Robyn

My Dear Robyn,
When I lit Benny's candle today I read what you wrote about missing Rider. It is a terrible pain in your heart and I miss Benny more than I can express. Shadow is a wonderful puppy, but Benny will be forever in my heart. He was such a little trooper fighting to survive and he lost his battle and was too young to die, just like your Rider. Get in touch when you can. My email address is: the-gal@cogeco.ca. Love to hear from you anytime!

Love,Joanne

My Dear Robyn.
I am so glad that your kitten is okay, well, at least what she has is treatable. I am so glad that you have her. I hope your boyfriend's pup lives much longer. Perhaps she is missing Rider too. I have just finished cleaning the whole house in preparation for Shadow. I didn't wash Benny's blanket by the fireplace because Shadow might like to smell the sweet scent of our Benny. I had just washed it the night before Benny left us for the GREAT BEYOND!
BTW, my doctor who comes from Newfoundland also has her 2nd Golden Retriever. I think you have to think positively and another Golden may be perfectly fine. after all you have learned a lot from Rider's illness. Check out my friend Suzi's website at The Smiling Blue Skies Cancer Fund - smilingblueskies.com. Suzi has 3 perfectly healthy Goldens after losing BLUES to cancer.
Love ,
Joanne

Hi Robyn,
I am sorry to hear that your little kitten is ill. I don't think she could "catch cancer." Of course that is what we immediately think isn't it? I have been having a few big cries lately as well, missing my Benny and hoping that getting Shadow is not a mistake.?Then, how could loving another puppy be a mistake. We are excited but there will NEVER be another BENNY. I think of you every day. I just got back from my Dr. and she is from Newfoundland!

Love & Prayers,
Joanne

My Dear Robyn,
Congratulations on turning 30. You are still a "baby." What a wonderful gift! I am glad that you are starting to feel better. I am too but I miss Benny every day just as you miss Rider. We get our new puppy in two weeks and already have him signed up for puppy classes. Should be fun!
Take care and I DO THINK of you every day.
Love & Hugs,
Joanne

My Dear Robyn,
You sure did all the right things yesterday for all the moms in your life. I am sure that picture frame with the pictures in it and the Golden Memory was absolutely a "tear jerker" and "perfect." It is so sad that our puppies are not coming back because we were not ready to let them go. I feel the same way.
We missed Benny on Mother's Day. When anybody came for a visit he always took one shoe of each person and put them in the laundry room as if to say" welcome, glad you came, hope you stay." He was most happy when the house was filled with family and friends. I got lovely gifts and our youngest son and his wife gave me some really neat toys for SHADOW. I was spoiled by everyone and then a steak dinner and wine by my darling husband.
Take care of yourself dear Robyn. I know Rider will be in your thoughts every day as Benny is in mine.

Love & Hugs,
Joanne

My Dear Robyn,
I know you are missing Rider on Mother's Day. He was like your baby. I hope you get to spend a lovely day with your mom and try and remember the happier times when Rider was well. I think of you every day and wish I could put my arms around you and reassure your heart that you did everything you could for your precious Rider and he will forever be in your thoughts and always in your heart.
God Bless you and wish your mother a Happy Mother"s Day from me.

Love, Joanne

Hi Robyn

How are you doing? I have been reading your messages and candles you have lit for Rider. I know you miss him very much. People grieve differently however just wanted you to know that I had the same experiences in the early stages of the grieving process. After a month was up I would think OK I feel better today and then the next day would feel like week 1 again. It is normal to feel like you are moving on to the next stage of grieving and then you go back. It will be 6 months for me next week; I still shed tears though not as often as I did in the beginning and I can now smile more at the memories and talk about Goobie to friends without tears (sometimes). We will never forget our precious fur babies they will also have a place in our heart.

(((((HUGS)))))

Kerri

My Dear Robyn,
I am turning RED with so many accolades. I am really just a very ordinary person but I do care about others and especially those who have experienced losses in their lives. You are special to me and just a marvelous young woman with a heart bigger than you are. We all need each other and sharing our difficulties cuts our sorrows in half and sharing our joys, doubles them. I am glad your tears are less this week. The grief process takes a long time and tears will come and go. I still cry remembering my Wolfgang and my Willie Boy, who each filled our lives with love and companionship when our 3 sons were young.
God bless you and know that He is caring for Rider and also caring for you just as I am.
Maybe we will meet some day and yes, that would be AWESOME!
Love & Hugs,
Joanne

Dear Robyn,
I hope you had an okay week-end. I wish I could help you through this terrible time, but I am so far away. Just know that I am feeling the same without our Benny and I burst into tears at the least little thing. It takes a lot of time to get over the pain of losing such a precious,innocent friend. They did more for us than just love us. Perhaps in time you will be able to move on and get another beautiful Golden and love him or her. You have so much love to give and Rider would want you to be happy.
Love & Hugs,
Joanne

Dear Robyn,
It is natural to feel the way you do. I lit my candles for Benny today and it is 3 weeks since I lost him. The pain is excruciating even though I don't admit that when I post. I wanted him to grow old with me and now, here I am, old and NO BENNY BOY to be with me. I have been doing my cross stitch today and listening to music and when I did that Benny would always lie in his bed by the fire and sleep so peacefully and contentedly. I would show him how much I had done on the stitchery and he would look at it as if he understood and then lick my hand. It was special. You will someday be able to bring another GOLDEN into your loving home and share your wonderful heart with him. For now, you must take the time to grieve. Know I CARE! I wish I could wipe away your tears and give you a big hug. you are like a daughter, maybe granddaughter to me. Take care of your heart.
Love & Lots of Hugs,
Joanne