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

Oh Sharon - my heart just breaks for you. Unfortunately, everyone here has been where you are and we understand and share your grief. The light of my life, Austin - a gorgeous 7 year old Doberman - died suddenly of a heart attack while playing ball with my husband. We had no clue Cardiomyopathy was prevalent in his bloodline so we were totally unprepared. I was 2 hours away when I got the phone call and I too felt my heart break. My sister had to drive me 2 hours back home (at midnight!) because I had to see him and touch him before he was cremated. The pain was was so bad those first few weeks it actually phjysically hurt to breathe. The first couple of days I spent crying and sleeping (which is an escape I know but I had to). My doctor actually had to give me a few days supply of sedatives I was so diustraught. Pleas don';t EVER let anyone make you feel abnormal for grieving for your baby. Only someone who has never loved an animal as part of the family would be heartless enough to think that getting another dog will make evrything better. All I can say is that you will be sad for however long it takes. I meassured my progress first by hoiw many hours I went without crying, then days, etc. And most of all I am grateful for the love an support I found on this website. There are wonderful people here to lend an ear or a shoulder to cry on. Most of the time we cry with you. Keep writing and letting us know how you are doing. Sometimes it may help just to write more than that you miss your baby. I will keep you in my prayers tonight that your saddness eases and you soon are able to find some peace. In the meantime, many hugs are being sent your way!

Sincerely,
Carol
In Loving Memory of Austin
7/26/01 - 4/17/09

Dear Sharon
I've just read your post and wanted to drop by to say hello. I am so sorry for your loss. I wish I could take away the hurt you are going through.

It's so plain to see how much you love your darling Angel Sammy and how much you cared for her. You did everything you could to give her the wonderful life she shared with you. Knowing when it was time to let her go was so hard, I know, I had to do the same with my darling Tasha, almost 4 years ago. I too hand fed her for a few weeks before, maybe I should have let her go sooner, but I don't think she was in any pain, she just wasn't having much quality of life. I couldn't bear to let her go, but I knew when the day came that I had to, bless her, as you did with your Sammy.
My Noushka was there to help me through that terrible time, but now she has gone to join our Tasha at the Rainbow Bridge. She left us 4 months ago. I miss them both so much it hurts.
I'm glad that you have found this website and forum. It truly has given me so much comfort, being able to talk about my Angel girls and post photos of them, and talk to people who really do understand what we are all going through.
I am thinking of you.
Please come back and tell us more about your darling when you feel able.
Hugs
Jan and my Angels x

Sharon,

I am so sorry to hear about Sammy. No one should have to go through pain like you are in right now; it is just too hard. I lost the love of my life on July 2nd so I know the heartbreak you are going through. He was my first dog and followed me everywhere. We were partners in crime, like Sammy and you.

I am sorry that I don't have any great advice except please hang in there and know that we understand.

Wendy

Hi Sharon I to am so sorry for yor loss of your angel gjrl Sammy. Believe me everyone here really does understand the pain you are feeling. The loss of are pets is like loosing a child. They say to loose a child is the worst well we here can now relate. I know what you mean about others who cant understand the grief and pain we fee so just remember then they have never loved or had a pet to truley love them. Just try to take one day at a time that is all we can do. Mine was Dec 2,
and it has effected to the point I did not even put up a tree. So yes I do understand. I will be thinking of you and your angel sammy.

HUGS
Anna

I am so sad for your loss Sharon, it breaks my heart reading your story because I know how it feels to lose the love of your life. I know that devastating unreal feeling that you feel when you lose them and I feel so very sorry for you. I suppose people think they are helping when they say "get another dog" but to me it's like saying "well just get another child, or husband, or mother, they obviously don't realise that these beautiful creatures are family to us, just like anyone else is. xx

madi xx

I am so sorry for your loss of your Sammy. Be comforted that we all here understand what you are going through...grief of such a great pet like Sammy is heart wrenching...it is so unfair that they all only live a few short years.

I lost my 13year lab and soulmate, Brutus, 7 weeks ago tomorrow. I feel lost without him. Time does help...but it never goes away....I will be praying for peace for you and happy memories of your precious Sammy.

Hugs,
Brutus' Mom

Thank you all so much for your thoughts and prayers. I am so grateful that I have found this website to help me get through this awful pain. We didn't put up a Christmas tree either this year - and I really am glad that the holidays are over. It's so hard trying to pretend to be happy when I'm not. I know that I have to get over thinking I didn't do enough to try and get her well - because we truly did. I just am so angry and sad that nothing worked. I would have stepped in front of a speeding bus if it would have helped her get well. I just hope she knows that I only did all of that to save her. She was the best little dog -- well, she was my only dog, but she was so wonderful. We never had any children so she was our little baby. I wish they would live longer than they do.
My thoughts and prayers are with all of you too - I know you are and have been where I'm at right now too. Blessings to all of you.
Sharon

Hi Sharon,

I am so sorry for your loss. Believe me I know the pain you are going thru. It has been 15 weeks since I put my soulmate Callaway to sleep and I still miss him so much but I am doing better. I too didn't think I would survive my loss but I have and I continue to get better. I can't believe I am actually typing these words because when I first lost Callaway I couldn't eat, I lost 30 pounds within 4 weeks and I didn't even need to lose weight, I never slept and I could barely function. I have gained 10 pounds back, I am sleeping more with the help of a sleeping pill, and I am functioning much better. You will get thru this and the people on this website will help you get better. I found myself asking people that had been thru the same thing how long it took them to learn to cope with their loss hoping that I would find out how long I would be grieving but there was no answer, everyone is different and for some it takes weeks and others it can be months but everyone I have talked to has gotten over their grief.

My wish for you is that you will find peace soon.

Take care,
Rhapsedy

Thanks Rhapsedy -- it helps to know that this will get better. I read a saying a week ago that goes something like this -- "don't cry because it's over - smile because it happened.". I'm trying really hard to keep that phrase in mind.
I'm so very grateful that we had Sammy for 11 years, but I never thought it would be such a physical pain to lose her. My elderly neighbor lady just put her dog to sleep last Wednesday -- so I'm trying to be there for her as well - and I think that is making me sadder too. But I know how terrible that first week was so I need to be there to help her in anyway that I can.
Thanks so much to all of your for your responses. I feel that I have finally found a place where I can talk about my little baby as much as I want to. I'm really, really grateful for this website.
Sharon

Hi Sharon,

I see that I was not alone not finding it in my heart to even put a tree up. Everyone kept telling me I was being rediculous. I could not even do Christmas shopping, everytime I would venture out to do so all I did was cry the whole time. I didnt have one once of holiday spirit in my intire body. I feel the same as you so glad it is over. New years was just awful too knowing I have to start a New Year with out my baby. You are in my thoughts and prayers. We are here as much as you need us.

Hang In There
Anna

Hi Anna
Your description of your holidays is exactly the same as I felt. I'm glad they are over - but like you I didn't want the new year to start without Sammy. A friend gave me one of those tiny Angel Ornaments of a Westie and I keep it on my nightstand. For some reason it gives me comfort -- feeling like she's still watching over me. Today it's 4 weeks since she's gone and I have to say it's almost as hard as that first day. I like to plant alot of flowers in pots each spring -- but thinking about being on the deck without her is so sad that right now I don't even want to plant anything -- though that is still months away. She followed me everywhere when we watered them each day. She loved the snow so it's really hard at this time of year too. Going for walks doesn't even sound like fun now and my little dog would have walked to the moon and back given the chance.
Thanks for your thoughts -- my prayers to out to all of you on this website who are hurting like I am.
Sharon

Hi Sharon
I,m sorry for your loss,we too just lost our 12 1/2 year old pound puppy.It was my childrens first puppy and they all grew up with her.I am now in the throws of the what ifs and whys? It is really tearing me apart because its just killing my daughter and there is nothing that dad can do.
That darn dog was always eating something she shouldn't and thats what killed her (chocolate cake) it was just a dumb stupid accident that she got into it but I feel like I didn't protect her enough and probably didn't seek treatment soon enough,she had done it several times before with no ill effects.
Now I have to sit and watch my daughter be completely torn up.It didn't help that the last day she was with us I was in bed with the flu and her and my wife had to do it all.I hope that I can get through this and come out on the other side a better dad and man.Thanks for letting me vent.
hurting dad

Hi 123dad
You've come to the right place to vent- vent as much as you need to -- I just found this website a few days ago and it has helped me tremendously!
I understand how you feel about thinking you didn't protect your dog enough -- but sometimes they do things that we just can't control.
As I said in an earlier post - I'm trying to live by the saying -- Don't cry because it's over -smile because it happened. I'm hoping that someday I can look back at just the happy memories of Sammy and the (almost) 11 wonderful years we had together. Dogs just don't live long enough - in my opinion -- they should live to be 50! Take care and be kind to yourself - you did the best you could.
Sharon

hurting Dad...I'm so sorry for the loss of your pound puppy. The what if's are horrible..we all do it to ourselves..there are simply things we cannot control though so be easy on yourself. I'm sending prayers for you, your daughter, and family...everyone here totally understands the pain of your loss.

Hugs to you and your angel pound puppy.
Brutus' Mom

Brutus
I don't know how to write this and not have you guys think that I'm a horrible person.But I know if I don't it will eat me alive.Emily(that was her name)ate that cake and I didn't even try to make her throw up because we had tried on several other occassions unsuccessfully to get het to throw up even the vet couldn't get her to.But the point is I didn't even try and I think it will haunt me forever.I hope noone thinks I an animal hater or cruel to animals but that is exactly how I feel right now.My daughter says I can't blame myself because she was always eating something she shouldn't be,but that seems to be little consolation for me.
You guys are truly wonderful people and I hope God blesses you in every way possible.Thanks
Hurtingdad

123dad...I think we all have things we regret...everyone of us...it's still the what if game. Even if you did get to her in time before the chocolate had already done it's damage, you may have not been able to get her to throwup.....I know I still blame myself for making the decision to end Brutus' life. It's like there is no escaping blame and the easiest person to blame is yourself...it's a way of creating self torture that we all do to ourselves. I think guilt/blame is the hardest part of losing a pet...even though none of us have done anything wrong...we need to put a reason to it all/make sense of it...the easiest reason is to blame ourselves...that makes sense to us, even though it's not true.

Time does help...it's been 7 weeks for me today and I was doing so well...but suddenly crashed yesterday for no apparent reason. They say the 5 stages of grief are....denial, anger, guilt, depression, acceptance....I swear I've done them all in one day...they can come in any order and at any time...and then come again and again. Your pain/grief is so fresh, your head is probably spinning right now...you want to blame someone...so you blame you. Things will get better...then get worse again...then get better again. Guilt is the worse, and unfortunetly there is no escaping it, as hard as we all try...I think sometimes it just has to run it's course...I know that is probably not much comfort to you, but do know we are all always here and we do understand....you are not alone here.

Just know we are all thinking of you and your precious Emily...we are all in this together...and together we will all get through it...never over it...but through it.

Hugs,
Brutus' Mom

Sharon...hope you are doing good today and having happy memories of your dear Sammy.

Hugs,
Brutus' Mom

Hi everyone
Hurtingdad -- Brutus' mom is right -- it's easy to look back after the fact and second quess what we did or did not do. I know that's how I feel too. Maybe if I had taken her to that holistic vet in Montana - it was 10 hours away, but just maybe -- or maybe if I had agreed to the exploratory surgery even though she just had been put under the month before to repair her left rear knee that she tore chasing after her favorite animal - the squirrel. We spent over $6000 on Sammy's vet bills and meds from May until the day she died -- I would have gotten 2 more jobs and spent $10,000 if it would have made her well. But I have to accept the fact that more than likely she had cancer that was incurable. She didn't want to eat for most of the last 7 months of her life -- I keep having to tell myself that to make me understand that she was ready to leave me even though I wasn't ready for it.
Today was a bit better even though it was 4 weeks today. I went cross-country skiing after work and I actually had some happy thoughts about Sammy.
I'm praying for eveyone on this site -- I hope we all can be healed of this terrible hurt and pain that we are suffering from the loss of our pets -- our family members.

I do know that I would rather be the type of person that grieves deeply for my pet than someone who is incapable of loving an animal.

BLessings to all of you.
Sharon

Well Said

Anna

I don't know if many of you remember this song by Bread - Everything I Own (songwriter David Gates) - but I heard this song on the radio last night and this pretty much sums it up how I feel about my Sammy:

You sheltered me from harm.
Kept me warm, kept me warm
You gave my life to me
Set me free, set me free
The finest years I ever knew
Were all the years I had with you
I would give anything I own,
Give up my life, my heart, my home.
I would give everything I own,
Just to have you back again.
You taught me how to love,
What its of, what its of.
You never said too much,
But still you showed the way,
And I knew from watching you.

Nobody else could ever know
The part of me that can’t let go.
I would give anything I own,
Give up my life, my heart, my home.
I would give everything I own
Just to have you back again.
Is there someone you know,
You’re loving them so,
But taking them all for granted.
You may lose them one day,
Someone takes them away,
And they don’t hear the words you long to say
I would give anything I own,
Give up my life, my heart, my home.
I would give everything I own
Just to have you back again.

Oh Sharon
Crying as I read those words. yes I know that song so well, and it says it all. Going to find it on youtube now.
Thanks for posting. Hope you are ok.

Thinking of you and your darling Sammy.

Love Jan and my Angel Sammies, Tasha and Noushka

You guys are the greatest.What a wonderful site I stumbled onto.The guilt and shame I feel for having let our Emily down and not protecting her like I should have has not eased much but my daughter is trying to make it easier.I know in the coming days and weeks it will continue to get easier.I just regret not doing everything possible short of sticking my hand down her throat to try and get her to throw up.I guess the whatifs and whys will continue to plague me.Like all of you I am so sorry for your losses and hope you can find peace in knowing that your pets love you still.
Thanks Hurtingdad

Oh Dear hurting dad
I've just read your post and I feel so sorry for what you're going through. Our darling doggies are all the same if they can get some chocolate they will eat it. Please try not to blame yourself. I lost my first dog when I was 12 years old. She was the love of my life and was a beautiful Welsh Corgi. She was just 6 years old and so full of life. She used to chew everything and she swallowed a plastic bottle top. She had an emergency op to remove it but didn't survive. I was heartbroken and have never really got over it. That was 46 years ago . It was so hurtful but I learnt at that young age what loving and caring for our dear pets is all about. There was nothing I could have done to prevent the tragedy. It's the same for you. We can't watch them every single minute. You're daughter won't blame you, she knows how much you loved and cared for your darling dog.

I'm thinking of you and sending love to you and your daughter and family.
Love Jan and my Angels xx

Hi everyone
I'm really struggling again tonight. I miss Sammy so much. I almost suffocate when I think that I'll never get to pet her again and hold her and tell her I love her and go for walks with her. How does one get over this?
Sharon

Sharon, started to read the lyrics but after recognizing them had to stop, knew the waterworks would start if I continued... that is a beautiful song. :]

I don't imagine we ever get over any of this... best hope is to work through the pain, and keep doing what we have to do to survive and take care of the others in our lives. Take it day by day, or hour by hour if you have to. Some days will be better than others.

I hope you find some peace soon.

To everyone--

Thanks for the words to that Bread song--I know it so well, but had never related it to my four-leggeds before...

What an extraordinary Forum this is! How lucky we are to have it! Big thanks to those of you who created it...

Hugs and XXOO--

Margi and Ladywolf

Hi Sharon,

I am so sorry you are struggling so bad. When I was a month into my grief I was sure I would never get better. I felt exactly the way you do with thinking that I would never pet my sweet Callaway and do all the fun things we used to do together, it actually felt like my heart was going to stop beating because the pain was so intense. I was living on Ensure because I wasn't eating and I had lost 30 pounds, I was only sleeping on average 1 hour per night, my heart was completely broken and I was barely functioning. It was 4 months yesterday and I do feel better than I did. I am eating again, sleeping better, and although my heart is still broken I am functioning better. I truly don't think we every "get over" the death of our furbaby but I do think that we learn how to cope and enjoy life again. I just want to let you know that I know how you are feeling and what you are going thru as do all the people on this forum, but you will feel better with time.

Take care,
Rhapsedy

Hi everyone
I'm really struggling again tonight. I miss Sammy so much. I almost suffocate when I think that I'll never get to pet her again and hold her and tell her I love her and go for walks with her. How does one get over this?
Sharon

Thanks for the kind words of wisdom Rhapsedy -- it helps to know that down the road I'll feel better -- I realize everyone is different when it comes to this -- it's such an individual thing. I am so grateful that I found this site and that I can come here and know that I'm understood by people who are feeling what I'm feeling. Thanks again

Thinking of you Sharon and darling Sammy.

Hugs Jan and my Angels x

Hey Sammy girl - yesterday it was a month since you've been gone -- I'm still not doing so good without you. I wish I could have a miracle and you could suddenly reappear and be with me again - but I know that can't be. "I'll love you forever, I'll like you for always, as long as I'm living my baby you'll be."

Sharon "Mama"

Today was another tough day -- I hope this gets better soon -- I could curl up in a ball and cry for a year.

Dear Sharon--

I know that feeling, believe me, I do.

But just a gentle reminder--Sammie would not want that for you. Most animals sleep when they need or want to, and run around like little rockets the rest of the time. ACTIVITY is what turns them on--any kind of movement or event or new thing introduced to their environment. Animals don't spend a lot of time feeling sad--there's too much WORLD to explore!!!

My heart goes out to you--

Margi and Ladywolf

Hi Sharon,

I'm so sorry for your loss of Sammy. You aren't crazy, that's for sure. You did the right thing.
You also did everything you could for Sammy.

I'm in the same spot as yourself. I had to put my dog, Ruby down on Dec. 8/09.
It's still hard and strange....and lonely and so final.

I'm thinking of you and your Sammy. Take Care.

Hi Sharon,

I also know that song by Bread very very well.
I'm so happy you posted it because I've been looking at poems and songs to pick something for Ruby's marker.

Thanks!

Thanks Jan, Margi and Ruby for the kind words -- it helps to know that i have this forum to come to and let myself cry and share with all of you. Margi - you're so right -- Sammy wouldn't want me to be sad -- our dogs were full of life and she was always ready to go at a split second. I know it's my own selfishness that wants her back --when I think about it, she was so much sicker than we even realized. I don't know if I read it here on the forum or someone else - but someone said that dogs (all animals really) instinctively try to hide their pain -- by the time they show it, it's probably pretty bad -- if that's true - then Sammy was really sick those last couple of days. I just wish that all of us could snap our fingers and feel better.
The empty house is the worst -- but I suppose with enough time - this too will pass.
Thanks again for being there for me.
Hugs
Sharon

Well today it was 5 weeks since you're gone Sammy -- I'm really starting to fixate on whether or not euthanasia is a good thing or not -- all I know is that you were too good of a dog and friend to let you suffer. But boy - when I think about that day - my heart breaks all over again and I feel like the worst person in the world for doing that to you. I hope you can forgive me for hand-feeding you when now I realize you probably didn't want that and I hope you know we only let you go so you wouldn't suffer. I would have moved heaven and earth to get you well -- I hope you understand.
I love you Sammy - always have -- always will.
Your mama Sharon

Hi Sharon I havent wrote any post to anyone for awhile except to my max. It was Dec 2nd for me and I truley agree with you the thought of that day just continues to haunt us. I find myself still playing that day over and over in my head. Taking him there to find out why he was sick and leaving with nothing but a broken heart. I also feel like you, I let him down
how could I have done this to him. The last week seems like 2 steps backwards instead of forward. I guess somehow we will get through this but at times it seems like how can we go on. That is why I have not been able to comment on New post because I dont know the answers, they say time well time for me just seems to stand still. The only comfort I can say is that what you are feeling is perfectly normal because all of us here have the same story of our emotions. Some say they are with us, but it sure dont feel like it when we know that they are gone and that we cant touch or love them the way we want to.I know we carry them in our heart everyday but that doesnt ease our pain. I do pray for all of us and our furbabies. Please try to hang in there and take one day at a time that is all I can tell you and thats all we can do. I still cry every single night not for me but for my Max and like you, hope that he forgives me. I hope I dont depress you more but I just wanted to tell you I know how hard its been for you and all of us here.

Cyber Hug
Anna

Dear Sharon
Just to let you know I'm thinking of you and darling Sammy. It's over 4 months now since I lost Noushka and yes it's the emptiness and silence in the house that is very hard to bear. I too hand -fed Noushka for the last few days. She really didn't want to eat anything bless her, but she seemed so calm, I didn't realise how ill she was, bless them, they don't like to see us worrying.
I still have bad days but I can now think of her without crying all the time. Remembering the 'Happy' times we shared and the funny little things she did, so 'Time' is healing . Talking to my 'Angels' on here and posting pictures of them, really has helped me.
Sending love and hugs

Jan and my Angels x

Thanks Anna and Jan
It truly does help to know that others are where I am or have been and that they are living through it. I know I'll never forget Sammy - but I was shocked to feel myself sliding backwards again. I only have the people on this forum to go to now as everyone else in my life thinks it should be okay now that it's 5 weeks already. Thanks for listening to me and for helping me get past this.
Hugs
Sharon

Morning to everyone here. I'm so sorry for your losses.

I know how awful you all feel at losing the loves of your life. I know many of you won't believe me, but it will get easier. You will probably never forget the guilt that you feel or the pain that you're feeling, but you will learn to live with it and the good memories will start to push those terrible feelings aside. I know.

I lost Lily June 24, 2008. She was only eight and she died suddenly and unexpectedly. We aren't sure what happened, I think she choked. And we watched helplessly as the life slipped away from her eyes. That is a sight I will NEVER forget. We tried to save her, but were unable. I've had a few dogs during my life and each and every one of them hurt really bad. When Lily left, it hurt worse than all the others I think. Then we found out a few days later that our other dog Hunny had cancer. She fought a tough battle, but we had to let her go April 4 last year. She was also eight. (Eight seems to be our unlucky number. We lost two cats last year also, both eight too.) That was hard, but at least we had eight months to make sure we had no regrets with her. I cried so many tears for her because I knew her time would be coming soon. I have guilt. Lots of it for both of them. And I've beat myself up of course. It's natural. I hope that they will forgive me one day.

I know you are all hurting right now. This is a great place to come. I've spent a lot of time here. I found it days before I had to let Hunny go. I wish I had found it when I lost Lily.

I still miss my babies so much. I don't cry as much anymore. If people knew I talked to them each night before I fall asleep they would probably think I was really crazy. But, I don't care. I've been doing this every day since I lost my first dog Mitzy back in 1980. Every one of my dogs has been my best friend. I now have 4 dogs. Three of them are rescues. I know the pain of losing them is really hard and unbearable, but just think of all the years that they've brought joy to your lives. I would not give that up for anything. I've loved and lost. And I know I will do it again and again. There are so many animals out there that need a home. So many animals that need love and so many that want nothing more than to just love someone. That's what keeps me coming back for the pain. But it's worth it. People who have never had a pet - have no idea what love is.

I know I'm rambling, but this is a great place. Unfortunately, the reason we're here is because we're in so much pain.

Please, just know, that it does get easier. Life goes on. And, hopefully, in time, you'll come to want another baby. I wish they would live forever too. I have piece of mind, believing that Hunny and Lily are together again. I know Hunny really missed Lily.

Take care everyone.

Lynette.

Lynette
Thanks for "rambling" as you put it. It does help me tremendously to know that it will get better. Sometimes I think I'm doing okay and then something happens - a memory or driving someplace and remembering that this is where we once walked together and it brings me to my knees. I can't think of the happy times yet because for some reason that makes me miss Sammy more - crazy I know, but I have to recall how sick she was in order to realize that we had no choice but to let her go. I hope someday to be able to love another furbaby - because I do know that the joy they give one far outweighs this pain that I'm feeling - but right now I just can't go there.
I appreciate your thoughts and it has been a comfort. Thanks again
Sharon

Hey Sammy
Tomorrow it will be six weeks since you're gone -- hard to believe -- I still wake up in the middle of the night and then I realize it's true and that sickening feeling overcomes me again. I'm trying really hard to be happy again - because I know that's what you would want - but it isn't easy baby -- I miss you and Love you.
Momma

Lynette, what wonderful (and very wise) words you posted . Says it all and very well and caringly put. Thankyou so much.

Sharon I'm thinking of you and your darling Angel Sammy, sending hugs.

Love Jan and my Angels

Sneding many blessings to you and your beautiful Sammy, Sharon.

Lynette--thank you for defining so clearly the reason that we put ourselves through all this pain. I've thought at times that I could never bear it again, and then along has come some four-legged who needed me, and I've done it all over again! Ladywolf made no contract with me that she would live as long as I do--I know that. Now that she's got terminal cancer, I'm fighting it with food and supplements, but I know in my heart that I don't have too much time left with her when I get realistic. I look ahead to the inevitable pain, and I wouldn't have traded all these years of joy for anything, certainly not for an absence of pain. The absence of pain is a "nothing"--and four-legged love is a really really big something!

Thanks again for posting such wise words.

Margi and Her Wolf

Hi Margi
I hope you and Ladywolf are doing fine tonight. I have to agree with you - Lynette put some great words out there for all of us to read. And you bet - the joy they give us is way worth all of this horrible pain. It is getting better - I truly thought I would die that first week. But here I am 6 weeks later and I'm still breathing. I wish you and Ladywolf the best and Ladywolf -- keep on fighting as long as you can- you have a great momma that loves you to pieces! Have a great night.
Sharon

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Hi Mommy,
I am your beautiful little angel

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Sending you lots of kisses from heaven
Your little Sammy forever
xoxoxoxo

Anna
Thank you for the beautiful pictures of my angel Sammy. They warm my heart. That second picture is exactly what Sammy looked like as a pup -- all ears until she grew into them. Bless you always
Sharon

Oh Sammy - I miss you so terribly much today. Daddy and I are going on vacation next week and I'm not really even looking forward to it because you're supposed to be here to go to Grandma and Grandpa's house. They always looked after you when we were gone. It's been 52 days now that you're gone and I feel as bad today as I did that awful day you had to leave us. I know everyone tells me this will get better - but right now it doesn't feel like it at all! I miss you and I love you and I will miss your forever. I'm trying to keep busy, but it is so depressing knowing that I'll never get to play with your or pet you ever again -- at least not on this earth. I wish you could come back to me.
I love you.
Momma

Sharon,

I lost my 11-year-old dog, Ernie just about three weeks ago and cry constantly. I'm surprised I haven't lost my job or collapsed from exhaustion from crying and lack of food and sleep. The HARDEST thing for me through all this is exactly what you said. I'll never get to see him again, I'll never get to kiss him again, I'll never get to look into his cute face and tell him how much I love him again. The memories are EVERYWHERE, in the house, in the car, in the neighborhood where we walked every day. If anyone call tell us how to get through this I would be so appreciative. Hearing that it gets better in time doesn't help for right now. Some days I can't even take care of myself. The only way I can stop crying is to NOT think about him. I never in a million years thought it would ever be this hard.