Tomorrow it will be a week that we had Tico (our husky) put to sleep. I held his head on my lap on the way to the vet. It still hurts almost as much as that day. The hardest part is coming home from work knowing he isn't here. I haven't grieved this much with my other pets. I guess Tico was just my special one. He started out his puppyhood as the eternal teenager- always cutting up and being crazy. Then he settled down and became a beautiful grown up boy, and we did everything together.

He even helped save my life. When I quit smoking, I stuggled for months. Whenever I needed to get my mind off it, I would grab the leash and off we would go... in all seasons. He was the one who enjoyed sunsets with me and I always noticed how the sunsets glowed on his white fur- kind of a peach color. We shared watching crows, and the song of the wind. If I ever needed to cry, I just buried my face in his fur and he stood there not even moving. He accepted anything that I was or did.

I have decided to make a donation in his name to one of the rescue organizations who are helping with the Katrina victims- the 4 legged ones. And maybe when my heart is stronger, I will volunteer for our local pet rescue group. It's all I can think of to do right now.

May we all heal soon
Cathi

Dear Cathi, What a beautiful tribute to Tico's memory.

I know how you feel. You will always miss him and all those wonderful times you shared with each other. The pain does lessen over time and you truly will start to focus more on the wonderful years than on those final moments at the end.
Hugs...

Hi Cathi,

I think what you are doing is absolutely wonderful, a great tribute indeed. I have thought of some of those same things but knowing that I am still so fragile, I don't have the strength to go to a shelter or rescue place and see more little faces needing love and attention. I have the love to give them, but right now I am feeling like I need to protect my broken heart from more pain. I want so badly to fill this void and get another pet, and we have considered a rescue one. But yet I am afraid and reluctant to make that step. All of the 'what if's' come to mind, what if the dog was traumatized and doesn't fit into our household, what if it has a bunch of medical problems and I have to endure losing it to illness again. And on and on it goes. Your story sounds much like ours, Bogie was our best friend and it's obvious Tico was yours too. Coming home after work has been one of my most difficult times too, knowing Bogie won't be inside to welcome me. We are fortunate to have shared such a special bond with our four legged babies. One week behind us on this journey of sadness and grief and I can't say as I feel much better. We still have to get his ashes back, and I think that will help a little, cause we want to do a memorial type thing for Bogie then. For now, it's one day at a time. Please hang in there Cathi and let's all keep sharing our thoughts and ideas. Hugsss to you
Bogie's Mom, Beth