Hi Gretta, my sweet babyface.

I'm just writing this short note to you to tell you how much I love and miss you. It's almost a year and I've never stopped missing you - even for a second. YOu're my spirit-animal. Someday we WILL be together again. I can't wait. Have a restful, warm night, Gretski. Mom is here and loves you - and I can feel your love coming over me, too, Babyface.

XOXO
Mommie

Dear Gretta,

You tell that mom of yours that she is not the only one who thinks of you every day and misses the heck out of you. The only good thing is that you and Trevor are in Heaven together - "forever cousins".

Have a peace-filled night, Miss Gretta. No wonder you never responded to your name when I said it: your mom gave you too many to remember!

We all love you, Gretta!

Auntie Bobbie, Uncle Stan, Cousins Dreamer, Trevor, Rudy, Jasper, Birney, Kelly, Crocker, Spot & Squirt (and coming to our house soon: Pepper)
XOXOxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo(xo)

Hi Gretta!

I'm taking a few moments out to tell you how much I still do love you and hope that you are happier than ever in Heaven with all your friends and relatives. Your mommy really misses you and could use some of your eternal strength to help her right now.

Tomorrow is the Pepper-day. Wish us luck.


XOXOxo (soon to be xo)
I love you!
Auntie Bobbie

HI Beautiful! Oh you of many names!

No matter how many names I give, it'll never be enough to express how much I love you, Babyface. Like you now, Mom's got to stiffen her back and do a job - making sure "the dad" is OK. You're always on the job, Babyface. Could you give mommy a little bit of help and hope today? Like the song says, "I need you, oh I need you." Thank you for being the kindest chocolate lab who ever lived. Remind me every day to live my life to be worthy of having you in it.

Bye Bye for now

XOXOXOXOOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

Hi Gretsky

Mom's got the leaky-eye syndrome again. Someone you know is causing trouble and next Friday will be D-day. Please send some good rays of sunshine on "the dad." I so worry about him being alone here so much. Rufus your younger bro says hi. We all miss you SOOOOOOOO mch. You taught us that kindness was a quality, not an action.

Thank you babyface. Have fun up there today and would you please ask all Aunt Bobby's dogs to send down some good-behavior rays on her younger Cspaniel and tell him not to be such a monster to his new older brother, please? Can't we all just get along? On earth - not a chance. Up where you are - always and forever.

See you soon, my friend.

Gretta's mom

Hi Babyface

Mom just finished helping with a research project wher I told our story - front to back. I hope it helsp other moms and dads who are crying today because their fur-babies wnet to the perfect World. You are my heart. You will always be my heart, Babyface. Looking at your pictures last night to choose some fir the project just reminded me again of how much I love and miss you. Welcome the newbies up there and let all the ones who don't have someone to mourn for them that your mom is mourning for them and will adopt them into our family. You are kindness itself, Baby.

Happy playing!

Your mom

Good Morning, Dude!

That was the funny name I like the best for you: DUDE. Although we only saw each other a couple times, we are family. So I think of you and love you as if you were my own. And in a way you are because you love me, oo! But your first and most important devotion is to your mom-ster. She loves you sooooooo much and misses the daylights out of you every single minute.

She is under a lot of stress and needs you to rally the troops for her for the next several days. The decisions and actions she takes are extrememly important and will impact several people she loves, well and some she doesn't love that much. I know you are having a good time in Heaven because Trevor never sends me any messages so the two of you, along with Hermy the bunny, must be organizing the Intake section of Heaven. There are so many newbies all the time, I know it's a busy job.

Gretta, you were and are so good for your mommy. Until one has experienced the unconditional love of a dog, their life is not complete. Of course, thjeir heart and soul become vulnerable to sorrow, but that's only because the love has grown and grown and grown. And you mom loves you a LOT! I know there is an Angelversery coming up soon and while we humans will be sad, we will be able to celebrate every day of your lives together. So start planning that party in Heaven and shower a bit of it down to Minnesota nd Maryland!

Love you, Gretta!
Auntie Bobbie

Hi Dude

Today mom needs your help a LOT. I have to go and protect the dad from some trouble and it will be very hard. I knoww God and you wiwll see me through, though. You're the other half of my soul and I know you'll protect me from anything - the same as we did for each other on earth. I'll let you know when it's over. Not so long from now.

Thank you my beautiful Babyface.

Gretta's mom

Hi Gretta! (yes, that's YOU!)

Your Auntie Bobbie wishes she could help your mom and her dad today, but all she can do is pray from a distance. I know you will take care of her and you should enlist the LaSov pack to help. They love doing those kind of things.

You were/are such a gentle girl and I loved it when you caught me eating a snack in the bedroom at night: click, click, click went your feet right to the door. How could I not share my goddies with you!

Thank you for loving my sister and even me. You ARE a kind dog and there are not a lot of those running around. Have a super day!

XOXOxoxo
Auntie Bobbie and the gang

Hi my beautiful babyface

It's so close to your first heavenly birthday. I know you're happy in the Perfect World and are only a breath away from me all the time. Thank you for everything you brought into my life: love, kindness, connection, faithefulness, love, fun, running, love, gentleness, "making a wolf", making friends with everybody who saw you - just be being - your whole body and eyes radiated kindness, oh and did I mention love? I love you Babyface, and I'm taking good care of your little brother Rufus.

Thank you for welcoming in all the new arrivals in the Perfect World and for loving all those who arrive there a little sad because there's no one on earth to grieve for them. Your comforting words telling them that your mom and your Aunt Bobbie take care of that. We mourn for EVERY animal that goes to the perfect world - whether they have a "person" or not. Someday a little black dog named "Aloo" will come up there. Mommy met little Aloo in India - a c ountry very far away from where we lived. I saw him every day sleeping in the hot sun on the steps of a little store where I went to buy food. I asked the storekeeper if the dog was his and he said yes. Then I asked if he had a name - cuz in many other places on earth people don't make such close friends with doggies - sorta like we do here withe our farm animals. My heart was filled with joy when he said, yes, the doggie had a name: Aloo. That means Aloo IS someone special to someone on earth. HE has a NAME - and all that comes with it. A home, some food, some kind treatment. Someday your mom is going to write a book about Aloo for children, letting them know how much a name means and how much love it carries.

Bye for now, sweet pea. Mommy's going to church and then to see Uncle Marv. Little Brother is out cold after our morning walk.

Love forever.

See you soon, my friend.

Mommy

Gretta my sweet

Mom has a job for you today. Go find little white Nelly and take her under your care. She's a new arrival and her story on this earth is horrible - worse than yours. Shower he with your infinite love and kindness and your two shower Nelly's mom with all the love you have (maybe you could enlist 'the gang" up there, too). She really needs it. Help her heart understand that Nellly is safe and warm and happy and that any terrible memories she might have had have been erased when she passed through the gate to the perfect World. Help her soul feel Nelly's presence and love just like while she was on earth. You're such a great heart-fixer. Thank you babyface.

Mommie

Hi Sweet Pea

How are things up there in the perfect World? Well ... perfect, I imagine. All of us Musketeers are in tough spots these days. Your gentle kind face is always before my eyes - letting me know that in spite of some extremely back circustances and standing, literally, on the brink of death, an angel does show up and things do ease a little. That's what this world is all about I guess. Gretski, you showed me the power of just being there, keeping on, being humble, bearing all thing (like the Good Book says). One of the lessons of your life is that after a hellish life, you came out blessed in the end. I tried never to let you have a moment of doubt or sadness - and you told me I did a pretty good job. Thank you for helping through those two years of black depression. Thank you for being here now - and forever! Romp and love and play and rest ... I feel your healing love shining down on me. Thank you more than I can say, Babyface.

Your mom and little brother Rufus

Hi Sweet Babyface

Mom is in a tough spot right now - as are the dad and Aunt Bobbie. We can't seem to stop crying. Younger brother Rufus is a joy ... he's sleeping the sleep of the just right now on your dog bed. Thank you for sending him to me. That Trevor for sending Dreamer and Pepper to Aunt Bobbie, even though they are both being holy terrors right now. With you (and God) up there, I know I will get through, but the way seems awfully dark, lonely and sad. How I wish we could curl up and snuggle. Rufie is a boy and doesn't like to snuggle although he's taken over the couch!

Thank you for everything you brought into my life, Sweetheart. You opened my heart to a love I never thought even existed. You are my spirit-animal, my White Buffalo. I'll try to be more diligent in reflecting on your lessons to me and on ones that are still coming. Thank you, thank you, thank you for choosing me at that adoption event.

Gonna try to carry on, Big Girl. Keep an eye on us and give us a signal if there are and land mines in our way.

Love forever,

Your mom

Hi Beautiful

It's spring again and earth is almost as beautiful as it must be where you are. Do you have Easter up there? Little Brother has to have an operation soon. He's got two HUGE lumps on his body and Dr Hinson - 'member him? your doctor? who loved you almost as much as I do? - is going to take them off. Send down some healing rays for him, OK?

At my door the leaves are sprouting
The warm soft winds will come
People walk dogs together
And I still miss someone ......... you.

Another Gretta song just for you, Babyface.

Your mom, aunt, little brother, uncle, two cousins - all down here loving you.

XOXO

Hi Gretta's Mom,

I like the addition you wrote to Grett's song. You are a talented song writer.

I am so sorry that Rufus has to have an operation. I'll ask Mickey to gather his guardian angels and all the spirit animals to pray for Rufus to be well, and to watch over him.

Gretta's Mom, I hope you and all your family have a Blessed Easter......Hugs,

LoveMyMickey

Hi, Gretta's Mom, thank you so much for sharing with us how you're doing and your beautiful love letters to your beloved Gretta. Please know I, too, am lifting up prayers for your precious Rufus in his upcoming surgery. I hope the lumps are not serious, and that this is more a matter of preventive maintenance. When will the surgery be done? I know you will be glad when the procedure is done and you have your big boy back home with you.

I hope today is being a good one for you and your precious Rufus. Please know you and your precious Rufus are in my thoughts and prayers, and that I always look forward to knowing how you're doing and sharing your treasured memories of your beloved Gretta.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

Thank you so much Love My Mickey and Moonbeam for your words of caring and encouragement. Rufus came to me with a huge lipoma over his right shoulder and over the past year I have been able to feel another on in his right armpit. My vet - the best in the world - trained at UPenn - has both a brain and a heart - assures me that these are lipomas and the reason to remove them is that they're so large. In the hands of Dr Hinson, I know Rufus will do well. I don't have any fear or worry.

And thamk you for remembering Gretta, too. I've been telling myself that her first angel-versary (April 10) will be just like any other day - I'll miss her just as much as I miss her every day. Thankfully, I've managed to suppress the thought of "last year at this time Gretta and I were doing so-and-so. Then an anniversary would be much more painful.

Every day I shed a tear or two for her - up there in the Perfect World, living in sunshine and watching over "Little Brother" Rufus (1.5 times her size!), welcoming newcomers, especially those who have no one on earth tho cry for them. I've talked about this so many times, it's rooted in my soul and is a comfort on an especially grey day.

Not today, though. It's EASTER! A time of celebration - and THE time that lets us know that there is something after this wordly life. Thank you for being such faithful and loveing friends.

Happy Easter and happy EVERY day.

Gretta and Rufus's mom

Hi, Gretta's Mom, thank you so much for sharing with us how you and your precious Rufus are doing. I am so glad to know that Rufus' upcoming surgery will be one of prevention rather than concern for serious illness. Please let us know how things go for your precious Rufus.

The angel-versaries are reminders of our beloved companions who are no longer physically with us. They are filled with mixed emotions for sure. I hope your and Gretta's one year angel-versary will be one of celebration for the blessing of having shared your earthly journey together and for the eternal love bond you share.

I hope today is treating you and your precious Rufus kindly, and that you both will have a very peaceful, blissful, and cozy evening blessed with your beloved Gretta's sweet Living Spirit to comfort and cheer you. Please know you and your precious Rufus are in my thoughts and prayers, and that I look forward to knowing how you both are doing, and sharing your treasured memories of your beloved Gretta.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

OH Moonbeam

I cannot begin to tell you how much help you have been to me over this past year. Your words have consoled me, instructed me, led me to my beliefs about like before and after this earth .... how do you do it? Not only for me but for EVERYONE here at Lightning Strike. You are truly a heaven-sent being. Thank God for you and your spirit. Your guidance and counsel have led me to a certain measure of peace - though still through tears - and the firm belief that Gretta and I (and Rufus) will be together again one day.

Gretta's mom, Jeanne B

Hi Sweatheart

Mom needs some help today - so does "the dad." Pplease get all the dogs who were the most fercious on earth and ask them if they will send down some protection for the dad. You know why.

Thanks my sweetest babyface.

Hi, Jeanne, thank you so very much for sharing with us how you're doing. Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers today, and always.

It is an honor for me to be a part of this wonderful forum sharing whatever I possibly can to try to bring comfort, support, encouragement, and hope to those who come here with broken, shattered hearts. By ourselves it is impossible to endure the heartbreak of this grief journey. It is only through coming together with like-hearted travelers that we can endure this horror roller coaster ride and finally find a "new normal" that will allow us to honor the unconditional love and undivided attention we are blessed to know with our companions during their earthly journey with us.

I hope life is treating you and your precious Rufus kindly today. Thank you for being here with us, Jeanne. Please know you and your precious Rufus are in my thoughts and prayers, and that I look forward to knowing how you both are doing and sharing your treasured memories of your beloved Gretta.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

Dearest Gretta and your mom,

By the time you read this, Gretta will be celebrating her one year Angelversary in the next-to-best place there is: Heaven. (the best place is your house, mom).

Gretta, that you for bringing such joy and love to my sister every single day you lived with her. I know that you not only loved her with all your heart, but you were equally as grateful to be her Spirit-companion. I'm so glad that I got to meet you, too and watch the "let's lie down" trick as well. You know that this is a very hard day for your mom and I know that you will be sending her extra love and strength every minute. I wish we could know how wonderful the celebration for YOU is today. One day we will - how terrific.

Jeanne, while you are still here on earth with Mr. Rufie, please know that Dreamer, Kelley and Stan and me AND Trevor and the boys and Hermy and Tucker, and all our immortal buddies are thinnking of you today and sending their love directly your way. I, too, love you and wish these days didn't have to come up on you like they have. But you gave Gretta every bit of love that was in your heart and soul and NO ONE will ever forget that. I'll talk to you later, Ms. Terrific Doggie Lover!

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO
Bob

Hi Gretski

Happy birthday to you! I know that you are, like Dr Hinson said "in a safe place now" and I'm so happy for you. Babyface, I'm happy for myself, too - happy to have been chosen by you, happy to have live with you and loved you, happy that you taught me that kindness is a quality not a deed, just happy deep down in the soul. The outer eyes, though are leaking some today, Babyface.

Mom is trying to live in a way that is worthy of your love - failing daily, but it's the ttrying that counts, isn't it Mr Waggy Tail? Thank you for you and your cousins taking on the job of welcoming newcomers into the perfect World, especially those who have nobody here on earth to mourn for them.

Thank you for sending Little Brother to me. He's taught me that love doesn't always have to be 'at first sight". that just being together day after day, little tendrils of connection grow up around our two hearts and then, poof, one day you wake up and realize - hey, we're in love!

Mom misses you the same today as yesterday and the same today as tomorrow. Say thank you to God for sending you to me.

Until we meet again .....

Your mommie

Hi Babyface

Please watch at the gate of the Perfect World for a little Chihuahua that may be coming soon. Take him under your paws and show him around the place, introduce him to all the pusspies and kitties and bunnies and ferrets and birdies and all the wonderful animals up where you are. Stay with him for a while, and tell him how much his dad loves him (but of course he knows that already) and you guys send some rays of courage down to his dad. Envelope him with your love. Let him know he's loved and watched and guided the same as before, that his baby is, as Dr Hinson said, "in a safe place now.' We'll do our best for him down here in LS and .... as we have seen we WILL make it. And someday we WILL be together again never to part.

I love you Gretta. You truly ARE the kindest chocolate lab who ever lived.

Your mom

Hi my sweet babyface,

Mo misses you more and more every day. You taught me to "stand still" - just wait patiently (and kindly) when trouble strikes. You got your name Mr Waggy Tail because that's what you did when you were standing still, waiting. Here's a verse of another old folk song that I'm humming today

How can I bear the sorrow
How can I ease the pain
How can I keep these tears from falling
WHen I never expect to see your face again

The last line explains how I can go on ... I DO expect to see your face again, and pet your smooth coat, and wiggle your velvety ears, and gaze into the most loving and kindest eyes in the universe.

Thank you for being there for me, Baby, and thanks for sending Little Brother. I'm trying my best to do what you requested in your song:

Please take good care of Little Brother
He needs your love as much as I

Please be with me today, Gretski.

I love you.

Your mom