It was one year ago today I came to this place. I didn't know what to expect.

My wife & I moved into our babies room and there slumped halfway over her little bed was the the body of our ferret, Chase. I picked her up and my wife burst into tears. I cried and held my baby close....I stroked her soft fur imploring her to "wake up'. I begged God for a reason....why....why did you take her so soon? It wasn't fair....didn't seem right. She was only 4 and we will never know what happened that day when seemingly safe in her cage she slipped out of our lives forever. With heavy hearts, my wife and I moved into the backyard and laid our little baby to rest on that cold November night one year ago today. I love you and miss you so much Chase.

This has been difficult to write. I have sobbed uncontrollably at times during the post. It is 6:30 in the morning and as soon as I awoke I thought of her. I will think of her much today. But today I am not begging for her back...for that is not the way of things...and like John B said in a post....the fine print states that they will be returned to their rightful owner. A testament to the fact that these great creatures are not "ours" as we so often refer to them. We are Gaurdians for these creatures, not keepers, hence the day will come for us all that He will come and claim what is His.

I will think of her much today. I will weep much today. I will thank my God for allowing me the privilege of having her in our lives. Tommorow is Rememberence Day. I will dress in all my medals with my best "bib & tuck" and go to the cenotaph. I will think about those who died long ago and freinds in arms that I lost during my brief encouters with the big ugly world. But my thoughts will also stray to my baby for it is an event that is filled with sadness and solitude, a "trigger" if you will for thoughts to fall upon the dead.

Take care my friends.........

My dear John, what a terribly difficult time for you , this one year marker of Chases' demise and what a time of year too, with icy winds, nature barren, cold, dark, a somber Rememberance Day tomorrow, made more difficult for you not only because of Chase but because of other memories as well....but are you like me, more enduring of other memories because all in all, Chase tops it all? ... A small but significant consolation. Despite it all, somehow I hope that you will be 'held' by Chase, that Chase will find a way to reach YOU, her keeper, her guardian and hers reason for the love she now knows.


Thanks for reminding me that it is indeed a privilege to know these souls, to fuse them into our eternal world of love. I have a file where I keep lovely thoughts for moments like this, may I share two such thoughts with you today? here they are and know that thoughts of comfort will be with you throughout these difficult days ahead.
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Take care dear John, know that your sadness springs from the same well as your joy used to come from and that one day, that well which has become deeper from the sadness you are experiencing will be filled with joy again. This is my wish to you. Courage, Toonie

Thank You so much my freind. Your words are of great comfort....

...and yes...I do believe it.....


Take care..........

John, I am sorry for your anniversary reminder. My Little Guy left on Sept 10 so today was my 2 month anniversary and it is very hard. I left a post on my thread of HOw do I stop crying? saying I was told this morning that my husband thinks I should stop grieving and that today's date is not special, etc. He is lucky as his grieving is less intense but on the other hand, he belittles mine as if I should copy him but I am not him. You are lucky you are able to cry without someone being upset with you for doing so.

How awful it is for you to not know what happened and I believe something like that can make one grieve longer.....the uncertainty of it all.

Take care, John, and cry all you want to. We are all here for you and for each other, especially when some of us are made to feel we have no other outlet.

John, my thoughts as well will be with you today, and for Remembrance Day tomorrow.

Certainly your tears for your beloved Chase will mingle alongside those for your fallen comrades and painful memories of the past, and only those of us who know of your personal heartache will be aware that they're not confined only to human lives lost. Nor does the life of your beloved girl deserve any less honour of remembrance than any fallen soldier, for she was/is the celebrated opposite of all that war is. She was/is LOVE.

As I sit in the minute of silence on Remembrance Day, I, too, will be remembering the sacred life of your dear Chase, and the special ways she imprinted her love upon your soul for all time, and beyond. Let your tears for her be badges of honour for all she brought you and yours and for her bright spirit to continue to shine in your hearts. She does not lay sleeping, but carries on her legacy of love both next to you always, and in the spirit plane all around you.

She is your own special "torch; be yours to hold it high."

John,
There are so few words that really help us *get through* the terrible grief and you have a tough weekend ahead of you. I will be holding you in my heart and praying for you. I can only say that I wish for you peace in your soul and a way to get through the sadness.
I am thinking of you with warm hugs,
susan

John

I'm just so sorry. I'm thinking of you. Chase deserves all the tears you have shed for her.

Love

John,

I'm so sorry I wasn't here for you on Chase's day saturday. With my own day coming up next month, and already dreading it, I can imagine how hard a day it was for you and your wife.

I will light a candle for Chase tonight. My thoughts are with you during this difficult time.


Paula

I want to thank everyone that posted their words of comfort. Chase would have loved you all...

Paula....please I implore you not to feel this way. You like others here hold special places in the part of my heart that grieves. I know you are bring stricken with a dark time by the dreaded "anniversary day". It is odd...now that the day has passed the grief has subsided and the fond memories of Chase are now becoming stronger than the ones I have of her in death. The mind can be a cruel thing when it comes to the management of grief. You are here Paula...thats all that counts. I will be watching for you.....

John, I'm so sorry that you were feeling down a couple of days ago. But, I'm happy that you have also found some joy in your memories of Chase. That is wonderful. I know it was a hard road to get though. I'm getting there also although there are still some bumps left on the road for me to get over. I just wanted to let you know that I'm happy for you for it seems that you have found some inner peace. I believe our furry friends would rather us remember them w/ a smile on our faces then w/tears. Chase would be proud of you. Thank you for the hope k9pal

Dear John,

I am so very sorry. One year must be especially hard. Please take a bit of comfort in the fact that the words you've shared with us, here, have helped so many of us. When Peaches got sick last November, and I was new to this site, you were suffering your own losses. Yet you still gave me words of encouragement, and I will not forget that.

As always, I am wishing you & your wife peace. You have a giant, beautiful heart. Thank you for sharing that with us.

Love,

Kim

Oh John,
Thinking of you on such a bitter anniversary. I am so sorry for your loss of little Chase. I hate to admit that you are right- we are just guardians who must return them back to their rightful owner. It hurts so much but you are right.
Wishing you peace during this difficult time.