So Hard to Say Goodbye .... R.I.P. Darby O'Gill (1995 - 2011)
Darby was a fine Irish lad who liked everyone ~ but his lucky "people" family was his main focus from the day we met. Rescued from a bad environment in his native Ireland nearly 16 years ago, Darby emigrated from Lough Gur, County Limerick to America with me when I returned to the U.S. after eight years in Ireland. Our love affair wasn't interrupted by occasional mischievousness (after all, Darby was half Jack Russell terrier & half Border Collie) and he was always sweet, obedient and smart as a whip.
Last year I wrote this story about his 15th Birthday, his birthplace in Ireland, and how we met.
Here's a photo of 'Yer Man Himself' in his favorite park in Portland Oregon ...
Darby had trouble with his back last summer, and our Vet explained that some of the bones in his spine had fused. For a dog his age there was no cure, but some meds helped him -- and he had to give up racing up and down all of our stairs. This Spring we sold our house and found one with a nice big yard that he could explore, without any stairs to bother him. Over the past few months we could see though that Darby was feeling his age more, and we treasured every day we had with him. He never complained and just loved us more than ever.
Here's Darby in his prime .... such a handsome lad! 
This week we had to say 'Goodbye' to our sweet Darby ... our hearts are broken and it's hard to keep the tears away. But we are so grateful to have had him in our lives!
Darby ~ we'll love you forever and ever XOXOXOXO
***** ***** *****
Related Posts
Darby O'Gill Turns 15 and has a Guinness
Some New 4-Legged Friends I met Along the Way in Ireland
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Hi Maureen,
So sorry you had to say good by to your dear friend Darby but you had each other for 16 years and that is very special. You gave him a great home and he gave you love and companionship. It is so hard to let go but when the body wears out, it is for the best. I lost my two dogs 2 years ago. I had them both for 15 years and I still miss them every day. I have 3 small dogs and love them dearly but still miss my Princess and Snowy. Your dog, Darby was so beautiful and I am sorry. Remember all the great times you had with Darby!
Maureen - I'm so. so sorry and heartbroken for you losing your beloved Darby. I know how hard it is to lose a pet and I wish there was something I could say or do to ease your pain, but it will just take time - a lot of time. Please call or email me if you want to talk. I'm also a dog lover and they are our family and it's tragic when we lose them. My thoughts and prayers are with you....
Maureen,
So very sorry to hear that you had to say goodbye to your beloved pet Darby. I know how much my dog means to me and I can't even imagine the thought of losing her.
Thinking of you and your family during this time.
I'm so sorry to hear that. I know it's so super hard losing a pet. I've had to go through it, too. What a super tribute.
Oh Maureen, I am soooooo very sorry for your lose. I am crying as I write to you. Nothing matches the love and loyalty of a great dog, and the lose is just impossible. Darby was a very lucky boy to have had such a good home and loving family. There are no words, but I volunterer with a local rescue group and see wonderful dogs who are not so lucky. Take some time and then honor Darby by giving another a chance to know and love you.
Maureen - thinking of you. I know all too well how sad a time this is for you. We lost our beloved Boxer last summer.
Hi Maureen--my heart goes out to you. I know how terrible if feels to lose a pet and Darby looks like such an adorable and loving "lad". I love the other post, too, about how you met him. "Unable are the loved to die. For love is immortality." --Emily Dickenson
Oh Maureen - I was so sad to read this post. Darby sounded like such an amazing dog. I know how much he meant to you. This sounded like one special dog, and the pouring of love between the two of you is amazing. It's so tough to say goodbye, as they aren't just dogs, but members of the family. Sending you a virtual hug.
Good morning Maureen, God speed your beautiful Darby. He is dancing and free of pain at Rainbow Bridge. He was so loved by you and had a wonderful life. Please know that my thoughts are with you at this sad time. I also have had to say good bye to several of my beloved pets and it is a true loss. Hugs to you.
Hi Maureen-I am so sorry about your loss-it is so tough, particularly when we have to make the decision-but know that many of us share your pain and that your special wonderful doggie had such a good life with such a wonderful family as yours and gave you so much-your memories will always be fresh and loving. My thoughts are with you.
Darby was a special fellow and he was so lucky that your paths crossed back in the Old Country. My heart has been hurting so badly for you as I know how much he meant to you and your family. He let you know that he had reached his limit and you showed great courage and compassion in your care. Big cuddles and kisses from your friend Willie, too. We are both thinking of you.
Kristin ~ Thank you for your helpful words. I'm so sorry to hear about your Princess and Snowy -- 15 years is such a long time. They truly are members of our family, just like children. If you have photos of them, please share with us. I know that Darby had a great life with us and that he enriched ours tremendously. I'll try to follow your advice of remembering all the fun we had together.
Maureen.....been thinking of you, your family and Mr Darby O'Gill....what a lucky lad he was to have been found and loved!! I great JOY was shared by all!!
Kristine ~ Thank you for your thoughts, and you are so right that only time will help us have a better perspective. I grew up in a family with many dogs, and recognized a special magic in Darby. I always felt it was because he came from such an enchanting place in Ireland ... things are different there. Darby was cute and cuddly right up to the end. Even on his last day with us, at the nearby park people walked up and told us what a "cute puppy" he was. His years didn't show but his spirit was tired ...
Michele ~ Your sweet Bib is a beauty, and you're lucky to have found each other. Thank you for your kind words.
Debbie ~ The pain is really harsh when our little friends have to leave us. The only comfort is knowing that he won't be in any more pain.
Sheila ~ Thanks for your good advice and also for mentioning about your volunteer work with a local rescue. That would be a wonderful way to honor Darby so I will in look into it. He always let me know how happy he was that he was rescued from an abusive home.
Valerie ~ Oh, I'm so sorry to hear about your beloved Tulipe -- such a recent loss. Do you have a photo of her that you could share with us? It's hard to imagine that life can ever be normal again, isn't it?
Sandi ~ I'm sorry to hear about your sweet Boxer. Please share a photo as it's so helpful to be able to imagine them in their prime. The bond is so strong with our 4-legged family members .... I think it lasts forever.
Janet ~ yes he was a special boy (we all feel that way don't we?) Thank you for the Emily Dickenson quote -- it's very true :-)
Sally ~ That virtual hug is appreciated! Darby was very attached to my son Brendan, too. In the past year their bond was stronger than ever, and if Darby was with me you could be sure he was waiting for Brendan to return :-)
Judith ~ Thank you for reminding me that Darby is now free of any pain ... that is a comfort. I truly am grateful for both the fun times and the quiet times we shared. He was certainly an entertaining fellow and had our hearts from the moment we saw him.
Joanna ~ Yes, our memories will last forever. I've had many dogs in my life but never one as magical as Darby. There was something about him that I can't describe in words. He seemed to be able to read your mind and give you exactly what you needed. Thank you for your kind words.
Kathy A. ~ Thank you for your good advice recently and for sharing about your beloved Copper and how hard it was to say goodbye to him. I'd like to see Willie sometime soon and his cute little face and kisses. People say our dogs were lucky to find us but I think it's just the opposite :-)
Kathy B. ~ A great love indeed! Now take your sweet Cosmo and give him an extra hug today .... he is very sweet. Someday I'll find another little pal and life will seem better ... right now the sadness seems overwhelming.
OH Maureen I am crying already. I hate when we have to say goodbye. I am so sorry....it is so hard. My Timber has bad arthritis in his back bone and a torn ACL in his knee. He is only 7 but for a St. Bernard that is getting up there and they don't advise surgery because of the long recovery. So we are keeping him comfortable, some days are better than others. His sister misses romping with him though. I am worried he won't make it on the snow and ice this winter.
Shar ~ I'm hoping that Timber will be with you for a good long time. It's so hard for us to see them in any kind of discomfort, isn't it. He knows how much you love him so just enjoy every day. Thanks for writing.
Maureen, sorry to hear that. With our loved ones even we know and expect....we are never ready for them to leave us. The only thing that could comfort you is probably to know that he is in the better place now. But still it is very very sad.
Anna ~ you're so right, we are never ready for them to leave .... but I know he's no longer hurting. He was very brave.
Maureen, Darby looks quite the handsome lad indeed and I know without doubt he loved you and your family as much as you did him. My condolences for your beloved Darby! I know he has provided memories to last a lifetime. I think me and Dixie better go for a walk and catch up from the day!
John ~ We do have so many wonderful memories of Darby (and lots of photos too) -- so that will help get us through this very sad time. Have fun with your little Dixie!
I'm so sorry, Maureen. My heart goes out to you. Last week, we lost our precious kitty, Tucker. I can't stop thinking about him. I'll round a corner and expect to see him as I have the last 8 years. It's amazing the impact our pets have on us, isn't it?
Kathy ~ thank you for your condolences. I'm very sorry to hear about the loss of your sweet kitty Tucker. He looks very handsome in that photo -- such beautiful eyes. I know what you mean about expecting to see him ... we're also thinking that Darby is going to walk in any moment. They are truly part of our family and losing them is so painful. Hang in there and in time, we'll have all of our good memories of their time with us :-)
Ah Maureen...my heart goes out to you and I wish I could give you a BIG HUG Girlfriend!! What a handsome Irish lad, that Darby!!! Love the pictures of him you shared with us! Especially the one in his favorite park!! I can just picture him in his new favorite park, feeling well and causing a little mischief! :)) Life does go on, darn it, but the memories are with us forever!!
Janice ~ Thanks for that hug, I appreciate it :-) We miss Darby terribly but are so grateful that he chose us as his family for nearly 16 years. We have some cute videos of him and lots of photos, so he's never far from our thoughts.
Oh Maureen, that is so sad. I lost my Ridgeback last year and thought that I could never get past it. I even stopped blogging and lost my rainmaker status. My other dog was miserable and lonely. I started inquiring with breeders to see who was having a litter in the Spring and we happened upon Parker - who is quite the character and filled the emptyness in our household. He was nothing like our Spenser and I didn't really want him to be, just a lovely funloving lad.
One of our neighbor dogs gave me the biggest kiss that day after Spenser was gone. I'll never forget it.
Yvette ~ I'm so sorry to hear about losing Spenser, but glad that Parker has joined your household. I know what you mean that one pet can never replace another, but having a new friend is helpful. I've run into a few extra-friendly dogs this week, too -- it's almost as if they knew that I needed some doggie love from them -- amazing, isn't it?
Maureen, I am so sorry to hear of Darby's passing. He looked like an amazing dog. As dog lovers, this is what we go through to have their unconditional love and companionship. And, we keep coming back for more. I've lost several dogs through the years. One never replaces another, but it does help to fill the void in your heart.
Elyse ~ that unconditional love is really amazing! I've had dogs my entire life but never met one quite like Darby. Thanks for your kind words.
So sorry to hear about Darby, Maureen! What a handsome little guy...I'm sure your life just won't be the same without him.
Sharon ~ So true, but I'm happy to have had so many wonderful years with him. Thanks for stopping by.
Maureen- I'd forgotten to come back here after seeing this on Facebook, but my heart goes out to you. i remember speaking with you last year about moving to a house without stairs for Darby. That shows your love for Darby and the impact he had on your life. It's been 6 years since we lost our Lucky. I was in the room with her when she took her last breath and I still can't think about it. You two were blessed to have each other.
Kathy ~ So sorry to hear about your beloved Lucky. I know what you mean about the difficulty in remembering those last moments ... it's much better to think about when they were strong and healthy. The bond we share with our sweet friends will last forever. Hopefully when the time is right we'll find another companion to share our love with.