Hello:

I am new to this group.

My dog Winnie, a golden lab mix of 12 years died from complications of bone marrow cancer last Saturday. It's really been difficult as (and not to sound pathetic) I was laid off the day before...hence I have had a lot of time here in the house to think. What's even worse is to see how my Rita (14 years old, spaniel mix) is feeling the effects of our loss. She follows me everywhere, making countless trips up and down the stairs...this from a dog who has always been happy to be a couch potato and let the world roll by!

The house is so quiet, as Rita is now deaf and never hears a sound to bark at.

It's just amazing, what a void is caused by the passing of our companions. I am not one who usually talks about my problems, but it helps a bit, knowing that there are those who understand out in cyber-land.

Thanks for listening.

Joe

Dear Joe,

I'm so sorry for your loss of Winnie. You've had Winnie and Rita for such a long time...both you and Rita must be feeling a major void.

I'm also sorry to hear about being laid off from your job. I know after Shiloh died, my job offered a bit of an emotional escape from all the pain of missing Shiloh.

Please come here to the LS website and share your thoughts and feelings...it really will help with your grieving.

You're in my thoughts.
Kathleen

Dearest Joe,

I am so saddened to read about the passing of your beautiful loving baby Winnie.
Awww,poor Rita - just give her extra love and attention to try and help her with this loss and this will probably also help you as well to deal with precious Winnie's passing.

Yes,it is amazing how deep an impression our loving animals definitely leave on our hearts -but not surprising as they only give us love,joy and comfort in our lives.

You came to the right place to share your feelings.The wonderful people on here definitely understand and have helped me deal with my heartache so much as they will help you as well, in your time of need.

Dear Joe,

I am SO sorry that you lost your precious Winnie
After 12 years together, I know what a void that causes in your life. My Rachael also a battle to cancer and she was about to turn 12 years old. I just couldn't imagine my life without her after so long.

However, aren't we lucky to have had such wonderful years with our furbabies? As bad as the pain can get, I wouldn't give up those years with Rachael for all the money in the world. We feel this pain because we DO have such a special bond with them. There is no other love like the unconditional love an animal gives you. So, you will feel pain and grieve. Unfortunately, there is no quick cure for that. Time may feel like your enemy, but try to remember that it is your friend. In time, you will heal. You will never stop missing or loving Winnie, but one day you will smile when you talk about her. Come here often and tell us about your days. You will have some good and some bad, but whatever you feel, we have all felt it too.

Please give Rita lots of hugs and love! Other pets grieve too, however, I hear that they seem to bounce back and accept death quicker than we do. We have another furdog, but he is young, only 3 years old. He seemed so lonely without Rachael that we recently got another puppy.

I know how hard it must be since you are not working now. I have read that some people missed work after they lost their furbaby, but I chose to go right back into work. I cried alot at my desk, but appreciated the distraction and getting out of the house. You will have to find something constructive to do that will help you vent your pain in a healthy way. Please don't let yourself fall into a deep depression, or stop taking good care of yourself.

You gave Winnie a wonderful life! That's obvious by the long life she lived, as well as Rita. She is no longer suffering from the cancer, and she will always be in your heart!

My thoughts are with you,
Cheri

Thanks so much for the really kind words of support--it truly does help.

I am dreading this weekend, as tomorrow will be one week. I have plans for dinner out this evening, so that should help a bit, but tomorrow looks to be a long day.

I have a question...

When I had Winnie at the emergency hospital last Saturday, the staff made a clay cast of her paw print, which I now have in front of her picture in the living room. I have been looking for a special keepsake box, something about 5 x 5 inches in which I could place the cast so that it would be protected. I thought that either a little wood box with a hinged top or a glass one would do nicely...nothing fussy, but real taseful. I have checked the craft stores (Michaels, Pat Catan's) and the thrift stores, but either I find nothing or what I do find is so cheaply made. I was wondering if anyone here has done something similar and would happen to have a few suggestions?

Again, thanks for the support.

Joe

Dear Jim,
How are you holding up?

How wonderful that you too managed to get a paw print - so did I!I have 2 prints as a matter of fact.I just keep mine in a little white box for me only to touch.

I did however bake and glaze the prints to prevent the dust from settling on it. Ask the vet staff if the clay can be baked.I think it is the self hardening kind that they use.In that case you can glaze without baking.Just to be sure get the name of the clay and then ask the craft store what they recommend for glazing.
If it can be glazed then you should do this.That way you can polish it whenever it needs or paint Winnie's name on it.

If it is the baking clay - you just have to bake it for 15 minutes at about 130 C in the oven.Then let it cool.Once it cools you can do whatever you want to it.
The clear glaze you can get at the craft store.Just ask the staff there.

My paw print cast has already been baked. When I left the vet's that night, they gave me the cast plus the instructions on how to bake it. I immediately baked it after Rita and I had Winnie's burial in the flower garden right behind the house, close to the back door.

Joe

Joe-

I am so sorry for your loss of Winnie. I know you must be hurting so deeply. We lost our chocolate lab Lucy 2 weeks ago today to lymphoma. She was 5. The one week mark was really hard for me. I found a beautiful candle made by the cosmetics company Philosophy and it has a small poem/ reading about "Grace," something that Lucy had lots of. It is Lucy's candle, and I lit it last Friday night at 6:45 when she passed. I will do it again tonight to mark the 2 week mark and will continue to do so until I feel I can stop. I miss her so much, but for me it is a nice way to memorialize her now that she is gone.

I also got a self-hardening cast of her paw print which I plan on glazing. I am not sure how to display it either so some of those suggestions were helpful. Hang in there...time does dull the sharp pain. Give Rita lots of hugs and love. You guys probably need each other a lot right now for support. I am so sorry for you loss..

Caroline

Dear Joe,

How thoughtful of your vet to take a paw print.
It sounds like Winnie's body was laid to rest in a beautiful place.

Did you glaze the paw print?

I have another suggestion.Perhaps you can try looking in a specialty gift shop.They usually sell different kinds of gift boxes for keepsakes.Not sure if they may they have what you are looking for but it is worth a look.
Or try a stationary store.They usually have all kinds of gift boxes - maybe not glass but clear acrylic.
I'm also positive that you will find what you are looking for if you do a search on the net.

Good luck in your search for the perfect box for the perfect paw print.Let us know what you find.

Dear Joe,
I am so sorry for your loss.
losing a pet that has been a part of your life for so long does leave a huge void.
I know, becasue I lost my dear little Indy to cancer. He was my furry companion for over 10 years.
It's been 8 weeks and I still grieve deeply for him.

What a wonderful keepsake....having Winnie's pawprint. I have a lock of Indy's hair.
I looked for a box and actually found a number of things to choose from from a website that sells pet urns and other keepsake items.
Here is the link.
Thinking of you during this sad time.
Fran

http://www.paws2heaven.com

Dear Joe,
So sorry to hear about your loss of dear Winnie. Poor Rita must wonder what's happened to her old friend. You have come to a wonderful site, where we all know too well the heartbreak & emptiness you are feeling at the moment - there are so many in this world who don't understand it. So nice that you have a pawprint of Winnie's. My thoughts are with you.
Love,
Elsie

Dear Joe,

So sorry for your loss of precious Winnie. That's great that you have the paw print. I'm sure you'll find the perfect place to keep it.

That's a shame you lost your job, too. Although I didn't want to return to work after I lost Rusty, it did help getting out of my "empty" house. Hopefully, you'll find another job soon.

Everyone here will help you through your grief.

You're in my thoughts.
Lynn

Hi Joe,
I am sorry that you lost your little Winnie and that Rita is taking it so hard. It is just so hard when we lose our precious babies. That is so nice you were able to burial Winnie in the flower garden. I have a clay paw print of my Snookie and I put a ribbon on it and hung it on the wall. It breaks my heart and I kiss it when I walk by but also gives me much comfort.
Ann