A goodbye



"Life is made up of meetings and partings. That is the way of it."

 Kermit the frog. 

Luke Regalbuto August 16, 2000 - January 15, 2015


A tender moment between Dad and Luke a year ago.  

The time between a meeting and a passing is far too short.  From the moment I met him, I knew he was different.  It was a chance meeting but one that was meant to be and altered our life from that moment on.  

We lost our beloved Luke this last Thursday, quietly and peacefully at home with my husband, Elsa and I at his side.   


A very confident young man.

I have been blessed to share my amazing boy with people around the world and because of that, many are now grieving at his passing.  Some have known Luke for a very longtime and enjoyed him in both his young crazy years and his golden ones.  Luke changed immensely over the years; going from a hard headed, strong willed love to a mellow love in his later years.  Luke was a lover, not a fighter.  When he was challenged as was the case often for such a confident guy, he simply smiled, looked at me and left the other dog wondering where he was going. 

He had an amazing sense of humor and found joy in the little things in life.  Luke savored every moment, and taught us to do the same.  His favorite thing in life was down time.  Those quiet moments when you sit and just hang together; and every night he would stand in the kitchen door waiting for us to go downstairs to watch television. I have never in all of my life learned more from one dog.  I will never be the same because of Luke.    



Luke changed many lives.  


I met Luke when visiting a trainer friend of mine who had a litter of poodles.  I figured that I should see her puppies before they were gone but was not looking for myself.  When I entered the backyard, they were all asleep except Luke.  From the moment we met eyes, our life, connection and fused heart was fate.  When I left her house I could not get him out of my thoughts and 5 weeks later it all began.  


He was Elsa's heart as well 





Luke was both a breeze and a challenge as a youngster.  He had his own way of doing things but loved to learn and was very enthusiastic about the process.  As he learned so did I.  

But as he aged, he mellow and anything that had been a challenge soon diminished.   



He was a travelling man.  Not only did Luke take the huge road trip from CA to CT, AND BACK AGAIN.  But he went to OR and hit the vineyards with Elsa.  

He also loved the beach and always had his happy face on with the sand and surf in his toes.




Being his devilish self with Tilley. 


A heart-breaker.



A dog this special should be shared with many.



Luke was my heart, there is now a huge hole where he lived for 14.5 years.  I cannot believe that we got to share our lives with Luke; to be called Luke's Mom and Dad.  He was my Pumpkin, Punk, Love Man, Little Man, Love Boy and a handful of other names I gave him over the years.  Even though he was very much a Momma's boy, he was also Dad's boy.  They spent hour upon hour hiking and exploring together and when they returned home, Luke would not leave my husband's side.  It was their time as guys and he and his Dad loved every second. 



Elsa was by his side as he left; she knows that he is gone although she is suffering the loss deeply.  



What a face.  


I have never seen a dog adore another like Elsa did Luke. 





It is hard to imagine a life without Luke.  That fateful day back in November 2000 changed mine and many lives forever.  


He will be desperately missed.  

24 comments:

  1. A beautiful and heartfelt tribute to your boy, he will be forever in your heart. Sending hugs to you, dad and Elsa. with deepest sympathy, Gail

    ReplyDelete
  2. Beautiful tribute. I am in tears because I know what it is like to love a standard poodle. It is something so special, intimate and unlike sharing life with any other breed. My husband and I will never be without standards in our lives. Cherish the beautiful memories of your boy. Thanks for sharing his journey!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Sheri, Thank you for this beautiful tribute to Luke! I have seen so many of these pictures of him throughout the years and enjoyed reading about seening the special bond that Luke had with you, your husband and Elsa - and with Tilly and Jessie who he has now joined. Hugs to all of you!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Adrienne wrightmanMonday, January 19, 2015

    Im so very sorry to hear about your loss. As a great std poodle lover. I feel your loss. My heart goes out to you ! Adrienne

    ReplyDelete
  5. Such a beautiful tribute to a very special, and much loved boy. I'm deeply sorry for your loss, and feel for all of you. Luke was a very lucky boy to have had you as his Mom... you're the best.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Beautiful tribute to Luke. I followed both Luke and Elsa for a long time and feel that I too have lost a good friend. You and your husband were such good parents to Luke and I know he will always be in your heart.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Ellen WettlauferMonday, January 19, 2015

    What a rich life you have lived with your beloved Luke. Carry him always in your heart, know that he is still with you but in a different form. Thank you for sharing him with us, a truly generous gift. My heart aches for you right now, wishing you peace and comfort at this difficult time.

    ReplyDelete
  8. We are so very sorry for your loss. Benji & Maureen

    ReplyDelete
  9. Sherri your story brought tears to my eyes. What a beautiful relationship you shared with each other. There is nothing like the relationship between a poodle and their family. I am thankful I was able to follow Luke for the time I was given. After I lost my beloved Scarlett, I turned to Luke and Elsa to help me start to heal. My heart breaks for your entire family.

    ReplyDelete
  10. I have so enjoyed reading about Luke and Elsa over the past months I have been following the standard poodle.
    The pics always made me smile. We love our Branson so much I can hardly imagine your feelings wright now. You and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers.

    ReplyDelete
  11. You will be in my thoughts and prayers. Loved the standard poodle pics and comments of Luke and Elsa. We love our Branson so much it is hard to imagine your feelings! Will be praying for you!

    ReplyDelete
  12. When I heard of Luke's passing, I went to the bookcase and found "When Luke Met Elsa" and read it again....this time in tears. Thank you for sharing him with all of us these past years. Know that the Poodle world is also grieving your loss right along with you. Big hugs, Sherri.

    ReplyDelete
  13. So sweet. Thank you for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  14. What a beautiful, expressive and poignant tribute to Luke and to his best friend Elsa. I know that I'll be going through these feelings one day and I dread it - my Simon and Sophie left their pawprints on my heart from the first time I saw them. Luke's love will stay with you always.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Thank you for sharing you lives and amazing pets with me. I have Sam and Pearl who adore each other and allow me and my husband to be their humans. I share in your heartbreak and grief as I felt like I knew Luke. I started following your story when you were traveling across the country. I am so sorry for the loss of your precious boy, may you find peace in knowing how much he loved you,Elsa, and your husband. Rest in Peace Luke.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Sherri,
    I am so sorry to hear about Luke's passing. I have been following Luke and Elsa for a few years and totally enjoyed seeing their beautiful pictures. I am crying for his loss as if he was one of mine. I lost my great dane last month and I'm still grieving. Thank you for all of the photos you've shared along with your wisdom.

    ReplyDelete
  17. I am so sorry for your loss of your love.Words can't express how I feel.Very sad and tears.I can't imagine how you feel.I loved Luke There was something so special about him from the day I saw you on FB.You were my first STD Poodle friend.I had just lost my boy to Addisons and the hip dysplaghia weak legs,falling etc.Couldn't get on the bed , etc.So I had a special love for Luke.Thank you for sharing him with me.Thank you for sharing the lovely tribute.He is still with you every minute as your guardian angel.he's meeting Tilley,Mr Biggs and Ms.Honey and others.He will be missed.In my thoughts and prayers is the family who gave him the life he deserved.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Carmen, I am so sorry that you lost your Great Dane. Sending you the biggest hug. I would love to see a photo of your lovely Dane.

    ReplyDelete
  19. What a sweet tribute to Luke. My daughter and I have been following your page since you left CT. We know that was a tough time too. We are so sorry for you loss and will keep you and your family in our thoughts and prayers. Give Elsa a hug from the Coles

    ReplyDelete
  20. Sherri, Thank you for putting the simple and inevitable things of life into words. Luke made me smile, not because of his fancy poodle cut, but because I saw him through your eyes...as a living, loving soul. The hole in your heart will be a window to memories of Luke. All the best to you, your husband, and Elsa!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Thanks Sherri, I had to hold back the tears as I read this. A beautiful life story indeed. Thank you for sharing. It always warms my heart to know that others truly adore their pups and do everything possible to give them a wonderful life! He was as blessed as you to have shared his life with you. A wonderful boy and an outstanding Mom. Hugs, Bev

    ReplyDelete
  22. So nice. Loved looking at the videos. Makes me laugh and cry! I remember when we had two pups in the house and had a bag full of toys and I laugh to see the carpets placed over the slippery hardwood floors. You have lots of lovely memories to keep you smiling (and crying).

    ReplyDelete
  23. Such a wonderful retrospective of a beautiful life. I never met Luke, but I can relate to your loss. May his memory be a blessing to you, Elsa and your family.

    ReplyDelete
  24. No one will ever replace Luke, but he will guide you to further expanding your heart for another to have an amazing life with you guys - just watch, you'll see it. With profound sadness, I am so sorry for your loss.

    ReplyDelete

Love to hear from you.