Hi folks,

It has been one year last Tuesday (July 20) that my most loyal friend, Harley, left this world. Before I had him, I could never understand why people would grieve over a pet. As a person who grew up in a culture that hunts and gathers, I was raised to have the utmost respect for animals and all living things as disrespect towards animals could mean that you were not successful on a hunt. I still have those beliefs, but they have changed since Harley left. If anything my respect for animals has increased 100 fold.

Harley taught me that no matter how rough a day I had at work, work should never mix with home. Home was for wagging tails, petting, and long quiet serene walks in the bush. He taught me that mornings are to be greeted with a long stretch, and excitement about the new possibilities that exist. He taught me that in spite of how bad things went for you in the past, there is much power in living in the now and just being. He taught me so much.

Now as I sit here a year later, without a new dog, I somehow feel guilt at having to clean up his barf on his final day on Earth. You see, I didn't think he was that sick. He went so quick. I hope he realizes that I loved him so much and I would give a lot forone more chance to clean up his barf one more time.

On the day before he died, we took a walk on his favorite trail. I suffer from gout and was getting over an attack, so my foot was tender, but the day was beautiful and we needed to take a walk. We took a walk and my boy looked so happy. IN some ways, I'm very lucky because some pet owners don't even get that chance. For that I'm forever grateful.

I miss you my boy and I love you

Ben

Ben,
That was such a sweet tribute to your dog, Harley. I just loved the part about "Home was for wagging tails, petting, and long quiet serene walks in the bush." I know, and miss, that feeling all too well. It's amazing how some of us have such a deep rooted connection with our beloved pets.

I hope your guilt subsides because although Harley was taken from you so quickly, he understands and knows that you love him to this day. Those guilty feelings can consume us (I know, I deal with them too), but there is nothing to feel guilty about when you gave him an incredible life. You touched his life in the ways that he touched yours. Don't dwell on his passing, but revel in the great memories of sharing such an incredible bond with your boy.

I hope you find some peace!
-Christine

Ben,
What a nice message about your Harley! Dogs sure have a lot to teach us about life. I know about the guilt as well. My dog peed the bed in the end and I wish he were still around to keep doing it. I wouldnt mind. I at times got short with him as he couldnt hear and would fail to listen to my commands by hand language and for that I feel very guilty. I wish I spent more time during the final months, quality time. I wish I gave him chicken and steak more. But, in the end those little guys knew how much we loved them and it was vice versa. Mine went down fast too and it was best for them, just shocking for us. Its amazing the way Harley opened your heart and gave you a whole new and wonderful perspective about life. We need to be grateful, (as hard as it is while missing them so much) for all that they gave us and find comfort in knowing/hoping that we will be with them again. It feels like a long way off now, but when it happens it will feel like it went by in a snap. Now Im excited to get to the end of my life! I think our boys will be there waiting for us.

Peace and Love,
Amy

Ben,

What a lovely tribute. Harley was clearly very loved, and is dearly missed. And it's easy to see why - what a gorgeous boy he was. Keep his memory alive, and he will be in your heart forever.

Cheryl x

Ben
That is an awesome tribute to Harley. I've never been very good at "living in the moment" and that is so true that our dogs teach us this. It's scary --but we're opening our hearts to another Westie puppy around the end of August. Bailey will be about 9 weeks old when we bring her home. I'll always miss Sammy - but I'm looking forward to the wagging tail and living in the moment. That's what Sammy did for me too and I need that again in my life.

I hope you'll be able to have another pet someday soon -- only you will know when the time is right -- you are such a wonderful pet owner (though they really own us -- don't they?). Your heart is so big that I hope you find someone special to share it with.

Sharon

What a wonderful tribute to Harley. And how interesting your story is. Are you in Australia? Africa? I'm trying to think where else there are hunter-gatherers and "bush..." Probably lots of places I'm not thinking of.

Each of us decides to get a new pet in our own time. In my case, I adopted Leopold, the wild Bengal kitten, about a month after my Ladywolf passed on. It felt a little premature, and I knew that I wasn't ready for another dog, but I was (almost) ready for a kitten. (I couldn't have been prepared for this meth-fueled bundle of energy no matter HOW long I waited!)

I second Sharon--you have a giant heart and a lot to give to your next fur-friend when you are ready. Thank you for writing in a year later--it is good for us to hear from people who have lost their animals a year before, and to find out how they are doing with it now.

Much love to you--Margi, Spiritwolf, and Leopold the Terrible

Thank you for all your kind words folks. This forum really helped me a lot after Harley died. We seem to live in a world that has no time to mourn or doesn't understand the concept of mourning and grieving. People in here are awesome.

We are looking for a new pooch and once again we hope to get a dog we need and not the dog we want.

Ladywolf I live in Canada and am First Nations. People used to call us indians.

Bless each and every one of you today.

Harley was a beautiful looking dog, and so white. I marvel at how you and Janika with her Sammies, can keep such clean dogs. I have 3 dogs and two cats, the cats are fine, but the dogs are forever rolling in cow pads and keeping them clean and smelling respectable is a full time job.
I'm glad you are thinking of getting another dog, It really does help with the healing prossess. I got a rescue cat just prior to my boy's first anniversary and I'm glad I did, it helped me more than I could have imagined, just having another gorgeous creature to put lots of love into saved me from the non stop grieving.
I hope we soon see a picture of your new fur baby on here, I love seeing all the new pets who now have loving homes. xx


madi xx