Well, here it is, 11 months today since I said goodbye to my Sasha. The tears have already begun to flow, and I've barely typed the first sentence. I miss her so much, I would give anything to hold her one more time. Last night, my dreams were filled with Sasha, and they were all so vivid. It made me feel so close to her again. I could even smell her when I woke up and could even remember the way her fur felt again. I have had a few dreams of her in the past, but they are usually short, and disconnected. Last night, In these dreams, I actually knew I was dreaming, and was trying to hug and kiss her as much as I could, because I knew I would wake up soon. It may have been because I thought of her so much yesterday (knowing today marked the last "month" anniversary, and it would from now on be "years", which is hard to swallow), or it could have been her trying to reassure me. Either way, the dreams were so "real" to me, that in a strange way, it was almost like I got to see her again, and it was the most wonderful thing in the world. This is the most comfort I have felt since I lost her.
Let me please take this opportunity to say that I am glad I received so many PM/e-mails from everyone asking me not to leave the forum. I honestly thought I would have been asked to leave, but the fact that I was shown nothing but support, restored my faith that most people out there do "get it" when it comes to "that subject". Actually, that whole situation has helped me to deal with this day, and the quickly approaching 1 year bridge anniversary, as it has made me realize just how great a life I provided for my Sasha. I can be proud of the way I loved, cared for, and provided for her, regardless of the situation. I know she is proud of me for fighting for others like her (she was a shelter baby, too), and that makes the weight of this pain I carry today a little lighter. I only wish all the babies could be as lucky as she was.
Just a short note about the gross ignorance that is still out there. I received an e-mail that contained the following statement:
"People like ehall make it possible for others to adopt shelter babies. If someone had not surrendered Sasha, you would have never known her love, do you condemn the person who surrendered her? " Of course my answer was OF COURSE I DO! I obviously love Sasha more than life itself, and can't imagine what my life would have been without her, but that doesn't mean I am grateful to the person who threw her away! I'm just as disgusted by them as I am any one who throws away their animals. It's not as though these people are providing some kind of public service!! People like myself adopt animals from the shelter because there is such a need to save these babies lives, not because we enjoy the luxury of having such a large variety to choose from!!!! Sometimes I feel like I'm beating my head against the wall......
Please say a little prayer for my beloved Sasha on this 11 month bridge day....
Love,
Kim
Full Version: A Prayer For My Sasha
I agree with your disgust. My two fur-babies are adopted from rescues. I am sorry that they had such paltry, poor existences before we took them in. One was abused and the other was going to be shot. I think those comments reflect very poorly on a segment of our population - the one that considers us to be far superior to animals, and considers a pet something to be discarded at whim. I hate to remind them, but we are animals, too. Grr-rr-rr.
I am sorry for your loss of Sasha. I have noticed that anniversaries reawaken the grief, not that it was far from the surface to begin with. A prayer for Sasha-at-the-Bridge. And one for you, too.
I am sorry for your loss of Sasha. I have noticed that anniversaries reawaken the grief, not that it was far from the surface to begin with. A prayer for Sasha-at-the-Bridge. And one for you, too.
I agree with what you said, No animal deserves be taken to a shelter, es[eacially a kill shelter. Anyhow, I hope that Sasha's one year at the bridge will go smoothly for you. I just realized Herbie's one month will be on my sister's 12th birthday,Which really isn't going to be fun at all. Sasha and you are in my prayers.
Dear Kim,
The dream you had sounds like a gift from Sasha. I'd say it was most definitely a visit from her. I had a dream like that about Shiloh in February. It was amazing...I could feel her fur, smell her, and the blue in her eye was clear sky blue.
Kim, I don't think I responded to your posts when you first joined here...I was busy with the end of the school year stuff, and I was tending to my sick kitty, Hobbie. So, I'd just like to say that I think Sasha was absolutely beautiful, and I'm so sorry you lost her 11 months ago. These anniversaries are so difficult, and I imagine that approaching the 1 year anniversary must be even more difficult.
You and Sasha are in my thoughts on her 11 month anniversary.
Kathleen
The dream you had sounds like a gift from Sasha. I'd say it was most definitely a visit from her. I had a dream like that about Shiloh in February. It was amazing...I could feel her fur, smell her, and the blue in her eye was clear sky blue.
Kim, I don't think I responded to your posts when you first joined here...I was busy with the end of the school year stuff, and I was tending to my sick kitty, Hobbie. So, I'd just like to say that I think Sasha was absolutely beautiful, and I'm so sorry you lost her 11 months ago. These anniversaries are so difficult, and I imagine that approaching the 1 year anniversary must be even more difficult.
You and Sasha are in my thoughts on her 11 month anniversary.
Kathleen
Dearest Kim,
I'm so sorry, I didn't realize it was Sasha's 11 month anniversary (wasn't checking the boards much). You KNOW my heart is with you.
No anniversary is fun when it's about loss, but I know what you mean - no, not a YEAR!....already! I remember and I wish I could physically be there with you to give you hugs galore. I'm awfully glad you got a good chunk of real support to counter that other comment.
On that note, once again, you've hit the nail on the head with your observation that these dumpers aren't providing a Public Service! Exactly. Now we're supposed to actually give them pats on the back for their irresponsibility?! If that comment you received is meant to be some kind of 'upside' to the tragedy of homelessness, I could just SPIT! ppuuhh!
It always amazes me...the twisted reasoning people can come up with when the truth hurts too much for their egos to take.
Something I think everyone should consider here. Just as you would not want responsible animals types to be driven out of a community (by backward animal control bylaws, for example), neither do I think it wise to wish to rid these boards of those who really epitomize the high standards of ideal responsibility in the fight against homelessness (and all its attendant problems in/for/of society) of animals. If this board ends up being filled only/mainly with those who are the direct cause of these problems, those same people won't be getting the same level of honest, unhypocritical, deeply understanding support that people like Kim (and others of like mind) currently provide. These boards, and all the people who use them, as well as the animals they are meant to honour, would not be well served should this happen. It's ironic, really, that the need for boards like this arose out of that incredibly close connection some of us have been so priveleged to experience with animals, and yet it is being eroded right before our eyes. Something to think about....and yes, Sasha AND you are in my prayers (and I, too, think your dream was a visitation!)
I'm so sorry, I didn't realize it was Sasha's 11 month anniversary (wasn't checking the boards much). You KNOW my heart is with you.
No anniversary is fun when it's about loss, but I know what you mean - no, not a YEAR!....already! I remember and I wish I could physically be there with you to give you hugs galore. I'm awfully glad you got a good chunk of real support to counter that other comment.On that note, once again, you've hit the nail on the head with your observation that these dumpers aren't providing a Public Service! Exactly. Now we're supposed to actually give them pats on the back for their irresponsibility?! If that comment you received is meant to be some kind of 'upside' to the tragedy of homelessness, I could just SPIT! ppuuhh!
It always amazes me...the twisted reasoning people can come up with when the truth hurts too much for their egos to take. Something I think everyone should consider here. Just as you would not want responsible animals types to be driven out of a community (by backward animal control bylaws, for example), neither do I think it wise to wish to rid these boards of those who really epitomize the high standards of ideal responsibility in the fight against homelessness (and all its attendant problems in/for/of society) of animals. If this board ends up being filled only/mainly with those who are the direct cause of these problems, those same people won't be getting the same level of honest, unhypocritical, deeply understanding support that people like Kim (and others of like mind) currently provide. These boards, and all the people who use them, as well as the animals they are meant to honour, would not be well served should this happen. It's ironic, really, that the need for boards like this arose out of that incredibly close connection some of us have been so priveleged to experience with animals, and yet it is being eroded right before our eyes. Something to think about....and yes, Sasha AND you are in my prayers (and I, too, think your dream was a visitation!)
Furkidlet's mom,
I have had so much weighing on my mind lately, and I have been so confused as to whether or not it is truly best to stay at LS, not only for me, but for others as well. I hate to think that I have been offensive to those here that I have grown so fond of, but I have tunnel vision when it comes to animal abuse and neglect, and unfortunately, I sometimes think no further than the animals who suffered. We all know that I'm not the best at "delivery" when it comes to wanting to express my feelings, but I am very emotional lately. I experienced some very unhealthy resentment over the ehall post, and thought to myself "how dare this person". She hands her young, healthy, happy dogs over to someone who may potentially kill them with no questions asked, and I (and so many others here) left no stone unturned when it came to doing the best for my baby, not only to save her when the end was drawing near, but during the entire 16 years I was blesed with her. I would LITERALLY give one of my limbs to have her back.."How dare she want my sympathy!I". It was soon after that post that I decided that I had to accept the fact that when it came to the furbabies,unfortunately, not everyone feels the same as I do. I just can't save them all. I am still receiving so much healing from reading all of the other's posts and replies, that I didn't really want to leave here just yet. I decided from now on, I would bite my tongue, and only respond to those posts that I was truly moved by, those I could understand, and feel their pain. Well, I no sooner came to that decision when I log on to find a post about yet another tragic loss of a precious furbaby that could have been easily prevented. I have kept my feelings about it to myself, as I still will, but it just made me realize that although everyone here may truly love their pets, there are a select group here that truly love their furbabies. Even LS support drew a line in the sand when he stated ehall had to do what was necessary to preserve her family. I have finally found the "difference" between myself, and others like ehall, and those who "understand" why she did what she did. My furbabies are my family. I can honestly and truly say that I love my animals on the same exact level that I love my daughter. That is why I will NEVER understand someone abandoning their animals. They are not some "luxury" for us to have as long as it is convenient, and then throw them away if they begin to put a crimp in our plans. They are not disposable articles, they are living, breathing, feeling babies!! I can't expect everyone to love their animals on the same level that I do...God knows that would be asking alot...all I ask is for people to respect that these animals are the most wonderful gift God has ever given us. I think we sometimes forget that just because they can't voice it to us, they experience the same emotions we do, which include lonliness, sadness, and feelings of worthlessness. They are the most perfect (in every sense of the word) living creations that will bless us with undying, unconditional love, without any questions asked. They don't care if they are lavished with fancy collars, fluffy beds, painted toenails, all they want is a pat on the head and the secure feeling of being wanted, yet it seems so out of reach for so many of them. I have gotten myself all upset again, and feeling so hopeless that we will never see change for our poor homeless furbabies. Although I must say that my honest feelings are that there is no such thing as right time or right place when it comes to something like this, I will do my best to bite my tongue from here on out, but that doesn't change my passion, or mean that I am giving up the fight!!
I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something. I will not refuse to do the something I can do. -Helen Keller
Love,
Kim
I have had so much weighing on my mind lately, and I have been so confused as to whether or not it is truly best to stay at LS, not only for me, but for others as well. I hate to think that I have been offensive to those here that I have grown so fond of, but I have tunnel vision when it comes to animal abuse and neglect, and unfortunately, I sometimes think no further than the animals who suffered. We all know that I'm not the best at "delivery" when it comes to wanting to express my feelings, but I am very emotional lately. I experienced some very unhealthy resentment over the ehall post, and thought to myself "how dare this person". She hands her young, healthy, happy dogs over to someone who may potentially kill them with no questions asked, and I (and so many others here) left no stone unturned when it came to doing the best for my baby, not only to save her when the end was drawing near, but during the entire 16 years I was blesed with her. I would LITERALLY give one of my limbs to have her back.."How dare she want my sympathy!I". It was soon after that post that I decided that I had to accept the fact that when it came to the furbabies,unfortunately, not everyone feels the same as I do. I just can't save them all. I am still receiving so much healing from reading all of the other's posts and replies, that I didn't really want to leave here just yet. I decided from now on, I would bite my tongue, and only respond to those posts that I was truly moved by, those I could understand, and feel their pain. Well, I no sooner came to that decision when I log on to find a post about yet another tragic loss of a precious furbaby that could have been easily prevented. I have kept my feelings about it to myself, as I still will, but it just made me realize that although everyone here may truly love their pets, there are a select group here that truly love their furbabies. Even LS support drew a line in the sand when he stated ehall had to do what was necessary to preserve her family. I have finally found the "difference" between myself, and others like ehall, and those who "understand" why she did what she did. My furbabies are my family. I can honestly and truly say that I love my animals on the same exact level that I love my daughter. That is why I will NEVER understand someone abandoning their animals. They are not some "luxury" for us to have as long as it is convenient, and then throw them away if they begin to put a crimp in our plans. They are not disposable articles, they are living, breathing, feeling babies!! I can't expect everyone to love their animals on the same level that I do...God knows that would be asking alot...all I ask is for people to respect that these animals are the most wonderful gift God has ever given us. I think we sometimes forget that just because they can't voice it to us, they experience the same emotions we do, which include lonliness, sadness, and feelings of worthlessness. They are the most perfect (in every sense of the word) living creations that will bless us with undying, unconditional love, without any questions asked. They don't care if they are lavished with fancy collars, fluffy beds, painted toenails, all they want is a pat on the head and the secure feeling of being wanted, yet it seems so out of reach for so many of them. I have gotten myself all upset again, and feeling so hopeless that we will never see change for our poor homeless furbabies. Although I must say that my honest feelings are that there is no such thing as right time or right place when it comes to something like this, I will do my best to bite my tongue from here on out, but that doesn't change my passion, or mean that I am giving up the fight!!
I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something. I will not refuse to do the something I can do. -Helen Keller
Love,
Kim
I don't know where you are, but have you heard about the breed ban in Denver, Colorado? Pit bulls have been banned and apparently animal "welfare" agents are actually going to people's homes, taking their dogs and "euthanizing" them. Hathor is NOT a pit bull, but people often say she looks like one. I don't live in Coloradao, but I think about this a lot. I really think I might kill anyone who tried to take Hathor away from me (or any of my babies). I've been pondering what I might be able to do (as I am NOT a resident of Colorado) to help get the ban appealed. It makes me sick.
Kim,
My heart goes out to you. I know how difficult the anniversaries (month-iversaries??) can be. The pain comes back even more so on those days. Today is Canada Day which is usually one of my favourite holidays. It's also exactly one month since Duke passed so it's going to be an especially rough day for me. The dog that I had before Duke, a gorgeous Sheltie named Princess, died on November 1, 2002 so the first of each month has been associated with grief since then for me.
Some people say that time heals and in some ways, it does. In other ways, however, it can make things harder. I personally find myself missing Duke more every day because it has been that much longer since I held him.
On a different note, I'm glad you stayed (and were not kicked off). I have to say that I don't condemn everyone who surrenders their animals to a shelter. There are some "acceptable" reasons but those are the minority. I'm sure there are plenty of animals that need homes after owners die, are permanently hospitalized, or are physically unable to care for their pets. I also have read of various cases in which victims of domestic violence have surrendered their animals because their partner was abusing it as well. In those cases, I wish the victim had the courage to leave with the animal. It seems they believe the animal deserves better than they do. Those cases necessitate enough of a need for shelters. The people who throw away their animals are the reason that kill-shelters exist. Those I do condemn (despite my previously misplaced sympathy).
Please know that I'm thinking of you and Sasha. I'm sure she's proud of you (as am I).
Tracy
My heart goes out to you. I know how difficult the anniversaries (month-iversaries??) can be. The pain comes back even more so on those days. Today is Canada Day which is usually one of my favourite holidays. It's also exactly one month since Duke passed so it's going to be an especially rough day for me. The dog that I had before Duke, a gorgeous Sheltie named Princess, died on November 1, 2002 so the first of each month has been associated with grief since then for me.
Some people say that time heals and in some ways, it does. In other ways, however, it can make things harder. I personally find myself missing Duke more every day because it has been that much longer since I held him.
On a different note, I'm glad you stayed (and were not kicked off). I have to say that I don't condemn everyone who surrenders their animals to a shelter. There are some "acceptable" reasons but those are the minority. I'm sure there are plenty of animals that need homes after owners die, are permanently hospitalized, or are physically unable to care for their pets. I also have read of various cases in which victims of domestic violence have surrendered their animals because their partner was abusing it as well. In those cases, I wish the victim had the courage to leave with the animal. It seems they believe the animal deserves better than they do. Those cases necessitate enough of a need for shelters. The people who throw away their animals are the reason that kill-shelters exist. Those I do condemn (despite my previously misplaced sympathy).
Please know that I'm thinking of you and Sasha. I'm sure she's proud of you (as am I).
Tracy
Saki & Freyja's mom,
I'm going there in 3 weeks!!! My In-Laws live there and we are going for a visit! I'm going to call them as soon as I get off the computer to try and get some more info. on this! They own a little 3 pound Pomeranian, so I think they're pretty safe
, but they are animal lovers just the same and would be horrified at this! The funny thing, come to think of it, is as many animals as I have encountered in my life, I would be more afraid of the Pom than I would the pitt!! I have never met a Pitt that wasn't a total sweetheart, yet I have had my hand ripped open by a little Pom! GO FIGURE!! I'm not a violent person in any sense of the word, but there would definately be blood shed if anyone ever tried to take my babies from me!!
Tracy,
I'm sorry you also have the painful memory of your loss of Princess, when you are having such a hard time with Duke being gone right now. I thank you for being proud of me for fighting the battle for our babies who can't fight for themselves, and more so, for saying Sasha would be proud as well. It is her love that has shown me how wonderful shelter babies are, and they aren't there because they were bad dogs, they are there because they were owned by bad people. As far as the other stuff goes, I said I would bite my tongue from now on.........
Love,
Kim
I'm going there in 3 weeks!!! My In-Laws live there and we are going for a visit! I'm going to call them as soon as I get off the computer to try and get some more info. on this! They own a little 3 pound Pomeranian, so I think they're pretty safe
, but they are animal lovers just the same and would be horrified at this! The funny thing, come to think of it, is as many animals as I have encountered in my life, I would be more afraid of the Pom than I would the pitt!! I have never met a Pitt that wasn't a total sweetheart, yet I have had my hand ripped open by a little Pom! GO FIGURE!! I'm not a violent person in any sense of the word, but there would definately be blood shed if anyone ever tried to take my babies from me!! Tracy,
I'm sorry you also have the painful memory of your loss of Princess, when you are having such a hard time with Duke being gone right now. I thank you for being proud of me for fighting the battle for our babies who can't fight for themselves, and more so, for saying Sasha would be proud as well. It is her love that has shown me how wonderful shelter babies are, and they aren't there because they were bad dogs, they are there because they were owned by bad people. As far as the other stuff goes, I said I would bite my tongue from now on.........
Love,
Kim
Saki & Freyja's mom,
I guess, since I am not referring to someone's personal post about the subject, it's safe to comment on what I have found out about the Pit Bull ban in Denver
. You are absolutely right about the ban. When I asked my sister-in-law why they haven't mentioned it to me before, her response was "do I really need to answer that"...they know me too well! 
! Well, I know about it now, and I have gotten the list of officials I need to write to so I can politely { <_< } let them know how I feel about it. She told me that they have had a serious problem with an abundance of Pit attacks, and the numbers of busts on dog fighting rings, so they started out trying to ban just the buying, selling, or breeding of Pits in the city limits. They found out very quickly that there are too many ways around those types of laws. Now, they are literally driving up to peoples houses, and taking their Pits away to kill them. I can't imagine...it makes me sick to my stomach to think about. They say that it is warranted, because they gave plenty of warning, via news, radio, and even sent mail to those who had Pit Bulls on file at the Denver veterinary clinics, saying they had 30 days to relocate the dogs out of the city or they would be taken and destroyed. They even include mixed Pits in this ban, and say that if it even looks like majority Pit Bull, they will take it. I can't believe this is actually happenning to peoples precious furbabies. It reminds me of some kind of Holocaust.....
Kim
I guess, since I am not referring to someone's personal post about the subject, it's safe to comment on what I have found out about the Pit Bull ban in Denver
. You are absolutely right about the ban. When I asked my sister-in-law why they haven't mentioned it to me before, her response was "do I really need to answer that"...they know me too well! ! Well, I know about it now, and I have gotten the list of officials I need to write to so I can politely { <_< } let them know how I feel about it. She told me that they have had a serious problem with an abundance of Pit attacks, and the numbers of busts on dog fighting rings, so they started out trying to ban just the buying, selling, or breeding of Pits in the city limits. They found out very quickly that there are too many ways around those types of laws. Now, they are literally driving up to peoples houses, and taking their Pits away to kill them. I can't imagine...it makes me sick to my stomach to think about. They say that it is warranted, because they gave plenty of warning, via news, radio, and even sent mail to those who had Pit Bulls on file at the Denver veterinary clinics, saying they had 30 days to relocate the dogs out of the city or they would be taken and destroyed. They even include mixed Pits in this ban, and say that if it even looks like majority Pit Bull, they will take it. I can't believe this is actually happenning to peoples precious furbabies. It reminds me of some kind of Holocaust.....Kim
Kim,
You have some beautiful memories remaining of Sasha. I will be thinking of Sasha in my heart on her 11 month anniversary at the Bridge.
You have some beautiful memories remaining of Sasha. I will be thinking of Sasha in my heart on her 11 month anniversary at the Bridge.
QUOTE (Furkidlet's Mom @ Jun 30 2005, 10:38 AM)
Sasha AND you are in my prayers (and I, too, think your dream was a visitation!)
Deb,
I just had to rub it in that I figured out how to work this stupid quote box!!!
HA_HA!! 
!Love Ya,
Kim
Pit bulls have been banned here in Ontario Canada as well.. While they aren't going so far as to go to people's houses and take the dogs and destroy them (thank goodness.. I can't imagine having someone do that.. I would defend my dogs life with my own if needed), they cannot be bred or bought or any new ones brought into the province. While I understand the fear as there have been a lot of attacks, I also know that it's NOT a case of a bad breed, rather bad breeding. Owners make bad dogs... Some of them are mentally unstable through no fault of their owners but this is true in all breeds. My brother had a rotti, another breed that many are terrified of.. Sid was the sweetest dog I've ever met.. I'd take care of him when my brother was out of town and he'd sleep with me and cuddle and just loved being near people. He would only get defensive when someone was threatening my brother or me, which is true of most dogs.. they are protective of those they love. It is a case of bad people in most cases, not bad dogs, with some exceptions. But like I said those exceptions run thru all breeds, and Pit Bulls shouldn't be singled out.
Kim, been thinking about you... haven't had the strength to post too much positive or comforting words, so I haven't... but know I have been thinking of you as you go through this anniversary.
Kim, been thinking about you... haven't had the strength to post too much positive or comforting words, so I haven't... but know I have been thinking of you as you go through this anniversary.
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