My heart goes out to you. I am so sorry for your loss, and this sad anniversary.

We’re here for you man.

I know you have no idea who I am...but I started reading you about a year ago. Although we don’t know each other, I am just reaching out with a virtual hug.  Hang in there, Dawg.

God bless you, hon.  What a terrible anniversary.  I’m sending love and prayers your way.

You couldn’t have made a better choice.

Hugs and kisses and total support.

I am very sorry your loss.

(((HUGS))) I know no amount of hugs can “fix” things, but maybe they’ll help you feel a little better. 

Scream, cry, vent, rant, weep, laugh, remember… We’re here.

my thoughts are with you today.

You’re in my thoughts.  Please know that I’m thinking of you and your family.

((((Dawg))))

~ZZ

I spent the night reading through your DJ archives.  I’m sending you big virtual hugs.

You’re in my heart and my thoughts Dawg. 

I’m so sorry. I

So. Sorry.

I wanted to add that your video brought tears to my eyes. 

~ZZ

Stay strong, brother.

You and yours are in our thoughts and prayers tonight.

Dawg, thank you for sharing DJ with us. My life is truly richer because of him. Both of you are in my thoughts & prayers today.

Thinking of you, take care.

Beautiful. Every post you write about him touches my heart. This is a hard day. I dont have any words to make it better but know that even a year later, you are still not alone in the blogosphere.

I’m sorry for your loss, Dawg.  He is a beautiful little boy.

J.

Can’t believe its a year already… Puppy Monster deserves a beautiful rememberance… The stone is beautiful, Dawg.

You are in my thoughts today (well, not just today, but especially today). Hang in there. Muah!

I am thinking of you...have for a few days now.  I hope you can get through this day and the days still to come.  I can’t imagine and nor do I want to ever have to feel what you feel.  Hang in there…

Thinking of you, and him, dude.

I love you.

Thank you for sharing him with us.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us.
Thank you for sharing that photo with us.

Thinking of you today…

Hugs from allll your girls.

He was a beautiful little boy.

Your little one is looking down at how you have handled this year, and he is so proud.

my heart aches all over again… all my best…

<3

(((HUGS)))...and as always...prayers.  For you, DAWG - and for Puppy Monster. 

(My brother’s headstone was paid for out of donations from friends...it’s beautiful)

You are loved.

I’m thinking about you today.

On Lawn AN, where I work, are a lot of balloons and spinners. It’s the most beautiful place in the park because it’s the place with the most decorations. It’s the “baby” lawn. I can never drive past it without tearing up. I’ve only just begun reading you, but my heart goes out to you, just as it does when I see parents sitting on Lawn AN with McDonald’s Happy Meals and balloons.

Loving you as always.  DJ is always in my prayers.  So are you.

Of course, we’ve never met. But I have read your blog for a very long time.  I just want you to know that every day that has passed since that fateful day a year ago, I have thought of you and how much pain you have felt every day.

And I have shared your story with my family and children and friends.  Because I believe that part of the story that needs to be told is to love your children every single day of their lives and to show and tell themevery single day just how much you love them unconditionally.

And I know that you loved DJ just as much as he loved you. And you will never have regrets like you didn’t tell him or show him.  Because you did.  And he did.

So I tell anyone who will listen your story.  And it’s not just a story of tragedy.  It’s also a story of a father and a son who never missed a moment of showing unconditional love.

And in some minuscule way maybe someone will in turn love their child in a way they never have before.  And a way that honors his memory for all time.

I lost it a little bit on that last picture.  You are a strong, strong man and a wonderful friend.

I didn’t “know” you as well last year, but my heart broke for you then.  I am so fortunate to have met you in May.  You are an amazing person, Dawg.  My heart breaks for you again.  I’ve been thinking about this and you all week.  As for those who say things like “when are you going to move on” or “now you can get back to normal”, there is no normal like before you lost DJ.  Sadly, there is a new “normal” and sometimes it takes tremendous strength to just get through a day.  I know you are a strong person because the way you have lived this last year.  DJ would be proud.

Dawg, I haven’t responded to any of your Puppy Monster posts except for the one that marked that horrific day for the simple reason that no words can suitably express my sorrow and, sadly, my understanding at least in part (although I am sure losing a parent does not compare to losing a child).

That being said - on this anniversary I wish you courage and stregnth to face this day and my love.

Dear NYCWD,
We’ve bumped into each other on the same blogs, but I’ve never been over here until Avitable told me about today. I’m so very sorry and I just want you to know that I’m thinking of you and DJ today. You’re both in my heart and in my thoughts.

Hello there. Came here through another blog. I don’t know you personally or your blog but I feel compelled to give you some encouragement.

I have been where you are. I know how you feel. There is no worse pain in the world to bear than losing your child. Those who haven’t experienced it first hand cannot imagine. It was the only time in my life when I seriously contemplated suicide. It’s been ten years for me and I can tell you that while the the pain never goes away, you learn to handle it without feeling like you are carrying a huge load on your back. I see children the same age as my son would have been and wonder what he would be like today. It also makes me jealous that he isn’t here.  There will always be little reminders for you, birthdays, etc. but you will learn to handle it better. As a matter of fact, mine is July 13. As that day approaches, I always think more of him and become sad, but it’s not the crippling, all consuming pain it was in the beginning. Every thing you are writing sounds very familiar. It will take more than one year. You will never fully heal, but you will learn to handle it.

I am in NO way trying to put the attention on me. I just wanted you to know that I have been where you are. It’s a dark cloud of pain that no one can imagine. What can tell you is that, while time never fully heals it, you will learn to bear better, if that makes sense.

It sounds like you have good freinds who love you and are supporting you. That’s very good. If you need someone to talk to who’s been there. I’m here..

I’m also so very sorry for your loss.

HUG.

I’m so sorry about the loss of your son. My mother used to say that a parent should never live so long as to outlive their children, but she lost a newborn and my grandmother lost most of her 10 children before she died. I don’t know how you bear it. Honestly.

Reading through some of your previous posts, I can see that you loved your son tremendously and that he loved you. You will meet again.

Peace - D
(Found you through Heather at Coal Miner’s Granddaughter)

Even in your grief you make others feel appreciated.

You are in my thoughts and I wish for you to have a moment of peace and joy soon.

It’s not the same as losing a child but when I lost my sister almost three years ago I also lost my best friend. There is not a day that goes by that i don’t miss her profoundly.

{{{{HUGS}}}}

This is one of the most heartfelt and courageous things I have ever read. Having lost my own child as well, though it’s been 8 years, I can say to you that though everyday life does get easier, The Anniversary never does.....at least not in your heart. The incredible dynamic that a parent has for a child lost in this way can never be explained, but the beauty of your love for your son is something that brings tears to my eyes, because I know how you feel, and that is something I rarely encounter.

I have you in my thoughts today.  May you find peace today in your grief.

Thinking of you.

My thoughts are with you on this incredibly difficult day, and I am in awe of your strength. All my best.

I’m visiting for the first time from a link on another blog.  I just wanted to say that your blog is a beautiful tribute to DJ and how much you loved him.

I wish you peace.
fiwa

I’m with you, dude.

Thinking of you today.

I’m very new to this community (and have only known you for a short while), and I only learned about the tragedy which struck a year ago over the past 48 hours.  I’ll tell you honestly that I can’t fathom what you’ve been experiencing for the past year. I don’t know how I would react, get up in the morning, or make the world a better place.

But through the pain you’ve kept at it. You’ve been a stand-up person and a wonderful friend. Although I never new DJ, it sounds like these qualities have been a testament to him.  I wish I had gotten a chance to know him.

You and the Puppy Monster are in my thoughts today.  Big, awkward man-hugs all around…

oh my dear sweet dawg, thank you for sharing your puppy monster with us.  and thank you for sharing your struggle to deal with every day items.  it can’t be easy to recount such things, yet it is wonderful that dj is so loved and remembered. 

much love to you dawg.

Our thoughts and prayers and with you.

I’m so grateful that you’ve always shared DJ with us.  My heart aches with you, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Loving you both, today and tomorrow and the next day.

There are just no words good enough right now.

Much love to you and your family.