My dear Luba, my sweet "Little Dog",

Tomorrow will be one month since you left us. I'm trying to be upbeat more because Falkor really misses you, and his health problems with his hips are acting up. He deserves joy in his life.

It is so hard though. I miss you so very much. I wish that I could see you for just one hour, and play one more game of fetch with you. Then I'd rub your ears and tell you what a good girl you are. Just like I always did.

The office is empty without you. The people in the store downstairs from the office all feel so bad that you are gone. Falkor can't come in because the walk is way to far for him, so there is nobody lying under my computer keeping me company.

I often still look for you all over the house. I'm thinking of getting Falkor a female buddy sometime in the fall. I don't want to replace you, but God, he's so lonely. I'm hoping to keep him in good spirits any way that I can.

I miss you sweetheart and I hope you are ok.

Hugs and kisses from your "Steph"

ps- most of your stuff is gone because it freaked Falkor out a lot - he'd cringe if he smelled your toys. I have, however, kept your orange "birthday ball". It's got your teeth marks all over it!

Steph --I don't know what date I lost Ginger but I write to him all the time like you wrote to your buddy here.
I am glad you are considering another pal for falkor.
Sounds like you are doing as well as can be expected!
I get very very sad whenever I go into my own house through a certain entrance because that is where the accident happened.
sometimes I wish I could just go in a different way. or maybe go to a different planet.

I know how you feel.

Hi Steph:

I was very happy to read that you are considering adopting a female buddy in the fall.... I hope that you will.

I can tell you from experience Steph, that your "new little friend", will never & could never replace your sweet
girl, Luba. There's no way that will happen whatsoever.
One month after our precious girl, Ernestine went to the Bridge, Ben & I adopted Lucy & Yoda; (Yoda is now,
"Yo-Yo", "Yoster", etc.....) He has lots of names.

BUT, the very special love that Ernestine and I shared, Lucy & Yoster could NEVER BE HER REPLACEMENT.
Not in a million years....

We wanted to adopt two new "teen kitties" (they are 6 & 7 years old), because the silence in this house was deafening!
I couldn't stand it!!!!
And, because Ben & I had cats "all of our lives", it seemed natural to us to have one.. (but, this time two--so they can
keep each other company)....

Please, just know that Luba, she is very happy now --- she is at peace and is doing just fine.
And, I believe that our "animal family" does send signs......

Maybe you have received some already, but if you haven't, 'you will know when you do'.

I'm sorry to hear about Falkor's hips..... I think I recall in one of your posts, that Falkor is "a large breed", and I
have heard that those breeds usually get problems with heir hips.
I'm sorry that you can't take him to work..

I know "what it feels like, to want our babies back for even just 5 more minutes........."

Always remember, that you'll have Luba's beautiful & Precious memories of the two of you, together.
It's one of the most beautiful things that we are left with.....

Somedays, I just need to take out some pictures, and I look at my girl, and I remember all of the good times that
we shared together.. There were soo many.
In the end, there was sooooooo much pain.....
Her violent retching really, was the worst..... And then, she stopped eating....

If God didn't take her in her sleep, then we did what we had to do, for our girl -- because we loved her sooo much, we
hated to see her suffer.
She is at peace now, and she is with everyone's "furkids" who have gone to Rainbow's Bridge.

She'll be there when it's our turn --- Just like Luba will be there, when it's your time............

No doubt, your girl Luba will greet you with a ball in her mouth.............
"Mom, let's play a game of fetch!!!! "

God Bless you Steph!

You and your boy Falkor.... you are in my thoughts & prayers....

Love, Denise

I know the dates that my furbuddies went to the Rainbow Bridge, and even though it has been 3 years for Carmen, I still think about it every February 9. Now I will think about poor Oswald on Sundays around 12 to 2 now, and will for a long time. You are in my thoughts, you and Falcor. Anniversaries bring the grief back to us.

As for other pets becoming replacements, none of my cats is a "replacement" for any other cat. I do not believe that any other dog will be a "replacement" for Luba, because each bond is completely different. I miss Carmen and the Ozzer-boy because they were unique and I had them for such a long time, but I have started to bond with Em (who I got after Carmen passed as a companion for Oswald) and Alice (who I got last year to keep Em company after Oswald slowed down) and am enjoying them for their own personalities. (Em acted very strange after I took Oswald in for his last trip - they were truly buddies and I know she was missing him.)

Thank you so much for your kind words. It's been a draining day, but I'm a bit sick too, so that's probably part of it. Your support to me these past weeks has been such a wonderful help. Thank you so much.

I'll check back in tonight or tomorrow.