Goldie new I/we loved her so much,” said Craig. “That’s one of the only things that is helping me through this, is that she knew she was loved and knows that she will be missed dearly.”

So take Craig’s advice, give your dogs hugs and tell them you love them every chance you get. It will mean the world to them and to you too one day!

Submitted to DogHeirs by Craig Soter, March 2014