It has been 4 weeks today since I had to put my Rosa down. She was my 12 y/o Longhaired Daschund. The first 2 weeks were just horrible. I cried nonstop and was in physical pain. Since then I still cry daily, but the pain has lessened. I haven't been able to sleep this evening because today is 4 weeks since I had to put her to sleep. I have had a real rough day today.
I finally vac%%ed the living room carpet about a week ago of all her fur, but still haven't been able to do the hallway or the bedrooms. I'm afraid to invited anyone over due to the filthy carpet, but I'll do it when I'm ready. People will just have to understand.
Heidi, my surviving Daschund (short haired) seems to be doing better and doesn't look for Rosa quite as much. I think that is a good thing and she is starting to heal also. I look at Heidi in a much different way now. I look in her eyes and I see Rosa. Her mannerisms are much the same also. Heidi came to us 2 years after Rosa, so Rosa has raised her. Rosa was such a sweet and kind dog and I never noticed it in Heidi until after Rosa was gone. I told her this morning "You are such a sweet dog. That is because Rosa taught you to be sweet and you don't know any other way to act".
The only time Rosa would go nuts would be when the next door neighbors friends would come over with their Black Lab. He is a BIG boy and Rosa did not want him there. She would go over to the block fence and bark and bark and bark. The lab would counter with a very deep bark. Neither would back down until I would finally bring Rosa in the house. Well, the other day the lab returned for a visit. This is the first time since Rosa is gone. Heidi, who by the way always stayed in the house when the barking match was on, ran outside with her hair standing up on her back. She ran to the fence and barked once or twice. The lab let out a very deep WOOOOOOF!!!!. Heidi turned and ran in the house, whimpering the entire way in. I held her and told her it was o.k. She didn't have to be brave like Rosa. If she could speak she would probably say "Brave like Rosa. You mean crazy like Rosa. I don't want to get eaten by that thing".
When I feel especially sad, I come in here and read the stories of everyone. I figure I will do this when I'm sad so I can cry for everyone and myself all at the same time. It is so nice to see that many people are getting new pets. I hope they will bring joy to all. Thanks for listening and I will post again. Rusty :-))

Hi Rusty, I am sorry you are unable to sleep from missing your darling Rosa. I spend many nights like that myself from missing my babies. I am glad your little Heidi is not as sad as she was. My vet told me it usually takes 1 or 2 months for the remaining pet to get better.

I know how hard it must have been for you when you vacuumed the carpets. If your friends were to come over and they didn't understand well that is to bad for them. You will get the rest of it done when your heart is able.

I guess Rosa felt the black lab did not belong next to her property. Poor little Heidi being terrorized by such a big boy. I can just see her hurrying in the house. I'm sure she did not want to be eaten by him.
Hugs, Ann

Hi Rusty,

Sorry you're having such a hard time. 4 weeks really is not long at all. You're just beginning to become adjusted to not having Rosa in your life, in the physical sense. Hang in there and in time, things will get easier. I'm glad that Heidi is adjusting also. That was funny to read about her trying to be brave and then running back into the house to escape the neighbor's Lab

Take care,
Lynn

Dear Rusty,

The one month mark was really hard for me. Like you, I think the first two weeks are the worst. I lost my Sasha on Feb 5th and some days are still bad for me. I think this is a long process and you have to be patient with yourself. I am glad you still have Heidi. I know how much you miss Rosa. Not a day goes by that I do not think of my Sasha and miss her.

I will say that since I got my new puppy that some of the sadness is gone. She has brought great joy into my house. I still really miss Sasha and Shelby has not replaced her but has brought that positive puppy energy into the house.

I hope you feel better soon.

Nancy

Hi Rusty,
I too just went through my 4 week anniv. and I know how hard it is. I've been having a bad week because of it..crying everyday. This place has helped keep me going a lot. Hopefully you'll get some sleep tonight. Heidi needs you to be strong and healthy. Take care of yourself.
Audrey

Dear Rusty ~ I saw this post and was relieved to find out I am not the only one losing sleep over the loss of a dear animal family member ~ At first I slept at night because it was from exhaustion from the constant weeping ~ Easter weekend was the last time I spent with Amber and I keep reliving it now 4 weeks later ~ The past week I have not slept ~ waking every few hours ~ I still sleep on he sofa ~ I now realize I will never be able to sleep in the bed where Amber nestled next to my head night after night ~ It is all overwhelming ~ I cannot discuss it with others ~ the tears well up and I just weep once more ~ the whole thing is so hard and all I really want is for Ambie to be young and free again ~ and I know it is not the way of earthly life ~ I am trying to move forward and become more compassionate because of all this ~ but for now I ride the roller coaster of my grief ~ glimpsing a ray of sunshine now and then ~ hoping for us all to find our way ~ being part of this group really gives my spirit comfort ~ Sincerely, Kathryn

Rusty,
I totally understand how you feel. Gandalf is missing and on Monday it will be 4 weeks. I'm still clinging to the hope that he's out there and will be home soon. Every morning I wake up hoping today will be the day and each night I fall asleep missing my special kitty.

I can't move the blanket he slept on last, or empty and wash his foodie dish. I can't clean his litterbox either. I don't want him to come home and find his stuff has been taken away. I also feel that if I clean then there will be nothing left of Gandalf.

I loved your story about Heidi. She knew someone should be out there barking but I guess she decided it wasn't her

I have a black lab named Thor and we nicknamed him "Uncle" Thor because he looks after the kitties. Thor and Gandalf were very close and I know that Thor is still looking for his little buddy.

Everyday should get a little easier even though there will be days that it comes back and hits you hard. Someday you will be able to remember Rosa with smiles and thoughts of the joy she brought into your lives.

Hugs,
Dawn

Thanks for all of the above posts. It shows me that there are others out in cyberspace that have the deep and abiding love for their pets as we have. It's hard to lose part of your heart and still go along the way it was before. We lost our Sam three months ago but it's sometimes as hard today and it was on that terrible day. We were lucky to have him eleven years...so many lose such young pups. Unfortunately, it doesn't take more than a minute for them to become part of you.
Barbara and Sam 1/10/05