It's a shame, but I can no longer come here and find the peace and comfort I've come to expect from LS. I've encouraged Abby's Mom, CheriAnn, and Ann all to stay and not be driven away by the ill will of a few, only to find myself fed up with the whole situation and face the reality that this site has been tainted and will simply never be the same, at least for me.

I've met many wonderful, kind, caring, people here and and I'll always be grateful for all the help I've been given over the past eight months. I have always tried my best to help as many people as I possibly could while dealing with my own grief and I truly hope I've helped all the people I have replied to, even if it was just in a small way. I know my heart was always in the right place and I can honestly say I've never said anything on this board that was meant to hurt anyone.

This site was once a refuge for everyone who had lost a beloved pet and it was very comforting to know we could come here and talk about our feelings without being judged harshly and made to feel stupid for loving and missing our pets so much. My first post here was on Aug. 24, 2004 and I was in desperate need of help and understanding. I had lost my best friend, my buddy of almost twelve years and no one but the people here seemed to understand what I was going through.

In my first post here, I stated I had buried my dog in the backyard but I was missing him so much I had thought about digging him up just so I could hold him one more time---that's how bad I was hurting and I would have done almost anything, no matter how crazy to have him back. Luckily, no one told me I was crazy, in fact, many people said they had had the same feelings, which helped to put my mind at ease. The last thing a grieving person needs is to be made to feel stupid or crazy....where is the comfort and support in that?

Although I have REPLIED to hundreds of posts in the eight months I've been here, this is only about the fifth time I have actually POSTED. Helping others helped me deal with my own grief and that is what has worked for me. Others need to post more because that's what seems to help them the most....we are all different and different methods work for different people.

And we all know that there are always going to be people who are never satisfied no matter what you do. I find it irritating that there are people who lurk about, monitoring the board, never offering any real comfort, understanding, or support to anyone (on the board), but always waiting to pounce on anyone with whom they don't agree. This is clearly not what this board was intended for but that seems to be exactly what has been happening lately.

Like Ann, Abby's Mom, CheriAnn, Pamela, and Steph...I think it's time to move on and let all the new members bond with each other as we did and maybe LS can once again become the "shelter from the storm" for people who are heartbroken over the loss of a beloved pet.

LS has served its purpose well for me and I will be forever grateful to MD Cohn for making this site available for so many years. I will leave my "Tribute to Little Man" in the memorial section of this website and visit it from time to time, it's something that will always be special to me and I hope others who read it will find it helpful in some way too.

I leave here with no hard feelings toward anyone....I wish everyone the best and I hope to hear from all of my old friends from time to time.

May everyone have the peace and love we all need.

__Jim

Dear Jim, I will always keep your words of kindness and your caring words about my little girls close to my heart. I want you to know how much I appreciate all you have said to help me on my way to healing. I could not have made it without LS and all of the wonderful people. Now that my trust has been broken knowing it is not safe to post my feelings on here without ugly words being said.... Well I just do not feel safe in posting my feelings. I wish the best to everyone too and hope they find comfort and healing in their journey.
Love, Ann

Dear Jim,

I think many of us feel as you do now. I know I do. This site is just not the same anymore and that is as you said, "a shame". I suppose we all must move on at some point. It's too bad that the decision to move on was "forced" upon many because of unkind words.

I've also replied to hundreds of posts since I joined and only actually posted, I think two. For me, reaching out to others, if only with a few words of comfort made me feel better.

I want to thank you for the kind words you spoke to me when I first posted. Your tribute to Little Man will bring comfort for so many for years to come. The life you shared with your precious buddy was so wonderful - a true love story and the way you told it was so very heartwarming. That's what LS is all about.

Take care of yourself and thank you for being so kind.

Love,
Lynn

Dear Jim,

Your story of Little Man and your kind words to me have helped me more than you'll ever know. You lost Little Man almost exactly one month before I lost Shiloh and because of that I feel a special closeness to you. Reading your tribute to Little Man and seeing your progress with your healing has helped me more than words can describe. I can't help but think that our furbabies had a paw in bringing all of us together. I've often said that the one good thing that came from Shiloh's passing was that I met some wonderful people who really did renew my faith in humanity...and you, Jim, were one of them.

Thank you for all your words of support to me, and for all the kind things you've said about Shiloh.
Love,
Kathleen

Jim,
Your tribute to little Man...I will remember the rest of my life. It was so heart felt and it gave me a visual of what your life was like with your little buddy. You were one of the first to respond to me and your words meant so much, once I read your tribute I knew that you knew how I was feeling. Thank you for reaching out to me. Forever a sister in this journey. Pamela

Dear Jim

You know how very much, "Your Tribute to Little Man", helped me when I first came here in December; when I was completely beside myself with the grief of losing my beautiful little Ellie, and I want to thank you again so much for that.

Somehow reading your wonderful and compassionate words of your love for Zoey showed me that it was okay to be feeling the way that I was. That it was okay to feel and express the tumultuous depth of feelings that were going on inside of me. It made me feel, "not alone", in feeling the way that I did. I felt I could say and post whatever it was that was in my heart and all the wonderful people here would understand ... and they did ... bless them all.

I understand what you are saying, I too have a similar feeling, I think. Also for me it's a feeling of not wanting my precious and beautiful little Ellie and her memories to be anywhere other than in a place of love and peace and understanding, which is what this site has always been. I think that is what has upset me the most, because I have always thought of LS as the place where Ellie's memories had their final resting place and I don't want them (and her) to be anywhere other than somewhere beautiful, loving and peaceful.

I'll always remember your dear and precious Zoey and what a very special soulmate he was to you Jim.

With love
jilly

Why is everyone leaving? I need your help. Please don't go.