bailey arrived a bundle of yellow lab fur and energy....she left us with grace and love after 9 1/2 years. the emptiness left behind is so much larger than 4 paws and a wet tongue. my other child, my other partner, the 2nd mother to my children, our clown, our best friend, our constant love....bone cancer ended her days here with us. the long goodbye let us love her even more for months. she would not want us sad, but this pain is excruciating for now. smiling at the memories will come someday....
somebody please tell me how to live now

When we lose someone close to us, our reality changes, things never 'go back to normal' we just learn to live in the new reality, without them. That is how you live now, one minute, one hour, one day at a time. Feeling out the new reality. It's not easy but it is possible.

I'm so sorry you lost your child, Bailey. She sounds very special. Only 9 poor baby, it's so hard. When you can I'd love to hear more about her and see a picture.

Thinking of you and Bailey

I'm so sorry to hear about Bailey. My cat Alley was 9 when I lost her in December and it just doesn't seem like that is nearly enough time to have with them. There is nothing really that can make the pain go away but it does ease some with time. Bailey will always be special and will always be with you, in your heart.

Sometimes talking about them helps, and when you're ready, we would love to hear more about Bailey and see a picture. We are all here for you, and we have all lost someone we loved, so we truly do understand.

"How to live" is what grief is all about and there are no easy, quick fixes. We try as best we can to get through each moment w/o our beloveds physically here by our sides. We weep, scream, sit in silence, think, rethink, search for answers, give up searching for answers to every little thing, doubt our faith if we have one, rediscover our faith or find a new one that we can live with, we hope, we crash, we despair, we feel guilty for taking a positive step forward, we live in the past and the present and cannot see a future.....we now live on the roller coaster of emotional chaos, for as long as it takes us to find some equilibrium again, which might be weeks, months or years in the making. We do all this and more on this grief journey. Our grief is unique to each of us, and yet there are many commonalities we share here, among other friends who understand and really CARE about our furbaby's loss, and who care about US as we mourn them. You will find many kind and sympathetic ears here. I know I have.

You obviously had a very full and fulfilling relationship with your girl and I'm sure she would accept your grief over her just as she accepted all of you for who you are and what you feel. The smiling will come in time, as you do your griefwork, or will be mixed right into the many moments of sorrow.

Sending my condolences on the passing of your furchild and more, Bailey.

Dear MissingBailey,

I know exactly the empty feeling you have. You have my sympathies. I hope you are holding tight to those around you and take comfort in them.
Take care
Velma (Moyia's Mom)

Bailey's Mom,I am so sorry you are feeling so awful right now.It is only natural to feel the way you are feeling because you lost a member of your family and that hurts.I lost my baby boy Sox back in Oct. and it still hurts.There is no simple cure for the pain,I guess it just takes time.....Try to remember that you did everything you possibly could for him and that he passed on knowing that you and your family loved him and that he loved you in return.I will keep you in my prayers and I hope you find some peace in knowing that you are not alone in your pain.I know how it feels and I know you don't get over it in just a few short days.It will take some time.I promise you that one day you will be able to think of him without crying and that the memories you hold in your heart will be fond ones and not that of his last day.Take care and please come back as often as you need to,we all understand the pain you are going thur and it hurts so much.Sincerely,Renee (Sox's mom)

HI Bailey's Mom, I am so sorry for your loss, we just lost our golden retriever on Christmas morning, I wish I had the words or the way to go on....you just do the best you can each day and somehow each day you learn to live just one more day without your beloved buddy...its a weird experience and one that doesn't ever go away...someone said here on this site, you just learn to live with the pain, your wonderful loving memories do help soothe, at least for a while. Take time, just one day at a time, and come here, this site absolutely saved me, there are some very wonderful people here who are a big support. God Bless you and your Bailey. Peace and Love, Tory, Hrudey's momma

Hi, Bailey's mom - we just lost our 14 year old schnauzer, Pepper, to cancer this morning.

I don't have many words right now but I wanted you to know you are not alone in your grief and I know exactly what you're going through.

I am so sorry.

i so appreciate the comments from everyone. this is a great forum for our sadness. every day does get a little easier even though sad thoughts sneak up and attack!! she sure was more presence in this house than 4 paws and a wet tongue...

bailey's mom

I know what you mean about things sneaking up on you. Some days I will think I'm doing ok then just a simple stray thought will creep up on you and it all comes rushing back.

Bailey was and is, more than four paws and a wet tongue. She was your darling baby and always will be a special part of your life.

I agree, I wouldn't know what to do without this place and everyone here. Its nice to be able to "remember" them, with others who feel the same and truly understand.

My husband is going through the stages of 'how I can I live with this' , too. We got out of the house today to look at some animals available through a mobile adoption and we were going to visit a friend but he just wanted to go home. The sad thoughts do sneak up and attack and they can knock us off our feet just when we thought the day would go well. Post some pictures of Bailey when you are able to, would love to see them.

thank you to everyone for the kindness...it is 2 weeks today. i have tried to include a picture several times but am unable to shrink what i have on the computer and have been unsuccessful. it is too painful to keep looking at her on the screen and not at my feet. imagine an 80 lb very light yellow slim-faced (vs boxy) beautiful happy laborador retriever girl....now with angel wings....