Hello Lightning Strike friends
I know the answer to my question. I just need a few words of wisdom. As you can guess, I have a new dog - a half black lab-half Newfie named Rufus. (Peggy, would you mind helping me again posting the pictures? I still don't know how. Thanks so much.) I am a solo and my best friend and soul-mate Gretta-the-Great went to the Perfect World on April 10, not so long ago. All of you helped me SOOOOOOOO much through those hellish first days and "firsts without". Automaton passed into shot-in-the-heart (which Moonbeam so kindly explained as having exchanged pieces of heart with our babies) and that passed into concrete slab on both heart and body.
Lightning Strike has helped be SO much. You can see I respond regularly and trying to help others rebounds to oneself as healing - just like loving a soul-animal rebounds a million-fold in their love for you. The tears the writing on Lightning Strike brings are good tears - they hurt but they're not toxic. Thank you for giving me this wonderful chance. Now, even though I know what I've done is right and OK, I need a few words of encouragement.
About three weeks ago, I went to see my God-given vet for a sort of "closing" conversation. He loved Gretta as much as I do and had doctored her from the starving stray she was when she was first rescued to what he once told me: that in all his years of practice he'd never seem a dog as loved as Gretta. For about a month, I wrote a daily message to Gretta - telling her how much I love her and miss her, asking her how her new life was, letting he know what I was doing, asking if she "remebered when". On my way out of the vet's office some words came out of my mouth that surprised me - he treats a lot of rescue dogs so I asked him if he came upon an old dog that nobody wanted would he tell me about it. Of course, he said he would - and then left the country for a couple of weeks.
Those words seemd to start a chain of "automaton-like" actions. I looked on the web site of the rescue agency from which Gretta had chosen me. They didn't have anybody younger than 7.5, and being fairly close to being on a fixed income and vet bills being so high no matter how wonderful the vet, I wanted to adopt a dog whose life span would roughly match my fixed income date. I looked on another local site and saw an 8 year old Chessi/Chocolate lab mix ( at least that's what they said -turned out is was more likely Chessie and some kind of terrier) so I made an appointment to meet her. Earlier in the day, she'd been supposed to be placed in a foster home but "didn't get along with the resident dog" - an 11 year old black lab. My thought was - who couldn't get along with an 11 year old lab! We met in a large 'alternative' pet store where I found her very active but manageable, took her on a short walk and returned to the store. Meanwhile, the owner had come from upstairs with her unleashed boxer - and the Chessie provoked a response and then tried to bite the boxer. Turns out this was the second time that had happened that day - the first being a similar incident with the 11 year old lab. I slept on it and decided that this dog was too much for me - that I wouldn't be able to feel safe in my own home let alone guarantee the safety of other when we went on walks. So I decided against it.
(I'm going to post this as more than one posting b/c my computer has a tendency to go nuts at unscheduled times and I don't want this to be lost - it already was once!)
Gretta's mom
Full Version: A Heart Divided - Need Some Help
Hi friends - Part 2
The next day I went back on the original site and decided that Rufus the 7.5 year old "black lab mix" wasn't so out of range after all. The description said she had back leg tremors that had been ruled benign and was 95# (about 30 pounds heavier that Gretta) - but I thought "a lab" - it can work. So I hurried up and let the group know that I wanted to adopt Mr Rufus. I hope that at least a little of my hurry to adopt was Gretta opening my heart and not just 100% a reaction to my own loneliness and grief.
The changeover was arranged - since I was a known and acceptable quantity to the agency - and took place two days later in a park just over the state line into Wisconsin. Rufus's foster mom lived about 60 miles further east than that so it was a good place to meet. Right away things were a little different than they had been represented. First of all, Rufus had been in this foster home for a year and a half and being so far away from the Twin Cities had never been brought to an adoption event. Hard - but not impossible - to get adopted from a web site that discloses (a good thing) a physical problem. Not a deal-breaker. Then Rufus came walking down off a ramp and I saw that she was HUGE. Definitely NOT a lab mix - and definitely WAY more than 95#. Big - and fat - but still not a deal breaker. She was sweet and had deep brown eyes that looked like they had seen the sadness of the entire world. Her legs were shaking pretty badly but the foster mom said she could outwalk anyone on earth and could do steps - which would have been a deal-breaker if she had not been able to do that, b/c there are 5 stairs leading to my front door. She was big and black and had a soft coat - more like a flat-coated retriever and she was clearly a mix /cuz she had a white blaze on her chest. I got her into my car somehow and we drove back to my home.
I felt in my heart that I didn't love her with my entire heart - not the way I did when I first saw Gretta and she chose me by laying her gentle head in my lap. Peggy's Human was great at explaining to me that this was &%^ogous to losing a beloved person - the love of your life - and having a good friend stick with you and give you support during that horrible time. And then suddenly one day you wake up and realize that you love him. Not in the same way as your lost one, but in a new way - and that's OK. I bought a giant crate which filled up my dining room and Rufus moved in. I kept up my daily messages to Gretta - reassuring her that she was first and always would be in my heart (like you need to tell a spirit-animal stuff like that - they GET IT way before you do). And I went back on my first day promises that no one would ever sleep on her dog bed or eat from her dog "restaurant" again.
After about 3 days I felt Gretta telling me to let Rufus know that he was loved for himself. That he wasn't "just a replacement dog." I started opening my heart to him a little more. His only "bad" behavior was that when I'd come home after an absence he'd get so excited he'd let out a bark or two - a major sound from such a big dog. And I knew that was a no-no in an urban fourplex - where the landlord had really extended himself letting me have a dog in the first place. My very experience sister reminded me about the "totally ignoring/move slowly/turn your back on him" approach and it worked a miracle. (I thought we must be being filmed for a dog training VDO we did so well.) Rufus really wants to please. He's a handful on walks but not a dragger - just big and heavy. Since he's spent his last 18 months in a semi-rural area, she likes to chase critters - also a no-no in an urban area just 3 blocks from the richest homes in the city (it drops off fast!) Having a furry creature in your mouth is STRICTLY PROHIBITED around here no matter how natural.
Last Thursday I took Rufus to the vet for a get-acquainted meeting and discovered things were DEFINITELY not as they had been portrayed. Rufus's leg tremors were NOT benign muscle shaking. The vet could tell from the outside and by having Rufus sit for a treat that he had two bad ACLs on his back knees, a severe read-end weakness adn that the shaking was likely due to a neurological problem like a spinal stenosis. I could see the bills shooting out of sight even NOT on a fixed income. Besides that, the vet told me he'd thought about me a few days before when treating a rescue dog that looked exaclty like Gretta and that he'd planned to tell that rescue agency that he had a potential home for this dog. GEEZ!!!!!!!!!!
I hadn't been writing to Gretta for about a week and I felt bad about that - like I was just casting her aside. Of course, the fact that I cried every time I wrote something on Lightning Strike told me that wasn't exactly true. I also thought that Gretta must have sent Rufus to me for the care he needed and did so just in time to make it impossible to adopt her twin sister. I do love Rufus - even more now that I feel it was "in the plan." But I feel very sad about making this move so fast - only a month after my all-time #1 friend had passed. And stopping even writing to her. And going back on my promises to her about her dog bed and restaurant. Some nights i sleep with the pillow I had made for her ashes (the one pictured on Lightning Strike) but I feel so disloyal. I know I need to realize that love is infinite and indivisible. In fact, I've even said these very words when trying to console a new Lightning Striker. But in my heart of hearts I still feel unreasonable pangs of guilt. Love IS infinite. It IS indivisible. Gretta IS continuing to take care of me and guide me. It's just my human training that's coming up to bite me (and we all know how reliable THAt is!)
Thank you for being my friends. Thank you for being the other twigs that, together, make me strong. And thank you for listening and understanding this 'confession.' Gretta, mom loves you. You know that and I know that. And I also know that you sent Rufus to me because you knew he needed way more help than he was getting adn that I'd do everything I could to help him. Thank you, Gretta-girl.
Your loving mom.
Gretta's mom
The next day I went back on the original site and decided that Rufus the 7.5 year old "black lab mix" wasn't so out of range after all. The description said she had back leg tremors that had been ruled benign and was 95# (about 30 pounds heavier that Gretta) - but I thought "a lab" - it can work. So I hurried up and let the group know that I wanted to adopt Mr Rufus. I hope that at least a little of my hurry to adopt was Gretta opening my heart and not just 100% a reaction to my own loneliness and grief.
The changeover was arranged - since I was a known and acceptable quantity to the agency - and took place two days later in a park just over the state line into Wisconsin. Rufus's foster mom lived about 60 miles further east than that so it was a good place to meet. Right away things were a little different than they had been represented. First of all, Rufus had been in this foster home for a year and a half and being so far away from the Twin Cities had never been brought to an adoption event. Hard - but not impossible - to get adopted from a web site that discloses (a good thing) a physical problem. Not a deal-breaker. Then Rufus came walking down off a ramp and I saw that she was HUGE. Definitely NOT a lab mix - and definitely WAY more than 95#. Big - and fat - but still not a deal breaker. She was sweet and had deep brown eyes that looked like they had seen the sadness of the entire world. Her legs were shaking pretty badly but the foster mom said she could outwalk anyone on earth and could do steps - which would have been a deal-breaker if she had not been able to do that, b/c there are 5 stairs leading to my front door. She was big and black and had a soft coat - more like a flat-coated retriever and she was clearly a mix /cuz she had a white blaze on her chest. I got her into my car somehow and we drove back to my home.
I felt in my heart that I didn't love her with my entire heart - not the way I did when I first saw Gretta and she chose me by laying her gentle head in my lap. Peggy's Human was great at explaining to me that this was &%^ogous to losing a beloved person - the love of your life - and having a good friend stick with you and give you support during that horrible time. And then suddenly one day you wake up and realize that you love him. Not in the same way as your lost one, but in a new way - and that's OK. I bought a giant crate which filled up my dining room and Rufus moved in. I kept up my daily messages to Gretta - reassuring her that she was first and always would be in my heart (like you need to tell a spirit-animal stuff like that - they GET IT way before you do). And I went back on my first day promises that no one would ever sleep on her dog bed or eat from her dog "restaurant" again.
After about 3 days I felt Gretta telling me to let Rufus know that he was loved for himself. That he wasn't "just a replacement dog." I started opening my heart to him a little more. His only "bad" behavior was that when I'd come home after an absence he'd get so excited he'd let out a bark or two - a major sound from such a big dog. And I knew that was a no-no in an urban fourplex - where the landlord had really extended himself letting me have a dog in the first place. My very experience sister reminded me about the "totally ignoring/move slowly/turn your back on him" approach and it worked a miracle. (I thought we must be being filmed for a dog training VDO we did so well.) Rufus really wants to please. He's a handful on walks but not a dragger - just big and heavy. Since he's spent his last 18 months in a semi-rural area, she likes to chase critters - also a no-no in an urban area just 3 blocks from the richest homes in the city (it drops off fast!) Having a furry creature in your mouth is STRICTLY PROHIBITED around here no matter how natural.
Last Thursday I took Rufus to the vet for a get-acquainted meeting and discovered things were DEFINITELY not as they had been portrayed. Rufus's leg tremors were NOT benign muscle shaking. The vet could tell from the outside and by having Rufus sit for a treat that he had two bad ACLs on his back knees, a severe read-end weakness adn that the shaking was likely due to a neurological problem like a spinal stenosis. I could see the bills shooting out of sight even NOT on a fixed income. Besides that, the vet told me he'd thought about me a few days before when treating a rescue dog that looked exaclty like Gretta and that he'd planned to tell that rescue agency that he had a potential home for this dog. GEEZ!!!!!!!!!!
I hadn't been writing to Gretta for about a week and I felt bad about that - like I was just casting her aside. Of course, the fact that I cried every time I wrote something on Lightning Strike told me that wasn't exactly true. I also thought that Gretta must have sent Rufus to me for the care he needed and did so just in time to make it impossible to adopt her twin sister. I do love Rufus - even more now that I feel it was "in the plan." But I feel very sad about making this move so fast - only a month after my all-time #1 friend had passed. And stopping even writing to her. And going back on my promises to her about her dog bed and restaurant. Some nights i sleep with the pillow I had made for her ashes (the one pictured on Lightning Strike) but I feel so disloyal. I know I need to realize that love is infinite and indivisible. In fact, I've even said these very words when trying to console a new Lightning Striker. But in my heart of hearts I still feel unreasonable pangs of guilt. Love IS infinite. It IS indivisible. Gretta IS continuing to take care of me and guide me. It's just my human training that's coming up to bite me (and we all know how reliable THAt is!)
Thank you for being my friends. Thank you for being the other twigs that, together, make me strong. And thank you for listening and understanding this 'confession.' Gretta, mom loves you. You know that and I know that. And I also know that you sent Rufus to me because you knew he needed way more help than he was getting adn that I'd do everything I could to help him. Thank you, Gretta-girl.
Your loving mom.
Gretta's mom
Dear Gretta's Mom,
Aren't we humans a messed-up bunch? Gretta knows how much her mommy loves her and misses her. Nothing in the world can take "her" spot in your heart! That being said, we do have a infinite capacity to love and nurture. I would love to see Rufus' picture when you get it uploaded, he sounds beautiful. It seems like it was his lucky day when you came into his life.
I know how you feel about the timing. I adopted my Kayla just 5 days after my childhood companion Kissy passed (he was 15) and I struggled with the feelings of disloyalty for a while. That is why I was so grateful that I was chosen by a brown tabby female, at least there were no similar physical characteristics. That helped a lot. Kay and I ended up having 15.5 years together before she passed on May 9. Maybe for you as well it will help that Rufus looks nothing like Gretta.
I believe that love comes in different forms. Sometimes its love a first sight, like you had with Gretta. Sometimes it develops over time and I think that's what you'll have with Rufus.
Congrats on your new fur-son! Be good to yourself and enjoy the holiday weekend.
Shelby (Kaylasmom)
Aren't we humans a messed-up bunch? Gretta knows how much her mommy loves her and misses her. Nothing in the world can take "her" spot in your heart! That being said, we do have a infinite capacity to love and nurture. I would love to see Rufus' picture when you get it uploaded, he sounds beautiful. It seems like it was his lucky day when you came into his life.
I know how you feel about the timing. I adopted my Kayla just 5 days after my childhood companion Kissy passed (he was 15) and I struggled with the feelings of disloyalty for a while. That is why I was so grateful that I was chosen by a brown tabby female, at least there were no similar physical characteristics. That helped a lot. Kay and I ended up having 15.5 years together before she passed on May 9. Maybe for you as well it will help that Rufus looks nothing like Gretta.
I believe that love comes in different forms. Sometimes its love a first sight, like you had with Gretta. Sometimes it develops over time and I think that's what you'll have with Rufus.
Congrats on your new fur-son! Be good to yourself and enjoy the holiday weekend.
Shelby (Kaylasmom)
Hi Shelby
Thank you for the encouraging words. I know it's true that nobody will, nobody can "replace' Gretta. Rufus and I will fall in love one day at a time. Thanks again. Have a good weekend, too.
Gretta's mom
Thank you for the encouraging words. I know it's true that nobody will, nobody can "replace' Gretta. Rufus and I will fall in love one day at a time. Thanks again. Have a good weekend, too.
Gretta's mom
Hi, Gretta, thank you so much for sharing with us how you're doing, and for your WONDERFUL news about Rufus. Congratulations on your new lifetime companion.
Gretta, as Shelby has so compassionately shared with you, what you are feeling is perfectly normal - - and it happens regardless of how much time passes between beloved companions. As Shelby said sometimes our new companion comes to us "love at first sight" and sometimes love comes softly through genuine caring, concern, sharing every day experiences - - the ups and downs and turnarounds. One day comes and you look at each other and you "know" beyond all shadow of a doubt that your lives have woven together like a vine, and to separate you from each other would mean damaging the tender shoots of dependency that are vital for all living creatures. You and Rufus are on a new and exciting journey. Your precious Gretta is supervising every step of your journey, and she is so very proud of you for embracing Rufus into your heart and home.
So, please let your heart and mind be at peace - - all is well with you and your precious Gretta. She knows you are on a fixed income, so sharing her earthly belongings with Rufus is okay with her.
By the way, did your vet offer you any recommendations about treatment for Rufus' rear legs?
Gretta, I am so o o very happy for you and Rufus, and I am looking so forward to seeing a picture of your new furchild whenever possible. Please know you and Rufus are in my thoughts and prayers, Gretta, and look forward to knowing how you both are doing.
Peace and blessings,
moon_beam
Gretta, as Shelby has so compassionately shared with you, what you are feeling is perfectly normal - - and it happens regardless of how much time passes between beloved companions. As Shelby said sometimes our new companion comes to us "love at first sight" and sometimes love comes softly through genuine caring, concern, sharing every day experiences - - the ups and downs and turnarounds. One day comes and you look at each other and you "know" beyond all shadow of a doubt that your lives have woven together like a vine, and to separate you from each other would mean damaging the tender shoots of dependency that are vital for all living creatures. You and Rufus are on a new and exciting journey. Your precious Gretta is supervising every step of your journey, and she is so very proud of you for embracing Rufus into your heart and home.
So, please let your heart and mind be at peace - - all is well with you and your precious Gretta. She knows you are on a fixed income, so sharing her earthly belongings with Rufus is okay with her.
By the way, did your vet offer you any recommendations about treatment for Rufus' rear legs?
Gretta, I am so o o very happy for you and Rufus, and I am looking so forward to seeing a picture of your new furchild whenever possible. Please know you and Rufus are in my thoughts and prayers, Gretta, and look forward to knowing how you both are doing.
Peace and blessings,
moon_beam
Hello MoonBeam
Thank you so much for your wonderful words of understanding and encouragement. Thanks for reminding me that Gretta is supervising me every step of the way and that, kind being that she is, she's more than happy to share her things with Rufus. I'm not yet on a fixed income but will be in 3-4 years so I can still do what I can to fix up Mr Rufus.
My vet is an amazing diagnostician - and amazing vet all the way around. He trained at U Penn and appears to have been able to remember EVERYTHING he learned and make connections between some pretty obscure stuff. By observing Rufus stand, sit and lie down, he was able to spot two bad ACLs - one on each back knee, significant rear end weakness which is likely to be spinal stenosis, which also may be causing the tremors - which from the way the read legs are positioned when Rufie is standing and sitting are neurological in origin and may also be a symptom of a spinal stenosis. He did say that "We won't be doing any surgery on him to treat this." Which were welcome words! He sent Rufus home on Rimadyl to eliminate the contribution of pain to the situation and Rufus is due for a whole-body x-ray work-up on Wednesday. He also told me to cut our 50-block/day walks (in four segments, not all at once!) way back until we discovered what was really going on with Rufus. Dr Hinson is a true blessing.
Thank you again for always reading my heart and coming up with exactly the encouragement I need, no matter what the situation. You're a true blessing, too. In peace .....
Gretta's mom
Thank you so much for your wonderful words of understanding and encouragement. Thanks for reminding me that Gretta is supervising me every step of the way and that, kind being that she is, she's more than happy to share her things with Rufus. I'm not yet on a fixed income but will be in 3-4 years so I can still do what I can to fix up Mr Rufus.
My vet is an amazing diagnostician - and amazing vet all the way around. He trained at U Penn and appears to have been able to remember EVERYTHING he learned and make connections between some pretty obscure stuff. By observing Rufus stand, sit and lie down, he was able to spot two bad ACLs - one on each back knee, significant rear end weakness which is likely to be spinal stenosis, which also may be causing the tremors - which from the way the read legs are positioned when Rufie is standing and sitting are neurological in origin and may also be a symptom of a spinal stenosis. He did say that "We won't be doing any surgery on him to treat this." Which were welcome words! He sent Rufus home on Rimadyl to eliminate the contribution of pain to the situation and Rufus is due for a whole-body x-ray work-up on Wednesday. He also told me to cut our 50-block/day walks (in four segments, not all at once!) way back until we discovered what was really going on with Rufus. Dr Hinson is a true blessing.
Thank you again for always reading my heart and coming up with exactly the encouragement I need, no matter what the situation. You're a true blessing, too. In peace .....
Gretta's mom
Hi, Gretta, thank you so much for sharing with us how you and your precious Rufus are doing. I'm so glad you have a veterinary practitioner who is both knowledgeable and compassonate. This is so o o o very important. It's good to know that surgery has been crossed off the list of options, and that you and Rufus will still be enjoying your walks, but at a shorter distance. If you would like to go on longer walks and have his company, have you thought about getting him a stroller? Please don't laugh. It would still give him an opportunity to get out and about with you without stressing his rear legs. IF you think this is a possibility, start your search on the Discount Ramps website. I got a couple of strollers for my kitty kids to help me get them in and out of the vet office, and everyone who sees them genuinely marvels at what a great idea they are. There are strollers for large dogs, too, and quite frequently they have sales on that significantly reduce their cost. It's just a thought - - for whatever it's worth.
Gretta, I hope today is treating you and your precious Rufus kindly. I will look forward to sharing with you the results of Rufus' x-rays on Wednesday. Please know you both are in my thoughts and prayers, and will look forward to knowing how you both are doing.
Peace and blessings,
moon_beam
Gretta, I hope today is treating you and your precious Rufus kindly. I will look forward to sharing with you the results of Rufus' x-rays on Wednesday. Please know you both are in my thoughts and prayers, and will look forward to knowing how you both are doing.
Peace and blessings,
moon_beam
Hello Marvelous Moonbeam
Thanks for the suggestion - I've seen some accomodation rigs for disabled or injured pets. a discount ramp is also something we need - since, in a fit of sadness, I gave away the one i bought for Gretta - and that she never used.
Rufus is lying at my feet now. He's psychic, I swear. I can be on the computer for hours - doing some work or just putzing around and he's sleeping like a baby. As soon as I start crying - like when I post here - he pops up and comes over to get me to stop typing. Hmmmmm.
Thank you for everything, Moonbeam. Have a restful rest of the long weekend.
Gretta' s mom
Thanks for the suggestion - I've seen some accomodation rigs for disabled or injured pets. a discount ramp is also something we need - since, in a fit of sadness, I gave away the one i bought for Gretta - and that she never used.
Rufus is lying at my feet now. He's psychic, I swear. I can be on the computer for hours - doing some work or just putzing around and he's sleeping like a baby. As soon as I start crying - like when I post here - he pops up and comes over to get me to stop typing. Hmmmmm.
Thank you for everything, Moonbeam. Have a restful rest of the long weekend.
Gretta' s mom
Hi Gretta's Mom,
Congratulations on your new addition to your family. That's what dear Rufus is -- an addition. He is in no way a replacement for your precious Gretta girl because there will only ever be one Gretta and nobody will ever replace her. Instead, your adding a new member to your family, of which Gretta is still very much a part of and always will be. Rest assured, Gretta's Mom, that she is smiling down at you and her new brother, and hoping that he helps to bring some comfort to your aching heart. What you're doing is a wonderful thing -- you're giving an older dog a real chance of love and happiness. There is no need to feel 'disloyal' or 'divided'. You're a truly wonderful person and I wish you all the best of luck.
Please keep us updated on Rufus and how he is getting on. And I can't wait to see the pictures.
Thinking of you, Rufus, and your angel Gretta,
Cheryl xx
Congratulations on your new addition to your family. That's what dear Rufus is -- an addition. He is in no way a replacement for your precious Gretta girl because there will only ever be one Gretta and nobody will ever replace her. Instead, your adding a new member to your family, of which Gretta is still very much a part of and always will be. Rest assured, Gretta's Mom, that she is smiling down at you and her new brother, and hoping that he helps to bring some comfort to your aching heart. What you're doing is a wonderful thing -- you're giving an older dog a real chance of love and happiness. There is no need to feel 'disloyal' or 'divided'. You're a truly wonderful person and I wish you all the best of luck.
Please keep us updated on Rufus and how he is getting on. And I can't wait to see the pictures.
Thinking of you, Rufus, and your angel Gretta,
Cheryl xx
Hi Gretta's Mom,
First allow me to thank you for all the kind words of support that you have offered to me since the passing of my beloved Abby on May 4th. I so appreciate you for that. Actually, I don't even feel qualified to say anything here because I'm still so much in the throws of my own grief but here goes...
I think you did the right thing bringing Rufus home. You felt some connection to him from the start and you feel as if Gretta herself brought him to you. I mean, who better than Gretta knows what an amazing mom you are, so why wouldn't she recommend you to TPTB (the powers that be)???
I so relate to your story. It's not been quite a month since I lost Abby and already I am finding myself on jack russell and rat terrier rescue sites. Abby was half and half and she was the most intelligent, amazing, loving doggie ever! Sadly, at the same time I feel guilty for even looking at the sites, though I know I'm not ready now. I think it's the head's way of creating guilt for the heart when none should exist...goodness human nature is soooo weird isn't it.
Even though I know I'm not ready right now, I also know that I really miss that connection with one of God's 4-legged doggie creatures. And I think Abby would actually want me to try again so that I can find that kind of happiness again. And in doing so I'm not betraying her memory, instead I'm honoring it. Neither you nor I have the option of giving our physical love and care to Abby and Gretta, as they have moved on and as hard as it may be, so must we. Wow, here I am saying this stuff when I can't even do it myself. I sort of feel like a hypocrite and I pray that one day in the near future I can take your lead and bring another baby home to love in the physical sense. In that respect, you're my hero Grettas Mom and I know that Rufus must feel like the luckiest guy ever!
I'm sure my words are rather insignificant but they are heartfelt-
Abby's Mom
First allow me to thank you for all the kind words of support that you have offered to me since the passing of my beloved Abby on May 4th. I so appreciate you for that. Actually, I don't even feel qualified to say anything here because I'm still so much in the throws of my own grief but here goes...
I think you did the right thing bringing Rufus home. You felt some connection to him from the start and you feel as if Gretta herself brought him to you. I mean, who better than Gretta knows what an amazing mom you are, so why wouldn't she recommend you to TPTB (the powers that be)???
I so relate to your story. It's not been quite a month since I lost Abby and already I am finding myself on jack russell and rat terrier rescue sites. Abby was half and half and she was the most intelligent, amazing, loving doggie ever! Sadly, at the same time I feel guilty for even looking at the sites, though I know I'm not ready now. I think it's the head's way of creating guilt for the heart when none should exist...goodness human nature is soooo weird isn't it.
Even though I know I'm not ready right now, I also know that I really miss that connection with one of God's 4-legged doggie creatures. And I think Abby would actually want me to try again so that I can find that kind of happiness again. And in doing so I'm not betraying her memory, instead I'm honoring it. Neither you nor I have the option of giving our physical love and care to Abby and Gretta, as they have moved on and as hard as it may be, so must we. Wow, here I am saying this stuff when I can't even do it myself. I sort of feel like a hypocrite and I pray that one day in the near future I can take your lead and bring another baby home to love in the physical sense. In that respect, you're my hero Grettas Mom and I know that Rufus must feel like the luckiest guy ever!
I'm sure my words are rather insignificant but they are heartfelt-
Abby's Mom
Oh Abby's mom
Your words are definitely NOT insignificant. Just knowing that other people do and feel the same things I do is tremendously helpful. And I agree 100% - humans are SOOOOOOOOOOO screwed up! Good thing we have our animals to keep us on the right track. I men, did you ever hear about animals having a World War? Maybe a tail wagging contest! You're so right - we can't give our physical love to Abby and Gretta - they've gone to a place where we can't see or hear or touch them and that is SOOOOOOOOO hard. But we have so much of it bottled up inside our hearts (right along with the sorrow). That's why our spirit-animals found us in the first place. And just because they've disappeared doesn't mean it's not there any more. Thank you for sharing your experience with going on pet sites. And I'm sorry for forgetting that everyone grieves in his or her own way and time. You're right, Gretta sent me her brother to be loved and taken care of.
Thank you for taking the time to give your words of understnading and comfort. I'll take them with me today as a warning gift.
How are YOU doing? Are you still in the shot-through-the heart time? I know a little bit of your heart and mind must be showing through because you reached out to me. Thank you so much for doing that. Isn't it amazing that people who have no other reason to know each other can instantly know one anothers' hearts. All because of loving and , even more, being loved by our soul-animals.
Thank you so much .... and here's hoping for some peaceful moments for you today.
Gretta's mom
Your words are definitely NOT insignificant. Just knowing that other people do and feel the same things I do is tremendously helpful. And I agree 100% - humans are SOOOOOOOOOOO screwed up! Good thing we have our animals to keep us on the right track. I men, did you ever hear about animals having a World War? Maybe a tail wagging contest! You're so right - we can't give our physical love to Abby and Gretta - they've gone to a place where we can't see or hear or touch them and that is SOOOOOOOOO hard. But we have so much of it bottled up inside our hearts (right along with the sorrow). That's why our spirit-animals found us in the first place. And just because they've disappeared doesn't mean it's not there any more. Thank you for sharing your experience with going on pet sites. And I'm sorry for forgetting that everyone grieves in his or her own way and time. You're right, Gretta sent me her brother to be loved and taken care of.
Thank you for taking the time to give your words of understnading and comfort. I'll take them with me today as a warning gift.
How are YOU doing? Are you still in the shot-through-the heart time? I know a little bit of your heart and mind must be showing through because you reached out to me. Thank you so much for doing that. Isn't it amazing that people who have no other reason to know each other can instantly know one anothers' hearts. All because of loving and , even more, being loved by our soul-animals.
Thank you so much .... and here's hoping for some peaceful moments for you today.
Gretta's mom
Hi Gretta's mom,
Just wondering how darling Rufus is getting on? I know he should do just fine, with your sweet angel Gretta watching over her new adopted brother
Wishing you well,
Cheryl xx
Just wondering how darling Rufus is getting on? I know he should do just fine, with your sweet angel Gretta watching over her new adopted brother
Wishing you well,
Cheryl xx
Hey there.
I think it's wonderful that you adopted Rufus, that you did not give up on him when you saw the issues he had. Many people would. It looks like he really needed you.
I'm sure Gretta is happy and proud of what you've done. You've rescued one of her kind who really needed it. She must feel truly honored. I hope you and Rufus have many happy moments.
I think it's wonderful that you adopted Rufus, that you did not give up on him when you saw the issues he had. Many people would. It looks like he really needed you.
I'm sure Gretta is happy and proud of what you've done. You've rescued one of her kind who really needed it. She must feel truly honored. I hope you and Rufus have many happy moments.
Hello LS friends
I must know every folk song ever written and while I am walking our 50 blocks a day with the brother-dog that gretta sent me - Rufus, the black lab-newfie - I often make up doggie words to them. There's an old Woody Guthrie song called "Hobo's Lullaby". You can listen to Pete Seeger's 4 verse version by going to YouTube and typing in Hobo's Lullaby and then selecting the Woody Guthrie listing on the right hand side. (He's got a wonderful, rebellious verse about the PO-lice!)
Anyway, here are my doggie words (not great but that's what i think my Gretta and all the other doggies and kitties and bunnies and all other soul-animals would sing to us). It'll make much more sense if you listen to the original first.
The Soul-Dog’s Lullaby
CHORUS
Go to sleep my weary human
Let the tears fall from your eyes
Can’t you hear us doggies playing
That’s the soul-dogs’ lullaby.
VERSE 1
Don’t you worry ‘bout tomorrow
Let tomorrow come and go
Tonight you hug a soft warm pillow
And a piece of (Gretta’s) soul
VERSE 2
I know that sickness took me from you
It causes trouble everywhere
But when you die and come to heaven
There will be no sickness there.
VERSE 3
Though the road by rough and rocky
And your heart be filled with pain,
When you come up here to heaven
We’ll be together once again.
Thank you all for being my dearest and truest friends.
Gretta's (and now Rufus's) mom
I must know every folk song ever written and while I am walking our 50 blocks a day with the brother-dog that gretta sent me - Rufus, the black lab-newfie - I often make up doggie words to them. There's an old Woody Guthrie song called "Hobo's Lullaby". You can listen to Pete Seeger's 4 verse version by going to YouTube and typing in Hobo's Lullaby and then selecting the Woody Guthrie listing on the right hand side. (He's got a wonderful, rebellious verse about the PO-lice!)
Anyway, here are my doggie words (not great but that's what i think my Gretta and all the other doggies and kitties and bunnies and all other soul-animals would sing to us). It'll make much more sense if you listen to the original first.
The Soul-Dog’s Lullaby
CHORUS
Go to sleep my weary human
Let the tears fall from your eyes
Can’t you hear us doggies playing
That’s the soul-dogs’ lullaby.
VERSE 1
Don’t you worry ‘bout tomorrow
Let tomorrow come and go
Tonight you hug a soft warm pillow
And a piece of (Gretta’s) soul
VERSE 2
I know that sickness took me from you
It causes trouble everywhere
But when you die and come to heaven
There will be no sickness there.
VERSE 3
Though the road by rough and rocky
And your heart be filled with pain,
When you come up here to heaven
We’ll be together once again.
Thank you all for being my dearest and truest friends.
Gretta's (and now Rufus's) mom
Gretta's Mom
What a beutiful sentiment. I would often sing songs and put "Tom" in places where they seemed to fut - he would often look at me as if to say "keep singing..." Your post has made me remember those times, thank you.
What a beutiful sentiment. I would often sing songs and put "Tom" in places where they seemed to fut - he would often look at me as if to say "keep singing..." Your post has made me remember those times, thank you.
Thank you Tom's dad. I never dreamed that being an old folkie would help me and others in this way.
Gretta's mom
Gretta's mom
Gretta's Mom...That is beautiful. It brought tears to my eyes. Two songs go through my mind here lately, "If I Could Turn Back Time" and "I Will Always Love You".
I hope You and Rufus are doing well. You all are in my thoughts and prayers.
LoveMyMickey
I hope You and Rufus are doing well. You all are in my thoughts and prayers.
LoveMyMickey
Dear Love my Mickey
I'm glad my doggie-words touched your heart. I know I go down the sidewalk walking Rufus weeping as I sing (as much as is possible in public). And thank you for the two song suggestions. I'm going to look for them on You Tube. Rufus and i are doing fine. How about you?
Gretta's mom
I'm glad my doggie-words touched your heart. I know I go down the sidewalk walking Rufus weeping as I sing (as much as is possible in public). And thank you for the two song suggestions. I'm going to look for them on You Tube. Rufus and i are doing fine. How about you?
Gretta's mom
Hi, Gretta, thank you so much for sharing your heartfelt words to the song with us. Music is said to be a "universal language" - - for it speaks to the heart and soul of every living being. Our beloved companions do understand what we say to them - - in verbal speech and song and with the unspoken words in our hearts. Your precious Gretta does know how much you love her, as does your precious Rufus.
I hope today is treating you and your precious Rufus kindly, Gretta. Please know you both are in my thoughts and prayers and look forward to knowing how you both are doing.
Peace and blessings,
moon_beam
I hope today is treating you and your precious Rufus kindly, Gretta. Please know you both are in my thoughts and prayers and look forward to knowing how you both are doing.
Peace and blessings,
moon_beam
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