Bilbo at Bag End

[BilboWaggins]

Evening all. Sorry I have been AWOL for a while. We had to have our beloved Ollie (14 y.o. Bearded Collie) put to sleep at the beginning of August and I've been finding life very hard since. Flummery and Hazel will tell you I was devoted to the silly hairy chap and being without him is more than a bit difficult.

However, trying to move on so have participated in the Bilbo World Tour. Don't know how many of you are aware of a silly little gold gnome who is currently travelling the world visiting gardens whose owners have blogs.

This week he has been staying at Bag End in Cumbria and is now angling for an invite somewhere else. He's an undemanding house-guest and very appreciative of anywhere you might take him.

If you’d like to see his visit to Bag End, then you will be very welcome to visit HERE. Thanks.

[BumbleB]

Oh how sad that you no longer have the company of your lovely Ollie, I am sure he is greatly missed. But how nice that you were able to have a visit from Bilbo - good to see he got to visit the pub too. It looks like such a lovely idea, and he is such a attractive little fellow.

We could have a similer mascot here on the Vine - we could call him Olivier.

[Incy]

We could have a similer mascot here on the Vine - we could call him Olivier.

Nearly fell off my chair laughing at that one

Bilbo, so sorry to hear you lost Ollie, he looks really beautiful in the picture.
I'm really glad you had a visit from Bilbo though.
My son was once given a teddy to take on summer holiday with him and take pictures of all the things they did together, We travelled round France and Spain that summer and they both had a great time. The pics were really fun to do too

[ginger ninger]

I've just had a look at your darling Ollie, your eulogy to him is very touching, it brought me to tears. It's heart breaking when you lose a well loved pet, and there's not a lot anyone can say, but you have my heart felt sympathy and a big ((((((HUG))))))) to both of you. xxx

[BumbleB]

If not called Olivier we could have a mascot called Vinnie.

[bobleponge]

Sad news on the loss of your friend Bilbo.
Glad that you have found something to help you over the sadness though, sounds a great plan.

[OllieMartin]

Very sorry to hear that

[HayleyB]

Big Hugs Bilbo, tears too, so sad {{{{{{{{{{{{{{{}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}

[Flummery]

Glad to see you back kiddo! You can never replace good old friends like him, can you?

[RedThorn]

so sorry to hear! They sure are special. Welcome back

[Sprocket*]

Apologies as the tears are running down my face - poor you losing your best friend, I believe that it is something that you never truely get over but when I get sad about the best friends that have been in my life I think about the following poem and it eases the pain a little:

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown...

Big big hug!
x

[RedThorn]

now I have a lump in my throat.... nice poem

[BilboWaggins]

Just wanted to say thank you to everyone who has left a message about Ollie, I'm not going to reply to them all on here 'cos it's a pain for everyone else reading all the "thank you's" but I really do appreciate it when someone takes the time to send condolences. Unless you've been on the receiving end yourself you have no idea just how much it can mean,

Hope anyone who has visited the Bilbo Post enjoyed some of the pictures, I really want to go back to the garden at Wordsworth's house - it is planted (as much as possible) with flowers, fruit and veg appropriate to the period and is really beautiful.