Hi, Tara, thank you so much for sharing with us how you're doing. It is not uncommon for our new companions, and even the ones who are already sharing our lives, to take on some of the behaviors and mannerisms of our beloved companions. I have seen this repeatedly with my own companions, and I firmly believe it is one of the ways our beloved companions let us know their sweet Living Spirits are still with us.

I read in one of your responses to another topic that you find yourself calling your precious Regen by your beloved Vienna's name. Please know this is aso very normal. My precious Noah was very deeply bonded to his big adopted kitty brother Eli who joined the angels in December 2006. There are times -- fewer than before - - even now when I will call Noah by Eli's name - - out of the blue - - and I stop for a moment and thank Eli for taking a moment to visit. So please do not feel bad for calling Regen by your beloved Vienna's name.

And please let me try to reassure you that your beloved Vienna is now in eternal joy - - she can never know pain or sorrow or fear ever again - - and her only memories are of the eternal love she shares with you. And when you are reunited at your appropriate time it will be as though you had never been separated from one another - - and never will be again.

I hope today is treating you and your precious Regen kindly, Tara, and that you will have a peaceful evening blessed with your beloved Vienna's sweet Living Spirit to comfort you. Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers, and please let us know how you're doing.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

It's been nearly 4 months since I lost my precious Vienna and, as everyone on here said it would, things have gotten better. There's still some pain when I think about her last few days when she was so sick so suddenly. But it's much, much easier to put those thoughts out of my mind and instead think about the things that made her so special. I also adopted 2 new dogs - both Shelties like Vienna who were rescues. It's funny how much one of them, who's just a few months older than Vienna would've been, acts like her. Raskal has filled the house with barking and loves playing with a rope toy - just like Vienna. Regen is the exact opposite and is very quiet and calm, just like my Sheltie I had before Vienna. So it feels like things have come full circle in some ways. Anyway, getting these two dogs has helped me tremendously in healing after the devastating loss of my sweet girl. They've filled the emptiness in my house and, just like Vienna and Keith before her, do something every day that makes me very happy.

I just wanted to give this update as encouragement to others that the pain does diminish and the good memories eventually override the thoughts of loss. I didn't know how I would ever get through the loss of my little friend. But I did. I still miss her and will always love her. But I learned a lot from the 8 wonderful years that I had with her that I'm using now to make sure Raskal and Regen have the best lives possible. This helps give meaning to Vienna's life and death.

I hope all who read this find something helpful in it as I did with so many of the comments of others when I was deep in grief. I know this is a tough time of year to experience loss - my grandmother was murdered almost exactly 35 years ago and I still feel it. But I hope everyone has moments of peace and comfort even though the loss is so difficult.

Tara

Hi, Tara, thank you so very much for sharing with us how you're doing, and for sharing with us the wonderful love your precious Raskal and Regen are bringing to your heart and home. It is quite common for new precious companions to take on some of the qualities of our beloved companions who are with the angels as a way of letting us know that our beloved companions are still very much a part of our earthly journey -- while still providing the opportunities for our new precious companions' individual personalities to shine brightly.

I hope today, and every day, is treating you and your precious Raskal and Regen kindly, Tara, and that you will have peaceful evenings blessed with your beloved Vienna's and Keithi's sweet Living Spirits to comfort you. Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers, and please let us know how you're doing.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

It's been awhile since I've written anything here. I think that's a sign of healing and getting past the unbearable heartbreak of losing my sweet little Vienna. She died on August 31, 2013 after a sudden pancreatitis attack. I remember so clearly how unbelievable it was that my little girl would die so unexpectedly. She was only 9 and was completely healthy the day before she got sick. Within 4 days, she was gone. I didn't think I could ever get past the pain. But I did and I now have two wonderful rescue Shelties, Raskal and Regen (Raskal even came from the same shelter as Vienna). They've definitely helped me heal as has time. The wonderful support from people on this site probably did more to get me through the first month or two than almost anything else. I thank everyone for that!

Tomorrow would have been Vienna's 10th birthday. I still miss her but am not torn apart and immobilized as I was right after she died. I imagine there'll be times tomorrow where I'll think of her and cry (as I'm doing now). But I'm going to give Raskal and Regen an extra treat and appreciate how much these little creatures enrich our lives.

For those who've recently experienced a loss, my heart goes out to you. But it does get better. Rather than being constantly sad about Vienna, I can now focus on how special she was and still is and what a gift even her too short time with me was.

I just wanted to add a photo of Raskal (the little one) and Regen (the big girl who's looking at the camera).

Hi, Tara, thank you so much for sharing with us how you're doing, and for these wonderful pictures of your beloved Vienna and your precious Regen and Raskal.

I'm so glad you are being able to remember your beloved Vienna now without feeling like your heart is being torn apart. Some people think that when the deep grief eases it means they are forgetting their beloved companion. I promise you, Tara, this will NEVER happen no matter how much time continues in your earthly journey - - for your beloved Vienna is always and forever a part of you - - she is always and forever a heartbeat close to you.

I hope today, and every day, is treating you and your precious Raskal and Regen kindly, Tara, and that you will have peaceful evenings blessed with your beloved Vienna's and Keith's sweet Living Spirits to comfort you. Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers, and please let us know how you're doing.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam