Today is 1 week since I lost my precious Rosa. It has been the toughest week of my life. Rosa was my 12 y/o longhaired Daschund. I have a surviving shorthaired Daschund named Heidi. I't 8:50 A.M. my time now. I put her down last Friday at 10:30 A.M. I just can't wait for that time to pass. I won't be able to do anything until it's over. Last night I was talking on the phone and said Rosa's name. Heidi started running all around the house again looking for her. I try not to ever mention the name. I only say to Heidi that I miss her too, not her name.

Tomorrow I will be going to a Grief meeting of pet owners. I'm sure I will give and get hugs and we will share our sadness.

Yesterday was a pretty good day. Only about 3 outbursts of crying not lasting very long, although Rosa is constantly on my mind. I'm sure this will be the case for quite some time. I have been showering Heidi with gifts and treats. I better be careful with the treats as I'm sure I will fatten her up in no time.

Well, thanks for allowing me to ramble this morning. I will post again later on. Thanks to all who have responded to my previous posts. It has all been so helpful. You are kind and wonderful people. Rusty :-))

Dear Rusty,
I am thinking of you at this one-week mark. Today is my three-week mark. I feel that I am doing much better than I was two weeks ago, but I know that sad moments will still creep in. That made me so sad to read that little Heidi starts running around whenever you say Rosa's name. Poor little girl who misses her friend. I am praying for you both as you mourn for your precious Rosa. I know how hard it is to miss such a special friend so much. I pray that Rosa will remain in your heart forever, and that you will be granted peace and comfort. (((Hugs))) Jenny

dear rusty,
am sending you special support on this day.

Dear Rusty, I know the pain so well but you just hang in there and things will get better for you and little Heidi. I am sure she misses her sister Rosa so much too. My vet told me that it would take around 3 months for the remaining pet to feel better.

I babysit my daughters toy poodle, she was over most of the time. It really left her feeling sad because she was raised with Chili Bean and Snookie. She got so bad that after she quit looking for them she would sit around and stare doing nothing.

So the vet gave her pills to help her along. Now she is playing again and my daughter gave her to me. Our quaker parrot often says Snookie when she looks at our miniature schnuazer puppy. I don't know if he can't tell the difference or what but it still hurts.
Thinking of you,
Ann

Dear Rusty,

The first week is the hardest. I know how you feel. I had an aweful first week after Sasha died.

I think it is a great idea to go to a pet grief meeting. I know corresponding with other people here on this site really helped me, and I think it would be even better if everyone were there to talk to.

I'm sending you best wishes and support on this day.

Nancy

One month ago today I would never have guessed there was such a thing as Pet Grief meetings. One month ago tomorrow, I could only wish there were such a thing in my town. I really hope the meeting is everything you're expecting. You were so good to Rosa, you deserve a quality support group to attend.

Our surviving dogs don't really react when they hear Qorqui's name. Tink (our miniature mixed breed rescue dog) never really got attached to Qorqui since she's pretty old and mostly just wants the other dogs to leave her alone, and Shelby (my son's Sheltie) is so high strung she can't focus on anything for more than a couple seconds anyway. Shelby wandered around kinda lost looking for a couple days, but after that she pretty much went right back to her usual spastic self.

I'm basically down to one good outburst a week now, and random episodes of leaky eyeballs in between. (You know, the kind where you're not actually crying, but you've got tears running down your face anyway.) That happens anywhere from once a day, to off and on all day depending on how much I have to focus on work and what have you.

I don't think anyone here views it as rambling. I know how therapeutic it's been for me just typing my thoughts on here, I'm sure it's pretty much the same for everyone else here too.

Let us know how the meeting goes.
Tim

Thinking of you, Rusty. I know that I felt the same way on Monday, which was my 1 week mark.
And I also have been spoiling my surviving dog with new toys and bones and treats. LOL
And yes, I have never mentioned Jasmine's name in front of Bailey. I don't want him to hear me or react.

I thank all of you for your support and compassion. I will let you know how the meeting went tomorrow. Thanks again, Rusty

I just wanted you all to know that I went to the Pet Support Group in my area for Grieving pet owners. There were about 10 people there, 9 women and me. It really didn't bother me. The meeting lasted about 1 1/2 hours. The moderator is a grief counselor and she was very helpful. We sat in a circle and there were 3 boxes of tissues in the middle of the room. By the way at one time or another all the tissues were used.

The truth is that it was beneficial, but I think coming here and posting daily and reading everyones story is just at beneficial if not more. I have become acquainted with lots of people here and kinda feel like you are family. The group I went to only meets once a month. Maybe I will go next month, time will tell.

Today is day 8 without Rosa. I cried only once today, other than the meeting. I still never finished vac%%mng the rest of the house after starting on Thursday. Can't bring myself to do it and get rid of the rest of the fur. I guess when I'm ready I'll do it.

Heidi (my surviving Daschund) is doing good today. I left her alone for 4 hours today. This is the longest time since Rosa's death. She seemed to be o.k., although maybe a little anxious. I gave her kisses and pet her and told her that she was such a good girl. We played tug of war all afternoon. Now I'm pooped and she is still ready to go.

I will close for now, but just wanted to report about the meeting. Hope everyone is doing well. Rusty