Dear little Luba,

Tomorrow it will be three months since you were ripped out of my life. I still miss you more than I can express in words.

I have been focusing on keeping your buddy Falkor happy and healthy. One way to do this is by not crying and feeling sad all the time. It does not mean that I don't miss you.

Now, suddenly, I new dog has pretty much been dropped into my life. She's a golden retriever, like Falkor, and she may be coming to live here in October. For now, she's coming over for frequent visits to see if she and Falkor get along. Falkor just loves her. I resisted at first, but she seems to be winning me over too.

Luba, my dear "Little Dog", you know that you were my one special dog. I would do anything to have you back, just for one day. This isn't possible, so I have to move on myself. No dog will replace you, but I feel that I am desperately needed by this new dog. Perhaps she will join us, perhaps she won't , but I'm giving her a chance.

I hope that wherever you are, you are looking down at us, and giving us your blessing.

With much love - Steph

Dear Steph:

Hi! I know that you miss your sweet precious, "Little Dog", Luba terribly....
Three months.........goes by so very quickly...

I feel that, in my heart, Luba gives you a very, very special blessing, , should this new friend
of Falkor, become a new family member....
No question in my heart at all, Steph....Luba is without question, so fine with it!!!!!

I'm sure that Luba was always "very, very sad, whenever you showed signs of sadness...."..
???Right???
Our babies don't want us to be sad....
They would always do anything to make us happy and to keep us happy...

So, I know that your sweet Luba gives you blessings of all kinds.....and, I know that if this new Golden
Retriever keeps Falkor happy.............then, Luba is all for it........

Steph, life goes on.............it does.....and, our sweet furbabies, I know, would always want us to be
happy..............

I know that our precious Ernestine was there on 3/6/2004, when we went to the shelter and chose our
two new family members.......Ms. Lucy and Mr. Yoster....
Ernie was ALWAYS UPSET if I was....... I even feel Ms. Lucy "has a little of Ernestine in her, which is comforting."

I believe that all of us..........who have loved our pets, "furbabies"......... were just made with so
much love in our hearts, that one day.......(for some, it's a day, a month.........for others, a very long
time.........), we need to give our love to another furry being...

That's the way God made us, I think!...........

God Bless you, My Friend.....

Love, Denise

Hi Steph--
hope you don't mind my eavesdropping on your conversation with Luba! I agree with Muffins--if it is right and the time is right--Luba will ok it!
I am glad Falkor may have another companion --and that you too might have another companion! Yours is a great big heart to share!
Love,
Patti

Thanks for checking in Denise and Patti,

Anniversary days are difficult, but it is getting easier...

Kimba, the potential new dog, is visiting again this afternoon. It will be a very lengthy adoption process, but that's ok by me. It will make sure that we are all a good match.

Kimba is a great name! Let us know more as it goes so we can have some vicarious smiles!

It's been a little over 3 months when my Sonnet was set free of her pain (June 12th). I can relate to what you're going through. I miss Sonnet so very much, especially on the weekends. I am also going to adopt a lab in the near future through a local lab rescue group. I will take my time as you are, to make sure it's the right match for me, and to know that Sonnet will send the right one to me, one she knows has what I need.
Sonnet's Mom

Good luck Sonnet's mom!

Taking it slow is the way to go in our situation. I'm finding the whole experience very rewarding.

It looks like I will be adopting Kimba, but even if, for some reason it does not work out, I have managed to move myself on somewhat. I will always be grateful for Kimba's appearance in my life at the time when it happened.

Keep me posted!

Steph

Hey Steph,
I'm sure Luba is looking down and smiling on you, Falkor and Kimba. Luba is very proud of you, I'm sure.

I sent you an email/pm earlier today before you posted this, but I'm not sure if you got it. I wanted you to know I'm thinking about you.
Take care.
Marcia

Hi Steph,

Three months? I would think that seems like forever. It's been six weeks for me but it seems like eternity. I'm dreading the holidays. Thanksgiving, Christmas--Little Man always loved the holidays because he knew he'd get to eat losts of things he didn't normally get. I suppose things won't ever be the same---guess we'll be doing the anniversary thing from now on.

You're in my thoughts,
__Jim

Marcia, thanks I got your PM and replied. Hope you got it. Thanks for thinking of me.

Jim, I remember when I first got on here someone posted that it had been 8 months since their dog died. I coudn't believe that 8 months after Luba would ever exixts. Now I'll be at four months on October 5th.

I'm really dreading Thanksgiving. I'm in Canada, so it comes the weekend of October 9th (really soon!). Last year, my girl and I were up in northern Ontario over Thanksgiving. She was running around in the woods so happy and full of life. Sometimes I still can't believe she's gone. It was so QUICK.
June 3 at night: playing ball
June 4th: in the morning: collapsed
June 5th: dead at the vet's - no chance to say goodbye

Nuts.

Steph,
I'm right there with you. Yesterday was 3 weeks since I last snuggled my little guy. I truly never knew this would affect me like this. I dread the Holidays, too. Dieter had a stocking and he would get so excited when I would hang them. He knew where his was and all you had to do was ask him "where are your presents" and he would run to the hearth and jump up towards his stocking. When I would get on the floor to wrap presnts he was right there with me, waiting for an empty roll of paper so he could run wild with it in his mouth, and always getting it stuck in the doorways. Oh all these memories that mean so much and now hurt so much at the same time.

Your Luba has such a sweet face. I remember that she worked with you, just like Dieter did here with me in my home office. This has really changed a lot of our daily lives. I don't question anymore, I'm at the acceptance point, because I really don't have a choice. My husband has suggested looking for another dog, but I just don't know if I will ever be ready. I'm happy for you that you hopefully have found a match in Kimba. You will know it's right, I believe Luba knew you needed a new friend.

Your in my thoughts.
Libby

Hi Dear Steph:

How are you doing?????

I've been thinking of you Steph, along with your precious Falkor and Kimba.............

God Bless you All.....

Will Kimba have a permanent residence with you guys????
Just wondering..............

You know, about the "times", they go by soooooooooooooooooo fast........

It has been EIGHT (8) months since Ernestine left to go to Rainbow's Bridge.......................
I cannot believe that it has been that long........

I wonder why I don't cry anymore about her??? But, I think it's because for 3 months before she was
put to sleep, I was already "getting ready for the day..............."
You know?????

I loved her more than anything........... She was my favorite girlfriend..........
But, life does go on...........I know that she would want me to be happy.......
And, I KNOW SHE HAD A PAW IN HELPING US CHOOSE OUR NEW "FURKIDS"...
(Lucy and Yoster...........)....

I KNOW THAT YOUR PRECIOUS LUBA IS LOOKING DOWN AT YOU WITH LOTS OF TAIL WAGGING, AND
SMILES..................
SHE WANTS HER MOMMY TO BE HAPPY................
THAT'S ALL THAT SHE WANTS...........

If you are happy Steph, then she'll be happy...........

If your sweet Falkor and Kimba are "meant to be", then I know that LUBA will see to it...........

God Bless you Guys!!!!!!!!!!!!

Love, Denise

Hi Denise,

Thanks for checking in on us!

Falkor and Kimba will be having their first sleepover together on the upcoming Thanksgiving weekend. (I'm in Canada, our Thanksgiving is next weekend).

Keep your fingers crossed for us...

I am glad that you are opening your home to Kimba to see if she is a good "fit". It will take longer to open your heart again, but that will come with time. Your love for Luba (pretty close to love in Ukrainian) is proof that your heart is as big as a house.

I am also sure that Luba is happy for you!

dee dee