It is almost two years ago that Mark Woods had to make a difficult decision. Walnut the whippet was eighteen years old and had been increasingly unwell. He wanted to take his faithful friend for one last walk on his favourite beach. In a simple Facebook post he invited other dog walkers to come along if they wanted to say goodbye to Walnut. The post was shared and shared. When we saw it on Twitter we shared it too.
Hundreds of people turned up. Children walked up to Walnut to stroke him and say goodbye. He was hugged, time and time again, while Mark held him in his arms. Walnut’s eyes were full of love. Every now and then he looked up at Mark and licked his face, as if to reassure him.
autumn gathers
her blanket of comfort
around our hearts
© Xenia Tran
The video below shows a recent interview with Mark.
With love from Eivor, Pearl and Xenia xxx
Photographs by Xenia Tran, edited in lr.
Camera: Panasonic Lumix FZ200, Settings: f/3.2, 1/125 s, ISO 250 and f/3.2, 1/100 s, ISO 100.
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What a loving tribute. Rest in peace Walnut. It sounds like you were well loved.
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Thank you so much for your kind words dear Jeanne 🐾💜🐾
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You are very welcome. It was such a beautiful tribute.
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🙂💖 xxx
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I guess it’s one of those tough decisions but even the end can be comfortable.
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Thank you dear Rupali, there is always a sense of peace and a sense of gratitude in the letting go when we know they will be free from pain 💜 xxx
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A loving farewell.
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Thank you dear Ann-Christine 💜 xxx
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What a lovely tribute ❤️ I can hardly believe that was two years ago. It’s a heartbreaking decision to have to make xxx
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Thank you so much for your kind words dear Cathy 💗 So many of us have been there and understand 💞💜💞 xxx
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Indeed we have…and do 💔💕xxx
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💜💕 xxx
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Such a lovely story ♥️
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Thank you dear friends 💜🐕💕 xxx
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Oh, Xenia–this made me smile, but broke my heart. All dogs go to heaven. This was beautiful. Gorgeous George is adorable–and a handful!
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Thank you so much for your kind words dear Lois 💜 Gorgeous George looks so sweet and a real funster too 🙂🐾💖🐾 xxx
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Aww. This made me tear up. What a great thing to do! Love the Haibun.
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Thank you so much for your kind words dear Vicky and much love to you and Tippy from all of us here 🐾💖🐾 xxx
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Hugs your way. Tender day.
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Thank you dear Na’ama 💞💜💞 xxx
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What a wonderful tribute and glorious response of friends. They are family and we all have had to make those tough decisions.
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Thank you so much for your kind words dear Anita 💜 They are family and it feels as if animal lovers are one big family too 🐾💖🐾 xxx
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We are because we all understand the love and compassion they give us.
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🙂💕 xxx
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Sniff, sniff. 😦
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💞💜💞 xxx
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This is a heartfelt tribute to Walnut and I thank you for sharing this. Much love to Walnut as he lives on in doggy heaven💕🤗🤗
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Thank you so much for your kind words dear friend 💜💖💕 xxx
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My pleasure. Most welcome😊
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That was such a beatiful story Xenia. You could feel his love pouring out through his story. Thank you for sharing it. xx
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Thank you so much for your kind words dear Amy, so grateful to share this story with you 🙂💖 xxx
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I feel this blanket of love. Much needed right now. Such a sweet post and wonderful memory of your love lost.
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Thank you so much for your kind words dear Denise 💜💕 xxx
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It really is the hardest decision in the world. As he said, months of ‘should I do it, should I not…’ I am at that stage now with Millie, and it’s so hard to know when is the right time.
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It is never an easy decision dear Annabelle and every departure is so unique. Every time we have been there our dog or cat had a way of letting us know when they were ready that we could hear in our heart. We believe Millie will have her own way of telling you and in that moment you will know. Please give Millie and Pearl a big pat from us all. Thinking of you at this time and sending lots of love your way 💞💜💞 xxx
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Thank you! Millie’s body is frail now but she has a strong spirit and I think she wants to stay around a bit longer. xxx ❤
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🙂💖🐕 xxx
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Reblogged this on chosenperspectives and commented:
I’d comment but can’t see the screen…tears…
the video is really worth a watch…what a love story.
Thanks Xenia Tran…for all your lovely posts.
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Thank you so much for your kind words and for sharing dear Kathie, hugs and blessings from all of us here 💞💜💞 xxx
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Thanks for sharing such an uplifting story!
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Thank you dear Dolores, there was so much love to share 🙂💖 xxx
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Aww Xenia, this was such a poignant tskecin the theme of comfort. What a beautiful and heartfelt tribute. Hugs and blessings xo
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Thank you so much for your kind words dear Miriam, hugs and blessings to you too from all of us here 💕💜💕 xxx
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Thank you kind lady 💕 xx
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🙂💖🌺 xxx
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The hardest thing ever, yet a huge outpouring of love from others.
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Thank you so much for your kind words 💜 We always want to do the right thing for our loved ones and there is so much love to support us in this when we reach out and ask 🙂💖
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A beautiful story of true love.
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Thank you so much for your kind words 💜
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Wow.. Xenia.. Such a Touching
Hugging Loving Story ‘tween
Whippet Walnut and Mark
A Video Here You
Share
TaLes
A Wagging
Dog Tale of
Love that Lasts
ForevernoW SMiLes
As Humans Will LEarn
Lots About Love From Dogs..:)
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Thank you so much for your kind words dear Fred, smiles live forever in hearts of love 🙂🐾💗🐾💞
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Thank You Dear
Xenia for
HeART
Beyond
iNFiNiTY too..:)
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This is great tribute, beautiful story, so much love and heartfelt touches and of course sadness too… Thank you dear Xenia, for sharing with us, made me cry, I should say. Love, nia
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Thank you so much for your kind words dear Nia, it is a story full of love that has touched so many hearts. It made me cry too. Sending love and hugs 💞💜💞xxx
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