Hi Kitroll
I have to agree with you on everything you said -- it's almost like it's getting harder now that it's over 7 weeks instead of easier. I can't drive anywhere in our town without thinking of all the walks we took. We walked everywhere! The guilt I feel about leaving for vacation next week in unbelievable. I feel like I shouldn't allow myself the chance of being happy or something. I too never thought it would be this hard and right now I don't know if I can ever dare to love another dog again. I know the happiness they bring far outweighs this grief -- but right now all I can think about is the overwhelming grief and sadness.
I am so sorry for the loss you're feeling for your dog, Ernie - Sammy was just over 11 years old too and I feel like we took such good care of her -- why didn't she live longer? Why didn't Ernie live longer? I don't know what to say to make you feel better -- I wish there were something I could do for you because I know how awful this feels. About all I can say is that I pray for everyone on this site daily - that we can all find peace and happiness again.
Sharon
Full Version: My First Dog - My Love Left Us 12/7/09
Click to view attachment
Hi Mommy,
You will always be my favorite girl I love you
Your Angel Sammy
xoxoxoxo
Hi Mommy,
You will always be my favorite girl I love you
Your Angel Sammy
xoxoxoxo
Oh Anna
thank you so much for that last picture of Sammy -- you'll never believe this - but one thing my husband and Sammy used to do was wink at each other. He'd wink at her and then she'd wink right back -- she never winked for me -- but it was their thing.....thank you so much.
Sharon
thank you so much for that last picture of Sammy -- you'll never believe this - but one thing my husband and Sammy used to do was wink at each other. He'd wink at her and then she'd wink right back -- she never winked for me -- but it was their thing.....thank you so much.
Sharon
Click to view attachment
Sharon you dont have to thank me. Just hopeing to bring a smile to you, I know how hard it is
trying to make it through each day with out our angels.
Hugs
Anna & Angel Max
Sharon you dont have to thank me. Just hopeing to bring a smile to you, I know how hard it is
trying to make it through each day with out our angels.
Hugs
Anna & Angel Max
Hey Little Sammy baby
2 months ago today you left us. It's hard to believe that this much time has passed. Some days I feel better, but most days my heart still feels as if it's been ripped out of my chest and I can't breathe too well. I miss you so much.
Daddy and I were in Arizona on vacation this past week. It was happy and sad -- first time we've been gone and didn't have to take you to Grandma and Grandpa's to have them take care of you for us. I know it was a sad week for them too.
A couple of things happened while we were away -- on Wedsnesday - Feb 3rd - we drove to Sedona and visited the Chapel of the Holy Cross -- I lit a candle for you and asked God to help us find peace and to be able to comes to terms with your passing -- I asked God to send me a sign that you were okay. Well - I went to kneel by daddy and say more prayers and I looked over to my left -- a lady was half kneeling- half sitting in the first pew and all of a sudden a little white dog popped up in her lap. It wasn't a westie, but baby -- I've never ever seen a dog in any church much less a white one -- just right after praying - so I'm taking that as a sign that you're doing okay. I miss you and love you and wish you could ocme back to me. In a heartbeat I'd take you back my love. Then yesterday we were walking through the street fair downtown Lake Havasu City and some people walked by with a westie. Daddy asked them if we could pet their dog. Their let us pet her -- of all things -- her name was Shammy -- about as close to Sammy as you can get. She gave us both kisses and let me pet her for a long time -- or what that your spirit that gave us those kisses? It made me miss you even more -- to feel that fur and those kisses and hold the dog in my arms -- in was heart breaking, but felt good too. Have a great night -- I love you forever -----
Momma
2 months ago today you left us. It's hard to believe that this much time has passed. Some days I feel better, but most days my heart still feels as if it's been ripped out of my chest and I can't breathe too well. I miss you so much.
Daddy and I were in Arizona on vacation this past week. It was happy and sad -- first time we've been gone and didn't have to take you to Grandma and Grandpa's to have them take care of you for us. I know it was a sad week for them too.
A couple of things happened while we were away -- on Wedsnesday - Feb 3rd - we drove to Sedona and visited the Chapel of the Holy Cross -- I lit a candle for you and asked God to help us find peace and to be able to comes to terms with your passing -- I asked God to send me a sign that you were okay. Well - I went to kneel by daddy and say more prayers and I looked over to my left -- a lady was half kneeling- half sitting in the first pew and all of a sudden a little white dog popped up in her lap. It wasn't a westie, but baby -- I've never ever seen a dog in any church much less a white one -- just right after praying - so I'm taking that as a sign that you're doing okay. I miss you and love you and wish you could ocme back to me. In a heartbeat I'd take you back my love. Then yesterday we were walking through the street fair downtown Lake Havasu City and some people walked by with a westie. Daddy asked them if we could pet their dog. Their let us pet her -- of all things -- her name was Shammy -- about as close to Sammy as you can get. She gave us both kisses and let me pet her for a long time -- or what that your spirit that gave us those kisses? It made me miss you even more -- to feel that fur and those kisses and hold the dog in my arms -- in was heart breaking, but felt good too. Have a great night -- I love you forever -----
Momma
QUOTE (Westiesam/Sharon @ Feb 7 2010, 08:20 PM) 
Hey Little Sammy baby
2 months ago today you left us. It's hard to believe that this much time has passed. Some days I feel better, but most days my heart still feels as if it's been ripped out of my chest and I can't breathe too well. I miss you so much.
Daddy and I were in Arizona on vacation this past week. It was happy and sad -- first time we've been gone and didn't have to take you to Grandma and Grandpa's to have them take care of you for us. I know it was a sad week for them too.
A couple of things happened while we were away -- on Wedsnesday - Feb 3rd - we drove to Sedona and visited the Chapel of the Holy Cross -- I lit a candle for you and asked God to help us find peace and to be able to comes to terms with your passing -- I asked God to send me a sign that you were okay. Well - I went to kneel by daddy and say more prayers and I looked over to my left -- a lady was half kneeling- half sitting in the first pew and all of a sudden a little white dog popped up in her lap. It wasn't a westie, but baby -- I've never ever seen a dog in any church much less a white one -- just right after praying - so I'm taking that as a sign that you're doing okay. I miss you and love you and wish you could ocme back to me. In a heartbeat I'd take you back my love. Then yesterday we were walking through the street fair downtown Lake Havasu City and some people walked by with a westie. Daddy asked them if we could pet their dog. Their let us pet her -- of all things -- her name was Shammy -- about as close to Sammy as you can get. She gave us both kisses and let me pet her for a long time -- or what that your spirit that gave us those kisses? It made me miss you even more -- to feel that fur and those kisses and hold the dog in my arms -- in was heart breaking, but felt good too. Have a great night -- I love you forever -----
Momma
2 months ago today you left us. It's hard to believe that this much time has passed. Some days I feel better, but most days my heart still feels as if it's been ripped out of my chest and I can't breathe too well. I miss you so much.
Daddy and I were in Arizona on vacation this past week. It was happy and sad -- first time we've been gone and didn't have to take you to Grandma and Grandpa's to have them take care of you for us. I know it was a sad week for them too.
A couple of things happened while we were away -- on Wedsnesday - Feb 3rd - we drove to Sedona and visited the Chapel of the Holy Cross -- I lit a candle for you and asked God to help us find peace and to be able to comes to terms with your passing -- I asked God to send me a sign that you were okay. Well - I went to kneel by daddy and say more prayers and I looked over to my left -- a lady was half kneeling- half sitting in the first pew and all of a sudden a little white dog popped up in her lap. It wasn't a westie, but baby -- I've never ever seen a dog in any church much less a white one -- just right after praying - so I'm taking that as a sign that you're doing okay. I miss you and love you and wish you could ocme back to me. In a heartbeat I'd take you back my love. Then yesterday we were walking through the street fair downtown Lake Havasu City and some people walked by with a westie. Daddy asked them if we could pet their dog. Their let us pet her -- of all things -- her name was Shammy -- about as close to Sammy as you can get. She gave us both kisses and let me pet her for a long time -- or what that your spirit that gave us those kisses? It made me miss you even more -- to feel that fur and those kisses and hold the dog in my arms -- in was heart breaking, but felt good too. Have a great night -- I love you forever -----
Momma
Hi Sharon--
What a deeply moving, touching story! How amazing, a small white dog in a church (!), and a Westie named Shammy. Those were signs, for sure! I hope you had a good time in Arizona. I live way down south, in a part that I don't like very much. My little community is really very lovely--it's up in the oak trees at the backside of Mt. Lemmon, north of Tucson--but there's no WATER here and I'm a swimmer, so I suffer every day that I can't swim. We don't even have a community pool! But northern Arizona is beautiful--just a little too cold for my tastes in the winter. There's a lot to see and do up there, isn't there?
I really don't have a lot of sage words in me today--just wanted to acknowledge the clear signs you got from your beloved Sammy...
Hugs--Margi and Ladywolf
Hi Margi and Ladywolf
I certainly think they were signs too -- plus every day we were down there I saw one sun dog -- only one. We hardly ever see sun dogs up here in North Dakota unless it's super cold -- I saw them the week we lost Sam. I enjoyed the warm weather and there is a ton of things to do in Arizona. I don't know if I could ever get used to not having green grass all summer long though. The rock lawns would take some adjusting to.
How is Ladywolf doing? -- I lit a candle for all the people on this site that are hurting too. If you ever get to Sedona, stop by that chapel -- it's a breathtaking view...
Thanks for listening to me.
Sharon
I certainly think they were signs too -- plus every day we were down there I saw one sun dog -- only one. We hardly ever see sun dogs up here in North Dakota unless it's super cold -- I saw them the week we lost Sam. I enjoyed the warm weather and there is a ton of things to do in Arizona. I don't know if I could ever get used to not having green grass all summer long though. The rock lawns would take some adjusting to.
How is Ladywolf doing? -- I lit a candle for all the people on this site that are hurting too. If you ever get to Sedona, stop by that chapel -- it's a breathtaking view...
Thanks for listening to me.
Sharon
Hey Sammy
Missing you like crazy today.
Love you always
Momma
Sharon
Missing you like crazy today.
Love you always
Momma
Sharon
QUOTE (Westiesam/Sharon @ Jan 2 2010, 11:52 PM)
Hi
My husband and I had to put our beloved Westie - Sammy to sleep on Dec 7th. It's been 26 days now and I don't know if I will be able to survive this loss. She was a part of our lives for almost 11 years -- just 5 days shy of having her for that time. She was my first dog and I miss her so.
Almost a year ago she quit eating some of her favorite foods and I didn't put two and two together. I feel like I should have noticed something was wrong sooner. In May she got really sick and two local vets told me she had severe gastritis. I then took her to two other vets - one out of town and they told me it was probably IBD. I put my poor dog through so many blood tests, xrays, barium xray, ultrasound, and endosopy to find out what was wrong with her. I feared it was cancer, but none of the 4 vets we took her too were able to confirm (or deny) that. She weighed 22.7 lbs at the beginning of May and the day we put her to sleep she weighed only 15.2 lbs. We also did two different allergy tests and they contradicted each other -- she was allergic to so many foods it was hard to find foods to feed her. When she kept losing weight, I hand fed her a can of dog food a day -- she didn't like me putting the food in her mouth - but she let me do it day after day -- I felt I needed to do this to keep her weight up and to hopefully turn around whatever was wrong. She allowed me to feed her this way for almost 6 months -- I know it wasn't normal to hand feed a dog, but I just wanted to save her. I even took her for acupressure treatments to hopefully help her. She just kept getting thinner and thinner - some days she would eat some of her dog treats in addtion to the canned food I gave her, but she still didn't get better or gain any weight back.
The day before we let her go, she vomited blood and just got so very sick. I knew in my heart that she probably had cancer -- and in tghe end, the vet felt that's what it probably really was too. My husband and I held her in our arms that Monday morning - we told her we loved her and they gave her the injection. She went very peacefully within a matter of seconds -- but my heart turly broke at that moment.
Coming home to an empty house was the worst thing. That day, for the first time in 11 years I actually went to the bathroom by myself -- Sammy followed me everywhere! My husband works out of town several nights a week - and she was my constant companion. I miss her so much and don't know how to get over this.
We got her ashes back about two weeks ago, and that helped me to somewhat -- but tonight now I'm all alone again and I so sad. People are telling me to get another dog, but I can't do that now -- I don't know if I ever want to put myself through this kind of grief again. I know people think I'm crazy for mourning a dog this much - but I can't help it -- I loved her so much and she's gone forever.
Thanks for listening to my story.
Sharon
My husband and I had to put our beloved Westie - Sammy to sleep on Dec 7th. It's been 26 days now and I don't know if I will be able to survive this loss. She was a part of our lives for almost 11 years -- just 5 days shy of having her for that time. She was my first dog and I miss her so.
Almost a year ago she quit eating some of her favorite foods and I didn't put two and two together. I feel like I should have noticed something was wrong sooner. In May she got really sick and two local vets told me she had severe gastritis. I then took her to two other vets - one out of town and they told me it was probably IBD. I put my poor dog through so many blood tests, xrays, barium xray, ultrasound, and endosopy to find out what was wrong with her. I feared it was cancer, but none of the 4 vets we took her too were able to confirm (or deny) that. She weighed 22.7 lbs at the beginning of May and the day we put her to sleep she weighed only 15.2 lbs. We also did two different allergy tests and they contradicted each other -- she was allergic to so many foods it was hard to find foods to feed her. When she kept losing weight, I hand fed her a can of dog food a day -- she didn't like me putting the food in her mouth - but she let me do it day after day -- I felt I needed to do this to keep her weight up and to hopefully turn around whatever was wrong. She allowed me to feed her this way for almost 6 months -- I know it wasn't normal to hand feed a dog, but I just wanted to save her. I even took her for acupressure treatments to hopefully help her. She just kept getting thinner and thinner - some days she would eat some of her dog treats in addtion to the canned food I gave her, but she still didn't get better or gain any weight back.
The day before we let her go, she vomited blood and just got so very sick. I knew in my heart that she probably had cancer -- and in tghe end, the vet felt that's what it probably really was too. My husband and I held her in our arms that Monday morning - we told her we loved her and they gave her the injection. She went very peacefully within a matter of seconds -- but my heart turly broke at that moment.
Coming home to an empty house was the worst thing. That day, for the first time in 11 years I actually went to the bathroom by myself -- Sammy followed me everywhere! My husband works out of town several nights a week - and she was my constant companion. I miss her so much and don't know how to get over this.
We got her ashes back about two weeks ago, and that helped me to somewhat -- but tonight now I'm all alone again and I so sad. People are telling me to get another dog, but I can't do that now -- I don't know if I ever want to put myself through this kind of grief again. I know people think I'm crazy for mourning a dog this much - but I can't help it -- I loved her so much and she's gone forever.
Thanks for listening to my story.
Sharon
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[color="#0000FF"][/color]
Sharon,
I so relate to what you wrote...especially about going to the bathroom..alone. This past Friday night, February 12, 2010, my little chihuahua Poncho, died in my arms. He was my baby and shadow for 10 years. It's too painful to go into detail now, but right now I hurt so bad I don't know if I will make it. My eyes are just slits from crying. I feel like an elephant is sitting on my chest and I haven't eaten since the night before he died.
I go tomorrow and pick up his ashes...his urn will be in Thursday maybe Wednesday. This is killing me. Just wanted to let you know that I know your pain very well.
Ponchosmommie
Ponchosmommie
I am so very sorry for the loss of your furbaby Poncho. What a beautiful little dog he was. You have come to the right place to be able to get help from all the wonderful people here. Just know that you are not alone in your pain. Today it has been 10 weeks since Sammy has been gone. I didn't think I'd live through it, but I am still living and it's slowly -- very slowly getting better. I still cry sometimes, but I don't have that terrible suffocating feeling -- the elephant on the chest feeling. Try to take care of yourself and come back and talk to us anytime you want to.
Sharon
I am so very sorry for the loss of your furbaby Poncho. What a beautiful little dog he was. You have come to the right place to be able to get help from all the wonderful people here. Just know that you are not alone in your pain. Today it has been 10 weeks since Sammy has been gone. I didn't think I'd live through it, but I am still living and it's slowly -- very slowly getting better. I still cry sometimes, but I don't have that terrible suffocating feeling -- the elephant on the chest feeling. Try to take care of yourself and come back and talk to us anytime you want to.
Sharon
Hey Sammy
Today was another tough day without you. I was cleaning the house after work and I moved the little footstool with the skirt around it and I found one of your chew bones that you must have hidden there. Baby girl, that brought me to my knees. I've been crying off and on ever since. I miss you so much. I don't know what to do to make myself feel any better. Why can't you come back to me? I love you.
Momma
Today was another tough day without you. I was cleaning the house after work and I moved the little footstool with the skirt around it and I found one of your chew bones that you must have hidden there. Baby girl, that brought me to my knees. I've been crying off and on ever since. I miss you so much. I don't know what to do to make myself feel any better. Why can't you come back to me? I love you.
Momma
Hey Sammy
Missing you like crazy -- it seems like it's getting worse instead of better. I love you my angel.
Missing you like crazy -- it seems like it's getting worse instead of better. I love you my angel.
QUOTE (Westiesam/Sharon @ Feb 20 2010, 05:33 PM)
Hey Sammy
Missing you like crazy -- it seems like it's getting worse instead of better. I love you my angel.
Missing you like crazy -- it seems like it's getting worse instead of better. I love you my angel.
Sharon--
I hear you and feel you, but it only gets worse temporarily--believe me. We have our peaks and and our valleys, and you're apparently in a valley right now. It will all get easier again if you keep the faith--whatever your faith is!
I'm sorry you're hurting so much--
Margi and Lady
Click to view attachment
Hi Sammy -- Here's the picture I took of you last year -- our last Christmas card of you. You were always such a sport and let me take pictures of you. I miss you and love you.
Hi Sammy -- Here's the picture I took of you last year -- our last Christmas card of you. You were always such a sport and let me take pictures of you. I miss you and love you.
Hi Sammy
I'm finding that so many things -- little things are making me miss you more and more -- the fact that it's lighter in the house in the morning makes me think of you and not having to leave a light on for you -- seeing the water dishes we kept in the garage for you or the little blanket you laid on out there when we were sitting around outside makes me so sad -- no more Sammy to be out there with us. I try not to dwell on the fact that you're not here anymore -- but I just miss you more and more every day. I had cut a few locks of your fur before we took you to the vet that last time and I was looking at it tonight -- it's so soft. I miss petting you. I'll have to go back to your favorite walking place to see if the jingle bell that daddy put some of your fur in is still hanging in that tree. We took that walk that day after you were gone and put it over there so a part of you would always be at your favorite walking place. You were a small dog - -but you were larger than life itself -- I miss you baby -- I hope you're safe and warm and happy.
Love you always.
I'm finding that so many things -- little things are making me miss you more and more -- the fact that it's lighter in the house in the morning makes me think of you and not having to leave a light on for you -- seeing the water dishes we kept in the garage for you or the little blanket you laid on out there when we were sitting around outside makes me so sad -- no more Sammy to be out there with us. I try not to dwell on the fact that you're not here anymore -- but I just miss you more and more every day. I had cut a few locks of your fur before we took you to the vet that last time and I was looking at it tonight -- it's so soft. I miss petting you. I'll have to go back to your favorite walking place to see if the jingle bell that daddy put some of your fur in is still hanging in that tree. We took that walk that day after you were gone and put it over there so a part of you would always be at your favorite walking place. You were a small dog - -but you were larger than life itself -- I miss you baby -- I hope you're safe and warm and happy.
Love you always.
Hi Sammy
Missing you like crazy again today. The house is so empty and quiet without you. Wish you were here again.
Love you
Momma
Missing you like crazy again today. The house is so empty and quiet without you. Wish you were here again.
Love you
Momma
Oh Sharon , that picture of Sammy is so adorable. I'm sorry you are feeling so sad. I'm thinking of you and sending hugs.
Love Jan xx
Love Jan xx
Hi Sammy
I'm home alone again -- wishing you were still here. But that isn't to be. I miss you but I know you're in a better place -- you're safe and warm and happy. Now I just need to figure out how to make myself happy again. I guess time will heal -- but it's been over 12 weeks now and some days it feels like you've been gone forever and then the next minute it still feels like yesterday. I hope you truly understand that I was only trying to help you get well --I never thought you'd leave us that soon. I'm going to put together a photo album of all your pictures we took over the years -- but right now I'm not up to it -- it's too sad to look at those right now.
I love you
Momma
I'm home alone again -- wishing you were still here. But that isn't to be. I miss you but I know you're in a better place -- you're safe and warm and happy. Now I just need to figure out how to make myself happy again. I guess time will heal -- but it's been over 12 weeks now and some days it feels like you've been gone forever and then the next minute it still feels like yesterday. I hope you truly understand that I was only trying to help you get well --I never thought you'd leave us that soon. I'm going to put together a photo album of all your pictures we took over the years -- but right now I'm not up to it -- it's too sad to look at those right now.
I love you
Momma
QUOTE (Westiesam/Sharon @ Mar 6 2010, 10:12 AM)
Hi Sammy
I'm home alone again -- wishing you were still here. But that isn't to be. I miss you but I know you're in a better place -- you're safe and warm and happy. Now I just need to figure out how to make myself happy again. I guess time will heal -- but it's been over 12 weeks now and some days it feels like you've been gone forever and then the next minute it still feels like yesterday. I hope you truly understand that I was only trying to help you get well --I never thought you'd leave us that soon. I'm going to put together a photo album of all your pictures we took over the years -- but right now I'm not up to it -- it's too sad to look at those right now.
I love you
Momma
I'm home alone again -- wishing you were still here. But that isn't to be. I miss you but I know you're in a better place -- you're safe and warm and happy. Now I just need to figure out how to make myself happy again. I guess time will heal -- but it's been over 12 weeks now and some days it feels like you've been gone forever and then the next minute it still feels like yesterday. I hope you truly understand that I was only trying to help you get well --I never thought you'd leave us that soon. I'm going to put together a photo album of all your pictures we took over the years -- but right now I'm not up to it -- it's too sad to look at those right now.
I love you
Momma
Hi Sharon--
That pic of Sammy is SO adorable, and what a cooperative little guy he must have been! I miss him too, and I never knew him!
Just wanted to check in and say hi and see how you're doing?
Hugs--Margi and Ladywolf
Hi Sammy
Missing you so much -- wish you were still here.
Momma
Missing you so much -- wish you were still here.
Momma
Hi Sammy
Today was an exceptionally hard emotional day. We drove to Fargo and the last time I was there was when I took you to that vet in October. I was remembering how happy I was that day when I was again told that you most likely didn't have cancer. Little did I know that in two short months you would be gone. We bought a different vehicle too and I feel so guilty -- I know that's stupid -- you really didn't like to be in the car much anyway -- but I feel like you won't know this one -- you won't be in this one, I don't even feel like I'm thinking logically about this at all. But I just feel like everything that had to do with you is all slowly slipping away. I wish I could wake up and this would all just be a bad dream and that you would be back. I love you and always will.
Today was an exceptionally hard emotional day. We drove to Fargo and the last time I was there was when I took you to that vet in October. I was remembering how happy I was that day when I was again told that you most likely didn't have cancer. Little did I know that in two short months you would be gone. We bought a different vehicle too and I feel so guilty -- I know that's stupid -- you really didn't like to be in the car much anyway -- but I feel like you won't know this one -- you won't be in this one, I don't even feel like I'm thinking logically about this at all. But I just feel like everything that had to do with you is all slowly slipping away. I wish I could wake up and this would all just be a bad dream and that you would be back. I love you and always will.
Dear Sharon
So sorry that you are having such hard days. It really is so dreadfully heartbreaking when we miss our fur babies so much. Hopefully soon the 'Happy memories' will start taking over your thoughts and make your days worthwhile again. Sammy will want his mummy to be happy and not suffering.
I am sending my love and hugs.
Thinking of you and your Angel Sammy.
Love Jan and my Angels and Pixie x
So sorry that you are having such hard days. It really is so dreadfully heartbreaking when we miss our fur babies so much. Hopefully soon the 'Happy memories' will start taking over your thoughts and make your days worthwhile again. Sammy will want his mummy to be happy and not suffering.
I am sending my love and hugs.
Thinking of you and your Angel Sammy.
Love Jan and my Angels and Pixie x
Sharon, I just read your story about Sammy and I'm sorry you have this pain. We lost our sweet cat, Frasier, last August to complications due to megacolon and we are now in the same boat that you were in with Frasier's brother, Niles. Like you, I am convinced that he has cancer even though nothing shows at the time. We do know he is in kidney failure, has non-regenerative anemia, and severe IBD. Your story touched me because of the similarities. I am hand feeding him now and his weight is terribly low. I'm praying for a sign for anything. Just anything, you know? Good or bad. If he can't rally then I want him to go peacefully.
What was Sammy like just before he vomited blood? I'm so scared that I'll miss my sign that it's time and I'll let him go too far. I'm so scared of the middle of the night crisis. Our emergency vet is very far away. With Frasier we were so fortunate that the vet was able to tell us that it would be hours before he would be in a crisis state so we put him to sleep right away to avoid that for him and for us. When you were nursing Sammy, were you obsessed with it? Listening for every little thing? Did you get terrible sleep, if any? Did you feel like you shouldn't go out and enjoy or do anything while he was there probably dying? I feel like a prisoner because it hasn't been long since I went through all of this with Frasier. I don't want him to go but I feel like I'm wrapped in a wet blanket of sadness all the time. I'm in a fog at work and in a slump at home.
Do you have any words to comfort me?
Also, I completely know what you mean about the new car. I was that way after Frasier died. I didn't want there to be anything he didn't know. I just felt so sorry for him that he didn't get to be with us and Niles and our dog, Buck.
Anyway, if you can help, I would appreciate it. I'm sorry you're having a bad day. I do hope it gets better for you.
Donna
What was Sammy like just before he vomited blood? I'm so scared that I'll miss my sign that it's time and I'll let him go too far. I'm so scared of the middle of the night crisis. Our emergency vet is very far away. With Frasier we were so fortunate that the vet was able to tell us that it would be hours before he would be in a crisis state so we put him to sleep right away to avoid that for him and for us. When you were nursing Sammy, were you obsessed with it? Listening for every little thing? Did you get terrible sleep, if any? Did you feel like you shouldn't go out and enjoy or do anything while he was there probably dying? I feel like a prisoner because it hasn't been long since I went through all of this with Frasier. I don't want him to go but I feel like I'm wrapped in a wet blanket of sadness all the time. I'm in a fog at work and in a slump at home.
Do you have any words to comfort me?
Also, I completely know what you mean about the new car. I was that way after Frasier died. I didn't want there to be anything he didn't know. I just felt so sorry for him that he didn't get to be with us and Niles and our dog, Buck.
Anyway, if you can help, I would appreciate it. I'm sorry you're having a bad day. I do hope it gets better for you.
Donna
Hi Jan and Donna
thanks for you words of comfort - it does help. I just seem to be in a really low, low place where the death of Sammy is concerned. I hope I can climb out of it soon.
Donna-Sammy wasn't eating well for the last 6 months of her life -- I hand fed her a can of dog food everyday -- we were also told she had severe IBD -- but in the end the vet suspected it was cancer that was intradermal -- small cells that didn't show up on all the xrays. She just kept losing weight. Most days she still wanted to go for a walk -- but the night she vomited blood she also had the shivers which I believe can indicate pain in an animal. She also had a high temp so we took her to the vet who gave her fluids and a shot of prednisone. That night she just got worse -- she vomited even her water. She also wanted to go away and hide from me -- which is also something she never did. We took her outside that evening at about midnight to go potty -- the snow was pretty deep and it was so very cold -- but she just kept walking away from our house. We called her name and she stopped and turned and looked at us --it was like she was trying to tell me to let her go. Like she just wanted to go away and lay down in the snow and die.
I brought her back in the house and sat up with her all night long -- she didn't want to be petted much and tried to hide behind our living room chairs. I put her on a blanket on the sofa and that is where she stayed until we took her to the vet the next morning at 8 am. She was gone before 9 am. I know it was the right thing to do - she was the best dog in the world and she didn't deserve to suffer at all. I sometimes wonder if I did wrong by her by handfeeding her for so many months. But I was just trying to keep her alive -- I should have known it was more than IBD because she didn't gain weight at all. I just hope she understands that I was only trying to help her. I am sorry you're going through the same thing with Niles - when I think back to the last 6 months of Sammy's life - I realize how stressful that was. I didn't sleep much and watched her like a hawk for any sign of something different. I only went to work and then stayed home with her all rest of the time. I became obsessed with trying to get 500 calories in her each day hoping she would gain weight. If the calorie content wasn't on the treats I bought - I called the companies to find out and most of the time she wouldn't eat them anyway. It was a horrible time for us - but being without her is even more horrible -- even though I wouldn't want her back in the condition she was in -I couldn't wish her back being as sick as she was. I guess I want my Sammy back healthy and know that this isn't to be. I'll keep you in my prayers -- I know how exhausting caring for a sick pet can be.
Take care
Sharon
thanks for you words of comfort - it does help. I just seem to be in a really low, low place where the death of Sammy is concerned. I hope I can climb out of it soon.
Donna-Sammy wasn't eating well for the last 6 months of her life -- I hand fed her a can of dog food everyday -- we were also told she had severe IBD -- but in the end the vet suspected it was cancer that was intradermal -- small cells that didn't show up on all the xrays. She just kept losing weight. Most days she still wanted to go for a walk -- but the night she vomited blood she also had the shivers which I believe can indicate pain in an animal. She also had a high temp so we took her to the vet who gave her fluids and a shot of prednisone. That night she just got worse -- she vomited even her water. She also wanted to go away and hide from me -- which is also something she never did. We took her outside that evening at about midnight to go potty -- the snow was pretty deep and it was so very cold -- but she just kept walking away from our house. We called her name and she stopped and turned and looked at us --it was like she was trying to tell me to let her go. Like she just wanted to go away and lay down in the snow and die.
I brought her back in the house and sat up with her all night long -- she didn't want to be petted much and tried to hide behind our living room chairs. I put her on a blanket on the sofa and that is where she stayed until we took her to the vet the next morning at 8 am. She was gone before 9 am. I know it was the right thing to do - she was the best dog in the world and she didn't deserve to suffer at all. I sometimes wonder if I did wrong by her by handfeeding her for so many months. But I was just trying to keep her alive -- I should have known it was more than IBD because she didn't gain weight at all. I just hope she understands that I was only trying to help her. I am sorry you're going through the same thing with Niles - when I think back to the last 6 months of Sammy's life - I realize how stressful that was. I didn't sleep much and watched her like a hawk for any sign of something different. I only went to work and then stayed home with her all rest of the time. I became obsessed with trying to get 500 calories in her each day hoping she would gain weight. If the calorie content wasn't on the treats I bought - I called the companies to find out and most of the time she wouldn't eat them anyway. It was a horrible time for us - but being without her is even more horrible -- even though I wouldn't want her back in the condition she was in -I couldn't wish her back being as sick as she was. I guess I want my Sammy back healthy and know that this isn't to be. I'll keep you in my prayers -- I know how exhausting caring for a sick pet can be.
Take care
Sharon
Hi Sammy
Missing you like crazy again. I'm home alone and it's so sad without you. I love you always.
Missing you like crazy again. I'm home alone and it's so sad without you. I love you always.
Sharon, your description of Sammy's behavior in her last days could so easily have been me describing Charlie. He, too, kept going off by himself. In fact, less than an hour before his fatal seizure, he went outdoors for awhile and when he didn't come back right away, my mother went looking for him. She found him huddled behind a trash can, and looking so pitiful it just about broke her heart. A day earlier he had actually crawled under the deck and there and there were several other occasions when I had to search for him, invariably finding him in some cramped, remote hiding place. Maybe it's a terrier thing, them wanting to go off by themselves to die but I'll always be glad that I was with him at the end. Believe me, I know how hard such memories can be, but I truly believe that one day we'll be reunited with our sweet Westies and in the meantime they're having a grand old time on the other side of the Rainbow Bridge. Maybe Sammy and Charlie have met over there and are off chasing squirrels together. I'd like to think so.
Barbara
Barbara
Hi Barbara
I sounds like Charlie and Sammy were alot alike - especially their last few days. I like that idea that they've met up at Rainbow bridge and are chasing squirrels together. Maybe they're coordinating their efforts and finally Sammy can corner one! She certainly always gave it her all here on earth. I ordered a copy of that book someone else had mentioned -- The Last Will and Testament of an Extremely Distinguished Dog -- it came in the mail yesterday and what a beautiful - short read. Eugene O'Neil wrote it in the early 1940's about his well-loved dog -- but it could have easily been written by any of us today. Makes me realize that I do want another Wesite in my life in the near future. I'm kind of having another bad spell without Sammy again today -- it seems like when I'm home alone and have to much time to think about her --- I miss her so much it hurts. I hope you're having a better day.
Sharon
I sounds like Charlie and Sammy were alot alike - especially their last few days. I like that idea that they've met up at Rainbow bridge and are chasing squirrels together. Maybe they're coordinating their efforts and finally Sammy can corner one! She certainly always gave it her all here on earth. I ordered a copy of that book someone else had mentioned -- The Last Will and Testament of an Extremely Distinguished Dog -- it came in the mail yesterday and what a beautiful - short read. Eugene O'Neil wrote it in the early 1940's about his well-loved dog -- but it could have easily been written by any of us today. Makes me realize that I do want another Wesite in my life in the near future. I'm kind of having another bad spell without Sammy again today -- it seems like when I'm home alone and have to much time to think about her --- I miss her so much it hurts. I hope you're having a better day.
Sharon
I've been watching "The Other Side of the Mountain" the true story about Olympic hopeful skier Jill Kinmont who becamse a quadraplegic afater she had a skiing accident. At the end of the movie she recalls what her fiancee (who died in a plane crash at age 27) said to her the last time she saw him:
"How lucky I am to have found someone and something that saying goodbye to is so damned awful."[size="5"][/size]
I guess that makes me lucky to have found my Sammy --to have had the pleasure of sharing her life --however long it was.
Have a peaceful day everyone.
Sharon
QUOTE (Westiesam/Sharon @ Mar 20 2010, 02:33 PM)
I'm kind of having another bad spell without Sammy again today -- it seems like when I'm home alone and have to much time to think about her --- I miss her so much it hurts. I hope you're having a better day.
Sharon
Sharon
I'm so sorry you've had such a bad day. I never really know when one of those will hit. I did pretty well on Wednesday, but Thursday was awful. I thought today would be horrible because it was Charlie's birthday and he didn't live to see it, but my family all came over this afternoon and we had kind of a 'wake' for Charlie which was really beautiful. But tomorrow might be another bad day. It's hard to know when one of those waves will wash over you.
I'm glad to know, however, that you're starting to think about getting another Westie. My own inclination is to start all over again with a puppy, but I do have Belle to think of and I'm not sure how she'd take to a puppy. She'll be 9 herself in September and a pup might well drive her nuts. I need to give it some time, I think, and lots of thought. I'll see how I feel in a month.
I, too, ordered the Eugene O'Neill book and loved it! As you say, it's a short read, but it really makes you think. I have to agree with 'Blemie' that it's a tribute to your old dog to realize you can't live without one. I adore Belle, but really miss having a Westie in my life. I'll never replace Charlie. He was surely one of a kind, but so many of the things I loved about him are, in fact, characteristic of the breed. As I said, though, I need a little time. It's only been a little over a week since I lost Charlie. It was three months after my last dog died before I found Charlie and I couldn't even bring him home for another two months as he was only 3 days old at the time (and so adorable - all puppies are cute but Westie puppies are too adorable to be allowed). At any rate, I hope you have a better day tomorrow. And as you fall asleep tonight, think of Charlie & Sammy playing together beyond the Rainbow Bridge. Isn't that an appealing image? Definitely something to dream about.
Barbara
Hi Barbara
I'm glad you were able to have your wake for Charlie -- I had a glass of Merlot last night and had a toast for him too. I am going to remember to think about Charlie and Sammy playing together at Rainbow bridge. I'm sure they are already fast friends! It's so true -- you never know when those hard horrible moments are going to hit. For you - it is all still so very new. I was complete basket case the first month that Sammy was gone. I also can't believe I'm thinking about getting another Westie. Sammy was such a good dog!
I think I need to heal some more before we actually get another one though -- I don't know if I'd be too paranoid about every little thing that they did - wondering if this new pup was sick already. I need some space between all these fears.
I'm glad you have Belle there by your side. And I agree -older dogs sometimes just don't like puppies that much. I know Sammy never really warmed up to the new puppies in our neighborhood the last years of her life. It seemed that they totally annoyed her! She give them looks that I swore said - hey - little fur puff -- I have no time for you!!
have a good day
Sharon
I'm glad you were able to have your wake for Charlie -- I had a glass of Merlot last night and had a toast for him too. I am going to remember to think about Charlie and Sammy playing together at Rainbow bridge. I'm sure they are already fast friends! It's so true -- you never know when those hard horrible moments are going to hit. For you - it is all still so very new. I was complete basket case the first month that Sammy was gone. I also can't believe I'm thinking about getting another Westie. Sammy was such a good dog!
I think I need to heal some more before we actually get another one though -- I don't know if I'd be too paranoid about every little thing that they did - wondering if this new pup was sick already. I need some space between all these fears.
I'm glad you have Belle there by your side. And I agree -older dogs sometimes just don't like puppies that much. I know Sammy never really warmed up to the new puppies in our neighborhood the last years of her life. It seemed that they totally annoyed her! She give them looks that I swore said - hey - little fur puff -- I have no time for you!!
have a good day
Sharon
QUOTE (Westiesam/Sharon @ Mar 21 2010, 05:19 PM)
I'm glad you have Belle there by your side. And I agree -older dogs sometimes just don't like puppies that much. I know Sammy never really warmed up to the new puppies in our neighborhood the last years of her life. It seemed that they totally annoyed her! She give them looks that I swore said - hey - little fur puff -- I have no time for you!!
Charlie was just the opposite. Whenever he'd see a puppy, he'd get this totally sappy look on his face, as if he was thinking, "Awwww. . ." Then he'd roll over on his back and let the puppy crawl all over him. He was such a softie! Belle has a little more of a "princess" complex, I'm afraid, and far less patience. She's very sweet with human babies, but canine babies annoy her. Charlie actually picked Belle out when she was a puppy. She was the feistiest member of her litter and quickly got bored with her littermates. She preferred to run with the big dogs and Charlie was the only 'big' dog who would play with her. From earliest puppyhood onward, they were absolutely devoted to one another. Of course they also teased each other something awful, but there was also a true and abiding affection between them. That's one of the hardest things about this, actually. They were always together and so close in age that it just never occurred to me they might not grow old together. Belle is still just middle-aged and now Charlie is gone. Poor thing, it hurts me to look at her sometimes. She seems so lost and alone that it just about breaks my heart.
Barbara
It sure sounds like Charlie and Belle had a wonderful relationship. I can only imagine what must be going through Belle's mind as she wonders where her Charlie went. I hope you two start having brighter days. I keep thinking about Sam and Charlie running and chasing each other around at Rainbow Bridge. If you have time -- go to YouTube and search for Westies playing tag. You'll get a big kick out of that video. Both of those Westies remind me of Sammy. Take care and have a restful night.
Sharon
Sharon
QUOTE (Westiesam/Sharon @ Mar 22 2010, 09:09 PM)
I keep thinking about Sam and Charlie running and chasing each other around at Rainbow Bridge. If you have time -- go to YouTube and search for Westies playing tag. You'll get a big kick out of that video. Both of those Westies remind me of Sammy. Take care and have a restful night.
Sharon, I just saw it and got such a kick out of it. That was Charlie's favorite game. He'd peer around a corner with a huge grin on his face and pure devilment in his eyes (just like those dogs in the YouTube video!) and you just knew what he was waiting for. He was waiting for somebody to say, "I'm gonna get you!" and off he'd dash in the opposite direction. There was nothing he liked better than having someone chase him or chasing somebody else, if not another dog then a human would do just as well. It annoyed him when other dogs became so obsessed with chasing balls. To him that was a pointless activity, but chasing one another - that he loved! I have no doubt that Charlie & Sammy are having a great time chasing each other around the Rainbow Bridge, and I'm sure they both have all the energy they had when they were puppies. And when they get tired, they can curl up on a patch of grass in the sunshine and have a nice restorative nap. Until they're ready to play again, of course.
Thanks for that image, Sharon. It made me smile!
Barbaqra
Hi Barbara
Boy - talking to you about Charlie and Sam is bringing back so many memories for me. Sammy wasn't big on fetching either. When we brought her home at 8 weeks old - we had gotten her a squeaky ball - (it is now in her urn with her ashes and her collar and tags). We'd throw that and she'd go get it and bring it back once, twice -- maybe if you were lucky three times -- but the fourth time you threw the ball she'd just stay right by your side and look at you as if to say -- hey -- you go get that ball. We'd chase her around the house too saying "I'm gonna get you -- she'd always try to run to her toybox and grab the ball or another stuffed toy to carry in her mouth. If she couldn't grab a toy and you'd corner her in the living room she'd stop and just howl! She would have let us chase her around the house forever!! Thanks for the reminders. I truly believe that Charlie and Sammy are chasing each other all over the rainbow bridge! take care
Boy - talking to you about Charlie and Sam is bringing back so many memories for me. Sammy wasn't big on fetching either. When we brought her home at 8 weeks old - we had gotten her a squeaky ball - (it is now in her urn with her ashes and her collar and tags). We'd throw that and she'd go get it and bring it back once, twice -- maybe if you were lucky three times -- but the fourth time you threw the ball she'd just stay right by your side and look at you as if to say -- hey -- you go get that ball. We'd chase her around the house too saying "I'm gonna get you -- she'd always try to run to her toybox and grab the ball or another stuffed toy to carry in her mouth. If she couldn't grab a toy and you'd corner her in the living room she'd stop and just howl! She would have let us chase her around the house forever!! Thanks for the reminders. I truly believe that Charlie and Sammy are chasing each other all over the rainbow bridge! take care
Sharon, you have had some time to start to heal. Does the pain and lonliness go away? The worst for me so far is getting up in the morning or coming back into the house. No warm fuzzy buddy to greet me and share my day. My husband who has been supportive through this ordeal is not the dog lover that I am. I think my pain over losing Rafer is hard for him to understand, although he has shed tears when I talk about him. Bless you and I hope you are healing. Rafer's mom, Ida Jean.
Hi Idajean
I'm still counting the weeks that Sammy has been gone -- this past Monday it was 15 weeks. It is slowly - very slowly getting better. I still miss her terribly when I come home from work and my husband is out of town working. In fact, most nights when he is gone I go somewhere for awhile and don't come home right away to our empty house. Those first few weeks were awful - I won't kid you a bit. That warm fuzzy body just isn't there - that wagging tail doesn't greet you anymore. Sammy always gave me "kisses" when I came home. Oh to just hold her one more time...
It seems that it gets better in small increments. Then something happens and you feel bad again. For example (this is going to sound completely crazy) but we've been having warmer weather (finally - I live in North Dakota) and the snow is melting. We're starting to see the lawn again and the first day that happened I came in the house and sat down and cried my heart out. Sammy loved being outside in the summer and she would always lay on the lawn. To see the grass and know she will never get to lay on it again just made me so terribly sad.
I wish you peace, Idajean and will keep you in my prayers. This is so hard and I wish I could take your pain away from you.
Sharon
I'm still counting the weeks that Sammy has been gone -- this past Monday it was 15 weeks. It is slowly - very slowly getting better. I still miss her terribly when I come home from work and my husband is out of town working. In fact, most nights when he is gone I go somewhere for awhile and don't come home right away to our empty house. Those first few weeks were awful - I won't kid you a bit. That warm fuzzy body just isn't there - that wagging tail doesn't greet you anymore. Sammy always gave me "kisses" when I came home. Oh to just hold her one more time...
It seems that it gets better in small increments. Then something happens and you feel bad again. For example (this is going to sound completely crazy) but we've been having warmer weather (finally - I live in North Dakota) and the snow is melting. We're starting to see the lawn again and the first day that happened I came in the house and sat down and cried my heart out. Sammy loved being outside in the summer and she would always lay on the lawn. To see the grass and know she will never get to lay on it again just made me so terribly sad.
I wish you peace, Idajean and will keep you in my prayers. This is so hard and I wish I could take your pain away from you.
Sharon
QUOTE (Westiesam/Sharon @ Mar 25 2010, 07:25 PM)
Hi Idajean
I'm still counting the weeks that Sammy has been gone -- this past Monday it was 15 weeks. It is slowly - very slowly getting better. I still miss her terribly when I come home from work and my husband is out of town working. In fact, most nights when he is gone I go somewhere for awhile and don't come home right away to our empty house. Those first few weeks were awful - I won't kid you a bit. That warm fuzzy body just isn't there - that wagging tail doesn't greet you anymore. Sammy always gave me "kisses" when I came home. Oh to just hold her one more time...
It seems that it gets better in small increments. Then something happens and you feel bad again. For example (this is going to sound completely crazy) but we've been having warmer weather (finally - I live in North Dakota) and the snow is melting. We're starting to see the lawn again and the first day that happened I came in the house and sat down and cried my heart out. Sammy loved being outside in the summer and she would always lay on the lawn. To see the grass and know she will never get to lay on it again just made me so terribly sad.
I wish you peace, Idajean and will keep you in my prayers. This is so hard and I wish I could take your pain away from you.
Sharon
I'm still counting the weeks that Sammy has been gone -- this past Monday it was 15 weeks. It is slowly - very slowly getting better. I still miss her terribly when I come home from work and my husband is out of town working. In fact, most nights when he is gone I go somewhere for awhile and don't come home right away to our empty house. Those first few weeks were awful - I won't kid you a bit. That warm fuzzy body just isn't there - that wagging tail doesn't greet you anymore. Sammy always gave me "kisses" when I came home. Oh to just hold her one more time...
It seems that it gets better in small increments. Then something happens and you feel bad again. For example (this is going to sound completely crazy) but we've been having warmer weather (finally - I live in North Dakota) and the snow is melting. We're starting to see the lawn again and the first day that happened I came in the house and sat down and cried my heart out. Sammy loved being outside in the summer and she would always lay on the lawn. To see the grass and know she will never get to lay on it again just made me so terribly sad.
I wish you peace, Idajean and will keep you in my prayers. This is so hard and I wish I could take your pain away from you.
Sharon
I know what you mean, Sharon. I had a bad moment today myself. I was in my home office, fiddling around with something on the computer that wasn't working right and I happened to glance over at the window. It's one of two windows that face the street and in front of this one is a little bench that I placed there so Charlie could look out. Well, I saw one of his hairs on the bench and felt this sudden, overwhelming sense of loss, like I just couldn't believe he was really gone. Most of the time I do pretty well. I'm adapting, accepting the cruel vissicitudes of fate and so on, but every once in awhile I get hit with a wave that just about knocks me flat, and this one was a regular tidal wave. At any rate, I started crying and sweet Belle came in and started nuzzling me. Apparently she's getting better, because the first few days she avoided me completely, especially when I was very upset. I think her own grief was so painful that she couldn't bear to deal with mine as well, but now she's taken over Charlie's role as chief comforter, and she is a comfort, bless her. When I lost my last dog I had to come home to an empty house and I remember how oppressive the silence was. I got Charlie to help me get over that loss and now I have Belle to help me get over Charlie. What I would do if anything happened to Belle, I can't even begin to imagine. I've actually found myself watching her lately with anxious eyes. I mean, she appears to be in excellent health, but then so did Charlie up until a month before he died.
Charlie loved the springtime too. From where I'm sitting right now I can see the spot where he liked to nap on warm days on a patch of soft grass under an elder tree. If I squint a little, I can still see him there, sniffing the air appreciatively and listening to birds chatter overhead. *sigh* It isn't right, is it? It just isn't right.
Barbara
No Barbara
It just isn't right and I honestly don't know how to make it better. I don't know what to do half the time. I miss Sammy so and I just don't know anymore....
Sharon
It just isn't right and I honestly don't know how to make it better. I don't know what to do half the time. I miss Sammy so and I just don't know anymore....
Sharon
QUOTE (Westiesam/Sharon @ Mar 25 2010, 10:01 PM)
No Barbara
It just isn't right and I honestly don't know how to make it better. I don't know what to do half the time. I miss Sammy so and I just don't know anymore....
Sharon
It just isn't right and I honestly don't know how to make it better. I don't know what to do half the time. I miss Sammy so and I just don't know anymore....
Sharon
I know, Sharon. I know. I miss my little man so much. How is it even possible that he was here just a couple of weeks ago and now he's gone forever. My poor Charlie. I wish I could go back in time and fix whatever went wrong. Charlie and Belle ought to have grown old together. Charlie ought to be here right now, and so should your Sammy. I'm trying to hold onto that image of Charlie & Sammy chasing each other around the Rainbow Bridge, but sometimes it's so hard. It's just so hard.
Barbara
Hi Barbara
I'm trhing to hold onto that image of Charlie and Sammy at Rainbow bridge too. We went out of town for the weekend and just got back a bit ago -- it's so hard -- normally I would now go to my mom and dad's (who always kept Sammy for us when we were gone) and pick her up. It was just sad all the drive home knowing that she wasn't there waiting for us.
It's neat to hear you're fostering Cokie --- he sounds like a total bundle of energy. Amazing that he likes to fetch that much -- Sammy never really did enjoy that game. Well - I think I'm going to try and sleep now so I can stop missing Sam -- talk to you later.
Sharon
I'm trhing to hold onto that image of Charlie and Sammy at Rainbow bridge too. We went out of town for the weekend and just got back a bit ago -- it's so hard -- normally I would now go to my mom and dad's (who always kept Sammy for us when we were gone) and pick her up. It was just sad all the drive home knowing that she wasn't there waiting for us.
It's neat to hear you're fostering Cokie --- he sounds like a total bundle of energy. Amazing that he likes to fetch that much -- Sammy never really did enjoy that game. Well - I think I'm going to try and sleep now so I can stop missing Sam -- talk to you later.
Sharon
QUOTE (Westiesam/Sharon @ Mar 28 2010, 06:53 PM)
Hi Barbara
I'm trhing to hold onto that image of Charlie and Sammy at Rainbow bridge too. We went out of town for the weekend and just got back a bit ago -- it's so hard -- normally I would now go to my mom and dad's (who always kept Sammy for us when we were gone) and pick her up. It was just sad all the drive home knowing that she wasn't there waiting for us.
It's neat to hear you're fostering Cokie --- he sounds like a total bundle of energy. Amazing that he likes to fetch that much -- Sammy never really did enjoy that game. Well - I think I'm going to try and sleep now so I can stop missing Sam -- talk to you later.
Sharon
I'm trhing to hold onto that image of Charlie and Sammy at Rainbow bridge too. We went out of town for the weekend and just got back a bit ago -- it's so hard -- normally I would now go to my mom and dad's (who always kept Sammy for us when we were gone) and pick her up. It was just sad all the drive home knowing that she wasn't there waiting for us.
It's neat to hear you're fostering Cokie --- he sounds like a total bundle of energy. Amazing that he likes to fetch that much -- Sammy never really did enjoy that game. Well - I think I'm going to try and sleep now so I can stop missing Sam -- talk to you later.
Sharon
Hi Sharon--
I'm just thinking of you and Sammy, with bright thoughts in my heart.
I've been absent a lot here lately, what with Ladywolf in a bit of a downslide, and trying to find WORK since my teaching job disappeared, so I've been distracted.
But just wanted to say hi, and send you our love--
Ladywolf and Margi
QUOTE (Westiesam/Sharon @ Mar 28 2010, 09:53 PM)
Amazing that he likes to fetch that much -- Sammy never really did enjoy that game. Well - I think I'm going to try and sleep now so I can stop missing Sam -- talk to you later.
Charlie didn't like to fetch either. In fact, he seemed to consider it a totally pointless activity and would much rather have played tag or chased a squirrel or something. When he was younger I used to leave him with a neighbor who had a dog walking service. They liked Charlie so much that they'd keep him at their house all day when I was still working full time (this was before Belle was born) and she had several dogs, all of whom liked to play fetch. Charlie must have gotten fed up with it because my neighbor suddenly noticed that all the tennis balls kept disappearing. She also noticed that Charlie kept turning up with muddy paws so one day she followed him and found him at the side of the house, busily digging a tennis ball graveyard. What a little scamp he was!
Hope you're feeling better today, Sharon. It's always an up and down thing, isn't it? I'm the same way, though having little Cokie here this past weekend helped a lot. He went to his new home this afternoon. I'll miss him but I'm happy for him too. He came a very long way in a remarkably short time, and I'm sure he's going to have a happy, happy life now.
Barbara
QUOTE (Westiesam/Sharon @ Mar 28 2010, 09:53 PM)
Amazing that he likes to fetch that much -- Sammy never really did enjoy that game. Well - I think I'm going to try and sleep now so I can stop missing Sam -- talk to you later.
Charlie didn't like to fetch either. In fact, he seemed to consider it a totally pointless activity and would much rather have played tag or chased a squirrel or something. When he was younger I used to leave him with a neighbor who had a dog walking service. They liked Charlie so much that they'd keep him at their house all day when I was still working full time (this was before Belle was born) and she had several dogs, all of whom liked to play fetch. Charlie must have gotten fed up with it because my neighbor suddenly noticed that all the tennis balls kept disappearing. She also noticed that Charlie kept turning up with muddy paws so one day she followed him and found him at the side of the house, busily digging a tennis ball graveyard. What a little scamp he was!
Hope you're feeling better today, Sharon. It's always an up and down thing, isn't it? I'm the same way, though having little Cokie here this past weekend helped a lot. He went to his new home this afternoon. I'll miss him but I'm happy for him too. He came a very long way in a remarkably short time, and I'm sure he's going to have a happy, happy life now.
Barbara
Hi Margi and Barbara
Margi -- I'm sorry to hear that Ladywolf isn't doing so well. I hope she can hang in there longer for you! I've missed seeing you post around here and was thinking about you too!
Charlie sounds like he was quite the Westie - Barbara-- I can just picture him burying all those tennis balls. I'm glad that Cokie found a permanent home too. I hope the new people are good to him -- it sounds like he deserves a better home that what he had before he came to you.
Today it's been 16 weeks since Sammy has been gone. Soon it will be 4 calendar months. It seems like I'm getting so homesick for her now that I feel like it's getting worse instead of better. The snow is all melted here now and I saw some spots where Sam was sick last December -- I remember how distressed I was during that time when I'd come home from work to find she had thrown up the food I'd fed her. I felt so helpless then -- almost in a constant state of panic about her being sick. I know she's not suffering anymore -- I just miss her so damn much right now.
Thanks for stopping by and saying hello.
Sharon
Margi -- I'm sorry to hear that Ladywolf isn't doing so well. I hope she can hang in there longer for you! I've missed seeing you post around here and was thinking about you too!
Charlie sounds like he was quite the Westie - Barbara-- I can just picture him burying all those tennis balls. I'm glad that Cokie found a permanent home too. I hope the new people are good to him -- it sounds like he deserves a better home that what he had before he came to you.
Today it's been 16 weeks since Sammy has been gone. Soon it will be 4 calendar months. It seems like I'm getting so homesick for her now that I feel like it's getting worse instead of better. The snow is all melted here now and I saw some spots where Sam was sick last December -- I remember how distressed I was during that time when I'd come home from work to find she had thrown up the food I'd fed her. I felt so helpless then -- almost in a constant state of panic about her being sick. I know she's not suffering anymore -- I just miss her so damn much right now.
Thanks for stopping by and saying hello.
Sharon
QUOTE (Westiesam/Sharon @ Mar 29 2010, 09:29 PM)
Hi Margi and Barbara
Margi -- I'm sorry to hear that Ladywolf isn't doing so well. I hope she can hang in there longer for you! I've missed seeing you post around here and was thinking about you too!
Charlie sounds like he was quite the Westie - Barbara-- I can just picture him burying all those tennis balls. I'm glad that Cokie found a permanent home too. I hope the new people are good to him -- it sounds like he deserves a better home that what he had before he came to you.
Today it's been 16 weeks since Sammy has been gone. Soon it will be 4 calendar months. It seems like I'm getting so homesick for her now that I feel like it's getting worse instead of better. The snow is all melted here now and I saw some spots where Sam was sick last December -- I remember how distressed I was during that time when I'd come home from work to find she had thrown up the food I'd fed her. I felt so helpless then -- almost in a constant state of panic about her being sick. I know she's not suffering anymore -- I just miss her so damn much right now.
Thanks for stopping by and saying hello.
Sharon
Margi -- I'm sorry to hear that Ladywolf isn't doing so well. I hope she can hang in there longer for you! I've missed seeing you post around here and was thinking about you too!
Charlie sounds like he was quite the Westie - Barbara-- I can just picture him burying all those tennis balls. I'm glad that Cokie found a permanent home too. I hope the new people are good to him -- it sounds like he deserves a better home that what he had before he came to you.
Today it's been 16 weeks since Sammy has been gone. Soon it will be 4 calendar months. It seems like I'm getting so homesick for her now that I feel like it's getting worse instead of better. The snow is all melted here now and I saw some spots where Sam was sick last December -- I remember how distressed I was during that time when I'd come home from work to find she had thrown up the food I'd fed her. I felt so helpless then -- almost in a constant state of panic about her being sick. I know she's not suffering anymore -- I just miss her so damn much right now.
Thanks for stopping by and saying hello.
Sharon
Sharon,
Cokie's new owners are a couple who have already adopted several Rescues. Two live with them now, both males and both very mellow, so Cokie will have two very indulgent big brothers to play with. They have a big backyard and a dog door, so he'll be able to go in and out whenever he likes. No more being caged all day and he's with people who know and adore Westies. When Cokie first met his new daddy this afternoon, he leapt into his lap and covered his face with kisses so it seems like a match made in heaven. He was quite happy to toddle off with them though I have to admit to mixed feelings when they left. On the one hand, I'm very happy for the little guy, but on the other, it was so nice having a Westie around again. You forget just how much those little white faces can brighten an entire room just by walking into it.
I can so relate to your feelings about the spots under the snow. I still have stains on my carpet where Charlie was sick, as he was so often in those final days. It got to the point where he couldn't even hold down water, so I had to give him subcutaneous fluids which he hated and I hated giving him. He was so thin and so frail toward the end, and he'd always been such a happy, bouncy boy. It made me cringe to pet him, because he was all skin and bone. I know I will always miss him, but I feel as if he's pushing me to move on. Charlie could never bear for anyone to be sad, especially those he loved the most, and I know he'd hate to think that even in death he was the cause of my sorrow. Sorry, little man, but I can't really help it. On the other hand, maybe I can make all that misery count for something. Helping other Westies is a way of making it count. At least I hope so.
Barbara
I think helping other Westies is definitely a way of making it count. And Sammy was the same as Charlie - she absolutely HATED when we were feeling sad or down. I know she'd probably be terribly dissapointed in me with the way I'm reacting to her death. She wouldn't want me to be sad and that's what I'm trying to pound into my head when I start missing her so very much. Last night I was able to tell a friend about our "signs" that we received in Arizona on our vacation in February without crying so I think I'm making a little progress. Have a great trip going to see those new little babies!
Sharon
Sharon
Hey Sammy
I miss you more every day -- I'll love you forever and never forget you. You'll always be in my heart.
I miss you more every day -- I'll love you forever and never forget you. You'll always be in my heart.
QUOTE (Westiesam/Sharon @ Apr 2 2010, 03:43 PM)
Hey Sammy
I miss you more every day -- I'll love you forever and never forget you. You'll always be in my heart.
I miss you more every day -- I'll love you forever and never forget you. You'll always be in my heart.
Cyber hugs to you, Sharon. It's 3 weeks today since Charlie left us, but I still feel him near in so many ways. I'm sure Sammy is with you as well, as you say, in your heart.
Blessings,
Barbara
I still feel Sammy near me too -- it's her physical presence that I am missing so much. We had Good Friday off - so this is a long weekend for me with too much time on my hands to think.
Take care
Sharon
Take care
Sharon
Hey Sammy girl - tomorrow it will be 4 months since you left us. I can't believe it has been that long and I'm really missing you so badly these past few days. I had a dream about you for the first time last night -- you were sitting on the bed watching me sleep and when I woke up I was so happy thinking -- I don't need another dog -- you're still here. Then when I realized it was just a dream - I felt even sadder. I know you're in a safe place playing with all your new buddies at Rainbow Bridge - but I just miss you -- you weren't here long enough for me -- but then no matter how long you would have been here - it would never have been enough. I am so grateful that God allowed you into my life -- you were truly the best thing that ever happened to me.
Love you forever.
Love you forever.
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