josie

Hi all. Well we got through a rather sad christmas without our Wisp. Our friends and family have really been there for us thank goodness.
I'm pretty concerned about our dog Mags. She is depressed. She is eating but doesn't seem to be drinking enough water. I feel like I have heard of dogs dying of a broken heart. She is really happy to go out and play, but when she is in the house she is pretty down. We will be taking her to the vet to see if there is something we can do for her. It makes this that much harder.
My heart is still broken into a million pieces. Today at the park i said I felt she was with us, and then a few minutes later an all white dog who really did look like her ran up to me... was that a sign?

josie

Madchen's Mom

I know how broken-hearted you are. The holidays are a very bad time to have a tragedy like this on your plate. All the joy around you just seems to emphasize your loss.

I know how much you miss Wisp. I still have moments when I tear up over my lost boy, Jake. He's been gone a long time now and most of the time thoughts of him make me very happy. I laugh when I look at a picture of his first Christmas. He was just like a big, gangly teenager. He was part Black Lab and part Great Dane. He grew up to be a beautiful dog. But that first Christmas, he was thin and awkward, all feet and head. He didn't seem to have much control over his body either. It seemed as though his size was always surprising him. He flop around on those gigantic feet with boundless enthusiasm. Then he'd bam into something and he'd always look startled, like "How'd that happen?"

Towards the end, my big guy was so sick. It was hard to watch him decline as he did. That awful disease lymphoma took all the bounce out of him and one day, like you, I had to decide to let him go.

I know now that it was the greatest gift I could have ever given him. I sat and held his head in my lap as he drifted quietly away. I cried and cried. When I would feel as though I didn't have an ounce of liquid left in my whole body, tears would come again.

I believe that my big boy is bouncing again. He's chasing his ball as he loved to do and romping in heavenly snow. He's waiting for me on the other side of that Rainbow Bridge.

Wisp is with him now. Free from pain, she's bounding along with Jake. He always liked other dogs so I'm sure he'll take good care of your Wisp.

We who are left behind are given signs so that we know our babies are okay. It's one more way they show us their love.

Jackie

TJandDante

Gosh do I know how you feel. Christmas was just depressing,even with my new granddaughter here, just 6 weeks old. We were all sad
(we had just gotten Dante's ashes on Dec 23rd). I have so many reminders,as you do. I was just numb and weepy. He has been gone 8 days and like you its too hard. I would give anything to stroke his soft head for just one minute. I know you feel the same about Wisp.
I hope the vet has some answers for you about your other dog. Maybe they just go through a numb and depressed period like we do when they are missing someone special to their lives. Our son that brought Dante home as a pup went in the Marine Corps, and when he was home on leave and then went back, Dante would listen at the top of the basement steps for him and act depressed for a few days. Maybe that's how your dog is feeling.
I do know how you feel and know that everyone here cares so much for us and hates that we have to go through this pain, that they have been through themselves.
God bless.

Benpaws

Dear Josie & TJ,

I know exactly how you are feeling Josie and we went through something very similar when Wolfgang passed away in 1997 and left his brother Willie alone. Willie went into quite a deep depression and didn't show interest in food or water and looked everywhere for Wolfie who was always the "leader of the pack."

We just continued with our usual routine of walks to the park and special treats and playing ball and eventually he was back to his old self but it did take a while and that is usual.

I would definitely take your puppy to the vet and have him checked out. My girlfriend lost her beloved Black Lab Buzz to cancer two summers ago and her Bischon Minnie did get very ill following Buzz's death and needed some mild tranquilizer to get over the mourning period, so it is best to have the vet help you out.

Yes, the white dog running up to you was indeed a "sign" from Wisp.

We have had quite a few signs since Benny left us in April but the BEST sign of all was the fact that our little Shadow was born at the same time as Benny left this earth.

Christmas was sad with Benny not here, but I have had TIME to help me and you have not had enough time yet.

Both Dante and Wisp have not been gone very long and indeed Christmas would be empty without them there.

It does get easier, but it does take a lot of time and a few tears along the way. In my case getting Shadow helped heal my heart a lot even though I felt guilty for bringing home a puppy so soon after we lost the BEST DOG IN THE WHOLE WORLD, but I know Benny would want us to smile again and we are!

Christmas is supposed to be a time of joy and family and bonding and when a very important family member such as your precious fur boy or fur girl is no longer with you, Christmas can bring sadness to your heart.

Take care of yourselves and know that your decisions were the right ones for the love of your beloved best friends.

My prayers are with you.

I am sure you were thinking of your sister and her baby Josie, and your father as well. Lots of sadness for you this year.

May 2010 bring more joy than sorrow, more laughter than tears and good health all around.

Affectionately,
Joanne & Puppy Shadow

jeffers

i know exactly how you feel...........this is the first christmas without my grand old lady and i am devastated even tho i have a new friend who is absolutely fantastic i still have very sad thoughts of my old girl cassie but in my heart i know that wisp just like cassie is there in your heart and will be there forever. i wish you all the best for 2010

Benpaws

My Dear Friend,

I certainly understand how empty Christmas would be this year without your beloved "grand old lady, Cassie" with whom you shared over 17 amazing years. How lucky you were to have each other for such a long time.

However, you do have a marvellous new companion, Focca, different from Cassie, but similar with the unending and unconditional love that only a dog can give.

Benny was missing from our Christmas celebration as well and of course he was missed greatly, but I knew that he was there in spirit and always in our hearts.

Shadow is different from Benny but just as wonderful and truly a unique little friend in every way. We are so blessed to have him with us to share each moment and "live in that moment as he does."

The fact is that none of us is promised tomorrow. We only have now.

"Write in your heart that every day is the best day of the year. Yesterday is ashes; tomorrow wood. Only today does the fire burn brightly."

Like Cassie, Benny is watching over us.

Like Benny, Shadow enjoyed opening his presents and fell asleep on his new teddy bear, comforted in knowing that he was surrounded by people who love him. I try to "Live in the moment as Benny taught me to do when he was fighting his battle with cancer." It was such a good lesson and did take time. I am still learning that lesson.

God Bless you my dear friend. I hope you will soon find some peace.

Blessings,
Joanne & Shadow

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jeffers

so true joanne those words are so powerful to us all here.... and it is so important to live for now..... best wishes ev1