Hi there, just wanted to say hello to you all and that I am so sorry for all of your losses. My name is Moira and I just lost my best friend Storm on Monday. I got Storm 14 years ago when he was just a wee puppy of 11 weeks, he was a black lab/sheltie cross and he was wonderful. My husband and I got him in 1996 and he was our baby until the birth of my first son in 2003. Despite having three children in less than four years, Stormy was my first baby. He still had his regular walks even though we are so busy with three young children. Lucky for Storm, my husband started working at home in 2002 and I have been home pretty much since my son was born in 2003, so he was never really alone after that I am happy to say.

Stormy was very healthy recently as a month ago, but sadly he was not able to get up on his own suddenly. I took him to the vet three weeks ago and he went on pain medication so it was easier for him to get up. Once he was up he was okay which made me feel better about the whole situation. I knew in my heart we did not have long with him as 14 is a great old age for a bigger dog, but I NEVER EVER thought it would be as soon as it was. I cannot believe how devastated I am by this loss and if somebody had told me his a few weeks ago I would not have believed it. The hole in my heart is huge, I miss him so incredibly I cannot express it in words. I do function, but whenever I think about my sweet boy the ache just takes over my whole being, it is crushing. I never would have imagined feeling this devastated by my Stormy's passing.

Anyway, just wanted to say a quick hello, think I'll be back pretty regularly. My heart aches for you all and your sweet pets. I am also thankful for this site, I think it's wonderful how you all support each other.

Hugs to you all,

Moira

Hi Moira

I am pleased that you have come to the forum, but just so so sad for you. Six months ago(this last time) I was feeling exactly as you are describing. The heartache and sadness and emptyness is just unbearable and we feel like we will never be able to function properly again. Please accept my condolences for your loss. Storm sounds a wonderful boy. I had a black lab cross gsd many years back. Sadly he only lived to be 8, but he gave so much in those 8 years and he was dearly loved.
Even though our fur babies reach a good age, it still comes as such a shock when they leave us. We both have a good thing to share though , our babies were fit and enjoying life right up to those last 2 or 3 weeks. They didn't have to suffer for too long, also both around the same age. Noushka was 13 or 14 never really sure as we rescued her.
Please come back soon and let us know how you are getting on. Your children will be wondering where their playmate has gone, but they will help you to get through this I'm sure. Try and remember all the happy times, it's what got me through. Do you have any pics of your darling Storm. Please post some if you feel you can. I found it helped to share my girls pics and stories on here. There's even one of our dear Sooty(black lab cross ) on one of my postings.
Please know that I am thinking of you and sending prayers to help you .
Love and hugs
Jan and Pixie and my Angels xx

Hi from me, Moira--

I am so so sorry for your loss of Storm. I just lost one fourteen-year-old, Poppers, a black Lab, and am in the process of losing my beloved Ladywolf (also age 14 or so) to cancer, so I can relate very strongly. Even if they lead long happy lives, their loss is still devastating--sometimes even more so, I think, because we've had them around for so long that we can't imagine ever losing them...

The grieving process is complicated and painful, as you know. It doesn't follow any predictable course. One day you're relatively okay, and the next day you're a mess. Unfortunately, that's just the nature of the Beast of Grief. Allow yourself to feel all your feelings--it's so important to accept them and let them out, especially here, where you are totally safe and supported.

I teach school today so haven't long to write--just wanted to offer my sympathetic shoulder and ear. As Jan said, try to celebrate the good memories instead of dwelling on the past few months. The balance of Storm's life was happy and comfortable. You were lucky to have him, and he you. Please do post some pix when you can--we'll come to know him better that way.

All love and big hugs--

Margi and Ladywolf

Jan & Margi,

Thank you for your kind words. I am so sorry to hear about your losses, and your poor dog Ladywolf, I hope she is doing okay despite her condition, it must be devastating to make the kinds of decisions in that kind of situation. I also agree that Storm did have many healthy years - for him it was just the past few months that his health started to go downhill, although not as much as it did in the past month or so. I know he was feeling better on the pain medication as his appetite came roaring back once he was on it, but still, I guess it was just a cover for what was really going on. We think he probably just had a heart attack, I hope he was asleep when he passed.

One thing that comforts me was that on Sunday I broiled some salmon - I had a little bit extra and Stormy LOVED salmon so I wound up giving him the skin and some left overs that we did not eat. He got a wonderful rice and salmon dinner on Sunday night and then while I bathed the kids my husband took him for his last walk. We had not been walking him very much the last couple of weeks, but for some reason my husband picked Sunday night and I am so thankful and happy he got out one last time.

I miss everything about him - I go outside for firewood or to tidy up the yard and he's not there. I find scraps of food from the kids on the floor, but there is no one to eat it. I go upstairs with the clean laundry but nobody is waiting for me at the foot of the stairs. The list is endless. I remember the first day we got him, I remember taking him camping, hiking, walking, driving, everywhere!! Oh how this hurts so much!!!!!!! I know I torture myself, but I think it's my way of healing, at least that is what I hope!!

Well I am going to try to link my husband's photo site as he did a poem for Storm, and it's really cute if I do say so!! Will try to get that later. In the meantime thanks again ladies, it's nice to know that that I am not alone in this journey of grieving for my sweet boy.

Talk to you later, Moira

Hi there again! Just wanted to post a quick link to some pictures of Stormy! It's www.flickr.com/photos/jons_photos

Hope that works!! It's my husband's photo site - he enjoys photography!!

Moira

Oh Stormycloud

I just went to the link and saw the photo and poem. What a wonderful boy and how happy he looks. The poem is beautiful and it is plain to see that Storm is a much loved boy by all the family. You will be such comfort for one another as you all obviously love him so. I say love because I do believe that even though we can't see them (apart from in dreams or for me when I close my eyes) or touch them, they are always such a big part of us, always here in our hearts and souls.
How good that he had his favourite meal and had a lovely walk. Remember that , it must be such a comfort that he would have been happy and doing what he loves.

I have copied the photo to my pics folder and if you have trouble posting it directly on here let me know and I will try and post it for you. I'm sure your dear husband is very adept at his photography so you will probably be fine, but I have helped a few people on here post their pics of their darlings when they have not been able to do so themsleves.
I am thinking of you all and your darling Storm. I hope he's met up with my girls, they sure are pretty.

Sending hugs

Jan and Pixie(newly rescued) and my Angels xx

Hi again Jan,

Thank you for looking at my pictures! I am not that great with uploading the pictures, but I will give it a go.

I am assuming that your dogs are the ones in the picture? They are gorgeous - my girlfriend just got a puppy a few weeks ago that looks quite a bit like your doggies! Who is Pixie? Your new dog? Guess you rescued her..??? Sorry for my ignorance, I have not had much of a chance to read too many posts yet, but the ones I have read make me cry as I can completely empathize.

We got Stormy back yesterday so I am just trying to decide what to do with his ashes. I was thinking of planting a tree in our backyard in his memory. I am still stunned at how brokenheated I am feeling, it is unimaginable pain! Being a 'cat' person until I got Storm (I was actually scared of him the first day we got him!!), I never imagined it would be so unbelievably hard to let him go! Just a couple of weeks ago my sister was telling my about her friends having to put down their dog and I thought, 'Oh how sad' and prompltly forgot all about it. Little did I know......

Anyway, just wanted to say thanks for responding, it means the world to me! So you must tell me who Pixie is now!

Moira

Hi Stormycloud,

Welcome. I am also new here. I am so very sorry to hear of the loss of your baby Storm. It sounds like he was a very lucky guy to have been part of your family. I know you and your family must be feeling the loss as a great deal of pain, sadness and emptiness. *hugs* With time you will heal. Cherish your memories, and know that Storm will live forever in your heart.

BullyMama

Hi again Moira

Yes those are my angel girls in the pic, there are lots more pics of them on my thread. They're Samoyeds. Pixie is part Samoyed but we think she is crossed with another spitz breed, possibly Malamute or even a breed callled Eurasier (it's a recognised breed of a third each of Samoyed/ Keeshond and Chow.) We brought her home from the rescue centre on Saturday and she is bringing happiness back to our home at last. There are a few pics of her on my 'Pixie' thread.
When we got Noushka's ashes back we did just what you are thinking of doing. My Parents were over from Spain to try and comfort us and they bought her a lovely little flowering tree, white blossom, which we have planted near to where we put her ashes, next to our darling Tasha who is buried there. We also planted a white flowering tree for her, 4 years ago now, since she left us. We also planted spring flowers, snowdrops as they love the snow and crucus, which are flowering now. Strangely enough Pixie spends a lot of time round their 'spot' down at the bottom of the garden. But the little delicate snowdrops are still standing even though Pixie is such a huge girl and seems to be trampling over them. Angels at work again!
I am thinking of you and sending hugs to try and help share your pain. Remember happy times, thats what dear Storm will want you to do. How they know just how we are feeling and always want to try and 'heal' us when we are hurting or sad. Bless them all so much.
Love and hugs
Jan , Pixie and my Angels xx

Hi Bullysmama & Jan,

Thank you for your kinds words, I did read about your doggy, just have not a chance to respond to your thread. So sad for your doggy's passing, it's just unreal isn't it? Oh and Jan, that is fantastic about your new dog, Pixie! I love rescue stories, as I have a friend who rescued her little Chihuaua (sp.??) from a rescue centre in Seattle (we live in Canada) so they look far and wide for good homes, so congratulations on your newest addition. I see it took some time to get a new dog, which is compeletely understandable.

I really love the idea of planting the snowdrops and a wee tree for my boy - will have to get to the garden centre this weekend I think. I love the white blossom tree, how wonderful!!

Well, guess I better go now, things to do with the kiddies. Am feeling a bit better today, but I think it's just because I am trying not to think too hard about Stormy. I emailed my brother (who lives in the US) and told him about my sweetie. He and his wife just got a Golden Lab last fall for their two girls and he sent me some pictures of the new pup - it was so nice to see the new puppy and how happy she is in her new home. This is my brother's first dog too, as Stormy was my first dog. I have let him know how much he will come to love this little creature!!!!

Thanks ladies, you are all wonderful - will talk later!!!!!

Moira