Kerri

I know the one year anniversary is coming up for some of you. I remember how I was dreading that day. Like Joanne said in her message the remembrance is as fresh and difficult as those final moments, and yes I can tell every minute what I did on that day. Even after a year although the tears are less the remembrance is there.
To help me with that day I decided to plan what I would do;that way I did not leave it to chance what would happen as I knew I would be a basket case.
Hopefully this will help you …plan the day, start thinking what you are going to do on that day and try to make it a happy one although there will be a few tears. I focused the day around the things Goobie loved to do; walking, swimming and playing ball oh and let’s not forget the treats.

I invited some ladies for coffee as I knew there would be laughter and to build my confidence to follow through with my plan. I have never in the last year walked the same route that Goobie & I used to walk just couldn’t do it so decided I would do that on his 1 year anniversary. Amazing there were very few tears, I just remembered all the good times we had. He’s favourite stopping points to pee, yards were he would bark & greet the other dogs, the bushes he wanted to explore it just all came back and with smiles as I knew he was right there beside me. Next I walked down to the lake where he loved to chase his ball in the water. I still remember the first time he swam he looked at me with his big brown eyes as if to say “I’m I supposed to be doing this.”
I came back home to my new fur pal Tikaani a 9 month old Siberian Husky who has helped me with my grief and we played ball. Well I’m training him but he gets bored with a ball and just wants to run and me to chase him however the time was spent with laughter and hugs.

Around 4:00 when I was starting to feel down; a sign from Goobie. A few of us where outside and down the road comes a yellow lab. Folks there are no Labs in our area, however a few times when feeling depressed a Black Lab would be in the front street. I took this as a sign from Goobie. On this day it made me smile everyone was looking at me and I looked up to heaven and said “what you have trouble finding a black lab today, glad you sent a yellow to let me know you are OK.”

Lighting a candle for him in the evening, I did stay away from his picture album as you know what you should and shouldn’t do.

And Joanne I’m sure there is a party at Rainbow Bridge and to give you a smile. I can just see my Goobie pleading with Benny to please, please,
p. l .e. a. s. e put on the party hat so we can get at the cake.

Yes we miss them but we are so much richer for having them be a part of our lives even for a little while.

(((((HUGS)))))
Kerri